“Makes sense.” Theo follows me to the laundry room where we make quick work of setting up everything Dumpster—I meanMulder—will need.
As soon as the setup is done, Theo makes to leave. “T-thank you for letting her stay here, Matt.” Theo gives me a brief smile, his voice almost too quiet in my apartment with no other noise.
I reach out to tip up his chin. My boy is always looking down for some reason. I make sure the move is slow. He could turn out of it if he wanted or move away. He doesn’t, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “It is my pleasure, Theo.”
Theo shakes his head, just barely. “It’s a living thing in your space you didn’t ask for.”
I shrug. “I promise it is not a big deal to me.”
“Thank you for doing that for Mulder.”
I shake my head. This silly boy is going to end me with his bigthank-youeyes and earnest expression. The look on his face almost says he would do anything to show his appreciation. I wouldn’t take advantage, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t turn me on.
“Theo.” I wait until his eyes lift to the demand in my voice. I see it then, deep in those doe-brown eyes, the desire he restrains. Something deeper than desire. A bottomless well of need. Any fears Theo is letting me touch him out of a sense of obligation scatter on the wind.
Oh, hell yes.
“Theo.” I say his name again, my voice rough. I run a thumb close to his lip ring, just to see if the need in those eyes can deepen more.
Well, what do you know? It can.
“I didn’t do it for Mulder, sweetness. I did it for you.”
Those bottomless pools swirl with a strong thread ofI don’t trust you. “F-for me?”
I nod, closing the distance between us. “For you. And I would do a lot more than give your cat a place to live.”
Beneath my hands, little vibrations run under Theo’s skin. Very slowly, I lower my head, my meaning obvious. Those eyes don’t leave mine until my lips almost press against the cool metal of his lip piercing. “I want to kiss you, and it has nothing to do with Mulder.”
Dark eyes shine back. “Okay.”
No matter how much I want to, I don’t move my hands from his face. I don’t shove them into his hair or run them over his tight, little body. I don’t press him back against a wall or a couch.
Instead, I press my lips to his, softly, but sure. Confidently. I want him to know how much I want this kiss without ravaging his mouth. Theo deserves care and patience. I guess he needs it, too.
My own body protests. Desire leaps beneath my skin, slams through my veins, trying to get out and get closer to Theo. I smile against his lips, pressing another kiss to his mouth. He accepts eagerly.
His mouth is warm and quick to react, never pressing for advantage but so damn soft and sweet. His whole body melts into it.
“Powdered donuts,” I breathe. “You taste delicious, Theo.”
Red blooms across his face.
But I see the moment his brain kicks in, pulling him out of the good feelings, out of the enjoyment.
I’m going to have to find a way to turn that brain off. And how fun is that going to be.
Ducking his head, Theo steps back, so I let my hands fall from his face. “I—I should go,” Theo says, just above a whisper.
It’s a good idea. My self-restraint isn’t legendary or ironclad, and that little taste of his mouth won’t tempt me into being careful with him. To me, there’s no boundary here with him working for Quinn or because he’s skittish. I can sleep with him and nothing has to change. It’s just that simple.
“I’ll send you the code for the door,” I tell his retreating back, and he turns to look at me, his eyes darting to my mouth. “So you can help with the meds if I’m stuck at Summit House, and you can visit Mulder,” I clarify.
With a ghost of a smile, he nods and slips out my front door.
I lean over to the window facing the street, watching until he exits the building and disappears into the crowd, the tips of his fingers lightly pressed to his lips.
I impatiently wait three days before shooting Theo a text to ask if he can give Mulder her meds that afternoon. I’m sure he’ll think I’m working, but I carefully do not add that bit to the text. Instead, I give him about fifteen minutes with the cat. Then I open the door to my apartment, met with the sweetest sound of light giggles.
