The morning after the kiss

CHAPTER TEN

Adrian had a problem.

A very attractive, six-foot-something problem with grey eyes, a deep voice, and an irritating ability to make him smile at his phone.

He had barely slept.

Not because anything had gone wrong the previous evening. Quite the opposite. Alexander had kissed him, and Adrian had kissed him back. Twice. He could still remember the warmth of Alexander's hand against his waist and the way the billionaire had looked at him afterward, as though the rest of the world had temporarily disappeared.

Adrian rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

He was twenty-five years old. He had dated before. He had kissed men before. There was no reason one evening with Alexander Sterling should leave him feeling like a teenager with his first crush.

His phone vibrated.

Alexander: Good morning. Are your lips still recovering?

Adrian burst out laughing.

Adrian: You're very pleased with yourself.

Alexander: I had a good reason to be.

Adrian: Don't get carried away. It was only two kisses.

Alexander: I remember. I'm hoping there will be more.

Adrian shook his head, smiling.

Adrian: Good morning, Alexander.

Alexander: Good morning, beautiful.

Adrian put his phone down before he could spend the entire morning flirting.

He had an event to finish.

---

By the time Adrian reached the main hall, the installation team had begun setting up the final decorations. The enormous Christmas tree stood near the centre of the room, its branches covered in warm white lights and elegant gold ornaments. The stage was nearly complete, and the musicians were expected for their final sound check the following afternoon.

Adrian walked through the hall, checking each section.

"Move that arrangement slightly to the left," he instructed one of the decorators. "It needs to be visible from the entrance, not hidden behind the column."

He was examining the table centrepieces when Alexander entered.

"Good morning."

Adrian looked up.

"Good morning."

Alexander approached, his expression noticeably warmer than usual.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Eventually."

"Why eventually?"

"Someone kept distracting me."

Alexander's smile widened.

"Should I apologise?"

"Not unless you're planning to stop."

"I wasn't planning to."

Adrian tried to hide his smile by looking down at the arrangement in front of him.

Alexander stood beside him.

"May I?"

Adrian glanced at him.

"May you what?"

Alexander gently took his hand. He didn't pull him closer or attempt to kiss him. He simply held it, rubbing his thumb across Adrian's knuckles.

Adrian looked at their joined hands.

"We're at work."

"I know."

"People can see us."

"I know that too."

Adrian turned towards him.

"You're not worried?"

"About what?"

"People talking."

Alexander's expression became serious.

"I don't intend to hide that I like you. But I won't put you in an uncomfortable position, especially while you're working here. If you'd rather keep things private, I'll respect that."

Adrian appreciated the answer more than he expected.

"I don't mind people knowing we're getting along. I just don't want our relationship becoming the main topic of the event."

"Then it won't."

Alexander released his hand when a member of the installation team approached with a question.

It was a small gesture, but Adrian noticed it.

Alexander was learning to make room for him.

---

Later that morning, Adrian received a call from the entertainment manager. The jazz group had confirmed their availability for the final rehearsal, but one of the singers had developed a throat infection and would not be able to perform.

Adrian frowned as he listened.

"Do you have a replacement?"

The manager explained that they could bring in another vocalist, but the replacement had a different style.

Adrian asked for a recording and listened carefully.

It wasn't exactly what he had imagined, but it could work.

"Send me the full set list," he said. "I'll review it before confirming."

He ended the call and returned to his laptop.

Alexander, who had been reviewing documents nearby, looked up.

"Another problem?"

"A singer has dropped out."

"Can the group replace him?"

"They have someone available. I just need to make sure the new vocalist fits the atmosphere we're creating."

"Do you need anything from me?"

Adrian shook his head.

"No. This is manageable."

Alexander studied him for a moment.

"You know, you don't always have to refuse help before I've even offered it."

"I'm not refusing help. I'm telling you I have this under control."

"All right."

Adrian smiled.

"You're learning."

"I have an excellent teacher."

Before Adrian could reply, his phone rang again.

This time, it was one of his business partners calling about an outstanding payment from a previous event. Adrian stepped away to handle the issue, leaving Alexander alone with his documents.

Alexander watched him for a moment.

He admired Adrian's independence, but he was beginning to understand that dating him would require more than admiration. It would require patience, trust, and the willingness to let Adrian make his own decisions.

For a man who had spent most of his life controlling every detail, that was a lesson worth learning.

---

Around lunchtime, Victoria arrived at the estate.

She found Alexander in his office, reading through a financial report.

"You're working?"

Alexander didn't look up.

"That's generally what people do in offices."

Victoria closed the door behind her.

"You're in a good mood."

"I'm always in a good mood."

She laughed.

"That's the biggest lie you've told this week."

Alexander finally looked at her.

"What do you want, Victoria?"

"To see how preparations are going. And perhaps to check whether my brother has completely forgotten that he has a family."

"I haven't forgotten."

"Good. Then you can have lunch with me."

"I have a meeting."

"Move it."

Alexander stared at her.

Victoria smiled sweetly.

"You're welcome."

He shook his head, but she was already walking towards the door.

Before leaving, she paused.

"By the way, where's Adrian?"

"Working."

"Of course he is."

She studied her brother's face.

"Something happened between you two."

Alexander said nothing.

Victoria's smile grew.

"Oh, something definitely happened."

"Don't start."

"I haven't even started."

She walked out, leaving Alexander wondering why he had ever thought having a younger sister was a good idea.

---

Adrian was in the reception hall when Victoria found him.

"Adrian!"

He turned and smiled.

"Victoria. It's good to see you."

She approached and gave him a brief hug.

"I hope my brother hasn't been making your job difficult."

"Not at all."

"That's surprising."

Adrian laughed.

Victoria glanced towards the decorations.

"This is coming together beautifully."

"Thank you. We're almost through the major installations."

She looked around again before lowering her voice.

"So, how is my brother treating you?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"Professionally?"

Victoria gave him a knowing look.

"Of course."

"He's been very supportive."

"Only professionally?"

Adrian laughed.

"You're not subtle."

"I've never claimed to be."

Victoria linked her arm through his.

"Come and have lunch with us. I want to hear how everything is going."

Adrian glanced at his schedule.

"I can spare a little time."

"Excellent. And don't worry, I won't let Alexander turn lunch into a business meeting."

---

Lunch was served in the smaller dining room.

Alexander arrived a few minutes after Adrian and Victoria had already begun eating.

"You're late," Victoria announced.

"I had a call."

"You always have a call."

Alexander took his seat.

"Good afternoon to you too."

Adrian hid a smile behind his glass.

Victoria noticed.

"See? He's already laughing at you."

"I noticed."

The conversation remained light. Victoria asked about the event, Adrian explained the final preparations, and Alexander listened while occasionally adding details about the guest arrangements.

At one point, Victoria looked between them.

"You two seem comfortable together."

Adrian took a sip of water.

Alexander calmly continued eating.

Victoria smiled.

"I suppose I should be happy. I've been trying to get Alexander to take an interest in someone for years."

"Victoria," Alexander warned.

"What? It's true."

Adrian laughed.

"Maybe he was waiting for the right person."

Alexander turned towards him.

"Maybe I was."

Their eyes met briefly.

Victoria leaned back, looking pleased with herself.

"I think I'll leave you two alone."

"You've barely eaten," Alexander said.

"I've eaten enough to know when I'm no longer needed."

She stood, kissed her brother's cheek, and turned to Adrian.

"Enjoy your afternoon. And don't let him work you too hard."

"I'll try."

After she left, Alexander looked at Adrian.

"She's going to be unbearable now."

"She likes you."

"She's my sister. That's not the same thing."

Adrian laughed.

Then Alexander reached across the table and touched his hand.

"I'm glad you're here."

Adrian looked at him.

"So am I."

---

That afternoon, Adrian finished reviewing the replacement singer's recordings and approved the new arrangement. The final rehearsal was confirmed for the following day, and the event was now close to being ready.

He was packing his laptop when Alexander appeared at the doorway.

"Finished?"

"For today."

"Good."

Adrian glanced at him.

"Are you about to offer me another dinner invitation?"

"Actually, I was going to ask whether you'd like to spend the evening with me."

"Doing what?"

"Nothing planned. We could watch a film, have something to eat, and relax."

Adrian considered it.

"At the estate?"

"If you're comfortable with that."

Adrian smiled.

"I am."

Alexander stepped closer.

"Then I'll arrange something."

"Don't make it extravagant."

"I wasn't planning to."

"And no expensive private cinema."

Alexander looked offended.

"I have never been that predictable."

Adrian laughed.

"You absolutely have."

---

That evening, they settled in the west sitting room with food and a film playing on the television.

Adrian sat at one end of the sofa, while Alexander occupied the other. It was a deliberate arrangement on Adrian's part. He wanted to enjoy the evening without allowing Alexander's presence to distract him every five seconds.

Unfortunately, Alexander seemed to have other ideas.

"You're not watching the film," he observed.

"I am."

"Then what happened in the last scene?"

Adrian looked at the television.

"I don't know."

Alexander laughed.

"Exactly."

"Perhaps you should stop talking."

Alexander moved closer.

"Would that help?"

"Possibly."

He moved another inch.

Adrian glanced at him.

"You're doing that deliberately."

"Doing what?"

"Trying to distract me."

"Is it working?"

Adrian looked at the television again.

"Unfortunately."

Alexander smiled and placed his arm along the back of the sofa.

Adrian lasted another few minutes before turning towards him.

"You're impossible."

"And yet you're still here."

"Don't sound so pleased."

"I can't help it."

Adrian studied him for a moment.

Then he leaned forward and kissed him.

Alexander responded immediately, one hand settling against Adrian's waist as he drew him closer. The kiss was warm and unhurried, different from the excitement of their first one. This time, neither of them seemed uncertain about what they wanted.

When Adrian pulled away, Alexander rested his forehead against his.

"I was trying very hard not to do that," Alexander admitted.

"Why?"

"I didn't want you thinking I invited you here just to kiss you."

Adrian smiled.

"Well, I came because I wanted to spend time with you. The kissing is an added benefit."

Alexander laughed softly.

"An excellent benefit."

Adrian settled against his side, and Alexander wrapped an arm around him.

For a while, they watched the film, occasionally exchanging quiet comments. It was simple, comfortable, and unexpectedly intimate.

Adrian realised he was beginning to enjoy the moments when Alexander wasn't trying to impress him.

He liked this version of him.

The man who laughed at the wrong parts of films, who listened when Adrian spoke, and who didn't seem afraid to let silence exist between them.

---

When it was time for Adrian to leave, Alexander walked him to the entrance.

"I enjoyed tonight," Adrian said.

"So did I."

Alexander hesitated.

"Can I see you tomorrow after the rehearsal?"

Adrian smiled.

"You're going to see me tomorrow. I'm working here."

"I meant when you're finished."

"Are you asking for another date?"

"Yes."

Adrian pretended to consider it.

"All right."

Alexander leaned down and kissed his forehead.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Adrian stepped outside, smiling as he walked towards the guest wing.

Alexander watched until he disappeared inside.

For the first time, he wasn't simply waiting for the next opportunity to kiss Adrian.

He was beginning to want all the ordinary moments in between.

And that frightened him a little more than he cared to admit.