Page 24 of Something Cryptid This Way Comes
“Good thinking.”
After washing his hands, he turns to me. “Saturday night had another first.”
My gaze falls to his hand, extending toward mine. I suck in a breath as he links our fingers. “Yeah, we’ve never done that.”
His grip tightens. “It was instinctual. And then what I’d done hit me. Very unprofessional, having romantic thoughts when I’m working.”
“Romantic, huh?” I flex my fingers, exploring the feel of his hand in mine. “These thoughts, are they new?”
He opens his mouth, then closes it, and after a moment’s hesitation, glances at the dogs. “We should go into the other room.”
We walk together, side by side, into the living room, then separate to each close a French door and draw the curtains over the multi-paned windows.
I choose the small sofa under the stained-glass window that catches the sunset.
Bram sits beside me and takes my hand between both ofhis. His expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen him. “I’ve had those thoughts for a while. I don’t know when they started. One day I realized they were just… there.”
I’m stunned and flattered. He’s had feelings. Forme. Wow. There’s a tingling over my skin, like every cell in my body is cheering. “I’ve had romantic thoughts about you too.”
Relief flashes across his features before the gleam in his eyes and spreading smile take over. “For how long?”
“Longer than a while.” It’s the truth. It’s also way too early to tell him that my romantic thoughts run as deep and strong as they do, but I can give him another truth. “I was worried about you coming here, because I didn’t think I’d be able to hide how I felt. And I was right.”
Tracing patterns on my palm, Bram nods. “It’s made for an angsty start for me too. But now that it’s out in the open…”
“Yeah…” I draw the word out, ending it like a question.
He shifts on the cushion, adjusting the angle of his body toward mine, and his blue eyes shimmer with passion. “What do we do about it?”
My heartbeat ticks harder as I gaze at Bram. My best friend, who I’ve known for over half my life, who knows me better than anyone, is about to become even more to me. “I think we have our first kiss.”
He releases his hold on my hand, but not my gaze, and raises his hand to cup my cheek. My eyes flutter closed at the soft press of his fingers, and it takes me back to that moment under the trees in the chilly night air.
His borrowed flannel is open to the fourth button, exposing the graphic tee beneath the layer of plaid. I lay my hand on his chest, over his heart. The material is soft under my fingers and the heat of his skin seeps through his T-shirt. When I trace the edge of his collar and my thumb brushes the skin at the base of his throat, he groans and leans in. His gaze jumps to my mouth and he slides his other armaround me.
The need to touch more pulses through me. I trace my fingertips over the swell of his lips, his stubbled cheeks and soft blond hair. I know every inch of his face, yet it’s like I’m seeing him in a whole new way.
With every breath, we get closer. I tilt my head, he wets his lips, and we watch each other until the image blurs and our lips finally meet.
His lips are soft yet firm, and he tastes like the maple latte. I can’t believe I’m kissing my best friend, or that he’s holding me like he’ll never let go. Wrapping him in my embrace takes the kiss to another level. Bram feels so good in my arms.
The kiss is everything I dreamed it would be. And I’ve dreamed of it a lot.
Bram raises his head. His whispered, “Trev,” is filled with wonder. So is his soft expression and the way he gently brushes his fingers through my hair.
I’m content to hold him, our arms around each other, basking in his embrace.
He rests his forehead against mine. “So what happens now?”
“We reheat our lattes and check on the dogs.”
His laugh vibrates into my chest. “I meant with this. Us.”
“Whatever you want.” I mean that.
Bram draws back so we can see each other clearly. He bites his lip. “And if I want more of what we just did?”
“Then you’re in luck, because I do too.”
