Page 4 of Chosen: The Lenkov Journals

Theo

Theo had signed up for the lecture given by a local billionaire tech mogul over two weeks ago and couldn’t miss it. Reservations for seats in the large auditorium had been filled within the first hours of the lecture being announced. If he hadn’t been lost and asking a professor for directions, Theo would probably have heard of the lecture too late. Instead, he’d been the first name on the sign-up list.

Luckily, the lecture didn’t cost anything, and Theo had been excited about it. That was of course before the constant feeling of being followed. Going to and from classes, the library, dining hall, even the laundry room, Theo swore he was being watched. His cat was on edge, and he hadn’t shifted in a few weeks, which wasn’t helping. At night as he tried to sleep, his dreams were filled with images of two men and him.

Theo was losing his fucking mind!

He couldn’t miss this lecture though.

Slipping inside the door, he spotted a seat in the back row off to the side. Perfect! He hurried over and dropped into the chair as other students filed inside, trying to get as close to the stage as possible.

Having their own billionaire genius who had not only lived in the same city but had attended this very university was a source of pride. Theo didn’t have any interest in the tech world, but he knew this was a chance in a lifetime. To learn anything from Dario Foster was every student’s dream.

Theo kept his head down as the auditorium filled quickly. They still had another twenty minutes until start time. Pulling out his phone, Theo checked his messages. He’d volunteered for an extra shift at the coffee shop that evening, giving his co-worker Warren a chance to take his girlfriend on a date. Warren had promised to cover any shift that Theo needed him to, but Theo needed the extra cash. Money was really starting to get tight. Even though he’d saved for two years to attend university, Theo hadn’t planned for everything as well as he thought.

It didn’t help that he was doing extra laundry because of the intense dreams he was having about two men. Two men that Theo had absolutely no business having sexy dreams about. Even worse, it wasn’t just Theo and one of the men. The dreams had turned weird, and Theo was finding himself sandwiched between the two men quite frequently in the late-night fantasies. His imagination had never been so descriptive before. Theo hadn’t even seen porn on his laptop as hot as what he’d been dreaming about.

He returned his phone to his backpack front pocket as the lights flickered.

Slouching down in his seat, Theo settled in to listen to the guest speaker and hopefully learn something important. Something that would help him decide on what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.

Introductions were made about the lecture by Professor Blake. Of course, seeing his professor up on the stage made Theo think about the white-haired stranger. Professor Blake had to know him. Theo had checked out the university website of all instructors to find the name of the stranger haunting his dreams. No one had matched Theo’s memory. That hair, those eyes, Theo would recognize the features anywhere. The white-haired stranger was still a mystery.

Another ten minutes passed as a different professor than Blake spoke about what they should be listening to in the lecture, but the excitement started to build.

Theo was gripping his knees as the main guest was announced.

Static built around him as the most gorgeous man Theo had ever seen stepped onto the stage. Theo had seen pictures of Dario Foster previously in magazines and news articles, but the photos had not done the man any justice. In real life, Dario Foster was Theo’s wet dream come true. Okay, maybe one of his wet dreams. Theo was having quite a few of them lately.

Dario Foster was tall. He stood over a head taller than the professor that had announced his name. That had to put the billionaire at least six foot six or so. He towered over the other men on the stage.

Theo found himself leaning forward as Dario raised the microphone to his mouth.

“Hello, everyone.”

Theo covered his mouth with the palm of his hand as he whimpered.

That voice, that deep, dark voice. Theo could swear that he’d heard it in his dreams.

Dario Foster had golden, tan skin as he stood in dark-washed jeans and a white button-up shirt. The sleeves of the shirt were rolled up, showing off thick veiny forearms. Theo wished he were closer so he could see the golden gaze that peered out at all of them.

The man’s golden locks brushed his shoulders as he turned his head and smiled out onto the crowd.

Seated at the back, Theo regretted the decision to be so far away. He actually had to lock his knees to stop himself from leaping to his feet and running toward the golden beauty. And beautiful Dario Foster was. Theo had never in his life thought of another man as beautiful until that moment.

Whatever Dario was saying was completely lost on Theo as he fought not only his body’s reaction, but inside his cat had come to life. The normally sedate feline was at full attention, clawing for Theo to let him out and play.

This was not good.

Theo hadn’t lost control of his cat since he’d first hit puberty and had been scared into his first shift. Luckily, one of the workers at the group home had known what he was and explained to Theo what was going on.

Even young and afraid, Theo hadn’t been so out of control.

Grimacing, Theo fought with all his might to remain in human form. He could not shift. He could not shift. He breathed in and out, using every trick that he’d ever learned, until his cat finally yowled and backed down. Keeping his eyes closed, Theo concentrated on the smooth bass of Dario Foster’s voice. The words didn’t matter.It was the confidence and poise he heard that called to him.

As suddenly as he’d started to fight, Theo’s body relaxed. His cat stopped his battle to be let out and curled up content and happy.

Not knowing what was happening to him, Theo opened his eyes to get another look at Dario.

Dario Foster—there were buildings named after him on campus, including one of the residence halls. He’d made his mark on campus, but Theo was worried about the lingering need that pulsed through him. It wasn’t like he would ever have a chance with a man like Dario Foster.

Theo was just one young manamong thousands on campus. He didn’t stand out in any way. His red hair was flat, his green eyes were probably his best feature but since he often kept his head down, he didn’t even get noticed for them. Theo wore secondhand clothes that he got for cheap from thrift stores and he was nerdy. He might not have the glasses but he was nerdy just the same. Still, even as nerdy as he came across, Theo wasn’t even that smart.

He was no genius. Not like Dario Foster.

Theo was just Theo. Plain, boring, and nothing special at all.

Dario Foster probably had men and women of all ages throwing themselves at him. He dated models, actors, both men and women, from what Theo remembered reading about the man. He was one of the first openly bisexual billionaires to grace them with his presence. When he’d admitted to being bisexual, it had been a huge thing. Theo had barely been in his early teens but even he remembered how big a deal it had been.

Women had wept, men had been excited, Theo’s foster dad had ranted—it was the time that Theo could remember wishing he was someone else. He wanted to be Dario Foster. Now that he’d seen the man? Yeah, he didn’t want to be Dario any longer. Theo just wanted to get as close to him as possible.

The presentation went on and Theo knew that he’d not only wasted his afternoon on something he didn’t even hear but he’d also added more questions to his overtaxed brain.

For someone that had no sexual experience, very few urges, and had been wondering if he could be asexual, he’d suddenly become a needy little bottom. So yes he was gay—that was nice to figure out—but why he was attracted to three very different men, Theo had no idea.

Maybe it had something to do with his shifter side? Were felines or shifters in general more sexually promiscuous? Shouldn’t someone have warned him? He hadn’t had many people to talk to about his shifter side. The few he found had moved away or Theo had been placed elsewhere before he could learn what he needed. For the most part, Theo used old stories, mythology, and his instincts for his shifter side of things.

He was thankful that the cat inside him was small and didn’t usually push him too far. His cat couldn’t help him now though. Nothing and no one was around to explain to him why he’d grown so sexually frustrated lately. Did he need to have sex? Would that fix things?

Just thinking about being intimate with another person had his stomach twisting in knots. Theo wasn’t ready to be that vulnerable with anyone. Even if his dreams constantly plagued him with things he had no actual knowledge of.

And here he was, sitting in an auditorium thinking about sex when he should be trying to learn something!

Another failure when it came to college.

Flopping back in his seat, Theo was glad the overwhelming arousal had passed, but he was sad again. He’d so wanted college to be the amazing experience he’d built it up to be.

Dario continued to speak on stage as Theo considered sneaking out. He could show up early for the shift he was covering at the coffee shop and have his free drink. Not that Theo had the nerve to get up in the middle of a lecture and escape. That might draw attention to himself. He hated any sort of attention.

No, he would sit there and just pray for this torture to end soon.

At least he had something pretty to look at, he thought with a smile.

Dario was walking toward his section as he waved his hand while speaking with excitement.

Theo looked up in time that he caught the full pleasure of seeing those golden eyes. They appeared locked on him even though Theo knew it was impossible. There was no way that Dario Foster could see into the darkness to pick him out of the crowd. Their gazes weren’t locked—it must have just seemed that way.

Dario stopped mid-sentence as his hand dropped to his side.

Goodness, but he was just the most gorgeous man Theo had ever laid eyes on. Theo licked his suddenly dry lips, wishing he’d brought a bottle of water. He was going to have to remember to keep a bottle in his backpack. He’d been getting caught without a drink too often.

On the stage, Dario stared into the darkness—not at Theo, that was crazy thinking—before he shook his head and laughed.

Goosebumps broke out over Theo’s arms at the sound. It was a great laugh. One he’d like to hear in his ear as he was curled up on the older man’s lap.

“My apologies,” Dario said into the microphone. “It seems I’ve lost my train of thought.” He turned away and Theo felt cold without that hot gaze directed at him.

No! Not at him. If just having the man’s gaze in the vicinity of his direction had paralyzed Theo, then he had no hope of actually ever talking to the man. Theo was being silly. So silly.

Dario crossed the stage to swallow some water and speak to someone out of view. When he turned back to the crowd of students, he smiled with blinding straight white teeth. He began to speak again. This time Theo could follow as Dario discussed the business he ran while still in college. Dario was facing away from him and Theo’s heart throbbed quickly at just the thought that he’d see that golden gaze again.

He didn’t. Dario didn’t return to his side of the stage. Pity. And both too soon and not soon enough the lecture was ending and Professor Blake and the professor who’d announced Dario were joining Dario on the stage.

As they wrapped up the lecture, Theo gripped the strap of his backpack. At least being in the rear of the lecture hall should allow him to make a quick exit. He needed to hurry across the campus to be on time to relieve Warren.

There was a small meet and greet after the lecture, but it wasn’t for students to attend. Not that Theo would ever go to something like that but he wouldn’t mind keeping to the shadows to watch the beautiful man.

Finally, the lights came up and Theo darted for the door. He made his way in front of the other students as they spoke excitedly about the lecture they’d just sat through. From what Theo picked up, it had been a great lecture. Too bad he’d missed most of it.

Out in the hall, Theo swung his backpack over his shoulder as someone grabbed his arm.

He yelped then froze at the touch. No one touched him. Not ever. He was getting used to his roommate throwing an arm around his shoulders or patting his back, but Ethan was at an away game.

Turning his head, he was surprised to meet the brown eyes of a guy about his age.Short like Theo. Not intimidating in any way.

“Hey, there,” the guy said with a smile. “I’m Ferguson Anthony.”

The name didn’t mean anything to him. He gently but firmly moved his arm from the other man’s grip.

“Oh sorry,” Ferguson said sheepishly. “You were booking it fast out of there. I almost didn’t catch up to you.”

“Did you need something?” Theo asked cautiously.

Ferguson frowned. He smelt like magic. Not like shifter magic but something else. Theo wished he had more knowledge. “No, yes, yes I did. There’s a small party for Dario Foster and the other guests. Would you like to come?”

“Uh.” Theo stepped away. Was this man asking him out? Sure, Ferguson was cute, but he was totally not Theo’s type. Hell, until a week ago Theo didn’t even know he had a type. “Sorry, I can’t.” He took another step back.

“No!” Ferguson said quickly. “I wasn’t asking you out or anything.”

“O…okay.” This was weird.

“I mean, you’re cute and everything.” Ferguson waved his hand. “Not that it matters. I mean matters to me. It matters…” He trailed off before mumbling in another language, one Theo didn’t recognize. “I’m messing this up. Can you just come to the party? Like I said, it’s small. Just drinks as everyone talks about the lecture.”

“I really can’t.” He wouldn’t even if he could. “I have to get to work.”

“Work?” Ferguson’s frown deepened. “Now?”

“Yes.” Theo tried to call on his patience. He didn’t owe this guy an explanation.

“But…” Ferguson actually looked sad.

Maybe he was just trying to make friends. He couldn’t be much older than Theo. If he was a student, maybe he had hoped to find friends as much as Theo. Hellcats, Theo hated letting the guy down. He seemed nice.

“I work at the coffee shop on campus. I'm covering the end of a shift for someone so they can go on a date. I promised. Sorry, but I can’t go to your party.” Should he offer Ferguson his phone number? No, that was too forward. Of course, so was Ferguson asking him to this party.

Ferguson perked up. “Coffee shop?”

Theo found himself smiling. “Yes, it’s across from the student union.”

“So you’ll be there later tonight?” Ferguson pressed.

He found himself shrugging. Theo wanted to make friends, but this interaction seemed off. “Until we close at ten.”

“Great, awesome, good.” Ferguson was bouncing on his toes now.

He sure was an excitable dude.

“Maybe we’ll stop by then. Thanks.” Ferguson turned away then spun again. “What’s your name?”

“Theo Bailey.” He was surprised enough to answer.

“Thanks, Theo Bailey. We’ll probably see you later.” Ferguson was darting away before Theo could form a proper goodbye or ask any questions.

Who was we?

It was official. His life was just weird.

* * * * *

About half an hour before closing, things always died off and work was boring. Theo was the only one left as they rarely did much business after nine on the weekdays. Professors were gone and students were usually settled with plans for the night. Theo didn’t mind this time in his shift even though he’d heard all his other co-workers complain.

He liked being in the homey coffee shop late.

It wasn’t completely empty. There were two guys sharing one table as they had been for the last twenty minutes. The shorter dark-haired guy with glasses kept looking up at the blond jock who sat reading a comic book. No joke, the jock was reading a comic book as the nerdy dude had a schoolbook open in front of him.

Theo could swear that he was inside one of those gay new adult novels that he liked to indulge in every once in a while as the nerd couldn’t stop glancing at the jock while the jock acted like he wasn’t watching the nerd right back.

Are they friends? Roommates? In his mind, he made up the story that they were roommates who were sexually attracted to each other. As Theo wiped up spilled coffee at a table across the room, he could almost picture the story.

They’d been roomed together and had instantly gotten off on the wrong foot. Maybe the jock was a slob. Or the nerd was so uptight that he drove the jock crazy. They would argue and fight and deep down they totally wanted to bone. It was obvious to everyone around them but themselves. Maybe the jock was out. Or maybe he wasn't gay. Oh! That would add a twist. It could be a gay for you or first-time gay kind of novel.

Anyway, the jock really wanted to kiss the nerd, but he couldn’t get up the nerve. Yes. That was it. It was going to have to be the nerd that made the first move. Theo liked that twist.

Maybe the nerd had lots of sexual experiences, much to the jock’s dismay. The jock didn’t know how he would fare against all the other men the nerd had been with. Not that the nerd was a slut. There would be no slut shaming in Theo’s mental story. Nope, sex was not something that the nerd should be ashamed of.

He felt kind of bad that he kept thinking about them as the nerd and the jock. Theo knew better than anyone that labels were stupid and demeaning. He tried to think if he’d heard them call each other anything, but they hadn’t really said much. Not even to each other.

Mentally apologizing for the labels, Theo went back to his story.

So the jock should be at a party at his frat house. No, that wasn’t right. If the jock was in a fraternity, then he wouldn’t be sharing the room with the nerd. That would ruin the storyline. Huh, this was harder than he thought. Okay, so no party at the frat house. Maybe the nerd had said he was going to get a coffee before he got back to studying. Yeah, that was better. The nerd had been studying for hours and he needed caffeine. But his roommate, the jock, didn’t want the nerd to leave the room. He liked having the nerd all to himself, so he invited himself to get coffee with the nerd.

This was not working. They needed names. Theo really didn’t like thinking of them as nerd and jock. He looked like a nerd but he really wasn’t. Ethan was a jock but he was also friendly and nice.

Theo would give them names! Yes, that would work. It wasn’t like they’d know that Theo named them. What should he call the jock? No, not jock, the blond, the big, buff blond. Chad? No. Drake? No, he didn’t look like a Drake. Todd! He could totally be a Todd. Now for Todd’s smaller friend. Who did he look like?

Finishing the table, Theo moved to the next. It was the last one he needed to clean.

Name, name, name. Stewart? Hellcats, that was terrible. Theo should never be in charge of naming anyone or anything. Scott, Steve, Sam? And what was with the S names? Oh well, it probably didn’t matter. Sam would work.

Todd and Sam. Those were the names of a cute couple.

Pleased with himself, Theo finished wiping down the last dirty table before returning behind the counter.

Now back to the story. Todd had followed Sam out of the dorm to the local campus coffee shop, determined to spend more time with the little guy that had caught his attention. Ohhh, what if they were into kink? Like…like…Daddy—

The chime above the door chirped and Theo turned his head.

“Made it!” Ferguson practically sang as he danced inside.

Theo checked the clock above the espresso machine. Ten minutes before closing. He mentally groaned. He had cleaned the machines since Sam and Todd already had their drinks and were just hanging out. He hadn’t expected more customers.

“Fergie!” A sharp bark and Theo nearly tripped over his own feet. As he stood still. With nothing around him and not even moving. That was how big of a dork he was. Theo clung to the counter to keep himself upright.

Dario Foster strolled into the coffee shop behind a dancing and giggling Ferguson. Dario’s golden eyes narrowed on the hyper little guy. He suddenly looked over to Theo. Dario smiled and Theo’s heartbeat quickened.

“Hello,” Dario said as he approached the counter that Theo really wanted to hide behind.

“Hi…” Theo had to clear his suddenly dry throat. “Welcome to The Daily Drip,” he greeted. “What can I get started for you today?”

Dario stopped at the counter, leaning forward. “I’m Dario Foster.”

Theo flushed. “Yes, sir, I’m aware.” Was Theo supposed to offer him free coffee or something? His manager had never said anything, but maybe his manager hadn’t predicted a visit from Dario Foster.

Dario’s smile wobbled then brightened. He breathed deeply.

That…that was mostly a shifter thing. As discreetly as he could, Theo also breathed in. Somewhere below the strong scent of coffee and sweetener, Theo could pick up something else. Shifter? Not any animal that Theo had come across before—not that he knew many smells.And his cock grew at the unbelievable scent of Dario, sweet, like cotton candy.

As his eyes widened, Dario’s smile grew. He leaned closer. “There you go, little one. You smell it now?”

He’d never been so blatantly asked before. “Umm, yes, sir?” Theo was in over his head. He just didn’t know the proper protocol for coming across another shifter. “Nice to meet you?”

“Oh, precious boy.” Dario practically purred. “It is entirely my pleasure.”

“You…I…” Theo found himself fidgeting. He glanced away and saw that they had the attention of Ferguson and both young men at the table. Hellcats! They were being watched. Theo hated being the center of attention.

Awareness filled Dario’s eyes and he nodded before barking something at Ferguson that Theo didn’t catch. Had that even been English? Theo didn’t think so.

“Right!” Ferguson clapped his hands. “Closing time!” He rushed over to Sam and Todd, or whatever the guys’ names really were.

Before Theo knew what was happening, Ferguson was helping the two guys collect their belongings and escorting them to the door before following them out. It just happened so fast and right in front of his eyes. And now Theo was all alone with Dario Foster.

“So…” Theo nervously played with his own fingers. “Did you want coffee or something?”

Dario looked over Theo’s shoulder. “It appears that you’ve already cleaned for the evening.”

“Sure, yeah, but it’s my job,” Theo told him. “If you want a coffee, I am still technically open for another five minutes.”

“I have a better idea,” Dario responded. “How about I take you out to dinner? Tonight? Tomorrow?”

“Dinner?” Theo repeated. “With me?” His brain did not compute.

“I would really like to take you to dinner,” Dario said.

“Why?” Theo blurted out. It was a stupid question, but he did not belong in the same world as Dario Foster.

“You really don’t know, do you?” Dario’s question was asked softly but gently. He captured Theo’s hands with his own.

“Know what?” Theo managed. Dario was touching him! Not quite holding his hands but he was…like…almost holding his hands!

“My sweet little one,” Dario said. “We have much to discuss. Have dinner with me, please.”

“I…I can’t.”

Dario stiffened as his grip tightened.

“I still have a paper to work on tonight for class tomorrow,” Theo explained. He had to put his studies ahead of whatever was happening.

“I understand.” Dario’s thumb rubbed against the pulse in Theo’s wrist. “You are unable but not unwilling?”

“No, I’m not unwilling.” That was a weird turn of phrase. It didn’t sound natural for Theo but he didn’t not want to go to dinner. He just didn’t understand why Dario was interested in him.

“Friday?” Dario asked.

“Su…sure.” He didn’t work Friday night. Heclosed on Saturday so didn’t have to be at work early in the morning. But dinner? On Friday? Could Theo even do that? Was he ready for dinner with another man? At least that would give him a few days to freak out.

“Wonderful!” Dario declared. “I will you pick you up. Might I have your phone number? We can talk until our date.”

It was definitely a date then. No room for miscommunication. “Yeah.” Theo had to draw his hands from Dario’s warm hold. He’d liked having his smaller hands in Dario’s larger ones. He reached under the counter and picked up his phone. Theo ignored the embarrassing fact that he had an old model. Not like the fancy smart phones that he was sure that Dario owned. He passed the cell over and Dario accepted it with a smile.

“I’ll send myself a text so we have each other’s numbers.”

“Okay.” Theo watched Dario’s long fingers tap until his phone was handed back over.

Their skin brushed as Theo accepted his cell and Dario closed his fingers around Theo’s.

“I am very much looking forward to our date. Friday. We’ll work out the details this week.” Dario lifted Theo’s hand to his lips before brushing a kiss over Theo’s fingers.

Theo closed his lips tightly over a whimper that wanted to escape.

“See you Friday, little one.”

“Friday,” Theo whispered as Dario disappeared out the door and away.

What exactly had he agreed to?