The next evening, Allison stood outside his building, a stately brownstone on a quiet, tree-lined street that glowed under the warm haze of streetlights. She checked the address one more time, took a deep, steadying breath, and pressed the buzzer.
Within moments, his deep, familiar voice crackled through the speaker. "Come on up."
The door clicked open, and she stepped inside, her heart pounding as she climbed the narrow stairwell. With each step, her anticipation grew, a flutter of nerves and excitement mingling in her chest. At the top of the stairs, she found his door slightly ajar, as though he had left it open just for her.
She pushed the door open gently and stepped inside. The apartment was warm and inviting, lit with the same soft, ambient glow she remembered from the restaurant. Rich, dark wood furniture, soft leather chairs, and thick, inviting rugs filled the space. Jazz music hummed softly in the background, adding to the air of intimacy.
He was waiting for her by the window, a glass of wine in his hand. He turned when she entered, his gaze sweeping over her with a look of unmistakable appreciation. Tonight, he wore a dark button-down shirt that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong forearms.
"Right on time," he murmured, his voice warm and smooth.
She felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she stepped toward him, the space between them charged with unspoken tension. "I didn't want to keep you waiting," she replied, her voice soft but steady.
He held out a glass of wine, and she accepted it, her fingers brushing his. They stood there for a moment, locked in each other's gaze, as though both were daring the other to make the next move.
"To curiosity," he said, raising his glass.
She clinked her glass against his, her pulse racing as she took a sip. The wine was rich and full-bodied, its warmth spreading through her like a slow burn. She could feel his eyes on her, watching her every move with an intensity that made her heart race.
"So, Allison," he said, setting his glass down and moving a step closer, his voice a low murmur that sent shivers through her, "are you still curious?"
She looked up at him, her breath catching as she took in the way his gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable yet filled with promise. The unspoken question hung in the air between them, a silent invitation that needed no words.
"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
He smiled, a slow, knowing smile that sent a thrill through her. Without another word, he took her hand, his touch firm yet gentle, and led her toward the couch. The world seemed to slow, the edges of everything blurring as she felt the weight of his presence beside her, his hand still warm around hers.
They sat close, his knee brushing hers, his arm draped along the back of the couch. For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the silence between them filled with anticipation.
Finally, he leaned in, his face inches from hers, his breath warm against her skin. He lifted a hand, his fingers brushing her cheek, his touch sending a spark of electricity through her.
"Are you ready to see where this goes?" he murmured, his voice a low, inviting rumble.
She nodded, her heart racing, her pulse pounding as she surrendered to the moment, to the thrill of the unknown, to the intensity of his gaze and the promise it held.
And in that moment, as he closed the distance between them and their lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and electrifying, Allison knew she had crossed a line from which there would be no turning back.