Chapter Twenty-Two
Wes
Wes was the only person standing in line at
airport security with an idiotic grin on his face.
Everyone else looked grumpy and tired, given
the hour, but Wes was so filled up with the happy, warm feelings
Ryker inspired that he was floating on a natural high. He probably
looked it, too, since the large man waving him over to the X-ray
machine narrowed his eyes when he drew near. Shit, the last thing
he needed was a delay in transit and a full-body search.
Wes checked his phone for the thirtieth
time, infatuated with the recent selfie he’d taken as a screen
saver. They’d been lying in Ryker’s bed shortly before Wes left,
leaning against the headboard while Spock, Isaac, and Princess Leia
surrounded them. Wes had said something ridiculous, and he’d
managed to capture Ryker’s biggest smile, the one that made very
few appearances, and even then, only for the lucky few. Wes loved
that smile and wanted to see it. Every. Fucking. Day. They were
looking at each other, their eyes locked together in a moment of
pure happiness.
Wes stared at his phone until reality
intruded. “Sir, please place your bag and all electronics in the
bin,” the security officer said.
Complying with the order, Wes managed to get
through security and into the first-class lounge in record time.
While waiting to board, he figured now was as good a time as any to
call Grey.
“Hey, Wes, how’s it going?” Grey answered in
his usual calm tone.
“I’m good. At the airport, headed to
Portland. Just wanted to call and chat.”
“Isn’t it the middle of the night in LA?”
Grey asked.
“I’m in New York, not LA.” Wes took a deep
breath, his body suddenly filled with nerves. “That’s part of the
reason I called. I wanted to tell you before you read about it on a
gossip site. Ryker and I are dating. Each other. Exclusively. We’re
in a relationship.” Wes realized he was babbling. “And that’s
it.”
There was a momentary pause before Grey
burst out laughing. “Are you serious? Aren’t you the same man who
once said relationships make you break out in hives?”
Grey continued to laugh as Wes rubbed his
neck and rolled his eyes. “Okay, okay, so I got burned once and it
soured me on anything long term. Or anything more than one night.
But shit happens, things change,” Wes said.
“Shit happens? Wow, don’t tell Ryker that’s
how you described meeting him.” Grey chuckled, then cleared his
throat. “But seriously, I’m happy for you. I could see the
chemistry between you two when we were at Mac’s, but I just assumed
you would stay away from each other, given the potential business
relationship.”
“We couldn’t stay away. He’s amazing. And
it’s not just the sex. We talk about everything. We have this
insane connection. I can’t explain it. But the sex is fucking
unreal. I just look at him and it’s all I can do not to rip his
clothes off.” Wes was getting hot again, and he yanked on his shirt
collar. Nearby passengers gave him the side eye. Shit, maybe
lower your voice and calm down.
Grey coughed. “TMI, Wes. Keep that to
yourself. Anyway, are you set for your last stop in Portland?”
“I’m pumped up. More interviews, the last
writers’ conference, and I’m done. When that’s over, I’m headed
home for a rest, and then back to New York to see my man.”
“Your man? Who the fuck are you?”
Grey asked.
“I don’t know, but I feel fucking amazing!”
Wes yelled. Heads all around him turned to stare. He mouthed a
quick sorry to the other waiting passengers.
“…bothering you, has he?”
“What? Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“Wes, I need you to concentrate for a few
minutes while I’m talking. Can you do that?” Grey paused. “Has
Kieran contacted you again?”
Wes’s good mood suddenly shifted downward.
“Not since a few days ago. Why?” he asked.
“He’s been e-mailing and calling my office,
saying you’re getting back together. I know it’s bullshit, but he’s
been aggressive. All this to say, watch your back. If he crosses a
line, you may need to get a restraining order. It might also be a
good idea to stick a PI on him to see why he’s resurfaced. My guess
is he needs money.”
Wes scratched his head and leaned forward.
“Yeah, that’s my instinct, too. I’ll reach out to Luca to get a PI
on retainer just in case. As for the rest, I’ll be aware. Thanks
for looking out for me, as always.”
“No problem. Look, I’ve got a shitload of
work piling up, but we’ll talk soon, okay? Safe travels.”
“Thanks. See you in a week.”
Wes was checking his phone again when an
announcement interrupted. “Flight number 671 to Portland is now
boarding. First-class passengers are asked to please proceed to
Gate 31.”
Wes sent a few more texts and boarded his
flight. He was getting seated when his phone pinged and a picture
of Ryker with Spock popped up.
Ryker: We miss you already xoxo.
Wes: I miss you more.
****
Ryker
Getting out of bed after a twenty-four-hour
sexathon was not easy. Every muscle ached, in the best of ways, and
Ryker’s mind was all over the place. Wes had done something to his
concentration because all Ryker could do was lie there and
smile.
Reality intruded when his phone beeped with
a reminder about his video call with his agent at eleven. But
before that, Ryker needed to talk to Mac and Cal before his
relationship became public knowledge. He decided a group text would
be the most comfortable way for him to get the conversation
going.
Ryker: You guys busy?
Cal: Sorta.
Mac: Yes.
Of course, Mac was busy. The man was an even
bigger workaholic than Ryker.
Ryker: I have news.
Cal: Something good I hope?
Mac: Please tell me it’s related to the
book deal!
Ryker: Kinda. It’s personal.
Mac: K. What’s up?
Ryker: Wes and I are seeing each
other.
Mac: Group call. NOW.
Ryker’s phone lit up. He prepared himself
for the barrage of questions.
“Hey, guys.”
“Hey yourself. What do you mean, you’re
seeing each other? You’re writing a new book series together, so I
imagine you’ll see him occasionally. Please tell me that’s what you
meant,” Mac growled.
“No, Mac, I mean Wes and I are dating. As in
we are sleeping together. In fact, he flew out two nights ago to
surprise me. We like spending time together. Naked and clothed.
That sort of seeing,” Ryker said.
Before Mac could say anything, Cal’s voice
boomed out. “I knew it! I knew it. He could not resist your moody
charm. I saw it on his face when you were leaving Mac’s party. So,
tell us—how’s the sex? He’s bossy in bed, isn’t he?”
Mac groaned loudly and Ryker sighed.
“Just trust me when I say it’s all very
good.”
Mac apparently wasn’t done yet, though.
“Have you thought this through, Ry? Are you sure you can handle
working and sleeping with this guy? What happens when you break up?
What about the book deal?”
“Let him enjoy himself, Mac,” Cal
warned.
“No, I am being the voice of reason here,
because I’m the only one who’s thinking with his brain and not his
dick right now,” Mac barked.
Ryker took a deep breath to steady himself.
“Mac, I know it’s fast and unexpected, but I’m happy. We’re happy
together. I don’t know why, but we clicked and I’m going with my
gut. You need to trust me on this.”
“It’s not you I don’t trust. I just don’t
want to see you get hurt, Ry. I want you to think about this
realistically. He lives in Toronto. You live here. You both have
busy careers and schedules. How’s that gonna work out?” Mac
asked.
Ryker was aware of the long-distance issue,
but he wasn’t too concerned right now. To be honest, he was going
on instinct, just as he’d told Mac.
“We’ll sort that out later. For now, we’re
taking it day by day.”
Mac grunted. “Until he grows bored, goes
hunting, gets photographed with some hot guy coming out of a
nightclub, and you’re left shattered.”
Wes’s personal history via social media
flashed through Ryker’s mind. Wes wanted to be exclusive, but was
he prepared for the reality? Would he get restless as Mac
suggested? Ryker believed that Wes was true to his word. He would
have to trust in that for now.
“Wes wouldn’t do that. We’re seeing each
other exclusively. We’ve even ditched the condoms.”
“What the fuck, Ry? Don’t do that!” Mac
yelled.
“I’ve never had sex without condoms. Does it
really feel better? I need details,” Cal asked.
“This is crazy,” Mac said.
Ryker interrupted Mac before he could say
anything further. “Relax, we’ve both been tested recently, and I
know what I’m doing. Be my friend. Be happy for me. I don’t expect
you to understand, but I need to know you two have my back.”
“Of course,” Mac mumbled.
“Always,” Cal replied.
Ryker was mentally wrung out from this
conversation. He’d expected a razzing by his friends, but Mac’s
cynical reaction was making him second guess his decision to be
with Wes. Fuck that. He and Wes knew what they were doing
and they were happy. On to the next item.
“Okay, now that my personal life has been
dissected, let’s move on. The Heart2Home shelter benefit is next
month, on June fifteenth. I’ve bought a table and was hoping you
guys would join me, please and thanks.”
“Of course!” Cal exclaimed.
“Sure,” Mac muttered.
“Great, I’ll text you the details. Anyway, I
know you guys are busy, and I have to get back to work. We’ll talk
soon, okay?”
“Yup. If you have time, let’s meet up this
week, Ry. I’ll text you,” Cal said.
“Later” was all Mac said before he hung
up.
And with that out of the way, Ryker was able
to focus on work again. The relationship between the protagonists
in their book was heating up, and Ryker now had some very personal
inspiration to guide him.