Page 14 of Finding Michael

Michael hesitated, then collided with Tristan. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Tristan’s eyes sparkled and he mashed his mouth down on Michael’s.

Michael swore he saw stars and his brain misfired. He’d been kissed before, but not like this. He bit back a groan. The kiss was good and hot. Perfect. He couldn’t close his eyes. He needed to know this moment was real, despite trying to convince himself not to get attached to Tristan.

Tristan broke the connection first and licked his lips. “I’m not supposed to do that.”

“What?” He’d been knocked off-kilter. He needed to regain his bearings. “Lick your lips? Or kiss me?”

“Both.” Tristan slid his hand around to the back of Michael’s neck. He rested his forehead against Michael’s and traced circles with his thumb on Michael’s skin. “You said to keep my distance.”

“I did.” His voice sounded huskier than he’d thought possible.

“But I don’t want to.”

“You’re leaving soon,” Michael mumbled.

“I know.” Tristan brushed his nose along Michael’s. “This feels like a dream.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t want it to end.” Tristan feathered his lips over Michael’s and kissed him again. “But I know the score. You’re right.”

“About?” He didn’t know up from down, right from wrong. Tristan had him all turned around.

“Us being together. It’s doomed,” Tristan murmured. “But I don’t care. I like challenges and doing this with you seems like a worthy challenge.”

Michael couldn’t speak. He should argue or at least stick up for himself, but he couldn’t form sentences.

“Come back to the B&B with me,” Tristan said. “I want you.” He kissed Michael a fourth time. “Please?”

For a long second, Michael considered going with Tristan. His body craved the attention and his dick throbbed. He could use the release. He wanted so badly to lose himself in Tristan and ignore the ramifications. But he couldn’t. “No.”

Tristan pulled away a bit. “No?”

He shook his head. Maybe Tristan wasn’t used to hearing the word no, but he had no choice. “I’m sticking around Sullavan. I don’t want to be your man of the evening. I’d rather go home with a hard-on than be with you and regret it.”Shit.He hadn’t thought he could push Tristan away, but being honest might as well have sent him packing back to wherever he was from.

“Understood.” Tristan let go. “I wish you didn’t make such good sense.”

“It’s a fault of mine.” He struggled to keep from going after Tristan, or at least pleading for Tristan to stay. “I can’t be a sometime guy. I’m the boyfriend type. You’re passing through. We won’t mesh.”

“But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying to get with you.” Tristan grinned. “I like you, Michael, and I meant what I said when I asked for your help.” He paused. “I meant what I said about being with you, too.”

Michael stared at him.Really?

“I’ll come by the library after my meeting with the lawyer. Yes?” Tristan touched Michael’s shoulder. “We’ll do this.”

“You’re free to visit the building whenever you want.”What a ridiculous answer.

“And I want you.”

“It’s a fool’s mission.” He wanted to say he wasn’t interested, but he knew it was a lie.

“Good thing I love missions.” Tristan let go of Michael and waved. “See you tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.” He waved and watched Tristan jaunt down the sidewalk. Michael sighed. He’d lost his touch. Liking a man who’d leave was silly. They could have a sweltering affair, right? A few days of the perfect relationship because it wouldn’t have strings…right? He groaned. He had a feeling he wouldn’t be the same once he got involved with Tristan. He needed to get his head out of his ass and keep plugging along with his life. The library needed him—not Tristan. He wished convincing his heart what his head already knew didn’t seem so impossible. After Tristan, he’d never be the same. But could he move on without him?

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