Afterwards, I walked out to the light streaming in through the window caught in his hair, making the soft black strands gleam. His T-shirt clung to his shoulders and chest in a way thatseemed almost unfair, the fabric slightly rumpled but impossibly enticing.
“You’re staring,” he said without looking up, his lips quirking into a knowing smirk. “You do that a lot, I’m starting to find it rather adorable that you’re so attracted to me.”
I looked away quickly, focusing on my bagel. “No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are,” he teased, The silence between us was comfortable, but charged. I could feel the weight of his presence in the room, every move he made drawing my attention whether I wanted it to or not. “But that’s okay because I’m— attracted to you too.”
“You are?”
“Very.” He assured me his eyes aflame with something unchaste and consuming.
When we finished eating, I got up to refill my water bottle.
“I promised that I’d tell you again in the morning.” He spoke,
“What?”
“I promised I’d tell you again that I need to be with you, that what I feel for you isn’t fleeting and that it isn’t the kind of thing that lives and dies. It’s the kind of thing that has a heartbeat, that resurrects time and time again. I’m not fucking around with you Yesoh, I wouldn’t joke about something like that. I wouldn’t lie to you like that.” He reasserted and my heart dropped all over again.
His honesty, his unwavering respect and affection warmed my heart. He had finally come around— but I couldn’t help but wonder at what cost? I’d still read through his personal thoughts after I promised him I wouldn’t. And I didn’t even want to imagine how he’d feel when he found out. Wyn— oh Wyn,would he ever forgive me?
I walked back to the desk, but I tripped over the edge of the rug, the water slipping from my hand and splashing all over him.
“Oh my god!” I gasped, horrified.
Wynter flinched but didn’t move away. His T-shirt was soaked, the thin white fabric clinging to his chest and stomach, leaving absolutelynothingto the imagination. I could see the outline of his sculpted abs from all the years of skating, he was actually insanelyripped.
“It’s fine,” he said, his voice calm but lower, rougher than before.
“No, it’s not,” I muttered, rushing to grab a towel. When I returned, he was still sitting there, completely unbothered, his eyes watching me with something I couldn’t quite name.
I pressed the towel against his chest, my hands trembling slightly. His skin was hot beneath the fabric, and I could feel the ridges of muscle under my careful fingertips. My movements slowed as I realized just how close we were.
“Your hands are shaking,” he said softly, his voice tinged with something playful but edged with something deeper. He grabbed ahold of my hand and brushed his nose along my wrist, his breathing turning jagged. He glanced up at me from beneath his generous pair of eyelashes, his freckles striking. “I’m starting to think you just wanted to see through my clothes.”
“I’m just trying to help,” I muttered, though my voice sounded too breathy to my own ears.
His hand came up, covering mine, stopping my movements. “Yesoh.”
“Hm?”
“Maybe I don’twantto get dry.” he sighed.
I froze, my eyes flicking up to meet his. The air between us shifted, thick and electric. His gaze was heavy, locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart stutter.
“I’ve never kissed anyone,” I blurted out, not that anyone asked but I felt the need to confess to it, unable to stop myself.
His brows lifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face. “Never?”
I shook my head, my cheeks burning. “I just— I didn’t want to do it with someone who didn’t matter.”
I didn’t say the most important part; that for as long as I could remember,hewas theonlything that mattered to me.
His expression softened, but his eyes didn’t waver. He tilted his head, his lips curving into the faintest, softest smile.
“Good,” he said, his voice low and rough. “You shouldn’t settle for less than someone who deserves it.”
“Do you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
