Ryker might be quiet in nature, but hisbeautiful eyes—wide and expressive—spoke volumes.Wes could tellthe man had a lot to say.He just needed to know how to draw itout.For some reason he’d yet to understand, Wes wanted to get toknow Ryker, book deal or not.He’d think about the why of thatlater.
So, here he was, silently slipping up to therooftop patio thanks to Mac’s directions.
Ryker was lying on one of the teak patioloungers, his long body stretched out, with one leg bent.With hiseyes closed and a small smile in place, Ryker’s face was thepicture of serenity.The tiny stringed lights overhead winked andcast a soft glow on Ryker’s profile, highlighting the dark stubbleon his smooth skin and lips so lush they gave Wes the dirtiest ofthoughts.The taut lines of Ryker’s arms and legs strained underhis sleek clothes, and Wes could so easily picture him naked in thevery same pose.Waiting.Anticipating.
Fuck.Stop staring at the hot man.You’veseen plenty of them,Wes reminded himself.He took a few deepbreaths and, once he got himself back under a semblance of control,sauntered up to the lounger.He could smell the spicy scent thatwas uniquely Ryker, mixed in with something else.Tobacco?
“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.Your PrinceCharming has arrived,” Wes said.
“I’m awake, Wes, and a beauty, I am not.”Ryker opened his eyes and pushed himself up to a sitting positionin one smooth movement, then ran his hands over his hair, whichfell in messy waves around his shoulders.“And you’re no PrinceCharming, but you certainly have the ego of one.”
“I think you’re too modest, Ryker.Althoughif you continue with the smoking…” Wes chuckled and Ryker’sfuck-off expression emerged again.Maybe Wes needed to dial backthe smart-ass comments just a bit and focus more on honesty.Rykerwould respect that, right?
Wes sat down on the lounger across fromRyker, staring straight into his eyes.“I’m no prince, but I doadmit to my ego.I come by it honestly.My work speaks foritself.”
Ryker’s eyes were still cool but growingwarmer, so Wes continued.“So, I’ve admitted I’m conceited, andyou’ve admitted you like that about me—”
Ryker’s burst of incredulous laughtersurprised Wes, who couldn’t help but stare at the way Ryker’s smiletransformed his face.This Sleeping Beauty was even more stunningthan at first glance.Wes’s blood thrummed, his heart beating awild rhythm, and his dick grew hard despite the confines of hisslim dress pants.
“I actually haven’t admitted that, but Iguess you’re starting to grow on me,” Ryker said.“Like mold.”
“Eh, I’ve been called worse.”Wes shruggedand grinned in response.“Can we have an actual conversation?Let’shead back inside to talk.It’s a bit chilly at this time ofnight.”
Ryker got up and stopped right in front ofWes, touching his suit lapel—or rather, straightening it out.The heat of Ryker’s fingers burned throughthe expensive material like a brand, and Wes wondered if Ryker feltthe same electricity.Wes stared at those haunting blue eyes, andhis heartbeat pulsed double time.Wes leaned closer to those sinfullips.Maybe just one taste.
And then Wes found himself alone again whenRyker abruptly stepped back and headed for the stairs, turning atthe last minute.
“Okay, Wes,” Ryker said.“But I warn you,I’m still not sold on this book series.You’re going to have to doyour best to convince me.I’m a stubborn pain in the ass who likeshis routine.”
The mention of the book deal broke Wes outof his sexual haze.Yes, the books.After all, that was the reasonhe was here.He’d better lock this sexual tension away and focus onhis other desires.Like writing.
He smiled at Ryker with his cockiest grinand motioned to the doors.“Lead the way.”
****
Ryker
Holy hell, I was thirty seconds away fromkissing Wes.What is wrong with me?
It seemed Ryker’s hormones had a mind oftheir own around Wes, despite knowing that the man was trouble.Awell-intentioned touch to straighten Wes’s lapel had backfired whenRyker felt the heat of Wes’s solid chest.Standing that close,Ryker had wanted to kiss the freckles that dotted Wes’s sharp noseand cheekbones before moving his way down to the full lips thatbeckoned with their softness.His blood had rushed south so fastthat Ryker had to turn suddenly toward the patio doors so Weswouldn’t see the bulge in his now extra-tight jeans.Ouch.Serves you right, almost kissing him.What the fuck were youthinking?
Ryker hadn’t had a hookup in months, so thathad to be it.It’s just a reaction to prolonged frustration.It wasn’t like he was suddenly tempted by this blond-haired devil;he was just horny.
Ryker walked down to Mac’s living room,which was now empty, and grabbed a spot on the sectional, Wesfollowing suit.
“So, why don’t you work well with others?And why the dirty look when you saw me for the first time tonight?”Wes asked.
“I did some research on you, and while Irespect your early work, I’m not keen on the fact that youpublicize your life.That’s the complete opposite of me.And I wasangry that I was ambushed tonight.I didn’t know you’d behere.”
“I can’t speak as to why Mac didn’t tellyou.But don’t dismiss this project based on faulty assumptionsabout who I am personally instead of the quality of my work.”
“I’m not making assumptions.I look at thefacts.”Ryker’s face flushed.“Most of your social media is aboutparties rather than your writing.That’s not me.I care about mywork and it comes first.It is my reason for being.I just don’tthink that you and I would be a good match given our differences inpriorities.”
“My priority is writing the best book I can,whether fiction or non-fiction.But being in the media is also partof my job.That’s what generates sales.Come on, Ryker, you knowthis.”
Ryker flinched.“I’m sure there are otherwriters who would love the opportunity to work with you.I suggestyou talk to Mac about finding a more suitable partner for thiscollaboration.”
Wes started to talk, but Ryker raised a handto stop him.“I value privacy as well as honesty,” he went on.“AndI had a really bad experience with a colleague back when I was ajournalist.I won’t bore you with the details, but I really don’tthink we’d be a good fit working together.”
