66- Taco Truck

Michael leaned into Edwardo as an unexpectedly strong gust of wind came through. He wrapped his arms around himself and couldn't help the shivering and chattering of his teeth. This was rapidly becoming not fun anymore. How much dignity would he loose if he just went back to the car?

Edwardo reacted quickly once he realized the situation his date was in. He pulled off his coat and wrapped it around Michael's shoulders, pulling Michael in close to his side. Once the guys around them had determined Michael didn't speak Spanish, they'd been bombarding him with questions about his colorful companion. One of them got out a teasing remark, which he ignored.

"Are you cold?" Edwardo asked Michael in English. "It's kind of chilly tonight."

Michael nodded in response, blushing as he gratefully leaned into Edwardo's embrace. The jacket was warm, hugely oversized, and having Edwardo's smell surrounding him was a very comforting thing. He could tell some of the bystanders were jeering at them, but whatever Edwardo said back to them got them to lay off.

He continued talking to Michael in English. "We're almost at the front of the line, did you get a chance to read the menu board? I always get the carnitas, but they do burritos, quesadillas, tacos pescados..."

"Carnitas? That's like a shredded meat, right?" Michael asked. "If you say it's good, I'll get that. As long as it's not too spicy."

Edwardo assured him it wasn't spicy. Cold as it was outside, the area around the truck smelled amazing. If the food tasted half as good, then it was no wonder there were so many patrons, even with the cold. There were two picnic tables set up, and both were full, with people even sitting on the curb enjoying their food from white styrofoam containers. Maybe the food would be worth a little teasing...?

When it was their turn to place their order, the guy in the truck called Edwardo by name. They joked back and forth for a bit, but it was in Spanish so Michael had no clue what they were saying. It didn't seem to be about HIM though, so he didn't let it get to him. He was barely tall enough to see into the truck, but he could see another person busily working away at the grill. It smelled even better up close. Their order was placed, and they moved to the side to wait.

"Do you come here a lot?" Michael asked. "Everyone seems to know you."

"I'd say I eat here a lot. My dad grew up in this neighborhood, and kept ties with it even after he got into politics. Most people here know my family."

"Are you... embarrassed? Bringing someone like me here?" For once, Michael felt very out of place. He didn't know any of these people, and it felt like some of them were making fun of him. This certainly wasn't a place he'd come on his own, and even now was stuck to Edwardo's side like a burr.

"Nah," Edwardo played it off. "Don't pay them any mind."

He didn't offer to translate any of the teasing they'd received. There truly wasn't any malice behind it, but it wasn't exactly clean either. He himself was still trying to come to terms with the fact that he was attracted to a guy, but he refused to be ashamed by it. He certainly wasn't about to let the guy in question in on his insecurities. He was an alpha. Michael was an omega. Gender shouldn't matter. That's the way these things worked. Michael was an amazing person, more amazing than any girl he'd ever dated, and he was bound and determined to give this thing a shot.

"Aren't you cold? I feel bad taking your jacket."

"Don't worry about it. The food shouldn't take too much longer, and we can eat in the limo where it's warmer."

It really didn't take all that long for them to get their food, surprisingly. The bag Edwardo got from the order window had three takeout containers, and he was given three bottles of water, which Michael offered to help carry. Michael wondered briefly about the additional meal, but had his question quickly answered once they got back to the warmth of the limousine and Edwardo fished one of the containers out and passed it up to the driver through the small window, then taking one of the bottles of water and doing the same, along with napkins and hot sauce packets.

"That's nice you got food for the driver, too," Michael commented.

The driver said something back in Spanish, which Edwardo didn't hesitate to translate to Michael.

"He said my father's going to be jealous if he finds out I came here without him."

"Why?"

Edwardo handed Michael a container. "You'll know once you take your first bite."

Michael shrugged his borrowed jacket off and laid it to the side. He didn't need it anymore now that they were back in the warmth, and he didn't want to risk getting it dirty by accident. The smell of the food quickly permeated the enclosed space, making Michael's stomach growl. He didn't notice, but Edwardo was studying him closely, hoping to catch his expression once he finally tried the food. He opened the lid to the container and a puff of steam cleared away to reveal three small tortillas stuffed with meat, with a lime wedge on the middle one.

"You've got to squeeze the lime juice on," Edwardo advised.

Michael did as he was told and took his first bite hunched over the container as pieces of the filling fell out the back of the tortilla. He had to pause after that first bite, looking over to his date with sparkling eyes

Edwardo winked at him. "Told you."

The only sounds during their meal were appreciative humming. Michael noticed Edwardo added some hot sauce to his, but he thought the food was delicious all on its own. This was definitely worth standing outside for! Food like this in the city would be a huge hit! He savored every bite.

"How is this place not a bigger deal?" Michael was on his last tortilla, Edwardo had finished a while ago. "Man, I bet my friend Ryan would love this!"

"The owner's a good friend of the family, and he runs it along with his son. My father keeps trying to hire them on as personal chefs, but they refuse each time. They say they'd rather run their truck and make a bunch of people happy, rather than make more money making just a few people happy."

"If they parked in the city for like, a day, they'd have people wrapped around the block, no question! This food is amazing!"

Michael made sure to eat every last scrap from the box. This wasn't how he expected dinner to go, but he wasn't complaining. Once they were done with the food, it was the driver who offered to take the trash out to throw away. With dinner over, it was now time for Michael to start showing his gratitude, just like he practiced.

"It was really sweet of you to let me borrow your coat..." Michael draped himself against Edwardo's arm, resting his hand on Edwardo's thigh.

Edwardo went ridgid with the overly informal contact. "That's- ah, that was nothing!" His voice went up an octave.

"And the food was sooo good..." Michael inched his hand a little higher.

It was about this time the driver got back in the car. "Where to next?" He asked in English.

Edwardo pounced on the question as a distraction, gently removing Michael's hand from where it was getting dangerously close to a very sensitive yet apparently increasingly eager area.

"Christmas lights!" He practically squeaked. "The shopping district should have it's light display up by now, let's go there!"

The driver acknowledged, closing the little passthrough window separating them before driving off.

Michael backed off a touch, but he wasn't ready to give up yet. As they made their way towards the city he made sure to touch Edwardo as much as possible. Nothing overtly sexual, apparently he'd have to work up to that. He had a strong feeling that if he wanted anything to happen, he'd have to make the first move.

Edwardo's heart was beating a mile a minute. Michael was definitely coming on to him, and strong. Was this a test? Was he being tested? They made it to the shopping district, and sure enough even with the holiday over a month away, every tree was strung with glittering lights and every storefront had a festive display. Traffic was heavier here, they weren't the only ones who wanted to see the spectacle.

"The lights are so pretty this year..." Michael sighed as he leaned against Edwardo's shoulder, not really looking at the lights at all.

"Yeah, really beautiful..."

Edwardo's heart rate hadn't changed. He wasn't looking at the lights either. Michael's eyes twinkled as they reflected the light from the brightly lit trees. His lips looked so soft... Slightly shiny... All Edwardo would have to do is bend down just a little... Would it be okay? He inched forward. Michael did too, closing his eyes and leaving his mouth slightly open. Was this really okay?

He was about to kiss another man. A beautiful man. A man he had a lot in common with. A man he couldn't get out of his head since the first time he saw him. He just had to bend down a little more...

Michael was starting to get impatient. His heart was beating so fast! Edwardo was going to kiss him, right? Should he peek his eyes open and see what was talking so long? Should he be the one to close the distance? He wanted this man so bad it almost hurt! Finally, he felt a wet pressure on his lips.

It was just a little kiss before pulling away. Edwardo could feel something stirring in him, something that screamed that the fact that the person in front of him was a male didn't matter. At the same time there was that lagging bit of doubt. Was he actually gay? Bi? Something even more complicated than that?

Michael wanted more. The first taste was electric, and he needed more. He was the one to close the gap this time. Call him thirsty, or even desperate. He wouldn't care. Everything in his body was telling him how right this whole thing felt. Edwardo's mouth was still a little spicy from dinner, and it was delicious.

Edwardo decided to try going with the flow. This felt good. He told himself it was natural. Michaels tongue was in his mouth, and it was intoxicating. Instinct was talking over. He wanted to touch Michael everywhere. He felt Michael's soft hair... his small shoulders... the curve of his backbone...

Before he knew it, Michael was in his lap. Straddled right across it. Sitting directly on top of the most sensitive part of his body. Melting blue eyes peeked out at him from under copper red eyelashes as Michael pressed their pelvises closer...

"I haven't done this with anyone before," Michael whispered, grinding a little, "so I don't know how good I'll be, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about doing it with you..."

Edwardo panicked. Michael was definitely trying to turn this into sex! He wasn't ready! But, it'd been a long time, and Michael was so willing... No! He couldn't! At least, not in his father's car! But, the omega of his dreams wanted it, so he should be the alpha and follow through, right? Why did this suddenly get so complicated?!

Edwardo pressed a button on the wall to talk with the driver, his voice tense.

"Change of plans, please drop us off at my place."

The driver acknowledged, turning off the main street and driving away from the Christmas light display. Edwardo grabbed a bottle of tequila from the limo's built-in bar and took a healthy swig.

He could do this.