CHAPTER 1

I can’t believe I just walked into a gay club on a Friday evening. And don’t get me wrong. I’m gay. But then—

I really need some place to cool my head off, not a place where I could be distracted by some hot men—My very own taste. 

Either way, I can’t blame myself. I’m a total stranger in Boston Massachusetts. I was raised up by a single mom. And now, she is getting married to the love of her life, forcing innocent me to change my environment. 

And I don’t want all of these. I prefer New Jersey.

My phone buzzed in my pocket as I pushed through the crowd. 

I pulled out my phone. Kai’s messages lit up the screen on W******p.

Kai: Dude, you’re in Boston now. Stop burying your head in med school books for one night. Free yourself. Go out. Live a little.

Me: I’m out. Sort of. Club Café. Loud as hell though.

Kai: Good. Grab a drink. Talk to someone. You’ve been a monk since that last disaster in Jersey. Don’t make me fly up there and drag you onto the dance floor myself.

Me: I haven’t even drank yet. Mom’s wedding is tomorrow. I’m supposed to be the responsible son smiling for photos.

Kai: Exactly why you need this tonight. One night. No books. No guilt. Message me later if you actually do something fun.

I slipped the phone back into my pocket and headed toward the bar. The place was packed, different different guys in tight shirts laughing, couples making out in corners, the air thick with cologne, sweat, and spilled liquor. I wasn’t drunk. I wasn’t even tipsy. I’d come in stone-cold sober because I needed to feel something real, not numb.

I signaled the bartender and ordered a whiskey neat. As I waited, two guys slid up beside me.

The first one, tall and lean with a tight tank top, leaned in close with a flirty grin. “Hey, handsome. You look like you could use some company. Want to dance? Or maybe skip straight to my place after this?”

I barely glanced at him. “Not tonight. Thanks.” I turned away, dismissing him flat.

Before I could even take a sip, another guy appeared, muscular, shirt unbuttoned low, confidence dripping off him. “Damn, you’re fine. First time here? Let me buy you that drink and show you the best dark corners in this club. I promise you’ll leave smiling.”

I shook my head, keeping my voice cold. “I’m good. Not interested.”

The guy shrugged and moved on, but two more tried their luck within the next minute. One whispered something filthy about wanting to bend me over in the bathroom. The other just stared at my ass and said he’d make sure I couldn’t walk straight tomorrow. I shut them both down fast and hard, no smiles, no explanations. I wasn’t here for any of them.

I took a slow sip of whiskey, letting the burn settle. That’s when my eyes landed on him.

He stood near the edge of the bar, leaning against the counter like he owned the shadows around him. Tall. Broad shoulders filling out a black button-down that looked expensive even in the dim light. Dark hair, sharp jawline, and eyes that scanned the room with this calm, almost predatory composure. 

I walked over, weaving through bodies until I was close enough that the heat from the crowd pressed us together.

“Hey,” I said, raising my voice just enough over the music. “Mind if I grab this spot?”

He turned his head slowly. Dark, intense eyes locked on mine. A slow smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. “Spot’s yours if you want it. You look like you could use a drink.”

“Julian,” I offered, extending a hand because old habits from polite Jersey upbringing died hard.

“Enzo.” His grip was firm,lingering a second longer than necessary. “Law school. Final year. You?”

“Med student. Columbia, but crashing here for the weekend. Mom’s getting married tomorrow.”

Enzo’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “Sounds like a reason to drink. What are you having?”

I shrugged. “Whatever’s strong but won’t knock me out. I’m not here to black out.”

He flagged the bartender with a casual flick of his wrist. Two whiskeys appeared. He slid one toward me but didn’t push. “To new environments and bad decisions?”

I clinked my glass against his. “To surviving tomorrow.”

We talked. Or rather, we shouted over the music at first about small things. 

After a while, the conversation felt too loud, too public.

My mouth went dry. I lifted my chin. “So, do you find me interesting?”

“Very.” He reached out and brushed a thumb along my jaw, just once. Electricity shot straight down my spine, dark and sharp, nothing soft about it. “You want to keep talking here? Or should we find somewhere quieter?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Quieter sounds perfect.”

Enzo’s smile turned darker, more knowing. “Good. Let’s get some air. Walk outside. The breeze tonight might clear your head before whatever trouble you’re carrying catches up.”

I followed him out. The cool night air hit us as we stepped onto the sidewalk. Club Café’s neon glow faded behind us. 

Then, rain started suddenly and heavy, fat drops slapping the pavement. Within seconds we were drenched.

“Shit,” I muttered, laughing despite myself.

Enzo grabbed my arm. “My car’s in the lot back there. Come on.”

We ran. By the time we reached his sleek black SUV in the parking garage attached to the club area, we were soaked through. He unlocked it with a beep and we tumbled inside, doors slamming shut against the downpour.

The interior smelled like leather and something faintly expensive, his cologne maybe. Rain hammered the roof. The windows fogged almost immediately.

I pushed wet hair off my forehead, breathing hard from the sprint. “Terrible timing.”

Enzo turned toward me in the driver’s seat. Water dripped from his dark hair onto his collar. His shirt clung to his chest, outlining muscle that made my pulse kick harder. “Or perfect. Depending on how you look at it.”

We sat there for a moment, the storm sealing us in. 

“It’s been a while,” I said suddenly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My voice sounded rougher than I intended. “Since I last kissed anyone. Or… anything else.”

“But-?” He asked.

I met his gaze head-on. Julian the med student who followed rules and studied until his eyes burned wasn’t here right now. 

Instead of answering with words, I leaned across the console and kissed him.

It wasn’t soft nor cute. My hand fisted in his wet shirt as our mouths crashed together. He tasted like whiskey. Enzo responded immediately, one hand gripping the back of my neck, pulling me closer. 

 My fingers worked at his buttons. He did the same to mine. 

Enzo broke the kiss just enough to speak against my mouth. “Are you sure about this? No drunk excuses tomorrow.”

“I’m not drunk,” I said, breathing it like a challenge. “I’m doing this because I want to.”

He chuckled, dark and low, the sound vibrating through me. His hand slid down my side, possessive. “Careful, pretty boy. Some doors you open don’t close easily.”..

His mouth crashed unto mine again 

“Why do I think you won’t be a casual one-night stand but trouble