What Happens Now?

Renee couldn’t believe she had asked him to stay longer. Did she actually say that out loud? Her heart fluttered nervously as she stood in the kitchen, unsure if Jake had noticed the slight tremor in her voice when she asked. The conversation between them, once so easy, now carried a weight — a kind of electricity that neither of them quite knew what to do with. She sat across from him, legs curled beneath her on the old couch, trying to appear relaxed while every part of her was tightly wound.

Jake was quiet, swirling his drink, watching the amber liquid circle the glass like it held the answers. Then, out of nowhere, he looked up and blurted out, “Would it be weird if I told you I find you incredibly attractive, Renee?”

The words hit the air like a dropped glass. Renee’s eyes widened. She blinked once, stunned, before looking away. Her cheeks flushed hot, and her breath caught in her throat. Did he really just say that? “Uh… no,” she said finally, softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. “Thank you, Jake. That’s… nice of you.” But inside, her mind was racing. She had always thought he was attractive — ever since they met — but it had never seemed like something she should dwell on. And now it was right there between them, hanging in the silence like fog refusing to lift. Jake chuckled nervously and set his glass down. “I’m sorry. That made things weird, didn’t it? I should prob—”

Before he could finish, Renee reached across the space and placed her hand gently over his. “You didn’t make it weird. I just... I’m not used to this. Any of this.” She hesitated, then added, “I really appreciate your company tonight.” A smile broke across Jake’s face — warm, sincere, maybe even a little relieved. Then, in a moment neither of them fully planned, Renee leaned forward and kissed him. It was soft at first. Surprising. Then Jake kissed her back, and that soft moment deepened. Her lips lingered against his longer than she expected, like they had been waiting for this. She wasn’t sure if it was the whiskey or something else, but something inside her wanted to keep going. Wanted to feel something real.

But reality hit quickly. Mid-kiss, Renee remembered her small apartment — more specifically, that her living room was also her bedroom. Embarrassed, she pulled back. “I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, standing and pacing. “I don’t know why I did that. That was—ugh—so awkward. I haven’t had company like this in so long, and the first time I do, I throw myself at you. I’m sorry, Jake.” She turned away, frustrated with herself, arms crossed and pacing the length of her rug, wishing her space didn’t feel so exposed, so... small. She didn’t see Jake stand until he was next to her. He reached out gently and touched her arm.

“Come with me,” he said quietly. “What?” she blinked at him, confused. “Come on. Just trust me.” Renee hesitated. It was late. This was impulsive. But she followed anyway. Outside, the night was cool and quiet. Jake opened the car door for her, but not the front seat. The back. That alone made her pulse tick upward. “I’m not leaving,” he assured her. “Just… get in.”

Curious, nervous, a little excited, she slid into the backseat. She noticed immediately that his car had tinted windows — deeply blacked out. Her heart thumped as he got in after her. The space felt small, close. Every movement between them was amplified. Was this about to happen?

She didn’t have time to answer her own question. Jake reached over and placed a hand just above her knee. The moment her eyes met his, he leaned in and kissed her again — this time more intensely. There was heat behind it, the kind of kiss that builds with all the words left unsaid between two people who’ve been dancing around something for too long. Their hands found each other. Their breaths shortened. Renee moved closer, feeling his warmth as she climbed onto his lap. His shirt was unbuttoned with slow, deliberate movements. But when she reached for his belt, Jake paused and caught her wrist gently.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” he asked. She nodded, heart racing. “Yes.” With that, their bodies pressed closer. Jake kissed her again, deeper than before, his hands on her waist, guiding her gently as her dress shifted higher. His mouth moved across her collarbone, her neck, her shoulder — each touch sending shivers through her. There was something raw and human about it all. Something unplanned. Something real. Jake held her hands above her head with one arm, his touch gentle but certain. Renee gasped softly as his lips traced a path down her skin, her body arching toward him instinctively. Every breath she took felt like it was drawn through fire. The tension between them was undeniable, yet he paused again to search her eyes, checking for any sign of hesitation. There wasn’t any.

She whispered, “Don’t stop.” He didn’t. What followed was a blur of heat and urgency. They moved in sync, learning each other’s rhythms, exploring boundaries they hadn’t even discussed. It was messy and imperfect and wonderful. It was new but familiar. Renee had forgotten what it felt like to be touched like this — with care, with desire, with no expectation beyond the moment itself. She felt herself unraveling in his arms, her body responding before her thoughts could catch up. Each kiss was a question. Each touch an answer.

But just when she thought she was at her edge, she gasped, “Stop. Please.” Jake immediately pulled back, his expression concerned. “Did I hurt you?” She shook her head, still catching her breath. “No… I just… I needed a second.” Then, without warning, she kissed him again — slower this time, more intentionally. “Is this okay?” she asked, repositioning herself above him, her eyes searching his. Jake nodded, his voice low. “Yeah.” She leaned in, guiding them into a new rhythm — one she controlled. One where she felt powerful. Seen. Desired. He watched her, hands on her hips, grounding her in every moment. She moved with purpose now, like she finally allowed herself to feel what had always been there. Her moans grew louder, his grip tighter, and together they reached that edge again — this time, without hesitation.

After, she collapsed into his chest, both of them breathless and quiet. His hand brushed her back softly as she lay there, grounded in a moment she didn’t want to end. Eventually, she sat up, fixing her dress. Jake was still watching her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Renee…” he said, unsure of what would come next. She didn’t let him finish. “That was… unexpected.”

He nodded, still catching his breath. “But not unwanted.” She smiled at him — small, honest. But deep down, something began to stir. A whisper of doubt. A fear of what came next. She had let herself feel something tonight. Something she hadn’t in a long time. And now… she was terrified. Her voice barely audible, Renee asked, “What happens now?”

Jake looked at her, uncertain himself. Neither of them answered. The question hung there, heavy in the humid air.

And for the first time, Renee realized... she didn’t know if she wanted the answer.