“Before I forget,” Ryker said as he pulled asmall, black velvet bag from his jacket.“I have a gift for you.”He placed the bag in Wes’s hand.
Wes slowly opened the drawstring bag andremoved a bracelet similar to the one Ryker wore, except this onehad brown beads with golden striations.
“These beads are tiger’s eye.The colorreminded me of your eyes,” Ryker said quietly and slipped thebracelet onto Wes’s wrist.“They’re supposed to encourage feelingsof empowerment and offer protection.”
Wes rubbed the bracelet and slowly reachedup to cup Ryker’s face.“It’s perfect.I love it,” he said.“Comeon.Let’s head up on deck and watch the sunset.We have a night onthe water to enjoy,” Wes murmured against Ryker’s lips.“Then Iwant to show you my home.”
They made their way to the upper deck andgreeted the charter captain, who was readying the boat launch forthe lake tour.Wes pulled Ryker in close as they leaned against thedeck railing, enjoying the view of the cityscape set in full reliefagainst the pink-hued sky.They waved at nearby sailboats and watertaxis as they left the marina.
“Let’s grab dinner and eat out here,” Wessuggested.
They did just that and enjoyed morechampagne with their dinner, which included ribeye steaks withsalad and a rich chocolate cheesecake for dessert.When neither ofthem could eat any more, they sat close together and chatted,enjoying the uninterrupted time together.Several hours passed andthe sky darkened, the full moon high above reflected in the water.The lack of clouds and their distance from the city lights allowedfor stargazing.Sitting together on a lounger, the sparkling visionabove them reminded Wes of the tattoo on Ryker’s back.
“The tattoo between your shoulderblades—with the moon and the blazing comet—is there a specialmeaning behind it?I meant to ask weeks ago, but I guess I gotdistracted by the rest of your body.”Wes smirked and hugged Rykercloser, kissing the top of his head.
“I’ve always been fascinated with astronomyand space.Mom took us to the Hayden Planetarium when we were kids,and I was hooked.I guess that’s why when I turned to creativewriting, I focused on science fiction.I sometimes have a hard timedealing with people in real life, but in the worlds I create,everything makes sense to me.I’m free from limitations.I got thetattoo a year after the assault incident.It was important to me tohave a reminder that no matter what happens in my life, I’llpersevere with passion and purpose.”He paused.“Hey, did you knowcomets can spend thousands of years in the solar system before theyreturn to the sun?But they always return,” Ryker murmured, staringup at Wes with eyes as dark as the sky.
“Are you saying you’ll always come back tome?”Wes asked.
“Always.”
No more words were needed after that.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ryker
Ryker spent the rest of the week at Wes’shome, and both Peanut and Rudy took to him like long lost pals.Theweek was full of walks on the beach, dinners with Wes’sfriends—including Grey and Luca—and a video call with Ryker’ssister, Rachel.But the majority of time was spent in bed,touching, talking, and laughing.Ryker was afraid the neighborsmight show up to complain after a rather noisy round of sex in theoutdoor pool late one night, but Wes wasn’t worried.
“They’re used to my sexy antics,” he’d jokedas they left the pool.
“As long as I’m the only one you do sexyantics with from now on,” Ryker had replied, swatting Wes hard onhis bare, wet ass, then running inside to avoid retaliation as Weschased him through the house.The dogs watched the crazy humans inconfusion.
The only blip came halfway during his staywhen Wes’s ex showed up.A yelling match ensued on the driveway,and Wes was about to call the cops before Ryker intervened.
“Wes, go inside.I’m going to talk to Kieranalone.”
“Ry, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Five minutes.Trust me,” Ryker pleaded, andfinally, Wes nodded.Wes walked back up his driveway and into thehouse.Once Ryker saw the door close, he turned back to Kieran.
Ryker gave Kieran his coldest glare.“So,Kieran, here’s what’s going to happen.I’m going to give you abusiness card.”Ryker paused and pulled out several cards from hispocket.He searched through them and found the one he was lookingfor, a thick red card that had been burning a hole in his pocketfor over a month now.He was glad to get rid of it.“You’re goingto call the number on it next week.The number belongs to a very,very wealthy man who I’m sure would be happy to befriend you.You’re going to obey the restraining order and never, ever contactWes again.Are we clear?”
Kieran’s model-worthy pout screwed up tightas he looked Ryker over.“How wealthy?”he asked.
“Ten times wealthier than Wes,” Rykerreplied calmly.
Kieran took a long look at the card andfinally nodded.“Okay.But this better pan out.”
Ryker nodded in return.“Now it’s time foryou to leave,” he said, escorting Kieran to the end of thedriveway, where his car was parked.Ryker watched until Kieran gotin the car and sped off out of sight, and then he headed backinside to find his man.
“I can’t believe he left!What did you sayto him?”Wes asked.
“Hold on, sweetheart, I have a phone call tomake.”
Ryker picked up his cell.“Harrison?It’sRyker Desoumas.Yes, it has been a while since Mac’s party.No, no,thanks, I have a boyfriend.Look, I gave your card to a man namedKieran Moore.Late twenties, looks like a pouty GQ model, with anattitude to match.He’s looking for a sugar daddy, but he’s nottrustworthy.I wanted to warn you he’ll be in touch.Sorry, but hewas hung up on my boyfriend, and I needed a diversion.”Rykerpaused, then burst out laughing.“Yes, okay, have fun,” he saidbefore hanging up.
“What is going on, Ry?”Wes asked, shakinghis head in confusion.
