I reluctantly tore my mouth from his and leaned against the work counter, holding my hand up in front of me, trying to get my breath again.
“Stop. We need to just stop for a moment.”
I looked over at him. His eyes almost glowed in the dim light of the kitchen. I was tempted to haul him back in for a kiss, but we needed to see where we were going with this. He lived in Manchester. I lived here, in Liverpool, although to be honest, after tonight’s events, I wasn’t even sure if I’d have a place to stay for much longer.
“Let’s just sit and drink our tea.”
Sitting side by side on the small sofa, I was more than aware of his presence, and it took everything I had to concentrate on what needed to be said.
“What are we doing, Kwan? This thing between us. I know it’s something, but I’m not sure exactly what. I was hoping you had an idea since you came all this way tonight to see me.”
He shrugged and sat back, wincing. The couch wasn’t the most comfortable, but Megan and I had managed with it.
“I don’t know,” he said, cradling his now empty mug in his hands. I was once again drawn to his fingers and had to shake myself to make me listen. “I just had the urge to come see you tonight. I wanted to apologise for how we left things on Monday. I could have been more considerate of your feelings. My sister, Hana, gave me hell, told me to make it right. I was hoping to do that tonight but seeing how things went down at the club, I don’t quite know what to do. Seeing you there on your knees, Beau, sort of shook me.”
He reached for my hand, clasping it in his.
“I’m sorry if I made things worse. I’m sorry you lost your job, and if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. Seems a bit weird saying that considering we hardly know each other but, I don’t know, Beau. It’s hard for me to put it into words.”
I think I understood. I’d been wrong to blame him. This thing with me and Bernie was going to come to an end sooner rather than later, and at least I was out of there now. That was one thing less to worry about.
“It wasn’t your fault. It was bound to happen, but thanks for making sure I got home.”
“What happens now? It’s late, and I really don’t want to drive back to Manchester. I mean, would it be okay to stay here tonight? I can take the sofa, or I could go find somewhere to stay.”
I didn’t mind him staying, and honestly, there was no way he was going to fit on the couch.
“You can stay, and you can take the bed. I know this isn’t comfy. I’ve slept on it before now. My sister’s room is just down there, so you can take her bed.”
Thinking about it, though, I hadn’t been in there since she’d left. I’d need to check it was habitable.
“Come on. I’ll show you.”
As we walked into her room, I was disgusted by the state of it. There was no way I’d let him stay in here.
“God, Kwan. I’m sorry. I can’t let you sleep in here. If you don’t mind sharing a bed, you can kip down with me.”
He laughed, which surprised me.
“I’ve heard about boys like you, tempting boys like me. But no, I don’t mind sharing with you. I just hope you don’t snore.”