The elevator ride up to the eighth floor is silent and charged. We stand on opposite sides, not touching, but I can feel the electricity between us like a physical thing.

When the doors open, he leads me down a carpeted hallway to a door marked 8C. His hands are shaking slightly as he unlocks it.

"This is—" he starts as we step inside.

But I don't let him finish. I drop my bag, turn, and pull him down into another kiss.

This time, there's no hesitation. He kisses me back immediately, kicking the door closed behind us and pressing me against it.

His hands slide down to my thighs,...