The captain announced they’d be startingtheir descent soon.Wes finally sat down and buckled up.Tenminutes later, the plane landed, but Wes’s thoughts remained firmlyabove the clouds.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ryker
“Remind me again, why did I agree to go tothis event?”Ryker yelled out from his bathroom, adjusting theuncomfortable tie around his neck and fidgeting in his slim tuxedoas he stood in front of the mirror.The black suit was cutperfectly, Ryker thought as he adjusted his lapels and checkedhimself out.He’d left his long hair loose and decided to wear hiscontacts tonight, but he’d skipped the eyeliner, much to Wes’sdisappointment.
“Because you love the shelter and want toshow your support,” Wes replied, sneaking up behind Ryker andsmoothing his hands down his back to rest at his waist.“Andbecause you get to show off your man.”Wes winked at him in themirror and squeezed his waist.
Ryker took a moment to appreciate theirprofiles in contrast.Wes, bulky and broad, his blond hair andhazel eyes so bright.Ryker, slim but nearly Wes’s equal in height,with dark hair and navy-blue eyes.They looked so good together.Ryker’s body began to heat up, and his cock swelled in his verytight pants.He reached down to adjust himself.Wes caught themovement, smiled, and dropped a kiss just behind his ear, thenmoved over to his lobe to lick and gently bite.Shit.
“Not there.You know how sensitive I am.Igo fucking crazy,” Ryker said, wishing they could just stay homeinstead.
“Sorry, my bad,” Wes said and patted hiswaist.“Come on, we have a party to go to.”
He reached out his hand.Ryker interlockedtheir fingers tightly, never wanting to let go.
They said goodbyes to the fur babies andheaded downstairs to their limo.They picked up Grey and Luca and,fifteen minutes later, arrived at Legacy Loft, a well-known venuespace in Greenwich Village.The space was over three thousandsquare feet, with panoramic views of the eclectic neighborhood.Themain room was filled with dozens of round tables that each seatedeight, decorated in the style of Heart2Home’s black, white, and redlogo.A DJ was pumping up the large crowd as Ryker searched for hissister and his mom.He spotted them standing by the bar, bothdressed in short, stylish cocktail dresses and sipping colorfuldrinks.Ryker grabbed Wes’s hand and tugged him over.
“Hola,querido, you look sonice in your tux!”Tina exclaimed, greeting them with hugs.“Andyou, too, Wes.So handsome.”
“Thanks, Tina, but I think Ryker wins forthe most beautiful man of the night.”Wes chuckled, giving Ryker aonce-over.Ryker felt his cheeks heat up.
“Oh, look, Mama, Ryker’s blushing,” Rachelteased, reaching up and grabbing Ryker’s cheek, then turning togreet Wes with a hug.“Wes, it’s so nice to meet you in person.Thevideo chat we had when Ryker was visiting you in Toronto was tooshort.”She stood back and looked at both of them.“Wow, you twoare stunning together.Can’t one of you grow a wart or something?”she joked.
Wes rolled his eyes.“Please, take a look inthe mirror.You have lots of men and women glancing your way.”Standing tall in a black sequin strapless dress and red satinheels, Rachel Desoumas was a striking beauty, just like her mom andbrother.“In fact,” Wes said, “you’re one amazing family.Let’s getsome photos.”
After pictures and cocktails, Rachel pulledRyker aside as Wes and Grey wandered over to view the items up forbid in the charity auction.
“I wanted you to know, I submitted my DNAand got a match a few days ago,” she said.
“Holy shit!”Ryker couldn’t believe it.“Whodid it match to?”
“A first cousin on our father’s side.Shelives in San Diego.I’ve reached out to set up a meeting with herwhen I head to California in August.”
Ryker nodded.“Have you told Mom?”
“Yes, and she supports me.I think she’dlike answers, too.You know, to finally put everything to rest.”Rachel sighed and rubbed her hands together.“I hope that you’llsupport me, too.”
“I’m still getting used to the idea.I maynot want to know all the answers just yet, but I’ll always love andsupport you.”
Rachel reached up and hugged him.“Thanks,bro.I love you, too.”
He squeezed her waist as she drew back.
Ryker then spotted Javier across the roomand signaled for him to come over.
“Ryker, so glad you could make it!”Javiersaid.
Introductions were made, and Wes returnedwithmoredrinks.
“Javier, nice to see you again.”Wes noddedpolitely, and Javier shook his hand.
“You traveled a long way for our benefittonight.Thank you.”
“I’m here to support my partner.It’s mypleasure,” he responded smoothly, sliding his arm around Ryker’swaist.
Ryker had a brief flash of guilt when herecalled what he’d said to Javier about not being interested in arelationship.But he’d never be anything more than friends withJavier and had made that clear, so there was nothing to feel guiltyabout.
