“Whoa, Spock, stop it!”Ryker couldn’t helpbut laugh as his excited pooch jumped between him and Wes, unableto decide who he was more excited to see.Wes lifted his head, hisblond hair sticking up every which way and his hazel eyes sleepy.He grinned when Spock nuzzled his face and licked his jaw.
“Oh, Spock, thank you for the morning kiss,even though I was kind of hoping your daddy would get to me first,”he joked as the dog wagged his tail in Ryker’s face.
“That’s life with fur babies, right?We comein second.”Ryker winked as he grabbed Spock and hauled him intohis arms.“I put them in the spare bedroom last night, but Imust’ve forgot to push the door fully closed.He’s a bit eager forsome loving.”
“I can see that.”Wes smirked and leanedforward, capturing Ryker’s lips in a slow, sultry morning kiss,which was rudely interrupted by Spock’s wet nose poking betweenthem.
Ryker reared his head back and laughed.“Okay, sweetheart, let’s go for a walk.”
“Have fun, Spock,” Wes murmured as hestretched out on his back.
“I was talking to you, big dick.”Rykersmirked at Wes, who threw back the covers and rolled out ofbed.
“Slave driver,” Wes said as he sat up againand finally got out of bed.He made a big production of stretchinghis arms over his head, providing Ryker with a close-up view of hisnaked body.
Ryker’s smirk faded as he zeroed in on Wes’sperfect ass, marred only by Ryker’s love bites.Wes turned his headand waggled his eyebrows.“Caught ya.”He laughed, then saunteredinto the bathroom.
Ten minutes later, Ryker and Wes walked outinto the warm spring air to stroll through Central Park.Spock tookthe opportunity to sniff every single post, person, and tree trunkalong the way.On their way back, they stopped by a French-stylebakery for chocolate croissants and headed back up to theapartment.Ryker madecafé con leche, and they spread out inthe living room.The two cats wandered over and immediately jumpedon Wes, willfully ignoring their owner.
Ryker was afraid to ruin their limited timetogether with potentially awkward relationship talk, but he knew hecouldn’t put it off forever.He’d have to find the right time.Andthe right words.Ryker rubbed his bracelets absently.
“I notice you wear those bracelets all thetime.Is there any special meaning to them?”Wes asked.
“No special meaning.I count the beads orrub them if I’m feeling anxious.I guess they’re sort of like worrybeads.And, according to Cal, they’re hipster cool, so you know, Imake a fashion statement,” Ryker rolled his eyes.
“They suit your Zen-meets-rockstar style.”Wes gently grasped Ryker’s wrist to take a closer look.“I like thecolor and texture.It’s very natural and warm, just like you.”
They kissed again.
“Hey,” Ryker whispered against Wes’s lips,deciding that it was now or never.“So, I’d like to keep seeingyou, exclusively, and not just to write our books.”Ryker held hisbreath, his gaze roving over Wes’s face, gauging his reaction.
Wes’s golden eyes glowed even brighter whenhe smiled.“I want that, too.I think I made that clear when Isuggested we forego the condoms and I agreed to go away with youfor the weekend,” he teased, but then shifted his tone.“It may notbe easy, though, with you living here and me in Toronto, and ourbooks, and my travel.Are you sure you want to make a go ofit?”
Ryker opened his mouth to answer, butSpock’s bark interrupted them.Ryker laughed and pointed to hisbrown-eyed pooch, who was sitting directly in front of them.
“That’s a yes!”
****
Wes
I’m in a relationship.Say it again.I’m in a relationship.
Wes was still in shock.Wait until he toldGrey.And Luca.Well, Luca already knew given Wes’s change intravel plans, but he hadn’t talked to him since.He had a feelinghe was due for some serious razzing by his closest friends oncethey found out he was trying out monogamy for the first time inthree years.Especially since he’d sworn he’d never put himself inthat vulnerable position again.But Wes didn’t give a fuck—he wasso happy, he didn’t care what they would say.
After their talk over breakfast, Wes andRyker showered together and made their way back to bed for twohours, where the sex was slow and sensual.But then they had toreturn to reality.Wes needed to make work calls, so Ryker showedhim the den and the sleek, modular desk where he could set up hislaptop.
“I’ve got to call my agent back anyway, soI’ll be a while.Take all the time you need,” Ryker said.
With that, Wes settled in and used FaceTimeto call Luca.
Luca’s smiling face and green-tipped hairpopped up on the screen.“Good afternoon, Mr.Romance,” he saidwith a chuckle.
“Jesus, please don’t call me that.Ever.”
“How aboutSleepless in LA?No, thisis more likeWhen Harry Met Sally.Sorry,When Wes MetRyker!Was your reunion like that scene inThe Notebook?Did you sweep Ryker up into your arms and kiss him in the rain?”Luca joked.
Weshadlifted Ryker up his arms inthe hallway at one point and carried him to bed, but he wasn’tabout to give Luca any more romantic ammunition with which to teasehim.
