It was a Saturday evening, and after a frustrating day moving through the hoardes of tourists in the city, she was looking forward to spending a quiet evening in at home... but one person was on her mind.
She texted him.
"Whatchu gonna do tonight?"
"Nothing wassup, need company?"
"idk, just chilling at home. Not being particularly exciting today"
"Is that yes or a no, I can bring drinks"
He had never been this forward before. After years of knowing each other as brief acquaintances, this past summer he had shown up more frequently, getting to work with each other, dance with each other, but had always kept a respectful distance. He'd become one of her most trusted friends in recent months...someone she felt like she could rely on in this city of flakes and hot air. He'd never commented on how attractive she was, but rather expressed how he admired her work ethic and ability to do a lot of things. He showed her respect as a professional, something that was often missing in this world focused on a woman's looks and sex appeal.
She replied, "There's a deli across the road, or liquor store down the block...Will you drink too? Or you just want me drunk?"
"I went off the rails already so fuck it, I'm in on the drinks."
She smiled. He'd recently been on a health streak, cutting back on his food and alcohol intake. He was already in shape, toned legs and arms from all the boy training that he did, but she was glad and looked forward to a night in with him.
This had been a long time coming... after months of hanging out, she kind of knew what could happen but was still unsure whether he felt the same way. They'd started as friendly dance partners, running into each other at parties, figuring out they were great dance partners, compatible in style and energy. After showing up at her birthday, then spending a whole day together, but still no lean in, no kiss, just a gentle brush of the skin here and there, she felt like she was reading into things too much but yearned for him to just take charge and let her know that he wanted her too.
He arrived an hour later, in a crisp white shirt, clean cut and fresh to death. She grabbed her keys and card, realizing she hadn't freshened up at all, but wanted to play it cool, like they were still just friends, nothing more.
After a quick excursion around the block, they returned to the couch with drinks talking about the news, their day, while playing an innocent game of cards. After a couple rounds she sat closer next to him while he reminisced about the music of the 90's when neo soul exploded and sparked the hearts of teens everywhere.
Eyes closed and head leaning back, he stroked her hair and massaged her shoulder gently. Her body relaxed into his, wanting more. He wrapped one arm around her tighter, while massaging her stronger with the other. She finally turned around and asked him if he would follow her into her bedroom. She wanted more.
Without a word, he followed her lead and lay side by side in silence facing each other...after a moment of eyes searching each other, he leaned in and kissed her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him and returned his kiss, entwining her legs in his and holding his body tighter and closer to her. He rolled her over onto her back, taking control of her wrists and continued to kiss her passionately, softly and showing her just how long he'd been holding back his affections for her. This was exactly what she'd been waiting for.
"You don't know how long I've been wanting to do this...not touching you, not saying a word. I've been thinking about this, but I've been very disciplined. I've been thinking very dirty thoughts about you"
She gasped in excitement, relieved after having spent the past few months wondering if it was all just her lusting after him. Wondering if he was attracted to her at all. She was petite yet curvy, but plagued by her own insecurities of not being tall or skinny enough. She was often complimented on her full lips, long hair, and beautiful smile but she was often blind to how men found her attractive.
He continued kissing her, long lingering kisses on her mouth and short sweet kisses down her neck, collarbone and nibbling her nipples ever so gently, then making his way down to her stomach and upper thighs. She stopped him, realizing that while she wanted him so badly if they crossed this line there would be no turning back and she wasn't so sure she was ready to lose him as a friend.
She pulled him back to her lips, desperately wanting to show how much she wanted him but scared and worried that fucking him would change the course of their friendship and ruining the best guy friend she has found in years. All the other situations that had transpired had left her alone, miserable and throwing herself back into work, once again to drown the feelings that arose when she let the door open. It had become a tragic cycle, from the excitement of connecting with someone new, after being single for so long to finally getting what she wanted, all to have it swept away and see them with somebody else (usually someone she knew) just weeks later, reminding her of how single she was.
"Wait...wait...I don't know if this is such a good idea. I mean, I don't want to lose you as a friend. If we do this, promise me you won't ghost on me. Like, I know neither of us is ready for a relationship right now but every other time this has happened... well guys just tend to tap it and gap it. I can't...I'll get jealous if I see you with another girl. And I'll want you every day. I don't know what to do".
He stopped kissing her. "You don't think this will be hard for me? I've wanted you for so long, but we both know we're not in a place to be in a relationship." She knew this was true on his end, his father had died and his mother had had a stroke and he was now responsible for the household, and looking after his mother and younger brother.