No matter how much pain he’d endured, Dylan could see no reason to extend their perfect weekend together. It would only cause more heartache for both of them, him especially, in the end. Tristan was perfect in every way. Blond, tall, with those damn broad, muscular shoulders that seemed larger in that perfectly cut suit jacket—his complete dream man.
He couldn’t let himself go back down that path. The last two weeks had been hell. He had responsibilities and an amazing family to worry over. He didn’t have time for games. Certainly not games that were now so close to home.
He resisted the urge to run his fingers over his face, but he did drain his wineglass in a couple of swallows. And seriously, what happened to his no alcohol whatsoever plan? Tristan and alcohol never worked out well for him.
Now, as the minutes ticked by, it seemed his new game plan hinged on staying quiet and out of the way. Not a good one to help initiate or further any conversation, but since he had no idea what to say and felt completely in over his head, it seemed the best option.
He trailed after Tristan, following a step or two behind. Only then did he notice the romantic ambiance of the room. Candles flickered, soft music played in the background, and flower bouquets were everywhere. Almost the same bouquet was artfully arranged in several different locations around the room. He stopped following and took a closer look at one of them. They were hollyhock bouquets in different colors, placed around the living room and dining room. The centerpiece in the middle of the table was an intricate design of smaller cut hollyhocks with deep red roses tucked carefully together, set between the two place settings.
“Is this a coincidence?” Dylan asked without hesitation, looking straight at Tristan. It was hard to gauge the expression. Uncertainty crossed Tristan’s face which made no sense.
“A coincidence?” Tristan asked. The question sounded like a dodge, so that meant something in the answer. Dylan stood there and looked straight at him. This said too much. Dylan remembered clearly running along that trail. He’d slowed down on purpose. As toned and muscular as Tristan was, he was definitely not a runner. Dylan came to his first stop in a field of wildflowers. He’d bought Teri flowers over the years and knew these were rare, but to have them growing on the side of a cliff gave him the perfect excuse to slow down, give Tristan the break he needed without drawing attention to why he’d stopped.
“These aren’t easy to find around here.” Dylan plucked a bloom and walked toward the table where Tristan stood.
“I didn’t have a problem getting them,” Tristan replied in an even clearer dodge. Everything changed in that moment. This whole thing, from the wine to the flowers to the expensive clothing, had Dylan looking at Tristan in a new light for the first time since they’d met. He’d gone to a tremendous amount of trouble to put this dinner together. This was pure romance, just for him. The playing field changed right then.
“Thank you for remembering.” Dylan placed the stem at the top of the place setting where Tristan had set his empty glass.
“Sir, would you like some more wine?”
Dylan turned to see a young man standing there. Black slacks, a white button-down, black tie, and a black apron. Dylan hadn’t even noticed him enter the room. After a second or two of both Tristan and the waiter staring at him, he realized the waiter must have been talking to him.
“I’m sorry?”
“Wine. Would you like more?” the waiter asked, pointing to the empty glass in his hand.
He should stop now, switch to water, especially after that last revelation, but instead, he extended his hand to the waiter. “Yeah, thanks.”
“How about you, sir?” The waiter turned to Tristan.
“Please,” Tristan said, picking up his almost empty glass from the table.
“Here, take a seat,” Tristan said, pulling out the chair in front of him. It was a sweet move, just like everything else in the room tonight, and Dylan took the seat with Tristan helping to push him up to the table. Dylan dropped the napkin in his lap as Tristan placed a hand on the table and bent in close, his breath caressing his skin as he spoke softly.
“I noticed your appreciation of the flowers when we ran. When I planned our date night, I wanted you to see I paid attention. It seems silly now. I don’t date a lot. I had to go way back to my dates with girls in high school and there weren’t many of those. I’m sorry if it makes you uncomfortable,” Tristan whispered quietly behind him, leaning in close to his ear. Dylan kept his head slightly bent, listening to every word Tristan had to say. Heat ran through his body in response to Tristan’s words.
The confession helped him see that they were both nervous. Who would have thought Tristan would ever want him?
“It’s not silly at all,” Dylan replied.
“Then look at me,” Tristan said in his ear. Dylan lifted his head, but Tristan stayed in his personal space. They were mere inches apart.
“It’s special,” Dylan whispered at the uncertainty he was met with.
“Can I kiss you?” Tristan asked, leaning in, not waiting for permission. He kept the kiss small, lingering for a minute longer before taking his seat. Dylan was left slightly devastated, all his conscious thought vanished at the press of Tristan’s lips. His wineglass was placed in front of him. He might have uttered a thank you, but couldn’t be certain. Dylan lifted the glass and took another long gulp, needing the liquid courage from the alcohol. Something, anything, to take the edge off the intensity of the last few minutes.
Tristan hadn’t imagined the thrill he’d get from the quiver of Dylan’s lips. He’d stayed there a little longer than planned just to feel it again. He inhaled Dylan’s scent mixed with spicy cologne. He loved that smell. Dylan’s silence and hesitancy since he’d walked inside the room had made his own nervousness heighten. When Dylan stopped at the flowers and then looked up at him, he’d thought for sure that look meant he’d made way more out of their time together than Dylan had.