Chapter 3 #2
“Worried? No. Concerned? Yes. Our research shows the whole ‘fuckboy’ persona is becoming stale. Fans want to see you in a relationship. Out on dates. Posting mushy shit with heart emojis and all that.”
“I don’t want a relationship.”
“I know, but perhaps you could just date someone for a month then break up. Then have another one. We can play the whole ‘unlucky in love’ angle with it. It’ll give us more sponsorship opportunities, outside fitness.”
“Fitness is what I do.”
“And fucking, of course. Now we need some romance. I have some people in mind who would be up for a ‘fake romance’ for a while, but could also satisfy your needs while it’s going on. I know you can’t keep it in your trousers, so this way, at least you’ll be getting some.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. It’s for January anyway. The whole ‘new me, new love’ thing. I also think dating a guy would have more appeal. Your gay fans will love it, and women love nothing better than thinking about two hot guys fucking.”
Ryder wasn’t sure what to say to that. He just hoped Fiona was generalizing.
He didn’t want to think about his sisters having that fantasy.
They wrapped things up, and Ryder left. He needed to get ready to meet with Felix.
They’d agreed to do the shoot at Ryder’s apartment because he had more space and light to work with and Felix wanted to capture his subjects in their own environment.
Ryder kept playing over what Fiona had said to him.
A relationship? Even a fake one filled him with dread.
His parents had been very happy together, so it’s not like Ryder didn’t have an example of how it could be perfect, but it just didn’t appeal to him.
The pain of the past was still present. Hopefully Fiona would have forgotten about the whole idea by January.
Ryder was feeling nervous, which was a new one for him.
He never felt nervous about anything. He also didn’t clean.
Mrs. Hargreaves did that for him, and she did a wonderful job, but Ryder had spent the last hour making sure his apartment looked immaculate.
Why, he wasn’t sure. This was a photo shoot and interview, not a date, but there was something about Felix that got under his skin.
His heart rate sped up when the buzzer sounded. He confirmed it was Felix and gave him instructions to get to his apartment, then he paced around until there was a knock on the door. Within three seconds he’d opened it, a surprised-looking Felix on the other side.
“Hello, cutie. Come in. Can I get you a drink?”
“Er . . . hello. I’ll just have water, thanks,”
Once Felix was inside, Ryder closed the door and walked towards his open-plan living space.
He had a hallway, which the bedrooms were off, and then it opened up into the living area.
It was a tremendous appeal when he’d bought the place, as he didn’t like the front door opening right into his living space.
He could sense Felix following him, so kept walking towards the refrigerator and took out two bottles of water.
Ryder could do with something stronger, but it was a bit early, and he wanted Felix to be comfortable.
“Thanks,” said Felix, taking the water. “How long do I have you for?”
“I’m all yours for the afternoon, so no rush.”
He smiled at Felix, who blushed—absolutely adorable.
“Shall we do the interview first? Helps people loosen up for the photo shoot.”
Ryder couldn’t help but snort. Felix went bright red and started babbling an apology, but Ryder put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him they were fine, and felt a jolt of electricity which went straight to his cock.
It twitched with anticipation, but he let go of Felix’s shoulder as he didn’t want to come across as a creep.
“Let’s sit on the sofa,” Ryder suggested. It would be comfy and they’d be more relaxed.
They took their seats. Felix was drinking his water fast, which was probably nerves, and Ryder wanted to put him at ease immediately, but held back from touching him again.
“Why don’t you start by telling me about your family,” said Felix.
“Sure. I’m the oldest of three. I have two younger sisters. Mom and Dad were childhood sweethearts and that perfect couple who never argued, and if they did we never heard them. I think Dad letting Mom have whatever she wanted because he idolized was his tactic,” he chuckled.
“How did they react when you came out to them?”
“Like any parent should. They listened, said they loved me, it changed nothing, and that was that. My mom asked if I was fifty-fifty or if I had a preference, and then suggested men were easier to live with.”
They both laughed, but Ryder caught the sadness in Felix’s eyes. He remembered what he’d shared about his own coming out story, and Ryder couldn’t help but feel angry that any parent would treat their child like that. He reached out and took hold of Felix’s hand.
“I know not everyone is as lucky as me.”
“It’s not lucky,” said Felix. “It’s how it should be. I should be the anomaly. I always think that it could have been worse, but then . . . Sorry, we’re talking about you.”
“Nothing to apologize for. I can’t claim to understand, but I can empathize a bit. One of my best friends was put in conversion therapy by his parents.”
“Oh my God.”
“He met the love of his life there, so it wasn’t all horrible. They didn’t see each other for twelve years, and now they’re getting married.”
Felix teared up. Not what Ryder had intended, so he pulled him towards him and hugged him. He felt so fragile in his arms, but Ryder held him for as long as he could before it felt inappropriate.
“I’m so sorry. I’m being very unprofessional,” said Felix, wiping his eyes.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have just dropped that story on you. It’s not mine to tell.”
“Well, I won’t say anything to anyone.”
Ryder didn’t want to get Felix’s hopes up, but he was going to ask Max and Paolo if they’d be willing to take part in the project.
They’d be perfect for it, but it was their story to share.
Ryder was almost certain they’d want to do it, especially with the work Max was doing with kids who had homophobic parents, but he needed to talk to them about it first.
The rest of the interview was much less intense, as Ryder talked about how he got into fitness, and subsequently influencing. There were no questions about his private life, which he appreciated, but he wouldn’t have minded a few from Felix. Ryder wanted to see that adorable blush again.
“You ready for some photos now?” asked Felix.
“Absolutely. I’ll just go to the bathroom while you get set up.”
Felix smiled. He was so cute when he did that. Ryder needed to splash some cold water on his face and stop staring at the boy. He didn’t want to come across as some sort of predator.
“How old are you, Felix?”
“Oh . . . I’m twenty-seven.”
Ten years. That was socially acceptable. What was he even thinking? This was a professional interview, but Ryder could sense there was something between them. Or maybe it was just because he’d not been laid in a couple of weeks. He excused himself and went to the bathroom, using his en suite.
Once he was done, he grabbed some gym shorts and stripped off, so they were all he was wearing.
It was a photo shoot with Ryder Quinn, so people would expect to see the goods.
He walked out and had the perfect view of Felix bending over taking something out of his bag.
That ass was pert and beautiful. His ill-fitting clothing didn’t flatter his assets, but bent over like this, Ryder could see what Felix was working with.
He’d love nothing more than to spend hours rimming that ass before slowly fucking it.
His cock starting plumping at the thought. That was an interesting development.
Felix stood up and turned around. His jaw dropped when he saw how Ryder was dressed, and he fumbled with his camera.
Luckily, Ryder was quick and sprung forward, catching it.
The look between them lingered, and Ryder could feel his dick growing.
He pulled away, keeping things professional . . . for now.
Felix took dozens of photos, with Ryder doing a few costume changes as directed.
It was one of the easiest going shoots he’d ever done.
Once that camera was clicking, Felix was the consummate professional.
Felix would show Ryder what he’d captured and make suggestions for how they could get a better shot.
He also listened to Ryder’s input, which many pro photographers did not.
He had a feeling Felix could go far if he got the right exposure, and hopefully this exhibition would do that for him.
He knew a lot of fellow influencers who would love to work with his straightforward style.
“Can I get you a drink?” asked Ryder once they were done.
He was hoping to keep him here longer and loosen him up.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll just have one, though.”
“Wine or beer?”
“Either is fine. Whatever is easiest.”
Felix was looking at his pictures and not watching where he was going, and Ryder put their drinks down and watched in amusement as he continued in his direction.
The concentrated look on his face, with his tongue poking out slightly, was cute as fuck.
Ryder had it bad for this little nerd. Felix walked straight into Ryder and almost dropped his camera again, and when he put his hands on Ryder’s bare chest to steady himself, the contact was enough to get Ryder fully hard.
He should be delighted his dick wasn’t broken, but all he could think about was the beautiful man looking at him with definite lust in his eyes.
Felix wanted this just as much as he did, so Ryder gripped his face and slammed their lips together.
Ryder felt Felix kiss him back for a second, but then he pulled away.
Before he could realize what was happening, he felt a sharp pain as Felix slapped him across the face.
Ryder was stunned. Had he read it wrong?
He’d been certain Felix was interested in him.
He wasn’t being arrogant. The look in his eyes had been clear, but here they were.
Before Ryder could respond to what had happened, Felix had grabbed his stuff and was heading for the door.
“Felix, wait . . .”
But Felix didn’t wait. The guy couldn’t get out of Ryder’s apartment fast enough.
The door slammed shut behind him, and Ryder was at a loss about what to do.
Should he go after him and apologize? Or did he leave him to calm down?
This was not how he’d seen today going. It was only when he stopped running through options in his head that he realized something . . . He was still hard.