The (Second) First Date
It had been two days since The Announcement (in Holden's mind it was always capitalized) and the two men had spent the majority of those two days in the condo. Sean had gone out for another lunch with Kara and Paula so Holden had taken the opportunity to check in at the office. Armed with a briefcase full of papers to look over Holden took a cab back to Sean's condo. His boyfriend's SUV was still missing and he hoped the lunch meeting was going well because Holden knew how much the game meant to him – after all it had almost destroyed their future together. Holden let himself into the condo and tried to push thoughts of that final fight out of his head. He was just getting inside when his phone rang in the pocket of his charcoal slacks, pulling it out he smiled as Sean's name flashed across the screen.
"Hey, everything ok with lunch?" Holden answered with a smile.
"Yeah, I'll tell you about it later. I was just wondering... I mean if you'd like to that is... go out tonight?" Sean stammered uncharacteristically.
"Sean Jackson, are you asking me out on a date?" Holden replied with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I guess I am."
"I'd love to."
"Great, I'll be home in about half an hour."
"See you soon."
"Bye."
Holden was grinning as he slipped the phone back into his pocket. The conversation reminded him of another similar conversation he had with Sean almost three years ago.
Holden flipped through his phone trying to find the e-mail Kara Monoghan had sent him the week before. He was currently waiting outside the young publicist's office waiting to talk to her about a property she was looking into. Finding the e-mail he scanned it and mentally went over his presentation, he was pretty confident in Kara's interest and today's meeting was about the details of the deal.
Holden looked up when he heard Kara's voice and saw her escorting a tall, broad-shouldered man out of her office. Holden's first thought was 'fuck me' because the male was breathtaking. He was ruggedly handsome with a five o'clock shadow dusting his strong jaw. His eyes were sparkling with mischief and Holden couldn't help but picture being pushed against a wall, that hard, strong body the only thing keeping him from sliding to the floor.
"Mr Wilson?"
The slight concern in Kara's voice made him realize that he had zoned out and now both Hot Stranger and Kara were staring at him.
"Sorry, I'm a little tired today." He explained feeling his ears warm up.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
The stranger spoke with a deep, rumbling voice that encompassed Holden and made his blood hum. The corner of his mouth pulled up in a lazy smile and Holden had to shove his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching out.
"Not a problem" he managed to get out.
"See ya, Kara. I'll tell Paula I've agreed to this."
"This is a good idea, Sean." Kara replied shaking his hand.
Sean nodded to Holden and then he was gone.
The meeting was short and less than twenty minutes later Holden was waiting for the elevator to head down to the parking garage. A soft ding announced its arrival and stepping in he hit the P button indicating the garage level. The doors were about to slide shut when a gravelly voice asked to hold it, automatically his arm went out to keep the doors from shutting. Looking up he saw the man – Sean – from Kara's office.
"Thanks, Mr Wilson right?" Sean said as he slipped in and the door whisked close.
"You can just call me Holden though." Holden answered with a nod.
He couldn't help but be impressed that Sean had remembered his name, sure he remembered Sean's but then again Sean was drop dead gorgeous.
"Sean Jackson." He said holding out his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Sean."
Sean's grip was firm, his calloused hands pleasantly rough against Holden's softer ones. Sean held on a bit longer than necessary but instead of pulling away Holden just smiled letting his eyes do a quick once over.
"Are you a client of Kara's?" Sean asked, eventually letting Holden's hand drop.
"More like the other way around. I'm a property consultant." Holden explained.
Sean nodded but Holden could tell he wasn't really sure what that meant. He was used to that and just shrugged it off, no need to get into details with someone he had never seen before and probably never would again. Eventually they reached the underground garage and Holden almost reluctantly left the elevator.
"Well, it was nice meeting you Sean. See ya." Holden said and the other man nodded in agreement.
He turned to walk away to where he was parked feeling Sean's eyes on his retreating back.
"Holden, wait!" Sean called out.
Holden was startled but turned around easily and lifted an eyebrow in question.
"I was wondering, that is I don't know if you're even... I mean, we just met but if you wouldn't hate it..." Sean stammered.
"Are you trying to ask me out on a date, Sean Jackson?" Holden asked with a grin.
The other man's face flushed pink and he nodded sheepishly. Holden couldn't help but find the slight blush incredibly arousing and he heard himself agreeing. Sean looked extremely relieved and they exchanged numbers with Sean promising to call that night to make plans. Holden found himself waiting eagerly for the call to come.
Holden hadn't realized just who Sean was until he had got home and googled it knowing that is name was familiar. The thought that a professional footballer had asked him out on a date made his knees weak and he had only hoped that Sean wouldn't mind that he knew almost nothing about the sport.
"Holden, you home babe?"
"Back here" Holden replied.
When Sean walked into the room Holden was applying a bit of gel to his slightly damp hair. He smiled at him through the mirror and watched as the footballer walked up behind him and slid strong arms around his waist. Sean nuzzled his neck and placed a wet kiss to his jaw.
"Mmm you smell great."
Holden hummed contentedly and turned in the embrace so that he could press their lips together in a soft kiss. Sean's hands slipped down to palm his ass through the fresh slacks he had put on after his shower.
"So where are you taking me?" Holden asked pulling back slightly.
"Bistro Garden." Sean replied naming one of Holden's favourite restaurants.
It had also been where they had gone for their first date. Though this time instead of a back corner to hide that they were together they sat in the back to have some privacy. As they sat and talked Sean kept Holden's hand in his and while there were a few stares Holden couldn't care less. It was a fresh start for them and Holden couldn't help thinking that the future looked bright.
