JAMIE
Our breathing slows, our hearts stop racing, and we just...are. Together. Entwined in a way that goes far beyond our tangled limbs.
Rylan's arms tighten around me as he shifts, pulling me even closer, his face burying in the curve of my neck. I breathe himin, that perfect combination of clean sweat, fresh laundry, and something uniquely him.
"Just so you know," I murmur against his skin, tracing idle patterns on his back, "I'm never leaving this bed."
A soft laugh vibrates through him. "Good. Because I was planning to spend the next several days educating you on what a perfectly organized sock drawer can lead to."
I laugh. "Sounds like a plan."
His lips brush my pulse point, sending shivers down my spine. "For now, though... sleep?"
The raw, open trust in his voice—the fact that he's willing to let himself be this vulnerable with me—it undoes me all over again.
I burrow closer, my arms winding around him. "Mmm. Sleep."
Chapter 34
RYLAN
Early morning sunlight filters through my bedroom windows, catching on Jamie's blonde hair where his head rests on my chest. Everything feels soft and hazy with the afterglow. His mouth was so perfect on me just minutes ago, and I'm still floating in that space where nothing exists except us.
"Stop thinking so loud," Jamie mumbles against my skin, pressing a lazy kiss to my collarbone. "It's too early for your brain to be working this hard."
I run my fingers through his messy curls, allowing myself this moment of pure contentment. "Just wondering how you got so good at that."
He props himself up on one elbow, grinning. "Natural talent. Though I'm happy to demonstrate again if you need more evidence."
My phone buzzes on the nightstand before I can respond. I reach for it automatically - habit - then freeze when I see the caller ID.
"Declan Summers?" Jamie reads it upside down, his playful expression shifting to concern. "What does he want this early?"
Sports reporters don't call at 7 AM unless something's going on. My hand shakes as I answer.
"Collings."
"Rylan." Declan's voice is tight and professional. "Sorry to call so early, but... you need to hear this. I got a strange call last night. From Nathan Leblanc."
My blood runs cold. Jamie must see something in my face because he sits up, all traces of morning laziness gone.
"What kind of call?" I manage, proud of how steady my voice sounds.
"He claims he has..." Declan pauses, choosing his words carefully. "Compromising information about you and Pirelli. Says he saw something at the bar last night. He's shopping the story around."
The room spins slightly. Jamie's hand finds my shoulder, grounding me, but I barely feel it.
"Rylan?" Declan's voice softens. "I won't run with this. You know I don't out people. But... someone will. This kind of story, especially with you two playing like you have been lately... sex sells. And gay sex sells even better, as fucked up as that is."
I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't...
"Thanks for the heads up," I hear myself say, my voice on autopilot.
"Yeah." Declan sighs. "For what it's worth... I don't know if it's true or not, but either way, I'm sorry. People are dicks."
"Yeah, thanks," I say robotically, before ending the call.
The call ends. Jamie's still watching me, those blue eyes full of concern.
