The corridor stretched out before us, dark, the faint creak of boards underfoot combining with the distant rumble of rain outside. David's hand was hot against mine, his hold firm but gentle, leading me to his room.My heart thudded. My skin tingled, as if every nerve of my body were waiting in anticipation.I could still taste him on my lips, his warmth, and the memory of his kisses burned through me, starting a fire low in my belly. Part of me wanted to break away, to gasp and make sense of the storm raging in me, but the power of his touch was stronger, propelling me forward.We went into his room, the air cooler inside, with the slight scent of new linen and his cologne.A single lamp cast a warm glow over the room, eliminating the harshness of the room's corners, the unmade bed with navy blue sheets, the dresser made of wood covered with books, the open window letting in the damp night air.My eyes had darted to the bed, and a cramp of nerves tensed my stomach. This was actually
His lips pressed to mine, soft at first, like a question. The warmth of his mouth chilled me, my skin tingling as I leaned into him, meeting him with a soft nudge of my own lips.My heart was pounding heavily, so much that it's more thunderous than the sound of rain against the roof outside.I could feel the faint tang of wine on his tongue, mixed with something richer, something uniquely him, and it was disorienting.My hands, still on his chest, pulled the fabric of his shirt into a knot, pinning me there while the kiss slowed and deepened, a rediscovery of one another, it seemed.I could sense the heat of his body beneath the lightweight cotton, his muscles coiled tight beneath my fingertips.My mind raced. Part of me wanted to pull back, to guard the fragile pieces of myself I’d kept locked away, but the pull of him was strongerHis hand slid to my cheek, his thumb brushing my jaw, guiding me closer.The tenderness of it made my chest ache, a mix of longing and fear that this mome
It had been two days since I last saw David. Just two days, but it felt way too long.I was sitting on my bed, my legs tucked under me, the soft hum of the air conditioner brushing gently against my skin.I stared at the phone screen, the last message from him still open. nothing else after that "Hope your day wasn’t too hard. I miss you." I read it again and again, and the more I did, the more this ache inside me grew. The more I want to be with him.I missed him. I missed him so much. I miss his voice. The way his eyes look at me. The way he touched me without even touching me. The warmth of his presence, I miss everything.It was close to 9 PM when I grabbed my jacket. I didn’t bother dressing up. Just a plain white tank top and soft grey shorts that hugged my hips. I slipped on my slides and grabbed my keys, texting him on the way out."I need to see you."He responded instantly."If you're coming, The door’s open for you everytime."I didn’t know how fast I drove until I pulled
It started with an apology.David messaged me at dawn. "I'm sorry for it. For the kiss. For pushing. I shouldn't have."I stared at the words longer than I should, my body trembling at the recall.The kiss wasn't the problem. It was the way I wanted it never to stop."You didn't push," I typed slowly. "It was just… a lot."His response came a moment later. "Yeah. It was. But it didn't feel wrong."Neither did the next one. An easy one."Dinner tonight? At my place. Just you and me. You don't have to say yes, you really don't."I did say yes.***He opened the door in a dark blue T-shirt and jeans, barefoot, and the way he was relaxed made my belly flip.The apartment was warm, not just in temperature but in mood. Wood floors, soft rugs, an old guitar propped against the corner, the scent of cedar and coffee wafting through the air."You came," he said, as if he didn't believe it. His eyes raked my face with hope and concern entwined."I said I would." My voice was too quiet, too sultr
It started innocently, as things mostly did. A blue-sky Saturday, a soft wind blowing.David had called that morning, his voice relaxed and teasing."Come over, Em. Just for a bit. I have that Ethiopian roast you like and the afternoon free. Let's keep it simple. No hospital talk."I waited. The silence after his words was too burdensome, but my heart was tired of second-guessing.So, I said yes. I dressed down, a pale sweater and jeans, hair tied back in a loose ponytail, some gloss on my lips. No hope, just interest and the feeling of ease that'll definitely come.His place was tucked in a quiet neighborhood, far from the city's pulse. A brownstone with ivy crawling up the side and flower pots by the steps. When he opened the door, he was barefoot, in a white tee and joggers, smile wide and real."You’re here," he said, like it was a surprise. Maybe it actually was, for both of us.Within it smelled of coffee and cinnamon. Books were stacked haphazardly, a blanket thrown over the co
My office was differently silent today.Sunlight filtered through the blinds, striping my desk in gold. The air was cool, scented faintly with antiseptic and the vanilla sweetness of a candle I'd burned to cut the edge off the day.I sat with my white coat draped over the chair, blouse loose, skirt tight. My dark hair fell freely around my shoulders, unbrushed, brushing against my skin like a whisper.My phone buzzed.David Peterson’s name lit the screen, his last message still hanging in the thread, “Caught up yet, or still saving lives?”His wit sharp, our daily chats a rhythm I’d come to crave. My heart fluttered. Loneliness flickered and vanished. The world warmed, alive again.There was something in David's presence that sparked something real. Our texts had deepened since we'd had dinner, deepening from flirtation to midnight calls. His voice unwavering.His stories imbued with past and promise. I'd spoken to him of my fears. He'd spoken to me of his hopes. My laughter came more