Gideon stood, hands pressed against white tiles, head dropped forward as hot water washed over him. The twin shower contained enough room for two people and as much as Gideon knew sex in the shower would be amazing, it would have to wait another time. His entire body ached, and he was barely able to stand as it was. The pace Brett kept during the night and well into the morning had taken Gideon by surprise. Not sure what he’d been expecting, it wasn’t the maniac he’d left passed out in bed.

With reluctance, Gideon got out the shower, wrapping himself in a large blue fluffy towel. The softness against his skin a small pleasure as he slowly made his way back into the bedroom. Brett remained buried under the covers as Gideon lowered himself to the bed. He stared at his clothes lay folded over the chair in the corner of the room but couldn’t find the energy to retrieve them.

“Leaving so soon.” Came the sleepy voice of seduction.

Gideon turned to find Brett looking at him.

“I have work today. You need to get up and drive me home?”

“Take the car.” Brett replied, pulling the covers higher over him, his eyes closing.

Gideon stared for a moment before grabbing hold of the covers and pulling them off Brett. Faster than Gideon could react, Brett launched forward, grabbing Gideon before pinning him back down on the bed.

“I’ve showered. We’re not doing it again.” Gideon said, looking up at Brett.

“Surely, you have time.”

“No. I told you. I have work today.”

“What do you do that requires you to work Sundays?”

Brett began nibbling at Gideon’s neck working his lips towards his nipple. Gideon found it hard to focus. Only when Brett stopped and looked back up was Gideon able to take control. With hands on Brett’s shoulder, Gideon pushed Brett off him and sat up.

“I’m a pharmacist. I work one Sunday a month and today’s that day. So I need to go.”

“Couldn't you have changed it? I was hoping we might spend the day lying by the pool - naked.”

Gideon looked down at Brett; his naked body draped out across the white linen sheets, and let out a sigh.

“Didn’t actually consider we’d end up in bed on our first date.”

“Seriously. I thought it was a given.”

“You’re an arse.” Gideon replied.

“But seriously, take the car. I’ll be at the restaurant tonight. If you like, you can return it there, have some dinner and I’ll drop you home after.”

Gideon angled himself to be facing Brett. The temptation to ravage him again made it difficult for Gideon to think straight.

“Like what you see,” Brett murmured.

Gideon took Brett’s nipple between his fingers and twisted it. But rather than the reaction he thought he would get, Brett groaned, reaching out a hand and running it up the towel around Gideon’s waist.

“Pervert,” Gideon murmured pulling his hand back and swatting away Brett’s.

“And you love it,” Brett stared at Gideon with smouldering eyes and Gideon had to admit he did love it. The playfulness with Brett was enjoyable but there was a part of Gideon that wondered how long before that all changed.

“I should get going.”

“Not without getting dressed first, I hope.”

Gideon glared at Brett, who ignored him as he pulled covers back over.

“You’re not going to see me off?” Gideon asked.

“Key’s are on the kitchen table. See you tonight.”

“Lazy as well as rude.” Gideon murmured loudly as he retrieved his clothes and dressed. Tempted to leave without a goodbye, Gideon returned the towel to the bathroom before crawling towards Brett.

“Thank you for dinner last night.”

Brett opened his eyes, all foolishness gone from his expression, and taking a hand from under the covers reached out around Gideon’s neck.

“My pleasure.”

Brett pulled Gideon towards him and they shared a soft passionate kiss.

“I’ll bring a change of clothes with me for tomorrow.” Brett said as Gideon pulled back.

Gideon stared in confusion.

“It’s only fair I stay at your place tonight. That then makes us officially dating.”

Gideon sat up, stared at Brett before replying, “What are you, a teenager or something. That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Brett’s smile was wide and Gideon pinched his ear.

“Ouch.” Brett said, scowling at Gideon.

“If that’s your way of asking me out - you're seriously out of touch.”

“Maybe. So can I stay over tonight?”

“Yes. But I need to be up early tomorrow morning and if you keep me up for another night, we’re only seeing each other over weekends.”

“Yes boss,” Brett replied with a smirk.

Gideon parked out the front of the restaurant. He’d worked back longer than expected and did not arrive until around seven. There had been numerous text messages between him and Brett all afternoon and Gideon found his excitement at seeing him a little foolish. Upon entering Club 45, Gideon found the restaurant full. For a Sunday evening, he’d not expected it to be so busy.

Brett wound his way through the tables to reach Gideon, drawing him towards the back.

“Is it always this busy on a Sunday evening?”

“Yes. It will quieten down around nine. I have a table for us out back.”

Brett led Gideon to a small room off the main restaurant. A single large table sat bare in the middle with four chairs.

“We use this room this for staff meetings and testing of meals. Please sit and I’ll get the table set. Sorry, I didn't have time to do it before you arrived.”

“Don't apologise.” Gideon said, sitting down as Brett left.

A few moments later, Brett returned with cutlery, plates and glasses for two.

“I hope you don’t mind. I ordered for us both.”

“Not at all.”

This side of Brett was new to Gideon. The businessman side took over and Gideon found it fascinating. He’d never dated anyone with their own business before and somehow this had a huge impact on Gideon.

“Why did you decide to open your own restaurant?” Gideon asked, as Brett sat beside him.

“Progression of time. I started as a chef. Travelled a few years through Europe before returning and purchasing this place. It was something I always hoped to do. How about you - a pharmacist?”

“A combination of not knowing what I wanted to do and course councillors guiding me to where I need to be.”

“It’s been on my mind all day. I can’t imagine you as a pharmacist.”

“I’m very popular, you know.”

Brett chuckled, “I don’t doubt it. I’ll have to come past your work one time and check you out.”

“You do that.”

Nick, the waiter who served Gideon on his birthday entered with a bottle of white wine and poured out two glasses.

“You’re driving,” Gideon said after Nick left.

“Of course.”

With the meal finished and coffee served, Gideon leaned back in his chair rubbing his stomach, followed by a large yawn.

“Am I keeping you up?” Brett asked.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if you hadn’t kept me up half the night having great sex.”

“Great sex, that makes me pleased to hear. I was half afraid you’d think an old man like me wasn’t up to your standards.”

“And my standards are extremely high.”

“I’m sorry I kept you up most of last night, other than being tired, how was your day?”

“Oh my god, I got hit on by a kid who was nineteen years old. Nineteen, I mean what is it about teens and older men.” Gideon had been having a late lunch break when some young guy had recognised him from the club had approached him and asked him out. Gideon had informed the kid that he was taken but he wasn't going to tell Brett that.

“Security.” Brett replied breaking Gideon’s reminiscing.

“Security?” Gideon repeated and then gave Brett’s answer some thought. “You know you’re right, I never thought about it that way. I’m screwed then aren’t I, because even if I do go back to the club I’m only going to have young men throwing themselves at me left, right and centre.”

“Conceited much,” Brett replied.

“Whatever. This could be a major problem for me. There is no way I’m going to date a man who is ten years younger than me.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re dating a man nine years older than you instead.”

“This is hurting my head.”

“The conversation or the wine.”

Gideon let out a sigh. He would have to face the fact, any relationship should be based on many aspects and not age differences alone. As Brett continued to watch Gideon, he asked, “Are we dating?”

“Yes, we are.” Brett’s reply was absolute and left no doubt in Gideon’s mind.

Gideon continued to stare at Brett as though deciding if this was what he wanted.

“Okay then. I’ll need a key to your place.”

“So soon,” Brett replied, the smirk on his face growing wider.

“Yes, I don’t want to have to hang around here every night waiting for you to get off work, when I could be keeping the bed warm at home for you.”

Brett leaned forward at the same time reaching out to rub his fingers along Gideon’s inner thigh. Relaxed after his meal, Gideon’s body was more than eager to respond to Brett’s caresses.

“Deal. When can you move in?”

“Ha Ha. I may have given in to dating you rather fast but I’m not intending to move in any time soon.”

Brett leaned in closer. “I’ll make you change your mind.”

“Oh really. Go right ahead.”

Brett’s hand worked its way further up Gideon’s inner thigh as Brett leaned in to capture Gideon’s lips. Hands spread out over bodies and Gideon found himself forgetting where he was. When the sound of chairs scraping against the floor they both pulled back, heavy breaths as they glanced at each other.

“If you’re ready, we should head back to your place now.”

“Yes.” Gideon immediately responded, more than ready to leave.

As they left through the restaurant, Brett let the staff know he was leaving and Gideon pulled out his phone and responded to the multitude of unanswered messages from his friends.

It’s official. I’m off the market.

He knew he would be bombarded with more questions but Gideon turned his phone of as Brett joined him. There would be plenty of time the following day to catch up with his friends. That night he was going to enjoy the company and the possibility of using the ropes still sitting on the side of his bed.

The End.