An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(32)

My birthday? Rob didn’t know what to say.

“If you refuse to order something for yourself, then I’ll do it for you.”

Vic’s tone showed he wasn’t used to being told no. Rob glanced at the menu again. He was about to ask if he could have a simple starter when Vic snatched the leather-bound folder from his hands.

“You’re taking too long,” he said, a mock scowl on his face. “I’ll do the ordering for us.”

The waiter approached the table with a basket of different breads. “Good evening, gentlemen. Are you ready to place your orders, or would you prefer to start with a cocktail?”

Cocktails? Before Rob could say a word, Vic dove in.

“We’re ready. For our starters we’ll have an order of the boneless beef ribs, the carpaccio, and the lobster salad. We’ll need plates to share. For the main course, we’ll have two fillets, cooked medium, with sautéed potatoes, and honey and ginger glazed carrots.” Vic folded his menu, picked up the one he’d taken from Rob, and then handed them to the server.

Rob had to admit, it all sounded delicious, and he admired Vic’s confidence.

“Very good, sir. Anything to drink?”

“Rob? Do you like wine?”

Rob nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.

“Then bring us a bottle of 2010 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino.”

“Excellent choice, sir. I’ll bring your starters and the wine out shortly.”

Through the whole exchange, Rob was certain he’d stepped into someone else’s life. He could only stare as Vic grinned at him.




VIC LOVED the expression on Rob’s face. He was like a deer in the headlights. Vic wasn’t sure why he brought Rob here. The only time he’d ever brought anyone to the restaurant was when he was meeting with clients. It was an extravagance the company was only too happy to pick up. When he was trying to decide where they should eat, he’d realized how much he wanted to dazzle Rob.

Their appetizers arrived, along with the wine. Rob’s eyes went wide.

“You said you were starved,” Vic reminded him. “Just make sure you save room for dinner. And then there’s the matter of dessert.” He paused. “They don’t have them here, but before we catch the train home, we’ll stop and grab a couple of shakes.”

When Rob answered, his voice was soft. “Okay.” He didn’t say anything else as they ate their starters. He nibbled at the ribs, but seemed too nervous to dig in.

“Something wrong?”

Rob shook his head, but Vic noted his flushed cheeks.

“Don’t you like the food? Would you rather have something else?”

Again, he shook his head.

Vic’s stomach churned. This was his fault. “Hey, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. We can go if you’d prefer.” He’d obviously pushed Rob out of his comfort zone.

“No, it’s not that,” Rob said quietly. “It’s just… I can’t get over you doing this for me. I mean, you don’t really know me all that well.”

He had a point. And at least that was something Vic could rectify easily.

“You’re right. So, tell me about yourself.”

Rob shrugged. “Not much to tell.” He took a forkful of salad.

“You’ve mentioned Alex before. Is he your brother?”

Rob blinked. “I…. Yes.” Another hurried forkful of salad.

“I take it the two of you aren’t close?”

Rob shook his head, his mouth full.

Vic got the message loud and clear. Rob did not want to talk about his brother.

“Okay. What about hobbies? Do you have anything you like to do for fun?”

The question was met with another head shake. Vic was beginning to despair.

“Look at me, Rob.”

Slowly Rob raised his eyes.

“Hi,” Vic said quietly.

The corners of Rob’s mouth quivered.

“Was that almost a smile?”

Rob picked up his glass of wine and took a sip. The light caught off the glass and reflected in his eyes.

Vic couldn’t stop looking at him. What a beautiful young man. Vic wanted to reach out and brush his fingers against Rob’s cheek. Despite Rob’s protests that he wasn’t gay, Vic remained unconvinced. There was the little matter of him being in a gay BDSM club, for one thing. For another, there was the feeling Vic couldn’t shake that Rob was in the closet. Add to that the way he kept turning up at Vic’s house, and he was left with one confused young man, at war with himself.

Not that Vic was about to make a move on him. If Rob wanted anything more from him, then it would be up to Rob to initiate it. But in that moment, Vic was sorely tempted. He could picture Rob in his bed, his lovely blue eyes wide as Vic took him, his mouth open, Vic’s name on his lips as he came. Except what he wanted above all else was to hold Rob, to keep all those things that scared him at arm’s length. He had pain in his past that was eating him up inside, of this Vic was certain. Everything about Rob called to Vic—both as a Dom and as a man—to make things right for him once more.

“Vic?”

Vic snapped his gaze back to Rob. “Hmm?”

“Are you okay? You had this weird expression.”

“I’m fine.” Vic smiled to try to soothe Rob. “We were talking about you and hobbies.”