Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9

and large fountain seemed to hold Michael enthralled. Cole loved how young and innocent he seemed at that moment. He got the sense that Michael hadn't been outside of Cincinnati often, and the knowledge that he got to share this experience with him felt heavy and just right.
    "You hungry?" Cole asked.
    "Starved. What did you have in mind?"
    "I made reservations here for us at Il Mulino New York. They have excellent Italian food. Sound good?"
    "Absolutely. I love just about any type of food. That was thoughtful of you." Michael couldn't resist the urge and reached out to lightly touch Cole's arm, letting his hand glide down to his wrist before ending the contact.
    Goosebumps trailed down his arm following Michael's warm touch. "Can't have you thinking I'm a shitty first date," Cole flirted, "especially if I expect a second one."
    Cole held the door to the restaurant open for Michael to step through.
    Any reply the man would have made to his flirtation was cut short by an astonished gasp. The room was small but elegantly designed. Ornate iron and crystal chandeliers gave the space a subtle glow providing patrons with that feeling of intimacy than can only come from a dimly lit room. Crisp white tablecloths stood out against the marbled earth tones of the walls and art. Formal place settings, crystal wine glasses and a single red long stem rose topped off each table.
    "Is this okay?" Cole worried.
    "It's gorgeous! You always try to impress your dates like this? I've never actually eaten at any place so fancy. I feel under dressed." Michael fidgeted and tugged at his shirt.
    Cole reassured him, "You look perfect." He grabbed the hand that was nervously pushing and pulling at fabric and laced their fingers together. He didn't want Michael to feel out of place or worry so he gave him a little piece of his own insecurities. "And, no, I don't impress all my dates like this. To be honest, I've never been on a real date with anyone. So this is a first for me too."
    The gentle look and soft smile Michael gave him made the vulnerability worth it. The gentle squeeze of his hand, the hand that remained engulfed in Michael's until they were seated, was just the cherry on top.
    The dinner was delicious, and they left feeling full and a little lethargic. It didn't last long though, as the casino designers no doubt intended. The flashing lights, bright colors and incessant noise of the casino bombarded their senses and washed away any lingering feelings of stuffed drowsiness.
    Michael felt like a kid in a candy shop. "What do I do? How do you play? I've never actually been in a casino although I took tons of virtual tours of ones online when I was researching for my job." Cole was giving him an amused look. "What?"
    "Nothing. I love that everything is new to you and watching your excitement. So, let's get some slot cards, and I'll show you the ropes."
    They bounced from penny machines to dollar ones and managed to win almost as much as they had spent. Cole had used up the last of the money on his card and was following Michael around, waiting for him to decide on a machine, to use up his last few dollars. Michael chose a fishing themed machine and sat down on the stool, inserting his card in the slot.
    Cole stood behind him, lost in his thoughts, when the lights above the machine started flashing and the sound of coins dropping belted out from the speakers. "Oh my God," he heard Michael say, "I won $200!" He immediately hopped up from the stool and threw his arms around Cole's shoulders, pulling him into an excited embrace. Cole grabbed him around the waist and hugged him back. An instant later, they both realized their proximity and just like that, the embrace turned from joyful to heated.
    Michael felt Cole's body snug against his from shoulder to thigh, and it felt so fucking right. He forgot about the money, the casino and everything else around him as he began to pull away from the embrace. He was slightly taller, and his nose skimmed the hair just above Cole's ear. He smelled like vanilla and cinnamon.
    Cole slid his palms up the muscled planes of Michael's back. Their eyes met, and the tension was like a vice around his chest. A pink tongue darted out from between Michael's lips and ran along his bottom lip. That was all the invitation Cole needed. He tilted his chin up, angled his head, and hesitantly brushed his lips over Michael's.
    Jesus H., Michael thought, Cole is kissing me. He opened his lips and leaned in to the gentle