He closes the last step and clasps my face between his giant hands. The tension melts out of me as if it’d never been. We’re touching.
Correction, he’s touching me.
He stares down at me like he feels it and won’t leave me dangling in the wind by myself. Relief is so fucking sweet, it makes my knees weak. The specialconnection I was beginning to doubt. I don’t breathe for fear of breaking the spell.
Those deep, dark eyes search every millimeter of mine before dropping to my lips.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to beg him to kiss me, and I swear I’ve never wanted a kiss more in my life. He makes a sound somewhere between a sigh and a gasp, and it’s soft and fast before he’s pressing against me, like magnets snapping together. With his body against mine and his head ducking, the world melts away.
A fresh round of tension swells between us until it crackles and snaps like a downed power line. Anticipation makes my lungs hurt. Inches apart. Centimeters. Millimeters. Then firm lips move over mine, exploring and coaxing. It’s foreign and perfect. My soul chants ‘finally!’
I stare, shocked and thrilled. It’s an out-of-body experience like I’m across the foyer, halfway up the stairs, watching like a kid looking for Santa. But this is real. My eyelids sink shut, and I kiss him back.
My hand is trapped between us, and I yank it free so I can pull him closer. I need to feel everything. If this is the only shot I’ve got, I want to memorize every second.
He crowds closer until I’m trapped between himand the door. Fuck, he’s big. Broad. Hard and honed. Suddenly, I feel small. Trapped. And Iloveit.
My back arches, and I press against him, my nerve endings lighting up everywhere we touch. Arms around his waist, I hold him tight. This is the hug I’ve always wanted to give him. The body I’ve always wanted to feel against me is finally in my arms.
I sweep my tongue across his bottom lip, hoping against hope that I’m not asking too much. This is all new to him. He’s never wanted a guy, certainly never kissed one. But my instincts tell me he’s in, he’s comfortable, and he’s ready for more.
He opens at last, and a tiny explosion goes off behind my eyelids. Yes!
Welcome. Permission.
My tongue darts quickly. Retreats. Then slowly meets his inside the hot recess of his wicked mouth. My gut tightens, along with my cock.
He tastes like soda. And sin. And salvation.
A groan rumbles between us, but I couldn’t say who makes the sound. We’re that close.
He drops a hand to my throat, and my pulse hammers out a rapid hello. Slowly, he lifts his head. I blink up at him, momentarily terrified of what I’ll see.
His dark eyes are glassy, dreamyeven, and there’s the smallest hint of bemusement curving his lips. Fuck, I want to kiss him again. I want to feel his lips all over me. I want to flounce on a sofa and make out until we can’t remember where we are, what our names are, or what day of the week it is.
But I don’t admit that. Not yet.
Baby steps, Gabe.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He nods. Another quick jerk up and down of his head.
That’s all I’m going to get.
But then, “Better than okay.”
My brows lift. Surprise ricochets through me, and I light up inside like a pinball machine. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
My smile broadens.
“Okay.”
“Finally see what all the fuss is about.”
“The fuss?”
