and put his music on shuffle, enjoying the eclectic mix of music that filled the car. By the time he got to the bar, he was calm enough. The excitement he felt at being on a date with the guy he’d been fascinated with was different than anything he’d ever felt before.
For some reason, this date meant more to him. He couldn’t explain why he seemed to be putting such a great deal of importance on it, when it was just a first date. That was not how he normally operated. What was different about Jordan? Something about him fired Bennett’s imagination, setting off sparks under his skin.
He parked and got out of his car, locking it and looking around to see if Jordan’s SUV was parked close by. He didn’t see it, but he was a few minutes early, so maybe he hadn’t gotten there yet. That was another thing that was different about tonight. He never arrived early for a first date. He was always just on time. There’d never been this level of anticipation to see his date before. This date was shaping up to be a whole lot different, and it hadn’t even begun yet.
Chapter Five
Jordan saw Bennett as soon as he drove his SUV into the parking lot of the bar. He had just gotten out of his car and was standing beside it looking around. He looked up as Jordan pulled in next to him, and their eyes met. Something like sparks lit him up from the inside, and he took a few deep breaths to calm himself. Then he took a second more to slow his racing heart and wonder at himself for his reaction to a guy he really didn’t know much about.
One more deep breath and then he exited the SUV, going round to stand by Bennett, who was waiting for him. Locking the vehicle, he stepped forward with a smile. Should he shake his hand? Reach in for a bro hug? Leave it at a smile? Bennett’s blond hair was inviting him to reach up and pet it. He fisted his hands to stop himself. What the fuck? He managed to keep his smile in place.
“Evening! Hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
He knew he wasn’t late, but he needed to do something to break the spell this man was weaving around him without even seeming to notice it. Bennett’s blue-gray eyes sparkled and Jordan bit back a groan at the sight. The man was simply beautiful. Jordan didn’t have a type, but he could see where Bennett Kincaid could become his type with his trim build and handsome looks.
“You’re fine,” Bennett answered, and Jordan blinked.
Had Bennett caught him staring? He moved ahead to lead the way into the pub, because standing around was going to get him into trouble. He held the door open for Bennett and once inside, he said,
“Where’d you like to sit?”
Elbow’s was an English-style pub rather than just a bar, with a dedicated area for dining. Reservations were not required, but depending on how crowded it was, customers might have to wait to find seating. Luckily for them, the pub wasn’t full, though it would be before too much longer.
He followed Bennett, who strode towards the back, homing in on a high table for two.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked.
“Beer’s good, for now. A dark ale.”
Bennett met his gaze for a moment and something heated flashed out at him. Jordan nodded and looked away. He’d need to rein in his reactions to Bennett or risk responding completely inappropriately for a first date.
“And what about dinner? What will you have to eat?”
He needed to keep things on an even keel, which meant actually acting like he knew how to be on a date with an attractive man. He took one of the menus at the side of the table and handed the other to Bennett.
“I’m assuming you’ve been here before. Anything you especially like?” See? He could do this.
“I’m feeling like a spicy dish, so how about…?”
Jordan watched Bennett scroll down the menu items until he found what he was looking for.
“I’d like the jalapeño and peppered bacon mac and cheese, with a salad.”
“Sounds good. Let’s share the salad. Caesar okay?”
“Perfect.”
Bennett’s lips distracted Jordan again as they curved into a smile. He had the overwhelming urge to lean in and buss them with his own. He swallowed and dropped the menu onto the table, rising hurriedly to go place their orders. Making his way to