Tentacle on 34th Street (Tinsel and Tentacles 2.0)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

T hor was well named in Alex’s opinion. He was Scandinavian and looked like an aging Chris Hemsworth in the Marvel movies—the version with the gut. Thor moved in close and wrapped an arm around Alex’s shoulders, murmuring with his thick accent, “One of these days, you’re going to cast yourself in one of these campaigns so Thor can see that sexy little body of yours in an itty-bitty thong.”

“Never happening, Thor,” Alex said for what had to be the twentieth time in the five years they’d shot together.

“But you would be perfect …” Thor argued. “You are handsome enough to be in front of the camera, be assured.”

“Perhaps, but my body isn’t underwear model ready,” Alex said, patting his toneless stomach. “And it likely never will be.”

Thor scoffed. “PridePack’s models have always come in all shapes and sizes. They are not all like this strapping Santa Daddy your new CEO has demanded. Some have juicy bits. Some have round bits.” Thor poked Alex in the gut with one finger. “Some are scrawny like you.”

Scrawny. Just how Alex loved to be described. “My place is behind the scenes, planning. Not in front of the camera.”

“Okay, okay,” Thor said, releasing him. “If you say so.”

“I say so,” Alex murmured.

“How much longer before models arrive?”

“They should be here momentarily. It shouldn’t take too long for them to be ready to shoot.”

“So, we have a few minutes?” Thor asked. “There’s something you need to see.”

“What do you need to show me?”

“Come, come,” Thor said, waving him past the wardrobe table and behind the extra trees.

Something told Alex not to go.

“It is a prop for the shoot,” Thor called from behind the trees.

I’m going to regret this. Against his better judgement, Alex followed Thor back and found the photographer holding a large red bow. He moved closer to Alex— too close —and smiled.

“You should let Thor shoot you in a private session. Thor could show you a whole other side of Alex.” He lifted the bow. “We use this to cover your downstairs…” He tossed the bow over a shoulder and grinned mischievously. “Unless we need no bow, and you want to show Thor all.”

Alex sighed. “I’m not interested in a private shoot or any alone time with you. I’ve made myself abundantly clear every time you’ve asked before.” He spun to leave, but somehow, Thor was somehow faster and blocked his only escape.

“I hear you and your boyfriend have recently split?” Thor asked, moving in closer.

Alex frowned. “Who told you that?”

“It is unimportant,” Thor said, leaning in close, as if he wanted to steal a kiss. He snaked a hand around Alex’s waist and tugged them together. “It is finally time for Alex and Thor to play.”

“Let me go, Thor.”

“You are so handsome, Alex. We would be like beautiful music together.”

“Stop,” Alex said, trying to get out of Thor’s grip. “ Please let me go.”

Thor didn’t allow him to escape. “We have already been playing this game for how many years now? Will they, or won’t they? You want Thor. All you have to do is ask.”

“I’m not asking,” Alex murmured. He wanted to scream. He wanted to fight. But there was no way he could make a scene with his entire team just feet away. He’d be humiliated. “I’m not interested.”

Thor didn’t release him. He was too strong. Too needy.

Too everything.

“You don’t have to be afraid of your feelings, Alex. Thor is charismatic, strong man. You are overwhelmed. Is okay. Thor will put you at ease.” Thor rubbed his shoulders.

“Stop,” Alex spat as forcefully as he could without others potentially hearing.

“You say stop, but you keep coming back to Thor. Over and over again.” Thor’s smile was shark-like. “You are drawn to Thor, just as Thor is drawn to you. Let it happen.”

Jonas’s earlier comment came back to haunt him. Had he caused this by continuing to hire the man? He could’ve changed photographers years ago and should have. He hadn’t. Just to save a little money. “I keep coming back because you’re a good photographer. Full stop. I’m not interested in you.” Alex leaned away from the man. “Please… can you back up?”

Instead of moving away, Thor lowered a hand and squeezed one of Alex’s asscheeks. “I could make you feel good, Alex. Just give me a chance. Please.” Thor nuzzled against his neck, his beard and mustache rough against Alex’s cheek. “I love you so much, Alex.”

On the other side of those trees was all the help Alex needed—yet he was too embarrassed to call for it. With both hands, he shoved against Thor’s chest as hard as he could, but there was no freeing himself. Thor was an immovable wall.

Panic clawed up Alex’s throat, making it harder to breathe as Thor continued to kiss his neck.

He struggled for air, lungs burning.

“Get the fuck off me!” he finally screamed, banging his hands against Thor’s chest. “Get the fuck off me!”

In a flash, Thor was gone, and Alex could breathe again. Only, Thor wasn’t gone. Their new Santa had Thor by the neck, pinned against the brick wall at the back of the studio. Alex stared at the man, grateful… and utterly embarrassed.

Alex’s gaze met those amber eyes, and the same tingling sensation washed over him, only much stronger. He let out a long, slow breath, mesmerized. He’s beautiful.

“Are you okay?” the model asked gently. The gentleness of his voice was in odd contrast to the hand that never left Thor’s throat.

“I’m fine… now,” Alex murmured. What was his name again? He remembered Jonas’s comment about Kris Kringle. Cryss. Thor’s eyes widened, his face growing redder by the second. “Don’t… Don’t hurt him. He’s not worth you getting into trouble for.”

“Predators like this only truly speak a language of violence,” Cryss said calmly. “They use their size and strength to bully and overpower their prey. They don’t understand words like no , or stop , or don’t touch me . So I’m speaking his language now. The one he understands.” Cryss turned to face Thor. “Allowing him to experience a little of what he just put you through. It doesn’t feel good to be overpowered and to be made to feel weak, does it, Thor?”

Thor’s face grew blood red as he gasped for air, clawing at Cryss’s hand. Alex glanced away and noticed Thor was a good three inches off the ground. How the hell was Cryss holding him up like that? Pure strength? They were roughly the same size. Cryss was a few inches taller, but Thor had at least fifty pounds on the man, if not more.

“What a name you have. Thor. A god’s name. You clearly don’t deserve it,” Cryss murmured to Thor before finally releasing him.

Thor fell to the floor on his hands and knees, gasping for air. Cryss knelt beside Thor, silently waiting. For what, Alex wasn’t sure. Once Thor seemed to breath easier, Cryss tapped the man on the shoulder. Thor scrambled back, fear in his eyes.

“Apologize to Alex,” Cryss murmured.

Alex wasn’t sure how the man knew his name. But the sound of it sliding of his lips had sent shivers up Alex’s spine. The tingling grew, a ringing sounding in his ears.

“I’m sorry,” Thor whispered roughly to Cryss as he rubbed his neck.

“Not to me. To him,” Cryss said, pointing at Alex.

Thor turned to Alex and glared. “I’m sorry.”

“Did you just scowl at him?” Cryss asked. “Do it again. Better this time.”

“I already said I was sorry, man,” Thor said, his voice raw and rough.

It was then that Alex realized Thor’s accent wasn’t as thick and he’d dropped speaking of himself in the third person. Not only had Cryss knocked him down a peg, but down a full tense. He fought a smile at that thought.

“Do. It. Again,” Cryss repeated, the coldness in his voice sending another shiver down Alex’s spine.

Thor stared at Cryss a moment before his gaze whipped to Alex. The glare was gone. “I’m sorry.”

“Better,” Cryss said. He rose to his full height and offered Thor a hand. Miraculously, Thor took it and clumsily climbed to his feet. He attempted to leave the small corner, but Cryss stopped him with a hand to the chest. Cryss turned his focus to Alex. “Would you like to press charges against this man?”

“No,” Alex murmured. “That’s not necessary.”

“It’s your lucky day,” Cryss said to Thor, lowering his hand. “He’s much nicer than I am.”

Thor glanced at Alex.

It was then that Alex realized what he’d done. They needed the photographs and video for the campaign. Time was ticking. “I hope we can forget this, move past it, and on with the shoot, Thor.”

“You can forget the shoot,” Thor grumbled, pushing past Cryss.

“Fuck,” Alex said, shoving a hand through his hair. They were already two months late, and he’d just lost them their photographer and studio.

Jonas rushed behind the trees and looked between him and Cryss. “Alex? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, but we just lost Thor.”

“I know. He just told everyone to pack it up and get out,” Jonas murmured.

“The set designers spent all night setting that up only to break it down? We can’t afford to set it up again and pay for another studio and photographer.” Alex’s chest tightened, the world spinning around him. “I’m going to get fired for this. Why didn’t I listen to you and hire another photographer?” He started to hyperventilate. “What the fuck do I do now?”

“Have you already paid for Thor’s services?” Cryss asked, his voice low.

Jonas eyed Cryss. “We paid for the studio time and his fees—which we’ll likely never get back.”

Alex shook his head, gasping for breath. “Tell everyone to hold and wait for word. Don’t tear it down. I’ll go try and convince Thor to finish the shoot somehow.”

“No. You’re not. You will not go to that man and beg him for anything after what he just did to you,” Cryss murmured. “Wait here.”

“What? No… I appreciate your help, but I don’t need you to fight any more of my battles. I got myself into this mess. Now I need to get myself out of it.” His chest was tight. Too tight. He was starting to spin out into a panic attack. He hadn’t had one in many years, but he remembered the sensation all too well. He’d gotten them often in his teens and early twenties.

Cryss walked closer and gently took his face in both hands before whispering. “Breathe, Alex. Just breathe.”

Alex clutched Cryss’s wrist as if they were a lifeline. He couldn’t get air into his lungs. The burning in his chest intensified.

“Breathe with me,” Cryss said. “You can do it.” He inhaled deep, held it, and exhaled slowly.

Alex tried and failed.

“Again,” Cryss murmured before breathing deep.

Alex attempted and got a little air in.

“Better,” Cryss said with a soft smile. “Another…”

Cryss continued to coach him until his breathing eventually grew a little easier. “You’re safe and all will be well. Just keep breathing for me, okay?”

Alex nodded, a bit woozy after the panic attack.

Cryss eyed Jonas. “Could you please get him some water?”

“Sure thing,” Jonas murmured as their gaze cut between them, frowning slightly. They left a few seconds later.

Cryss released his face, and Alex immediately missed the man’s touch. Not for long, though. Cryss reached up and swiped his thumb over Alex’s cheek and then the other. Alex lifted a hand to his face and realized tears had fallen during his panic attack. Cryss continued to gently wipe the tears away. He stared up into the man’s face, captivated.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous.” Alex’s eyes widened as he realized he’d said his thought out loud. “Forget I said that. I didn’t mean it. It was inappropriate.” Alex noticed then that he was leaning in against the big man and backed away.

Cryss watched him closely.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry,” Alex murmured.

“Why are you sorry?”

“What I said… and that you had to intervene and see all that.” Alex brushed his hands down his thighs, his throat dry.

Jonas reappeared with a water bottle. Scott followed them with a director’s chair. He set it up beside Alex and stepped back.

Alex sat and took the bottle from Jonas’s hand. “Thank you.” He drained a good third of it and focused on breathing steadily. “I have to convince Thor to finish this shoot. I’ll find us someone else for the next one, I swear, but… we won’t have a holiday campaign without Thor.” He chuckled and focused on Jonas. “This is your chance to tell me told you so.”

“Nope. Not going to do that, Boss,” Jonas said softly, rubbing his upper arm. “Are you feeling better?”

“Cryss thankfully talked me through that panic attack,” Alex said, looking to the side, but Cryss was gone. “I’m shaky, but okay. Can one of you go find where Thor is? And try to get him to stay long enough for me to talk to him?”

“On it,” Scott said before he raced off.

Alex pressed the cold bottle against his forehead for a minute as Jonas rubbed his shoulder, trying to settle his nerves. He was so embarrassed that half his team and the models had witnessed part of that. He’d been so sure Thor would never cross that line that he’d convinced himself he’d be okay. Alex was far from okay. He was stunned and humiliated. He didn’t want to step out from behind the plastic Christmas trees and have them stare at him, but he’d need to get his shit together and fix the mess he’d created to save the holiday campaign.

“Ah, Jonas?” Scott said over the walkie.

Jonas grabbed their walkie. “Go for Jonas.”

“Can you and Alex come to the second-floor landing? Like now?”

Alex lifted his gaze to Jonas, frowning. He rose from the chair and walked to the edge of the trees but paused a moment. He drew in a deep breath and walked out, feeling the weight of everyone’s stare. He kept his gaze down, face heated, and rushed out to the doorway to the stairwell where Scott rested, eyes wide. Alex approached, confused. “What’s going on?”

Scott pointed to the left.

Alex poked his head out into the stairwell to see Thor’s assistant, Cryss, and a stranger who was as big and imposing as Cryss. He moved closer to the trio. “What’s going on?”

Cryss turned to face him. “Thor has graciously agreed to allow you to use his studio for the agreed upon time today and tomorrow. He will not be photographing though, but his assistant here is a very accomplished photographer himself and he’s willing to step in and get the job done. My friend Qylar has offered his services to help our new photographer or in any other way that he can. You can do your shoot, get what you need, and not lose your or anyone else’s job.”

Alex’s gaze flipped to Thor’s assistant. “Where’s Thor?”

“U-upstairs,” the assistant said, his face pale.

Alex eyed Cryss. “What did you do to Thor?”

“Nothing,” Cryss replied, smiling broadly. “Other than negotiate a peaceful solution to your problem.”

Alex wasn’t convinced, but he wasn’t going to ask more questions. The less he knew, the better, perhaps. Why Cryss had felt the need to intervene again, he didn’t know, but he wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. They’d get their shots and be done with Thor forever. There was one question he couldn’t avoid, though. He eyed Thor’s assistant. “You’re good? Thor level good?”

“I take most of the pictures now,” the assistant said. “I did your last two shoots, in fact. Thor just floats around and tells the models what to do while I handle the camera. I might need a little help with positioning of the models and what it is you need, but I can handle the technical side.”

“I can be Thor,” Jonas said. “I know exactly what we need to shoot.”

“That would be great, Jonas.” Alex offered his hand to the assistant. “I’m afraid I don’t remember your name.”

“Mickey,” the assistant shook Alex’s hand.

“Well, Mickey, you’re saving us right now. Thank you,” Alex said.

“Let’s get going. We’re burning daylight, people,” Jonas said, clapping their hands. “Cryss, we need you in wardrobe and then hair and makeup. Mickey, take Qylar and go set up your cameras. Get ready for a long day of shooting.” Jonas turned to Alex as the other three reentered the studio. They handed Alex their walkie. “You go set up in one of the director’s chairs in front of the monitor. You’re on supervisor duty today. If you need something changed, you yell for me to change it. Just give me a couple of minutes to grab another walkie before you call e.”

“I’m fine, Jonas. You don’t have to handle me.”

“Alex… you were just attacked and then had a panic attack on the heels of it. Your face is white as a sheet and your eyes are wide, the pupils dilated. You should go home, but I know full well you won’t. At the very least, take an hour and just chill. For me. Please.”

Alex fought the sting to the backs of his eyes. “Okay. I’ll take thirty.”

“I can handle things,” Jonas said. “I’ve watched the amazing Alex Parker for the past three years. Your team of professionals is well trained and knows what you expect. If there’s something you don’t like and need changed, you have the walkie. Stop micromanaging everything, Trevor.”

“Ouch,” Alex said, cringing.

“Let us do what you’ve trained us to do,” Jonas said.

“Okay, okay,” Alex murmured. He followed Jonas back into the studio and climbed into one of the director’s chairs at the edge of the set, watching as everyone rushed here and there, feeling guilty and lazy for not helping in some way. But as he sat there, he saw the confidence of his team and had to smile.

From the corner of his eye, he noticed someone walking his way. When he turned to the side, Cryss was marching closer in only a red NearlyNaked brief with a thin white faux fur edge to it, carrying some kind of Grecian column. Alex sat up a little straighter, the sight of all that bare, perfect flesh taking his breath away. Cryss silently set the column beside Alex, spun, and walked away.

Alex frowned, confused. Until Cryss returned thirty seconds later with four water bottles and a plate in his hand. As he approached, Alex’s gaze drifted down to the bulge in Cryss’s briefs and swallowed. The briefs were way too small. They fit Cryss’s waist and legs fine—but Alex wasn’t sure the television censors would green light any commercial for TV with how little they were leaving for the imagination. Cryss paused beside the column and stood the bottles on the flat top of it. It was the perfect height to use as a small table.

Cryss sat the small plate beside the water bottles. “Plenty to drink and some fruit, cheese, and crackers, in case you want something to eat,” Cryss said. He smiled capturing Alex’s gaze.

The tingling sensation was back. Alex dragged in a breath, his heart pounding faster. The desire to move closer to the man screamed in his head for some reason. “Who are you?”

Cryss gave him a bemused smile. “Someone who wants to ensure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” Alex murmured. “I can take care of myself. You don’t have to keep doing this.”

“Of course you can take care of yourself.” Cryss shrugged. “But sometimes, we all need a break and could use a little pampering.” He lifted his thumb and forefinger, almost touching. “Just a little.”

Alex blinked a few times, his heart quickening. The tingling spread, his fingers almost growing numb from it.

Cryss lifted a hand to Alex’s cheek and rubbed his forefinger over it in a featherlight caress. Alex’s breath caught, captured in Cryss’s stare.

“Mine,” whispered through Alex’s head. The tingling turned into a roar at that word. His lips parted as a hunger he couldn’t explain washed over him, pulsing in his very blood.

A hint of a smile came to Cryss’s lips. Lips that Alex was suddenly desperate to feel on his.

“Soon, Alex,” Cryss murmured.

“Soon, what?”

Cryss chuckled before walking back toward wardrobe.

Alex stared at Cryss’s retreating back, his body feeling oddly out of place. His skin was too tight or his body too something. He rested back in the chair, the thundering of his blood and the tingling overwhelming. He was thankful for Jonas taking over because he wasn’t sure he was in the right frame of mind to lead his team.

“Jonas for Alex.”

Alex swallowed past the knot in his throat and lifted the walkie. “Alex.”

“I know what we discussed, but the set designers are ready for a last walk through while the whole team’s still here. Care to join Scott and me?”

“Absolutely,” Alex said, thankful for something else to focus on than his odd physical and emotional responses to their Santa. “But we need a quick chat before we do that. I’m on my way to you.”

Jonas met him on the edge of the set without Scott. “What’s up?”

“I just saw Cryss.” Alex’s face warmed. “We need to get him in a larger pair of briefs.”

Jonas winced. “We tried moving him up, but they were way too big in the legs and waist. They looked so bad, Alex.”

“The wardrobe toolkit should have needle and thread—Hector’s made minor spot fixes before.”

“I suggested the same,” Jonas said. “Hector said this was beyond a minor fix and out of his skill level. They’d need to redesign the underwear completely.”

“There’s no way we’ll get that monster past the television censors,” Alex murmured.

Jonas fought a grin. “I assumed we could ask the graphic designers to… hide it a bit in post.”

“With what little time we have to finish this campaign, adding more work on top of everything else feels almost cruel.” Alex sighed. “But I guess we’ll have to go that route. We’ll have to carefully pick the video clips we use for the commercials. We can get away with a little more on social media and magazines.”

“I’ll make note of that,” Jonas said. “Ready for the walkthrough?”

They joined Scott, who was waiting for them center stage. It didn’t take them long to survey the setup. There were three separate smaller sets all clustered along the corners of the studio—Santa’s sleigh, a group of decorated trees, and a spot that looked like Santa’s workshop. All were perfectly decorated, nearly identical to the sketches he’d sent over to them. Colored and white lights were everywhere, and a thick carpet of fake snow covered the floor. Alex asked for a few minor changes and tweaks. Jonas and Scott caught a couple other possible issues. The set decorators jumped into action and had fixes for all within minutes.

“Do you see any potential issues, Mickey?” Alex asked, turning to their photographer.

“I don’t think so?” the younger man said, shrugging.

That didn’t inspire hope in Alex, but Mickey was all he had. Alex’s gaze flicked to Qylar’s a moment, noticing the man stared at him in almost the same compelling way Cryss did. Only Alex didn’t have the same reaction to Qylar as he did Cryss. His gaze drifted back to Mickey. “Well, if you notice something’s not working, please tell Jonas or me.”

“Sure thing,” Mickey replied with a smile.

“I’m going to go check on our models and see how much longer until they’re ready,” Scott said before excusing himself. “We’re almost an hour late and need to get rolling.”

Alex’s gaze drifted to the edge of the set and found Cryss hanging out with a few of the other models, talking casually with them. He seemed to sense Alex’s stare. His gaze flicked to the side and caught Alex’s. Unable to stop himself, Alex lowered his focus. Wardrobe had added black, calf-length leather boots and a Santa hat for Cryss. The rest of him made Alex breathless all over again. Muscles in all the right places and miles of unblemished skin he longed to explore up close. Alex’s face burned when he lifted his gaze back to Cryss’s.

He's going to break the internet.

I want him to break me.

Cryss’s chin rose, and his eyes turning molten and going half lidded, as if he’d read Alex’s thoughts and had the same wants. Alex couldn’t take his eyes off the man, trapped in some kind of enchantment.

“The gays are going to go gaga over him,” Jonas murmured, breaking the spell. “Hell, I’m a lesbian and I’d consider a night in his bed if he asked nicely. Scratch that. He wouldn’t even have to ask nicely.”

Alex focused on Jonas. “I didn’t realize nonbinary people might identify as a lesbian.”

“I’m of a mind that folks’ labels are their own and they can pick whatever feels right to them, so if an enby told me they were a lesbian, it’s all good.”

“Ah, noted,” Alex replied.

“But also, I came out as trans a few months ago. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you or not,” Jonas said. “I know you don’t really like crossing personal into professional.”

“This is a matter of who you are, Jonas. You’re still you whether you’re in your personal or professional space. It’s not one or the other. I’m sorry you didn’t feel comfortable telling me sooner.”

“It’s not that I was un comfortable. You’ve always been a supportive, nonjudgmental boss. I mean, look at me. I’m gender chaos, yet you’ve never treated me with disrespect or scorn like some gay men I know. I just… wasn’t sure you’d want me to share.”

Alex frowned, disappointed in himself that he’d given off a vibe that made Jonas so hesitant. “Things like that, I want you to share.”

“Okay,” Jonas replied, smiling.

“So, she/her now?” Alex asked.

Jonas scowled. “Do you know how hard it was to get folks accustomed to they/them? My dad is still working on it, but bless him, he is trying the best he can and for that, I love him. No way am I switching on him now, so I’m fine with either they/them for now.”

“Well, if that changes, you let me know,” Alex said. “And congratulations.”

Jonas smiled softly. “Thank you.” They turned to face the models. “What I said about you and your tech bro clothes? Forget I said anything, okay? You’re obviously doing just fine.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cryss can’t take his eyes off you, so he’s obviously digging poorly dressed Alex.”

Alex’s face warmed. “He’s probably one of those gays that likes taking care of birds with broken wings. Once he realizes I just had a bad day and I’ve usually got my shit together, I’m sure he’ll lose interest.”

“I suppose we’ll see.” Jonas eyed him. “By my calculations, you still have some time left in the chair.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No. I just… I wanna show you what I’ve learned spending all my time in your shadow,” Jonas said. “I can’t do that if you take over before I’ve had my chance to shine.”

“You shine every single day, Jonas.”

Jonas grinned.

Alex took a deep breath, his gaze once again dragged to Cryss’s. The roaring of his blood and tingles started again. He broke the stare and scrubbed his face with both hands. “I think I will take a seat and supervise. You’ve got this.”

“Yesss, Boss,” Jonas said with a delighted smile.

Alex returned to his seat, opened another water since he had no idea what he’d done with the first, and snagged a cracker. He hadn’t eaten breakfast, so maybe that was what was causing the tingling and roaring sensations. Deep down, he knew it wasn’t that. It was Cryss. How it was Cryss, that he didn’t know. But he ate the cracker anyway, to get something on his stomach and hopefully settle his nerves.

“Models walking…” Jonas’s voice rang over the walkie. “Alex, let me know what you’re seeing on the screen and if you want us to adjust the lighting.”

“Will do,” Alex said into his walkie. He sat back from his vantage point, seeing both the live action and the monitor that would give them an idea what the finished shots might look like. He scanned the monitor and realized the lighting wasn’t quite right. He lifted the walkie. “Alex for Jonas."

"Yes, Boss?”

“Who’s handling lighting?” Alex asked.

“That would be me,” Scott responded.

“Can you bring the reflector illuminating the left of the workshop down a bit?” Alex asked.

“Sure thing,” Scott replied.

Once it was adjusted, Alex smiled. “Much better, thank you.” Cryss walked on set, followed by Jonas, who gave him stage direction. Once they were done and Cryss was in position, Jonas did the same for the elves in the shot. Alex settled in the chair. Watching Cryss on screen was easier than doing it in real life. He wouldn’t get caught appreciating what he was seeing.

Cryss lifted his gaze to the camera, and it was as if he’d could see Alex through the lens. Alex’s skin burned, the tingling growing again. Alex swallowed another lump, wondering if he could make it through the two days without making a fool of himself over Cryss.