Tyler had dressed for the occasion, wearing dark corduroy pants, a denim shirt, and a bolo tie.
He looked adorable but uncomfortable. He followed Alec in.
"You look really cute in your fancy…duds?Is that what you call them?"
Tyler blushed. "I wanted to show some effort."
"It is much appreciated but, as you can tell, I have not. I was working right up until about a half-hour ago." He gestured toward his attire, socks, faded jeans, and a white v-neck t-shirt.
"You look hot," Tyler said, a tiny twinkle in his eye. "Busy day, huh?"
"Yes… a very good day," Alec said. "Great in fact."
"Me too." He hung his hat and coat on the hall tree, then went to the fireplace and stoked the fire, tossing another log on.
Alec was facing away, slicing bread at the kitchen counter. "You know, it's funny. No matter
how much wood I burn, the stack outside never seems to dwindle. It's like I have magic elves that
keep replenishing it."
"Magic elves, huh?" Tyler said, embracing him from behind.
"Maybe just one big one."
He kissed Alec on the back of the neck, lifting the wine bottle and pouring garnet liquid into a
glass.
"I have beer if you'd rather."
"Wine's fine," Tyler mumbled, nuzzling Alec's neck, his beard scruff tickling Alec's soft flesh.
"Shit."
"What's wrong?"
"I should have let this defrost. It's going to take hours to cook."
"What could we possibly do in the meantime?"
"OK. That sounds like a line from a really bad porno."
"Then let's make it a really good one."
Alec turned within Tyler's extended arms, pinning him to the counter. "Something else on your mind?"
"I'm up for anything."
"Yeah, I felt that. When you were behind me."
Tyler started to speak but didn't. His lips spread into a lascivious grin.
"What is this, by the way?" Alec asked, pulling at the bolo cord around his neck.
"It's a tie."
"Maybe in the 1800s."
