Have a tux picked out?
Oh yeah, got my fave ready to go, duke’s got expectations. Total baller.
Post something on your Insta from the party so I can see you all cleaned up
Now it’s my turn to stop cold in my tracks. I chew my bottom lip.
Gonna open an Only Fans actually
Sign me up
Fuck me. Well then. Shaking my head again to clear it, I decide to video call him, shifting against the plush sofa cushions to lift my head a little more.
It rings four times before Stef answers. Then I’m rewarded by the sight of him looking sheepish, with a pink sky and high-rises behind him. His hair’s rumpled and curling from the shower. Stef wears thick-framed black glasses and is dressed in a white T-shirt—and who knows what else. An absolutely fucking delightful sight.
“Thought you were going to chicken out,” I murmur and lift my eyebrows meaningfully at him as I absorb his new look, “and not answer.”
Stef rolls his eyes, gesturing with a hand enough so I can catch it. “I’m not any kind of poultry, for the record.”
“Game bird?”
“No.” He looks at me intently.
My God, he’s hot.
“Real shame you’re on the other side of the Atlantic right now.”
“Why’s that?”
“My mouth has some things it wants to do to you.”
There’s the blush that I know so well. Stef rubs the nape of his neck, glancing away for a moment before refocusing.
“Your duke.” Stef stares me down again.
“He’s not real. I told you. He’s only a duke for optics.”
He has the nerve to lift an eyebrow at me. Who does that?
“Well, fine, he’s a real, legitimate duke. Who—yes—is my date for James’ birthday party. But it’s all James’ idea, not mine. Believe me. Generally, I take an anti-duke stance. Ask him. James, I mean. Not the duke.”
Stefanos just shakes his head, giving me a wry look. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I.”
There’s a flicker of a smile, and then he continues to give me unyielding serious face, which doesn’t make me stop wanting to kiss his jawline and do naughty things to him to see how he reacts.
“My apology’s real, Theo, for the record.”
I nod. “I saw the text. I believe you.”
He licks his lips, and I admire him openly. Plenty to admire.
For a moment, I swear he looks distracted, but then he refocuses. “I didn’t… I should’ve…”
“What? You’ve got a duke of your own?”
A full-on blush now as a sweet, sweet reward. “No!”
