Page 53 of Light Up
Tal’s eyes widened. “You said you’d had sex before.”
Don’t tell him.“I have. Last time wasn’t…good.” So much for not telling him. “Not rape or anything. I’d agreed, but it just wasn’t good. We met in a club and he was too rough.” Brendan had lightened up when Corey told him to, but then he hadn’t.
“I’m sorry. You should have told me.”
“You were perfect. That memory has gone.”
Corey closed his eyes and risked snuggling closer. When he felt Tal’s arm wrap around him, he sighed. “Give me a minute and I’ll be ready to go again. I’m addicted to you now. Just like champagne.”
Tal was still laughing as Corey fell asleep.
Twelve
When Corey woke, Tal was dressed again. “No round two?” Corey asked. “Or did you manage without me?”
Tal rolled his eyes. “Dinner first or you’ll be fainting again.”
“That was falling asleep not fainting!”
“So you claim…Bunny.”
Tal was teasing him! Corey loved it.
He had a quick shower and they went down to eat. Tal pressed his foot against Corey’s under the table and Corey’s happiness felt about to spill over. Tal was definitely changing, though Corey rethought that as he watched him move all his cutlery into perfect positions at the side of his plate, then realign the salt and pepper. Almost as if he sensed Corey watching, he pulled his hand back from the table.
“What would you like to be on the menu?” Corey asked.
“Beef Stroganoff.”
“I’ve never had that. I’d like moussaka.”
“Do you like to cook?”
“It was difficult in my last place. I didn’t have much to work with but I do like to cook when I have the chance.”
When the menus were delivered, they gave each other shocked looks when they saw both dishes were there.
Corey whined. “Now I don’t know whether to go for the Stroganoff instead.”
“You can try mine.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want wine?”
Corey shook his head. “I want to stay awake. I have things planned.”We need to talk about what we discussed before.He rubbed his foot against the back of Tal’s leg and watched his Adam’s apple go up and down. “There’s a painting class after dinner. I put our names down. I know I went a bit crazy signingup for stuff but this is my one chance to try things out. It feels like almost everything they have on offer is something I wanted to try. Except for Bingo. I did once look into a painting class but it was online and it’s hard with just a phone and not a laptop.”
The Stroganoff was delicious but so was the moussaka. Corey told himself not to eat too quickly but it was hard not to. Tal was only half way through his when Corey put down his knife and fork.
“That was so good,” Corey said.
“I’ve seen vultures eat slower.”
“Okay, Mr Sarky.”
“Now you have to sit and watch me eat.”
“And not drool.”
