Page 53 of Just a Bit Guarded

Scott didn’t know what kind of reaction Gadiel had expected, but that didn’t seem to be it. Gadiel scowled at Will’s back before storming toward the couch and plopping down on it. Picking up the remote, he put on the latest movie and grabbed a bowl of popcorn. “Scott, you should sit beside me,” he said with a sweet smile.

Scott looked from him to Will, feeling like he was missing something, but shrugged and sat down next to Gadiel.

After a few minutes, Will joined them in front of the TV, taking the armchair again.

Gadiel popped some popcorn into his mouth and chewed aggressively. “He’s so hot, isn’t he?” he said, his eyes on the screen.

Figuring that he was addressing him, Scott shrugged. “He’s pretty hot, but personally, I prefer dark haired men. And more refined men, though can’t deny there’s some appeal in the rugged look too.”

“Him being all protective is very hot,” Gadiel said.

Scott dearly hoped he was more subtle than that when he liked a guy. He glanced at Will, but his face was unreadable as he watched the movie.

Gadiel pouted, clearly unhappy that he was failing to provoke a reaction from him.Shifting lower on the couch, Gadiel stretched out his legs and tucked his bare feet against Will’s stomach.

“Gadiel,” Will murmured.

“My feet are cold,” Gadiel said, wiggling his toes under Will’s T-shirt.

“Then you should wear socks,” Will said, wrapping his hand around Gadiel’s ankle. “You aren’t in the Middle East anymore.”

“Socks are gross. I’d rather wash my feet five times a day than wear them.”

“You’re such a child,” Will said with a chuckle, returning his gaze to the screen. Scott stared at the way Will’s hand was still wrapped around Gadiel’s ankle, his thumb absently stroking the fragile skin there.

Fucking hell.

What was going on here?

Scott spent the rest of the movie trying to puzzle it out, but he couldn’t. At times it seemed as though there was definitely something going on between them, but then Will would close off and Scott would thinkno way. Besides, his cousin was straight. And he never slept with his clients. He was too responsible and boring for that. But there was definitely something off about this relationship. It was way too intimate. Except Will would never...

So Scott thought in circles, arguing with himself until the credits rolled. Only then did he realize that Gadiel had fallen asleep.

“He’s going to get a crick in the neck,” Scott said quietly, grimacing at the awkward angle of Gadiel’s head.

Setting Gadiel’s feet on the floor, Will got up and moved Gadiel so that he was fully lying down on the couch. His touch was so careful it was almost... almost tender. And the intense expression in Will’s eyes as he gazed at the sleeping guy took Scott aback. But when Will straightened up, his expression was neutral.

“You should probably go,” he said quietly. “And don’t come back. Although it’s not likely, someone might have followed you here.”

Scott nodded, and Will followed him to the door.

Putting on his jacket,Scott said, “You do know he’s practically in love with you, right?”

Will stiffened, his face wiped of any emotion. “He’s young,” he said evenly.

Scott looked at him carefully. “Having unrequited feelings for a straight man sucks, trust me.”

Something flickered in Will’s eyes. “Your concern is noted,” he said.

“I’m just saying that you should put some distance between you—”

“I know him better than you do,” Will said, his tone clipped. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I disagree. I’ve seen enough.” Scott shrugged. “He’s absolutely gone on you. And for some reason, you aren’t doing anything to discourage him.”

Will’s face was blank.

“I hope for your sake that I’m wrong and there’s nothing going on,” Scott said. “Because everything you said to me about why any relationship with Gadiel was a bad idea is valid. But you seem to have forgotten that. Or maybe you think it doesn’t apply to you, becauseyoucan’t possibly be that foolish and irrational, right?” He snorted. “You aren’t an idiot like Scott, after all. You don’t mess up. You don’t act irrationally.”

---