Jay stared at him. “Are you seriously trying to rationalize the hot, bare-chested guy on the cover of my romance novel? Why do you think I bought it? I’m at the bookstore, go to the romance section, andbam—sexy half-naked duke. I’m in. I read the back, and it gets even better. It has everything I want. Action, adventure, a dark and sinfully smoldering duke, a dangerous highwayman, intrigue, hot sex, and romance. Whywouldn’tI buy it?”
“It’s ridiculous.” Ryden waved the book at him.
“You’reridiculous!”
“What in the hell is all this hollerin’ about?” Mason stormed out of King’s office. “Are you two at it again?”
Jay stood and thrust a finger at Ryden. “That immature man-child not only spoiled the end of my book, a book I was very much looking forward to and enjoying, but then he says it’s ridiculous!”
“I apologize.”
Jay whirled to face Ryden. His expression told Jay he was most definitelynotsorry.
“I meant to say it’s pointless trash and stupid.”
Jay clenched his jaw so hard it hurt. He needed to leave before he shouted out something completely inappropriate in the middle of the office. Excusing himself, he stormed into the first empty office he came across, which was, thankfully, Red’s, and slammed the door behind him.
The scent of lavender filled the room, and Jay’s shoulders relaxed a little as he inhaled the soothing mist of essential oil emanating from the glowing diffuser in the corner. He breathed in through his nose and exhaled out his mouth just like his calming app had taught him. The fact that he needed a calming app to deal with Ryden should have been enough evidence to stay away from the guy.
Some truce. He should have known Ryden was full of it. With a frown, Jay dropped onto Red’s couch. He wasn’t going to let that asshole upset him. Ryden wasn’t even the first guy to talk shit about Jay’s choice in books. He had been fighting that battle since middle school when he read his first romance.
Even then, he hadn’t cared what anyone thought because he knew the truth about the books he read, about the stories that were everything he needed—an escape. Every story was a magical world he could lose himself in, and it felt good. They made his heart happy. Why did people have to shit on other people’s joy?
Jay had always loved to read. He read all kinds of books, but his true love had always been romance. What was wrong withbeing swept away to another world where someone loved you so deeply that they would do anything for you? Where they would sweep you off your feet and fight for you, love you for who you were, flaws and all? Maybe they were unrealistic sometimes, but so what? Who the fuck wanted reality? He’d had a lifetime of realistic relationships, and guess what? Zero stars. Would not recommend. He wanted the handsome hero to rescue him, and he wouldn’t say no to some mind-blowing sex.
A knock sounded at the door, and Jay straightened. It was probably Mason. Poor man. He did not sign up for this when King asked him to take the reins. The door opened and shut, but Jay closed his eyes.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Jay muttered.
“I’m sorry.”
Jay’s head shot up. It was Ryden.
Great. What the hell did he want now? “Come to make fun of me some more?”
Ryden hesitated, then sat down at the opposite end of the couch. “I wasn’t makin’ fun of you.”
“You were making fun of something I love. Therefore, you were making fun of me.”
“Oh. I didn’t think ’bout it that way,” Ryden murmured. “There’s nothin’ wrong with what you read.”
Jay glared at him. “I know that. I’m not ashamed of what I read. I love what I read and don’t care what anyone thinks.”
“Then why are you in here? And not to be a jerk, but the fellas tease you about your books all the time.”
“It’s not the same,” Jay growled. “They’re not mean about it. They don’t insult what I read or call it stupid trash because they don’t believe it. You believeit is, and you were trying to be hurtful.”
Ryden rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re right. I was an asshole.”
“Why?” Jay shook his head. “I don’t understand. Do you dislike me that much?”
“What? I don’t dislike you.”
“Really? Because everything that comes out of your mouth says otherwise.” Jay stood and turned away. What the hell was this? He didn’t like it.
His whole life, Jay had dealt with people saying hurtful things about and to him, whether it was about his wardrobe, his voice, his personality, what he read, and yes, sometimes it hurt, but most of the time, he didn’t care becausetheydidn’t matter. He’d learned early on that other people’s perceptions of him were not his problem, and the words they used said more about them than him. He also gave as good as he got. Of all people, why would he care what Ryden thought?
The hand on his arm startled him, and he turned, surprised to find Ryden standing there. Close. Too close. Heat rose to his cheeks, and he hated that he couldn’t stop it. He was not blushing because of Ryden. It was, um, anger. Yes, he was flushed because he wasangry.
