ep 3

(Police Officer x Doctor, Slow Burn, First Steps Toward Something More)

---

The following week felt like a whirlwind for Leo. He tried to focus on his work, but his mind kept drifting back to Cole. The quiet intensity of their coffee date lingered in his thoughts, and he found himself replaying their conversation over and over again. He couldn’t deny it—something had shifted between them.

As much as he tried to keep his focus on his patients, there was always that flicker in the back of his mind. He wanted to see Cole again. Wanted to know more about the man behind the uniform.

The feeling was mutual.

Cole had texted Leo the next day, asking if he wanted to meet up for dinner. And just like that, a small part of Leo's heart skipped a beat. It felt strange—how quickly things had escalated, how quickly they had moved from strangers to something more. He didn’t want to overthink it, but the attraction was undeniable.

---

That evening, Leo stood in front of his mirror, smoothing down his shirt. He’d chosen something casual, but neat—a dark blue button-up that he knew would make him look polished without being too formal. His reflection stared back at him, his heart thudding nervously in his chest.

“Calm down, Leo,” he muttered to himself, taking a deep breath. “It’s just dinner.”

But it wasn’t just dinner, was it? Not when it came to Cole.

The date wasn’t a formal one, but there was an undeniable undercurrent between them, a connection that had been building since the moment they’d met. And tonight, Leo hoped, they’d finally allow it to reach the surface.

When Leo arrived at the restaurant, Cole was already there, sitting at a corner booth. As soon as their eyes met, Leo felt a rush of warmth flood through him. Cole stood up, his usual confidence on full display, though there was something softer about him tonight, something less guarded.

“Hey,” Cole greeted him, his voice low but welcoming. “Glad you could make it.”

Leo smiled, walking toward the booth. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

They sat down across from each other, and for a moment, the silence felt more comfortable than it should have. The air between them was thick with anticipation, with unspoken words and growing tension.

“So, how’s the ER been treating you?” Cole asked, breaking the silence.

“Same old,” Leo replied, shrugging. “A little crazy, a little chaotic, but nothing I can’t handle. You know how it is.”

Cole nodded, his eyes never leaving Leo’s. “I get it. I’ve had my share of crazy days too.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You don’t usually seem rattled by it.”

Cole’s expression softened, his gaze flickering toward the menu before meeting Leo’s again. “Maybe I don’t show it. But yeah, sometimes it’s hard to turn off the noise. The adrenaline rush. The things I see.”

Leo could hear the weight of those words, and his heart went out to him. It wasn’t just the physical scars Cole carried, but the emotional ones as well. He had always suspected there was more to Cole than the tough exterior he projected.

“Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here,” Leo said softly, his voice sincere.

Cole looked at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I know. I appreciate that.”

They ordered their food, but the conversation continued to flow easily. They talked about everything and nothing—childhood memories, their favorite books, the most ridiculous things they’d ever done on a dare. But underneath the laughter and the easy back-and-forth, Leo felt something growing, something undeniable.

Cole was different than anyone Leo had ever met. There was something raw, something real about him, and Leo couldn’t ignore the way his heart raced every time their hands brushed or their eyes locked.

As the night wore on, the conversation turned quieter, more intimate.

“I’ve never really been good at this... talking about feelings, I mean,” Cole admitted, his voice low, almost hesitant.

Leo’s heart thudded at the honesty in Cole’s voice. He knew exactly what Cole meant. In his line of work, emotions had to be kept in check. But Leo had always believed in the importance of connection, in letting the walls fall down, even if just a little.

“You don’t have to say anything you’re not ready for,” Leo replied, his voice gentle. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Cole looked at him, his eyes searching, as if weighing Leo’s words. And then, for the first time that night, Cole reached across the table, his hand brushing against Leo’s.

The contact was light, hesitant, but it sent a spark through Leo’s entire body. He looked down at their hands, and when he met Cole’s eyes again, there was a quiet understanding between them.

“This feels different,” Cole said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Leo’s heart skipped. “Different how?”

Cole leaned in a little, his voice a soft rasp. “It feels like we’re... not just talking. Not just two strangers anymore. I can’t explain it, but...” He trailed

---

Cole trailed off, his words hanging in the air, heavy with meaning. Leo could feel the heat of his hand resting against his own, and the sudden proximity made his heart race. The tension that had been building between them since that first coffee date was now undeniable, pulsing in the space between their gazes.

Leo didn’t speak right away. He didn’t want to rush it. Instead, he let the silence settle, feeling the weight of Cole’s unspoken thoughts. After a long beat, Leo finally leaned in slightly, his voice low and steady.

“It feels the same to me,” Leo murmured. “Like... we’re more than just two people having dinner.”

Cole’s eyes softened at his words, the vulnerability he’d been holding back finally surfacing. He didn’t pull away from Leo, didn’t shy from the closeness. Instead, he seemed to inch a little closer, their faces just a few inches apart now.

“I don’t know what this is,” Cole said quietly. “But I want to find out.”

Leo’s breath caught in his throat at the raw honesty in Cole’s voice. His pulse quickened, and the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them, the sound of their breathing the only thing Leo could focus on.

“I think I want to find out, too,” Leo whispered, his heart hammering in his chest.

For a moment, neither of them moved, the electricity between them thick and undeniable. Then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, they both leaned in at the same time. Cole’s lips brushed against Leo’s, soft and tentative at first, as if testing the waters. Leo’s breath caught, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he kissed back, just as gentle, his heart racing in his chest.

The kiss deepened slowly, carefully, neither man in a rush. Their hands, which had been resting on the table, slid toward each other, fingers intertwining. Cole’s other hand moved to Leo’s face, cupping it softly, as if memorizing the feel of him. Leo responded by leaning into the touch, his other hand reaching up to rest on Cole’s chest.

The world outside their small bubble seemed to disappear as they kissed, each kiss more desperate than the last, the chemistry between them undeniable.

When they finally pulled away, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other.

“Cole…” Leo breathed, his voice barely a whisper.

“I know,” Cole responded, his voice equally quiet. “I don’t know where this goes, but I don’t want to stop. Not now, not after that.”

Leo’s heart swelled, something warm and undeniable blossoming inside of him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he knew one thing for certain—he didn’t want to let go of this moment. He wanted to explore whatever this connection was, to see where it would lead.

“I don’t either,” Leo said, his voice soft but firm. “So... what happens now?”

Cole leaned back slightly, giving Leo a soft, almost teasing smile. “How about we take this slow, huh? No pressure. Just see where it goes... one step at a time?”

Leo nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. “I can do slow.”

“Good,” Cole replied, his hand still resting on Leo’s. “Then let’s start with dinner… and see where the night takes us.”

---

As the night continued, they both felt a shift, something new and exciting forming between them. The quiet chemistry that had been building for weeks now felt tangible, real. And as they finished their meal and walked out into the cool evening air, it was clear to both of them that this was just the beginning of something far deeper.

Their hands brushed once more, but this time, there was no hesitation. Cole laced his fingers through Leo’s, and Leo felt his heart skip a beat.

For the first time in a long while, Leo felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

---

To be continued…

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***