Page 66 of Cross the Line

It’s clear Alec’s an athlete and not just from the impressive cut of his Adonis belt above his boxers or the miles of abs on display. The real evidence is in his muscle control and the way he knows every inch of his own body, at complete ease in his skin. It’s a wonder to watch, and Theo’s eyes are honed in on the sway of Alec’s hips.

Without warning or permission, an unfamiliar hand curls around Alec’s hip. His eyes fly open as he tips his head back to seek out the source of the contact. There’s a flicker of surprise when he sees it's not Hunter. Theo fully expects Alec to push the man away, but then the guy's fingers spread wide on Alec’s hip, far more familiar than they have any right to be, and he’s leaning down to whisper something in Alec’s ear that has Alec laughing. To Theo’s complete and utter disappointment, Alec doesn’t step away or tell the guy to fuck off, letting his arms encircle the man’s neck as he tips his back against his chest and rocks his hips.

The guy is easily twice Alec’s size, from the breadth of his chest and thighs to the massive hands that encircle Alec’s much smaller waist. He’s older too, maybe even older than Theo with dark scruff on his face and the hint of lines at his eyes. Theo holds his bottle so hard he’s surprised the glass doesn’t shatter.

That’s not some youthful college guy. That’s a man. If Alec had danced with someone who looked like Riley or Hunter, would he be having this same reaction? Or is the sight of someone so similar to Theo in age and build that has his pulse racing and his feet moving?

Unsure what he’s doing but equally unable to stop, Theo stalks toward Alec and the stranger, planting himself directly in front of them. The man lifts his eyes to meet Theo’s gaze, unblinking as the guy looks Theo up and down before spreading his hands wide over the center of Alec’s belly.

White hot anger pulses in Theo’s veins. It’s just being protective, he tells himself, refusing to think about why he wants to punch the guy touching Alec when he’s never been in a fight in his entire life.

Alec laughs, eyes flying open. “That tick—oh, Theo.” His expression changes rapidly, his amusement shifting into something impossible to read.

“You know him?” the man grumbles, the fingers curled around Alec’s hip tightening.

A flare of jealousy rages inside of Theo, consuming and demanding and so unlike anything he’s ever felt before. There’s no pretending he’s only being protective now, even if he wishes he could. Theo never cared about the people he hooked up with being with anyone else. Hell, his ex had all but admitted to cheating and the most Theo could do was be glad he was going to disappear so Theo didn’t have to break up with him. He’s seen men and women he hooked up with leave the back room of the club and immediately seek someone else out and not give a damn. Yet some guy has his hand on Alec’s waist and Theo’s heart thunders in his chest so hard he can barely breathe.

“Theo, are you alright?”

The man leans down to whisper something in Alec’s ear, but he doesn’t laugh this time, shaking his head and trying to taking a step forward. It’s clear the man isn’t eager to let Alec go, his grip unwavering. Theo is ready to throw his first punch, but it’s unnecessary because Alec pries the hands off his waist with a frown, stepping closer to Theo.

“Fucking tease,” the man snarks. “You’re not worth it.”

Alec’s shoulders tense and despite being positive that guy could probably lay Theo on his ass, he’s never been closer to punching someone.

“Alec.”

“Don’t,” Alec mutters.

“Don’t what?”

“Just…don’t,” Alec says, averting his gaze. With those two simple words, some of his light dims. It makes Theo want to punch that man even more. Alec should be allowed to have fun, to dance and enjoy himself, without assholes assuming they’re entitled to things from him.

“Drink time,” Hunter announces as he slides in between Theo and Alec, unaware of what he just missed. He passes Alec something colorful with a cherry in it before his eyes land on Theo and he frowns. “Why do I feel like I’m interrupting something?”

“You’re not,” Alec answers, taking his drink. Rather than sip it, he chugs it down quickly. Some of the sticky sweet drink runs down the side of his mouth and drips down his chin. He licks the last of it off his lips, leaving them stained a pretty pink.

“Alec,” Theo tries, hardly sure what he wants to say.

“What?”

“Be careful.”

Alec visibly bristles. “I’m a big boy, I can handle myself. In fact, I need another drink.”

“Don’t you think you should—” but before he can finish that thought, Alec makes a beeline for the bar. “God dammit.” Theo sighs, running a hand through his hair and wondering how the hell he always manages to fuck things up with Alec despite his best intentions. It’s a good thirty seconds before he realizes Hunter is still standing next him staring. “Uh, that was…that is to say that?—”

“That was awkward,” Hunter says, taking a leisurely sip of his own beer.

“Yes.” Theo sighs.

“You know he can handle himself pretty well, right?”

“I know.” Theo groans, because he does know. Alec is strong and Theo’s a fucking neanderthal who got jealous and possessive and made things uncomfortable for Alec, who was just trying to have fun.

“Wow.”

“What?” Theo asks.

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