Chapter 255
The night was settling in, the city lights soft and blurry as Latham leaned against the streetlamp outside Dorothea’s apartment. Rain fell so lightly it was almost impossible to see, but he waited anyway, eyes fixed on her window. Warm light leaked through the edge of her pale curtains, painting the rain gold.
He pulled out his phone. [Are you asleep?] He knew she wasn’t, but he sent it anyway.
Almost instantly, “Typing appeared.
[Not yet. Are you finished?] Dorothea was at her window, phone in hand.
He didn’t bother with small talk. [Yeah. I’m downstairs p>
She froze for a beat, then grabbed her jacket without thinking. [Wait there. I’m coming down p>
They’d promised each other not to meet tonight, just for the novelty of tomorrow’s ceremony, to make things feel new. Dorothea honestly didn’t expect him to show up.
Watching the elevator numbers crawl up, she thought time had never moved slower. When the doors finally slid open, Latham was waiting, his eyes crinkled with a half- smile. Her heart tripped over itself.
She tried to pout, tried to sound annoyed. “Didn’t we agree not to see each other tonight p>
There was laughter hidden in her eyes.
Latham grinned. “I was worried you wouldn’t sleep if you didn’t see me. Just here to make sure you don’t miss me too much p>
Dorothea rolled her eyes, but she was still smiling. She wore light pajamas, her hair messily tied up, a few strands brushing her neck. No makeup, just shiny lip balm making her lips look tempting. Latham’s gaze lingered, turning a little darker.
He slid an arm around her waist, steering her toward the stairwell. She studied his face, noticing the red tinge on his ears and cheeks.
“You’ve been drinking?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
He leaned in. “Just a little. Want to check p>
Dorothea lifted her hand and gently pushed his face away. The small smack echoed in the quiet stairwell, sharper than she meant.
“I wasn’t trying to hit you p>
Latham paused, then the smile came back, slow and mischievous. He tilted her chin up, voice low and teasing. “That slap actually turned me on p>
Dorothea’s eyes went wide, darting down without meaning to.
His suit pants looked crisp in the shadowy hallway, but she couldn’t see much.
Latham laughed, deep and quiet. “What? You don’t believe me p>
Dorothea looked up, her eyes clear and shining, just a little misty. “Stop being ridiculous p>
“I’m not.” He leaned closer, his breath warm on the sensitive skin behind her ear. She shivered, unable to help it.
Latham’s gaze dropped to her lips, his thumb tracing her jaw as he kissed her. The taste was familiar, clean and cool, with just a hint of alcohol.
The kiss started soft, just a gentle brush, then deepened as he slid kis hand behind her head, drawing her closer Dorothea’s cheeks warned With a delicate flush, her eyelashes fluttering.
A sudden ringtone sliced through the silence, echoing off the concrete walls. Dorothea tried to put away reaching for her phone, but Latham caught her wrist and held it above her head.
She lost track of the time, kissing him until she was breathless, until her thoughts went fuzzy and she forgot the world outside.
Finally, Latham let her go, smiling as he tucked his fingers into the plush fabric of her pajamas. He didn’t Bush further. His hand simply tested on her waist, his thumb moving in slow circles.
“Babe, let’s not sleep separately tonight. I know you want to be with me too. Let Carmen have the couch. We’ll take the bed p>
Dorothea just stared at him, catching her breath, her face the picture of exasperation.
“I’m going back upstairs,” she said, but she didn’t sound convincing at all.