<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">"I find that life is far too short to be anything but bold," Mikkel replied, bringing a knife down into the meat, which yielded at the slightest pressure. "Fortunately for me, you seem to respond best to boldness, otherwise I would be dining alone tonight. And what a shame that would have been, because I quite enjoy your company."<br/>
<br/>
The surgeon suspected the feeling to be mutual. Quinn did not seem the sort to suffer fools, or to waste time in general, which told Mikkel that in his approach, he had clearly done something right to win his attention, if only for the evening. Granted, there did seem to be a certain longing in the other man that did not pertain to Mikkel personally, but rather to his lifestyle. Quinn dressed sharply, carried himself with a certain sophistication, but the airs seemed learned - self-taught rather than naturally acquired. From the middle class, then. Starved for a bit of luxury.<br/>
<br/>
In all, Mikkel cared very little about Quinn's social background. Even if he had come from less than nothing, the older man would still have found him equally fascinating, which said nothing of his attractive face. He did, however, entertain a shred of healthy skepticism regarding Quinn's motives. It would not have been the first time a potential lover had attempted to gain his favor simply for the luxuries he could provide. Mikkel was the sort to dote on his paramours, but not if they actively fished for it.<br/>
<br/>
Time would tell. Thus far, he had no reason to suspect Quinn of such things.<br/>
<br/>
Starting in on his plate, Mikkel watched the younger man from across the table, taking in detail where he could find it: in the long fingers, in the raven strands brushing the caps of his shoulders, in the arch of his brow. Briefly, he considered how that profile might look on a canvas - a thought for another time.<br/>
<br/>
Quinn made mention of his high standards and Mikkel chuckled. "Your hope as well as mine," he concurred. "After bringing you all the way here, I would hardly want you to regret taking the risk of taking a perfect stranger's invitation to his home. That is a whole other sort of boldness, Quinn. Fortunately for you, my intentions aren't <i>entirely </i>devious in nature. A bit, perhaps, but not entirely."</span>