“You’re right, you should go home.” Will’s shoulders sagged at Mark’s words. “I don’t want to drag you into this.”
Will just stood there for a second, then pulled Mark into a tight hug. “For fuck’s sake, be careful when you come back to your flat.” He then drew himself to his full height—at least two inches shy of Alec’s—and faced him. “Don’t fucking jizz all over him like you did the last time. I don’t need to smell that again.”
A jolt of arousal took Alec by surprise, and for a moment he was lost for words. Will eyed him like he knew exactly what Alec was thinking. “I’ll do my best not to.” It came out rough, a hint of a growl colouring the words and making them seem like a lie. Alec had to admit, now Will had mentioned it, he found the idea really fucking appealing.
Addressing Mark again, Will said, “Text me when you get in.”
“Okay.”
With one last glare at Alec, Will turned and headed down the stairs.
Mark watched him go, and Alec waited for the regret or second thoughts to creep in, but his expression didn’t change. “You want that drink now?”
Alec nodded. “Lead the way.”
Mark ordered five shots of Sambuca and a beer each.
Picking up one of the shots, Alec paused with it halfway to his mouth. Something from the meeting earlier still bothered him. “I know we can’t talk about today or anything involved with the investigation. But I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Mark cocked his head to one side. “What do you mean?”
Fuck, how to put it? “I saw Wes watching you when you were looking at me.”
Mark flushed and downed one of the shots. “And?”
Alec knocked his back too. “And he didn’t look happy.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
They did another shot.
Alec pushed his empty glasses aside. He had to tread carefully here, but Wes was an arsehole. Fuck Newell for making him a beta and giving him that power. “Did he give you any trouble?”
“We had words.” Mark glanced up, looking like he wanted to say more, but sighed instead. “It’s fine.”
Alec didn’t press for more; it wasn’t his business, no matter how much the not knowing bothered him. Reaching for another shot, he raised it between them. “To a quick investigation and beneficial resolution.” It was the vaguest toast he could come up with.
Mark snorted but clinked his glass with Alec’s.
The alcohol left a pleasant burn as it went down, quickly followed by the last shot and the beer. The mild buzz was a pleasant reprieve, taking the edge off his mood, but Alec had had enough of loud music and too many scents surrounding him. Mark’s scent teased him, so close and yet tainted by all the others. He wanted to leave. “You ready to go?”
Just finishing off the last of his beer, Mark swallowed and set the bottle back on the table. “Where to? Same place as before?”
Shit. It wasn’t Alec’s night, but….
“Give me one sec.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and typed a quick message to Daryl.
Are you using the flat tonight?
The reply was immediate.No. You want it?
Yes.
Do I want to know?
Alec rolled his eyes.Probably not.
Fine. It’s yours. Be careful.
