Page 38 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
Chapter Ten
Todd took hold of Fazil’s hand and savored the warmth. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”
“Not really.” That little tremble in his voice always gave him away.
He gave Fazil’s hand a squeeze. “We don’t have to eat here.”
“It’s not heights,” Fazil said. “It’s falling. As long as I can’t fall, I’m fine. So yes to the restaurant.”
They headed past the fountain in front of the Space Needle and through the glass doors that led into the gift shop—and to the restaurant reservation desk. After they picked up their passes, they were directed to an elevator.
“What about the observation deck?”
He looked sheepish. “Maybe. I’ll need to see. Probably won’t go to the edge.”
“The outside deck isn’t large, but you don’t have to go out if you don’t want to. Most of it is on the inside.”
Fazil exhaled. “I’ll know when I get there.”
The elevator arrived, and they headed up. Fazil was perfectly fine on the ride up. Still holding Todd’s hand and not nervous at all. They were in a box with nice, thick glass windows—not like anyone could slip and fall in the forty-odd seconds it took to get them to the top.
One of the other passengers gave them a side-eye, but Fazil didn’t notice—too intent on watching the scenery. Todd straightened to his full height and casually stared back until the guy looked away.That’s right, mister. Mind your own business.He might not sling tires in a garage, but he still kept in shape enough to be intimidating when he wanted to be.
He wasn’t about to put up with bullshit from anyone but Fazil this weekend.
Despite the bumps along the way, the weekend was shaping up. They hadn’t lost any of their chemistry in the bedroom. Gained abunch.
The crap from their youth? They were working that out now that Fazil accepted the truth of what happened.
The elevator reached the restaurant and they got out. They strode to the host stand, Todd gave his name, and they were shown in to a window table. So glad he’d remembered you could make reservations online.
“This is nice,” Fazil said.
He nodded. “Food’s supposed to be good now, too.”
“Now?” Fazil cocked his head.
“Yeah, everyone says it used to suck, but that was before I moved here.”
Fazil tore himself away from the slowly rotating view. “How long have you lived here?” He studied the table and spoke softly. “I don’t know anything about you.”
Todd reached across the table and opened his hand. Fazil hesitated a moment, then took it. “There’s so much about me that only you know. Things no one else does.”
“But there’s so much I don’t.” That lost sadness was back. “My fault, too.”
Yeah, it was. He wouldn’t let Fazil off for it. “True.”
Fazil loosened his grip, but Todd didn’t. He stroked his thumb over Fazil’s knuckles. “A date, then. We learn about each other—who we are now. What happened in between. All the stuff everyone else who dates has to do.”
“Do youreallywant to date me again? After all that?”
He leaned in. “Who else am I going to fuck with a dragon dildo?”
Fazil’s breath caught and his eyes widened. If Todd had to guess, Fazil’s pants were tighter, too. “Well, there is that,” Fazil said, his voice rough.
Todd leaned back. That would be something to see, indeed.
A waiter brought orange juice and coffee, and they both spent time looking over the menu. They had to give up each other’s hands. When the waiter took their order and left, and they’d downed about half their coffee, Fazil reached for him again.
