Page 9 of Heartstrings & Hijinks

He raised a brow. His lips curled into a smile, making him look all the more dashing with his unshaven face. “Oh, you had plenty to say.”

I covered my face with my hands. “Fuck. Gregory… I don’t know what to say.” I was ready to crawl back into bed and hide under the blankets. Although I was pretty sure the room I had been in was Gregory’s.

He went back to dishing up the food he was cooking, then slid the plate over to me. “I’ll put you out of your misery. I’m happy last night happened. I don’t like that you could have had a more severe reaction to drinking an unknown substance, but I am glad I was there.” He leaned on the counter, his gaze boring into me. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to express my interest. You just beat me to it.”

Interest? In what? In me? He couldn’t mean that he was interested in me. That was preposterous.

“I’m sorry. My brain short-circuited for a moment. What was that?”

“I think you and I have the same desires. Perhaps the same fantasies. About each other.”

He handed me a cup of coffee, and I took a sip. Then I took another. The meaning of his words didn’t change no matter how many times I played them over.

“Evan? Are you going to say anything?”

“Hm? Sorry, I just… I can’t possibly have heard you right.”

Gregory reached out and clasped his hand behind my neck and pulled me toward him. His lips descended on mine and he kissed me.

Just as quickly as the kiss started, he backed away. “Was that clear enough for you?”

I nodded. I could hardly believe it, but I nodded.

“Let’s finish breakfast, and if you’d like I can take you home, okay?”

I nodded. What else could I do?

I still wasn’t certain that I was awake and in reality. If this was a dream, I was staying in it. There might be more kisses.

Chapter 6

Gregory

I’d never had anyone stay the night in my home before. Yesterday I would have said I didn’t enjoy having people in my space, which was why no one ever rode in my car or came to my house, but having Evan around all morning was nice. Comfortable. Despite the awkwardness of the night before and the admission that we both had feelings for the other, we enjoyed our breakfast and coffee. I loaned him a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt so he could shower. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep extra toothbrushes around. Maybe next time he was over, I’d have one. And there absolutely would be a next time.

I didn’t believe for one minute that his talk last night had been drug-induced. It was too real, too honest. Clearly he and I harbored similar feelings for one another. Sure, it had allowed him to let down his inhibitions, but his attraction to me was real, as was mine to him. I wasn’t going to let him deny it, and the two of us would be having a deeper conversation. One that included an insight into those lacy panties.

“This car is sweet. I can’t believe I don’t remember riding in it.” He caressed his hand over the dashboard. Touching it only with his fingertips like he was afraid he’d harm it.

“Well, this is only the second time I’ve had a passenger,” I said.

After eating and drinking water, his headache had subsided. There was no reason for him to remain at my home except that I wanted him there. It would be best if I gave him space to think, though. Once he’d finished breakfast and showered, I offered to take him home.

“Wait, aside from last night?”

“No, in addition to last night. Nobody rides in my car with me.”

He grinned. “Possessive much?”

“You have no idea,” I said, slipping my sunglasses on.

“My address is—”

“I know where you live, Evan.”

“Right. Of course you do.” He chuckled. “You own the building, right?”

“I do, in fact, own the building, but that’s not why I know where you live. I’ve made it a point to know a lot about you over the years.”

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