Hot Off the Press (Ridgemont University Book 1)

  ***

  Simon stood at the door to Ian’s flat. He read the message that he had received from Ian again: I’m free. I’ll be waiting for you.

  He felt his heartbeat quicken, but didn’t feel afraid this time. Something was different inside of him. Writing the article that he had just written, being so honest about who he was, had awoken something in him that was dormant before. He knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” came the response in Ian’s masculine voice. Simon turned the handle of the door.

  He walked into the room and saw Ian sitting on the couch, with his laptop, and smiled up at Simon. “I’ve just been doing some reading, actually.”

  “Anything good?” Simon asked, smiling coyly.

  Ian put down his laptop next to him, stood up and walked towards Simon. “Why yes, in fact. It’s a new article by my favorite writer.”

  Simon lifted his eyebrow slyly. “Your favorite writer, you say?”

  Ian put his hand on Simon’s shoulder again, but this time he moved it slowly behind Simon’s neck and pulled his face gently closer to his own. “Why don’t I just show you how I feel about that article?”

  A jolt of excitement shot between them. Simon felt himself getting lost in Ian’s gaze. Ian leaned over, and lightly brushed his lips against Simon’s, and Simon felt the hairs on his skin rise. Ian finally enveloped Simon’s lips in a tender, yet passionate kiss, wrapping him in his arms. Simon put his hands around Ian too, loving the feeling of their bodies pressing together, their lips finally interlocking. Simon could feel his whole being come alive. He felt euphoric finally being able to show Ian how he felt. They had skipped all of the talk which invariably led them in circles around each other, and were finally connecting like Simon had always wanted. It was everything that Simon had hoped it would be.

  Finally, Ian pulled back and looked Simon in his eyes. “I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to do that. How long I’ve been holding myself back from doing that.”

  “Me too,” Simon said, and planted another soft kiss on Ian’s supple lips. “Sorry about this beard. I must be scratching your face up.”

  “I like it, actually. It’s a different kind of you.”

  Ian’s eyes were filled with affection, and Simon was swimming in them as they finally connected. Here he was, the man he had dreamed of for so long. The one he had thought he would never be good enough for. Here they were together.

  “I’m so proud of you for writing that article. It’s everything I knew you were capable of. You’re a fantastic writer, and that level of honesty isn’t something you see every day. It’s rare to be able to capture people’s hearts and minds with your writing like that. But then again, you had my heart since the start.”

  Simon embraced Ian in a tight hug. He wasn’t going to let him go.