Page 32 of Strut

“Well, maybe I did fuck up, in a way,” I admitted. “It was an open relationship, like I said. But it was Steven who’d pushed for that, and at the time, it made sense. We could be away from each other a month or more at a time.”

Alec shot me a look that may as well have been an eye-roll. “However do people cope?”

“Yeah, yeah. Can I finish?”

He nodded. “Sorry.”

“But then one day I was done with all that and I wanted more. We talked and he agreed, and I was pretty fucking happy. We moved in together, and then two months later I came back on an earlier flight than I intended and caught him screwing a casting director in our bed. I was packed and gone in a couple of hours.”

Alec stopped dead in his tracks and pulled me around to face him. “He cheated on you?”

“Don’t sound so surprised,” I scoffed. “I was an idiot. That’s what I mean about fucking up. I pressured him into being exclusive and moving in together when he wasn’t ready.”

“Shut up.” Alec stepped closer and cupped my cheek. “He agreed, Hunter. He agreed and then he broke his word. That’s on him, not you. If it wasn’t working, then he needed to own that and walk awaybeforehe fucked someone else. Exclusive means exclusive no matter what you had before. And in case you’re wondering, I don’t do anythingbutexclusive. So, if you’re looking for something else, we need to stop this right now.”

“No.” I didn’t have to think about it. “I don’t want anything else, anyoneelse, not with you. But... I also don’t really know how to do this.”

His mouth tipped up in a wide grin. “You can start by letting me in, Hunter. Let me in and we’ll go from there.” He slid his hand around my neck, those elegant fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me in to brush his lips across mine. His mouth was soft and just a little bit hesitant, like it wasn’t quite sure how it had landed there. But after so long, it was fucking everything. My heart raced in my chest from the sweet drugging feel of his lips on mine.

And when he finally pulled back, he didn’t go far, his questioning gaze fixed on mine, the evening shadows and lick of mist from the river playing cat and mouse with those blue pools of light.

For a long minute I was lost in their depths as I thought about the answer he was looking for. Then I slipped my hands around his waist and drew him against me, angling my mouth to cover his, the kiss tentative at first, like his, but then deeper, demanding, my tongue teasing his lips until he finally opened, and I sank inside with a needy growl, revelling in my first taste in over a year. It was everything I remembered and more.

Alec deepened the kiss, melting into my chest and walking me back until I was pressed against the safety rail, the Hudson River rushing under our feet, the impatient clamour of the city, the horns, the strident call of sirens in the deepening dusk, all drifting into nothing. The only thing that mattered was in my arms. His pure wantonness took me by surprise and made me smile against his open mouth as my hands trailed down his back and over the swell of his arse to cup him through his soft jeans and pull him closer, close enough to feel the hard ridge of his cock.Fucking hell. He was hard. As was I.

A cyclist cleared their throat as they passed and Alec’s lips were gone. He stepped back and slow-blinked, twice, his cheeks on fire, his fingertips to his mouth. “Jesus, Hunter.”

“I know.” I faced the river and adjusted myself, then looked around. Luckily, only a few people lingered nearby, most studiously ignoring us, none looking like homophobic arseholes, although one man shot me a knowing smirk and a thumbs up, for fuck’s sake.

Alec snorted, shaking his head. “Andyouwere nervous just holding hands.” He flicked me on the forehead, then threaded his arm through mine and pulled me back onto the path, making for Twelfth Avenue. “Come on. I need my beauty sleep.”

“Wait.” I stopped, pulling him around.

He frowned. “What?”

“This.” I held his chin between my thumb and finger and pressed a firm kiss to his soft lips. “I wasn’t nervous aboutthem.” I flicked my head to the people on the path. “As far as they’re concerned, fuck ’em.”

He snorted but looked quietly pleased.

“I’m nervous about how you make me feel. And with very good reason, it appears.”

He studied me and a slow smile spread over his face. “Well, in case you were wondering, the feeling is mutual. You’re not the only one with your heart exposed, Hunter Donovan.”

I brushed a wisp of blond hair from his eyes. “I know that. And I don’t want to hurt you.”

Alec returned my earlier kiss, lingering just a little before pulling away. “Then don’t.”

* * *

With no explanation, Alec tugged me through the main door of his apartment building, straight past the elevator and into the stairwell. Then he shoved me against the wall, effectively blocking anyone from coming through, and pressed himself against me head to foot.

Well, all right then.I liked where this was heading.

“There’s no way in hell I’m taking you up to my apartment and setting those wolves loose on you.” He ran his nose up my throat, inhaling deeply. “Damn, you smell good.” He sucked my earlobe into his mouth and I groaned. Then his hot breath washed over my ear. “Besides, a four-bed bunkroom hardly smacks of romance or privacy. This will have to do.”

I chuckled. “This is romantic? Wow. Here I was thinking I was doing pretty well with a sad bunch of flowers and maybe a dinner out sometime. If I’d known staircases did it for you, I could’ve taken you to the Chrysler Building today. They have a doozy of a staircase in the foyer. Hell, I might’ve even made it to second base.”

“In your dreams. Besides, it’s not exactly private. And you talk too much.” Alec’s hands cradled my face and his mouth covered mine, hot and needy, toppy as hell, and so fucking sexy it blew every thought in my head to dust.

---