How To Evict a Hot Jock in Three Weeks - Anyta Sunday Page 0,34
capturing Dylan’s kiss.
“Hmmm, maybe a few more,” Dylan amended, eliciting a laugh.
Logan left them to their privacy, yearning for sincerity like theirs. He grabbed a book for Alexander and one for him to read on the sly when Alexander was busy. He’d hang out until it was time to head to Paragon. And Jane.
He returned to the gallery with his purchases in a bag around his wrist and two lattes warming his hands.
“No sugar and a picture of a cat for you.” Logan handed Alexander the latte.
Alexander opened the lid and admired the art. His upper cheeks bunched with a smile.
“Also, this.” Logan pulled out the book. “To add to your collection.”
“Coffee art?” said softly, quizzically.
“To further your already extensive education.”
Alexander worried his lip then masked it by taking a sip. His eyes flashed to Logan’s and away again. He accepted the coffee art book. “Thank you, Logan. You didn’t have to.”
“I loved that your grandfather used to give you art books. I loved that you told me about him.”
Alexander pressed the book against his chest and moved toward his office. “I’ll, uh, read through it later.”
Logan kept pace alongside him. “Are you all right?”
“Uh huh.”
“You look pale.”
“Just worried about the showcase. That’s all. Absolutely nothing else.”
“You’ve been progressively paler since we woke up tangled in each other’s arms.”
Alexander’s step hitched and coffee darted out of his cup, luckily landing on the lid. “Well. Yes. But only because I spent the night fretting about the showcase.”
Alexander ducked into his office and beelined for the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. He set his coffee on a high shelf and searched for a spot to place his new book.
Alphabetically arranged, Logan realized. Of course. “Fretting about the showcase, huh?”
Alexander paused. “You know, imagining the worst. No one coming.”
“I believe you.”
“Good.”
“I think you’re worried about something else, too.” Logan cleared his throat. “As my boyfriend, you can tell me anything.”
“Yes, we are rocking it in the communications department.”
Logan snorted, then his smile settled. He sipped his latte. Logan didn’t want to address the lies between them before he’d spoken to Jane, but if Alexander needed to, he would. “Should we talk?”
Alexander swiveled in his direction. “Not today. My mind is preoccupied.”
“Tomorrow then.”
Alexander gulped. “Uh huh. I have a few calls to make. Excuse me.”
In the blink of an eye, Alexander disappeared.
Logan stared at the space where he’d been standing and breathed in his soft, herbal scent lingering in the air.
The murmur of Alexander’s voice echoed as he paced the gallery taking calls. He spent a good twenty minutes smiling at the sound of it, draped in Alexander’s desk chair.
Minutes turned into hours, and boredom caught up to Logan. He reached for the reading material he’d bought and began indulging.
Logan was halfway through when Alexander cleared his throat.
Alexander, his hair wild, was pinching open another button on his shirt. He eyed the book. “What are you reading?”
Logan clamped both books against his chest, shrugging. “One of your art history books.” He read the title aloud. “An Anthology of Shifting Art Theory. Fascinating stuff.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is it?”
“It’s teaching me all about shifting art. I’m excited to read the part that describes the influence of the full moon.”
Alexander sucked in his lips, not quite masking his smile. “There’s another book hidden inside that one.”
Busted. “Oh, is there?”
“Yes, there is.” Alexander moved farther into the room, trying to peer between the anthology and Logan’s chest. “What is it?”
“Nothing you’d care for.”
“It’s the first time in two weeks I’ve seen you read.”
“Hey, I read. Maybe not as much as you.” Definitely not as much. “But I read. Plays especially.”
“Is that what you’re hiding? A play?”
“Um . . .”
Alexander swiped the hefty book from Logan’s grip, smiling. Logan’s comic slid out over his chest and the scent of glossy paper filled Logan’s nose.
“Thief,” Logan said, not fighting him, even though his fingers itched to steal it back.
“The Adventures of Quantum Colossus the Great, by Zane Penn.”
Heat climbed up Logan’s neck. On second thought—
He lunged for the comic. “Give it back.”
Alexander side-stepped out of his path. “A gay superhero.” He flicked through the pages. “The artwork is remarkable.”
“Stop. Please.”
Alexander frowned. “Are you all right?”
“I’m not as smart or cultured as you, okay?”
“Logan—”
“I read plays and comic books and the occasional receipt. Nothing more. It bores me.”
A quiet, raw beat passed between them.
Alexander handed Logan his comic book. “You don’t have to hide what you like from me.”
Logan pinched the other end. “You wouldn’t be embarrassed by your boyfriend? Won’t tell