He lets out a small laugh. “Yeah, I mean, maybe. The pressure of it all can be… a lot.”
I squeeze his hand and deliver my best smile.
He looks at me, startled, then grins. “You really are something, Greg.”
“So I’ve heard.”
We both laugh, tension melting away.
A minute later, he stops, turning toward me. “Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“What you said back at your desk… about not wanting our first time to be there.” His voice drops, soft but steady. “I need you to know I’m not usually so quick to?—”
“I know,” I say, before he can finish.
He nods, relieved. “Good. Because I’m not usually the type to… get tangled up this fast.”
“Neither am I.”
We stand there, the quiet stretching between us, full and warm. His breath fogs faintly in the cool air.
I can’t help it—I reach out and tuck a piece of hair behind his ear. He leans into the touch like it’s instinct.
“Sean,” I murmur. “If I kiss you again, I might not stop.”
He smiles, slow and sure. “Then maybe we should walk faster.”
I laugh, helplessly, and he joins in, the sound bright against the quiet street.
We keep walking, side by side, our hands brushing every few steps until finally, Sean reaches over and twines his fingers with mine. Just like that.
No hesitation. No apology.
And it’s somehow hotter than everything that came before.
When we reach his building, he stops at the gate. “This is me.”
I look up at the apartment windows, then back at him. “You sure you’re safe alone?”
“I think I can handle it.”
I grin. “I meant from yourself. You’re clearly prone to kissing nerdy IT guys.”
He steps closer, smile curving. “Guess I am.”
The air between us crackles again, that same ache, that same charge. His thumb brushes mine, deliberate, and before I can think better of it, I lean in.
He meets me halfway.
This kiss is slower—softer—but it still scorches. Sean’s lips are warm and open, his body pressed against mine, rising on his toes to get closer. I wrap my arms around him, steady and sure, as the night air cools the heat between us. When we finally break apart, he rests his forehead against mine, breath ghosting over my mouth.
“Did you want to…”
“Yes.” The word comes out before he finishes. “I would love to see your place.”
12
