Tina’s eyes widened.“Ryker made you bringfood?”She turned toward the kitchen and yelled, “Ryker!Quéhiciste?Es un invitado en tu casa!”
Wes wasn’t fluent in Spanish, but he knew apissed-off mother when he heard one.Ryker appeared at the end ofthe kitchen counter, arranging cups and other items for coffee.Alovely flush of color bloomed over his cheekbones, his dark hairsliding over his shoulders in silky waves that Wes was suddenlyvery eager to bury his hands in.Wes’s gaze slid down Ryker’s form,taking in the square, black-rimmed glasses that perfectly framedhis indigo eyes, his lean body in a black t-shirt and tight fadedjeans, and all the way down to his bare feet.
When Wes’s eyes roamed up again to meetRyker’s, the impact was undeniable.Wes acknowledged that he’dnever been so physically aroused by anyone in his life.He had anoverwhelming urge to grab Ryker’s stunning face in both hands andkiss him, right the fuck now, not caring that his mother was twofeet away.Wes didn’t believe in love at first sight—but lust waspretty close.
“Mama, it was a joke.I didn’t think hewould take it seriously,” Ryker countered, looking bashful.“Butthank you, Wes.”
“No problem.You did text me their address,so I assumed you were serious,” Wes replied with a grin.“And Ididn’t mind at all.I love discovering new shops and restaurants inNew York City, and this place will earn a repeat visit,” he said,taking a seat on one of the black leather bar stools at the far endof the counter.
“My son, I will admit, he is smart.Soclever.But sometimes smart ass is more like it.”Tina grabbed anavy-blue dish towel hanging from the oven door and swatted Rykeron said ass.Lucky towel, Wes thought.
Tina smiled and turned back to him.“Wes,we’re havingcafé con leche, a sweet latte, but Ryker hasone of those machines that can make fifty types of coffee and tea,so you can have whatever pleases you.”She waved at the gleamingcoffee machine.
“I’ll havecafé con lecheas well,please and thanks,” Wes answered.
He watched Ryker as he bit his full lowerlip in concentration, adjusting the machine with strong, practicedhands.Ryker’s long, fluid body moved quietly in the kitchen space.Wes would be happy to stare at this sexy man all day, but Tinainterrupted his lustful daydream.
“So well mannered.It is very rare thesedays.You were brought up right,” she said to Wes as she placed thebagels and cream cheese on a platter.“Please help yourself,Wes.”
“Thank you.My grandmother did her best,”Wes said as he took a sesame bagel and spread it generously withcream cheese.Ryker finished making the coffees and placed them onthe counter, then took a seat on the stool beside Wes, his nowfamiliar spicy scent wafting over.Wes sipped on his drink andmurmured his appreciation.“Mmm, creamy and sweet.Best coffee I’veever had.”
He looked at Ryker as the words left hismouth, and all he could think of was how Ryker would taste.Wes wasglad he was sitting behind the counter so no one could see theprominent bulge in his jeans.He shifted in his seat to ease hisdiscomfort and caught Ryker’s smirk.So, the hot word nerd thoughthis predicament was funny, eh?
Wes raised his left eyebrow, then slowlylicked cream cheese off his fingers one at a time, watching asRyker’s eyes locked on his mouth, his face flushing, his bodyslowly shifting on his seat, mirroring Wes.Payback’s abitch, Wes thought as he smirked back at him and winked.
Tina’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Ryker,then Wes.She took a seat opposite them, and then a long sip of hercafé.“So, Wes, I understand that, just like my Ryker, youdate men.Is your interest in him sexual, or is this purelybusiness?”
Wes choked on his bagel, and Ryker spit outa mouthful of coffee, spewing droplets all over the glossycountertop.Tina laughed and shook her head at both of them.
Chapter Ten
Ryker
Asking his mother to come here had come backto bite Ryker on the ass.
He’d wanted to get her read on Wes.She wasa hardworking, successful businesswoman, and Ryker trusted herinstincts about people.She had, after all, learned the hard waysince his father had up and left when Ryker was six months old.
He’d also wanted to make Wes a little bituncomfortable, but that plan had backfired.
Despite his mom’s presence this morning andhis reaction to her frank question, Wes regained his composurequickly and was already back to his annoyingly charming self.
Wes chuckled.“You don’t pull any punches,do you, Tina?”
“Forgive me for my timing, but I am verydirect.I run a marketing agency, so as a businesswoman, I am usedto getting right to the point to avoid wasting time.Time isprecious, right?”she said with a smile.
“Yes, I’m that way, too.”Wes paused,quickly glancing at Ryker before turning his attention back toTina.“I won’t deny that your son is extremely attractive, but I’mhere to convince him to work with me.Ryker feels we won’t meshwell because of our differences in personality.But I want toexplore the potential for a creative partnership.I think combiningour writing styles will bring forth an exciting venture.I’m alsohaving some trouble with writer’s block, and I’m hoping Ryker canhelp me.I respect his work immensely and feel that I could learn alot from him.”
Wes’s words of praise made Ryker’s heartbeat faster.He respected Wes’s openness, but he was also surprisedthat Wes had revealed his writing problems again.It wasn’t an easything to admit.As a writer, experiencing a block was sofrustrating and, depending on how bad it was or how long it wenton, terrifying.He knew it was difficult for Wes to tell anyone,let alone Ryker and now his mother, who was practically a strangerat this point.
Wes had also admitted that he found Rykerattractive, but maybe that was just for show.Wes was a naturalflirt, so it was hard to tell.Ryker sensed that Wes’s reactionswere genuine.Ryker felt a pull between them and a tension hecouldn’t deny—it was natural and powerful.He hoped he wasn’t alonein that feeling.Even as Ryker’s rational brain issued warnings tostay away, he couldn’t help but be drawn to Wes’s energy.
“Well, thank you for your honesty, Wes.”Tina smiled and gestured between them.“I think you two boys needto talk it out.I have a spa appointment in half an hour, so I haveto get going.”She stood, put her plate and cup in the sink, thenwalked back over to the counter and placed a hand on Wes’sshoulder.“Wes, it was nice to meet you.Hopefully, we’ll meetagain for a longer discussion.In the meantime, I wish you the bestof luck with my stubborn son.You will need it.”She grabbed alarge leather tote bag from the living room sectional, then wavedand headed down the hallway.“Ryker, come help me with the door,please.”
Ryker followed his mom, as requested, andheld the door open for her.
“Ryker, you be kind to that man.He probablyhas the world at his feet, but there is something inside him thatis lost.You can see it in his eyes.You are a quiet, caring soul.Be patient with Wes.”Ryker started to respond, but Tina held ahand up to silence him and continued: “I know you were hurt in thepast, but life is for living, and I want to see you happy andfulfilled.You spend too much time alone,mi cariño.It’snot healthy.Now, go talk to your writing partner.”She kissed himon the cheek and was off.
“He’s not my partner yet,” Ryker mumbled.Hestood at the door until his mom disappeared into the elevator, thenmade his way back to the kitchen.
