Chapter 19: The Radiator Works

At seven exactly the buzzer rang.

I stood in my own hallway with my hand on the button for a full breath before I pressed it.

I heard him on the stairs.

He took them slowly, and at the third floor he stopped on the landing.

I opened the door.

Donovan stood there in his work coat, with his hands empty and held a little away from his sides.

"I brought nothing," he said. "As instructed."

"Not even a bottle of wine?"

"You said nothing. I'm a literal man."

I laughed, and took his coat by the lapels, and pulled him inside.

The door shut behind him, and the radiator clanked once, loudly, and we both looked at it.

"It does that," I said.

"It's got excellent timing."

"Donovan."

"Yes."

"Kiss me."

He did.

It was nothing like the hotel room, where we had both been careful.

He kissed me slowly and thoroughly, with one hand at my jaw.

I got my hands under his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders.

It dropped to the floor, and I realized I had never once seen him without it buttoned.

"That's new," I said.

"It's been a long week."

I undid the buttons of his shirt, one at a time, while he watched me do it.

His chest was warm under my palms, and his pulse was fast under my hand.

"You're nervous," I said.

"I'm very nervous."

"Good."

He made a sound that was half a laugh and half a groan, and then his hands were under my sweater.

They slid up my ribs, slowly, and when his thumbs found the edge of my bra I felt my knees give a little.

He caught me by the hips and lifted me onto the kitchen counter.

"Too much?" he asked, breathless, with his forehead against mine.

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