Noah exhaled, his voice barely a breath. “Wow.”
Eli almost laughed. “Yeah. Wow.”
Noah’s fingers lingered on his jaw. “I’ve wanted to do that since Home Depot.”
He swallowed. “Same. I—I haven’t done that in a while.”
“Me neither.” Noah’s confession was a whisper.
Laughter shook him. “Wanna hear something crazy? I thought I’d forgotten how.”
“That’s not crazy. Me too.” Noah’s face glowed. “But apparently not.” Then he broke into a smile. “Want another?”
Eli didn’t hesitate for a nanosecond. “Yes. And just so you know… you don’t need to ask again, okay? Because the answer is always going to be yes.”
Noah kissed him again, warmer this time, their bodies closer.
Time didn’t stop, but it slowed enough that Eli could feel every heartbeat, every breath, every point of connection.
Then Noah’s hands found Eli’s hips, and Eli slid his fingers up Noah’s chest, warmth radiating through his sweater.
Their breathing changed, becoming faster, more ragged.
Eli’s heart hammered, loud enough that he was sure Noah could hear it. He hadn’t wanted anyone this much in years.
And how long has it been since I trusted anyone this much?
“I don’t want to rush,” he whispered, even as his body leaned closer.
“I don’t either.” Noah’s thumb stroked Eli’s waist. “But I don’t want to pretend I don’t want you.”
Eli’s breathing hitched. “Yeah. Same.”
“You shouldn’t walk back to the bakery in this,” Noah said. “Visibility’s terrible. The wind’s picking up. And River Road drifts like crazy.”
Eli shrugged in an attempt at nonchalance. “It’s only two blocks.”And why are we talking about me leaving?Right then that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“And two blocks in this weather could put you in a ditch.” Noah’s voice was tight. “Or worse.”
Eli blinked at the fear he heard in Noah’s tone.
“Okay,” he said softly. “So… what do you want me to do?”
Noah opened his mouth, then closed it. Color rose in his cheeks. He tugged at the sleeve of his sweater. “My house is five minutes away,” he said at last. “In the opposite direction. The wind’s better that way. And I—” He stopped. Swallowed. “I don’t want you out there alone. I want you to come with me.”
A raw breath caught in Eli’s throat. “You want me to stay the night?” Noah nodded, and it was enough to break something open in Eli’s chest. “I don’t want to say no.”
Noah’s shoulders relaxed, relief washing over him so visibly Eli wanted to reach out and touch him.
“Good. Because I don’t want this to end just yet.”
Eli’s heart stuttered. “Then don’t let it.”
Noah’s breathing caught.
Eli sat there in the soft amber glow of the workshop lights, his hair mussed, his cheeks pink, and his eyes warm and unsure in a way that made Noah want to touch him everywhere all at once.
Eli’s fingers curled into the fabric of his sweater. “Whatever you’re thinking? Yes.” He pressed closer, his hands sliding up Noah’s chest to his shoulders.
