Chapter 9: Too Close to Resist
Wednesday night.
The apartment was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator.
I was sitting on the couch, scrolling aimlessly on my phone, when Alex appeared in the doorway, holding a blanket.
"You forgot your tea," he said softly, placing it on the table.
I looked up, startled by how close he was standing.
He didn't pull back, and suddenly, the space between us felt impossibly small.
"Thanks," I whispered.
He leaned just a fraction closer than before, and I could feel his warmth brushing against my shoulder.
My heart skipped.
Every instinct screamed at me to move.
But I didn't.
"I… I can't focus," I admitted quietly, almost as if confessing a sin.
Alex's lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Then stop," he murmured.
Before I could respond, his hand brushed mine again—longer this time.
Not enough to hold me fully, but enough to ignite every nerve in my body.
"I—" I began, but my words failed.
He tilted his head, his eyes soft yet intense, daring me to make the next move.
My chest tightened.
I could feel the pull between us, impossible to ignore.
And then, without warning, his hand slid fully into mine.
Just a brief squeeze.
Just enough.
The room felt smaller.
The world outside didn't exist.
"I… Alex," I whispered, my voice trembling.
He didn't answer, only leaned slightly closer, our shoulders touching now.
I could feel the heat of him, the quiet thrum of his presence.
We were close. Too close.
And yet… I couldn't move away.
For the first time, the tension wasn't just a spark.
It was a flame.
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