Chapter 36
thirty-six
running late, son?
R yan rushed through the early morning streets of Tucson. He should be sluggish, but he wasn’t. In fact, just the opposite. Ryan DeMarco felt like he could take on the world—fuck, take on his father—and come out on top. Being around Elissa recharged him.
He downed another cup of coffee and took a barely warm shower.
His cock kept waking up and missing Elissa.
He’d have to remedy that at her earliest convenience.
Half-tempted to ask Iz for a ride in—their office was a few blocks away from DPM—Ryan glanced at the clock as he grabbed his bag.
He was only a couple minutes behind schedule. Maybe no one would notice.
His luck didn’t hold. Though his father rarely arrived before Ryan, today he pulled in as Ryan was dismounting his bike.
Well, fuck. Even though he’d been on time or early every damn day for the past month, his father would have something to say about him arriving five minutes late, though no one else was here yet.
Ryan didn’t need his dad’s bullshit this morning. He pretended not to see his father getting out of his car and hurried inside. He didn’t even bother dropping his bag at his desk and went straight to the break room to hide, hoping his dad would follow his own routine.
No luck there, either. Alessandro DeMarco poked his head into the break room, no glint of good humor to be found on his craggy face.
“There you are. Running late, son?”
“Just a bit.”
“Out late?”
Ryan didn’t know if his father was merely curious or conducting an investigation. He kept his attention on making the coffee while he answered.
“Yes.”
He pulled deep on his childhood experiences. Short, definitive answers were best. It gave his father less leverage to pull more information from him.
“You have responsibilities now, Ryan. You shouldn’t be out with one of your floozies on a work night.”
Big breath in, let it out slowly while counting to three.
Don’t let him hear the sigh, or he’ll read me the riot act. And, for the love of God, don’t tell him to mind his own business.
He couldn’t let the slight to Elissa go, though there was no way in fucking hell he was going to tell his father he was banging the hot accountant.
“I understand your concern, but she’s not a floozy. It was only the once, Dad. I’ll survive.” He switched the coffee pot on.
A grunt greeted his words, and Ryan rolled his eyes but not before ensuring his father couldn’t see him.
“I’ve heard that before, and if I recall, she used you for your money, and when she realized you weren’t getting your inheritance for another ten years, she dropped you like ASU fumbled the ball last season.”
It was true—he’d been used for his money and connections before. Elissa wasn’t like that, not at all.
“This one is different.”
“We’ll see. When do we meet her?”
Never .
“We’ve been on, like, three dates. I’ll let you know.”
“I hope she was worth it,” Alessandro grumbled as he withdrew and walked down the hall to his office.
Ryan wasn’t sure if he was meant to hear, and he wouldn’t have answered his father, anyway.
But God yes, Elissa had been worth it. Not just the sex, though that had been beyond fantastic.
For a guy who prided himself on his ability with words, they seemed to fail him whenever he thought of Elissa.
The night had approached perfection. A quiet meal for two, sharing his life’s work with her, even though he’d only known her for a little while.
While the coffee finished brewing, he shuffled to the front door to unlock it for the day. His cousin waited outside, tapping her stilettos against the sidewalk.
“Sorry, running a couple minutes late.”
“It’s fine, Ryan. I was only out there for a minute.”
“So why the toe tapping?”
“I’m worried your dad would find out.” She shot him an impish grin.
“Too late.”
The color drained from her face. “Oh, fuck me, I was kidding. No wonder you look like shit.”
“Thanks. That’s helpful. Anyway, he didn’t yell at me.”
“Your dad didn’t yell at you when you were late? What, did aliens switch him out with someone more reasonable?”
The door shut behind them. “I’m just grateful he didn’t. If the aliens want the original version, they’re welcome to it.”
She hit him in the shoulder, a gentle tap to remind him to watch his mouth around here.
“Will you watch the door for a minute while I grab a cup of coffee?” he asked.
She readily agreed, and he hurried back.
He had no time to worry about his dad’s behavior or to think of Elissa.
Well, except for when the phones stopped ringing.
Or at lunch. Or on his third coffee break in the afternoon.
The day passed slowly, but suddenly, the clock read four thirty, and he couldn’t wait to be home and talk to her.
He texted her as soon as he walked in the door.
R: You home yet?
He grabbed some leftovers and a beer out of the fridge and checked his phone. Nothing. Well, it wasn’t five yet, she may still be working. Or she could be driving. Talking and driving was risky. He could be patient.
He turned on the TV and found a basketball game.
Okay, who was he kidding? He was not a patient man. But he didn’t have a choice. A half dozen texts right now would simply annoy the crap out of her. While Elissa was just as beautiful when annoyed as any other time, he’d prefer not to do that after last night. Not yet, at least.
He ate and drank his beer and yelled at the TV a couple times.
Still no response.
His stomach dropped. Had she changed her mind? It was almost six. Surely she was home by now.
He decided another text was warranted.
R: How bout now?
He stared at the damn phone. No three dots, no response.
Had his father been right? Was she a floozy who had been looking to use him for money and connections and his rockin’ bod?
After last night, she knew he didn’t have the money to run his podcast yet, let alone treat his girl to the luxuries he was brought up with.
Maybe she fucked him, decided it was a momentary lapse in judgment, and was waiting to let him down easy.
He wouldn’t blame her, but he needed something from her, not this silence.
Teo walked in. Apparently, his roommate sucked, and he’d been spending more and more time here lately, even when Iz wasn’t here. Ryan didn’t mind, he liked Teo. When the lease ran out on this apartment, they could look at getting a bigger place.
“What’s up, man? You look like someone wrecked your bike and pissed in your helmet.” Teo tossed the keys on the table and went to the fridge for a beer.
“That’s a lovely image, dude. Waiting to hear from Elissa. Trying not to come off too needy or demanding, but damn, I’ve been left on read for over an hour.” Ryan hadn’t been this nervous about an unreturned text since high school.
Teo clicked his tongue. “Ooh, that’s rough. I feel for ya, really. A whole hour. The audacity of the woman.”
“Yeah, fucker. Laugh it up.”
“Seriously, man, a little chill will go a long way. You both were up late, you saw her this morning, and didn’t you say she’s an accountant?” At Ryan’s nod, Teo continued. “It’s her busy season. Give her some time to breathe. She’ll text when she’s ready.”
“But what if she doesn’t?” That was the real heart of the matter. What if she didn’t want him after all? God, the idea had his toes numb and his brain screaming obscenities at the vagaries of fate.
“Then that will tell you exactly what you need to know. It will suck balls, but you’ll know.”
“Don’t sugarcoat it, man. I can take it.”
“Shut up, asshole. Hey, any more of the barbecue pork?”
“Iz made a fuckton.”
“They love to take care of us with food, don’t they?”
“God love them.”
Teo pulled the pork out of the fridge, made a plate, and stuck it in the microwave.
“Any progress on the script?” Teo asked as the food went round and round.
Ryan blew out a breath. He wished he’d had time, but honestly, he hadn’t yet. He was too tired at the end of the day, and after last night…
“No, but the recording is there. I just need to sit my ass in a chair and transcribe it.”
His phone dinged. About fucking time.
“I’ll let you get that,” Teo said with a smile.
Ryan returned his attention to his phone and read the text from Elissa.
E: Sorry, sorry. I fell asleep at my desk.
Part of him felt guilty for tiring her out so much she fell asleep at work.
The other half of him was preening with satisfaction.
Jesus, even the most enlightened men still had stupid alpha male bullshit going on when it came to sex.
Ryan put on his supportive boyfriend hat and told the alpha to go back to sleep. He wasn’t needed here.
R: No I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept you up last night. Did you drool on any tax returns?
E: Fortunately not.
R: You want me to call?
The thought bubble popped up. And stayed a while. Oh, this couldn’t be good.
E: Can we talk this weekend? Karina had a family emergency.
Her boss called Annetta today. Until Karina gets back, I’m in charge of her clients.
I spent all day making sure I knew exactly where everyone stood and prioritizing the work.
I’m going to be so, so busy for the next few weeks, maybe even until Tax Day.
Not good, but not bad, at least not for him. Karina, absolutely, and Elissa’s life was going to suck. But he was Supportive Boyfriend tonight, so he had this.
R: I gotchu. We’ll talk this weekend. I’ll call Saturday, late enough so you can sleep in. Whatever you need Elissa.
E: Thanks. You’re amazing. Goodnight.
Ryan sent the winking kissy face. Too cute, but Elissa sent back the face surrounded by hearts, so message received.
Relief flooded him. Of course it had been something out of her control. Of course. But the niggling doubt his father planted this morning wouldn’t go away.