“Okay, so the sex scenes may not be anissue.But the love story?The fuck do I know about romantic love?What about you?”Ryker looked expectantly at Wes.
Wes pursed his lips for a moment and thenlet out a big sigh, his golden eyes darker as they met Ryker’shead-on.“I thought I was in love once.But it turned out to be abig fat lie.On his part.I was a fool.So, yeah, I don’t know muchabout love either.Let’s just focus on the major plot points andcharacter development for now.We’ll deal with the rest later.”
Ryker nodded in agreement.“Do you have anyplans this afternoon?”he asked.
“Nope.Why, are you asking me out on adate?”Wes said with a smirk.
Ryker rolled his eyes.“No, Prince Charming.Our call with Mac is at seven, so we have a few hours to kill andI’ve got an errand to run.Why don’t you come with me?Then we canbring back dinner and take the call here.”
“You’re not going to ditch me in a bad partof town, are you?I’m a defenseless Canadian.”Wes’s eyes were backto their usual bright gleam.
Ryker made sure to keep a straight face.“You’ll have to be brave and find out.”
Chapter Eleven
Wes
Wes wasn’t entirely surprised when theyarrived at Heart2Home, an animal rescue shelter in midtownManhattan.After all, Ryker housed three pets in a small New Yorkapartment.His love of animals was evident.
A tall woman with a short blonde bob andblue eyes met them at the front desk.“You’re in earlier thanusual, Ry.And I see you’ve brought a guest?”
She moved around the desk to give Ryker ahug.
“This is a colleague of mine, Wes Stewart.He’s going to be helping me out this afternoon.Wes, this isCharlotte Landing.She’s the executive director of Heart2Home.”
“Oh, my God!Of course I recognize Mr.Stewart!Welcome to our humble shelter.This is truly an honor.I’msuch a big fan of your books.”She gushed as she grasped Wes’s handtightly.“Wait, are you here for research?Are you writing a newmystery series?Oh!You could set one here and we could all be yoursuspects,” she squealed.
“I’m just here as Ryker’s guest, but younever know,” Wes replied politely.
“You’re here to volunteer with Ryker?That’sso awesome,” she smiled, turning to Ryker.“We’ve got three newdogs in this week.If you and Wes could sign in and take them for awalk, that would be super.”She handed over a clipboard.“Oh, andRudy is still nervous around new people.Maybe spend someone-on-one time with him again?”
“Sure thing,” Ryker replied.
They signed in and wandered down a longhallway to a solid green door.As they approached it, Wes couldhear all manner of barks, woofs, and meows coming from the otherside.Ryker grabbed the clipboard that was hanging on the door andread aloud.“Okay, enclosures five, eight, and twelve are the newdogs.Let’s take them for a walk, then come back and visit withRudy.”
“Who’s Rudy?”Wes asked.
“He’s a four-year-old golden retriever andGerman shepherd mix.Been here about a month.He was found lockedin a cage, malnourished, and with signs of physical abuse.When hewas first brought in, he barely looked at anyone.He tends to benervous, especially around men, so talk softly, kneel down, and lethim sniff your hand.And no sudden movements.”
Ryker was totally comfortable and engaged inthis environment.It was like Wes was seeing a different personcompared to the man with the defensive posture he’d met at Mac’sparty.Though there was definitely something about Ryker’smoodiness that made Wes want to tease him and draw out a smile.Hehad to admit he found both sides of Ryker’s personality appealing.Fuck me.
A handsome young brunet man wearing redscrubs and a huge smile appeared at the door, interrupting Wes’smusings.“Ry, so great to see you again.Here to visit the newbrood?”
The man moved closer to Ryker, right up inhis personal space, placing his hand on Ryker’s arm and squeezing.Take your hand off him,Wes thought as his mood soured.
“Yup, it seems like quite the crowd today.Hopefully, you can find good homes for them soon.I take it theyall passed the health check?”Ryker asked, slowly pulling away fromthe man and turning to Wes.“Sorry, Wes, this is Dr.Javier Rohas.He’s the vet that visits the shelter once a week.Javier, WesStewart.”
Javier stepped close to Wes and grasped hishand tightly.“So nice to meet a friend of Ry’s.Do you live intown, or are you just visiting?”he asked, his blinding grin nowreduced to a polite smile.
Wes responded carefully.“Visiting for now,but New York is my favorite city in the US.So who knows?”Hesmiled back.
Javier moved closer to Ryker again.“Ry, didCharlotte mention the benefit gala we’re hosting next month for theshelter?We’d love for you to join us.”
Ryker crossed his arms and shifted backward.“I don’t know.I’d be happy to make a donation instead.”
“But you’re one of our foundationalvolunteers.We’d love for you to attend in person, maybe say a fewwords?It would mean the world to me.I mean, to us,” Javierpleaded with his big eyes as he grabbed Ryker’s arm again.
Wes rolled his eyes internally.Between thefluttering lashes routine and the way Javier kept touching Ryker’sarm, could he be more obvious?
