Page 4 of Fated Mates and How to Seduce Them (Fated Mates #4)

Ian choked. Cute? Him? He was in grey sweatpants, worn-in tennis shoes, and a T-shirt with a hole in the hem because it was laundry day and the only clean thing he had to wear.

Ian hadn’t even managed to shave the past two days, and André calling him cute while looking like a street model felt too bizarre.

Maybe the drug was still in André’s system and messing with his eyesight. It was the only plausible explanation.

“—you’re trustworthy, and believe me, that’s a rare thing in my life, and you’re really nice.

The fact you helped me and now you’re being so sweet to a stray kitten is proof of what kind of person you are.

You’re prime boyfriend material.” André stepped in closer, cobalt blue eyes like a caress over Ian’s face as he gave him a once-over.

The way his lips curved said he liked what he saw very much.

“Plus, you smell fuckalicious. Why would I pass on such a perfect opportunity?”

Oh, look! The road had even more warning signs. Some were now flashing neon.

Ian made his tone even firmer. “I’m aware of your reputation, André. Sorry, but I’m not interested. I don’t want trouble with your lovers. I’m flattered, but no thanks.”

Time to retreat. He knelt, grabbed his bag, gave Casper one more pet, and then swiftly left the area. André made a noise of protest, but he ignored that too.

Boyfriend? Him? Hell would have to ice over first.

André sulked.

He knew he was sulking, but dammit, he had reason to. Justification, even. He’d never been so firmly turned down, and it fucking rankled.

After his classes were done for the day, he’d retreated to the house. He sat on the couch with his laptop and scrolled through Ian’s Facebook page. Yes, André was stalking him on social media. No, he had no plan; he just didn’t know what else to do.

Felix dropped onto the couch next to him, a king at his leisure.

Felix was, in many ways, a second big brother he’d never wanted but was stuck with anyway.

That said, his actual older brother adored Felix to pieces, so André did his best to put up with him.

Most of the time. It helped that Felix was cute.

He was this bite-sized twink with ivory skin, soft blond hair he wore in a sweep over his forehead, and big blue eyes he used to his advantage.

Mostly against Benedict. Felix had been in his life for twenty years, so André viewed the man more like a bratty adopted brother he couldn’t quite shake.

“Who’s that?”

“Guy who saved me,” André answered distractedly. “Ian.”

“And you’re stalking him why?”

“I asked him out, and he turned me down. I’m trying to figure out why.”

“’Cause he’s smart, would be my guess.”

André flipped him off. Dammit, who called Felix over here anyway? Never mind neither Felix nor his brother lived here, instead sharing an apartment near campus.

“Felix,” Benedict chastised gently.

That’s all it took for Felix to settle down, no longer teasing.

André honestly didn’t know who was more whipped, Felix or his big brother.

He’d be utterly disgusted with both of them if he weren’t also jealous of their relationship.

Besides, he was happy for Benedict. He basically worshipped the ground Felix walked on, so it was nice to see him happy after two decades of pining.

Benedict came around the coffee table to sit with Felix.

His brother looked like he’d come in from a swim, his hair damp, or maybe he’d just taken a shower?

He wore only a tank top and shorts, showing off defined muscles.

Unlike André, Benedict bulked up easily.

Really, they were such opposite in looks, Benedict darker in coloring, so most assumed one of them had to be turned and not born to the family.

In truth, André took after his mother, Benedict their father.

His mother hailed from France, his father from Spain, so of course the children would reflect both nationalities.

Didn’t mean André couldn’t wish for a little genetic fairness.

The second Benedict sat on the couch, Felix immediately leaned back, cuddling against his side. It was all so fluidly done, one would suspect they practiced it.

“You asked Ian out?” Benedict inquired, also peeking at the screen.

“Yeah,” André answered heavily. “I don’t get why he turned me down.”

“Maybe he’s straight,” Benedict suggested.

“I mean, I did consider it, but I’ve also been told by several people that I can turn a straight man gay.”

Felix paused, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “How many supposedly straight men have you seduced, though?”

“Three,” André answered. Maybe a little smugly.

“Well, that does prove the theory, then.” Felix went back to snuggling.

Benedict’s eyes lifted to the ceiling as if asking for patience. He often did so when Felix and André were in the same room for more than thirty seconds.

“Why did you ask him out?” Benedict asked because he was an awesome, supportive big brother. He always got the parameters down before trying to help.

Seeing that he had two listening ears—and Felix may or may not be helpful, who knows?

—André put the laptop aside and turned toward them.

“Okay, so. I didn’t think to ask him out when I hunted him down on campus.

I was just going to thank him for the help.

But then I spotted him, and I saw two things I liked.

One, he was feeding this stray kitten, and he was so gentle and sweet with her. Cats are my weakness; you know this.”

Benedict nodded, agreeing.

“And he was just so incredibly cute when he smiled.”

Felix’s face screwed up in doubt. “He’s cute? Really?”

Not about to let this point pass, André picked up the laptop again and scrolled up to a picture where Ian was laughing, the smile lighting up his whole face.

It was, so far, André’s favorite picture of him.

Also more flattering than the picture Felix had just seen of Ian covered in mud and water and looking exasperated.

Felix took in the picture, humming in agreement. “Yeah, okay, I can see it. He’s fuckable.”

André felt validated. See? Even Felix agreed.

Benedict, though? Benedict looked down at his boyfriend with alarm.

Felix hastily backpedaled. “I’m just saying, Pre-Benedict, I’d have gone for him. Obviously not now.”

André loved how there was now an age for this. Pre-Benedict and Post-Benedict.

Anyway. “Also, most importantly, he’s proven he’s trustworthy. You know how rare that is in our social circle.”

Both men nodded immediately. Benedict didn’t seem to have as much trouble with this—he was a better magnet for good people—but Felix’s luck ran about as good as André’s. He not only understood but empathized.

“Latch on,” Felix ordered. “Do not let go.”

“Right? It would be such a waste to not make him my boyfriend.”

Felix and Benedict, for some reason, stared at him like they’d expected a different response. Fair, considering he’d never tried to date-date someone before this point. But he’d had reasons. Perfectly valid reasons.

“André,” Felix said slowly, as if trying to assess the situation even as words tumbled out of his mouth, “I was kidding. I mean, everyone knows you don’t do commitment.

But you’re for real wanting to date him?

Not, like, see him for a few days and the move on, but date him?

I’m not trying to dissuade you when I ask this, okay? Why is he different?”

“I don’t know?” André scratched his cheek and tried to put the feeling into words.

He’d probably fail but tried to explain anyway.

“I mean, everything I said still applies, he’s trustworthy, he’s cute, what’s not to like?

But when I’m with him, I just get this…this feeling.

This feeling I’m precisely where I’m supposed to be. ”

Benedict, ever the voice of reason, tried to dissuade him. “He doesn’t have to be a boyfriend, though. I agree with your reasons, but it sounds like he’d make a good friend, too.”

André looked at his big brother like he’d lost his mind. “He’s this cute, and you want me to have him as just a friend? I repeat, what a fucking waste. Besides, he smells delicious. I want to get fangs in him so, so badly.”

“I’m not surprised he turned you down now that I’m thinking about it.” Felix’s eyes danced with mischief. “Considering your reputation. He’s probably afraid of getting eaten by you.”

“Are you trying to help me or not?” This was why André wanted to strangle Felix half the time.

“I’m helping!” Felix protested, eyes still laughing. “I’m just saying it could be why he said no. You’ve got quite the reputation, André. You can’t say otherwise.”

Dammit. He did have a point there. Not that André would admit it out loud.

Benedict tried to get them back on track. “All right, so you have a good feeling when you’re near him?”

“It’s not only that, although the feeling’s in the mix, it’s this…

this force drawing me toward him. I see him, I want to be right next to him.

Even I can’t explain why. I’m not sure if I even want to dissect it enough to be able to untangle the emotion.

I feel good next to him, I like what I’ve seen so far, and he has qualities I respect.

He’s kind by nature, fiercely protective, patient, and loves cats.

I don’t understand what’s come over me, why it has to be him, but I’m rolling with it. ”

Felix snapped his fingers. “Got it! I understand what’s happening. You’re finally maturing!”

André hefted a couch pillow and smacked Felix with it, making him dodge and snicker.

“Don’t hit him, you’ll hit me!” Benedict complained. “Felix, stop poking at him.”

“Never!” Felix declared, still grinning. “He’s my favorite form of entertainment to date.”

“Focus, would you. I think André still has something to say.”

Well, he did, and he somehow trusted Felix enough to say this aloud. Wonders may never cease.

“I don’t know what to do next,” André admitted heavily. “I’ve never had to pursue anyone before. Hell, I can’t remember the last time I had to take initiative.”

Knowingly, Felix tacked on, “Normally, all you have to do is just smile, give them that look, and they come to you.”

“Exactly!”

Benedict passed a hand over his face, weary already. “Of all the things you two could have in common, I wish it wasn’t flirting.”

What? He and Felix had a healthy sex drive. Sue them. And wasn’t like Benedict could complain considering how much fun he and Felix got up to on a regular basis.

Benedict cleared his throat. “You’re set on this course?”

“I am.”

“All right, then I can give you some advice.”

André sat up straighter, all ears. Benedict’s advice was always spot on.

“You may have come on a little too strong at first. Take a step back, try to establish a connection with him. First, find things in common with him. You both like cats, which is a good first step. Second, figure out what’s important to him.

If you invest in it or protect it, then he’ll warm up to you.

It will also give you an excuse to spend time with him. ”

André could easily do this. Some of Ian’s posts were good indications of where he invested his time.

“Sure, that sounds good in…theory…” Felix paused, and one could see the light bulb go off. He twisted sharply to look up at Benedict. “Wait. You did that with me!”

“That’s how I know it works,” Benedict drawled. “André, you’ve got this. Take it one step at a time instead of coming in like a tsunami.”

His big brother was the best. André beamed at him. “Yeah. I think I know just what to do next.”