Her heart fluttered. He knew her name. Had she told him? Had Cheryl? She remembered Andy calling him a ‘huge fan.’ She’d never hooked up with a fan before. Granted, most of them were girls or weedhead dudes who wanted her to listen to their mixtapes. This man was neither. He was so strong and grown up, it was a little scary. Eden cleared her throat. “Okay, one kiss.”

His thumb rubbed her cheek and her lips parted of their own accord. She kept her eyes closed, but he didn’t kiss her. They hovered, suspended, as the beat hummed through the walls around them.

“You ready?”

She let out a giggle. “Dude, are you gonna kiss me or what…?”

A huff of laughter and he pressed his mouth to hers. For few seconds Eden was numb, just glad the waiting was over, then warmth spread through her lips, down her chin and into her throat. This wasn’t like birdcages banging. It wasn’t wet or incompetent, it was light, gorgeous pressure. A golden bridge connecting in the dark.

He pulled back. “Is that okay?”

She blinked, her lips tingling. “I… Yes?”

“Good.”

He brushed his upper lip across hers, hovering with exquisite slowness. “You are fucking stunning.”

His breath was sweet, and Eden couldn’t help herself, she pressed her lips to his. He kissed her back, deeper than before, and though their mouths were open, he didn’t use his tongue. She slid hers forward, determined to break the tension, but his palm tightened on her jaw. He held her still, his lips brushing hers.

We’ve got all the time in the world, he seemed to be saying. Just relax.