It had been almost a week. Still, Rylan’s words rang through Tim’s mind. I’ll send you a check. The rage almost tore apart Tim’s mind, except Rylan’s words hadn’t matched his expression. Tim had thought about staying regardless of Rylan’s wishes. There’d been something in Rylan’s eyes, screaming for Tim to stay. Now he wondered if he’d made a mistake by leaving. Damn, he wished he knew where to find him. He hadn’t seen Rylan since.

“You got a delivery,” Adam said with a knowing smile as Tim stepped inside the office after his lunch break. He nodded toward a vase filled with several red roses.

Tim bit back a groan. “Thanks,” he muttered as he plucked the card from the center of the arrangement. No doubt he sounded ungrateful, but Tim was sick of getting shit from Dex. He’d accepted one coffee from the man, and Dex hadn’t let up since. Thank god they lived in different states. Otherwise, the dude would probably turn up on Tim’s doorstep every other night. It wasn’t that Dex wasn’t good looking or nice. He’d like to claim he didn’t know what it was that kept Tim from being interested, but Tim knew. It was Rylan. All his thoughts dried up when he opened the envelope. There was a folded note inside. Tim’s gaze landed on the signature—Rylan. He focused on the flowers, seeing them with new eyes. They were roses. Red roses. Rylan was an expert on colors and making a statement with them. There was no way the flowers hadn’t been an intentional choice.

Warmth spread through Tim’s chest. He realized he was smiling and automatically rearranged his features. No doubt Adam already stared at him, picking apart his every reaction. He carefully took on an uninterested expression as he read.

Tim,

I’m sorry I never sent you flowers before now. You’ve always deserved more from me than I’ve given. Hopefully, Dex does all the things for you I didn’t. I know I shouldn’t have touched you the other day, knowing you’re with him now. It won’t happen again. I also realize I should’ve let you kiss me at that stupid Wild West thing. When I pulled away from you, it wasn’t because I didn’t want you to kiss me. It was a gut-check reaction. By the time I realized what I’d done, it was too late. The damage was done, and I couldn’t explain. I’m sorry that I’m cold and can’t be who you need. Trust me, I haven’t failed you anywhere near as much as I fail myself every day. Thank you for staying with me when I needed you and thank you for the two years you tried. This isn’t who I want to be. It’s who I’ve had to become to survive. I know you don’t understand, because there’s so much you don’t know about me, but if I could be different for anyone, it would’ve been you. Anyhow, I’m just sorry—Rylan

Tim read the letter twice before stuffing it in his pocket. His mind raced as he stared at the flowers without seeing a thing. Rylan had apologized, and Tim wasn’t so sure he should have. Everything was fucked inside Tim’s head now that he’d seen the real Rylan.

“Dex is really chasing you hard,” Adam said, cutting into Tim’s thoughts.

He glanced Adam’s way. The man’s face was free of all judgment and if anyone understood falling for the last person they wanted, it was Adam. Maybe that was why his lips moved without his permission. “They’re not from Dex.”

A line appeared between Adam’s perfect eyebrows. “I only know of one other per—” Adam’s expression cleared. “Shut the heck up. Those are from Rylan?”

Tim nodded.

Adam visibly floundered. “But they’re red.”

An unexpected smile pulled at Tim’s lips. He’d known Adam would understand. “Very much so.”

Adam looked stunned. “Wow. I was kind of under the impression y’all weren’t seeing each other any longer.”

Tim’s smile wouldn’t abate. It always cracked him up the way Adam’s country drawl deepened when he was scandalized.

“I don’t know if seeing each other is the right term for what we had going on. You’d be amazed how many people don’t fuck with their eyes open.” A chuckle rose in his throat when Adam’s cheeks pinkened. In true Adam style, the man didn’t back down. That was how he’d won Kano.

“Well, yeah. You’re kissing and stuff, but that’s not the point,” Adam said with a wave of his hand. “The issue now is, he sent you roses. Red roses. That was an interesting move—like the ball is in your court move. What are you going to do?”

Tim didn’t even need to think about it. Out of habit, he buttoned his jacket to hide his gun. “I’m going to find Rylan.”

Adam shook his head, in a confused motion. “And?”

A smile that felt evil even to Tim stretched his lips. “Confuse the fuck out of him by treating him the way he deserves,” Tim answered, heading for the door. If Adam said anything else, Tim didn’t hear it. He was too busy planning his next move. Something smacked him across the back before he made it out the door. He turned. An issue of Today’s Beauty rested on the floor behind him. Tim focused on an aggravated looking Adam. “Did you just throw a magazine at me?”

Adam huffed. “You weren’t listening to me, so yeah. I was trying to tell you that Rylan is down on the second floor. I invited him in today so his new interns could practice on some of the staff. Sort of a treat for the staff while giving the interns real people to work with.”

Tim blinked. “You invited Rylan? That was… nice.”

“We’re friends,” Adam said with a smile.

“Okay.” Tim dragged the word out. “That’s… nice.” He had no idea why he couldn’t stop saying things were nice, but it was.

“It is. Now go get your man,” Adam said, dismissing him and going back to shifting through the hundreds of makeup samples that were sent to Kano every day.

In the past, he’d never thought too much about how slow the elevator moved unless he was trying to feel up Rylan. Since he was dying to get to Rylan, he wondered if he’d pull his hair out before the damn thing finally made it to the second floor. The instant he stepped out, his gaze landed on Rylan. Several women filled the makeup chairs. Rylan worked on a woman who Tim had seen dozens of times but couldn’t recall her name. He wasted no time heading straight for the man he couldn’t get out of his head.

“I need to talk to you.”

Rylan didn’t look his way. “So talk. I’m right here.”

“I’m not sure you want that.”

A loud sigh escaped Rylan. “Timothy Leon Wilkerson, just fucking spit it out. I’m working. Darlene’s eyebrows won’t shape themselves… obviously, she’s already tried that route.”

Tim shook his head. He hadn’t known Rylan knew his full name. If this was how Rylan wanted it, Tim wasn’t ashamed. “I’m not with Dex. I thought I was with you.”

Rylan finally straightened away and met his gaze.

Tim didn’t stop. “One bad day together isn’t enough to drive me away. I’ve spent two years, three months, and ten days being with you. If you want to toss that away for one horrible day, I need you to say it.”

Without looking away from Tim, Rylan passed his tweezers to the closest intern. “Finish this.” The young girl looked every bit as shocked as she should. Tim didn’t give a shit about that now. Rylan closed the distance between them. With his flattened palm against the center of Tim’s chest, he pushed, moving him out of earshot. Not that it mattered. They had everyone’s attention. Rylan looked vulnerable—like the taint of his ordeal still hadn’t faded. His gorgeous gaze moved over Tim’s face, as if searching for something. “You say that like I’m the only person you’ve been seeing.”

“You are.”

Rylan visibly floundered. He blinked several times and his lips moved with silent words, making Tim wonder if the man’s brain had disconnected from his tongue.

“I know I probably haven’t been the only person for you in the past two years,” Tim said, hearing the pain in his own voice as he made the admission. “You’re famous, and I’m no one.” Tim shrugged. “Since that night Kano had you working until two in the morning and I took you home.” A smile tugged at Tim’s lips. Damn, that had been one hell of a night. “And you demanded I carry all your stuff inside, even though you never let me carry anything for you, I haven’t touched another soul since then.” The way Rylan looked at him—with his heart in his eyes—Tim couldn’t stop. “It’s not fair for me to force you to dump me when you’ve never said we’re a couple. But if you don’t want me anymore, I need you to say it. I can’t give you up unless you make me.”

His tie tightened as Rylan used the piece of material to haul him forward. Determination shone bright in the man’s eyes. “I haven’t been with anyone else either,” Rylan said, shocking the hell out of Tim a half second before he took it even further and captured Tim’s mouth with dozens of witnesses. Tim held Rylan’s face between his hands. Someone whistled. He barely heard. Rylan hadn’t been with anyone else. The seed of hope that had been building in his chest for a while exploded into something that overwhelmed him.

“Have dinner with me tonight,” Tim said against Rylan’s lips.

Rylan placed one final kiss against the corner of Tim’s mouth before nodding. “Text me a time.”

“I’ll pick you up,” Tim said as Rylan backed away. Damn, he didn’t want to get back to work. Rylan had never kissed him in public—like he was special. He couldn’t seem to turn away and face the elevator. Tim took a step backward. “You should get back to work.”

The way Rylan fought his smile had Tim grinning like a fool. “I’m where I’m supposed to be. You should get back to work.”

Tim took another step backward, heading for the elevator. He jumped when someone squealed as he ran them over. “Sorry,” he said over his shoulder before meeting Rylan’s gaze again. The man had lost the battle against his smile. Tim lost his breath. He couldn’t remember a time when Rylan was this genuine. “I’m where I’m supposed to be too—with you, but I guess I should go back upstairs.”

“Stop flattering me. You’ve already won.”

Tim took another step back and shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for Rylan. He wanted to kiss him one more time. “I’d tell you you’re sexy, but you already know that, and that’s not how I want to flatter you.”

Rylan swiped his hand over his face as if trying to physically wipe away his grin. “Jesus. Don’t make Adam regret inviting me in today.”

He tried, but Tim couldn’t stop. “I feel like if I hang out long enough, you’ll think of something really mean and bitchy to say to me. Not only will it make my day brighter, I’ll be thinking about that evil mouth all day.”

To Tim’s surprise, Rylan appeared to blush. He hid it well. “Damn. You win again.”

Without a backward glance, Rylan headed for the elevator, leaving Tim no other choice but to follow. His smile kept getting bigger, shocking even him. He expected Rylan to call for the elevator, shove Tim on, and walk away. Instead, when the door opened, Rylan stepped inside. Tim followed. The instant the door closed, shutting them away from prying eyes, Rylan attacked. Tim’s back hit the wall. Rylan’s mouth covered his. Tim’s mind raced, running through every possibility of where he could take Rylan and get inside him. In the end, he knew it wouldn’t happen. He needed to enjoy a few private moments with Rylan and get back to work.

Rylan’s kiss softened, becoming sweeter until their lips barely brushed. He kept his hands pressed against Tim’s chest, as if he didn’t want their kiss to be sexual. “You don’t have to charm me to fuck me.”

“You don’t have to fuck me for me to want to spend time with you,” Tim shot back before stealing another kiss.

The lift dinged, and Rylan pushed Tim out before he could take things farther. “Please go back to work. You’re too distracting.”

Tim waited until the elevator door was closing Rylan inside before responding, ensuring he got the final word. “Only because you begged.” He didn’t move because he knew—somehow—Rylan would ensure that didn’t stand. His phone buzzed. Tim laughed as he dug out the device.

Rylan: Bitch.

Tim stuffed his phone back in his pocket as headed for Kano’s office. He’d let Rylan have that one. Later, Tim would have his revenge.

* * *

Even Rylan didn’t predict how he would react to seeing Tim again now that they’d decided they were a couple. He’d been on edge all week thanks to the news of Eddie’s release. As he opened the door to let Tim inside his house, his nerves snapped, transforming into an overwhelming desire to attack. Tim was his. The man’s blond hair and broad shoulders belonged to Rylan. It had been forever since he could claim anyone belonged to him. Not since... Rylan shook his head. He couldn’t let himself go there. Instead, he lured Tim inside before trying to climb him against the closed front door.

“I thought we were going to dinner,” Tim said between kisses.

Rylan didn’t let up. He tore at Tim’s t-shirt until the man let him have it. “Later,” Rylan promised as he reclaimed Tim’s mouth and unbuckled the man’s belt. No one looked at Rylan the way Tim did. That was why Rylan always let him in. Now that Tim admitted they were more than fuck buddies, Rylan needed the man inside him. Food could wait. This couldn’t.

Tim’s hands landed on his shoulders and slid higher until he gently cupped Rylan’s jaw, slowing their kiss. The man always knew how to make Rylan melt. Tim licked Rylan’s bottom lip before delving inside to stroke Rylan’s tongue. He forgot what he’d been doing beneath Tim’s touch. His hands stilled on the button of Tim’s jeans. Rylan lost himself in Tim’s kiss. How had he never noticed the affection in Tim’s touch? He did now. Rylan couldn’t focus on anything else. His back ran into a hard surface, making Rylan realize Tim had pushed him against the wall of the foyer. His bedroom felt miles away. Tim urged Rylan’s arms above his head, peeling his shirt off. Their mouths parted only long enough for the material to disappear before Tim consumed him once more.

“Tell me what you want,” Rylan said, hearing the words as if they came from someone else. He couldn’t stop. “I’ll give you anything.”

Rylan’s chest hit the wall as Tim spun him around and bit a path down the center of Rylan’s spine. “Give me you,” he growled against Rylan’s skin.

After flattening his palms against the wall to steady himself, Rylan pressed his forehead against the cool wood and sucked air. “You’ve already got me.”

Tim peeled Rylan’s jeans off while going down on his knees and skimming his teeth over each newly bared inch of skin. When he bit Rylan’s ass cheek, pre-cum rolled down Rylan’s aching cock. Being with Tim always hit Rylan fast and hard. Even during moments he shouldn’t be turned on at all, he found himself attacking the man. This was different. Tim was the one in control.

Tim moved back to his feet. “I’m sorry,” he said, kissing Rylan’s neck. “I’d plan to go slow tonight—seduce you. Now I need you.” Tim swept Rylan into his arms and headed for the bedroom. Rylan couldn’t think or focus. All he could do was breathe. The air moving through his lungs was the only thing keeping him sane. Lust clawed at his skin and brain.

“It’ll be rough this first time, but I’ll make it up to you later.”

That was all the warning Rylan got before he found himself on his feet next to the bed with his face pressed into the mattress and cool lube coating his asshole. Rylan snagged the comforter and balled the material between his clenched fists to hang on. Tim’s dick pushed inside. Rylan bit down on the blanket to keep from crying out. With his eyes squeezed shut, he breathed through the pleasure, even as his feet left the floor with each thrust. Tim knew him. The man pounded at the perfect angle, making Rylan’s cock leak. With every passing second, Rylan wound tighter like a spring. There were no thoughts. Only insanity. Tim bit his back. As the man’s teeth sank into Rylan’s flesh, something snapped. An orgasm ripped through Rylan without a single stroke of his erection. Rylan’s cries were muffled by the mattress. His muscles contracted in time with each pulse of pleasure.

Words and moans filled Rylan’s bedroom. He couldn’t force his brain to cling to any of it. His entire being focused on the twitch of his dick and the massaging of his prostate. Only one other person had ever made him come without touching his cock. He’d been hooked on that man too. All Rylan could do was hope things didn’t end the same. Then again, Rylan had nothing to lose anymore, so what did it matter?

* * *

The sensation of Rylan on his dick wouldn’t give Tim peace. He wanted to roll between the man’s thighs and take him again, even though his cock was completely dead already. After he’d fallen on Rylan, barely making it to the bed, Tim had caught his breath and made love to the man—slowly. Tim had dragged things out until Rylan begged for release. No doubt, Ry would make him pay for that one. It had been worth it. The image of Rylan biting his bottom lip, fighting the urge to cry out for Tim’s mercy, was one Tim would pull out time and time again. He already knew it. One day soon, Rylan would have to go out of town without him. It was inevitable. The man’s job never let him sit still for long. Those sexy images would have to keep Tim’s bed warm. For now, he couldn’t stop stroking every place he could reach on Rylan’s body.

Darkness engulfed them, giving Tim the freedom to indulge. “When did you know you wanted to be the makeup artist for the stars?” Tim asked. He was overwhelmed with the need to know every little detail of Rylan’s life.

He felt Rylan smile against his chest. “That’s the first question everyone asks me in an interview. I expected you to be more creative.”

Tim pinched Rylan’s side but gave in. “Fine. Did you want to be famous?”

Rylan’s lips brushed the spot where Tim’s heart beat for him. “No. When I was nineteen, I cut and colored my own hair into something new. I wasn’t trying to start a trend. It was more that I woke up that morning hating myself and needing to be someone else. So I changed my hair and dramatically altered my appearance with makeup.”

“Why did you hate yourself?”

“Do you want to hear this story or not?” Rylan asked, sounding irritated.

Tim nodded, even though Rylan probably couldn’t see him. “Go on.”

Rylan stroked Tim’s stomach, as if silently praising him. “Anyhow, at the time, I worked at a small but high-end jewelry store in Vegas. One of our regular clients was Sawyer Benedict.”

“The singer?” Tim asked, interrupting again.

Rylan hummed, confirming Tim’s thoughts. “He was always in there, buying gifts and whatnot. Sawyer came in that day and asked me to get me to help him. I laughed, thinking he was joking. When I realized he was serious, it took me a minute to prove to him it was really me. Once he realized I wasn’t playing a trick on him, he asked if I could make him into someone else for a day so he could enjoy some peace. I went to his house. We got to work. He told his friends, and I was famous before I knew what happened, but no. I didn’t want it. All I wanted was to not be me any longer.”

“Wow. You were only nineteen. I imagine Sawyer had to be young too.”

“He was seventeen. Too many people looking at you at too young of an age can really fuck up a person. Helping him escape gave me a sense of pride I didn’t think I’d ever have again after... I felt fulfilled,” Rylan finished, robbing Tim of hearing Rylan’s confession.

Tim’s throat tightened. He thought there was a good possibility Rylan would never tell him the things he already knew. But Rylan confessed more than he realized. In one conversation, Tim felt as if he understood Rylan in a way he never had. In a way no one else did.

Rather than digging for more and risking killing the mood, Tim offered a slice of himself. “You’ve accomplished so much. I feel like I’ve done nothing with my life.”

“Done nothing,” Rylan repeated, sounding offended as he came up onto his elbow. Even in the darkened room, Tim could see Rylan’s eyes flashing with irritation. “Do you know how much Kano Aramante means to the world? If you ever repeat this to him, I’ll punch you in the balls, but you’re keeping an amazing man safe, and that’s huge. Do you have any idea how many people there are like me? Especially teenage boys who think they’re different, and if they’re surrounded by small-minded people, they think they’re alone. Kano’s magazine has always showcased models and ads that target those people who need to know how big the world is. They need to hear there are people like Adam and me out there, so they don’t have to be afraid. They don’t have to be alone.” There was so much passion in every word Rylan spoke, Tim couldn’t suppress the pride rising inside him. He did keep a great man safe. Rylan made him believe he was important.

Tim’s hand rose. His fingers brushed through Rylan’s hair. “I’d argue what makes me special is that I won you. Not because of the unwanted fame. You’re amazing.” As Tim made the claim, he rolled, pinning Rylan beneath him. He needed to taste the passion on Rylan’s lips. As their lips met in a sweet kiss, Tim realized he still hadn’t fed his man. He needed to do a better job of showing Rylan he mattered. Not just in bed, but in every aspect of Tim’s life—Rylan was important.

“What can I do to make you happy?” Tim asked between kisses. “Take you to dinner? Cook you a feast? Hunt and kill our dinner?” Tim punctuated each question with a kiss, making Rylan laugh. Goddamn, it was genuine laughter and Tim’s heart couldn’t take it. He pressed his forehead to Rylan’s and stared into the eyes of the man he couldn’t shake. “You know you’re the best part of my day, right?”

Rylan ran his fingers through Tim’s hair, making his eyes fall closed at the sensation. “I’m thinking I should’ve lost my temper and smashed some furniture sooner.”

Tim shook his head. “That’s not what did it for me. It was the flowers. I’ve been holding my breath and waiting for so damn long for you to give me any sign you feel something for me. You gave me hope with that one gesture.” Tim swallowed and went all in. “I feel more for you than I think you’ll accept.”

Rylan fingertips skimmed Tim’s sides. “I’m still here.”

“This is your house,” Tim shot back, needing more than that excuse from Rylan for why he’d sent those flowers.

“Let’s go to your place, then,” Rylan said, not backing down. “I won’t leave.”

Rylan’s claim was good enough. “But your bed is so warm right now,” Tim said, dragging out his whining voice.

His joking tone didn’t soften Rylan’s intensity. “I’m being serious. Let’s go get something to eat and then stay at your place. When you wake up, I’ll be there, and you’ll know.”

Tim’s lungs stopped functioning. His whole being focused on Rylan’s words. He didn’t want to ask. Tim needed clarity. “What will I know?”

Rylan made the moment feel simple, as if he’d been waiting for Tim’s question, and the answer should’ve been obvious. “That I love you.”

He didn’t know how long he stared down at Rylan—frozen. When Rylan tried shoving his way out from underneath Tim, Tim finally snapped back to reality. “Whoa. Hold on. Where are you going?” Tim asked as he held Rylan in place. “You... I... Wow.” Once he had Rylan pinned to bed where he couldn’t get away, Tim shook off the shock. He recognized immediately, by Rylan’s expression alone, his reaction had been wrong. Tim tried fixing things. “I love you too.” Rylan stopped fighting him at the confession. He could feel Rylan holding his breath as if waiting for more. Tim gave it to him. “Never in a million years did I think you’d say the words first, but I love you too. I’ve known it for a long time but didn’t want to admit it, even to myself, because I never expected you to keep me.” Tim sat back on his heels, keeping his weight balanced on his knees so he wouldn’t crush Rylan, while still ensuring the man couldn’t get away. “The thing is, I would’ve settled for anything between us, as long as there was an us. But, yeah, I love you.”

Rylan’s hands landed on Tim’s thighs and slid higher. “You’re an idiot,” Rylan said, sounding serious and sad. “At least I can claim I fell for a good man.”

Aggravation overtook Tim. “You’re a good man.”

A sardonic smile touched Rylan’s lips. “No. I’m not. Don’t start telling yourself that, or being with me will break you.”

Tim flattened his hands against the mattress on either side of Rylan’s head. His irritation refused to dampen. “Don’t you start thinking you can tell me how to think or feel, or being with me will be the most exasperating experience of your life.”

A burst of laughter filled the air, making Tim smile at the sound. “That’s already true.” He turned serious once more. “I wasn’t trying to tell you how to think or feel. It was more like I was warning you people will ask what you could possibly see in me.”

A smile that felt evil even to Tim pulled at his lips as he completely covered Rylan’s body with his once more. “That’s an easy one. People already ask me that. I’ll tell them what I always do—I love salty things.” Tim’s humor faded. He ran his fingertips down Rylan’s jaw before tracing Rylan’s bottom lip. “People are blind fools, Ry. I’m not.”

Rylan wasn’t much on touching moments. That was one of the reasons Tim had been shocked when he told Tim he loved him first. It was also the reason Tim wasn’t surprised when Rylan’s demeanor changed from hot to humorous. “That remains to be seen. After all, you keep offering to feed me, yet here we are. It’s like you don’t fear my hanger at all.”

“That’s not true,” Tim said as he rolled to his side and from the bed. “You’re terrifying when you need food.”

“You’re the one who fell in love with a diva.”

A smile that seemed on its way to becoming permanent pulled at Tim’s lips. He was the one who’d fallen in love with a diva, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.