After several other idle thoughts—such as how Peter would ever be able to let Theo leave his house once Bernard was dealt with—the more immediate concern of Theo falling asleep got Peter to move, to gently but firmly run a hand up Theo’s arm.
Theo yawned and rolled onto his side, facing away from Peter.
“You want to go again?”
Theo’s voice had that sleepy drawl humans got.It was a lot cuter than anything Peter had done with Photoshop in the last month.
“No.I want to take you home.To my house.You’ll be safe there, and more comfortable than here.”
This time, Theo looked over his shoulder, and his eyes narrowed.“I’m pretty sure you booked me for several hours.”
“I did.But then, I have an early day tomorrow, and I find my needs quite satisfied,” Peter lied, not bothering to move his leg or arm, both of which still held Theo close.
Theo’s eyes narrowed further.“I’m not sleeping in your bed.I won’t cuddle with you all night.None of that weird shit.”
“I have several guest rooms, Theodore, and you are welcome to whichever takes your fancy.All of them come with functioning locks on the doors, but I assure you, unless you invite me into your bed, I wouldn’t dream of crossing that threshold.Like in that precious vampire myth about how we have to be invited in, you know?”
Peter smiled as Theo continued to frown at him, then the tension went out of Theo’s body with a deep sigh.
“Fine.Far be it from me to complain about getting off work early.”He untangled himself from Peter and got out of the bed.He wasn’t much concerned about his own nakedness, which was something Peter always loved in another person.“You mind if I take a quick shower?”
“Not at all.”Peter turned onto his back.Seeing Theo’s eyes wander while he tried to hide that he was staring was a satisfying balm to Peter’s ego.“But you are welcome to shower or bathe back at the house.In your own bathroom, of course.The plumbing is well in order.”
Theo gave that some thought.The dark rings under his eyes told Peter he was probably also thinking about the quickest way to a fluffy bed.
“Functioning plumbing.How could I say no?I’ll just be a second.”
He hurried to the bathroom, and Peter used the time to put his pants back on.He decided he was not going to shower for as long as was hygienically and olfactorily practical.His scent lingering on me is just too good.Ah, such old-fashioned things that make young love feel special.
Theo was quick about putting his clothes back on, slipping into that lovely sheer shirt that made Peter want to take it off all over again.
I’ll have to learn to resist those baser urges.The bother.
He cleared his throat.“Theo, I’d like to get you some food before we head to the house.I’m afraid I failed to organize something earlier.”
“I’m actually fine.”Theo unselfconsciously buttoned his pants.“And there’s still an apple in my bag.And some cookies Celeste packed for me, although they might all be crumbs by now.”
Peter frowned at Theo.He’s making me work for his favor, but very well.“As you said, I booked the pleasure of your company for several hours.Would you humor me?”
Theo ran his hands over his clothes, making sure everything was in place.“Fine.Let’s do some midnight grocery shopping then.”
“Excellent.”
Peter turned on his megawatt smile.
Theo’s brows shot up.“Dude, you look creepy.”
“Aw, Theodore, you say the sweetest things,” Peter said as he held the door open for Theo.
Peter, ignorant of such things as the location of grocery stores, googled one that wasn’t too out of the way while he took the client elevator to the parking garage.Luckily and not surprisingly, twenty-four-hour grocery stores were conveniently abundant, and Peter put his phone back in his pocket while he waited for Theo right outside the employee exit.
There was another werewolf standing guard at the elevators now.Chris or Carl, Peter was pretty sure.The werewolf eyed Peter with unabashed curiosity.
“So, the cute new human…” Chris or Carl said.
“You may not want to call him cute to his face,” Peter said.
Chris or Carl snorted.“Hadn’t planned on that.I hear he’s leaving with you.”
