“Are you done?”Wes couldn’t help but laughat his friend’s antics.“Get it out of your system, Luca.I didcall about actual work, so maybe we could get to that?Have youreworked my schedule?When do I fly out to Portland?”
“Wait a minute.You—Wesley Stewart, swornbachelor—rearranged two days in your schedule to fly back to NewYork to be with Ryker, and you think I’m just gonna let that go?Come on, Wes, you know me.Tell me everything!Was Ryker surprised?How much sex did you have?Are you two officially a couple?”
Wes’s face heated at the mention of the wordcouple.
“I’m only going to say this once, becausethis conversation is really painful for me.Yes, he was very happyto see me.I will not answer the second question, but you can takea guess based on the permanent grin on my face.And finally, yes,we’re a couple.And exclusive.Happy now?I haven’t even told Greyyet.”Wes watched the screen as Luca’s face lit up.
“Oh, my God, I am so happy for you, Wesley!Wait, I only met Ryker on that video call the other day.Pleasetell me I can interrogate him to make sure he’s good enough foryou.”
Wes laughed.“You have his number.Call himup if you’d like.”
“Already added it to my to-do list.So, youhaven’t told anyone else yet?”Wes shook his head, and Lucacontinued, “Can I be the one to tell Big Mac?I really want towitness his head exploding from this news.Do you think he’ll beokay, or will he freak out over the implications for the bookdeal?”
“I don’t know, and I honestly don’t care ifMac is pissed.This relationship was the last thing I expected, butit feels right.And I’m not changing my mind.That being said, heis Ryker’s friend, so I would prefer that Ryker tells him what’sgoing on.”
“You know, New York would be a fabuloussetting for a fall wedding,” Luca hinted, clearly looking for anyexcuse to get his event planning business underway.
“Stop right there.We just agreed to seeeach other.Save your wedding planning for someone else.”
“Speaking of planning, I re-booked yourtravel.You’re on the eight forty-five flight tomorrow morning.Hotel and all the other deets are being sent to your inbox as wespeak.Anything else I can do?”
“I’m good.Thanks, Luca.Talk to yousoon.”
Wes ended the call and headed to the livingroom in search of his partner in crime.Ryker was standing in frontof his writing board, adding Post-it notes while Spock sat at hisfeet.Wes noticed that Ryker was wearing his black-rimmed glassesagain, the ones that made him look like a sexy, albeitlonger-haired, version of Clark Kent.The sudden image of Rykernaked except for his specs got Wes hot.Again.Jesus, this manis going to be the death of me.It was at that moment thatRyker turned and smiled knowingly at Wes.
“How’s it going, Mr.Romance?”Ryker doubledover laughing.
“You heard that?I guess Luca is a bit loud.Jesus.I have to call Grey next.He’s going to be just as bad.”
Ryker shrugged.“Don’t worry, Cal and Macwill do the same to me.We’ll just annoy them all with lots andlots of PDA.”He smirked.
“You’re an evil genius,” Wes murmured as hewrapped his arms around Ryker from behind and pulled him in tight,Wes’s suddenly stiff prick finding a perfect home in the crease ofRyker’s luscious ass.
“So, when do you leave?”Ryker asked,tilting his head to the side as Wes nuzzled his neck and nipped athis ear.
“I have to be at the airport by seventomorrow morning.Which means we only have another fifteen and ahalf hours together.Which means we need to get naked.Now.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Wes
Wes was the only person standing in line atairport security with an idiotic grin on his face.
Everyone else looked grumpy and tired, giventhe hour, but Wes was so filled up with the happy, warm feelingsRyker inspired that he was floating on a natural high.He probablylooked it, too, since the large man waving him over to the X-raymachine narrowed his eyes when he drew near.Shit, the last thinghe needed was a delay in transit and a full-body search.
Wes checked his phone for the thirtiethtime, infatuated with the recent selfie he’d taken as a screensaver.They’d been lying in Ryker’s bed shortly before Wes left,leaning against the headboard while Spock, Isaac, and Princess Leiasurrounded them.Wes had said something ridiculous, and he’dmanaged to capture Ryker’s biggest smile, the one that made veryfew appearances, and even then, only for the lucky few.Wes lovedthat smile and wanted to see it.Every.Fucking.Day.They werelooking at each other, their eyes locked together in a moment ofpure happiness.
Wes stared at his phone until realityintruded.“Sir, please place your bag and all electronics in thebin,” the security officer said.
Complying with the order, Wes managed to getthrough security and into the first-class lounge in record time.While waiting to board, he figured now was as good a time as any tocall Grey.
“Hey, Wes, how’s it going?”Grey answered inhis usual calm tone.
“I’m good.At the airport, headed toPortland.Just wanted to call and chat.”
“Isn’t it the middle of the night in LA?”Grey asked.
