Page 22 of Dark Room Junkie

“This one,” he said, intending to make the decision for me.

“I still need to develop those pictures.”

“Then these here.”

I picked up the camera and took it out of its case. As I turned it on, Noé moved closer, our shoulders touching. I tried to focus on the camera and ignore the shiver he elicited in me; it wasn’t easy. Even his scent filled my nose, reminding me of our night together.

“Why did you bring a film camera when you can view the pictures on the other one right away?”

As Noé peered over my shoulder at the small screen, I felt his breath on my ear.

“I wanted to try something with a black and white film. For my project.”

“Analog photography is cool,” Chris called out from the driver’s seat. “Can you digitize them afterward?”

“Yeah, if they turn out well.”

“These here look great,” Noé commented on the pictures on the small screen. “So the black and whites should be good too.”

“Provided I chose the right settings. I used a different film today, so I’m not so sure if I got the ISO right.”

Noé darted his eyes at me, his face just a few inches from mine. “I don’t know what that is.”

His voice unexpectedly became so soft.Is he flirting with me?

“That, uh ... that’s the grain. Like the pixels on your phone.”

“Ah.”

My whole body was tense. Images of our night together popped into my head, and I wanted nothing more than to kiss him and have my way with him right here in the back seat. The effect he had on me was enormous, and I could hardly resist his attraction.

The fact that Noé continued to maintain the closeness even after I put the camera back in the bag suggested that he felt the same way. Or did he? Leaning slightly toward me as if examining my neck, the warmth between us was palpable.

Out of nowhere, his hand landed on my thigh. My pulse quickened, and something stirred in my pants. He left his hand there, not even squeezing my muscle. His warmth flowed into me, and I swallowed.

Finally, he lifted his head and looked at me. For a moment, he lingered. The sparkle in his eyes was electrifying, the moment endless. And yet, it ended abruptly. Noé moved back to his side, pulled out his phone, and started typing. Coldness spread through me, and I tried not to look at him any longer.

As Chris lived near Langstrasse, we parked in his lot and walked. Outside the Olé-Olé-Bar, Noé took out his phone again and stopped.

“Hey, guys! I’m saying goodbye here. Got to go. Was great seeing you again, Alex. Have fun!”

He fist-bumped with each of us, gave me a charming smile, and then he went down a side alley.

“What was that all about?” I asked, quite confused by his sudden exit.

Ramon also seemed slightly puzzled, but Chris just waved it off.

“Oh, that’s nothing new for him.”

“Where’s he going?” I asked as we entered the bar.

“No idea ... Probably off to some chick or a dude. Doesn’t matter to him. He’s a player.”

“Is that the reputation Marco was talking about?” I dared to ask.

Chris laughed loudly. “Oh yeah, the guy doesn’t waste any time.”

“How long have you known each other?”

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