Page 34 of The Prodigal Son

Just before we reach the bottom floor, he pulls away just an inch. With his mouth hovering over mine, he softly whispers, “You scare the fuck out of me, Theo Virgil.”

I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean, but I laugh it off. A moment later, the elevator beeps and the doors open.

We each subtly adjust ourselves in our pants before waltzing out into the lobby of the hotel. I stay back while he checks in for the night and gets his room key. I’m practically bouncing with anticipation.

I watch him from across the lobby, brushing my lips as I think about that kiss, reliving it over and over.

Before I even know what I’m doing, I’m writing lyrics in my head.

Elevator indiscretions

Hard-pressed, soft kiss

A touch worth waiting for

When Jensen gets the key and walks back toward me, there’s hunger in his eyes. But I can’t help noticing the time. I have to go back to the venue soon. Fuck my life.

“Come on,” he says with authority as he guides me back to the elevator. This time, we don’t make out during the short trip to his floor.

And when we get out, I can already tell something has changed. Before pressing his key to the door, he turns to face me.

“Listen, Theo?—”

“Stop,” I say, putting a hand up, wanting to save him from the torture of hard conversations.

“No, let me talk.”

“If you don’t want to do this, that’s fine.”

“I want to,” he argues. “Trust me, I really,reallywant to.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

He seems so torn, and it’s making me uncomfortable. This is the last thing I want.

“You don’t have much time. And I…”

Midsentence, his eyes connect with mine again, and it’s like something inside him changes. He dives in for another kiss. It’s harsh and warm, and he nibbles hungrily on my mouth.

Fuck.

As our mouths part again, we’re both breathless and hard and ravenous. And yet, still both so hesitant.

Inches from his lips, I whisper, “I really like you, Jensen, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”

“Say it,” he growls in return.

“I don’t think I should come in that room with you.”

Who am I? What is happening?

He pulls away to stare into my eyes, and I can’t read his features. Jensen is such an enigma to me. There’s something beneath the surface that I don’t understand. And for once in my life, I want to understand him more than I want to fuck him.

“I think you’re right,” he says, clearing his throat.

When he takes a step away from me, his absence feels like an ache. Reaching for him, I rest a hand on his side, strumming my fingers along his rib cage.

Reckless, reckless, reckless.

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