“No.” Leo places his free hand on Victor’s shoulder. “As long as you’re with me, you’ll be safe.”
Victor and Leo maintain eye contact in silence. Without a word, Victor leans in and kisses Leo. Leo embraces Victor’s affection. Leo places his glass on the side table without breaking his kiss with Victor. He then wraps his arms around Victor to pull him in closer.
Victor can feel Leo’s tongue massaging his. Victor almost forgot what kissing someone with so much passion was like. He hadn’t felt that way in a long time, even with James. After a few passing moments, Leo breaks free, and they rest against each other’s foreheads. They breathe heavily.
Leo licks his lips, knowing the kiss was a mistake. “As much as I enjoyed that, we should stop. I’m supposed to be your mentor.”
He looks into Victor’s eyes, and deep down, he wants to kiss those lips again. Leo stands up and walks toward his room. “I . . . I should . . . I think we should go to bed. We have a long day tomorrow.” Leo stops at the doorway and looks over his shoulder, “Have a good night, Victor.”
“Good night, Leo.” As Leo closes the door, Victor puts his fingertips to his lips and keeps looking at the door. A moment later, he turns off the TV and walks into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Chapter Eleven
Victor is curled up in his bed. He slowly wakes up and stretches his arms. His phone starts chiming rapidly from multiple notifications. “For fuck’s sake, who is it?” He struggles while crawling to the side of his king bed. When he picks up his phone, the notifications are from his friends in their group text. He sighs heavily, “Well, fuck. How am I going to play this off?”
Elliott: Where are you???
Frank: I’m right here!
Amber: Not you, you noob . . . Vic
Elliott: Why isn’t he answering?
Frank: Maybe he just found out Menudo broke up
Elliott: LOL
Amber: LOL
Victor: LOL
Victor: I’m sorry, guys, I’ve been busy
Elliott: THERE SHE IS!!!
Frank: Where the fuck are you?!
Victor: NYC
Amber: WHAT?!?!?! And no invite?
Elliott: Rude!
Frank: So rude dude
Victor: LOL I’m sorry guys; it was a last minute thing
Frank: What are you doing in NY?
Victor: Just hanging out with a friend
Amber: You have other friends besides us?
Victor: Yes, I have other friends
Elliott: You have other friends besides us
Elliott: Oh, Amber got to it before me
