Allen’s throat tightened, and he glanced away before looking back at Rick. “I’m not.”
Rick held his gaze. “Good.”
The silence stretched, and Allen could feel his nerves buzzing under his skin, his body leaning toward Rick. Rick leaned in and kissed him, soft and gentle. Allen’s hands stayed at his sides for a few seconds, then he grabbed the front of Rick’s coat and kissed him back.
Rick deepened the kiss slowly, and Allen moaned softly, returning it. When Rick pulled back, his breath was warm against Allen’s lips, and his eyes stayed fixed on Allen’s face.
“You’re shaking,” Rick murmured.
“I’m not,” Allen lied automatically.
Rick’s thumb brushed the side of his neck where Allen’s pulse was racing. “You are.”
Allen swallowed. “Maybe I’m cold.”
Rick’s mouth twitched. “You’re not cold.”
“No,” Allen whispered.
Rick’s eyes moved over his face, then he asked, “Do you want to go home?”
Allen nodded, and he knew what Rick meant when he asked the question. “Yeah.”
“Okay,” Rick replied.
They walked back to Rick’s car, and the drive back to Allen’s place felt shorter than it should have. Allen stared out of the window and tried to breathe normally, curling his hands into fists to stop them from shaking. Rick glanced over several times as he drove, and each time Allen smiled at him.
When they reached Allen’s building, Rick parked and turned the engine off. The quiet inside the car felt heavy, and Allen stared at the dashboard, unable to look at Rick.
“Look at me.”
Allen took a deep breath and turned his head. Rick’s gaze held his.
“Nothing will happen unless you want it to. I can drop you off and go home, and we can go out again.”
“I want…” Allen swallowed and took a deep breath. “Come inside with me.”
They went upstairs, and Allen fumbled his key at the door, swearing under his breath. He eventually managed to open it and stepped inside, letting Rick in behind him. Allen flicked the light on and kicked his shoes off, then watched Rick take his own shoes off and hang his coat on the hook.
Rick turned back to him and watched him for a few seconds. “Are you still okay?” Rick asked.
Allen nodded. “Yeah.”
“Nervous?”
Allen looked away and nodded. “A little.”
“Me too.”
Allen’s eyes shot back to Rick. “You’re nervous?”
“Yes. This is my first time with you. I don’t want to mess it up.”
Shaking his head, Allen whispered, “You won’t.”
Rick stepped closer and kissed him. Allen moaned and pressed up against Rick, feeling his body against his own. He slid his hands over Rick’s shoulders and kissed him back. Rick moved them until Allen’s back pressed against the wall. Allen whimpered and arched up, his fingers tunneling into Rick’s hair as Rick’s tongue tangled with his.
“Tell me what you want,” Rick whispered against Allen’s lips.
