The Italian food containers sat empty on the coffee table, forks crossed on plates, wine glasses catching the low light from the lamp. Ethan and Alex had talked for hours...about everything and nothing...until words slowed and looks lasted longer. The air in the apartment felt thick now, warm with something building.
Alex set his glass down and shifted closer on the couch. His knee brushed Ethan's. Neither moved away.
"I've wanted this again since the second you walked into the exam room," Alex said, voice low.
Ethan's breath caught. "Me too. Every time I adjusted your bite today...all I could think about was that night on the beach."
Alex's hand found Ethan's thigh...slow, asking. Ethan covered it with his own, guiding it higher. Their eyes locked. No more waiting.
Alex leaned in first. The kiss started gentle...lips brushing, remembering...then turned hungry. Ethan opened for him, tongue meeting tongue, a soft moan escaping. Alex's strong hand cupped the back of Ethan's neck, pulling him closer. Years of distance melted away in the heat.
Ethan swung a leg over, straddling Alex's lap without breaking the kiss. Alex's hands gripped his hips hard, pressing them together. Ethan felt how much Alex wanted him...thick and ready through their jeans. He rocked down slow, earning a deep groan that vibrated against his mouth.
"Bedroom," Ethan whispered against Alex's lips.
Alex didn't answer with words. He stood up, lifting Ethan with him like he weighed nothing. Ethan wrapped legs around Alex's waist, arms around his neck, kissing deep as Alex carried him down the short hallway. They bumped gently into the wall once...laughing into the kiss...before reaching the bed.
Alex laid Ethan down soft, then stood back a second just looking. Ethan lay there breathing hard, shirt riding up to show smooth skin, eyes dark with want.
"You're so beautiful," Alex said, voice rough.
Ethan reached for him. "Come here."
Clothes came off fast after that. Shirts pulled over heads...jeans unbuttoned and pushed down...underwear following. Skin finally met skin with nothing between. Alex was all hard muscle...broad chest, defined abs from endless training, powerful thighs. Ethan traced every line with hands and mouth, loving the way Alex shivered under his touch.
Alex kissed down Ethan's body slow...neck, collarbone, chest...stopping to tease nipples until Ethan arched off the bed. Lower still...tongue tracing hips, inner thighs. When Alex took Ethan into his mouth, heat and wetness surrounded him perfectly. Ethan cried out, fingers tangling in Alex's curls.
"Alex...please..."
Alex looked up, lips shiny. "Tell me what you want."
"You. Inside me. Now."
Supplies were in the nightstand...Ethan always prepared. Alex rolled on protection, slicked himself generous. He settled between Ethan's legs, kissing him deep as he pushed in slow. Ethan gasped at the stretch...full and perfect. They stilled a moment, foreheads together, breathing the same air.
Then Alex moved.
Slow at first...deep strokes that hit every spot just right. Ethan wrapped legs high around Alex's waist, meeting every thrust. The bed creaked soft under them. Sounds filled the room...skin on skin, moans, whispered names. Alex sped up, hand wrapping around Ethan, stroking in time.
Ethan came first...hard and sudden...body clenching tight around Alex as pleasure crashed through him. He cried out loud, nails digging into Alex's back. Alex followed seconds later...burying deep, groaning Ethan's name like a prayer.
They stayed locked together after, hearts pounding against each other. Alex disposed of the condom quick, then pulled Ethan close under the covers. Ethan rested his head on Alex's chest, listening to the strong heartbeat slow.
"That was..." Ethan started.
"Yeah," Alex finished, kissing his hair. "Better than I remembered."
They lay quiet a while, fingers tracing lazy patterns on skin. The city hummed far below the windows.
"Tell me this is real," Ethan said soft. "That we're really doing this."
Alex tilted his chin up. "It's real. I'm not going anywhere this time."
Ethan smiled, leaning in for a slow kiss. "Good. Because I don't want just one night."
"Neither do I."
Round two started gentle...hands exploring like they had all the time in the world. Ethan kissed down Alex's body this time, taking him deep and slow until Alex begged. When Ethan rode him...hands linked, eyes locked...it felt different. Deeper. Like promises being made without words.
They moved together perfect...Ethan setting the pace, Alex thrusting up to meet him. Pleasure built slower, sweeter. When they came again, it was together...quiet gasps and tight holds.
After, shower together...warm water washing away sweat, hands soaping skin, kisses under the spray. They dried off laughing when Alex bumped his head on the low shower head...too tall for Ethan's bathroom.
Back in bed, clean sheets pulled up, they talked until sleep pulled them under.
"I have practice early," Alex murmured against Ethan's neck.
"Stay anyway," Ethan whispered. "I'll make coffee."
Alex smiled in the dark. "Deal."
Morning came soft...sunlight through curtains, birds outside. Ethan woke first, watching Alex sleep...peaceful, strong arm still around his waist. He slipped out careful, started coffee, made simple breakfast...eggs, toast, fruit.
Alex woke to the smell, walking in wearing just boxers. He wrapped arms around Ethan from behind, kissing his neck.
"Morning," he said, voice husky from sleep.
"Morning." Ethan turned in his arms for a proper kiss. "Eat quick. Don't want you late."
They ate at the counter, knees touching, stealing bites from each other's plates. Alex had to leave too soon...practice, then film study, then a light shoot-around.
"Game tomorrow night," Alex said at the door. "Come again?"
Ethan nodded. "Try and stop me."
One more long kiss...deep, promising more...then Alex left.
Ethan leaned against the closed door, smiling huge. His body felt used in the best way...muscles sore, marks on his skin from Alex's mouth. He touched his lips, still swollen.
Work waited, but he floated through the day. Patients noticed his good mood. Maria teased nonstop.
"Someone got lucky," she sang while prepping a room.
Ethan just grinned. "Good patient."
Across town, Alex flew through practice...extra energy, sharper shots, harder dunks. Teammates noticed.
"Who is she?" Marcus joked in the locker room.
Alex just smiled. "Someone special."
He texted Ethan between drills...simple things. Thinking about you. Can't wait to see you again.
Ethan replied during breaks...Same here. Be safe.
Evening found them together again...dinner at a quiet taco spot Alex knew, hidden from cameras. They sat in a back corner, knees touching under the table, talking nonstop.
Back at Ethan's...clothes barely made it past the door. Against the wall this time...fast and desperate. Alex lifted Ethan easy, pressing him there as he thrust deep. Ethan wrapped legs tight, moaning into kisses.
Bed later...slow and thorough. Exploring every inch, learning what made the other gasp. Multiple rounds until they collapsed exhausted and happy.
Days blurred into a pattern...work, stolen moments, nights wrapped together. Alex's jaw healed perfect...permanent crown placed a week later...but he kept finding reasons to visit the clinic. Quick kisses in the hallway when no one looked. Texts that made Ethan blush at his desk.
Their first official date came a week after the appointment...dinner at a nice spot overlooking the city, then dancing at a quiet club. Hands linked all night. Back home...passion that left them breathless.
Love was blooming fast...real and deep.
Neither wanted to slow it.
Life felt full for the first time.
And the sparks were only getting brighter.