Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ryker Ryker spent the rest of the week at Wes’s home, and both Peanut and Rudy took to him like long lost pals. The week was full of walks on the beach, dinners with Wes’s friends—including Grey and Luca—and a video call with Ryker’s sister, Rachel. But the majority of time was spent in bed, touching, talking, and laughing. Ryker was afraid the neighbors might show up to complain after a rather noisy round of sex in the
outdoor pool late one night, but Wes wasn’t worried.
“They’re used to my sexy antics,” he’d joked as they left the pool.
“As long as I’m the only one you do sexy antics with from now on,” Ryker had replied, swatting Wes hard on his bare, wet ass, then running inside to avoid retaliation as Wes chased him through the house. The dogs watched the crazy humans in confusion.
The only blip came halfway during his stay when Wes’s ex showed up. A yelling match ensued on the driveway, and Wes was about to call the cops before Ryker intervened.
“Wes, go inside. I’m going to talk to Kieran alone.” “Ry, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Five minutes. Trust me,” Ryker pleaded, and finally, Wes nodded. Wes walked back up his driveway and into the house. Once Ryker saw the door close, he turned back to Kieran.
Ryker gave Kieran his coldest glare. “So, Kieran, here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to give you a business card.” Ryker paused and pulled out several cards from his pocket. He searched through them and found the one he was looking for, a thick red card that had been burning a hole in his pocket for over a month now. He was glad to get rid of it. “You’re going to call the number on it next week. The number belongs to a very, very wealthy man who I’m sure would be happy to befriend you.
You’re going to obey the restraining order and never, ever contact Wes again. Are we clear?” Kieran’s model-worthy pout screwed up tight as he looked Ryker over. “How wealthy?” he asked.
“Ten times wealthier than Wes,” Ryker replied calmly.
Kieran took a long look at the card and finally nodded. “Okay. But this better pan out.” Ryker nodded in return. “Now it’s time for you to leave,” he said, escorting Kieran to the end of the driveway, where his car was parked. Ryker watched until Kieran got in the car and sped off out of sight, and then he headed back inside to find his man.
“I can’t believe he left! What did you say to him?” Wes asked.
“Hold on, sweetheart, I have a phone call to make.” Ryker picked up his cell. “Harrison? It’s Ryker Desoumas. Yes, it has been a while since Mac’s party. No, no, thanks, I have a boyfriend. Look, I gave your card to a man named Kieran Moore. Late twenties, looks like a pouty GQ model, with an attitude to match. He’s looking for a sugar daddy, but he’s not trustworthy. I wanted to warn you he’ll be in touch. Sorry, but he
was hung up on my boyfriend, and I needed a diversion.” Ryker paused, then burst out laughing. “Yes, okay, have fun,” he said before hanging up.
“What is going on, Ry?” Wes asked, shaking his head in confusion.
“Remember Harrison Ruehl from Mac’s party?
The guy who was sitting beside me?” “Yes,” Wes grumbled. “He had his hands all over you. I wanted to rip his head off.” “I love your caveman attitude.” Ryker laughed. “Anyway, it suddenly occurred to me: He’s an obscenely rich sugar daddy, always looking for his next playmate, and Kieran fits the bill perfectly. When we were at Mac’s, Harrison slipped his card into my pocket. I forgot about it until I was preparing
for my trip up here.” Wes glared at him. “Relax, love, it’s not like that. I brought the card with me to give to Luca. Harrison is a big deal, and I thought I could send some event business Luca’s way and repay him for organizing my surprise visit. So, that’s the story. But I wanted to warn Harrison first about Kieran’s behavior.
I’m not going to screw him over completely, because he’s more or less a decent guy. Really fucking pushy, but decent.
“And Harrison is looking forward to meeting Kieran. He said, ‘Thanks, I’m always up for fun and games, and I’ll thoroughly enjoy teaching my new pet some important lessons.’” “What the hell does that mean?” Wes asked.
“It means he’ll likely turn the tables on your ex. Kieran thinks he’s after some senile sugar daddy when, in fact, Harrison will probably lure him in and then make him work for it.” Ryker laughed as Wes stood there with his mouth hanging open.
“I hope your devious plan works,” Wes murmured as he slowly ran his hands down Ryker’s back and over his ass. “You, my love, are a man of many talents. How can I ever repay you?” “I can think of several ways,” Ryker said, nipping at Wes’s smiling lips. “And they all begin with you getting naked.” Wes was more than happy to oblige.
**** Wes Ryker flew back home the next week and took Wes’s heart with him. The house was too quiet, and Wes knew what he had to do next. This week had cemented their relationship, and the step he was about to take would be the right one.
Wes had Luca arrange a charter flight to New York on the fifteenth so that he, Grey, and Luca could all head down to attend the Heart2Home benefit. Then he had some very important shopping to do.
They boarded the flight with relative ease, but Wes was hyped up like a kid before Christmas, much to the amusement and frustration of his nearest and dearest friends. As soon as the seatbelt sign turned off, Wes was up and pacing.
“Will you sit down, have a drink, and relax?” Grey chuckled and handed Wes a vodka on the rocks. “Jesus, I’ve never seen you so hopped up before. I’m surprised customs let you through.” “Shut up, you’re just jealous of my youthful energy.” Wes downed the drink in one go and started pacing the cabin again.
Luca rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his now red-tipped hair. “I’m going to make the captain announce that we have to stay seated for the remainder of the flight if you don’t stop. This is just an event. You’ve been to hundreds of them.
Why are you so jumpy?” Wes stopped abruptly and turned to both men.
“I need your help.” He paused, then slowly drew a small blue box out of his dress pants.
Luca gasped. “No way! Wes, you’re going to propose?” He jumped up to hug Wes, while Grey just sat there with his mouth open.
“I never thought I’d live to see the day.
Wes Stewart is getting married. Holy shit!” Grey said, finally getting up and leaning into the group hug.
Wes was suddenly overcome with emotion and tried to regain his composure. “Okay, guys, I need to find a time and place to pop the question. Help me out.” “He’ll be receiving an award tonight,” Luca blurted out.
“What?” “When I booked our trip, I contacted the benefit organizers to see if they needed any extra help with the event this evening, and they told me that Ryker will receive a volunteer award for donor of the decade. Maybe you could do it then?” “I don’t know, Ryker doesn’t like the spotlight. He may cut and run before I get a chance to get down on
one knee,” Wes murmured. He started pacing again, running a hand through his hair. “Wait! I’ve got it!” “What?” Grey and Luca asked in unison.
“The Hayden Planetarium. His mom took him there as a kid. He’s a space junkie. Can you a book a private tour tomorrow?” Wes asked Luca.
“On it,” Luca replied.
The captain announced they’d be starting their descent soon. Wes finally sat down and buckled up. Ten minutes later, the plane landed, but Wes’s thoughts remained firmly above the clouds.