“Thanks,” said Felix, taking the water. “How long do I have you for?”
“I’m all yours for the afternoon, so no rush.”
He smiled at Felix, who blushed—absolutely adorable.
“Shall we do the interview first? Helps people loosen up for the photo shoot.”
Ryder couldn’t help but snort. Felix went bright red and started babbling an apology, but Ryder put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him they were fine, and felt a jolt of electricity which went straight to his cock. It twitched with anticipation, but he let go of Felix’s shoulder as he didn’t want to come across as a creep.
“Let’s sit on the sofa,” Ryder suggested. It would be comfy and they’d be more relaxed.
They took their seats. Felix was drinking his water fast,which was probably nerves, and Ryder wanted to put him at ease immediately, but held back from touching him again.
“Why don’t you start by telling me about your family,” said Felix.
“Sure. I’m the oldest of three. I have two younger sisters. Mom and Dad were childhood sweethearts and that perfect couple who never argued, and if they did we never heard them. I think Dad letting Mom have whatever she wanted because he idolized was his tactic,” he chuckled.
“How did they react when you came out to them?”
“Like any parent should. They listened, said they loved me, it changed nothing, and that was that. My mom asked if I was fifty-fifty or if I had a preference, and then suggested men were easier to live with.”
They both laughed, but Ryder caught the sadness in Felix’s eyes. He remembered what he’d shared about his own coming out story, and Ryder couldn’t help but feel angry that any parent would treat their child like that. He reached out and took hold of Felix’s hand.
“I know not everyone is as lucky as me.”
“It’s not lucky,” said Felix. “It’s how it should be. I should be the anomaly. I always think that it could have been worse, but then... Sorry, we’re talking about you.”
“Nothing to apologize for. I can’t claim to understand, but I can empathize a bit. One of my best friends was put in conversion therapy by his parents.”
“Oh my God.”
“He met the love of his life there, so it wasn’t all horrible. They didn’t see each other for twelve years, and now they’re getting married.”
Felix teared up. Not what Ryder had intended, so he pulled him towards him and hugged him. He felt so fragile in his arms, but Ryder held him for as long as he could before it felt inappropriate.
“I’m so sorry. I’m being very unprofessional,” said Felix, wiping his eyes.
“You’ve nothing to apologize for. I shouldn’t have just dropped that story on you. It’s not mine to tell.”
“Well, I won’t say anything to anyone.”
Ryder didn’t want to get Felix’s hopes up, but he was going to ask Max and Paolo if they’d be willing to take part in the project. They’d be perfect for it, but it was their story to share. Ryder was almost certain they’d want to do it, especially with the work Max was doing with kids who had homophobic parents, but he needed to talk to them about it first.
The rest of the interview was much less intense, as Ryder talked about how he got into fitness, and subsequently influencing. There were no questions about his private life, which he appreciated, but he wouldn’t have minded a few from Felix. Ryder wanted to see that adorable blush again.
“You ready for some photos now?” asked Felix.
“Absolutely. I’ll just go to the bathroom while you get set up.”
Felix smiled. He was so cute when he did that. Ryder needed to splash some cold water on his face and stop staring at the boy. He didn’t want to come across as some sort of predator.
“How old are you, Felix?”
“Oh . . . I’m twenty-seven.”
Ten years. That was socially acceptable. What was he even thinking? This was a professional interview, but Ryder could sense there was something between them. Or maybe it was just because he’d not been laid in a couple of weeks. He excused himself and went to the bathroom, using his en suite.
Once he was done, he grabbed some gym shorts and stripped off, so they were all he was wearing. It was a photo shoot with Ryder Quinn, so people would expect to see the goods. He walked out and had the perfect view of Felixbending over taking something out of his bag. That ass was pert and beautiful. His ill-fitting clothing didn’t flatter his assets, but bent over like this, Ryder could see what Felix was working with. He’d love nothing more than to spend hours rimming that ass before slowly fucking it. His cock starting plumping at the thought. That was an interesting development.
