Espresso in The Rain

Noah tossed and turned in bed, but sleep refused to come.

The memory of Elias—his gaze, his voice, the heat of his body so close—played over and over in his mind like a damn broken record.

He groaned, grabbing his pillow and shoving it over his face.

Why did I go to The Roasted Heaven?

Why didn't I stop him?

More importantly—why did walking away feel like the biggest mistake of his life?

Frustrated, Noah threw the pillow aside and sat up. The city lights outside his condo window flickered in the distance, casting a soft glow across the room.

It was late.

Too late to be thinking about Elias Carter.

Yet, as much as he tried to fight it, his body had already made the decision before his mind could catch up.

Because the next thing he knew, he was grabbing his keys and heading out the door.

The streets were quiet at this hour, the occasional motorbike whizzing by as Noah walked toward the familiar corner where The Roasted Heaven stood.

When he arrived, he hesitated.

The café was closed. The lights inside were dim, save for a faint glow coming from the upstairs window—Elias' apartment.

Noah exhaled, shoving his hands into his pockets. This is stupid.

What the hell was he going to say?

Hey, I couldn't stop thinking about you, so I walked here like an idiot in the middle of the night?

Yeah. No.

Just as he was about to turn around, the front door creaked open.

Noah's breath caught.

Elias stood there, his hair slightly tousled, like he'd just woken up. He wore only sweatpants, his toned chest bare, shadows dancing along the defined muscles of his arms and torso.

Noah felt his throat go dry.

Elias blinked at him sleepily, then smirked. "Couldn't stay away, huh?"

Noah scowled, shoving past him into the café before he could change his mind. "Shut up."

Elias chuckled, locking the door behind them. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Noah sat on the couch, crossing his arms. "I just…needed some air."

Elias leaned against the counter, watching him. "And you ended up here?"

Noah looked away. "It's quiet."

Elias tilted his head, amused. "You're a terrible liar, you know that?"

Noah huffed, annoyed. "Why are you awake?"

Elias shrugged. "You knocked."

"I did not—"

Elias smirked. "Figured you would eventually."

Noah groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible."

Elias chuckled. "And yet, here you are."

Noah opened his mouth to argue but froze when Elias stepped closer.

There was no teasing in his expression this time. Just quiet understanding.

"Noah," Elias murmured.

Noah swallowed hard, his heart hammering.

Elias reached out, fingers brushing along Noah's jaw, tilting his face up. His touch was warm, steady—unchanging, like the man himself.

Noah should pull away.

He should.

But when Elias leaned in, Noah didn't stop him.

Didn't want to.

The kiss was slow—gentle at first, testing the waters. But the moment Noah responded, Elias deepened it, hands sliding to Noah's waist, pulling him in.

Noah gasped into the kiss, his fingers clutching at Elias' arms as heat coiled low in his stomach.

He was drowning.

And he never wanted to come up for air.