I have a hard time seeing you brunching.
Oh, I brunch.I brunch hard.Waffles near noon and a mimosa.I’m there.
She smiles, sliding closer to me in the booth.Dangerous combination.
Much like you,I say.Before I can stop myself, I lean forward and capture her lips.Our kiss starts off slow, then builds steam.When her hands trail through my hair and make their way down to my chest, I push away.I don’t want things to get out of hand in the restaurant.
Her breath stutters the tiniest bit as I pull away but stay close enough that our noses brush.I can see her brown eyes heavy with lust.
Keep it together, Crane.
Clearing my throat, I shake my head at her.You’re too tempting, Eddie.
She throws her head back and laughs but gives me about an inch of extra space.Looks like you could use a cold drink,she teases.
The night progresses like magic.We order food and drinks.We talk for hours and share more about ourselves and our lives.I am so mystified and captivated by this woman that the hours we spend together feel like minutes.
I want more.More of her time, more of her laughter.Just more.
As our plates and cutlery are being taken away, she nudges her drink with her finger, tracing the rim.
I’ve been…thinking a lot,she says.
About?
You.Her eyes flick up.Me and you.Joey.All of it.
I try not to visibly tense.Where is this going?I hope she’s thinking in the same direction as me.
And I wanted you to know,she says slowly,that I’m-I’m…falling for you.
Heat slams into me like a slapshot.
Eddie—
No, let me say it,she whispers.I’m falling for you.And that scares me because my life has been built around being careful and only trusting a small group of people and not letting anyone in.But you’re…Her breath trembles.Youhavechanged things.
I reach out and take her hand.I’m falling for you too,I say.But I’m not scared of it.
A shaky smile tugs at her mouth.Of course you’re not,she says with half humour, half dread.
You want to know why I’m not?Her eyes flick up to mine, and I pull her in closer.Because when I’m with you, I feel like the best version of myself.You bring out the best in me.And that’s not to say we’re not going to have our ups and downs, but we’ve talked through the hard things before.I know we’ll be able to do it again.No matter what our future holds.
Inch by slow inch, Eddie closes the distance between us until our lips are pressed together.This kiss is quick, sweet.But damn, does it hold promise.
I think you should take me home now.
Sure, if that’s what you want.
To your home,she corrects me.By the time her words have sunk into my brain, she’s out of the booth and reaching for my hand.
***
My condo is dim when we step inside, the soft spill of city lights painting faint gold across the walls.The door clicks shut behind us, and Eddie turns toward me like she canfeelthe air change.
Her breath hitches.Her cheeks are beautifully flushed, warm and pink in a way that sends heat spiralling through me.I’ve been hard all night, but seeing her in my space, looking so beautiful has my dick standing at attention.Her eyes are darker, heavy with lust and wanting, uncertain only in how badly she needs what comes next.
Do you want a tour or—
