Page 35 of Cross Checking

But even though I want to stay in this moment forever, I want to avoid freezing to death, so I make a reluctant slide off of the hood. Erik takes the hint and walks around to the opposite side of the car, dusting himself off before settling in.

“Back to mine?” I ask, starting the engine.

“Please.”

My heart jumps. Through the dim light of the overhead lamp, I see a momentary flash ofsomethingcross Erik’s face, conflict darkening his expression. Out of instinct, I lean in, and Erik inhales sharply before we crush our mouths together. There’s no denying how well his lips lock into mine. That tracks, because everything else about us fits: my head against his chest, his body against mine, our fingers as they intertwine.

We go so well together, we have to rip ourselves apart, but I can’t resist him. He isn’t resisting me. The result? We keep ourselves fused together for as long as we possibly can.

There’s no way to describe what we’re doing as anything other than self-destructive. Erik goes back to Sweden tomorrow. Watching him pull away so I can get on with driving already hurts.

Watching him leave for the airport? That’s gonna fucking ruin me.

8

ERIK

After a night of the deepest, most comfortable sleep I think I’ve ever had in my life, I wake up to sun pouring through the parted curtains in Luke’s bedroom. I blink, disoriented, before realizing that Luke has his arms around me.

My stomach battles itself, torn between fuzzy bliss and pure dread. Today’s the day.

I turn to face Luke and sigh heavily. The movement wakes him up, and he blinks those gorgeous brown eyes at me before smiling.

And somehow, I manage to splinter even more.

“Morning,” he says with a deep rasp. He nudges a strand of hair out of my face, and as usual, my skin buzzes with excitement at the slightest touch.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask.

“Like the dead.”

That draws a laugh out of me. “Same here.”

“When’s your flight again?”

“It leaves at ten-thirty tonight.” I force myself to not look at his shirt riding up as he stretches. “I’m connecting in Paris.”

“Do you want a ride to the airport?”

I shake my head. “No. That’s too much.”

“Erik, you’re my friend. Of course I’ll drive you to the airport.”

Friend. That fucking stings, but that’s all we can be. I do my best to not let my emotions show. If Luke feels the same way I do, I shouldn’t make it harder for him.

“Are you sure?”

Luke gives me a gentle punch to the shoulder. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll pick you up at seven so you can get to the airport in time.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it,” I say.

“Don’t even worry about it. Need any breakfast?”

I’m not strong enough to stop myself from breaking down in the middle of Luke’s kitchen after eating whatever heaven-sent food he cooks up. “I have to go back to my place and clear out my fridge.”

“Okay, makes sense. See you at seven.”

And with that, Luke makes some coffee and I slink out of the door, leaning against the hallway wall as I wait for the lift, lacking the necessary strength or motivation to keep myself upright.

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