The first kiss was supposed to be a mistake.
Instead, it became the one thing neither man could bring himself to stop.
Ethan barely had time to close the apartment door before Marcus caught his wrist and pulled him close.
Their lips met in a sudden, breathless kiss, and every clever thing Ethan had rehearsed saying disappeared.
Marcus smiled against his mouth.
“Been thinking about this all night,” he whispered.
Ethan let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “You could've just said something.”
“I was trying to be respectful.”
“And now?”
Marcus's eyes flickered toward his lips. “Now I'm running out of patience.”
Ethan closed the distance between them.
Their second kiss was slower, but somehow more overwhelming.
Ethan slipped his arms around Marcus's shoulders, drawing him nearer, while Marcus held him gently at the waist.
The rain tapped against the windows, filling the quiet apartment with a steady rhythm.
A low, involuntary sound escaped Marcus as Ethan brushed his lips against his again.
Ethan pulled back just enough to look at him.
“What's that?”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“That little sound you just made.”
“Don't start.”
“Oh, I'm absolutely starting.”
Marcus laughed, the sound warm and unguarded, before leaning in to kiss him again.
This time, Ethan smiled into the kiss.
Their laughter mingled with their whispered words, until neither could remember what had been so funny.
When they finally drew apart, Marcus rested his forehead against Ethan's.
“Tell me something,” he murmured.
“Anything.”
“Are you always this distracting?”
“Only around men who look at me like that.”
Marcus's expression softened.
“Like what?”
“Like you're trying to memorize me.”
For a moment, Marcus said nothing.
Then he brushed a strand of hair away from Ethan's forehead.
“Maybe I am.”
The tenderness in his voice caught Ethan off guard. He had expected teasing, perhaps another kiss, but not that sudden feeling of being seen.
He touched Marcus's cheek.
“Then you'd better take your time.”
Marcus smiled.
And when he kissed him again, the world outside the apartment seemed to disappear.
Later, they settled on the couch beneath a blanket, their fingers intertwined. The rain had grown heavier, and the city lights shimmered through the window.
Ethan rested his head against Marcus's shoulder.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why tonight?”
Marcus looked down at their joined hands.
“Because every time I leave you, I spend the entire journey home wishing I'd stayed a little longer.”
Ethan's heart stumbled.
“You could've told me.”
“I know.”
“So why didn't you?”
Marcus turned toward him.
“Because I was afraid you'd laugh.”
Ethan stared at him for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed him softly.
“I might laugh at your terrible jokes,” he whispered. “But not at that.”
Marcus exhaled, a quiet, relieved sound.
“Good.”
Ethan settled closer.
“Because I'm pretty sure I'm falling for you.”
Marcus went still.
Then, slowly, he smiled.
“Pretty sure?”
“Don't ruin the moment.”
“I wouldn't dare.”
Outside, thunder rolled across the city.
Inside, Marcus pressed a kiss to Ethan's forehead, and Ethan closed his eyes, smiling.
Neither of them knew what tomorrow would bring.
But tonight, neither wanted to be anywhere else.
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