Ryker couldn’t ever remember anyone rufflingMac’s calm and professional demeanor like that.Shaking off hislaughter, Ryker intervened before Mac totally lost it.
“Okay, okay, moving on, folks,” he said.“Wes and I are going to test out this potential partnership overthe next few weeks.We’ll see if our writing styles mix and let youknow our final decision in a month or so.”
“Yes!I knew it!”Mac pumped his fist in theair.
“Calm down, Mac.We haven’t signed anythingyet.This is a trial to see if we can stand working together.I’mstill skeptical, and Wes has other opportunities, I’m sure.Onemonth.Okay?”
Mac smiled.“A step in the rightdirection.”
“So, anything else we need to discusstonight, Big Mac?”Ryker asked with a straight face as Wes laughedout loud.
Mac’s middle finger said it all.
Chapter Twelve
Wes
The call ended just after seven thirty PMwith no further comedy or drama.
Wes and Ryker talked for almost two hours,enjoying a bottle of Merlot while discussing potential plot linesand upcoming work schedules.They talked about authors theyfollowed, favorite restaurants, and music.Despite Ryker’sinsistence that he didn’t talk much, they hadn’t run out of thingsto say.It was almost like a date but better.
Shit, don’t think about the D-word.You hate dating, remember?Wes reminded himself.Turnyour thoughts to something else.
“Oh, before I forget, here’s my homework,Mr.Desoumas, as requested.I e-mailed it to you, but maybe youhaven’t had a chance to read it yet, so I printed it out.Do I getextra points for writing more than five hundred words?”Wes pulledout a crumpled-up wad of paper and tossed it at Ryker.
“I was kidding about the homework, Wes.I’veread your books, so I know the quality of your writing.”Rykeropened the paper and silently read and nodded a few times, thenfinally looked at Wes.“It’s good but not great.You’re just out ofpractice.”
“I’m really afraid to try my hand at fictionagain.”He pointed to the paper.“What if I’ve lost my creativespark?What if good is the only stuff I can churn out now?I wantto be great again.”Wes sighed and took another sip of wine.
“Every writer should strive to evolve.Machas been telling me this for the past year, that I need to trysomething new.So, you’re not the only one who feels the pressure.I think you just need quality time to let your imagination unfold.That means less of the party circuit and more creative exercises.Maybe a coach can help, too.Or a writing partner.”Ryker paused asWes raised one eyebrow.“Yes, I see the irony.Anyway.As I wassaying, you need less outside noise, more internal focus.”
“But what if the focus isn’t with me, MasterYoda?”Wes joked, and Ryker laughed, throwing his paper back athim.“Okay, in all seriousness, after thetour, I’ll have more time to write.I’ll take youradvice.”Wes paused.“Thanks.It’s helpful to talk to someone whoknows what I’m going through.Writing can be isolating.”
They continued to chat.Ryker selected somemusic, his eclectic tastes evident in the playlist that echoedsoftly out of the surround sound speakers—eighties hits, hip-hop,and jazz.As they sat quietly, the sound of John Legend’s “All ofMe” filled the apartment.Wes felt the energy between them slowlyshift from relaxed to sensuous, the blood pulsing through his bodylike the music, his desire for Ryker growing stronger with everybeat.Wes admired Ryker’s mellow pose on the couch—his long legssplayed wide, his strong hands rubbing those well-defined thighs.He stared at the line of Ryker’s neck as he leaned his head back,his thick, silky hair spread out over the velvet surface of thesofa.
Wes wanted badly to reach out and touchRyker, but he was afraid to jeopardize the tentative friendship andpartnership they’d struck up over the past twenty-four hours.Allthe stars were now aligned, and Wes was so close to getting what hewanted.Everything except Ryker.
He needed to leave.Now.Before he didsomething stupid that would ruin everything.
“I’d better go.I’ve got an early meetingtomorrow with Grey, and then I need to pack for my flight toAtlanta,” Wes said quickly as he rose from the sectional.“Thanksagain for a great day.I’m excited to see what the next few weeksbring and whether we can come to an agreement on the book deal.Luca will be in touch with a schedule to get us started.”
Wes paused as Ryker stared up at him.Thetension between them grew thicker.Ryker finally lifted his headoff the sofa and stood up.Taking his glasses off, Ryker saunteredright up to Wes, so close he could see Ryker’s pupils dilate, theblack becoming ever larger in those big blue depths.Depths Wescould stare into day and night—they were that hypnoticallybeautiful.The now familiar smells of spice and leather filled hissenses, and he watched Ryker’s throat move as he swallowed.So muchsmooth skin to explore.Then Wes’s gaze moved south and landed onthe large bulge in Ryker’s jeans.
Without further thought, Wes reached out andtouched Ryker’s face, the skin so hot he felt its warmth right downto his toes.Wes enjoyed the contrasting sensation of the roughstubble over smooth cheekbone.Ryker inhaled and closed his eyes,his chest moving in and out, faster and faster.
Wes dove right in.He plunged his hot tongueinto Ryker’s mouth, tasting wine and Ryker’s own spicy essence.Ryker grabbed Wes’s ass and pulled him in even closer, crushingtheir chests together and grinding their denim-covered cocksagainst one another for more friction.
“Wait, wait,” Ryker murmured against hislips, then abruptly pulled away.“What are we doing?”
“I would think that’s obvious,” Wes repliedas he leaned forward and nipped at Ryker’s lips.“We have hotfucking chemistry and we want each other.Simple as that.”
“Not simple when there’s our workpartnership to consider.”
Wes sighed and pulled back.Every cell inhis body was telling him to take what he wanted and slake thedesire that this man ignited inside him.But Ryker wasn’t wrong.They were blurring lines, and adding sex to the mix would only makethings that much trickier.Unless they agreed to get this out oftheir system once and for all and then move on with their workendeavor.They could do that.They were both mature enough.Maybe.
Ryker closed his eyes and took several deepbreaths, and Wes watched as his body struggled for control.
When Ryker opened his eyes again, Wes couldsee the answer to the question neither of them wanted to voice.
