The warm summer night wrapped around you, heavy with the kind of stillness that hinted at something waiting to happen. You’d both had a few too many drinks, and somehow, that led to the two of you, alone, out on the lake in a creaky little boat that rocked with every shift of your weight. The water sparkled under the moonlight, but Alexander’s gaze was fixed firmly on you, a lazy smile playing on his lips as he trailed his fingers through the water. Whose idea the boat was, you couldn’t remember. Not that it mattered, at least the alcohol blurred the edges of your nerves, making his gaze a little easier to handle.

One of the oars had slipped out of reach, thanks to your tipsy attempts at rowing. You stretched over the boat, trying to fish it out, and felt Alexander’s eyes following your every move, clearly more interested in watching you struggle than in actually helping. Just as your fingers skimmed the water, Alexander leaned in, his hand brushing the side of your cheek, warm and lingering.

You froze, turning back to find him right there, his fingers trailing down your jaw unhurried, like he knew exactly what he was doing. His breath was warm against your skin, and his gaze locked onto yours with that familiar, knowing smirk. “So…” he murmured, voice soft but edged with mischief. “Are you going to keep avoiding the obvious, or are you finally going to admit you want to kiss me really bad?” He tilted his head closer watching your reaction, his gaze steady and just the slightest bit challenging, like he was daring you to prove him wrong.