Page 49 of Cross the Line

“Slow your roll, whipper snapper.” Theo’s smile is playful and while Alec has seen this side of him, it’s been a long time since it was directed at him. “I didn’t say anything about that. I like her.”

“You said she’s a pain in the ass.”

“She is,” Theo agrees, reaching out to give her a scratch between the ears. She lets out a contented purr, the faintest hint of pink coloring Theo’s cheekbones. “Maybe I like feisty pains in the ass.”

“Are you referring to the kitten or me?” Alec asks, fighting off the biggest smile. His lip has mostly healed, giving only the faintest twinge of pain as his lips spread wide.

“The kitten, you, Jason…take your pick. I’m a magnet for needy people.”

“Must be your delightful personality.” Alec flips him off just to be sure he knows Alec is being sarcastic, in case his tone wasn’t a dead giveaway.

Theo’s laugh is full-bellied and amused, and Alec can’t be bothered with anything as insignificant as being offended when the teasing has made Theo so obviously happy.

“Not that you’re not welcome here, because we’ve now established you are. But what are you doing here and more importantly, how did you get here? I didn’t hear a car. Did you run?”

“It’s not that far.” Alec shrugs.

“You and I have different definitions of not far. Nine miles, Alec. I don’t run nine miles in a week.”

“You don’t run at all,” Alec points out.

“I don’t,” Theo agrees, patting his tummy. “I don’t look like I did in high school anymore.”

Football had made Jason and Theo both all muscle, but age has both softened him out and bulked him up. His waist is still trim, but he’s no longer in pursuit of a six-pack. He’s both strong and soft, and Alec loves the way Theo’s body looks lived-in.

Alec knows people like his body. Fuck knows they tell him enough, as if all that matters about him are the sharp lines of his Adonis belt or his muscular thighs. Alec might have an athletic physique, but to him there is nothing more attractive than Theo’s body—big and strong and a little soft in all the right places.

“No need to fish for compliments, Theodore.”

Theo balks. “I wasn’t.”

“Lies,” Alec says with an exaggerated sigh. He knows Theo wasn’t, because Theo is the least conceited person Alec has ever met with absolutely no concept of how gorgeous he is and unlike Alec, he is borderline allergic to too much attention. Alec can’t relate in the least. He’s pretty sure if he goes more than twenty-four hours without someone complimenting him, he starts to wither like a plant deprived of the sun.

“I’m not lying,” Theo continues with the kind of earnestness only he can manage.

“You just want to hear how handsome you are, which is fair. You are handsome. Theo, you are the most handsome sweater-wearing man I’ve ever seen. Happy?”

He waits for Theo to splutter or laugh, but he does neither. “You think I’m handsome?”

Alec gapes. “Is that a serious question?”

“Uh, yes?”

Alec has tried very hard to keep his flirtatious personality in check with Theo, to not make him uncomfortable by toeing too close to the line of attraction he still holds, but this is too much. He knows Theo isn’t exactly insecure, he’s just oblivious about himself and the effect he has on people. Alec still remembers Theo in high school, having no idea the way people would trip over themselves when he was around. He’s pretty sure Theo thought they were clamoring for Jason’s attention and while some of them were, people wanted Theo’s, too. But Theo never sees these things. It’s like he’s got on blinders and can’t see when people like him.

Apparently it’s going to be up to Alec to let him know he’s the sexiest goddamn man to ever walk this earth. Lowering Rio to the floor, he stalks closer to Theo, grabbing his face between both hands while trying not to laugh at the look in Theo’s eyes. It’s clear he has no idea what to make of Alec, which is great. Maybe then he’ll be too confused and surprised to comprehend how painfully true Alec’s next words are.

“Theodore James, you are like a sexy librarian fantasy come to life. Your quiet confidence oozes sex appeal, and everywhere we go, people look at your ass because it’s as thick as the rest of you.” Theo’s entire face is red as a tomato but Alec can’t stop. He squeezes Theo’s cheeks for good measure. “You are one sexy fuck of a man. You should own it.”

When he’s done, he gives Theo’s stomach a playful pat and then turns around. “Do you have any Coke? I’m fucking thirsty.” With that he walks out of the room, not waiting to see if Theo will follow.

Alec is totally nailing this friendship thing.

CHAPTER 10

Theo

Sexy librarian fantasy come to life.

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