that Silver was ducking out on him, but from what little he already knew about him, Silver took his cars very seriously. He’d never leave her at the mercy of the streets.
Donovan sucked in a sharp breath as Silver emerged from the same door the others had previously, then sauntered toward Donovan as if he owned the world. He chuckled to himself with no mirth. Donovan wore his wealth like battle armor, but Silver came to the fight with only himself to offer.
Donovan didn’t stand a chance.
Silver got within three feet of Donovan then stopped. Donovan’s heart rate ticked up a notch as he remembered the night before when Silver had grabbed him, had pressed the full weight of his body against Donovan’s frame to render him helpless. He let out a small groan before he could stop himself.
Silver arched his eyebrows. “I see the coffee was especially disgusting tonight.”
Donovan tilted his head then chuckled. “Oh, right. Thanks for picking up the tab.”
He gave Silver a grin, the first time that day he’d donned the expression and actually meant it.
“You’re welcome. You were very brave.”
Donovan shrugged. “The coffee wasn’t that bad.”
“I meant you’re quite persistent. Plus, you don’t seem to mind this not-so-awful neighborhood after all.
“Well, you did say the third time’s the charm, so here I am.” Donovan opened his arms wide. “Silver, I would love it if you would join me for a drink.”
Silver gave him a lopsided smile. “You’ve worked for it, so I guess you deserve a reward.”
“Oh, really!” Donovan laughed. “So that’s how it is, you like to make men work for the pleasure of your company.”
Silver rubbed his brow with thumb and forefinger as he shook his head. “You were doing so well…”
Donovan bit his lip. Now what had he said? He’d never met a guy like Silver before. Clearly, he wasn’t much for bantering. For some reason, the idea of upsetting or disappointing Silver bothered him. When it came to his family he looked forward to annoying them, but that wasn’t the case with Silver.
“Sorry.” Donovan uncrossed his arms then realized his mistake when he didn’t know what to do with his hands. He crossed them again. “Not sure what I did wrong?”
“Just relax, Donovan. Don’t try so hard.” Silver laid a gentle hand on Donovan’s wrist before drawing it away. “It’s okay to be yourself.”
Silver’s tone hadn’t been angry or mocking. It was as if he’d actually meant what he’d said and wasn’t chastising Donovan.
Weird.
Donovan’s discomfort level had hit the red zone.
“I didn’t realize… That wasn’t my intention.” Jesus. “I thought I was being myself.” He laughed shakily. “Not sure who else I’d be.”
Now he felt like a naughty child. Things were spiraling of control. Yet, he couldn’t bear the thought of giving. He finally had a chance to spend some time with Silver, and he was going to see it through, no matter what.
“That’s all right, mijo.” Silver quirked a smile. “I thought you dropped by to offer me a drink.”
Donovan laughed again, the sound still more nervous than he wished it to be. “Of course. Where are my manners?” He wondered if he could take things to the next level. At least in baby steps. Silver wasn’t the typical pushover, that much was clear. “We could ride together to a quiet bar I know of nearby.”
The place was also dark enough that he could usually find a spot to hide in the back.
Silver smirked. “That’s all right. I’ll follow you over.”
“Oh, uh, sure.” Donovan rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m headed to the Yellow Cat up on Glendale Boulevard in Silver Lake. Just in case we get separated, I mean.”
“I know where it is.” The alarm to Silver’s car beeped as he strode over to the Mustang. He turned to Donovan before climbing in. “I’ll show up. I’m a man of my word.”
Donovan sucked in a breath to protest that he didn’t doubt him one bit, but Silver was already in his vehicle and revving his engine. Not wanting Silver out of his sight, Donovan hurriedly got behind the wheel. Now all Donovan had to do was discover if he was making an excellent or terrible decision by following him.
Chapter Five
Damn. What was it about Silver that had him so twisted up and on edge?
They drove the short distance to the local bar, the fact that Silver stayed in the lead not lost on him. He wasn’t about to pull some sort of macho move and attempt to outrun