A Little Side of Geek Read online

  “When did you get to be so wise?” Theo said with a teasing smile.

  “Yeah, whatever, remind me of that the next time I’m a thoughtless jackass because it happens more than I’d like to admit,” Morris said. In the distance, the wide river came into view, the far shore hazy in the early heat and fading mist.

  “I have a hard time believing that. You seem to be so together and calm. You don’t have any of that diva artistic temperament. At least not that I’ve seen.”

  Morris chuckled as he turned in to the marina. “Calm I may be, but I also get lost in my own head and forget important things, like dinner dates and engagement parties.” That was another incident Morris would never live down.

  Theo seemed calm and together too, which Morris considered amazing considering the stresses he was under. A morning off to relax seemed like a perfect first date. “You’re laid-back yourself. Speaking of clichés, you don’t fit the one of a bad-tempered cook or that guy who tries to overcompensate for his height by being a bulldog. We had a promoter like that once. He was a nightmare.”

  “I learned long ago getting pissed over short jokes only encouraged people more. Apparently, I’m known as a hardass at the restaurant. I prefer to think perfectionist, but as long as my people do what they’re supposed to do, I don’t give a damn what they call me.” Theo rubbed his hand over Morris’s bare knee. “So no kilt again today? I’ve been curious to see what you wear or don’t wear underneath it.”

  “I am terribly sorry to burst your fantasy.” Morris parked the car and turned to Theo. “But I do not go for being naked underneath. Too much could go wrong. A man shouldn’t live in fear of escalators giving unintended peep shows or anxiety over wind gusts.”

  Theo gave him a grave look, though his mouth looked as if it wanted to smile. “Those are some heavy worries.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Then Theo’s gray eyes sparkled, and he touched his fingers to Morris’s lips. “I can’t wait to get you alone.” Morris’s whole body tingled at that, and then Theo was opening the door before he could respond.

  Theo stretched and looked curiously around at the marina. Despite it being a weekday, there were many empty spots at the slips. It was too pretty to be inside working when the water beckoned like this. “Okay, which boat is ours?”

  “It’s the white skiff about halfway down on the left. The one with the small canopy. It’s called Into the Mystic. Victor’s a Van Morrison fan, and he’s got me hooked.” Morris threw open the trunk and hauled out the water. He’d learned his lesson last time. The bag he’d slung over his shoulder held other things he’d forgotten before and rued later: sunscreen, extra sunglasses, and something for the headaches that sometimes came when he stared at the sun sparkling off the water for too long.

  Theo grabbed the hamper with a wide grin. “Man, I’m so jazzed. This is awesome.”

  “Yeah?” Morris paused with a quick look at Theo, and he smiled slowly at the pleasure on his face.

  “Yeah.” Theo hitched the hamper onto his shoulder. “You know, you’re awfully damn cute when you give me that shy smile. It gets me going every time.”

  With that Theo strode off toward the boat, whistling softly and leaving Morris staring after him. He’d never met a man who tangled him up in so many knots and left him wanting to stay tangled. He wasn’t sure what to make of Theo or of his own growing attraction to him. This was a fling, a dip outside of his comfort zone, and all he wanted out of it was good memories. Theo seemed perfectly content with the plan too.

  Morris caught up with Theo as he reached the boat. It wasn’t big and fancy like some others, but she handled well both on the river and the rougher waters of the bay. There was enough room for them to stretch out without feeling like they were crowded in. Morris loved Victor’s boat. Every time he had the chance to take her out, he promised himself one day he’d have one just like her.

  “There’s a cooling box under the bench there in the aft. We can put the food and water there. There are life jackets in the bench beside it. Victor keeps his fishing equipment in the storage on the port side.” Morris stored his carry-on bag by the center console and looked over the controls.

  “Do you ever take her out to go fishing?” Theo nudged open the box and set the food and water inside. “I haven’t been fishing… damn, probably since middle school.”

  “Not really, no. Worms and hooks aren’t my thing.” Now that he thought about it, he had zero interest in trying to get a fish off a hook while it flopped and wiggled. Seemed cruel. “I like cruising around or finding a good spot to lay out, relax, and enjoy the sun and scenery.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Theo slid his arm around Morris’s waist and kissed his shoulder. “I have been looking forward to this date since you asked me. Being out here makes it better.”

  “I can’t believe I asked you.” Morris looked down at him, struck with embarrassment by how that sounded. “That came out wrong. I meant, I’m not normally the one who does the asking.” He paused and huffed out a breath as he winced. That sounded even worse, like he was full of himself.

  Theo brushed his fingers along Morris’s arm. “You can be a little shy. I’m glad you did ask. I thought I was going to have to wear you down with my persistence and charm. But if you took the chance, then that must mean you are as interested in me as I am in you.”

  Morris turned to him, his whole body stirring at Theo’s closeness. “I’m glad I did too.” He’d wanted the chance to sit back and be with Theo again with no schedules hanging over their heads, just to talk and get to know each other. He’d also wanted the chance to maybe do a little more than kissing without worrying over being interrupted by overzealous brothers or cranky friends. It had been crazy with Awesome Con looming and his trip to Pennsylvania coming up. No, he wouldn’t think about schedules today, only Theo.

  He brushed his lips over Theo’s and then turned back to the boat. With Theo’s help they were soon moving slowly out of the marina and heading onto the Patuxent River. “Which way do you want to go? River or bay?” He glanced over his shoulder at Theo, who was resting his arms on the side and leaning over to watch the water.

  “How about by Calvert Cliffs? I haven’t been by there in forever. You ever go fossil hunting there?”

  “Can’t say that I have. I didn’t grow up around here. My family’s up near Bowie,” Morris replied, turning the boat toward the Chesapeake Bay. “Do you ever find anything?”

  “Oh yeah, mostly small stuff, but there’s tons there. I don’t know if you ever noticed the glass-enclosed picture at the restaurant with all the sharks’ teeth.” Theo gave him a curious look.

  Morris thought back. The restaurant had a lot of art up, photos of the bay, drawings by local artists, and now he seemed to recall it. “The one behind the hostess station?”

  “Yeah. That’s all fossils we found as kids. Dad picked out the biggest ones and had them encased for us.”

  Morris had never been fossil hunting before, and the idea intrigued him. “Are there any boat slips nearby?”

  “Not sure. I’ve never been by boat. But you have to hit it during low tide to get anything, otherwise it’s all underwater.” Theo came up to him as Morris opened up the throttle. He hadn’t quibbled at all about wearing the life vest, for which Morris was grateful. He’d gotten to be a stickler for safety, and some found it to be a downer. “We can go another day. Just being out on the water with you is nice, and now that I think about it, Calvert Cliffs won’t give us any privacy.”

  “Don’t worry. I have just the place.” The boat skipped along the river, the wind whipping at them. Morris lingered over the image of Theo standing in the bow, his hands on his hips as he looked out over the water. He slowed down as the river spilled out into the Chesapeake Bay and the tides and currents made the ride choppier.

  The water was fairly calm today with no recent storms to stir it up. Morris drew in a deep breath of the salt-heavy air, his hands competent on the tiller
as they were hit with a fine spray. While they headed north up through the bay, meandering and taking their time, Theo handed out water bottles and cold fish sandwiches slathered with the bistro’s homemade sauce. Morris had forgotten how hungry he got when he was out on the water. Donuts from the bakery and the protein bars he’d shoved into his bag would not have cut it.

  “Damn, these are good. Toss me another.” Morris took a bite, trying to pin down the creamy, tangy sauce with a hint of heat.

  “I don’t understand how a man your size, who obviously loves food the way you do, can manage to forget about eating so much,” Theo commented as Morris found a quiet spot in a cove, killed the engine, and dropped anchor.

  “I wonder that myself sometimes. Especially when I finally look up from my drawing table and my stomach attacks with vicious intensity.” Morris reached into the cooler for a brownie and then sat back on the bench with his eyes half-closed and his face lifted to the sun.

  “You don’t by any chance pack a lunch for yourself during a show?” Theo stretched out alongside him. “I noticed at the one I went to there were no food vendors.”

  “There is rarely any decent food at a convention unless you’re one of the staff or a guest. It’s mostly junk food and sweets.” A little tingle of awareness went through him as Theo slid his arm around his shoulders. “Bringing snacks would be smart, and I’ve even done it once or twice, but I never get around to eating them, so it seems like a wasted effort.”

  “I’d pack you something if I thought you’d eat, but I’d be offended if you forgot.”

  Morris set his water bottle aside and looked at Theo. His cheeks were turning pink in the sun, and his clear gray eyes were more relaxed and calm than Morris had ever seen them. As laid-back as Theo seemed, Morris sensed an undercurrent of stress.

  “Well, I wouldn’t want to do that,” Morris murmured as Theo slid his hand behind Morris’s neck. Anticipation struck Morris with a breathless punch as Theo smiled at him and leaned up to kiss him.

  Morris slid his arm around Theo’s waist and kissed him back. This had been lingering in his mind all morning. Theo’s kisses had a way of leaving Morris wanting more. He kissed as if all of his attention was on the moment, on Morris, and not on his worries. Morris speared his fingers in Theo’s hair and tried to shift closer, but their life vests got in the way.

  Theo skimmed his fingers over Morris’s neck, making him shiver and making it hard for Morris to think of anything other than what he’d like Theo to do with his hands. He tried reaching under Theo’s shirt and was blocked again.

  “Okay, these things have got to go,” Theo muttered as he undid the clasps on Morris’s life vest before stripping off his own.

  “Problem solved,” Morris murmured, reaching for him again. Without those bulky obstacles in the way, Morris explored Theo with eager hands, touching him through the barrier of their clothes. He had an impression of a taut, lean body, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He turned his head, kissing Theo’s throat, brushing his lips along the smooth skin of Theo’s jaw as his heart beat faster.

  Theo’s hands skated under Morris’s shirt, and he hummed in appreciation as fingers danced idly on his skin. He drew Theo as close as he could when the kiss broke, and Theo’s lips began to wander. What could be better than the hot sun beating down on you, an ocean breeze cooling the sweat off your body, and a gorgeous man with his lips on your throat?

  Morris shivered again, arching his neck a little more as Theo’s mouth moved lower, his tongue tracing a hot path over Morris’s skin. Damn, he wanted more. He wanted his fill. Then Theo pulled back to strip his shirt off him. Morris’s breath quickened as he did the same for Theo. His chest was flushed pink from the heat and sun, a faint scattering of golden brown hair over his chest. He sat back to appreciate the view. Theo had given him a nice eyeful last week, but Morris didn’t mind a repeat.

  Theo slid his hand down Morris’s side, his eyes warm with approval. “Nice,” he murmured as he looked Morris over.

  Morris grinned and caught Theo’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “Same for you.” He dug into the bag behind him until he found the sunscreen. It was a transparent excuse to touch, but he didn’t care. He held it up with a little smile. “Shall I? You don’t want to walk into a hot kitchen with a sunburn.”

  “That would be dire.” Theo leaned back, his arms across the seat in an open invitation to explore. “Go right ahead, but I’ll insist on returning the favor.”

  Morris poured some of the lotion into his hands and knelt in front of Theo. Theo watched him through half-lidded eyes glinting with banked heat as Morris rubbed sunblock over his chest and shoulders, then down to his flat stomach. “I like the feel of your hands,” Theo murmured. “I’ve been thinking about those gorgeous hands of yours on me since I saw you drawing at your table.”

  “That’s about as long as I’ve been thinking I wanted my hands on you.” The reality was better than the anticipation. Theo was compact, lean without being skinny, not overly muscled, but his body carried a wiry strength Morris appreciated. He took his time, slicking sunscreen over every inch of him, even getting Theo to turn around so he could slide his hands down the back of Theo’s shorts to massage his taut ass. The expression in Theo’s eyes grew wicked and his cock pressed against his swim trunks when he stood up.

  “My turn.” Theo took the sunscreen from him and gestured for Morris to take his seat. He straddled Morris’s thighs and poured some lotion into his palm. The way he looked at Morris made him feel sexy and not ungainly and too big. “I want my mouth on every sweet inch of you too,” Theo said with a groan and laugh.

  Morris leaned back on his elbows, his cock aching as Theo’s hands slid over him in a slow massage. They lingered on his chest, and Theo lightly tweaked Morris’s nipples until they stiffened. Morris moaned and caught his hand. “That is a highly sensitive area. I may not make it to nakedness if you keep doing that.”

  Theo shot him a serious look. “You wouldn’t want them to get sunburned either.”

  “Tease,” Morris said with a breathless laugh, his body still tingling.

  Theo grinned in acknowledgment as he poured more lotion into his hands. He inched closer, until his cock pressed against Morris’s stomach. Then he was kissing Morris again, slow and lazy as he massaged the lotion down Morris’s back. Morris straightened and gripped Theo’s ass. His entire body thrummed with the need to be naked beside him.

  “Maybe it’s time to move this off the bench,” he whispered against Theo’s mouth.

  “Yeah.” Theo nipped Morris’s lip and slid off his lap. They grabbed a couple cushions off the benches, tossed them on the deck, and covered them with their towels. Morris’s heart beat faster, and his hands shook slightly as they helped each other out of their swim trunks. The breeze was fitful down there and the sun beat down on them, but Morris didn’t care. They could cool down in the water later. Right now, he wanted to get to know every inch of Theo’s body.

  They caressed more lotion over each other’s legs, taking their time. More of those light golden brown curls gathered around Theo’s erect cock and covered his legs. Morris stroked his hands over him, delighting in the feel of him. There weren’t many lovers Morris encountered who didn’t make him feel oversized or gangly, but somehow Theo managed to make him less self-conscious. Probably because of Theo’s confidence in his own size.

  Morris’s breath caught as Theo gently pushed him back and hovered over him. “I have been thinking of this for weeks.”

  “You have?” Morris’s thoughts scattered as Theo gently caught his earlobe between his teeth. “Which part exactly?”

  “You under me with a needy look in your eyes and your hands on my body the way they are now.”

  “Wow.” The heat setting him on fire with want had nothing to do with the summer sun and everything to do with the man leaning over him looking as if he was about to stake a claim on him. Morris had been waiting a long damn time for someone to look at him like
that. He slid his arms around Theo, tugged him closer, and kissed him hungrily. “You make me needy,” he whispered.

  “Good.” Theo nipped his lower lip and slid his hand up Morris’s leg. “Next time we do this, you have to be wearing your kilt.”

  Morris chuckled. “You’re obsessed with my clothing choices.”

  “I’m obsessed with getting my hands under them.” Morris cupped Theo’s cock, feeling the vital heat and energy as it throbbed against his palm. Theo touched him in return, stroking, teasing until Morris’s hips moved into the touch, seeking more. “You are one sexy man,” Theo breathed, his eyes alight with anticipation.

  Morris never really thought of himself as especially sexy. He never really gave it much thought at all. And while Theo definitely got his juices going, he was more along the lines of adorable in that boy-next-door, heartwarming kind of way. He didn’t want to tell him that, though, in case he’d be offended.

  Theo teased Morris’s mouth with his lips. “What are you thinking about so hard?”

  Morris’s cheeks heated as he lowered his gaze. “Too much.” Like how he was going to tell Theo he was a bottom and the thought of topping anyone intimidated him. He should’ve brought it up before they were naked. Now they’d both be disappointed.

  “I must be doing something wrong, then.” Theo slid down Morris’s body, and before he registered what Theo was doing, his lips were on Morris’s cock and Morris lost all sense of coherency. His mouth was hot and demanding, and Morris’s head fell back as he groaned.

  “Oh fuck me.”

  Theo hummed around him as if he liked the thought of that. Morris slid his hand down, tangling his fingers with Theo’s. Morris bit his lip, his breath coming faster, all his expectations and anticipation blown away. Theo made everything feel right, and the buildup had Morris making hot little desperate sounds that made Theo’s gray eyes flash.