Author's note:
I want to give my thanks to the people who commented on the last chapter!
Hutchison12 - you are a bit right about Edward... but I will not say anything more ;)
BlowPopJ - glad to see you on Adrian's side!
1moeannie - the breakup was foreshadowed, indeed; and no, it's not the end :)
I hope you will enjoy the new chapter!
*****
Chapter Twenty-Two - Midnight Dating
Mike caressed the dashboard, the combination of high-quality leather and polished wood nice and pleasant under his fingers.
"Do you like my car?" Ryan asked, throwing him a wink and a lopsided grin.
Was it okay for them to flirt like that while Ryan was driving?
"It's a very nice car," Mike admitted. "But please don't mind me. And keep your eyes on the road. I mean, please. Damn, I didn't want it to come out like this -"
Ryan's soft laugh silenced him, or better said, saved him from blabbing like an idiot a bunch of nonsense. "It's all right. I should keep my eyes on the road, no matter how difficult it is for me to stop looking at you."
Mike pinched his arm surreptitiously and made a small distressed sound.
"Is everything okay?" Ryan asked him, concerned.
"Yes. I just pinched myself, a little too hard. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming."
"And did you?" Ryan sounded amused, and Mike couldn't hold it against him.
"By how my arm hurts, I think it's safe to say that I'm not dreaming. It's all real," he added, in a small whisper.
"Yes," Ryan confirmed and let out a satisfied sigh. "Would you think little of me if I told you that I've dreamed about you all these weeks?"
"No," Mike said gravely. "I am very flattered."
"So polite." They were at a stop, and Ryan reached out for him and caressed his cheek. "You're such a good boy, Micah. And I just found my kryptonite."
"A good boy?"
"Yeah," Ryan replied, and there was a tiny bit of wonder in how he said that.
"You could always get a dog," Mike said without thinking.
Ryan laughed. "I have a dog. I just don't have any plans to date him."
"You have a dog?" Mike asked and realized too late that he had shouted the question.
"I hope you're not allergic to animal hair or anything. He's an Irish Wolfhound, so there's a lot of hair to brush."
"Do you have him here, in the city?" Mike was starting to get it, how little he knew about Ryan. They were moving fast, without a doubt, but he was getting used to this need for speed.
"Yes, although I need to make sure that he gets plenty of exercise. And it serves that my property is large enough for him and it's not in the city."
"Can I see him?"
"Now? He might be sleeping, unlike us, tortured souls," Ryan said.
Mike tried to hide his disappointment. So, that also meant that they wouldn't go to Ryan's home, which he hoped.
"I had all sorts of plans for tonight, but I must admit that it hasn't crossed my mind until now to ask you. What would you like to do?" Ryan asked.
Mike stared at his hands. "Whatever you want."
"I can tell you were disappointed about not being able to see Bran."
"That's the dog's name?"
"Yes. So, tell me what you want, as direct as you can. What would you like us to do on our first date?"
"I'd like to sleep with you." Mike put one hand over his mouth. Direct was one thing; what he had just done was simply shameless.
Ryan chuckled. "All right. I was hoping for an answer like that, but you still surprised me a little. So, no romantic midnight dating for you? Just sex?"
Mike could tell he was being teased. But that wasn't the time to forget why he was there tonight. "It wouldn't be just sex," he said quietly.
Ryan sighed. "I hope you do realize you're making me drive with a boner. It's not exactly the easiest way to do that."
Mike winced. "Sorry."
"Where should we go?" Ryan asked in a strained voice. As much as he joked, he wasn't unaffected, and Mike was glad that he wasn't the only one with lustful thoughts on his mind. "A hotel -"
"Your place," Mike said with determination. "And I get to meet Bran, too."
"Well, then your wish is my command. If you can stand me for a one-hour long drive -"
"I'd go anywhere with you," Mike said. "Even if it's really far away."
"Like the end of the world?" Ryan teased again.
Mike snickered. "The world is round. I don't think there's such a thing as an end to it."
"Hmm, that must be true. I'll take it as a compliment."
"Ryan, can I ask you something?" Mike rested his eyes on the road ahead. "Do you have, um, like any second thoughts? I mean, we hardly know each other and -"
"And you're insecure and I understand. Don't worry. We will know each other, and I'm sure that I'll like you more and more. The only worry I have is that you might discover that I'm a bit of bore."
"I doubt that. You know how to kiss and, um, you're just so considerate and handsome, and you have a dog -" Mike began.
"So you love me because of all that?"
"I love you because I do," Mike said simply. "I just know I do."
Ryan sighed in satisfaction again. "Am I the luckiest guy on earth tonight or what?"
Mike didn't know what to reply to that. He didn't expect Ryan to say the words back, although he had said plenty of things to point out in that direction. It would come with time; he was sure of it.
***
Mike kept in all the wow's and oh's threatening to pour out of his mouth, as he followed Ryan. The property wasn't a mansion or anything, but it was above any suburbanite's wet dream. The manicured lawn wasn't the only thing to make it so; there were bushes and flowers everywhere, and they weren't just the ornamental kind. Mike sniffed a few in passing, as they walked the pathway leading to the modern-looking one-story building in the back. He hurried after Ryan when he remained a few steps behind.
A large living room came to life when Ryan flicked on the lights. It came appointed with a large screen TV, although large wasn't a suitable term to describe what that electronic equipment was. It covered almost the entire wall, and Mike wondered if it was healthy to stay this close to it. "That's huge," he commented, forgetting his manners for the moment.
"My friends decreed a long time ago that I'm to host whatever sports party crosses their minds. Therefore, the usual place for that sofa is far against that wall," Ryan explained. "They're all big boys and want to have enough room to go crazy. Also, the last TV I had suffered a small accident. My friends decided to make it up to me by buying this monstrosity. It's embarrassing to explain its presence when someone new walks in, but I'm getting used to it."
Mike turned to Ryan with a smile. "If it's a gift from your friends, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." He was about to ask about Bran when small sounds of distress came from behind a door.
Ryan offered Mike an apologetic look and went to open the door, allowing a ball of dark fur to tumble into the room. The dog began to sniff his owner's feet and whined a little, although not loudly.
"You didn't tell me Bran was a puppy," Mike said and carefully approached the dog. "He is so quiet. For a dog, I mean."
Bran was manifesting his happiness at seeing his master home only by wagging his tail.
"It's sort of a tradition for my family and me to have Irish Wolfhounds. They take well to spending time indoors because they are a very considerate species, although they need the space to stretch their muscles. You won't hear them barking maddeningly like others do. Bran, in particular, is very well behaved." Ryan crouched in front of the puppy to run one hand through his coat and caress his muzzle with the other. "Come and meet him, Mike."
Mike had never had a dog, but he liked them as a general rule. He knelt on the carpet and petted Bran. The puppy examined him with curious eyes; the tail wagging intensified.
"This is Bran, my faithful hound," Ryan declared in a funny voice. "And this," he pointed at Mike while talking to Bran, "is my cute boyfriend."