“It’s not supposed to be.” Jeremy pulled his legs up, crossing them in front of him. His left thigh came to rest on top of Harrison’s bent knee. “But it’s not exactly your average business dinner either.”
“I suppose we need to come up with a third option.” Unable to resist the urge, Harrison sat forward and lifted his hand from the back of the couch so he could run his fingers through the short hair at the nape of Jeremy’s neck. Jeremy’s eyes slid shut as he exhaled, and Harrison’s body hardened at the innate sensuality of the response. Patience may be a virtue, but his supply was fast running out. “I have to be honest though, if all you’re after is a hook-up, it’s not really my style.”
Opening his eyes, Jeremy looked at him. His expression, though heated, was wary—almost reluctant. “I like you, Harrison. You’re easy to talk to and being around you makes me feel good. So…” Jeremy turned his body in the small space, moving closer and curling his own hand around the back of Harrison’s neck. “I would like to get to know you better, but I can’t make any promises about being ready for something more. Right now, that’s the most I can offer.”
Harrison considered his words for a moment before nodding in agreement. “That’s good enough for me.”
The grin that appeared on Jeremy’s face sparked a light somewhere deep inside Harrison’s chest. Though scarcely a glimmer, it warmed him from the inside, made him want more.
“Well, what do you know?” Jeremy murmured, tilting his head to one side. “The man does know how to smile.”
Harrison blinked as he reached up with his free hand to touch his own cheeks. Jeremy was right. His mouth had curved of its own accord, reflecting the pleasure he’d seen in the other man. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since that happened.
Long fingers replaced his, stroking the roughness of his jaw and cupping his chin. Jeremy leaned in to kiss him and Harrison closed his eyes as he waited for that first touch. It was scary how much he wanted this—to taste the sunshine of this man’s mouth, to make the light inside burn brighter.
The moment their lips met, Harrison reached out to cup Jeremy’s face in his hands. Their mouths moved slowly against each other, hesitantly, every moment a torturous blend of holding back and letting go. Then, Jeremy ran his tongue along Harrison’s bottom lip and Harrison opened his mouth in invitation. Jeremy slipped inside, tasting him with infinite care—with patience. The thought roused a hidden part of him that never would have responded to a stronger, more frenzied passion.
When Jeremy withdrew from the kiss he did so in small degrees, drawing out each languid touch, until at last they parted. Harrison opened his eyes and saw Jeremy watching him closely. The light in Jeremy’s eyes gleamed bright and joyful when he murmured, “Sweet enough for you?”
A breathy sound erupted from Harrison’s chest, almost like a laugh, and he startled.
Jeremy’s true laugh followed close behind. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Pulling away, Jeremy stood and then turned back to offer Harrison his hand. “Come on,” he said with a smile. “I’ll let you drive me home.”
