Chapter Eight
Randy anxiously checked himself out one last time in a wide mirror on the wall between a set of elevators that would take him up to Cody's apartment, his stomach a bundle of knots and fluttering nerves as he waited and looked himself over and made sure everything was perfect for probably the twentieth time, and he was still fretting. Fuck he'd been fretting about tonight all god damn day! He took a careful breath as he inspected his appearance in the mirror, relaxing some as he found everything still in order and absently smoothed small wrinkles out from the front of his shirt. His hair was neat and well shaved to just a quarter of an inch above his skull and was carefully slicked with a small spot of moose that evenly coated it, his face was clear and clean of stubble and lightly dabbed with a spicy aftershave he secretly hoped Cody loved. And of course his clothes were carefully picked out, ironed, checked for missing buttons and stainless, hell he'd spent a good portion of his day just trying to figure out what to wear! He'd thought about it since he'd woken up that morning, fighting with himself to find the right outfit and after nearly emptying his dresser and closet he finally settled on a pair of form fitting dark denim jeans and a absurdly white soft cotton shirt that clung to his muscles and curves in exactly the right places. He knew he looked damn good but still couldn't stop fussing and worrying, everything had to be perfect and he just had to check himself out one more time before he continued on to pick up Cody for their date. Or maybe and more likely he was just trying to distract himself until the very last second because he was so god damn nervous about their date. As he stood there waiting for the elevator and checking himself over he was hoping for the millionth time that tonight went well because he'd be crushed if he fucked this up.
He'd never forgive himself if he said or did anything to scare Cody away like he'd done to so many others, and he doubted he'd even try to put himself out there like this again any time soon if he did.
This was really a huge step for Randy, not only because it had been so long but because he normally didn't do the asking, all of his other lovers had always asked HIM out so it was very clear that they wanted him. But with Cody he'd been the one to ask and he'd been fucking terrified ever since because he wasn't certain that Cody actually wanted him. And he honestly just didn't know how to act! What if he was too pushy or too 'hand's on' for Cody's liking?-! Or fuck what if he didn't touch him enough and Cody thought he wasn't interested?-!-? He jerked back as the doors to the elevator opened and when no one came out he quickly moved in before he could change his mind and gently mashed right button to make them close and picked the number four from a row of numbered buttons before stepping back and swallowed hard. He took a breath, thankful he was alone and tried to use the time to calm his shaking nerves. He could do this, and he told himself that over and over again because he had to push passed his fear of rejection and humiliation and fight for control of his nerves to see Cody, fuck he had to fight FOR Cody or he'd chicken out and stand him up like the voice of doubt in the back of his head was screaming for him to do.
It wasn't that he was so shy or horribly plagued with low self esteem that he couldn't bare to face the chance of a possible relationship, although that did play a small part it wasn't the reason. No instead it was that he was so afraid he was going to do something wrong. Fuck it had been so long since he'd been on a real date and even though they'd only just met he knew it was so very important that tonight go right. It just had to, Cody just couldn't reject him or his heart would surely break! Fuck he just had to get this right! This was just too important for him to mess up!
He let out a weary sigh as he crossed his arms and sank his teeth deep into his lip, his nerves might have a his brain acting like a frazzled mess right now but he was actually really looking forward to tonight. He'd dreamed about it over and over the night before and for the first time in months he hadn't thought about work once on his only day off. Except of course when he'd showed up there briefly for a case meeting that morning, which he quickly left the precinct for the day afterwords to ensure that he didn't get stuck there. And he made sure he didn't say but a few words to his partner, and most of them were informing him that he was going to be borrowing his car for the night. But, other than that all he had thought about was how many hours there were until he got to see Cody again. And how long it would be before he finally got to kiss him, which he'd shamelessly dreamed about that moment so many times that he could close his eyes and watch and feel a vivid prediction of just how wonderful and passionate it would be. Fuck he'd never kiss someone so hard or so passionately as he'd would Cody! He'd tear Cody's head back while his hand cupped his neck and jaw to guide him as he led them into their kiss, their lips would meet and Cody would moan and open his mouth, welcoming him inside the delicious heat he imagined was sweet like honey and ready for the devouring.
And that's exactly what he'd do, he'd explore and devour every delicious inch with his tongue until Cody whimpered and begged him to stop because he simply couldn't take just how hungry Randy really was for him, and because Cody couldn't handle the tormenting want Randy would make sure he'd feel. He'd inflict upon him the same kind of torturous want and need that Cody had so cruelly used against the strip club patrons to make his money. Oh god, that thought alone made Randy shiver with desire, fuck he wanted that! He wanted Cody to want him so bad it fucking HURT.
But, sadly he already knew that they were a long ways off from any moments like that and it was and would continue to be all his fault until he could trust himself not to fuck this up. He'd be so nervous, so shy and timid as he fretted and worried about everything little thing in hopes he didn't do anything wrong that in the end it would probably be what drove Cody insane and he'd be out the door faster than Randy could fucking blink.
He sighed and shook his head as he suddenly caught the worrisome looking blur that was his reflection in the elevator doors and if he wasn't so nervous he'd probably have had a good laugh at himself. Because fucking hell, he was already a mess and this was barely the start of their first date! Why was he doing this to himself?-! Why was he so in his head and analyzing the hell out of everything?-!Jesus Randy calm the fuck down! It's only the first date!
He shivered again as he started watching the lights of the numbered buttons change from floor to floor, each one seeming to take longer to switch than the last until finally it reached the fourth floor and the always present ding of the elevators sounded to announce it's arrival and nearly scared Randy to death. One step was all it would take to get him on his way and he barely had the courage to take it because, fuck, what if he became even more addicted to a man he didn't even know?-?-? What if he fell hard and fast for Cody and Cody didn't return his feelings?-! He'd be so hurt and he wasn't certain that he could take it. Not that Randy was the quick to fall in love type, in fact he'd only thought he'd been in love with one person in his whole life but that had turned out to be just teenage lust that ended once high school was over and his secret lover Jeffrey left for college. But, Cody was different, he could already tell, and it wasn't just because he wanted to fuck him so bad. No there was something else about him, something he couldn't quite put his finger on that intrigued Randy to no end and drew him in like a moth to a flame. His body, mind and soul all wanted him, and they were relentless in making him pursue and chase after him like the love sick puppy that Cody was slowly turning him into.
The door started to close again and he let it, his arms falling to his sides like heavy weights, fuck, that's exactly what he was. A lost pathetic little puppy who had no one to love him. Fuck he really hoped that didn't come out, he prayed it wasn't that fucking obvious! Cody would surely laugh at him then! He could already hear him, 'Jesus Randy what kind of loser goes a year without sex?-!' He shuddered, he knew exactly what kind of loser he was! He was a loser who's been too obsessed with work because if he faced his real life he'd be crushed to realize just how fucking lonely it had become! He was a loser who was so tired of getting hurt and rejected that he'd given up!
Until, he'd laid eyes upon "The Dashing One" and now, fuck, he never wanted someone so damn bad in his entire life. Why? He had no idea, and he was terrified.
Reaching out he caught the door just as it was about to finish closing, some how overcoming the fear gripping his body and quickly slipped through the gap, brushing himself off nervously as he looked down a short empty well lit hallway and almost instantly spotted the dark brown door to Cody's apartment. He froze. his eyes already wide, the rest of him trembling, fuck fuck fuck! He was so close! His head started to spin and felt light, oh god oh fuck was this really happening?-! Was he really about to pick Cody up for a date?-!
He focused on his door and couldn't breathe as gazed intensely at the golden number and letter nailed to the center of it just below a peek hole and didn't realize that it was getting bigger until he nearly bumped into the door it's self. He gulped, fucking hell how did that happen?-! He didn't remember telling his legs or feet to move! Panic took hold of him just as fear had as his eyes nervously shifted back and forth from the door to the beige wall paper covered walls, his head spinning, his body shaking, trembling, terrified! God fucking damn it! Why did he want to run?-!
He took a breath, gasping for it, no way was he going to do that! He didn't come this far just to turn and run away now! Fuck his nerves! He was doing this damn it!
He raised his hand to knock and couldn't keep it from trembling, his nerves just wouldn't back down even for a second and leave him be! They just wouldn't settle and let him relax as he dropped his knuckles against the door a few times and started to wait for an answer because, Fuck fuck FUCK!-!-! Oh god, oh shit what if Cody stood him up?-! Oh fuck what if Cody purposely gave him the wrong address and a complete stranger about was to answer the fucking door?-! Cody wouldn't do that would he?-! It had happened to Randy before and it was one of the most humiliating nights of his life! He'd briefly met a man at a bar before leaving for Vegas and although the man wasn't his usual type, he was too small and not quite cute enough, he'd still accepted his invitation and they'd made a date for the next week. Which he thought was odd at the time but didn't really give it much thought until he was standing before a huge six foot five homophobic beast of a man who'd punched him in the face and called him a fagot.
It was a fucking set up! And it nearly cost him his life! If it hadn't been for his treasured high power browning's he might not have made it home that night...
He dropped his head, closing his eyes to chase away the memory that still haunted him from time to time, bringing it back up quickly even though the worry it caused remained. He knew Cody hadn't set him up, at least not to that extent anyway, but still he couldn't stop his heart from racing as he waited for him to answer the door, and it took everything in him not to turn and run. God he wanted to run away so fucking bad.
After several deep breaths and what seemed like several LONG seconds later the sound of the lock clicking open came threw from the other side and finally the door creaked open, and Cody appeared from behind it, smiling and looking incredible.
Randy's jaw almost dropped as he looked him over because Cody, damn him, he looked just as hot in clothes as he did out of them! He wore fitting black jeans over his long perfect legs and and a long sleeve dark blue shirt that also clung to his fine muscle in exactly the right places, even the hip lines that drove Randy fucking insane with need. "Hey there handsome! Wow you're right on time!" Cody said as he greeted him with a warm smile, "I think that in a man."
Some how Randy manage to nod and smiled too, truly happy to see him and couldn't help but silently look his sexy body over carefully once more, fuck he was just so fucking gorgeous! And fucking hell his smell was filling his nose and scattering his wits, oh god his smell had Randy's mouth watering and his tongue dancing against the back of his teeth! It was sweet with the scent of man and yet sharp like the intoxicating scent of cool water for men and he made a note to ask him about it later. Right now it was drool check time for Randy, "You ready?" Because he was about fucking jump on him if they didn't get moving. "Yeah just let me grab my keys." Cody said before disappearing behind the door, emerging only a few seconds later and shut it tight behind him. "All set, Detective Orton," He teased with an unbelievably charming smirk, "Lead the way."
"Please," Randy begged and hid the desperation of his plea behind a soft chuckle as they started to head down the hall towards the elevator and he had to keep his eyes glued to the clean beige wall paper covered walls, "Just call me Randy." One more 'Detective Orton' and he WOULD fucking jump on him, he'd tackle his sweet ass to the ground and keep him there with every intention of fucking him senseless. Not the best of ideas seeing as how this was their first date and all and he'd gladly save that idea for next time when it wouldn't seem so desperate, IF there was a next time. But if Cody wasn't careful, if he teased him just a little too much...Randy might not be able to stop himself and they wouldn't even make it to the car before he ruined their night.
"Okay," Cody thankfully agreed as he heard him noisily stuff a set of keys into his pocket, "Randy." And Randy glanced at him to thank him only instead he caught a glimmer of something around Cody's finger and almost stopped in his tracks. His eyes went wide as he realized it was two shiny blue splints around Cody's pinky and ring finger and he almost reached for them but stopped himself just in time and kept his hands hanging loose at his sides, he had to be careful. Cody wasn't his lover, yet, and he had no right to invade his personal space like that right?...Or did he? Cody had crossed into HIS personal space before hadn't he, so that should make it okay for him right? "What happened?" He asked instead, quickly giving up on the idea and focused on the splints around his fingers, fuck what if had someone hurt him?-! They had better not have! Because Randy would show them what real pain was!
He was staring at him carefully and patiently awaiting his reply as they reached the elevator and stepped inside, Cody pressed the button and leaned back against the fall wall before he even looked at him again and just when Randy started to worry he shook his head, "I'm okay but, don't laugh." Cody pursed his lips as he looked down at his splinted fingers, obviously fighting a smile although he seemed oddly nervous as after a moment he crossed his arms and lightly shuffled his feet back and forth on the ground. "I know I'm supposed to be graceful and all that but I took a spill last night during rehearsal." An awkward smile spread over his perfect lips, "I twisted my ankle and fell off the stage...Broke my fingers when I landed."
"Ouch." Randy winced although for some reason he didn't believe him, Cody just seemed too apprehensive as if he either he wasn't being truthful or didn't want to be there, and it made Randy start to panic, his heart gripped with fear. Fucking shit did Cody really want to do this?_! His heart sank as he flicked his eyes over Cody's nervous expressions again and almost cringed at the thought of the younger man taking pity on him, Cody wasn't just trying to be nice to spare his feelings right?-! He hadn't only said yes to their date because he was being a nice guy was he?-! Oh god the humiliation of that would be the fucking WORST! He had to know for certain what his intentions were, "You sure you're up for going out tonight?" He had to ask, "We could reschedule if you want?-?-?" There, there was Cody's easy out. And Randy held his breath as he waited and expected him to take it. "Oh no need for that." Cody answered, his bright blue eyes suddenly shining at him intensely with sincerity and humor and nearly killed him with want right there on the spot. Jesus how did he fucking DO that?-! "I'm fine, I just hope our plans don't include dancing. I'm kinda all danced out at the moment."
Randy just shook his head, a surprised smile jerking over his face, fuck Cody was so confusing! He was starting to drive Randy crazy! His mixed signals were so worrisome but yet each time that he'd thought Cody wasn't interested he more than proved that he was. So why couldn't Cody just relax and stop with the nervousness so he could stop?-! "Nope, no dancing." Fuck Randy was nervous enough for the both of them! He blinked rapidly and managed to shrug, unevenly, "I figured you'd probably want to take a night off from that." He thought to say, finally relaxing a little as Cody smiled warmly and he started to fish the keys to Hunter's car out of his pocket, okay so maybe he was the one who really needed to relax. But at least Randy wasn't sending mixed signals, at least it was very obvious what he wanted!...
Wasn't it?-!-?
He bit back a frustrated scoff and just had the keys in his grasp in his pocket when he froze, almost gasping as he watched Cody reach over and touch his shoulder, the warmth from the slender hand instantly making him tremble. "You read my mind, Randy." Cody said with a relieved sigh and Randy gulped as Cody's long fingers slid downward slowly and took the time to get a solid feel of his firm bicep, squeezing the muscle gently and lingering there for a moment before they continued on and closed over his forearm, "So, what are the plans? You going to wine me and dine me tonight?"
"Yeah, how about we start with dinner and go from there? I made a reservation for us at Mulino's." He heard his voice offer but had no idea how as he gazed down at the fingers on his arm, Cody's hand was just so warm and gentle, god he wanted to kiss it. "Okay, but just to let you know I don't mind paying my own way." Cody said in a kind tone and gave his arm a gentle squeeze and pressed in close against him, "Mulino's is pretty pricey but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if you wanted to split everything down the middle."
Randy chuckled, relived, and before he could stop it his hands placed it's self over Cody's, and he could feel himself grinning, probably like an idiot, and shook his head again, it just felt so wonderful to be touched like this, like a friend, like a lover! God he'd fucking MISSED it. "I've got this, tonight's completely on me." He assured as he rubbed the soft warm skin under his fingers, almost shuddering as the rest of Cody's body brushed against him, fuck he'd take Cody anywhere he wanted to go just so long as he never let go of his arm. "Shall we?" He asked and Cody nodded, smiling wider, his eyes shinning brightly like the beautiful pure stones of light blue that they were and pulling Randy into a helpless, mindless state as he stared at them, god damn it they were absolutely stunning. No wait, scratch that, Cody was absolutely stunning, and every fucking inch of him was down right irresistible. His eyes were just what he used to capture him and lure him in, and they'd done a good job of it because he was in, and he was fucking hooked.
**Want more? XD hehehe**