BENEATH HIS MOANS 4

The evening was cool, the garden outside bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight. I'd never really paid much attention to the little corner of the yard that was right beneath my window, but tonight, it felt like a sanctuary.

I walked out in an oversized T-shirt, my favorite one that hung just low enough to feel comfortable but just tight enough to make me feel… something. I didn't expect anyone else to be out here. But then again, it was his house, too.

I heard him before I saw him. The crunch of gravel underfoot, followed by the slow drag of a step.

And there he was. Alejandro. In nothing but a pair of joggers, hands shoved into his pockets, like he was waiting for something, or someone. His eyes found mine as I stepped into the garden, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still.

"What are you doing out here?" I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady, though the sudden flutter in my stomach was anything but calm.

"Nice T-shirt," he remarked, his gaze lingering a little longer than necessary. It wasn't flirty, but it was enough to make me self-conscious. I tugged at the hem, as if that would help.

"Just getting some fresh air," I said, giving a little shrug. "What about you? Did you run out of women to entertain for the night?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He looked me up and down, clearly amused. "That's a rather bold assumption." He took a step closer, not in a rush, but in a way that told me he wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.

"Well, when you've been making all that noise all week, I figured I should at least make a joke out of it," I said, crossing my arms, trying to hide the warmth creeping up my neck.

His smirk only deepened. "Ah, so you've been listening, then. I wasn't aware I had such an attentive neighbor."

My heart skipped. I couldn't tell if he was trying to bait me or if he really had figured me out. "What do you mean?" I asked, feigning confusion. "I only hear the occasional… sounds. It's hard not to when the walls are so thin."

He raised an eyebrow. "So you've been paying attention." There was something in his voice, something that felt like a challenge, a teasing edge that made me wonder if he knew exactly how far I'd let myself slip.

I rolled my eyes, refusing to let him see just how much he'd gotten under my skin. "Just don't make it a habit, alright? I didn't sign up for a live show every night."

His lips twitched, like he was about to say something, but he paused, his eyes locking onto mine. There was something in them, a flicker, something darker. "You're right, of course," he said after a beat, his tone suddenly softer, almost too knowing. "I wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then why are you here?"

He stepped even closer, the air between us crackling with tension. His gaze didn't waver, but there was no immediate answer, only that knowing look that made me wonder if I'd been the one giving away more than I thought.

"I came to see if I could get under your skin," he finally said, his voice low, almost a whisper.

My heart thudded against my ribs, my mind racing with how to respond. "You already have," I said, a little too quickly. I instantly regretted the words, but it was too late now.

Alejandro's grin returned, wide and unapologetic. "Good to know."

There was silence between us, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was charged, like we were both aware of something unspoken, something that hung between us in the cool night air.

"You didn't answer my question," I pressed, finally finding the courage to break the tension. "Are you really out here because you have no one to entertain you tonight?"

He paused for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Maybe," he said finally. "Or maybe I'm just trying to see what you'll do when I'm not around to mess with you."

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I think you're more interested than you're letting on," he said, voice soft but with an edge that made me question whether he knew more than he was letting on.

I swallowed, not sure how to respond. "That's a bold assumption, don't you think?"

He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming but not suffocating. "You don't have to admit it yet. But I can see it in your eyes. You're not as indifferent as you pretend to be."

My pulse quickened, my breath hitching in my throat as he took that final step, bringing us inches apart. "And what am I pretending?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His lips brushed the side of my cheek, sending a shock of heat down my spine. "You tell me." He said it low, like a challenge, before his breath lingered on my ear, making me shiver.

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to feel. His closeness was dizzying, and yet I didn't want to pull away.

"You make it hard to pretend," I muttered involuntarily, my hands instinctively reaching out to grip the edge of his shirt, the fabric soft beneath my fingers.

I don't know where I got the courage or inspiration to do that.

He chuckled, his lips now brushing my ear. "I'm glad you noticed. I think you're starting to enjoy this game."

Before I could answer, his lips found mine, urgent, demanding. I should've pulled back, told him to stop. But I didn't. I let myself melt into the kiss, feeling his hands at my waist, pulling me closer. Every inch of me was on fire, like he was the only thing that mattered in that moment.

And I wasn't sure I could fight it.