Half an hour later, Ryker was sipping hissecond beer, waiting for Henry.Ping!
Wes:You have time to chat?
Perfect fucking timing.Not.The last thingRyker needed was Wes on his mind when his hook-up was due toarrive.
Ryker:No
Wes:K
Ryker inhaled quickly.Don’t be adick,he admonished himself.
Ryker:Sorry, bad week.What’sup?
Wes:Nothing that can’t wait.
Ryker:Tomorrow?
Wes:Sure, take care.
Ryker:You too.
“Ryker?”A strange voice called out hisname.Ryker looked up to find a slim man in his twenties staringdown at him.“Henry,” the man said, taking a seat across fromhim.
Ryker was surprised by two things: one, howcute Henry was in real life, with his dark curly hair and big grin;and two, the fact that Ryker had no physical reaction to him.Atall.It was like Ryker’s cock was the only part of him now capableof sleep.Wake up!
Henry ordered a drink, and they sat quietly,throwing out a couple of awkward questions and answers here andthere.But Ryker was struggling to find words now that his sexdrive had decided to go on vacation.
“Look, I have to get going.”Ryker stood upand placed a couple of twenties on the table.“Sorry for wastingyour time.”
Henry smiled and looked around.“Not awaste.You paid for my drink, and I’m sitting in a bar with lots ofpotential for the evening.”
He extended his hand and Ryker shook it.Nada.
“Have a good night, Henry,” he said.
Ryker entered his apartment at eight thirtywhen Cal called back.
“Hey, bud.Everything okay?”Rykerasked.
“All’s good.No more weird texts, so I’mrelieved.Sorry I missed your call.I just got caught up working ona new piece.Oh, and I have some interesting ideas for the bookcover for1,000 Days.I’ll send you my samples nextweek.”
“Cool.I’m headed to bed.”
“It’s eight thirty!Is your insomnia worseagain?Wait, maybe you’re lovesick,” Cal teased.
“No.And knock it off.I’m just not sleepingwell.You know, with work stress.”
“You miss having a warm, handsome Canadianauthor in your bed, don’t you?”Cal laughed.
“I’m hanging up now,” Ryker said, and didso.
He shook his head, grabbing the TV remote.He searched for a movie to help him relax before going to bed.
His phone rang again a minute later.
“I told you, Cal, I’m not lovesick.I’mtired.”
There was silence before a familiar voicechuckled.“Well, hello, Sleeping Beauty.Or should I say SleepyBeauty?So, you miss me, huh?I knew you couldn’t resist the lureof my magnificent being.”Wes’s deep laugh echoed on the phone,warming Ryker from the inside out and doubling his heart rate.Check before you answer, idiot!
