Chapter 5 #4
“Knew it would be something sexy.” Every word was slurred, making Lincoln absolutely sure Shayne would never remember this conversation in the morning.
Even long after Shayne slipped into dreamland, Lincoln still couldn’t look away.
He hadn’t missed the conversation between Shayne and Henley earlier in the day.
Shayne had an interview on the other side of the country in three days.
What if he only had three short days left with the man in his arms?
Was that something he could withstand? No matter how many times those questions spun around Lincoln’s brain, he hadn’t been able to face them with an answer.
In his wildest dreams, he’d never envisioned meeting someone like Shayne.
In his worst nightmares, he’d never considered losing someone like Shayne.
Grady tapped his knuckles on the wooden surface almost hoping Ryker wouldn’t answer.
That thought barely passed through his head before the door opened, stealing his chance to change his mind.
Just as it had earlier in the day, the sight of Ryker’s oddly colored eyes and sexy mouth left Grady off kilter.
A surge of anger ran through him. He shouldn’t notice those things about another man.
Without a word, Ryker stepped aside, silently welcoming Grady inside. The rage boiling under his skin kept Grady’s feet glued to the ground and caused his voice to sound gruffer than intended as he waved away Ryker’s invitation. “No. I’m not staying. I just wanted to check on you.”
A flash of humor crossed the other man’s features. “Cop, I’m not trying to air condition the whole neighborhood. So, you know, like you’re momma always said, get the fuck inside.”
“I’m off duty,” Grady said as Ryker closed the door behind him, since he was incapable of crossing the threshold without some form of argument passing his lips.
“Cops don’t stop being cops when they shed their uniform.
” Ryker’s claim caused chill bumps to rise on Grady’s skin.
Not because of his words, but due to the other man’s proximity as he said them.
Grady swore Ryker’s breath caressed his ear when Ryker spoke while moving past him.
He shifted from foot to foot, more uncomfortable than he’d ever been in his life.
Ryker’s mismatched gaze traveled the length of Grady’s body at the nervous motion.
His mouth lifted in one corner, forcing Grady to focus upon it.
At least that’s what he told himself. There was no way in hell Grady lusted after another man.
“Wow, Cop. You’re really uncomfortable right now, aren’t you?”
He shook his head even as his lips refused to shape a lie and deny it. “After the Plethora incident, I was worried about you.”
Ryker’s stare was too knowing. It did nothing to abate Grady’s anger. “Do you make a lot of late night house calls like this one?”
“No.” Fuck. Even Grady heard the desire in his voice. What the ever living fuck was he doing here? Ryker took a step toward him. Grady’s brain screamed for him to step back. His feet refused. In their defense, they were probably listening to his dick. It was closer after all, and hard as steel.
“What a mess you’re creating for yourself right now, Cop.
You’re as straight as they come.” Obviously Grady was experiencing some fucked up form of tongue paralysis.
He couldn’t speak. Ryker shifted even closer until barely an inch separated them.
He hadn’t realized until that moment how much taller Ryker stood.
Grady had to tilt his head back to hold the other man’s gaze.
“Now’s the time to chime in,” Ryker said, taunting him.
The roaring need to do something, anything, rose up and overtook Grady’s brain before taking control of his body.
Without his permission, Grady’s fingers gripped Ryker’s T-shirt and tugged.
Ryker didn’t obey. He didn’t budge a single inch.
Instead, he held Grady’s stare as he slowly lowered his head, forcing Grady to acknowledge what was about to happen.
He wanted to run away. God only knew how much he didn’t want this, except he did, and he couldn’t stop.
When Ryker’s lips finally met his, Grady sucked in a deep breath.
The room spun, making him realize it was the first true gulp of air he’d taken in since his knuckles brushed the wood of Ryker’s front door.
With his eyes closed, his mind steadied.
As Ryker’s tongue swiped Grady’s bottom lip, he forgot everything, including his inhibitions.
Not who he was kissing. Grady was incapable of forgetting that detail.
Ryker was too freaking amazing. The brush of lips on lips was gentle until Grady let Ryker in.
His back hit the door as Ryker’s fingers dug into his jaw, holding him in place, and consuming him.
There were kisses, and then there was whatever this was.
“You’ll regret me,” Ryker promised as he pulled away before attacking Grady from a different angle.
“No,” Grady said against his mouth, recognizing the truth. Maybe this wasn’t his life, but it was his moment. He’d never wanted another man before Ryker, but he did want Ryker.
Ryker’s mouth moved to Grady’s throat. “I’ll regret you.”