“Okay, I guess,” I manage, trying to force a smile. It comes out wrong, brittle.
“That’s good.” He nods quickly, then thrusts out his hand, like he suddenly remembered his manners.
“Sorry for being rude. My name’s Kevin. We’ve got a couple of classes together. I’m also on the swim team.”
I glance down at his hand, then back at him, before awkwardly shaking it. My brain’s scrambling. What the hell is going on?
“Okay,” I mutter, slipping my hand back. He’s still staring, like he’s waiting for something. “Um… is there something you… want to talk about?”
He blinks, then chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Fuck, dude… you’re beautiful.” He rambles, “Like, stupidly good-looking. I don’t even know what to say.”
Jesus. What am I supposed to do with that? My stomach flips, and I give him a weak, confused smile.
“Uh… thanks? I guess?”
He laughs, and the tension eases. It even drags a small chuckle out of me.
“Sorry, I just…” He exhales sharply, like he’s about to dive underwater. “Look, I’ve been into you for a while. I know it’s stupid to just blurt it out like this, but—would you maybe grab a coffee with me sometime? Or brunch? Whatever you’d be comfortable with. I just… want to talk. To get to know you.” His words spill out in a rush, tumbling over each other.
“Fuck, I’m straight or at least I thought I was, but ever since I saw you, I’ve been completely starstruck.”
I freeze. Mouth half-open. Okay, that wasn’t what I was expecting.
“I get that it’s a surprise,” he rushes on, clearly panicking at my silence. “I shouldn’t have just dumped that on you, I—”
“I have a boyfriend,” I say, interrupting him gently. Trying to save him from spiraling further
Kevin’s face falls. “Oh. Shit. Sorry, I just… I thought the rumors about you and Maksim Petrov were some kind of fluke.”
“I’m not with Maksim,” I say quickly, shaking my head.
His brows knit together, confused. “Then…?”
I swallow, nervous heat climbing up my neck.
“I’m with his older brother. Alexander.”
For a moment, Kevin just stares at me. His eyes widen, his mouth opens, closes, opens again—like he’s trying to make sense of what he’s just heard. Before he can say anything, I take a step back, eager to escape the weight of his gaze.
“It was nice meeting you, Kevin,” I manage, forcing a small, polite “But I do have a boyfriend. I… I hope you figure things out about yourself… in a way that’s good for you.”
I don’t wait for his response. I turn before my awkwardness can strangle me any further.
***
I know it’s him before I even open my eyes. His scent is already there, cutting through the haze of sleep, dragging me awake. Then comes the weight of his arm, strong and warm, wrapping around my waist, tugging me back into the solid heat of his chest. His breath ghosts my skin before his lips press into my neck—slow, deliberate, like he knows exactly how much it undoes me.
The kiss burns, soft and punishing all at once, and my body betrays me with a violent shiver. He must feel it, because he hums against my skin.
“You’re awake then,” he murmurs, voice rough, dark, too close.
His hand slides up my stomach to the top button of my silk shirt. I hold my breath as he undoes it—only one—and drags the fabric off my shoulder. My teeth catch my lip hard, my eyes squeezing shut as his mouth follows, kissing down the curve of my shoulder. Every press of his lips feels like he’s reclaiming me piece by piece, and it makes my toes curl, my cock straining already. Ten days. Ten fucking days without him. It’s the longest we’ve gone without touching, and I feel like I might lose my mind if I can’t have him tonight.
“You didn’t take off your hearing aids,” he whispers against my skin, the words punctuated with another slow kiss.
“I… fell asleep… watching reels,” I manage, though it comes out broken, shredded with need.
