Lorenzo was lining up several takeout containers on the chrome and glass coffee table, and he said, “Vee also mentioned you hadn’t eaten, so I brought you some food.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I worry about you, Will.” As he carefully lifted a plate of strawberry cheesecake from the box, he said, “I saw you at the buffet table. It looked like you really wanted this, and it made me sad when you put it back. You deny yourself so much.”
“You were watching me?”
“I just happened to look over and see you in there. You know the dining room is like a fishbowl with its glass walls.” He slid over a few inches and touched the spot right beside him. “Come join me.” I did as he asked, and when I glanced at him, he said, “So, that kiss. Did you do that just because it’s New Year’s?”
I thought about playing it off, but I couldn’t lie about this. “It was something I’d been thinking about for a while.”
We both paused, as if we were waiting to see what the other would do. It felt like our entire relationship teetered on a knife’s edge. In the next few seconds it could tip one way or another, sliding back toward friendship or plunging forward into uncharted territory. I reached up slowly, so he could stop me if he wanted to. He met my gaze as my fingertips skimmed his short beard.
Since I’d already kissed him once, I decided whatever happened next had to be up to him. I held my breath and waited as my touch on his cheek became a light caress. Some sort of strong emotion churned in his brown eyes, and he told me, “Just so you know, I’m not ready for a relationship, and—”
I cut him off, because I was afraid of what he’d say next. “That’s fine. My life is up in the air right now, and I know it would be a bad time to start something.”
“Then what are we doing right now?”
I thought, Giving me what I’ve wanted for months. “We’re just letting ourselves have some fun.” Technically, that was true too.
He nuzzled the hand that lingered on his jawline. Then he shifted around so he was facing me and brought my chin up with a gentle touch. When his lips met mine, it was light, almost experimental. Then he leaned back just a little and searched my eyes. I wondered what he was looking for.
Whatever it was, apparently he found it, because his next kiss was something else entirely. I parted my lips for him as he claimed my mouth. When I grabbed for him, I ended up with two fistfuls of the flannel shirt he wore unbuttoned over a T-shirt.
Without thinking about it, I climbed onto his lap, straddling his hips as my heart raced. Lorenzo filled my senses. His taste, his scent, every point of contact where my body met his—I reveled in all of it as our kisses turned hungry.
But then my emotions overwhelmed me, and I pulled back abruptly. He looked concerned as he asked, “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. Fine.” I said that automatically. It was what I always said. I put my head on his shoulder, and he held me securely. Even though it felt wonderful, I started to feel self-conscious and climbed off his lap just moments later.
He seemed to understand I needed a few minutes, so after a beat, he changed the subject by indicating the takeout containers. “The caterers did an incredible job tonight. I collected a few things I thought you might enjoy.” He produced a fork from the cardboard box and held it out to me as he added, “My advice is to start with the cheesecake. It’s sensational.”
“I shouldn’t.”
“Oh, you definitely should.” Lorenzo’s tone was playful, and when I eyed the cheesecake, he teased, “You know you want to.”
He was right about that. I took the fork from him and ate a morsel of the rich, creamy dessert. Despite myself, I made a sound more suited to sex than food and murmured, “It’s even better than I imagined.”
He looked happy as I picked up the plate, and while I savored a few more bites of cheesecake, he asked, “Do you feel like watching a movie?” When I nodded, he went to the shelves beside my TV, which were lined with plastic boxes containing Blu-ray discs. “Any preference?”
“Something light.” When he held up Jurassic Park, I said, “Perfect.”
My taste was all over the place, from big budget action movies to quirky independent films and everything in between. I was the exact opposite of a film snob. I’d watch just about anything, and if it managed to transport me into its world for a couple of hours, I considered it a great movie.
As Lorenzo popped the disc into the slim player, I said, “I love this movie.”