Free Can’t Hide My Love by Sara York Page B

but Brad kept his hand on Alec’s back and chest. “Really, I’m not interested.”
    “Shame.” Brad looked behind Alec and tsked his tongue. “I’m gambling that the sexy guy is your boyfriend from the scowl on his face.”
    Alec swung around, his breath catching at the anger he saw in Preston’s gaze. “Fuck.” Alec gathered up his things and shoved his computer into his bag.
    “He’s hot. Why don’t you ask him to join us?” Brad asked.
    “Are you kidding me? Can’t you see how pissed he is.”
    Brad shrugged and sat in Alec’s chair, taking a swig from his coffee and eating the last of his biscotti. “Too bad. We could have had fun.”
    Alec took off after Preston, hoping to catch up with him. His stomach twisted with worry. The anger he’d seen on Preston’s face scared him. He raced down the street and caught up with Preston about a hundred yards from his front door.
    “Hey, listen—”
    “Shut up. Just shut the fuck up,” Preston spit out the words, his voice low.
    “We need to talk.”
    “Why, so you can tell me how good he is?”
    A car drove past and then two people came out of their apartment and Preston cut him a look that would freeze hot tea. He shut his mouth, and followed Preston, hoping he would let him into his apartment.
    At the door, Alec didn’t hesitate. He didn’t want Preston to have any excuse not to admit him. The tension was thick between them and Alec didn’t want to say the wrong thing. With the door closed he expected Preston to light into him, but it took Preston a long moment before he spoke.
    “People are going to know I’m gay if you do shit like that.”
    Alec froze at the words. That wasn’t what he’d expected Preston to say. “What?”
    “You can’t be like that in public,” Preston said.
    “Like what?”
    “Kissing other men. You have to act straight.”
    Alec stared at the kitchen table, trying to figure out what the hell was wrong here. Preston wasn’t angry that he’d been kissing other men, but that he’d acted gay in public.
    “I can’t have people thinking I’m gay,” Preston growled.
    “So let me get this straight. You’re saying that as long as I act straight in public I can do whatever I want behind closed doors.”
    “Dammit, people will know I’m gay. I can’t be gay.”
    Anger pulsed through Alec. “You’re more concerned with what other people think than what I do.”
    “Yes—no. Fuck Alec, why can’t you understand?”
    “I understand perfectly fine.” Alec grabbed his bag and hefted it before turning to leave. He had his hand on the doorknob and the door open one inch when Preston came up behind him placing his hand on the door, slamming it closed.
    “Don’t go,” Preston whispered.
    “Why should I stay? You’re perfectly fine with some guy trying to pick me up but you’re pissed that I act gay in public. It fucking pisses me off that you’re more concerned with your image than anything else.”
    Preston stepped closer, his chest pressing against Alec’s back. For a moment Alec thought about pushing back and shoving Preston away, but he stayed still and focused on his breathing. Preston’s nose was at his neck, skimming over his skin, making him hot. He didn’t want to be turned on by Preston, not now.
    “When I saw him kiss you, I almost lost it. Fuck, Alec, those lips are mine, not his. Why did you let him kiss you?”
    Alec blew out his breath and pressed his hips back, grinding against Preston. “If you would have paid attention you would have seen that I didn’t let him.”
    “I don’t like him,” Preston growled.
    “Neither do I, that’s why I’m here and not with him. But you’re pissing me off.”
    “I’m sorry. I’m not out—”
    “But I am.”
    “I can’t be open, not yet. You need to give me time, I swear that I’ll get there, I’m just not ready.”
    “But you don’t want me to be myself?”
    “Alec, I’m sorry. I didn’t handle that well. Yes, I’m afraid, but really,