Jim reminded himself that this wasn’t really a date. He’d assured Bones of that and his mother too but he couldn’t deny Spock’s invitation to his apartment that included dinner had his heart racing a bit.
Spock was attractive as hell and Jim loved a guy (or girl) with a great mind. Spock was the whole package…tall, dark and handsome and brilliant.
But just because he invited Jim to eat dinner while they had a chess rematch didn’t mean the Vulcan professor thought of it their meeting again as anything other than a means to defeat Jim.
Of course, he had acknowledged Jim was sexy. But merely an offhand remark, right?
Still as he knocked on Spock’s apartment door he struggled to tamp down his anticipation.
The door opened and Spock stood there, dressed in his black professor’s uniform, looking cool as a cucumber yet hot as well.
“Come in.” Spock stepped aside to allow Jim to enter.
It was a simple apartment, just a couch and a chair, with a desk and a terminal in the living room. No sign of any entertainment devices.
The kitchen was tiny with just a table that only allowed for two chairs. Spock had set up the chess set there. There was a bar type counter on the edge of the kitchen with two stools and that is where Spock had laid plates of food.
Jim could see a short hallway across from the kitchen that presumably led to the bathroom and bedroom. No luxury whatsoever, just efficiency.
When Jim joined Spock at the stools he smiled down at the plates. “What are we having?”
“It’s a Vulcan dish made with root vegetables and a bland sauce.”
Jim laughed. “What? Did you say bland?”
“Most Humans do not find Vulcan food exciting. Humans are used to more flavor in their food and typically find our dishes boring and simple,” Spock advised.
“Did your mom?”
“Indeed. She has adjusted recipes to be more to her liking and neither my father nor myself object. I have used one of her recipes but it may still be bland to you so I wanted to offer the warning.”
“Got you.” Jim tasted it. He was not a fan of vegetables in all honesty, but he was raised to eat what he was given when you were hosted by someone at their home, and so he ate every bite without a protest.
Spock watched him, though, assessing him, though he waited until they’d finished before asking, “Your thoughts?”
Jim tried to think of the nicest way to put it but he ended up with, “Vegetables are not my first choice in meals but I found the dish pretty good.”
Spock inclined his head. “I applaud you on diplomacy.”
Jim laughed.
“Shall we adjourn to the chess game?” Spock asked. “I would appreciate getting to where I defeat you.”
“Mm. Confidence, Chess Master. I kind of like it.”
They sat down to play and Jim spend much of the time chattering about nonsensical, unimportant things, until Spock looked up with something of a glare.
“You are intending to distract me with your endless chitchat.”
“I’d think a master like you could handle a little distraction.”
“Perhaps I can. I must say I find your appearance more distracting than your rather inadequate attempts to distract me with conversation.”
“My appearance?”
“Because you are, as your chess name indicated, too sexy.”
Jim grinned and shook his head. “Now you’re trying to distract me by flirting with me.”
Spock arched a brow. “And it has succeeded. Checkmate.”
“Ah, damn.”
“Shall we play again?”
“You’re on.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 