Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
NATE
EARLY AUGUST
Once again, nerves thrummed through me as I disembarked the plane. This time a very different level of excitement rode my heels. Under the bright lighting of baggage collection, and accompanied by the heavy rumble of voices while I passed through border control, I could barely contain myself.
Seven long weeks had passed without Ryan’s arms being wrapped around me. Forty-nine days since I’d seen in the flesh his smile or heard his voice. Over a thousand hours since I’d woken with him at my side. It was worth it, though.
Once I was out in the bustling crowd of LAX arrivals, the sound of squeals, laughter, and happy reunions greeted me. There was no time to smile or take any of it in, though, not when I searched frantically for the man I was desperate for.
I frowned, wondering why there were so many tall people around. While I was far from short, Ryan, who had several inches on me, was usually easy to spot. Not so much in this freakishly tall crowd.
Changing tack, I focused on the walls. I was more than aware that Ryan was a known face here, especially with last month’s press surrounding his trade deal. I expected he’d be staying under the radar.
As if my final thought summoned him, my gaze caught on the face I’d missed so much. Hidden under the shadow of his cap, he blended in well. But he couldn’t hide from me. For four weeks I’d explored every dip, sharp line, and curve of his body. I’d recognize him anywhere.
Hauling my large wheeled case and my heavy backpack, I picked up my step.
The universe decided to be kind, parting the way toward him.
He stood straight when I was a couple of meters away, a slight shake to his body.
And hell if I couldn’t relate. My whole body vibrated, desperate for contact.
Finally, I was in his arms, wrapped in a fierce hug and swallowing hard.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I mumbled against his neck, risking a small kiss against his warm skin.
A shudder racked through him, and he held tighter still before releasing me.
I forced myself to step back, stopping at what would be an appropriate distance for two friends greeting each other.
Despite the frustration, my smile came quickly when I took my fill. “Hey.”
With that one word, heat flooded his expression. My smile stretched into a grin. That he struggled was a hell of a thing and reassuring as fuck.
“Let’s get out of here. I’ve booked us the nicest, closest hotel.” His gaze dipped down my body and dropped to my hand. A vibration tingled through my palm, knowing what he wanted.
Clearing my throat, I nodded and grabbed the strap of my backpack. It took all my effort to play by the rules, but we’d both agreed to our compromise. There was no chance I’d screw with that.
With a flex of his fingers, Ryan reached for my large case. “Let me get that.”
Warmth settled in my belly. “Thanks.”
Indicating for me to follow, Ryan led the way, head down but clearly keeping an eye on the path ahead. We dodged passengers, avoided large groups of people, and made for the exit and the area with waiting cars.
A man stepped out of a large SUV, nodded at Ryan, and opened the back door. Ryan passed him the case and waited for me to hand my bag over before he ushered me in. I scooted over, my focus on Ryan, mildly aware of the blacked-out windows.
Once the door was closed and the bags were stowed, we had a few seconds of privacy.
Ryan’s eyes dipped to my mouth, and I wet my bottom lip, fresh flutters forming in my belly.
And then his mouth touched mine, so damn brief I could have imagined it happened.
Only the buzz on my lips, Ryan sitting up straight and repositioning his T-shirt over his shorts, reassured me that for a blissful second, we’d shared a kiss.
The door opening jolted me and made me aware my own pants situation wasn’t doing too well. I shifted as subtly as possible, trying to nudge my dick from being strangled behind my denim. Beneath the radio playing and the start of the engine, I didn’t miss Ryan’s quiet chuckle.
Bastard.
“Piss off,” I grumbled quietly, lips twitching despite my discomfort.
Amusement lit his features, though his eyes told a very different story.
“Straight to the hotel, Mr. Broadwater?”
Ryan turned his head toward the driver. “Yeah, that’s great, thank you.”
“We should be there in under thirty.”
“Perfect.”
The driver nodded and focused on maneuvering through the crazy LA traffic.
“How was your flight?”
Somehow I held back the shiver at the sound of his voice so close. Meeting his stare, I smiled. “Easy, comfortable. Thanks again.”
A soft smile formed when he nodded. “I can be selfish when I want to be.”
I bit the insides of my cheeks, recalling all too clearly one of our compromises.
During his final few days in Australia, we’d been to-ing and fro-ing through our whole plan.
The business- or first-class tickets so I could travel in comfort, but more specifically so I’d be well-rested and ready for more nefarious activities was not something I’d balked at.
My acquiescence had taken Ryan by surprise, as he’d prepared for a battle. I’d laughed, saying, “It’s as if you don’t know me at all,” before pouncing on him and sucking him off. After weeks of not being together, I didn’t want to be too exhausted to enjoy every moment of our reunion.
“So,” I said, quickly changing the subject, “what did you do yesterday after you flew in?”
The bastard quirked a brow at me and smirked. It was a look I could decipher so bloody easily. The wanker had been, well… wanking, while I’d been traveling.
After a moment of his less-than-subtle leer, he said, “Called up Sutton. He’s weirdly super animated on the phone.”
I chuckled at the image of a chatty Sutton. Jayden… absolutely, but Sutton was generally quiet, only speaking when he had something of substance to say. My impression of him had been confirmed by Ryan. “Yeah, he okay? Jayden still pining for you?”
Ryan’s grin was sexy as hell. “He’s stopped being so needy. They’re both flying out next week to hang out.”
My brows shot up in surprise. “Really?” The knowledge made me happy.
One of the first things Ryan had done seven weeks ago when he’d returned to Minnesota was talk to his friends.
As predicted, they’d done more than taken it in their stride.
They’d said the right things, were supportive, but more than that, they meant it and had Ryan’s back.
Before Ryan moved to Vegas, they’d interrupted more than a call or two between us.
It was a relief to know he had their friendship, especially when I’d be splitting my time between Vegas and the Sunny Coast.
“It’ll be good to see them.”
“You should be thanking me.” I quirked my brow in question. “It took a whole heap of threats to stop them jumping on a flight so they could see you today.”
The sentiment was crazy sweet, my smirk quick to form. “In that case, I owe you one.” Neither of us planned to do anything beyond being wrapped up in each other for the next week, and selfishly, I didn’t want anyone to spoil those plans.
The LA traffic was kind to us. Before we knew it, the bellman gathered my bags, and we took a slight detour to the reception where I stood by, amused at how the young woman flustered over Ryan’s request for room service in forty-five minutes.
It took a stern look from a middle-aged receptionist for her to pull herself together. I smirked, understanding the young woman’s reaction completely. The desire to pounce on my boyfriend was unwavering, the test of my willpower worthy of a gold star and a BJ.
By the time we got to the room, the tension was thick, our need obvious. Since my bags were already stowed away in our suite, I sighed in relief, knowing there’d be no more disturbances. We had forty-five minutes to make the most of.
In the middle of the opulent suite with the sun spilling through the sheer curtains, Ryan and I made quick work of undressing.
Gloriously naked and our bodies flushed against each other, our mouths connected.
Heat, desire, and desperation clung to each caress, each parting of lips, and each stroke of tongue.
Beneath it all was a fierce sense of coming home.
I gasped; whether it was with that realization or his grip finding purchase on my dick, I didn’t know. All I was sure of was that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
Letting Ryan take control, I groaned when he laid me out and feasted on my skin. “You want me to fuck you or BJs?” he asked between nips and licks.
“Cocks in mouths. Can’t wait for prep.” I’d been traveling for hours, so a shower was in order, especially if I wanted Ryan’s dick in my arse.
Before landing, I’d done a desperate cleanup, wiping over my dick and balls and brushing my teeth.
This—I grinned at the thought—was the exact reason why.
The likelihood of stopping for anything had been laughable.
“What are you smirking at?” He crawled up my body and hovered over me.
“Me being generous and washing my sac before I got off the plane.” Not a shred of embarrassment crept through me. How could it when I talked to Ryan, my best mate, the man who still knew me best after all these years?
His smile stretched wide. “I best get tasting then.”
After an all too brief kiss, he clambered around, kneeing me in the head in his haste. “Hey, knees to yourself.” I slapped his bare arse and laughed.
“Fuck,” he grunted. “Do that again when my dick’s down your throat. I dare you.”
Amusement balanced so perfectly with my desire. I loved this man so much. A simple “Uh-huh” escaped me before I licked a long line down his cock. His groan was reward enough, but when his mouth enveloped my rock-hard dick, the prize got a whole lot better.
After spending the one night in LA, we’d headed to Vegas. Both of us had been eager to get to his rental, my home for the next eighty-nine days.