Ethan balanced Julian easily with one arm supporting his weight, using his free hand to push the heavy door open. The position forced Julian to wrap both his arms tightly around the man's neck to maintain his balance, burying his face in the crook of Ethan's shoulder.
The moment they were across the threshold, the man slammed the door shut behind them with a decisive thud, immediately twisting the lock to secure their privacy.
Ethan did not bother to turn on the bright overhead chandelier. He left the room bathed in the dim, golden ambiance of the wall sconces, supplemented only by the faint, distant glow of the city lights filtering in through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. The semi-darkness added a layer of intimacy and secrecy to the sprawling suite.
