Wes crossed his arms over his expansivechest and cocked his head, studying Ryker for several moments, hishazel eyes suddenly dark and serious.“I’m going to share somethingpersonal with you, something I haven’t told anyone but Grey.”Wespaused and ran a hand over his blond hair, down his neck, and thenover his square jaw, looking uncomfortable for the first time thatevening.
“I’m hitting a wall when it comes to mywriting.The self-help books have done well for me, and I used tolove everything that came with it.But lately, I’m not inspired towrite much of anything.And that has to change.Writing has been mysalvation since I was a kid.It was my escape, and then my ticketto a better life.But lately… I can’t describe to you the stress Ifeel when I sit down and I have nothing to say.Nothing worthpublishing, anyway.When Mac called me about this idea, I had a gutreaction that this was the answer I was searching for.So mymotives are selfish, to be sure.But I promise you, I’m thehardest-working writer you’ll ever collaborate with, and I meanwhat I say.I’m not shy.And I don’t lie.Feel free to askaround.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through that, Wes.But I don’t know that this changes my opinion about workingtogether.I rely on my routine.”Ryker paused.“I have a set way ofdoing things when I sit down to write a novel.I need it thatway.”
“I understand that, but you work with aneditor.You have beta readers.You work with several people tocreate your final published work.It’s not just you in avacuum.”
Ryker pondered Wes’s comment for a moment.“True.But I’ve done most of the work and then it’s adjustments.Idon’t know if I’m capable or willing to share my creative processwith another writer.”
“How do you know unless you try?”
There was a quiet pause in the room when Wesfinished talking, and neither of them looked away.
Ryker wondered if he should take thischance.Would it be worth the anxiety he was feeling?Mac keptencouraging him to get out of his comfort zone and take creativerisks.Maybe this was the time for that to happen.Or maybe he wasabout to make another big mistake.
“I’m still not convinced,” Ryker said.“Ithink we ought to get to know each other first.We can meet upwhile you’re in town and work on a few creative pieces to see ifwe’re a good match.A book series is a serious commitment, and weboth have to buy in one hundred percent to make it successful.AndI don’t do anything halfway.”
Wes nodded.“Sounds fair.”
“Good, stop by my place Monday morning forour first meeting.Give me your number and I’ll text you thedetails.”
“Done,” Wes replied confidently.
“Oh, and one other thing.”
“Name it.”
“I want you to meet my mother,” Ryker saidwith a smirk on his face.
Wes’s shocked expression was priceless.
Chapter Seven
Wes
His mother?Wes was not expectingthat.It seemed odd to meet the parents in this scenario,but if that was what it took, he would do it.Wes agreed and theyfinalized the details for a Monday meetup.Wes then texted Luca tore-book his flight and get his hotel stay extended for another fewdays.
As he finished entering the meeting detailsinto his phone, Wes looked up to watch Ryker hug Mac and Calgoodbye.Ryker turned his head at the last moment before leaving,and the impact when those expansive blue eyes met his couldn’t bedenied.Fuck, if he wasn’t careful, he could lose himself in thosedark depths.
The sexual chemistry with Ryker was clear,but it made Wes somewhat uneasy, which wasn’t like him.Normally,he went after men he desired, and then he moved on after his needwas satisfied.But something about the way he reacted to Ryker atfirst sight was different.It was stronger, sharper than anythinghe’d felt before, and that scared the shit out of him.Maybeworking together was a bad idea.Maybe having a few days to thinkit over was really for the best—for both of them.Or maybe heshould take Ryker’s advice and find someone else to work with.
It wasn’t like Wes to second guess himself.The meeting was set, so he’d follow through.Shaking himself out ofhis weird mood, Wes walked over to Cal, Mac, and Grey.It was halfpast midnight, and all the other guests had left.And now that theobject of Wes’s distraction had gone, he was left feeling restlessagain.
“Okay, people.Time to have some real fun!Let’s hit a club.”Wes clapped his hands and rubbed them together,and all three sets of eyes landed on him.“We’re young and singleand ready to mingle!”
“Fuck yeah,” Cal murmured, while Mac andGrey rolled their eyes.
“Please tell me you don’t talk crap likethat when you’re trying to pick up men.”Grey laughed and nudgedWes as they all made their way out Mac’s door.
Wes winked.“Nah, I don’t need to sayanything.”
They hopped in Cal’s limo and, thanks toMac’s connections, scored a VIP lounge at The Royale, a popularManhattan nightclub.With a view to the dance floor below, Wes felthis mood lighten as he watched all the pretty people at play.Manyhandsome men were writhing and grinding together on the dancefloor, the beat of the house music and the dark purple lightingcreating just the right seductive atmosphere.For a moment, hewished Ryker had joined them.But that might’ve complicated things,and Wes didn’t want to think about Ryker when he had other, lesstroublesome options to choose from.
Determined to have some sexy fun, Wesscanned the crowd for his man of the night.When no one inparticular caught his eye, he turned around to find Grey sittingalone with his head down, reading his phone.Cal and Mac werealready heading down to the dance floor.Wes went over to sitbeside Grey, nudging his arm.
“We don’t have to stay long, Grey.I justwanted to dance a bit and see if someone catches my eye.You okayhere, or do you want to leave?”As much as Wes wanted some fast,sweaty sex, his friend came first.
“I’m okay, but it’s been a long time since Iset foot in a club.Even though it would probably do me good to letloose and forget real life for a while, I don’t know if I have thecourage to go down there.”Grey sighed and rubbed a hand down hisface, then unbuttoned the top two buttons of his white shirt.
