After a twenty-minute ride that felt like hours, we were finally in the elevator, on our way to Nate's apartment. Unfortunately, we weren't alone. A few women who'd clearly been celebrating the new year were wobbling together, keeping each other standing as they pressed the button for the fourth floor and gawked at us.

"Are you guys from Angie's party?" one of them asked, slurring her words.

Before we could respond, her dark-haired friend said, "No way. You think they could've been in her tiny apartment and we wouldn't have noticed them?"

"That's true!" Number three cackled. "It was crowded, but these two would've been hard to miss." She exhaled loudly and dropped her head on her friend's shoulder, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "They're sexy AF. Too bad they're gay."

She said it so matter-of-factly, as though our sexuality were obvious when all we were doing was standing beside each other. My spine straightened as my jaw dropped and I glanced at Nate, who stood there with a smirk, taking things in stride.

Relief loosened the tension that had squeezed my lungs out of reflex as though I were doing something wrong. Nate was right. What did it matter if they knew we were together?

The realization was freeing and kind of wonderful. A feeling of pride washed through me.

"Kinda makes me wish I was a man." The woman looking down at her ample cleavage drew my attention. "Just for tonight, though. These babies are brand new." She shimmied. "Don't wanna waste 'em."

They fell against each other, laughing hysterically, and Nate chuckled. Then the dark-haired one slid to the floor, and the three women laughed harder. I withheld a cheer as the elevator chimed and the doors opened—we'd made it to the fourth level.

While I was happy to see them go, Nate was more caring. He stepped forward, lifting the woman to her feet and helping her and her friends from the elevator. With one foot holding the door open, he watched them stagger a few steps down the hall.

"Are you going to make it?" he asked, as though he was worried about leaving them on their own, and my chest warmed at his unshakeable kindness.

"We'll make it!" one of them yelled, waving her keys. "And if you two need a third later, you know where to find me!"

Shrieks and giggles followed, with one of them adding, "Or a fourth or fifth!"

A full-body cringe rolled through me, but Nate only smirked. "Be safe, ladies. Have a good night." He stepped back into the elevator, grinning as he let the doors close. When his eyes fell on me, he threw his head back, laughing. "You should see your face!"

Shaking my head, I shut my gaping mouth and waved at the door the women left through. "Sorry. It's not every day I'm offered a threesome or a... a whatever you call it for five people."

"Logistically stressful, I'm guessing." He wiggled his eyebrows at me, and I chuckled.

"I don't want to know."

"Are you sure? I could go back for a couple of them, if you want?" His lips shook with the smile he was holding back.

"Nah." I reached for his waist, pulling him closer. "I'm happy with what I have right here."

"Good. Me too." Nate's lips brushed mine as the elevator lurched to a stop and the doors opened. He groaned, taking my hand. "Now the elevator moves quickly."

He led us to his apartment, and I couldn't wait a second longer. The door closed, and as soon as Nate locked it and turned, I pressed him against the cold metal. We were finally alone.

His hands fell to my chest, pulling me against him, and shoving my jacket to the floor. My pulse raced as he undid the buttons of my shirt between kisses. When he slid his hands against the exposed skin, shivers ran through me.

"You feel so good." His breath feathered over my neck as his hips rocked against mine, teasing a moan from my throat.

"So do you." I lifted the bottom of his sweater. "Take this off."

The shirt disappeared, and my gaze raked over the hard planes of his chest and stomach. "Beautiful." I leaned against him, loving the feel of his heated skin and pounding heart.

My hands wove into his hair as my mouth and tongue moved across his collarbone and neck, kissing him, tasting him.

"Joby," he whispered, breathless, gasping softly as I sucked the skin just below the corner of his jaw.

"Come here." Nate held my face as his mouth found mine in a searing kiss that I felt all the way to my toes. Electricity buzzed across my skin. Every place our bodies met came alive with want for him.

A rough sound rumbled in his chest that filled my stomach with flutters as his fingers slipped behind my belt. Nate tugged me through the apartment by my waist, bumping into furniture but never pausing his kisses.

A door opened, and a second later, the back of my legs stopped against a tall mattress. That was the only warning before Nate gave me a nudge, knocking me onto the bed with him falling on top, smiling down at me.

He brushed his cheek over mine. "I've been picturing this for weeks."

"Me too." I turned my head, sliding his earlobe between my lips and smiling when he shivered.

Nate leaned back, looking at me with wide-eyes. "No pressure though."

"Maybe we should lower the bar."

He scoffed at the suggestion, and I grinned. "No way. Go for the gold, baby."

My chuckle cut off when he dipped his head, trailing kisses down my chest.

***

Nate shifted in my arms when he woke shortly after me, but I wasn't ready to let go. Reaching back, his warm palm moved over my thigh. "Good morning."

"How did you know I was awake?"

His breath tickled my arm as he laughed. "You snore when you're asleep."

"I do not."

Nate grinned back at me. "So you were awake making that sound?"

I chuckled. "Fine. Maybe I snore a little." I leaned up on my elbow, exploring his neck and shoulder with my lips. "I hope I didn't keep you awake."

"Not at all." His grip tightened on my leg as he tilted his head, giving me better access. "That feels amazing."

"You feel amazing."

"I wish we could spend the day together."

"Me too." I relaxed with my head on the pillow as I ran my fingers lightly up and down the ridges of Nate's abs. "I have to get to the hotel before checkouts start, but I'm free Saturday."

Nate gasped. "Really? That's perfect." He peeked back over his shoulder at me. "They're having a craft fair in Midtown that looks like fun—tons of local artists and food vendors. I was hoping we could have dinner there and check everything out."

Shit. My stomach turned, and I froze. That fair was hosting three different restaurants Mr. Harrison owned parts of, not to mention his friends and family that would definitely attend and recognize me from the hotel. Going there would be coming out to Mr. Harrison, and I wasn't ready for that.

Nate's brow furrowed. "Is something wrong? You look sick." He rolled onto his back to face me.

"No. Yes." I shook my head. "It's a great idea. I'd love to do something like that with you, it's just..." I couldn't even look at him. Staring down at the quilt, I raced through excuses in my head. I could say yes now, and say I have to work later. The thought of lying to him felt terrible. Maybe it'll rain and the whole thing will be canceled.

Nate slipped his finger under my chin, making me meet his gaze. "Just what?"

I took a deep breath. "I haven't come out at work yet and people I know will be at that craft fair. If they saw us—"

"I see." His dark eyebrows reached toward his hairline. "What if we were holding hands? Ew, right?"

"No, of course not." I shook my head as pain pinched his expression and my heart sank. "But even if we were careful, those drunk women in the elevator could tell we were together and we weren't even doing anything."

"If you don't want people to know, you should probably stop checking me out all the time." A humorless huff of laughter escaped his lips. "I don't know how you've made it this far without everyone knowing you're gay."

"I've never had trouble controlling how I look at anyone before." My skin heated, and I knew I had to be red, but I held his gaze. "I'm sorry, Nate. Honestly, I never meant to hurt you. I just need a little more time."

"This is why I was afraid to show an interest in you. But then you came out to your family, and I thought that meant everyone would know. I thought you wanted a real relationship."

"I do! Please. I just need a little more time, Nate. I don't want to lose you." Leaning closer, I ran my fingers through his hair and rested my forehead against his, glad when he closed his eyes and let me hold him. "Please," I whispered.

Nate chewed his bottom lip as he thought. Finally, he looked at me. "I spent a lot of years hiding who I am and sneaking around. It was awful. I don't want to do it again."

Nausea swirled in my stomach, and my eyes burned with restrained tears. "I unders—"

"But I think we could really have something here. I don't want to lose you either."

"Oh, shit." My voice shook with emotion, and I swallowed, trying to clear it. "I'm so glad, Nate." I pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. "Thank you."

"Just remember, Joby, you asked for a little more time. I won't rush you, but I won't wait forever, either."

"I won't take forever." Happiness filled my chest as I wrapped Nate in my arms and squeezed him close.

Thanks for reading! 💜