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  “It looks like the chip is still intact, so the phone company should be able to save your contacts,” Alli offered.

  “Broken a few cell phones in your time, have you?”

  Alli shrugged. “A few.”

  Try eleven. But who was counting? Well, besides him, obviously. And probably his cell phone carrier. He suspected they had a special insurance rate just for him. The Allegro Romani Cell Phone Disaster Insurance Policy. Cost you an arm and a leg and they kept a spare phone on reserve at all times. An ugly, crappy one, because it would be destroyed in a matter of weeks, anyway.

  Michael shoved the plastic pieces into the left pocket of his leather jacket. “Oh, well. Look on the bright side. At least Evan won’t be able to call and harass me for a while.”

  Alli smiled, genuinely amused, as he thought about some of the stories Michael had shared about his siblings. The family was obviously very close and you couldn’t be around Michael for long without hearing a story involving one of them.

  “Evan will still find a way to harass you,” he said.

  This time it was Alli who snatched Michael’s hand as he got them walking again. At this rate, it was going to take two hours to walk the six blocks to his house.

  “You’re right,” Michael agreed. “I’d better see about getting a new phone first thing tomorrow. Otherwise, Evan will probably show up at my front door by tomorrow night.” He shuddered theatrically. “That would really put a damper on my seduction attempts.”

  “Oh, you’re planning on trying to seduce me?” Alli asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Okay,” Alli replied.

  And suddenly it was. Very okay.

  Chapter Seven

  Michael stopped so quickly he nearly did an Alli-style trip. His dark eyes widened behind the lenses of his glasses.

  “Did you just say okay?” he asked, incredulous.

  “I did.”

  “Okay to what? Okay to me trying to seduce you, or okay to me succeeding?”

  Alli shrugged, not really sure himself which he meant. In fact, he had kind of wanted to call the agreement back once it popped out, but he’d bitten his tongue to resist the urge. Chris’ latest lecture was still fresh in his mind, Michael was staring at him with earnest hopefulness, and maybe it was far past time Alli stopped punishing himself for something he couldn’t change.

  Besides, with Michael looking at him, the heat and attraction between them? Well, they were just talking about sex, right? No big deal. People had casual sex all the time. That Alli actually liked Michael was a bonus, not necessarily a requirement.

  A little voice in the very back of Alli’s head said he was fooling himself. He ignored it with the ease of long practice. He hadn’t listened to his subconscious before and he wasn’t going to start now. That it was usually right was, of course, entirely beside the point.

  “Damn.” A wide smile spread across Michael’s face and Alli couldn’t help but smile back. They started walking yet again and Alli was surprised to see that they had stopped next to his mailbox. Dang. If he paid this little attention to his surroundings, it was no wonder he was always tripping over things.

  Michael trailed him across the lawn, up the front steps, and to the front door. Alli dug out his keys, stuck the right one in the lock—after dropping the whole ring twice and poking himself in the hand—then paused. He cleared his throat.

  “Do you still want to come in?” he asked without turning around. Stupid, but it was easier if he didn’t look. “I know you were talking about seeing a movie. I don’t feel like going out, but I’ve got a pretty nice television and—”

  “Yes,” Michael interrupted.

  Alli hid his grimace as he shoved open the door. Did he have to ramble like an idiot? He was pathetic, he really was. First he couldn’t string two sentences together around Michael and now he couldn’t shut up. It really amazed Alli that Michael hadn’t run for the hills yet.

  Inside, Alli groped for the light switch. Michael found it first and Alli blinked a couple of times in the sudden bright glare. He tossed his keys onto the side table to the right of the entryway, where they promptly slid across the smooth wooden surface and hit the floor with a loud jangle.

  Alli gnawed on his lower lip, eyes darting around the room, attacked by a sudden case of nerves. He’d never done this before, asked a guy into his house. Not when said guy was extremely interested in getting Alli into bed. And not when Alli wasn’t entirely sure he would—or should—give in. Was there some protocol to follow? Things he needed to do, or avoid doing, so Michael didn’t get the wrong message?

  “Allegro.”

  Alli’s gaze shot to Michael’s and got stuck there. “Sorry. Did you ask me something?”

  Michael gave him a gentle smile and Alli had a sinking feeling that the man knew exactly what sort of thoughts were flying through Alli’s head.

  “You’re getting stress wrinkles,” Michael teased. He reached over, pushing aside uneven strands of hair and rubbing Alli’s forehead with his thumb. The motion sent little chills up Alli’s spine, pleasure mingling with excitement, all underlain by an odd sense of contentment.

  Suddenly, what had seemed so difficult mere seconds ago wasn’t quite so intimidating anymore. Michael wouldn’t let it be. Alli smiled, his first genuine smile since he had bumped into Michael outside his store nearly half an hour ago.

  “I’m going to go change clothes.” He still wore his usual work uniform, neatly pressed khakis and a dark polo shirt. Alli would be able to relax more if he was in something a little less…starchy.

  “Take your time. I’ll go grab us something to drink, maybe make some popcorn. Find out what’s on TV.”

  Alli blushed at the subtle reminder of their first meeting, when Michael had taken such good care of him. It still amazed him that Michael would go to so much trouble for a near stranger.

  “I love it when you blush,” Michael murmured. This time he traced his fingers over Alli’s cheekbones and down to his jaw. Alli could feel the burn intensify.

  Michael laughed softly. “Go get changed or I might start something you’re not ready for.” He gave Alli a small push down the hallway.

  Alli took the warning to heart and fled. He dashed into his bedroom, closing the door firmly and leaning back against it. His breath was coming rapidly and his heart pounding heavily. His pants, which had been perfect this morning, suddenly felt about two sizes too small. His cock ached in the confines, his gut was tight—all from a couple of little touches.

  If—no, when—they finally had sex, Alli would probably explode from the sensations. Michael would have to peel fairy guts off the ceiling. And wouldn’t that just make Michael regret his relentless pursuit of Alli then?

  Alli shook his head at his own ridiculous thoughts and shoved off the door. He had a gorgeous man in his living room. One who wanted him. Alli might be shy and clueless about some things, but he wasn’t an idiot. Not even close. If Michael wanted him, Alli wasn’t going to argue.

  Well, not much.

  Michael watched Alli disappear down the hallway, moving as fast as his slender legs would go without breaking into an actual run. Michael knew he was smiling like an idiot, but he couldn’t help it. Alli was just so blasted adorable. Sweet and shy, a little bit awkward, and innocent as hell.

  Michael couldn’t wait to corrupt the man, and he had a very good idea of where he wanted to start. A sudden picture flashed into his mind—Alli sprawled on the big bed down the hall, surrounded by rumpled sheets, pale skin glowing with sweat, a satisfied gleam in those beautiful gray eyes of his.

  Oh, damn. Michael had to adjust himself in his jeans before he could walk normally. The image wouldn’t leave his head, though. Michael was okay with that. He’d just prefer to make it a memory instead of a figment of his imagination.

  In the kitchen, he opened cabinets until he found a box of microwave popcorn. He almost reached for the coffee before switching it for a couple of bags of hot chocolate he f
ound next to the popcorn. Really, nearly eleven at night was far too late for coffee. At least, that was what his mother always told him.

  Michael poured milk into a couple of mugs then put them into the microwave, reaching up to push his glasses back into place. Damn things would never stay on his nose, no matter how many times he tightened them. He should probably go back to contacts again, but, well, he’d never been overly fond of sticking things in his eyes. It just didn’t seem natural.

  Plus, it was part of his strategy. He’d wanted to be a little less intimidating. Alli was skittish enough already. Michael knew damn well the glasses made him look harmless, a little bit geeky, even. And honestly, he was a geek. He played with computers for a living. That didn’t mean, however, that he lived up to the entire geek stereotype. He could blame it on Bruce, but Michael knew it was mostly him. There was something of a wild child living under the mild exterior. His last girlfriend had once compared him to Jekyll and Hyde. Of course, she’d been staring at his nude, just-shifted body in the middle of his bedroom at the time.

  It was right before she’d run screaming from the room. Hell, he hadn’t even known she was in the apartment. And he hadn’t meant to shift—he was usually extremely careful about letting Bruce out while in the city. But there had been this itch…

  Maryanne had said it had been Bruce’s way of getting rid of the bitch, but she had never liked Alyssa in the first place. Deep down he thought she might have been correct. While the sex had been fabulous, Alyssa had never felt right outside the bedroom. She hadn’t felt…comfortable. Michael had always known she wasn’t ‘the one’ but, hey, a guy had needs.

  Alli, on the other hand, felt amazingly right no matter the situation. Heck, if Michael had been a cat shifter, he would be purring any time the man came near. As it was, Michael could feel Bruce rippling just under the surface, nearly as much as he used to around Alyssa, but for an entirely different reason. Bruce had wanted to growl at Alyssa. He wanted to lick Alli from head to toe.

  Michael thought that was an excellent idea but wanted to be the first to do it. Besides, Bruce might be small for a bear, but he was still, well, a bear. Alli might not be too thrilled with an ursine tongue bath at this particular point in their relationship.

  “Patience, Bruce,” Michael admonished. “You’ll get your chance.”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  “Shit.” Michael whirled to find Alli staring at him with big eyes, once again chewing on his lower lip. “No one,” Michael said quickly. “I was just talking to myself.”

  “You’re a terrible liar.”

  “I wasn’t lying,” Michael replied indignantly. He wasn’t. Bruce was him. Sort of. In a weird, twisted way. Oh, hell, he barely understood how it worked. He really didn’t know how to explain it to someone else. “I made popcorn,” Michael announced to fill the silence, holding up the bag.

  “Cool.” The microwave dinged and Alli hurried to pull the cups out, careful to walk by Michael without brushing any body parts together.

  Damn it. Alli was thinking again. Michael knew he shouldn’t have let the man out of his sight.

  Michael followed Alli into the living room, clutching the bag of popcorn. Alli went ahead, carrying the steaming mugs. Michael licked his lips, eyes fastened to the ass swaying in front of him. Damn again.

  Alli had changed into a pair of baggy sweatpants and a tight T-shirt. The pants concealed more of the man’s backside than Michael would have liked, but the shirt… Mmmm. It was tight enough to showcase the slender muscles and the sleek curve of Alli’s back. Michael’s fingers itched with the need to reach out and touch.

  “Not yet,” he muttered to himself.

  “You say something?” Alli called over his shoulder.

  “Oh, no, nothing,” Michael hastened to assure him.

  Stupid, Michael, he scolded himself. Shut up before you blow this.

  Alli shoved a mug at him, and Michael took it automatically. Alli sipped on his own drink while crouching down, searching through the movies. He ran one long finger over the spines of the DVD cases and Michael shivered. He wanted that long, slender finger on his skin more than he wanted his next breath.

  Michael started a mental mantra, chanting patience over and over. If he rushed this, Alli would flee, then Michael would have to start all over again.

  “How’s this one sound?” Alli said, holding up a DVD. “I haven’t seen it yet, but it looks good.”

  Michael shrugged. “Fine with me.”

  Hell, he didn’t plan on actually watching the movie, anyway.

  It took some fast maneuvering after setting the mugs and popcorn within reach, but Michael managed to get Alli settled on the couch next to him, and not in the chair across the room that Alli had originally targeted. Michael bit back a sigh, though, when Alli quite pointedly settled on the opposite end of the couch.

  Good grief. When was the last time he’d worked so hard to seduce someone? Michael thought never, but he had a feeling that Alli was worth it.

  He waited until the opening sequence began to play, giving Alli a few minutes to become distracted, before Michael slid closer. Alli didn’t seem to notice, so Michael kept moving until they were sitting side-by-side. Alli curled his legs up onto the cushions and Michael grinned, feeling ridiculously triumphant when Alli’s feet brushed against Michael’s thighs.

  Okay, time for the next move in his campaign. It might have been a bit trite, but Michael always had been a sucker for the old classics. He stretched widely, arms overhead. When he settled back down, one arm just happened to land on the back of the couch behind Alli. As the movie played, Michael paid it little attention, far more preoccupied with casually sliding his arm down until he could wrap his hand around Alli’s opposite shoulder.

  To Michael’s surprise, Alli moved closer and let Michael tuck them together. Michael received a shy smile before Alli’s eyes went back to the screen. Michael furrowed his brow at the screen, not really certain what had Alli so enraptured. The plot made very little sense to him.

  Of course, that might have something to do with him daydreaming through the first twenty minutes. Kind of made it hard to follow the plot. Although, truthfully? The movie didn’t really seem to have much of a plot. It was one of those independent, deep, artsy films. Michael much preferred lots of explosions, some snappy dialogue, and maybe a buff action hero or two.

  A soft scent tickled his nose and Michael squirmed, aching and uncomfortable. Alli smelled so good, and he looked so good, and damn, Michael didn’t know how much longer he could restrain himself. Maybe just one kiss…

  Michael ducked his head and captured Alli’s lips, letting Alli’s quiet gasp swallow his louder moan.

  “The movie—”

  “Later,” Michael murmured. He turned on the couch, trapping Alli between his arms as he deepened the kiss. Alli whimpered. Michael nearly echoed the sound when Alli finally melted, body pressing close, arms reaching up to wrap around Michael’s neck.

  Alli tasted even better than Michael remembered. Sweet and hot, with the faintest trace of minty spice. Someone had brushed. Hallelujah, maybe Michael was going to get lucky after all.

  Michael hummed his pleasure, tangling their tongues together. Their mouths met and parted, moist sounds filling the air and drowning out the hypnotic music coming from the television. Michael cupped the back of Alli’s head, tilting just so, and Alli made that soft whimper again. God, but that was a beautiful sound. Michael slid his fingers into the silky hair, moving down, taking out the tie as he went. Thick strands of deep, gleaming red hair spilled around them and this time it was Michael’s turn to make a needy sound. There was just something so mouth-wateringly sexy about Alli’s hair. He’d dreamed about it, wrapping himself up tight in the bright strands, wrapping it around his cock while he jerked off.

  Michael freely admitted to having a dirty mind.

  As if loosening Alli’s hair was some kind of signal, the kiss went from seductive and warm to heated a
nd passionate. Michael’s yelp of surprise was swallowed by Alli’s mouth as Alli ravaged his lips with teeth and tongue. Lust burned a path straight from where their mouths connected down to Michael’s dick. He groaned.

  “We should take this to the bedroom, babe,” he said, yanking away to breathe.

  Alli looked up and Michael had to take another wild kiss. The man’s eyes were wide in his narrow face, pupils nearly swallowing up the gray, black and shining with need.

  “Bed, Alli,” Michael insisted. “Need stuff.”

  Alli groaned his disappointment when Michael pulled away. “Shifter,” he panted. “Don’t need condoms.”

  “But we do need lube.”

  “Shit.” Alli rested his forehead against Michael’s, breathing harshly. “Give me a second. Don’t think I can move yet.”

  Michael grunted and circled his arms around Alli’s waist. “Up we go,” he declared. He swung his legs over the edge of the couch and stood.

  A startled cry fled Alli’s lips as he was hoisted into the air. He instinctively wrapped his legs around Michael. They both gasped from the intimate contact.

  “Hurry,” Alli ordered.

  Michael moved quickly down the hall, both of them feeling the burn, the need, the want. Each step Michael took bounced Alli’s light body. Alli made needy noises as his cock pressed into Michael’s stomach, rubbing with every shift and turn. For Michael, the feel of Alli practically riding him was almost enough to set him off. He grabbed fistfuls of Alli’s ass to try to hold him still.

  Alli started licking and sucking at Michael’s neck.

  “Hang on, babe,” Michael gasped.

  “Don’t want to.”