Once, he could have chalked it up to coincidence, but if it were to become a regular occurrence, Rick knew it would start to look suspicious. He decided, therefore, not to find himself alone with Teo in the same situation again, but apparently fate had other plans.

“Why you don’t talk to Orion?”

The question flew out of his mouth before he even realized it, leaving a tense atmosphere in the kitchen. The silence that followed was almost deafening, and it seemed Teo wouldn't answer him, as he remained with his back turned, occupied with the food in front of him on the kitchen counter. Then, however, he surprised him.

“What would I talk to him about?”

He still hadn't turned to face him, so Rick could only study his tone. Based on that, it sounded as if he wasn't bothered by what Rick had implied with the question. The older man, however, didn't want to believe that was truly the case.

“I don't know.” He took a step closer and leaned his back against the kitchen table. “How long has it been since you saw each other… weeks, months? Surely you have things to catch up on.”

If the older of the two expected this question to make Teo open up, he couldn't have been more wrong. Instead, Teo put down whatever was in his hands and finally turned to face him. When his gaze first landed on him, it looked as if he wanted to find him first before taking a confident step closer, stopping right in front of him. Rick didn't think he would try anything, but again, he was left surprised when Mateo touched the table with his fingertips right next to his hip.

“We haven't seen each other for even longer.” His voice was lower, almost intimate, especially as he looked him directly in the eyes. “Do we have things to catch up on too?” He tilted his head slightly to the side; it was undoubtedly meant to be a suggestive gesture.

“We shouldn't.” Again, Rick said the first thing that came to his mind. He was having trouble controlling his thoughts in Teo’s presence, and it was becoming a problem.

“That’s not an answer to my question.”

Though Teo was the younger of them, he was also the bolder. The hand that wasn't holding the table reached for Rick’s face, his fingertips tracing his jawline before placing it on the other side of the man, trapping him between his arms. Now, their faces were even closer together.

“Orion—”

“Orion isn't here.” Not only did Teo give him no chance to protest, but judging by his scowl, he knew exactly what the brown-haired man wanted to say.

“He’s my best friend,” Rick reminded him, though it wasn’t necessary. He needed Teo to be the sensible one, the one to stop whatever was about to happen, because he himself had no strength to resist. Not when he was this close to him, doing everything he could to keep his gaze from dropping to Teo's lips.

“So?”

“I’m too old for you,” Rick tried another argument. Based on the smile on Teo’s lips, however, it worked no better than the previous one.

“Says who?”

“Your family certainly would.”

For a split second, Teo’s smile wavered, and if Rick hadn't been so close to him, he wouldn't have noticed.

“I don't care about their opinion.”

The older man was weak and wasn't afraid to show it as he closed his eyes for a moment to pull his posture together. Teo was too close, too tempting, too gorgeous. It took everything he had not to give in and do something they would both regret later.

“Rick.”

His eyes snapped open. It was the first time in years he had heard his name from those lips again, and it triggered memories that were no more appropriate than this entire interaction.

Him underneath him. Him without clothes. Him moaning his name.

“Rick.”

“Don't.” He wanted to sound firm, but his voice betrayed him, revealing his desperation.

Teo, on the other hand, didn't seem to be giving up. “I missed you.”

“Mateo,” Rick warned him, but he didn't even do that right.

“I love how you say my name.” Until now, Teo’s expression had been more than seductive, but after Rick addressed him, that same wide smile he’d worn during the introduction the day before played on his lips again. “You’re the only one who calls me Mateo.”

“Should I call you Teo then?”

On one hand, it would be less suspicious, but Rick’s selfish side enjoyed that, in some way, Teo was only his. Another part of the secret between them.

“Don’t even try.”

The tone made it clear that if he broke it, the punishment that would follow would be anything but unpleasant.

“We can’t,” Rick reminded him weakly again.

“I haven't done anything.” And Teo sounded amused again.

“You’re driving me crazy.”

The dark-haired man laughed and finally pulled away, straightening up. Rick tried not to feel disappointment, and certainly tried not to show it on his face, but he clearly didn't succeed.

“Good.”

Even though Rick was 32 and far too old to feel schoolboy-like infatuation, he swore that his heart had stopped for a moment when Teo suddenly leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek before leaving, not staying long enough to witness his reaction. That alone saved Rick from embarrassment, as he felt the heat rushing to his face, signifying only one thing—he was blushing.