Page 16

Ruben

Dinner was cleared and both of us were quiet for a moment just enjoying the company. Max’s eyes found mine and this time his hand reached for mine on the table. “This has been really nice.” He brushed his thumb across the back of my hand as he spoke just as the server returned.

“Would you like to order dessert?” she asked while setting a tray on the table that held all of their offerings. The two of us leaned closer to look before deciding.

“I’ll take the chocolate cake,” Max said and looked at me.

“I think I’ll take the cheesecake, and I’ll also have the lemon cake.” She grinned as she lifted the tray.

“I’ll be right back with your order,” she said and turned to walk away.

“Two desserts?” Max asked.

“You’re splitting the lemon cake with me. And I wasn’t kidding about dessert.”

“I’ll make sure when I show up for dinner next time I arrive with dessert,” he said, making us both laugh.

“I’m holding you to that. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had such a good dinner,” I said, before drinking the last of my beer.

“Would you like another?” the server said as she set the desserts down.

“No, but I would like a coffee.”

“Me too, please,” Max said. He spun the plate his cake slice was on looking for the best place to start. It was no ordinary slice of cake. It was eight layers of chocolatey goodness with a thick layer of whipped buttercream on top. “I don’t know where to start.” He gave up and sliced off a piece and was about to eat it when he offered it to me.

“Like I’d say no to that,” I said before eating it off his fork. “Oh, that’s really good.” He took a bite himself, and his eyes widened as he chewed. “Told ya.” The cheesecake was next, and I did the same as he did and offered him a big bite. He immediately took it and reacted the same as he had with the chocolate cake.

“We’re either easy to please or this is all delicious,” he said and watched me take a bite.

Everything was as good as I remembered, and it was even better sharing it with Max. This place was always where we came for special celebrations, but I’d never brought anyone here for a date, and I didn’t want to think about why it was the first place I thought of taking him. “The cheesecake was always my favorite, but the lemon cake is new.” I cut a piece of it with my fork and held it out for him. “How is it?”

“It’s all so good. There’s no way I could choose a favorite. We’ll have to do this again,” he said, and I froze for a moment unsure how to reply. Did he want to go out again? Because all the emotions swirling around in my head made me want to take him out every chance we had. But I wasn’t sure that’s what he wanted.

“We should definitely do this again,” I finally said, making him grin after taking another bite. Our coffee arrived and the two of us chatted quietly while finishing all of the desserts and finally our coffee. The server brought the bill and set it down on the edge of the table. I immediately snatched it up and gave her my card before she could leave.

“You don’t have to do that,” Max said.

“I asked you out, so I’d like to pay,” I explained. He smiled at me, but this smile was different. It was a little shy and a little sweet, and now his eyes were full of the heat I’d seen earlier when we were at his house. The server came back, and we thanked her before standing to leave.

“I called for a ride, it’s the least I could do,” Max said. I reached for his hand but squeezed his finger, not sure he’d want to hold my hand here so gave him the choice. He wove his fingers with mine as we walked outside to wait. As soon as we were out the door, he pulled me to the side and kissed me. “Thanks for dinner. That was really sweet of you.” He kissed me again before cradling my face in his hands and meeting my eyes. “Want to stay at my house tonight?”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, I mean you’ve already stayed the night before,” he said and kissed me again.

“Yeah, but you were a little worse for wear.”

“It might be time for me to have my leg checked,” he said with a serious look and a barely hidden grin.

“Well, I guess if you need me to check your leg.” The car pulled up and the two of us slid into the back seat. Max’s hand found mine and I pulled it over to my leg. It wasn’t a long drive to his house but neither of us spoke, and when the car stopped in front of his house the heat had once again built between us.

There was always a slow simmering storm around us that neither of us could control but still, something told me to hold back. We’d both worked hard to get where we were, and nothing was going to make me take a chance at losing that for either of us. The fire I’d just felt between us faded, as Max opened the door and slowly led me over to the sofa.

Taking both my hands, he turned to look into my eyes. “I want you. I think I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. But—”

“You don’t want to risk your career,” I said, and hoped he didn’t hear judgment in my voice, only understanding. “I would never want you to do anything that would put your contract with the Titans in jeopardy. I was going to suggest I speak to Coach and see what he says about staff and players dating, but I didn’t want to do that until I spoke to you first. It’s just that every time we’re together all logic leaves my brain and the only thing on my mind is touching you.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” he said and reached to cup my jaw.

“Until we know for sure how this could affect our futures, I think we should wait to go any further.” I hated sounding like the fucking responsible one, but one of us had to be and it wasn’t going to be easy for either of us.

“You do realize this makes me want you even more,” Max said, a soft smile on his lips that reached his eyes. “I still want you to stay,” he whispered.

“Then I’ll stay.”