They didn’t kiss again. They didn’t need to. The warmth of Adrik’s hand in his was enough—a promise without words, a connection without explanations.
“Want a drink? My bar is stocked as always.” Adrik pointed to it.
“Beer.”
Adrik kissed Hans behind his ear and whispered, “I’ll be right back.”
He made himself a double vodka, carried over Hans’ beer, then sat down with his own drink.
Two men with secrets, sitting together letting themselves want something without naming it.
For now, that was enough.
Chapter Eight
Adrik
They stayed on thecouch for a long time, close but not tangled, warm but not exposed. Adrik enjoyed it more than he wanted to admit—the quiet, the closeness, the way Hans’ thumb brushed against his hand every so often like he didn’t even realize he was doing it.
It felt… grounding. Comforting. Intimate without being threatening.
Or maybe it was risky, and Adrik just didn’t care.
Hans shifted a little, turning toward him. “I was thinking.”
Adrik raised an eyebrow. “That sounds dangerous.”
Hans smirked. “For you? Always.”
Adrik chuckled, low and warm. “Alright. What were you thinking?”
“I have to go to the university tomorrow,” Hans said. “I’ve got a meeting with a colleague, and… well, I thought maybe you’d want to come with me.”
Adrik blinked. “The university?”
“Yeah. It’s not far. And I figured you might enjoy seeing the campus.”
“Do you work there?”
Hans gave him a look. “Now you’re getting personal.”
“Sorry,” Adrik said quickly. “I mean—why would you meet a colleague if you didn’t work there? Are you selling something?”
“I teach.”
“Teach what?”
“English.”
Adrik studied him, narrowing his eyes slightly. “You’ve got something planned?”
Hans shrugged, all innocence. “Maybe I do.”
Adrik leaned in a little, lowering his voice. “Should I be worried?”
“Probably.”
Adrik laughed—an actual laugh, not the guarded half-smiles he usually gave. It felt good. Too good.
