Page 142 of Zeus

"Casper told me that we have open-ended return flights," he says as I turn into the parking lot of the airport hotel."

"Tomorrow," I tell him. "I don't want to be here any longer than I have to."

If he weren't here right now, I'd be at the ticket counter trying to fly out this evening.

"You can leave so soon?" he asks.

"I can take care of everything via email and phone calls."

"You know Mom has friends who work in antiques. I bet she has a contact that can take over the sale of everything in the house and get top dollar for it."

"I may do that," I tell him as I unclick my seatbelt. "Ready?"

He tilts his head, hand working deftly to unlatch his own seatbelt.

"Are you nervous? Don’t be nervous."

"I don't want to mess up," I confess.

"You won't," he assures me.

"No pressure," I mutter as I climb out of the truck, meeting him near the hood.

"I'll walk you through it," he says with a wink before we set off for the front door.

I feel like a virgin on prom night as we climb onto the elevator, my hand shaking slightly as I select the fourth floor button. I'm both excited and more than a little nervous. I want this more than anything, but not having gone this far with anyone makes me take pause. Not because I think I'll have regrets, but because I lack the experience to make it good for my partner.

We're met with the low hum of the air conditioner as we step into the room, and I can feel the excitement flowing through Zayne as he pulls his purchases from the plastic bag and sets them on the bedside table.

"Lube, condoms, and a couple of Snickers bars?" I ask. "That's all we need?"

"Well," he says, turning back to face me. "The condoms are up to you, and the candy bars are for a snack after."

I scrunch my nose. "I never thought the candy bars were for anything other than that."

He shrugs. "Different strokes for different folks."

His smile is wide as he steps up to me, his arms going around my waist.

Now this feels natural, his proximity, and how much I ache to be even closer, skin touching skin.

"The condoms?" I whisper.

"How do you feel about them?"

I swallow, giving my head a little shake. "It's up to you."

He chews the corner of his lower lip, eyes locked onto mine.

"I don't see a need. You?"

I shake my head.

"Speak your truth," he whispers.

"I want to feel everything," I confess.

"Me, too."