Caught in a moment of embarrassment, aborted horniness, and the realisation that having sex with Theo was going to solve absolutely nothing, had made his lips loose, and he’d spilled it all. He’d told him every last mortifying detail of his one-sided feelings, which had beenreallystupid, because Theo could have easily laughed in his face, marched into the living room and told Taylor everything.
But Theo, bless his heart, had sat beside him with his hand on his shoulder and listened. Then he’d smiled, got up from the bed, pressed his ear against the door and cracked it open.
He’d chuckled and said, “Looks like you’re not the only one with stage fright.”
Johnny’s eyebrows had shot up. “What do you mean?”
“They’re watching TV and playing with my cat. Actually, I think Em’s fallen asleep.”
Johnny had laughed softly and shaken his head, feeling insanely guilty about the relief that washed over him. Theo had winced as he shut the door, then turned and run a hand through Johnny’s hair. “Why don’t we ask him to join us? You said you’d played together before?”
Johnny rubbed his face and held up a hand. “We didn’t playtogether.We were just… in the same room.”
Theo laughed. “And the same body. Come on, why not? I’m horny, you were horny up until five minutes ago and Emily’s asleep.”
“Definitely not,” Johnny replied.
“Why? What’s the worst that can happen?”
“I bite your hand off the second you touch him?”
Because if being in love with Taylor had taught him anything, it was that holding his feet to the fire was the quickest path to getting burned.
Theo rolled his eyes. “I might not know you that well, but you don’t strike me as the type to physically assault someone during sex.” He grinned. “Not without permission. Besides, I won’t do anything with him unless you’re okay with it. And if youreallydon’t like it, we’ll stop.”
Johnny sighed, rubbing his feet together. “It’s not my place to give permission. He can do whatever he wants, and so can you. It’s me that’s the issue.”
Theo made a noise in the back of his throat and cupped Johnny’s face. “You are so stinking cute, you know that?”
Johnny gave a weak smile and looked at the floor. “I think you mean pathetic.”
“It’s not pathetic,” he whispered, pressing a thumb under Johnny’s chin. “Whatispathetic is how hard I am despite the guy I’m meant to be fucking telling me he’s in love with the person in the next room.That’spathetic.”
Johnny couldn’t help but laugh at that.
“Or I can just get myself off in the bathroom, but honestly I’d rather have sex.” Theo shrugged.
“It’s your flat. You could just tell us to leave.”
Theo canted his head, looking thoughtful. “I could, but I think I’ve just discovered a new kink.”
“And what’s that?”
“Being sandwiched between two smoking hot alphas whilst they fuck out their feelings. You know, I always thought I’d make an excellent sex therapist.”
Johnny ran a hand down his face. It was a terrible idea, but he couldn’t ignore the quickening of his heart. His wolf was saying yes, yes,yes!But his head was saying,No, you fucking moron!
But then he heard the sofa creak again and the sound of Taylor’s voice as he cooed at what Johnny presumed was Theo’s cat. Something softened in Johnny’s chest, and before he could stop himself he said, “You make a compelling case.”
Theo grinned, wrapping his arms around Johnny’s neck. “So is that a yes?”
Sighing, Johnny looked up into Theo’s brown eyes. “Just… don’t push it, yeah?”
“I shall be the very embodiment ofgentlepersuasion.”
As it turned out, Taylor didn’t require much persuading at all, because after only a handful of minutes he followed Theo into the bedroom. The dim glow from the street lamps shone through the thin curtains, bathing the room in a yellowy light. It bounced off Taylor’s hair, making him look almost golden.
Johnny let out a breath and leant back. The bed was covered in blankets despite the time of year, and he buried his fingers between them to hide how tightly he was balling his fists. Theo let go of Taylor’s hand and shut the door, the sound of the lock clicking into place making Johnny’s bones rattle.
