Chapter 6

Ryan sat in his car outside the building the group was meeting in. He’d dreamed of Shannon O’Neil all fucking night long. Jerking off in bed and the shower didn’t help nearly enough. He was still tense, needing more than his hand to get the job done.

O’Neil pulled in next. He parked in the next stall.

Ryan climbed out while O’Neil shut off the engine. No one else was there and he didn’t know what to say.

Secrets were so hard to keep, and he hardly knew the man, though something told him he could trust O’Neil. He hoped like hell his gut was right.

“Morning, Ryan.” O’Neil’s tone was a low rumble.

Ryan licked his bottom lip. “Morning. Sleep well?”

His eyes sparked full of mischief. “Dreamed of you.”

“You weren’t the only one.”

His brow cocked. “You dreamed of you?”

Ryan chuckled. “No. Of the things I want to do to you.”

“Oh fuck,” he groaned low, then swept his gaze to the entrance.

Ryan glanced over to see Luke drive up in his Prius. Bastard was always early, but Ryan figured he had a few more minutes. “Sorry, Luke has a habit of that.”

“He was only a few minutes early yesterday.”

“Yeah, but his woman wrote this story. He wants to make sure he does it right. And I can’t say I blame him. Leona is truly worried we’re all going to fuck it up.” Ryan lifted a shoulder. “I get why she’s worried, but the only thing that will convince her is the final product.”

“I want to meet her. See what aspects she’s worried about. Maybe I can ensure you all know more about the elements that make her nervous. Her books were well researched.”

“She’s thorough. And fun to hang out with. They make a good couple.”

Luke climbed out of his car. “You’re not usually this early, Ryan.” He nodded to O’Neil. “Morning.”

“Morning,” he replied.

Ryan smirked. “I had some questions about his training regimen. Hoped he might have some tips.”

Luke glanced at Ryan, then back at O’Neil. “I’m all ears.”

And the conversation turned to the gym. But Ryan would see O’Neil later.

Raven pulled in beside them and hopped out with a strange look on her face. Then she moved to Luke. “How’s Leona doing?” She started walking backward toward the building.

Ryan hid his smile. She was trying to buy him a couple minutes with O’Neil, but Alexa and Keenan pulled up in the same car.

Ryan had to wonder if they were hooking up. Might give O’Neil a break. Alexa had tried to land him in bed on a few occasions. She did the same to Luke, who didn’t take the bait. And now Keenan seemed to be going there, but he didn’t have any such policy to stay away from co-stars.

O’Neil met his gaze and lifted one shoulder. “May as well start early since everyone is here.”

“Yeah.” Sooner they got done, sooner he could find out if there was something worth pursuing.

* * * *

Questions tumbled through O’Neil’s head. He didn’t ask them last night, on the phone. He wanted to see Ryan’s reaction. So, he waited.

And he had a busy day planned. The goal was to teach them as much as possible. So far, they were all invested in what they would learn.

Ryan walked inside with Raven. And once again, O’Neil wanted the story behind their friendship. Would it change anything? Probably not. Ryan said women didn’t do it for him, and they certainly didn’t act like anything more than close friends.

But he had to know if Ryan ever felt a twinge of attraction. Raven was beautiful. He couldn’t imagine not feeling even a hint of desire for her.

He stepped inside, and Alexa leaned into Keenan, who had his arm around her. Perhaps she would give up on her mission to seduce him.

O’Neil moved in front of everyone. “Are we ready for a long, hard day?”

“I’m ready for a long, hard something,” Alexa whispered, then giggled.

O’Neil didn’t acknowledge her comment. He nodded to the gun cases in the corner. “We’ll be busy today.” And he hoped to be even busier later in the evening.