We stood there, our bodies pulling closer with every breath, in heavy silence. Neither of us wanting to be the one to break first, and it was taking everything I had not to cave. I was trained in this, I did not show my cards. I did not reveal my position until I was sure I had the opportunity to take it all.

In the end he spoke first. “It’s good to see you again, Easton.”

I was going to ask him straight out why he was being so standoffish, but decided to change tactics. What always worked between us was keeping things light. I had a feeling if I got intense on him, I’d send him running in the other direction.

“I came to rescue you from boring mathematicians.” I dipped my head in a little curtesy. “You’re welcome.”

He shook his head, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“Who says I wasn’t enjoying the conversation?” He slid his hands in his pockets and lifted his shoulder a fraction of a centimeter. Unbothered. “I like math. I do a lot of it for a living.”

This was us flirting. Patrice barely moving a body part and me practically doing cartwheels.

But as it always worked between us, it wasn’t long before our focus on each other built, and I felt the air change around us. After so many months of him acting like he barely knew me, I’d started to wonder if I’d made it all up. If I’d imagined this connection so strong it was almost palpable. There relief of seeing in his eyes the same intensity I was feeling made me weak.

Which gave me just enough of a nudge to push his buttons a little. “I know you do. I also know a whole lot of other things you like.” I didn’t even try to rein in the suggestiveness.

I was going to make my move.

I looked around, to see just how handsy I could get. We were tucked away in the corner now, everyone had moved to the patio where Nesto and Jude were breaking in their new fire pit. So we were alone.

I had no problem with being shameless. I moved forward, my eyes zeroed in on those lips I’d been dreaming about for months.

“You’re pretty sure of yourself, Mr. Archer,” he said, straightening as I got nearer. We were barely two inches apart and his lips twitched, like he was getting ready for my kiss. But I made him wait. I could play this game too.

Before I moved in on that mouth I couldn’t stop thinking about I put mine close to his ear.

“I’m sure about fuck all when it comes to most things about me and you, but I do know you like my kisses.” He sucked his teeth and his head tilted, making my lips brush against his cheek.

I turned my head to kiss him, but before I could, he moved in first. Our mouths touched, and the floor tilted under me. I was not a man to lose my footing over a kiss, but Patrice’s lips pressed to mine made the room spin.