CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Tate

Sunshine beamed streaks of the new day through the oversized windows in my bedroom. A feeling of absolute joy had settled into my chest, making me wonder if I was the poster boy for sun-streaked mornings, or if I was living in a Disney movie where fluffy rabbits danced around me.

"You're stupid," I muttered, stretching my arms over my head and tapping my fingers on the headboard. "A complete fool," I added, not worried in the least that I was talking to myself like it was normal.

The previous evening had gone well—too well—for my hesitant-prone mind. Luke showed me a piece of property he wished he owned, breaking my heart from the affection he held for a vacant lot of scrub and dirt. Perhaps because I was a city boy, born and bred, I couldn't understand his joy about a piece of land in the middle of nowhere.

What I could share, though, was love for how his personality showed through in how touched he was with the idea of living on his own land, perhaps building a home for a family. And of course, I'd eaten the whole scene up like Meryl Streep on a Broadway stage.

Luke's unbridled enthusiasm with anything he spoke of was contagious. I'd forgotten how dreams and desires felt when you couldn't fulfill them due to lack of money. If I knew Luke better, and we were, say, a year or so into a relationship, there was no doubt in my mind that I'd purchase the land. But that's not where we were. Not even close.

Being the love detective I was, I googled the lot listing and found it was a half-acre of riverfront property for just under 80k. Money that I could easily afford, but common sense kicked in when I slowed my dreaming heart down, realizing I had no business offering him such a gift. Something told me Luke would never accept the offer, anyway.

Luke and I returned to the furniture store around half-past nine in the evening. If he was concerned about being late getting home, he never let on. The drive back to town was a lot of hand-holding and staring at the hands doing the holding. I imagined he couldn't believe he was actually experiencing it.

Once parked next to my car, he turned in his seat to face me. "This was the best date I've ever had," he'd stated. "I know I've only had a couple of dates, but this one takes the cake."

"And you should know about cake," I'd quipped, referencing his bakery job. In his typical, innocent Luke way, his brow furrowed with a lack of understanding. "That's what I call a joke," I'd added.

He pretend-laughed. "Needs work, sir."

Damn if he didn't actually have a sense of humor, too. "Sorry for the lame joke," I'd continued. "But it is nice to know you can appreciate a corny joke."

"Of course I can. I live on a farm," he deadpanned.

I gawked at him for a second before bursting out laughing. Luke had a funny side I hadn't encountered yet. Bonus points from the love gallery.

I sat in his truck last night, gazing at a man full of surprises. He had that something that's hard to explain, but when that something hits you squarely between the eyes, it's hard to ignore. Luke had that dangerous something. The something that made you fall in love with him. I was afraid I was falling victim to that something.

After more stretching in bed, I finally sat up and considered a shower to put the finishing touches on getting my day started. There was an interior design store having a sale on artwork, home décor, and design items I wanted to visit later. They were closed on Sundays, so I needed to get going if I wanted to check their interior art prices.

The moment I stood from the edge of my bed, the buzzer sounded, startling me. I wondered if it could be Luke, so I hurried downstairs, wearing only boxers. Fantasizing about a possible kissing session with Luke, this time on my bed, had me quickly aroused. I felt giddy at the thought that he'd managed to sneak away on a Saturday.

However, much to my chagrin, and the fastest way to kill my romance expectant high, Alec was framed on the small screen. "Shit!" I muttered, careful not to push the microphone.

What to do? What to do?My mind swirled as I fought the desire to play, ‘No One's Home'. He buzzed again while I stared into his eyes, inches from the outside camera. "Fuck!" I hissed; one more coin to add to my swear jar. Seriously, I'd started one because I knew Luke never uttered a curse word and I hoped to improve. In fact, I wondered if Luke knew any swear words.

"Hey Alec," I finally answered. "You're out and about early today."

"I want to take you to brunch," he said, lifting his hand to the sky. "Too nice to be cooped up in there."

"I sorta have plans," I responded, avoiding what exactly those plans were, so he didn't ask to come along and ruin another shopping trip.

"Buzz me in. We can discuss your plans."

I reluctantly let him in, deciding to wait downstairs despite being barely dressed. I strode across the room and switched the coffee pot on. Things were looking like I might need caffeine reinforcements. Immediately, I thought of a potential life with a man like Luke who didn't imbibe caffeine, wondering if I'd have to quit. Probably not. Luke was too sweet to force me to do an unthinkable like quitting coffee. Push it away, Tate. Killjoy is here.

"Jesus! Tate! Warn me next time," Alec said, dragging his tongue over his top lip. His eyes were wide as they surveyed my nearly naked body. "Damn! You look tasty."

Without comment, I turned and made my way over to stand behind the kitchen island, seeking a barrier between us. My idea failed when Alec ignored my imaginary privacy wall and came to stand next to me, a foot away.

"I just woke up," I said, crossing my arms.

"And you look this good?" he asked, moving his eyes down my body once again, stopping at my crotch. "Can I yank those down? I haven't eaten this morning yet."

I laughed and took a step backward. "No, but I have bagels," I joked.

He stepped closer, his stare fixated on my boxers. His hand reached out to touch my privates, but I caught it with mine. "Aww, come on now," he pleaded. "You know I'm good at sucking dick." He twisted his arm away and grabbed my cock. "There it is," he whispered, glancing at me, testing my willpower.

I secured his wrist and moved him away. "That is quite enough, Alec."

"You say that, but I know once I have that cock of yours down my throat, you'll give in, baby. Now be a good boy and hop up here on the counter," he urged, tapping the top of the island.

I was a bit surprised by his aggression. The man had literally walked in a minute ago. "Not happening," I stated. "We've discussed this, Alec. Friendship only for us."

He stepped closer, standing directly in front of me. "How about fuck buddies?" he asked. "I'll agree to start there until you get to know me better."

"How about we work on a friendship instead?" I suggested, still attempting to keep things civil. "This way we can work together like professionals."

Alec inched forward while I retreated, matching every step backward with his advancement until I was trapped in a corner near the pantry door.

His head tilted down, and he gripped his cock through the grey sweatpants he wore. "See?" he asked, lifting his face back to me. "Big, isn't it?" He stroked his hand along his shaft. He wasn't lying. It was huge. "I get the feeling you're a bottom, Tate, so why don't you let me fuck you better than you've ever been fucked? Right on this island after I eat your ass."

As crazy as his approach was, I imagined he had a fairly good success rate with it, considering his equipment. Alec was great to look at. Not to mention, I already knew he was a cock-sucking maestro, and now you throw in a huge dick? Not many men would turn him down.

"Look, Alec. The truth is, if I wasn't in the beginning of something with someone else, you'd be nearly impossible to say no to. You can get any other guy you want, so how about we keep things professional?"

The devil-may-care demeanor that had been on his face a second ago had instantaneously disappeared right before my eyes. I watched a red flush move up from his neck and across his face, similar to a thermometer on the rise. His narrow eyes and thinning lips indicated the thermometer was about to reach its limit.

"That's not possible," he hissed. "Who? When?"

"It happened unexpectedly," I replied. "I wasn't looking, and well, you know how that goes."

"No, I don't know how that goes. Enlighten me."

"It's all very new," I dismissed. "Like I said, unexpected."

Alec's arms uncrossed and he brought his hands to his sides, his fists balled up. From my unfortunate angle just inches away, he didn't appear happy.

"Not possible," he repeated. "You worked at the office nearly every day. You went to that charity thing with me the one time, but you haven't done anything I'm aware of, except shop for furn…"

The same expression he'd exhibited at the office last week when I'd rebuffed him appeared on his face again. His face was void of emotion, as if someone had flipped a light switch off.

"I've done other stuff," I scoffed. "You haven't been around me twenty-four-seven, Alec."

"Are you sure about that?" he asked. I wasn't actually, and Tyler's disclosure regarding Alec's dating life had me on edge.

"I assume you're not checking up on me," I replied, trying to step out of the corner and around him, but his arm came up and he blocked my way by placing his hand on the wall. I'll admit, alarm bells began going off in my head.

"So, it is true about you and one of the crackpots out at Half Moon," he accused, the corners of his mouth angled down in disgust. "I figured Tyler was just jealous of you finding one of his boys attractive when he ratted you out."

"I'm not revealing who the person is," I stated. "Besides, who knows where the relationship is headed? Like I said, we're too new to be labeling it."

"But yet, you just referred to it as a relationship," he observed, essentially accusing me of lying to his face. Which, basically, I was. "Does he know I sucked you off? Did you tell him you stayed overnight, and that we had sex?"

I hesitated. "Yes. Yes, I did."

Alec studied my body language and began shaking his head. "No, you didn't," he said.

I tried again to get around him, but he pushed up against me hard, getting in my face. "Back off," I spat.

"Or what?"

I grabbed him by the balls, squeezing hard, backing him to the kitchen island while his face pinched in anguish. The more he tried to pull my hand away, the harder I twisted. "How about if you don't, you'll find yourself unable to produce children? Does that answer your or what question?" I leaned into his face and whispered angrily. "You don't scare me, Alec. You're a fucking creep is what you are, and you need to back the fuck up before I show you what I'm actually capable of."

Alec had both of his hands wrapped around my wrist as he tried tugging me off of his nuts. "Let me go, Tate," he hissed.

"Keep pulling away, asshole," I replied. "This doesn't get better for you."

"Who the fuck are you?" he gasped; his face contorted like a circus freak's. "Fucking let go or I'll fire your ass," he said, his face fractured by pain.

I laughed in his face. "‘You'll fire me?'" I asked incredulously. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Tate."

"Too fucking late, asswipe. Like I'd work for you after this crap. Just because you went bat-shit crazy on other employees you wanted to fuck doesn't mean I'll put up with your shit."

Alec quickly moved a hand to my neck, catching me off guard when he shoved me against the refrigerator. He leaned into my face. "Who told you that?" he hissed, spittle hitting my face as he frothed like a rabid dog. "That shit was hearsay."

I could barely breathe, let alone respond to his question. My boss was choking the life out of me, his face resembling a psychopath's. I must've turned purple from lack of air because he stepped back, releasing me. "Jesus! What the fuck?" I gasped, shoving him further away. "Get out of my house!" I yelled, motioning toward the door.

I bent over, clutching my neck as I fought for breath. Panic had set up shop on my nerves after wondering if this man was capable of murdering me. Tyler said Alec had been beaten up by a former love interest when he wouldn't take no for an answer. He was a freak-show, and I couldn't just let this be.

Alec moved toward me again. "Shit! I'm sorry, Tate. I didn't mean that," he apologized, pawing at me. "Please forgive my behavior. I'm just jealous, is all."

I held my hand up to him. "I'm okay. Please, just leave."

"Please don't quit your job," he pleaded. "Of course, you have every right, but I swear to you I will stay out of your business. I promise. Just please don't quit."

I couldn't believe his plea. The man had just assaulted me, in my home, no less. "I don't know," I admitted. "This was crossing a line, Alec, and I do not deserve this behavior."

"My father will remove me from the firm if he hears about this," he said. "You just can't report me. Please, Tate. Please."

"Whatever, okay then," I stated, motioning toward the door. "Please, just leave."

Alec reached for my hand, but I jerked back, shaking my head, motioning yet again toward the door. "Okay. Okay," he whispered, scurrying for the door like the rat he was. He stopped halfway to the door and turned back to me, his mouth about to form words. I slowly shook my head. He took the hint and exited.

I slid down the front of the fridge as I sank to the floor, arms crossed and hugging myself. He'd promised he'd leave me alone. So far from what I'd experienced, I had little reason to believe he'd keep his promise.