Chapter 6: Tonight’s the Night
The tension between us was impossible to ignore, and I knew it. She did too, even if she was too shy to admit it.
Every time we crossed paths, there was this unspoken energy that neither of us could escape.
I could see it in the way she avoided my eyes, then stole a quick glance when she thought I wasn’t looking.
Tonight, I wasn’t letting it go unnoticed. I wasn’t going to wait for some perfect moment or let the opportunity slip by. I’d seen enough hesitation from her, and now it was my turn to push things forward.
I’d just returned from a quick run and was heading up to my unit when I spotted her by her door again, fumbling with her keys. I didn’t hesitate — I moved toward her.
“Need some help?” I asked, voice casual but enough to get her attention.
She looked up, her face softening in that familiar shy smile, but she didn’t respond right away.
“You seem to be having some trouble,” I said, standing just a little too close for comfort. “Can’t have you getting locked out now.”
She looked at me for a long beat, her cheeks pink from the evening breeze. “I— I can manage,” she said quietly, but her voice was thin, like she wasn’t convinced by her own words.
I stepped forward, my hand brushing hers as I took the key from her fingers. I didn’t let go immediately, holding her gaze as I unlocked the gate with one smooth motion.
“There you go,” I said, looking at her as the door clicked open. I didn’t step back this time, not right away. My body was closer than before, the air between us thick with unspoken words.
She looked at me, lips parted but silent, unsure of how to proceed.
“You know,” I said, voice low, “I’ve been thinking… we’ve danced around each other for a while now. We always end up at the same places, bumping into each other, but I think it's time we skip the small talk.”
Her eyes flicked nervously to the ground, her fingers toying with the edge of her shirt. “I… I don’t know what you mean.”
I leaned in just a little, making sure I wasn’t crowding her, but close enough that she could feel the heat between us. “You don’t have to say anything,” I said softly, “but I think you know what I’m talking about. I’m tired of pretending like nothing’s going on between us.”
There was a pause, a long, lingering moment where I could see the conflict in her eyes. She was nervous, uncertain, but there was something else there too. Something that told me she wanted to give in, wanted to let the tension break.
Before she could say anything more, I stepped closer. My hand, lightly, brushed her arm. “I think we both know what this is. No more games.”
I could feel her tense up for a moment, but when I didn’t pull back, she let out a small breath, her shoulders relaxing just a little.
Her gaze flicked to mine, then back down, but there was a subtle shift in her posture. She wasn’t pulling away. If anything, she was waiting for me to make the next move.
I leaned in even closer, my lips brushing the side of her ear.
“I’m not going to force you to do anything,” I whispered, my voice low, “but I want you.
And I know you want me too. Don’t make me wait any longer.”
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at me, her eyes wide, lips trembling slightly. For a moment, she just stared, as if she was weighing the decision. Then, without saying a word, she reached up, cupping my jaw with both hands.
The kiss came out of nowhere, but it felt like everything clicked into place. Her lips were soft, hesitant at first, but soon her body relaxed, her arms winding around my neck, pulling me in closer.
I kissed her deeper, my hands finding the small of her back, guiding her gently against the door frame. The kiss grew more urgent, the fire building between us.
When we finally pulled away, our breathing was heavy, but there was no confusion anymore — no uncertainty.
The air between us was charged, and we both knew what was going to happen next.
She looked at me, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I don’t know what I’m doing.”
I smirked, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “You don’t have to. Just follow my lead.”
Without saying another word, I took her hand, guiding her gently inside her unit.
And when the door closed behind us, I knew tonight was going to be different.