Stubborn Heart (7 page)

Trevor gasped as he felt Mark’s chest against his own. Even through the clothing, he could feel Mark’s heart pounding in his chest. He leaned back, pulling until Mark was almost on top of him. They continued to kiss, tasting, getting to know one another.

Mark broke away first, panting from the exertion. Still leaning close, he rested one hand on Trevor’s chest. Trevor seemed to be working to catch his breath as well. For a moment, all they could do was stare silently at one another.

Trevor finally broke the silence. “I have wanted to hold you and kiss you like that for weeks.”

“You don’t have to stop now,” Mark whispered as he leaned in for another kiss.

Trevor returned the kiss, then broke away with a sigh. “As much as I am enjoying this, we have a reservation in twenty minutes.” He ran his hands through Mark’s hair, caressing his temples with his thumbs.

A
HOSTESS
escorted Mark and Trevor to their table and handed each of them a menu. The restaurant was busy, and Trevor was pleased they had been seated in a quiet area away from the heaviest traffic. After glancing over the menu, both men decided on baked chicken with roasted vegetables. Trevor ordered a bottle of white wine to accompany the meal. The waiter left to place their order. Trevor leaned back in his chair and allowed his hands to rest in his lap. He smiled as he realized he had been staring at Mark again.

“I think I could get lost just sitting here looking into your eyes,” Trevor commented. He made a show of unfolding his napkin, but his eyes never left Mark’s.

Mark smiled self-consciously and a hint of pink spread across his cheeks, but he didn’t look away.

“That is so freaking amazing,” Trevor said gruffly as he watched the color rise in Mark’s cheeks and down his neck.

“What are you talking about?” Mark asked, his color deepening. This time he did break eye contact, letting his gaze fall nervously to his lap.

“I love it when your skin flushes,” Trevor answered. “It starts out on your face and it spreads down your neck in a wave.”

“Will you cut it out? You’re embarrassing me.” Mark felt as though his skin was so red hot he should be glowing.

“Don’t be embarrassed.” Trevor smiled and his eyes sparkled as he spoke. “I think it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The waiter returned and poured a small amount of the wine in a glass for Trevor to taste. Trevor gave his approval and the waiter filled both glasses before he left them alone again.

“So, how was work today?” Mark was eager to shift the focus of the conversation to something other than himself.

“Quiet,” Trevor answered. “I moved three patients out of the unit, and we didn’t get any new admissions.”

“That can make for a pretty long day. I hope it will be busier when I get back on Monday.”

“Not if I can help it.” Trevor chuckled. “I’m enjoying the peace and quiet. I hope it lasts through the entire weekend.”

Mark sipped at his wine. “Thank God I’m not at work, then; I’d be bored silly.”

“Sometimes a break in the action is good,” Trevor replied, and then he changed the topic. “Tell me about Mark.”

“He’s a simple guy. There’s not much to know.”

“I would never call you simple, Mark.” Trevor dismissed the evasive statement as absurd. “And I want to know everything.”

“What else can I tell you? You already know about my work and my past.”

“No,” Trevor clarified, “you told me you grew up in Atlanta, and that both of your parents died. I want to know about you. For example, why aren’t you seeing anyone?”

“How do you know I’m not seeing anyone?” Mark grinned, challenging Trevor’s assumption.

“Because you agreed to go out with me.” Trevor’s tone was matter-of-fact.

Mark smiled. “I could be dating someone and still go out with you.”

“Are you?” Trevor asked, slight irritation in his tone.

“No,” Mark answered honestly.

“I didn’t think you would.” Trevor leaned forward and caressed Mark’s hand briefly before resting his hand on the table. “I’m not trying to put you on the spot or make you uncomfortable, I just want to get to know you better.”

“I dated someone for a couple of years, but it didn’t work out,” Mark started. He told Trevor about David and his multiple infidelities, up to and including when he practically caught him in the bed with a trick.

Trevor listened without comment, occasionally nodding as he processed the information. “Why did you put up with it for so long?” Trevor asked when Mark stopped speaking.

“I don’t know,” Mark replied with a shrug. “I guess I thought he would change.”

“People can change,” Trevor said, and then he took a sip of his wine. “But that only happens if the person wants to change. It doesn’t sound like he wanted to change.”

The waiter interrupted their conversation to serve their main courses. Both men suddenly realized how hungry they were. For the next few minutes, the conversation was limited to commentary on the food. The chicken was perfectly roasted, with a crispy skin covering the succulent meat inside. Whipped potatoes and a medley of roasted broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower provided the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. Trevor refilled both their wine glasses, and they finished eating with very little conversation.

Soon after they had eaten their fill, the waiter returned and collected the used dishes. Both men refused dessert, and the waiter dropped off their bill. Trevor paid for both their meals, in spite of Mark’s protest. They left the restaurant and made the short drive back to Mark’s condominium.

Trevor pulled his car up to the curb at the front entrance and stopped. He turned in his seat and reached for Mark’s hand, then pulled it to his lips. He kissed it briefly and then drew Mark into an embrace. “I had a really good time,” he whispered into Mark’s ear as he nuzzled against his neck. “I hope this was a good first date for you.”

“I had a wonderful time,” Mark agreed, catching the not-too-subtle hint that Trevor wanted to see him again. “Thank you so much.” He leaned back and kissed Trevor lightly on the lips. He got out of the car and walked to the glass entry doors. He turned and waved before entering. Trevor waited until Mark was inside and out of sight before driving away.

Chapter 8

M
ARK
stretched lazily in bed, then yawned and pulled the sheet and duvet up until they almost covered his head. He loved sleeping in late on his days off, especially on weekends. He smiled as he thought about last night and his evening with Trevor. He had been a little surprised that Trevor had not asked to come in; it was obvious he was attracted to him. All in all, the evening had ended perfectly, with no pressure and no significant borders crossed. But the kissing on the sofa had been heavenly.
At my age, is it still called making out?
Mark wondered. He decided it wasn’t important to put a label on it. Mark burrowed his head into a pillow, smiling. He had begun drifting back off to sleep, his thoughts becoming a little hazy, when his cell phone rang.

“Argh!” he complained as he stretched and reached for the phone on his nightstand. He looked at the display and his eyes lit up when he saw it was Trevor. “Hello?”

“Good morning!” Trevor responded cheerily. “I hope it’s not too early to call.”

“Nope! I was in the process of getting out of bed,” Mark lied, squirming back down underneath the covers.

“I was hoping to catch you before you made any big plans. We only have six patients, so I’ll be done with rounds before eleven o’clock. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the park with me.”

“I could do that,” Mark said, sitting up in the bed. “I can make us a picnic lunch.”

“Don’t go to a lot of trouble. We can always pick up something to eat. I don’t want you to have to work on your day off.”

“I have plenty of stuff here already. I went shopping yesterday. Do you need to run home and change? What time should I expect you?”

“I brought clothes, so I can just change here. I’ll pick you up around eleven thirty.”

“Brought your clothes with you, huh?” Mark asked playfully. “Someone was pretty confident.”

“Hopeful,” Trevor admitted. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

M
ARK
got up after Trevor rang off, made his bed, and tidied up his home. He went into the kitchen and began preparing food for lunch. He sliced roasted chicken for sandwiches. He chopped vegetables and fruit, then packed the food into plastic containers.

At ten he stopped to shower and get dressed. He donned a light gray T-shirt and a pair of jeans that accentuated the curve of his tight, round ass. Satisfied with the view in the mirror, he grabbed a pair of white sneakers. He gave the condo another once-over, and then packed the cooler with the items he’d prepared for their picnic. At exactly eleven thirty, Trevor called to say he had arrived. Mark refused his offer to come up and assist. He locked the door and took the elevator down to meet Trevor.

P
IEDMONT
P
ARK
was bustling with activity. People were running, walking, riding skateboards, and rollerblading. A large group of men played soccer on the field. In other areas, couples and small groups of people sat on blankets or the bare grass. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. It was one of those rare mid-November days when the sun shone down brightly and the temperature had climbed to nearly eighty degrees. One of the last hurrahs before winter set in and the temperatures remained cooler for the season. They walked along side by side, watching other people as they made their way across the park. Mark carried the basket with food. Trevor carried a faded blue blanket and a bright red Frisbee.

Mark chose a place not too far from other people, but away from the main walkways. Trevor spread the blanket, and they sat down opposite one another. Mark opened the basket and began serving the food. Lunch consisted of sandwiches made on whole wheat bread with chicken, mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, and tomatoes. Mark had also prepared a bowl of pickles, olives, and pepperoncini, and another with chopped carrots and celery to accompany the sandwiches. Pear slices for dessert finished out the meal. Trevor poured them both glasses of raspberry iced tea. Neither one said very much. They were content to sit and watch the other people, eating and enjoying each other’s company.

After they were done eating, Trevor suggested they toss the Frisbee back and forth. Mark agreed, and they packed up their supplies and blanket. They picked an open spot away from other people and stowed everything under a tree for shade. Trevor jogged a few yards away and tossed the Frisbee to Mark. It sailed over his head and landed in the grass behind him. Mark picked up the Frisbee and flicked it back toward Trevor. It landed to his right, off in the distance. They both laughed, and Trevor trotted off to retrieve the errant Frisbee. At first, they chased the disc more than they caught it. It seemed neither one was particularly proficient at throwing or catching. Still, it was great fun, and they both enjoyed the physical activity. Eventually it did get easier. After a half hour or so, they were able to sail the toy back and forth to each other with pretty good accuracy. Mark tossed the Frisbee and it sailed across perfectly until it was intercepted by a black mass that leaped by like a flash of lightening.

“What the hell?” Trevor said as he reflexively jumped back, his eyes wide with surprise. A large black dog ran speeding away, the Frisbee clenched tightly in its mouth. They watched as the dog ran for what seemed like forever, and then made a U-turn to come back. It ran past them again, toward a couple of men who were also running in their direction. Its tail wagging excitedly back and forth, the dog stopped at the feet of one of the men and dropped the Frisbee. The man picked up the toy and walked toward them, the other man and dog in tow.

“I’m so sorry he nabbed your Frisbee,” he said with a laugh as he handed the toy to Trevor. “He thinks all toys belong to him.”

“He’s quite an energetic dog,” Trevor said as he smiled and took the Frisbee.

“My name is Jeff,” the man continued and turned. “This is my partner, Kyle, and the bad dog here is Jasper.”

They completed introductions and shook hands. Kyle reached into his backpack and pulled out a bright-blue plastic ring toy. He tossed it out in the distance, and Jasper immediately bolted out to retrieve it. In seconds he was back, jumping and running in circles around Kyle. Kyle grabbed the ring and tossed it again. He was tall, at least a couple of inches taller than Trevor, with short, dark-brown hair and brown eyes. He appeared to be in his late twenties and had a hard, well-defined body. It was obvious that he worked out regularly.

Jeff was almost the same height as Mark, with green eyes and straight black hair that stopped just above the collar of his shirt. He was much more sinewy than Kyle, but he too looked as though he exercised regularly. He continued to talk with Trevor and Mark while Kyle played fetch with Jasper. Mark and Trevor talked about their jobs and how they had met. Jeff told them he was an accountant, and Kyle was an attorney. They had met in college when Kyle was a senior and Jeff a junior. They had moved in together a few months after they met and would be celebrating their fifth anniversary in March. They lived in an apartment near the park, but were looking to buy a small house in the near future.