“It sort of called to me.” Jesse caressed Bryce’s thumb with his. The tiny caresses helped center his thoughts, making him feel more connected to Bryce. “My great-uncle made his life in this city. He left me his journals and I guess I got swept away with how he fell in love with St. Louis. Kind of wanted to see it for myself.”
“That’s a reason to vacation,” Bryce said.
“That would be what my ex-boyfriend yelled on his way out the door,” Jesse replied. “I figured he wouldn’t last, but hell of a way to break up with me.”
Bryce squeezed Jesse’s hand. “Sorry for bringing it up.”
“It’s fine. Been four months,” Jesse said. “Work can keep me busy at all hours, and he didn’t understand that either.”
“I understand that all too well. I think I’ve had four guys dump me because they were convinced I was cheating instead of at the office.”
“Must be a demanding job.”
“Can be. But I wouldn’t do anything else.”
They reached Jesse’s apartment building. Like nearly every building Jesse had explored while apartment hunting, it had a brick exterior. The first floor had a lobby, a community gathering room, and a workout center. Lights brightened the whole space, and the emptiness made Jesse think of walking into the college dorms at the wrong hour.
Of course, his dorm room had been a disaster, too.
Shit. His apartment was a mess. Despite having lived in the city for three months, he still hadn’t unpacked his living room and kitchen, and he barely had a place to sit. Caught up in Bryce, he had forgotten that he hadn’t planned on bringing him home. And yet, that was the first thing he was doing.
Jesse groaned and stopped in the middle of the lobby.
“What’s wrong?” Bryce asked.
“Maybe you should wait down here. Won’t take me more than a minute to change and then we can go anywhere you want,” Jesse said.
“You don’t want me to see your apartment? Got an awful roommate?”
“I live alone.” Jesse sighed. “I haven’t finished moving in.”
“Do you have trash everywhere? Dirty dishes on the coffee table? Clothes strewn all over the place?” Bryce pressed the button for the elevator.
“No,” Jesse replied slowly.
The elevator doors slid open and Bryce stepped in. He pulled on Jesse’s hand. “Then I’ve seen worse.”
Jesse stepped into the elevator and tapped the button for the fourth floor. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Bryce kissed him. Just a quick brush of lips, but enough for Jesse to center in on the touch of him. He wrapped his arm around Bryce and kissed him back, surprised by how stone-like Bryce felt. Even though Bryce’s cock was definitely bumping up against Jesse’s and reacting, he was like a statue.
“Something wrong?” Jesse stepped back.
“I’m fine,” Bryce replied, though there was tension in his shoulders.
The elevator doors opened on Jesse’s floor and he walked backwards down the hall. Bryce followed along.
“We don’t have to get physical.” Jesse tightened his hold on Bryce’s hand. “I’m not expecting anything.”
“I’m fine,” Bryce repeated.
Was it possible Bryce was just a shitty kisser? Jesse frowned.
“Are you having second thoughts?” Bryce asked.
“You don’t seem that into it,” Jesse replied.
Bryce must have taken that as a challenge, because he pushed Jesse up against the wall and kissed him again. The effort was there, and the energy, but Bryce was pushing. He was stiff as he moved against Jesse. Somehow, even his tongue was a rock as he tried to deepen the kiss.
Maybe this wasn’t going to go well. Jesse’s groan of frustration was muffled into their kiss. He broke free, and turned them so Bryce had his back against the wall. When Bryce went to lean in for a kiss, Jesse put a hand on his collarbone, thumb near the hollow of his throat, and pressed him back.
