Collin had never felt so comfortable on a first date with someone before. Throughout dinner and drinks, he listened to Tanner tell him about his life and about the sexual odyssey that had brought him to San Francisco. He was very surprised to learn that Tanner was married but understood what he was going through. He was willing to overlook that because he felt that there was something deeper here. A possibility of a relationship, a possibility that he was
the one
. He knew that Tanner felt it as intensely as he did and that knowledge made him want the ex-boxer even more.
Tanner forked medium-well steak into his mouth but barely tasted it. He couldn't believe that he was sitting across from Collin. In fact, he had been afraid that he wouldn't be at the club but his heart soared when he saw him on the podium. And now, they were together, having a quiet dinner and talking. Tanner was shocked to find out that Collin was an artist and a famous one at that. His artwork graced one of the conference rooms in the law office and Tanner knew that the partners had paid almost $10,000 for one of the paintings. He wondered why someone as handsome as Collin was alone.
"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"
"Too hard to find one that's not interested in either my money or my face." He paused to chew on a forkful of salad. "I don't want to be someone's boy toy."
"I wouldn't, either, but I'll never have that problem."
"What, are you kidding? You're one of the most handsome men I've ever seen!"
"You don't have to say that, Collin."
"I'm not just saying it, Tanner." He reached across and let his fingertips follow the line of his damaged eyebrow. "I love your flaws. They add character to you."
