The beige garage door opened, welcoming us into a small, dry environment. Since the house was relatively small, I didn’t have a big space in my garage. His car took up most of the space and a few storage bins in the corner. 

 

The door slowly moved down, minimizing the rain slapping the streets. 

 

Dorian removed his hand from the wheel and turned his head toward me. I was the one who’d suggested he come inside the garage, but I could barely look at him for more than two seconds. My nerves were shot, causing havoc throughout my body. 

 

“Thanks for the ride,” I said. 

 

“You’re welcome.” 

 

So short with your words. 

 

“The rain is terrible. Are you sure you want to—” 

 

“Zuri, I’ll be fine.” 

 

Maybe I wanted to find a reason for him to stay, but it was starting to sound pathetic. Wasn’t it clear that he didn’t want to be here? 

 

Actually… it wasn’t. If Dorian wanted to leave quickly, he wouldn’t be sitting there, staring at me with the same look he had right before he almost kissed me. Whether it was intentional or not, he trapped me with an intensive gaze, speeding up the rhythm of my heart. 

 

Dorian peered at my lips with a fight in his eyes. 

 

What the hell are we doing? It’s freaking killing us. 

 

“Do you regret it?” I said quietly. 

 

“Regret what?” 

 

“Trying to kiss me.” 

 

He swallowed hard as he faced away from me. Dorian looked out of his window, sighing heavily. 

 

“I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to hang out again.” 

 

“Because you’re scared? Or because you genuinely feel nothing for me?” 

 

“Zuri, it’s complicated.” 

 

“Do you have a girlfriend?” My lips turned down, a different kind of uneasiness taking over me. 

 

“No. It’s not…like I said, it’s fucking complicated.” 

 

There was no need to curse, but Dorian was fighting hard. I would never understand the battle, but it wasn’t for me to. Maybe he had the same logic as me, not wanting to get involved with someone who was there to assist him in bettering himself. 

 

Even though Dorian tried to downplay his reasons for attending the meetings, he still attended. 

 

“I get it. Thanks again for the ride. Goodnight.” 

 

I reached for my umbrella and exited the vehicle without hearing his departing words. The confusing feelings didn’t feel good. It caused hurtful thoughts, mocking me for getting ahead of something that would never work. 

 

“So…freaking…stupid,” I fussed, struggling with my keys. “Are you kidding me!”

 

I was so upset with myself for creating something false in my head, but I got even more angry when my keys fell on the floor.

 

“Zuri!” Dorian called. 

 

“Hmm?” When I turned toward him, I wasn’t prepared for Dorian to already be out of the car, standing directly behind me. He briskly pushed me into the door, sinking his fingertips into my cheeks the moment he grabbed my face.  

 

I never thought I’d be standing in my garage, back pressed against the door, as Dorian took over a heated kiss. Never in my life had I fallen so quickly for someone just by the way they controlled me with their lips. 

 

Dorian showed me that he would take the lead, changing the pace and aggression of his movements. His lips were so soft, but his hunger dominated their delicacy. 

 

I gave into him, practically falling into mush as a tiny moan slipped into his mouth. Dorian slowly pulled away and slid one hand down to my jaw. 

 

“Why do you make this shit so hard?” He squeezed my face tightly while lowering his head to kiss my neck. 

 

“W-What do you mean?” I tripped up on my words from the way he forced my head to the side. Dorian needed more space to better access my neck. His kisses burned my skin, but the tiny nips with his teeth were like nothing I’d ever felt. What the hell were these feelings in my body? 

 

“I’m trying to spare you, but I’m two seconds from doing something stupid.” His low, gruff voice worsened the invisible pull bringing us together. It brought us closer faster, forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck and grab the back of his head. 

 

“I don’t want you to spare me,” I whispered. 

 

“Zuri, I can’t. Do you know what I would do to you?” 

 

It sounded much worse than what he showed me. I saw a man struggling to hold in some beastly desire. Dorian looked like he wanted to restrain himself, lightly grabbing my jaw but releasing it slowly. 

 

My two sexual partners were nothing like Dorian. One was gentle, and the other was not very generous or lasting. Dorian was much different from the other men I experienced in and out of the bedroom.

 

We hadn’t slept together yet, but the building force almost topped anyone I experienced. Something in my gut told me it would be an unforgettable night if we took it there.  

 

With every bit of courage I had, I pushed his head closer to mine and kissed him quickly. 

 

“I don’t care what you think you’ll do to me. Just stay with me tonight,” I said. 

 

That was the politest way I could say that he could do whatever he wanted to me tonight. If Dorian thought he’d ruin every inch of me, then so be it. I wanted a night of no regrets, not morality. 

 

“You might want to get your keys,” he said, stepping back. 

 

“Right.” Clearing my throat, I turned and bent down to scoop them up. I could feel his eyes burning into my backside as I finally inserted the key. 

 

What the heck are you thinking? You’re really going to let this happen?