Page 66 of Deck the Fire Halls

“You’ve lived here for two years,” I said... then I caught on to what he meant. “Oh. Bringing someone out here on your bike?”

He took my hand, playing with my fingers. “Not just anyone. You, Rob. Bringing you out here. Dating, spending time with you.” He studied my face then, groaning up at the sky. “The way you blush is gonna be the end of me, I swear to god.”

I laughed, embarrassed, putting my hands to my cheeks. “I’m not blushing. It’s cold. It’s one hundred percent not blush. Did you know that erubescence is a physical reaction to a psychological trigger, as in an emotional response. Embarrassment, joy, but also anger and even sexual stimulation, and I don’t know why I just gave you the medical breakdown of that. Seems to be a new nervous trigger but only when I’m around you.”

Soren laughed. “Are you angry?”

“Not at all. ButnowI am leaning more to the embarrassed side of the diagnosis.”

He gently thumbed my jaw, his gaze following itswake. “It’s the damnedest thing. And you said sexual stimulation, right? I didn’t mishear that.”

I opened my mouth and promptly shut it again, certain my face was now bright red. “I have no recollection of that.”

Soren chuckled and pulled me in for a hug. Nothing else, just a warm embrace that soothed something in me. I wrapped my arms around his waist, under his jacket, and held onto him, never wanting to let go.

He was warm and so comforting, I melted into him. How was a hug so soothing and healing, I’d never know. Probably the serotonin boost?—

Just shut up and enjoy it.

It’s human contact, the feeling of being wanted and safe. Comfort and empathy. That’s what it is. Something you haven’t had in forever. Something you haven’t let yourself have in forever.

I buried my face against his neck and inhaled the scent of him. Addictive, irrational, but so addictive. I never wanted to let go. If I kept my eyes closed, I could actually fall asleep...

“We should go,” Soren whispered.

I had to force my eyes open and make myself release him and step back. “We should,” I agreed.

He pulled his gloves out of his pocket and tugged them on. “This is me being a gentleman again,” he said. “Trying very hard to do the right thing.”

It made me chuckle. “Your strength of will knows no bounds.”

He laughed, but it was a tortured sound. “It’s not without pain, I can assure you.”

I almost felt bad as I followed him back to the bike, but the confidence it gave me was something I hadn’t felt in a long time either.

He helped me with my helmet again. “Want some lunch at the diner?” he asked.

It was a bit early for lunch, but I remembered he’d said he had some chores to do this afternoon, and I didn’t want to cut our date off early. Spending another hour with him, even at the diner, was more than fine with me. “Sounds great.”

When we were back on the bike, Soren took my arms and tightened my hold on him. My front was glued to his back, including my crotch against his ass. I was no expert at these things, but I was fairly sure I didn’t have to bethatclose. He patted my arm, as if telling me I should stay like that—as if I’d ever move when I got to touch him like that—and he began the ride home.

It was no less breathtaking on the return trip. The sunlight was filtered through the trees, the snow glinting perfectly. There was hardly any traffic and it could have just been us in the entire world for what it felt like.

It was perfect.

We rode into Hartbridge, Soren slowing down well under the limit. We passed the fire station, the clinic, went past the bridge, and he slowed to a stop at the diner, and reversed us in.

I reluctantly let go of him and climbed off the bike, took my helmet off, and handed it to him. He removed his helmet and swung his leg over, running his hand through his hair.

God, he’s so hot.

And there, on the sidewalk, I almost told him to take me home. Take me home and do whatever he wanted with me. The level of desire I had for him... it felt like he’d taken my libido and given it a good shake.

Sex had never been a priority for me. Merely just a physical release. Granted, I’d never had the time or many options. Just a quick hook up and, even then, that was only every few months.

Now I could barely think of anything else.

“You okay?” Soren asked. He was standing near the door to the diner, clearly wondering why I wasn’t following.

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