Page 51 of Common Goal
Eric nodded at the sidewalk, then lifted his gaze. “Maybe.”
Kyle did lean in then, because he couldn’t help it. He kissed Eric on the cheek. It was chaste, but his lips lingered greedily on Eric’s skin. He pulled back enough to meet Eric’s gaze. There was a question there, a silent request for permission. Kyle knew he should step away, but he could feel Eric’s breath against his lips, and he just wanted this so much. So instead of doing the right thing, Kyle tilted his head and let Eric close the distance.
For a terrifying moment, Eric didn’t react at all, and Kyle thought he’d misread the situation. Then, finally, Eric’s lips touched his own, perfectly gentle and sweet. Kyle forced himself to stay still, to let Eric explore his lips with careful, tentative brushes that sent sparks shooting throughout Kyle’s body.
He pulled back, just to make sure Eric was okay with this. Eric helplessly chased his mouth, which made Kyle laugh and kiss him properly. He placed a gentle hand on the side of Eric’s face, caressing his soft beard, and parted his lips, inviting Eric in. When the tips of their tongues touched, Kyle groaned and opened for him, needing more. He was charmed by how innocent this kiss was, but he was dying for Eric to truly take him.
This time Eric broke the kiss, pulling back enough to look at him with wide eyes and mouth hanging open, as if he was surprised to see Kyle there. Kyle was ready to make a joke to relieve the tension and let Eric know this didn’t have to be a big deal, but before he could say a word, Eric was on him again. His arms wrapped around Kyle’s back, pulling him tight against his body as he bent Kyle back slightly and kissed him hungrily. Kyle’s stomach swooped with the overwhelming rightness of it as he kissed him back, swallowing the little moans Eric was making.
Finally they broke apart, and Eric leaned his forehead against Kyle’s, the white clouds of their breath mingling as they both panted.
“Wow,” Kyle said. “We just did that.”
“Yeah,” Eric agreed.
“Was that okay?”
Eric was still for a moment, and Kyle’s stomach dropped. What if it hadn’t been okay? What if Kyle had stolen Eric’s first kiss with a man, something that was supposed to have been special?
But then Eric nodded against Kyle’s forehead. “It was way more than okay.”
Kyle smiled, relieved. He was tempted to kiss Eric again, but he knew he needed to put up some walls before things got out of hand.
Kyle took a step back. “So you got that over with.”
Eric frowned. “Over with?”
“Your first kiss with a man. You can check that box off.”
“That wasn’t what I—”
“You did good, by the way,” Kyle said, before Eric could say anything that might make Kyle invite him upstairs. “A-plus kissing.”
“Thanks.” Eric touched his fingers to his lips. He looked bewildered, and Kyle realized he was probably being heartless. He reached for Eric’s other hand.
“Hey,” he said gently. “I had fun tonight.”
“Me too.” God, he looked so lost. He looked like he would follow him anywhere, and Kyle found that hard to resist. He wanted this man, wanted to bring him upstairs and teach him everything he knew about sex. He wanted to keep talking to him, and kissing him. But Eric wasn’t into hookups, and he’d made it clear that Kyle was too young for him to date. But maybe there was a third option.
He decided to float Eric a casual offer. “I’m going to put this out there: if you want me to help you with any other...firsts... I’d be happy to. Anytime. No strings attached.”
Eric’s eyebrows shot up. “Um, thank you. That’s...”
Kyle held up his hands. “It’s an offer. You don’t have to take it. And you don’t have to decide now. But I could teach you a few things in a safe, nonjudgmental way. It might make you feel more confident about dating.”
Eric looked stunned, but he nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
Kyle bit his lip, then leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the mouth. “You have my number.”
Eric’s gaze was still on Kyle’s mouth. “I do. Goodnight, Kyle.”
“Happy anniversary, darling.”
Chapter Eleven
Obviously Eric shouldn’t have kissed Kyle. Not that it hadn’t been nice.
Nice.Jesus, it had been earth shaking. It had been...affirming. He hadn’t been kissed in over a year, and he’d never been kissed likethat. He hadn’t been able to stop smiling or touching his own lips for the entire cab ride home.
