“I won’t lie.Losing Andrea has been themost difficult thing I’ve ever endured.”Grey paused and tookanother sip of his drink.“But I feel like I’ve finally turned acorner.At least I sleep more than three hours a night, and workkeeps me busy.I’m just a little bit uncomfortable aboutsocializing.I’ve met a few interesting people at my tennis club,and one asked me out on a date recently, but I turned them down.Idon’t know if I’m ready yet.”
“Look, I can’t imagine what you’re goingthrough, but at some point, you have to face your fear.It will beless painful when you’re totally honest with people and theyunderstand your situation.”
“It’s not just socializing.”Grey lookedaround the room quickly and turned back to Wes, lowering his voiceto a whisper.“I haven’t had sex in so long, I feel fuckingawkward.My body is telling me it’s ready, but my mind is freakingout.”
Ah, sex.One of Wes’s favorite topics andpastimes.He looked at Grey directly.“You just need to get into anenvironment where you can relax.Maybe a club or a bar.Have adrink or two.Flirt a bit.Sex is one thing; dating is a wholeother issue.Personally, I prefer the former.It’s simpler and thevariety is so enjoyable.”
“Easy for you to say.You weren’t marriedfor eight years.I haven’t had sex with more than one person in allthat time.Now I feel like a dorky teenager again.”Grey chuckledquietly and shook his head.
“Less thinking and more doing, and you’ll beall set.”
They finished their drinks and left the barto catch their car service.Wes’s stomach suddenly tightened—withtrepidation or excitement, he couldn’t tell, but it had been a longtime since he’d felt either.
He welcomed the feeling, embraced it, andsmiled to himself as they headed off into the vibrant New York Citynight.
****
Ryker
“So, what do you think?”
Ryker stood in front of the full-lengthmirror in his walk-in closet and looked down expectantly at histhree fur babies, all of whom had watched his every move as he gotready over the past half hour.He’d chosen slim black designerjeans, a charcoal t-shirt, and a black velvet blazer.He’d added alava bead necklace and left his dark hair loose.In addition to hisusual bracelets, he’d strapped a leather cuff to his right wrist.He decided to forego glasses tonight in favor of contacts and addednavy eyeliner to complete his look.He mulled a quick shave, butdecided the scruff was better.Combined with the dark eyeliner, itmade him look edgier and unapproachable.Perfect.
He slipped into his old combat boots andgrabbed his phone, noticing that Cal had texted him a few minutesago.
Cal:Got our ride ready.Move yourass!
Impatient, as usual.Ryker shook his headand hurried down the hallway to the front door.
Thankfully, the elevator ride was a shortone, and when he got to the spacious lobby of his building, hisgaze immediately caught on the limo out front.Jesus, it was a bitmuch for a short ride to a dinner party.But who was he to arguewith Cal’s over-the-top style or generosity?The man was outgoing,funny, and flirtatious to the max—a platinum blond, brown-eyed impwith a personality no one could resist.Even grumpy-ass Ryker.
The back window rolled down to reveal Cal’sblond hair and big smile.Ryker opened the door and glanced in athis friend, who had a glass of bubbly in hand.
“Really?You’re dressed likethatfora dinner party?”Ryker exclaimed.
Cal was relaxed in a slim white tuxedojacket and pants but no shirt.As he stretched his arms out overthe back of the leather seats, the jacket opened to display hischest and gold nipple piercings.Cal liked to push the fashionenvelope and hated restrictive clothing and clothing ingeneral.
“Jesus, Cal, why didn’t you put a shirt on!Save that outfit for the clubs.”Ryker was half amused, halfhorrified at Cal’s clothing choice.
“Come on, Ry, I look hot.”Cal winked atRyker and smoothed his hands through his chin-length hair, thendown his jacket lapels.“Besides, this way all the attention willfall on me, and you’ll be left in peace, just like you prefer.Orat least, that was my plan until you wrecked it with the eyeliner.People are going to stare, bud.You look pretty hot yourself.”
Ryker grunted, squirming uncomfortably atthat comment.“This look is supposed to repel people, not attractthem.Aren’t you getting my ‘fuck off’ vibe?”
“No, I’m getting ‘I’m down to fuck’ morethan ‘fuck off.’Bad boys are irresistible, didn’t you know?”Cal’steasing laughter filled the limo.
“I’m grumpy, not bad.”Ryker pouted, thenaccepted the glass of champagne Cal held out to him, forcinghimself to relax.“And how come you’re so happy?Have the textmessages stopped?”
“Nothing today, so that’s good.Anyway, Idon’t want to think about it tonight.We both need to de-stress andhave fun.”Ryker accepted Cal’s point and refrained from anyfurther questions.
Cal chatted away about his day, and Rykerrolled the window down to watch Manhattan whiz by.Soon, they werein front of Mac’s three-story brownstone in the East Village.
Cal got out first and walked nonchalantly upthe stairs, ignoring several passersby on the sidewalk as theygaped at his outfit—or lack thereof.
Mac opened his front door, dressed in trimnavy slacks and a white button-down, his practiced smile in placeuntil he looked down at Cal’s outfit.
“I didn’t order a stripper.You have thewrong address.”Mac managed to get halfway through his comment witha straight face, and then he and Ryker bent over snickering, theirlaughter echoing in the cool night air.
“Hey, I’m fucking sexy and I know it.”Calsmirked as he opened his arms wide and gestured down his body.“Andyou should be used to this by now.Wearing the least amount ofclothing necessary is my trademark.”
