Felix ignored the comment. He knew she meant well and was just looking out for him, but it played on his insecurities. Why was Ryder Quinn interested in someone like him? There had to be a catch. Felix had been expecting something simple, away from the prying eyes of the public, but they would be in one of New York’s hotspots.
He would take Laura’s advice about his attire, but now he had to think about what he’d do if Ryder invited him back to his place. This was technically their second date, so it didn’t break his rule, if he counted the hot chocolate and make-out session as a date. It was certainly better than most first dates he’d ever had. His phone pinged. Excited, he almost tripped over getting to it.
Sam:Miss you, babe xxx.
Ugh. That deflated his mood. He really needed to block the number, but something in his head was stopping him. Not wanting to reply, he deleted the message. After they’d broken up, Felix had deleted their entire chat history. Despite what Sam had done, it had still been a wrench to throw away their history of messages, which veered from sweet to downright filthy. There’d also been some pictures he now regretted sending, but he’d been in love. Or so he’d thought. Had it been love, or a desperation to not be alone?
Ryder was sending a car for him again, which he’d initially refused. Felix would have been happy getting the subway, but he’d not really had much of a choice, though itwasn’t Ryder being pushy. Laura had snatched the phone off him and confirmed that Felix was being a precious princess and would be more than happy to be collected. She’d then walked away with the phone and spoken to Ryder for five minutes, before bringing it back looking smug with herself. Neither of them would tell him what was discussed, although Felix didn’t have to be a mind reader to know it was about him.
Once he was dressed, he looked in the bathroom mirror, and begrudgingly admitted Laura was right. He looked good, and he rarely thought that about himself. He gave himself a spritz with his favorite cologne, which he saved for special occasions because it cost a fortune.
“Hubba, hubba,” said Laura, when he walked out.
Felix laughed, relaxing a little.
“Just enjoy yourself, but have nothing spicy.”
“Why not?”
“It’ll hurt enough tomorrow. You don’t want to antagonize it.”
“Oh my God! Do you ever stop?”
Laura howled with laughter, and Felix couldn’t help but laugh alongside her. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if Ryder invited him back to his place. He would just decide in the moment and not drink any alcohol. That would do the trick. At least then he would use his brain and not his hormones for decision making.
The door buzzed and Laura started jumping around like an excited puppy. Felix gave her a hug, grabbed his coat, and headed downstairs. Walking out the door of his apartment building, he was shocked to see Ryder standing by the car door, waiting for him. He was wearing something similar to Felix—trousers and a button up—although he had the top few buttons open, showing his pectoral fold. Fuck! How was that even hotter than him not wearing a shirt at all?
Felix tried to act all nonchalant as he walked down thesteps of the building, but he missed one step and stumbled, falling forward. He panicked, realizing he was going to go down and couldn’t do anything to stop it. All he could do was try to turn his body so he didn’t hit the deck face first.
The only thing he hit was a mountain of solid muscle, as he fell into Ryder’s gigantic arms... Swoon. It was like a fairy tale and a nightmare combined. Part of him wanted to be swept up in a passionate kiss, and the other part wanted to die and see no one again who had witnessed such an embarrassing moment.
“Good to know you’re already falling for me,” said Ryder.
“Does that line ever work on anyone?” he laughed awkwardly.
“No idea. I’ve never used it on anyone else before.”
The comment hung in the air between them, neither of them saying anything, but the heat between them was unmistakable. Okay, he now knew if Ryder asked him to go back to his place, he’d be going. In fact, could they go now and skip dinner?
Felix was aware he was still being held in Ryder’s arms like a dying swan, so he smiled and wriggled, prompting Ryder to put him down. Ryder leaned down to give him a brief kiss, which didn’t last longer than a couple of seconds, but was enough to make Felix’s knees wobble, then he took his hand and smiled at him before escorting him to the car. Felix got inside, and Ryder closed the door behind him before getting in the other side, and once they were buckled up, the driver pulled out.
“How’s your week been?” asked Ryder.
“It’s only been three days since I last saw you.”
“Okay, cheeky. How have the last three days been?”
“Are you trying to make small talk?” Felix smiled.
Ryder stroked his finger across Felix’s hand, making the hairs on his entire body stand on end.
“What would you rather I do?”
“Er . . .”
Ryder chuckled. “Can I have another kiss, Felix?”
Felix wasted no time unbuckling his seatbelt and sliding across to Ryder, who took his face in those giant hands. As soon as their lips connected Felix was instantly hard. He wanted to climb into Ryder’s lap and stay there. So much for having self-control. But this was Ryder Quinn, the hottest guy on the planet as far as Felix was concerned.
