Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

hot pizza with cold beers.
    Michael leaned back against his chair and stretched out his long legs. "Ah, that really hit the spot. Thanks again for showing me around today. I had a really good time."
    "Yeah, me too." Cole smiled at Michael and took the last swig from his beer. "Let's head back to the cottage and maybe take a swim before heading into the city. Got any ideas where you want to go once we get there? What do you like to do?"
    Michael thought about it for a minute. "Well, I'd really like to drive by the office where my meeting is on Monday, make sure I can find it and know where to park. Other than that I'm game for pretty much anything! The Taj Mahal casino looks pretty cool. Really, I just like walking around, seeing new things, meeting new people. What do you usually do?"
    Cole shook his head and grinned. Michael was just too fucking sweet! The way he always thought about what Cole wanted. His mellow happy-go-lucky personality. "Seriously, dude! It's Saturday night. It's Atlantic City. You're on vacation. Tell me what you want to do; what would make you happy."
    "I mean it. Anything. Just hanging with you makes me happy." Michael's mouth snapped shut, and a blush crept across his cheeks. He hadn't meant to make that admission out loud. Too late now. "Uh, how about a bar or something", he quickly hedged. "I haven't been dancing in forever."
    "Okay then. Prohibition it is! Best gay bar on the boardwalk if you want to dance." Cole wasn't really into the whole booze, bumping and grinding scene, but he'd go for Michael. Okay, he had to admit to himself, and maybe a little for the idea of having Michael up against me, straddling my leg, grinding his cock against me. Walking to the car trying to conceal his growing hard-on was not an easy task.
    ****
    Michael found himself once again ready before Cole was, and waiting. And once again, he decided to use the time to check in at home. The ringing was replaced by the cheery greeting of his mother's, "Hello."
    "Hey, Mom. How's it going?" Michael knew his mom was a grown woman, but he worried about her nonetheless. He was the man of the house now and he felt responsible for protecting it and everything and everyone inside.
    "Oh, everything's just peachy-keen here as usual. Your sister and Elijah have barely given me a moment's peace. I swear their mouths never stop running! How about you, dear? Enjoying the sun and sand?"
    "Yeah. The weather has been gorgeous. Today we went to see an old lighthouse and hiked around the island. We're heading to Atlantic City tonight." Michael found himself wanting to gush about Cole and how much fun he'd been having with the man, but he didn't want his mom to alert his sister. He'd never hear the end of it.
    His mom could always see right through him though. She must have picked up on something in his voice with her supermom radar because her first response was, "And who is this we you're talking about?"
    "Oh, um, Eli's friend Cole. He's staying here too, and he's been showing me around town." Ugh, why did her inquisitions always make him feel like a five-year-old. "He's nice," he added. Great, now he was talking like a five-year-old. "Look, mom, we're getting ready to leave. I just wanted to check in real quick. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
    "Okay, honey. Be careful and have a good time."
    "Thanks, mom, love you. Tell Ang I said 'Hi' too."
    "Okay, honey. Love you, too. And, Mikey?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Don't be afraid to get the nice boy's phone number before you come home."
    Michael rolled his eyes. Of course, his mom wouldn't let him get away easy. "Yes, Mom."
    He hung up the phone and sat there waiting. He hoped he looked okay. He liked Cole. A lot. And it was clear Cole liked him as well. All day they were locked in that awkward dance of mutual attraction and flirtation. He couldn't help but think of tonight as a first date, especially since he had the first date jitters.
    Michael was nervous about his clothing choice. He had chosen to wear a pair of dark khaki's with a navy blue polo shirt that stretched taut across his shoulders and molded to his chest. He casually tucked the shirt in front so you could see his white canvas belt that wrapped his flat hips just above his crotch.
    He idly wondered if Cole would be wearing another one of his signature T-shirts, but when he looked up and saw Cole walking toward him down the hall, the only thing he could think was, Holy fucking shit. Cole was wearing button fly jeans slung low over his hips