Page 35 of Tied

Chris

I’m truly not sure who’s more anxious or nervous out of the two of us. It’s not like either of us are freshmen in this, it’s feeling like a first date though.

Hitting the sidewalk after saying goodbye to everyone, I’m not sure what to do. Do I grab his hand? Does he like hand-holding? Are his intentions meant that way, or was I reading into the coffee offer? Fuck, I’m unsure.

“Come on,” Tyler says, starting down the street. I’m not quite sure where we are or where we’re headed, but I’ll follow, assuming he’s taking me to my hotel.

As I was running from the photogs and news hounds, I never kept track of where I was. Tyler could lead me to a brothel on the Hudson and I’d be none the wiser. I don’t say anything though, as I’m unsure of what to say. The silence is starting to feel ominous.

Blurting out the only thing that comes to mind that doesn’t sound dirty, I say, “Thank you.”

It works slightly as Tyler slows his pace. “For what?”

“For not treating me like a paper doll. For not giving me an ‘I told you so’ speech. For not being a douche. Or a queen for that matter.”

Allowing a light laugh to escape unbidden, Tyler turns to me. “Chris, you know I’m...um…” Huffing out a heavy breath, he pauses, then stops walking altogether.

Facing him, I take in the nuances of his sweet, good looks as he just stares. I’m not wanting to push him on anything because I’m nervous. I feel like a fucking tenth grader asking his crush to the prom. So standing silent and stoic, I wait.

Cast by the sunlight sneaking through the buildings, I’m taken aback by his subtle beauty. We’re the same height, standing eye to eye. He has no obvious scars from puberty, no tell-tale cuts from scuffles, and nary a hair out of place in his manicured brows. Don’t ask why I notice that. I’m not superficial, I just happen to see the finer details of people.

He has no piercings that I can see, and if he has any below the belt, I’m more than glad to inspect them—for flaws that is. No noticeable tattoos, and the perfect set of lips that I want to pull between my teeth. He’s near perfect. With dark, clean-shaven hair that’s mussy in the front, cut clear along the sides, thick lashes, and crystallized eyes housed in a dark rim, to me it’s as close to perfection as I think I’ll ever see.

I don’t think he feels as good about my perusal of his features as I do, as he seems a bit unnerved by it.

“Tyler, we should talk. Maybe over that coffee?” I tell him, hoping to break the tension.

Without saying anything to me, Tyler takes a few steps, then a few more. “Coffee…right.” Moving ahead, he pauses again, but with a softer tone to his features. Tyler turns around.

Pushing up against me in a rush, pressing his body to mine, Tyler’s mouth crashes towards mine, causing a shock to my system. Cradling my head between his strong hands with his mouth against mine, the invasion is exhilarating. Allowing him entrance, our tongues tangle, the roughness of his facial hair scratching mine is enticing and tantalizing. Exactly what I envisioned it would be like to kiss him.

When he pulls back, breathing heavily and licking his moistened lips, I’m speechless at first. “Tyler, you’re a hard man to figure out.”

Grinning, he smooths a hand down my face, then kisses my lips tenderly once more. “Come on, Chris.” He takes my hand in his. “We’re going to have that coffee.”

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