Chapter 34
Dean
Dean: You got it, hot stuff! See you soon. XOXO
Dean was already home and dressed when Colton arrived.
He wore a tapered, fitted black button down, slightly sheer in shiny material that perfectly framed the muscles of his torso.
His tight gray pants left little to the imagination.
They screamed, “Hey, I’m hot. Check out my ass, thighs, and crotch. "
Colton gasped sharply. “Holy shit, baby! Do you have to look this sexy? We’re never gonna get out of here tonight with you looking like that!”
Dean chuckled and wrapped his arms around Colton’s waist, pulling him into a crushing kiss. “What?! I’ve gotta look good for my man, don’t I?”
Colton smiled. “And you certainly do! I wanna fuck you right here.”
Dean snickered and gently shoved him away. “So I don’t get a hint? What are we doing tonight?”
Colton smirked with a playful glint in his eye. “Remember you said a few weeks ago that we’ve never been on a real date? Well, I’m taking you on a real date tonight.”
“Shut up!” Dean lightly shoved Colton’s shoulder. “For real? Oh my God, I’m so excited!”
Dean grinned from ear to ear, doing a little happy dance, bouncing on his toes like a little boy, his dimples on full display.
Colton pecked his lips once more. “Just give me a few minutes and we’ll head out.” He winked and hurried to get changed.
A short time later, Colton emerged, changed into his outfit for date night.
Now it was Dean’s turn to gasp outwardly.
Colton looked absolutely delicious in blue trousers, a navy button down with micro polka dots, and a blue blazer.
Dean had to literally wipe the drool from the side of his mouth, and Colton snickered.
“I’m guessing that means you like my outfit?”
“Um…fuck yeah! You look like a total snack tonight.” Dean kissed his cheek.
Colton grabbed his keys with a laugh. “Save that for when we get home.” He winked and opened the door for Dean.
As they drove to the mystery date, Dean noticed Colton merge onto the Bayshore Freeway. “Are we going downtown?”
Colton grinned ear to ear. “No, not really. It’s better. Trust me.”
Dean huffed with a little pout and Colton snickered. “Relax, Dean. You’ll love the surprise. I promise.”
Colton took the Bayshore Freeway all the way downtown, then merged onto the Eisenhower Highway.
Dean quickly turned in his seat to face Colton. “Oh, God. Please tell me you’re not taking me to Oakland.”
Colton snorted. “I’ll have you know, Oakland is the most romantic place on Earth! But no. Patience, sweetie.”
Dean melted. Colton had never called him ‘sweetie’ before, and he felt a heavy swoon coming on.
They quickly exited off the Eisenhower, putting Dean’s mind at ease that they weren’t actually heading to Oakland. Colton drove them through Union Square and the Financial District, then took a left turn onto The Embarcadero. They finally reached their destination, Pier 40 on the San Francisco Bay.
Dean turned to Colton with a huge, excited grin. “Are we going to Alcatraz?”
Colton tittered. “I actually thought about that, but I wasn’t sure you’d be interested.” Dean deflated a little. “But maybe we can make that our second date?”
“Then what are we doing?” Dean pleaded.
“God, you are impatient!” Colton laughed. “Come on, it’s this way.”
They walked toward the end of the pier, and Dean saw a classic Tall Ship in the distance, the kind of ships you’d see in period pieces and pirate movies. Dean’s heart began to race at the sight of the huge sailboat straight ahead.
He didn’t…did he? Dean thought.
Colton stopped in front of the ship with a huge shit-eating grin. “Here we are!”
Holy fuck, he did!
They walked up the gangplank and were met by a stately older gentleman in a naval uniform.
“Gentlemen. Welcome aboard the Bay Beauty. I’m Captain Thompson,” he greeted them with a smile.
“Our crew is ready to serve you, and we hope you have a wonderful evening.”
With that, he nodded and headed toward the ship’s bridge.
A younger man dressed in a black tuxedo strode up to replace Captain Thompson. “Good evening, my name is Felix. I will be taking care of you this evening. Right this way to your table.”
“Thank you, Felix.” Colton grinned and took Dean’s hand.
Felix led them to the bow of the ship, where a single dining table sat with a white linen tablecloth and candles.
White twinkling lights crisscrossed above the table across the bow of the ship.
Warmth spread across Dean’s cheeks as he took in the magical, romantic setting, and his heart thumped in his chest. He wanted to grab Colton for a kiss right there, but Felix probably would not approve.
“Did you rent an entire ship for our date?” Dean whispered as they were seated.
“Yep.” Colton popped the P. “I sure did. Nothing is too good for my baby.”
Dean felt his cheeks blush, and a big smile stretched across his face. “This is wonderful. Thank you.”
Felix poured each of them a flute of champagne. “We will begin with cocktails and appetizers, and you can explore the deck and enjoy the sights,” Felix explained. “Please, let me know when you're ready for your dinner.”
“Excellent, Felix. Thank you.” Colton smiled as he raised his glass to toast Dean. “Cheers, Dean. Here’s to the first of many dates.”
***
Colton
They set sail as the sun was setting over the bay, creating a stunning backdrop of orange and purple over the water.
He had chartered the ship to sail around Alcatraz and Angel Island before slowly heading back to the pier, allowing for breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge.
They walked to the front of the bow, taking in the beautiful scenery, sipping their champagne.
Colton grinned and gently led Dean to the railing. “Do you want to be Rose or Jack?”
“Rose, of course!” He struck his best Titanic pose and Colton stood behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Dean leaned his head back on Colton’s shoulder.
After a long sigh, he turned and kissed Colton’s cheek. “This is the perfect first date. Thank you.”
Colton kissed his neck. “You’re welcome. But it’s perfect because you’re here.” He gave Dean a squeeze around his middle. “Let’s go eat. I picked a special menu for us.”
They returned to their private table, where Felix waited. Colton had selected a meal of San Francisco favorites: Cioppino stew, followed by a delicious platter of steamed crab, local oysters, and crab cakes.
Cheesecake with a drizzle of Ghirardelli fudge sauce on top came for dessert.
Dean hummed in approval at his first bite of cheesecake. “Felix, this is delicious. Please tell the chef how much we love the meal.”
“Absolutely.” Felix grinned as he refilled their drinks. He nervously looked around before he continued. “I’m not supposed to say anything, because we pride ourselves on privacy and discretion,” He said as he leaned into the table. “But I’m a huge fan of your music,” he whispered.
Dean beamed. “Well that’s fantastic! Thank you, Felix.” Dean also took a conspiratorial look around the deck before turning back to Felix. “Hey, would you like tickets to my show at Levi’s Stadium?”
Felix’s eyes bulged to the size of saucers. “Really? Oh my God, yes!”
Dean chuckled and pulled out his phone. “Give me your email address, and I’ll send you two tickets for the show.”
Felix quickly entered his information. “Thank you so much! I’ll never forget this,” he said, handing the phone back to Dean.
“You’re very welcome. It’s the least I can do for a fan.”
Felix blushed with a smile and looked between Colton and Dean. “And don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Colton offered a conciliatory smile, but inside, his blood began to boil.
He hated keeping this a secret. He hated that Dean had to keep it a secret.
This was the best thing that’d ever happened in his life.
If he could only get over his bullshit insecurities, they could go public with their relationship.
As Felix walked away, Dean rested his elbow on the table with his chin in his hand. “Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?” He smiled with lustful eyes.
Colton blushed and reached across the table. “You haven’t mentioned it in at least ten minutes,” he joked, then a somber look crept across his face. “I don’t want us to be a secret anymore.” He sighed.
Dean sharply shook his head. “Don’t mind Felix. He’s just doing his job. He didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I know.” Colton shrugged. “But it’s not fair to you to sneak around. You deserve to be out in the open, with a handsome man on your arm.” Colton smirked with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Dean chuckled. “True. But we’re moving at your speed, not mine. I’m happy to wait until you’re comfortable.”
Colton smiled at Dean. How did he get so fucking lucky?
Sophie never would have been so understanding.
She would demand an announcement as soon as fucking possible.
But not Dean. He was perfectly content to love Colton in the shadows, until the time came that he was ready to step out into the light.
It warmed Colton’s heart and made him love Dean that much more.
He opened his mouth, but quickly closed it.
He almost said those three words, but it wasn’t the time. Colton had a plan for that too.
“I think I’m getting close to getting over my bullshit.” Colton squeezed Dean’s hand.
Dean smiled, and those dimples reduced Colton to a puddle in his chair. “Just say the word, baby, and I’ll rent a billboard,” he joked.
Colton snickered. “You’re the best, Dean. And I promise we won’t be a secret much longer.”