young man. His typical modus operandi of wining and dining a guy to get him in bed was no longer his real motivation. Well, at least not his main one. In a startling development, he wanted to please Silver just because.
Hopefully, that didn’t mean the world was about to turn on its axis, because ever since he’d met Silver, his life has been rapidly spiraling out of control.
Silver reappeared with a small assortment of colorful paper menus, most of them bent up, but Donovan noted that when Silver handed them over, they were neatly arranged.
“Those all deliver, so pick out the one you want.” He shrugged. “Again, these aren’t Michelin rated joints, but they’re all good. I can be particular about food.”
“Really?”
He hadn’t intended to sound so shocked. Yet another reason why he needed to solve the Silver mystery.
“I take care of my body, eat lots of fresh food. Not that I don’t have my indulgences, but I’m not sitting in here eating pizzas, burgers and tacos every night.”
“Huh.” Donovan thumbed through the menus. He never could’ve imagined that sitting in a studio apartment above a garage in east LA and ordering takeout could be so much fun, yet here he was enjoying himself. “I’m sure you’ve already figured this out, seeing as I’m convinced you’re much smarter than me, but I’ve been stereotyping the living hell out of you.”
“I had an inkling.”
They exchanged glances then both broke into a laugh.
“So…” Donovan set the menus on the coffee table with the exception of one. “I wouldn’t mind some Greek food, if that works for you?”
“I told you. Whatever you want.”
After Donovan had relayed to Silver his food choices, and his attempt to pick up the tab had been thwarted, he found himself restless, on edge. At least his fucking head had stopped pounding, so that was a plus. He could probably also use a shower after being baked out in the desert half the day.
The sound of Silver jogging up the stairs reached Donovan’s ears, and Silver reappeared with dishes, cutlery and a couple sodas. He’d insisted on Donovan staying upstairs and resting while he’d retrieved what they’d need for their meal. For once, Donovan kept his blabby mouth clamped shut and didn’t ask why Silver didn’t just use disposable paper ones since he didn’t have a ‘real’ apartment.
Yeah. Decent person lessons are definitely needed.
Being around Silver had only accentuated how much he’d absorbed of his father and brother’s nasty, entitled world views.
“I could’ve eaten downstairs, Silver. I feel as if I’m too much trouble for you.”
As Silver arranged everything on the coffee table, Donovan didn’t miss the smirk tugging at his lips.
“I assure you, this isn’t what will cause me trouble where you’re concerned.” Silver handed him a soda. “Don’t worry about it. I told you I’d take care of you tonight, didn’t I?”
Donovan’s voice caught, his throat trying to tighten on him again. “Y-you did.” Staring up at Silver from the sofa as he hovered over him gave Donovan a jolt of arousal. “I still don’t understand why.”
Silver popped open his own drink, then took a seat next to him. “Because you asked nicely, and I could sense your honesty. You might recall me last night explaining quite forcefully how much I hate games.”
Silver winked and Donovan was charmed—the softer, more intimate side of Silver trapping Donovan even further under his spell.
“I do.” Donovan smiled, the action more natural than it typically was. “I like how you don’t let me get away with anything.”
Silver arched his eyebrows, and he was back to studying Donovan like a science project. However, Donovan had discovered that it no longer made him feel uncomfortable. Instead, it made him feel as if he was significant. As if he wasn’t being overlooked.
“Then I’d say we’re off to a great start.”
The buzzer rang. Silver regarded Donovan for another beat before rising. “I’ll be right back.” He gave Donovan one stroke across the top of his head. “Then we’ll talk more over dinner.”
Donovan nodded shakily, watching as Silver exited the room, his perfect round, muscular ass moving beneath the snug jeans he’d tugged on earlier. Donovan chuckled to himself. He may or may not have been pretending he was asleep when Silver had changed. Too bad the guy didn’t go commando, but the black thong had been almost as good.
As he reached for his drink, he noted that even his hands were shaking. He rubbed his hands along his slacks, his palms sweaty. Maybe he was