The Cowboy's Prize

Chapter 12

Mitch smiled at Scott over the table. The tasting menu had been everything he'd come to expect from such a creative Chef and he'd enjoyed every mouthful. Much to Scott's amusement he'd even allowed a few small noises of pleasure to escape his lips as he moaned at the tastes and flavours that danced on his palate.

As Mitch's eyes closed with pleasure at the new cheese Scott had slipped a small wedge of between his lips. The heavenly morsel filled his senses as he tried to identify its style and origin.

"You look like you're enjoying that far too much, Princess." He said with a smile as Mitch finally opened his sparkling eyes to meet his dinner companion's.

Mitch dropped his eyes momentarily as he swallowed and breathed out with intense enjoyment.

"I can't wait for you to make that face in the bedroom." Scott admitted before his eyes widened and his hand flew to cover his mouth as he realised he'd uttered those words aloud.

Mitch's startled, yet approving eyes met Scott's over the small table and he reached out his fingers to touch Scott's hand. He smiled at Scott through his lashes as he contemplated the large and strong hand he currently stroked.

Scott's hands were broad, strong and the long expressive fingers that Scott used regularly to emphasise his words entranced Mitch, he had to admit a certain obsession with them and thoughts of them touching his skin filled his head at the most importune moments. But here and now this contact was allowed and he imagined them doing things to him that would bring that expression back to his face for Scott while he watched.

"What number date is this?" Mitch suddenly asked, his expression intensifying. Scott's puzzled expression made him ask, "Do the Gallery and Dinner count as one or two?"

"Only one in my book Princess." Scott said with a smile.

"Damn." Mitch said frustratedly running a hand through his bangs. "That means tonight is not your lucky night."

"Your rules about how many dates you go on before we can make out are that unshakable?" Scott asked with a grin.

"Set in stone." Mitch replied with a discontented smile.

"Kissing isn't out of the equation, right?" Scott asked, allowing Mitch to play with his fingers as he tried to distract him.

"We've already established that kissing was allowed on date two." Mitch said with the quick flash of an exasperated grin.

Scott frowned quickly and then captured Mitch's restless fingers as he decided to find out the rest of Mitch's rules. "And the other rules?" He asked with an enquiring gaze.

"No sex until date 5. Phone sex is the only exception. No meeting the parents until at least date 10 and no nudes until there's a ring on it." Mitch said with one eyebrow raised. "That means no living together until I'm branded either." He said with a casual shrug.

"Soooooo, tonight's going to leave us both... "Scott bit his bottom lip between his teeth before he finished the sentence. "Thirsty."

"For more of whatever this is, or just to get the physical over and done with?" Mitch asked carefully. He didn't want the night to end, nor did he want to lose whatever this thing between them was. But he was never going to break his rules again.

"More of everything Silly." Scott said with a leased grin as Mitch's bashful expression changed to hopeful. "I'm definitely not put off by those rules, if anything they make things easier. I'm kind of an old-fashioned guy." He admitted. "I want to take it slow too. Getting to know you has been a pleasure so far, and I'm excited to learn more. Sex isn't the yardstick I measure a relationship by, but it is important and so is compatibility. But I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that, that will not be a problem." He said with a hungry glance over Mitch's figure opposite him.

Mitch smiled and preened a little under that scorching gaze. It brought out the desire in him to be everything Scott wanted but not however at the expense of being himself. Experience had taught him to never make his needs less important than that of his partner's. Whatever kind of partner he happened to be with.

"I'm glad you can understand what I need." Mitch said becoming serious as he gripped Scott's hand more tightly in his.

Scott nodded and stated, "I'll never rush you before you're ready Mitch. I'll never demand sex before you want it and I'll never force you if you want to pause or stop. We are definitely going to take this thing at your pace." He said, the force of his cerulean stare boring into Mitch's chocolate and liquid filled eyes as he teared up at the words Scott was reassuring him with.

"You're not just the perfect date, you're literally the perfect gentleman aren't you?" Mitch responded with a hasty laugh as he wiped his eyes quickly.

Scott's look of extreme satisfaction made Mitch laugh again and he sipped a mouthful of the excellent wine they were drinking with dinner, to overcome his suddenly dry throat. If he looked that freaking hot just looking at him across the dinner table, what would he look like in bed?

"What are you thinking?" Scott asked softly taking in the blush slowly rising up Mitch's cheeks.

Mitch's smile deepened, showing Scott the dimples that had thus far been absent. Scott smiled wider with satisfaction at their reappearance as a flustered Mitch tried to get out of admitting just how attracted he was to Scott.

"That I wish this was date four already so there was only one left before I could drag you to my bedroom." Mitch admitted hesitantly, looking up at Scott from between his half-closed lashes.

"I don't want to end this date early." Scott said with a hungry smile, but you did mention phone sex before date 5."

Mitch's eyes flashed to Scott's as the blush flowered over his cheeks.

"Yes." He said softly.

"How about a walk in the park first?" Scott asked delicately.

Mitch's heart fluttered again. How could Scott be more perfect? He patted the corners of his mouth with his linen napkin and nodded as Scott caught their waiter's attention. Then he wiped his hands on that soft material. Hands that had suddenly become moist as nervous agitation filled him.

Perfect was something he wasn't used to. But he could work on it.