A tongue kiss goodnight

Chloe wiped steam off the bathroom mirror to finish her nightly routine. The hot shower had been a welcome respite after a long day of travel, but the skincare routine afterwards almost felt like she was getting ready for the man on the other side of the wall. She slipped into her pajamas—a simple oversized t-shirt and boy shorts—and exited the bathroom, her damp hair hanging loose around her shoulders.

Nigel was already in bed, propped up against the headboard with his phone in hand. He looked up as Chloe approached and pulled back the covers on her side of the bed, welcoming her back with a smile. His glasses sat on the nightstand. A thought crossed her mind - had he showered earlier? She couldn't recall him going into the bathroom since she arrived. She shrugged it off; he didn’t stink.

Just as she was about to settle in, Nigel sat up abruptly, putting on his glasses. "Oh, you know what we should do?"

Chloe paused, one knee on the bed. "What's that?"

"We should have a marriage ceremony!" Nigel exclaimed, sitting up straighter. "You know what they say about a man and a woman sleeping in the same bed."

Chloe blinked, taken aback. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Just a little playful thing before bed," Nigel insisted, his grin widening. "It'll be like we're husband and wife for the night. C'mon, Chloe, it'll be a laugh!"

This was certainly an odd request, especially from a man she'd just met. But Nigel seemed harmless enough, if a bit eccentric.

"Alright," she relented, a meek smile tugging at her lips. "Why not?"

Nigel leaped off the bed, clapping his hands together. "Okay, you stand there, and I'll stand here."

He positioned Chloe at the foot of the bed, then stood facing her. He cleared his throat dramatically, taking her hands in his. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Nigel and Chloe in holy matrimony."

Chloe couldn't help but giggle at his antics. He grinned back at her as he continued on with made-up vows and traditions, throwing in ridiculous quips that had Chloe laughing despite herself.

Chloe couldn't help but giggle at his exaggerated officiating. Nigel continued, "Do you, Chloe, take me, Nigel, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for tonight and tonight only?"

"Sure- I mean I do."

"And do I, Nigel, take you, Chloe, to be my lawfully wedded wife, for tonight and tonight only? I do!" Nigel declared. "I now pronounce us husband and wife! I may kiss the bride!"

Before Chloe could react, Nigel pulled her close, his hands wrapping around her waist as he pressed his lips to hers. Chloe's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't pull away. He kissed like an insistent nerd. She kissed him back, as not doing so it felt too awkward, her hands rested on his shoulders.

The kiss deepened, but it didn’t necessarily get any better. He lapped at her lips and the inside of her mouth. Sometimes their tongues would meet. Chloe started to wonder if this was his first kiss. After a few moments, they parted, both slightly breathless. "Well, that was... something," she said uncertainly.

Nigel, not bothering to fix his glasses, grinned at her when he made it back to his side of the cot. "Now that's how you consummate a marriage! Come, wife, let's retire to the bed!" He climbed back into bed, patting the space beside him.

Chloe shook her head as she climbed into bed. "You're a strange one, Nigel."