Chapter Ten
RYLAN SIPPED HIS MIMOSA, WATCHING as Scott gestured with the ballpoint pen he’d charmed out of their server. “That picnic area we saw on our hike the other day was just a short walk from a parking lot along a completely paved trail. Even if you have heels on, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“It’s so pretty there,” Minh put in, his voice a little dreamy. “Red rocks, the creek, all those trees.”
“Then, what, at least six picnic tables, Rylan?” Scott looked at him, and Rylan cast his mind back, unable to remember exactly.
“I think so,” he said tentatively. “I was a little, er, distracted at the time.”
Scott shot him a wicked grin, reaching under the table to dance his fingertips up Rylan’s inner thigh. “That’s right, you were,” he purred. Rylan grabbed his hand right as he was about cup his crotch.
“It’s a really fun place, that’s for sure.” Minh’s eyes were sparkling, and Rylan felt his face flush, aware of three other sets of curious gazes on him. Chris raised his eyebrow.
“We, uh—” Rylan stammered. “We were hiking and stopped to rest along the creek, and it was really—er, restful.”
Minh choked, and Scott took pity on him, to Rylan’s vast relief. “We’d hiked in from another location, but I’m almost positive I can find it again, and it had plenty of picnic tables. I think it’ll be perfect.”
“What’s your dress like, honey?” Minh asked Julia. “Does it have a train that will drag in the dirt?”
Julia picked up her phone and swiped, turning it to show Minh. “No, actually it’s a slip dress, see?”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s stunning. Is it hand-beaded?”
Julia nodded, beaming, and she and Minh launched into a detailed discussion of hair, makeup, and accessories.
Scott and Brian were scratching notes on a napkin, talking earnestly about logistics and money, so Chris put his arm along the back of Rylan’s chair and leaned over.
“What was that all about?”
Rylan flushed again. “Let’s just say,” he said drily, “that if the group of hikers who interrupted us had come along ten minutes later, they would have gotten quite the gay sex education.” Rylan shuddered. “And obviously I had no idea we were that close to a fucking parking lot.”
Chris’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “Hearing this makes me so happy, you don’t even know.”
Rylan gaped at him. “What, that I can’t control myself around two hot guys?”
Chris patted his shoulder reassuringly, smiling. “No, that you’re adventurous. That you go with the flow and you’re not too hung up on rule-following. That’s going to be important out in the field.”
Rylan blinked. “Wow. Well, if you get all that from it…great.”
Chris chuckled. “I also saw how you reacted the night Scott was hurt. Quick, decisive, assertive. Everything that makes up who you are, including your talent, is going to take you places, Rylan.” He paused, his voice dropping to a murmur. “You need to come to Africa with me.”
Rylan couldn’t help but glance at Scott, who was talking animatedly with Brian, his hands waving in the air as he drove home whatever point he was making. “But how can I leave him, Chris, when I’ve spent this entire weekend picking at every single scab he has? He might not look it, but he’s oozing blood right now. If he needs me, there’s no choice to make here.”
Chris opened his mouth as if to say something else and then thankfully subsided, giving Rylan’s shoulder a pat before sitting back in his seat. Minh laughed at something Julia said, drawing both their attention, and Rylan leaned back over to Chris, changing the subject.
“So what about you and Sunshine over there? Hot and heavy ain’t even the words for it.”
Chris’s lips quirked. “It’s just sex, Rylan.”
Rylan held his gaze until Chris looked away. “Are you sure about that?”
Chris shrugged. “There’s not much else I can offer him. But you’re right about one thing: Minh is a ray of sunshine. Pure light and—warmth. No way my jaded, cynical old self is going to keep him interested for long.”
“Don’t be fooled, Chris. He’s not some flighty little party bitch. He’s smart, and there are lots of amazing layers to him.”
“I know. We hardly slept last night, we talked so much. He asked questions about Africa and had some really interesting insights—”
“Just sex, huh?” Rylan raised an eyebrow, amused when Chris’s cheekbones took on a red tinge. “Keep telling yourself that.”
“He’s so young and vibrant, Rylan. He deserves—”
“Oh, Jesus, are you on that ‘he deserves better than me’ train, too? You and Scott need to form a club.”
Chris blinked at him, and Rylan put his hand on his arm. “Maybe it is just sex, and it won’t go anywhere beyond that. That’s fine. Just don’t decide for Minh how he should feel.”
Rylan watched as Chris absorbed that.
“Guilty,” Chris said with a rueful smile. “But will you promise to at least think about Africa? You’re talented enough, Rylan, that you won’t need my internship to succeed, but I’d love to see your career fast-tracked.”
“Someone of your caliber taking an interest in my career?” Rylan squeezed his arm. “It’s beyond anything I ever expected, and I’m more grateful than you’ll ever know. No matter what happens, please believe that. It’s just—Scott needs to know that for once in his life, he comes first. With me, he’ll always come first.”
“He’s a lucky man, Rylan.” Chris patted his hand as their server appeared with steaming plates of huevos rancheros, chilaquiles with eggs and crema, and a huge basket of churro doughnuts.
After the plates were distributed, she peered over Scott’s shoulder and asked in a flirtatious voice, “So what’re you two working on so intently?”
Scott gave her his usual dazzling smile. “We’re planning a wedding—” He gave a discreet glance at her name tag. “—Dawn.”
“On a napkin?”
Rylan choked on his bite of egg, eyes watering. Scott patted his back until the coughing fit eased, saying to Dawn ruefully, “Last-minute thing. Long story. I think we have everything figured out except the music.”
Dawn rested a hip against the table, listening as Scott detailed plans for the simple outdoor ceremony by the creek. “I guess we’ll have to see if we can borrow some Bluetooth speakers and then find the wedding march on Spotify to play over someone’s phone.”
“Or we could all hum it.” Minh demonstrated loudly, to Julia’s wincing disgust.
Dawn shuddered, too. “Or not.” She brightened, standing up straight. “You know what could be awesome? My uncle plays the Native American flute, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. We’re Tohono O’odham. Flute playing is a huge part of our nation’s culture.”
“Has he played weddings before?” Julia’s eyes were wide. “That would be amazing.”
Dawn nodded. “Lots of them. People come here from all over the world to get married.” She paused. “Would you like me to call him?”
“Yes, please,” Julia replied, beaming. “I’d love that.”
It wasn’t long until a short, rotund man with dark hair and kind, sparkling eyes walked in. Dawn greeted him with a kiss on the cheek and poured him a cup of coffee while he pulled up a seat. Soon he was deep in conversation with Brian and Julia, their hands in his.
Dawn came over to drop off Rylan’s second mimosa. “What’s he talking to them about?” he asked her curiously, and she gave a little chuckle.
“He’s giving them a mini spiritual counseling session. He’s asking their intentions for their relationship and having them envision a very positive future for their marriage. Uncle does that for all the couples he plays the flute for.”
“I take it flute music can be very symbolic,” Chris observed, and Rylan noticed with a small smile that his and Minh’s linked hands were resting on Chris’s knee.
“Oh, most definitely,” Dawn said. “Flutes are instruments of courtship and love, as well as ceremony and entertainment.” She winked at Scott. “It’s said that when a boy plays the flute for a girl, she will find him irresistible.”
He returned the wink. “Well, I’d better learn how to play ASAP. I need all the help I can get.”
She flushed, and as she bent down to clear Rylan’s empty plate, she muttered in his ear, “Shit, if he were any more irresistible, I’d die.”
Rylan smiled. “Scott definitely has that effect on people. The struggle is real.”
“Is he single?” Dawn busied herself with wiping down the table in front of Rylan, her back to Scott so he wouldn’t hear.
Rylan’s jaw tightened, and suddenly he wanted to shout No, he’s mine! but he summoned up another grin and answered, “Very single. As far as I know, no commitments anywhere.” Nope. None.
“Perfect,” Dawn breathed. “Not like I have a shot, but it won’t be for lack of trying. Excuse me, I think my shift just ended early. My boss owes me a favor.”
She collected the rest of the empty plates and bustled off, returning shortly sans apron with her makeup refreshed. Rylan scooted over closer to Chris so she could wedge a chair in next to Scott, and his senses were soon filled with the scent of her light, sweet perfume and the sound of her sultry laugh.
Rylan clenched his fists, memories of Scott and Lisa together so long ago washing over him. Dawn was just as stunning as Lisa had been, with her long, glossy dark hair caught back in a simple clip, her skin tanned and flawless, her Native American heritage evident in her exquisite bone structure and liquid brown eyes. Slim and graceful, Dawn had an air of innate kindness about her that Lisa had lacked, but other than that, for sheer aesthetic appeal, she and Scott would make a gorgeous couple.
It didn’t help that Scott seemed to be responding to her overtures, his voice low and intimate as he spoke to her, his laugh husky. He even slung his arm around the back of Dawn’s chair, his leg close to hers. Unaccustomed and unwelcome jealousy punched Rylan square in the gut, and in that moment, he felt like he’d start screaming if he didn’t get out of there.
He shoved his chair back with an abrupt motion and muttered “Excuse me” to the table at large before striding out of the restaurant and into the bright sunshine. It was hot, so Rylan found a patch of shade next to a wall and slumped against it, closing his eyes. Shit. He’d just made a colossal fool of himself, but it was too late now. Everyone would wonder what the hell his problem was, but no one would come after him. No one ever came after him; they always walked away. His mom and Scott and Felipe and—
A warm hand settled on his shoulder, and Rylan opened his eyes to meet Scott’s concerned ones. A rush of emotion brought burning tears springing to the surface, so Rylan quickly turned his head away. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “Just needed—”
His voice trailed off as Scott slid a hand to the back of his neck and stroked the nape with his thumb. “What’s the matter, Ry? Are you sick?” His voice was worried, and when Rylan shook his head mutely, unable to speak, Scott pulled him close. “Then what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Rylan gave a snort of disgust. He’d never been one for dissembling and game-playing, and hell if he’d start now. “I’m jealous. Okay? I know I acted like an ass, but—”
Scott looked incredulous. “Jealous of whom? Dawn?” When Rylan nodded miserably, Scott went on, his voice a combination of amused and tender, “Don’t be. I’m not interested in her at all.”
“Really? Why not?” Rylan hated himself for asking, but he still waited with bated breath for Scott’s reply.
Scott’s thumb continued its soothing circles. “Because the only one I’m interested in is you.”
Rylan gave a pleasurable shiver, both at the words and the touch. “You were flirting with her,” he mumbled, twisting his fists in the front of Scott’s shirt. “Like really hard.”
Scott chuckled. “I flirt with everybody, Rylan.” He took Rylan’s shoulders in his hands and pushed him back slightly so he could look at him. “It’s been my job for so long, it’s become kind of automatic, an ingrained response to somebody’s interest.” He suddenly looked worried, and when he spoke, his voice was tentative. “Is it because she’s a woman, Ry? Is it a problem for you that I’m—”
“That you’re bi?”
Scott nodded, his eyes watchful.
Rylan opened and closed his mouth a few times. “No,” he finally said. “It’s just—Dawn reminds me of Lisa, your high school girlfriend, and God, you two were so beautiful together.” He pulled away from Scott and fell back against the wall again. “Seeing Dawn flirt with you, it took me back. I don’t know, Scott. Maybe it is because Dawn’s a woman.” He ran his hand through his hair in agitation. “Maybe I’m just a jerk.”
“You realize,” Scott said carefully, “that my job at Spectrum means a lot more of the same type of thing, right? Flirting, dancing—VIP stuff. Once I start hosting again…”
“Yeah, I realize that. I swear I’m not normally a jealous little bitch. It all hit me the wrong way for some reason.”
“And since you were so honest, let me be honest too. Even a month ago, I’d be doing my best to get into Dawn’s pants tonight. She’s my type, and she pushes every one of my buttons. I probably let that show more than I should have. I’m sorry.” Scott leaned over to kiss him. “C’mon, let’s go back in.”
He started to move toward the entrance of the restaurant, stopping when Rylan whispered his name and said, “Thanks for coming after me. It—it means a lot, more than you know.”
“I want to make better choices from now on, Ry. I’m trying.”
Rylan felt a rush of love for him so strong it made him go weak in the knees. “I think you’re perfect just the way you are. You know that, right?”
Scott took a step closer and ran the backs of his fingers down Rylan’s cheek. “You almost make me believe it. I—” He broke off, quirking his lips. “Let’s go.”
Everyone welcomed Rylan back to the table with concerned questions and then expressions of relief when he assured them all was well, that he’d just felt a tad claustrophobic all of a sudden and needed a breath of fresh air.
Dawn playfully wrinkled her nose at him. “Well, I’ll be happy to move closer to Scott and give you a little more breathing room.”
Rylan smiled. “I know he wouldn’t mind.”
She did, and Scott put his arm along the back of her chair again, but he brushed his fingers over Rylan’s shoulder in a brief caress as he did so. Rylan sipped his mimosa and relaxed, listening to Scott completely charm and win over everyone who wandered into his orbit.
It was a masterful performance. Each person he was speaking to had his full attention, and he hung on every word like what was being said to him was the most important thing he’d ever heard. Even the owner of the restaurant, a middle-aged woman who merely came over to say hello, ended up grabbing a chair and staying for a cup of coffee. Rylan was both awed and amused when Scott skillfully led her into offering Brian and Julia a huge discount on a taco and margarita bar for twenty-five guests in the private dining room after the ceremony.
“Oh, this wedding is going to be perfect,” Julia exclaimed, her eyes shining with happy tears. “We’re so lucky to have run into all of you.”
Brian looked at his watch. “We need to get going,” he said regretfully. “Time to start picking people up at the airport and explain why we’re not getting married in a chapel, but outside next to a creek.”
Scott discreetly paid the brunch check, and when they all walked outside, Julia came over and wrapped her arms around Scott’s waist, hugging him tight. “Thank you so much. You really saved the day. There aren’t any words—”
He hugged her back. “My pleasure, hon. I’m glad I could help.”
She went into Minh’s arms next, and they clung together for a minute before pulling apart. “You’re the best,” she said to him. “The absolute fucking best.” Rylan snorted when Minh actually scuffed his toe on the ground, his face red with pleasure.
They walked them to their car, and Brian and Julia drove off with a wave and a honk of the horn. Julia stuck her head out the window. “Bye, Minh! See you at the hotel tomorrow at nine to do my hair!”
“I’ll be there with bells on, love,” Minh called back, blowing her a kiss.
Dawn took Scott’s arm and pressed against his side. “So,” she said brightly, “what’s the plan? If you guys wanna take off, I’ll totally see that Scott gets home.”
Scott smiled down at her. “Actually, I didn’t get to see much of the village before we ran into Brian and Julia. Rylan was telling me about one of the galleries earlier, so I was hoping to look around a little more before we head back.”
She nodded good-naturedly, and they ambled down the cobblestone streets as a group. Rylan tried not to feel like the ultimate fifth wheel, but it was hard not to, especially with Minh and Chris walking hand in hand and Dawn hanging on Scott’s arm like she was surgically attached.
He had to appreciate how Scott handled it, though. He talked and laughed with her but never singled her out for any special attention, and he gently but skillfully thwarted all of her attempts to get him alone.
“Where are you from, Scott?” she asked at one point. “I want to know everything about you. How about we go—”
Scott laughed. “Oh, no,” he said warmly. “Rylan and I have known each other forever. If you want the dirt, you’ll have to ask him. My lips are sealed.”
Rylan appreciated the way Scott managed to draw him into every conversation, never making him feel left out.
“Wow,” Minh muttered to him at one point when Chris and the other two disappeared into a coffee shop. “Girlfriend there is pretty determined.”
Rylan chuckled. “I know, right? Gotta admire someone who goes after what they want.”
“You’re pretty cool with it, though.” There was a faint questioning tone to Minh’s voice, and Rylan shrugged.
“I’ve had my moments,” he said drily. “That’s why I stormed out of the restaurant earlier, because it was getting to me. I’m definitely not perfect.”
They sat down on a shady bench to wait, and Minh patted his knee. “You’re cool as a cucumber, love. If it were me and somebody was going after my man—” He gave a growl.
“Watch out,” Rylan teased and then sighed. “I know that if I want to be with him, I’ll deal with this or something like it over and over because of his job. It’s just—” He bit his lip. “They look so beautiful together, Minh, both perfect tens. Me? I’m maybe a six on my best day.”
Minh gaped at him. “You can’t be serious with that bullshit. You’re adorable!”
Rylan leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thanks. You’re just saying that because you love me.”
“Exactly,” Minh exclaimed. “And you’re crazy if you think that man doesn’t worship the ground you walk on, because he totally does.”
Flushing with pleasure, Rylan said, “But you know there will always be people who question why he’s with someone like me, why he’s not with someone hotter, more built.” He gestured toward the coffee shop. “Or more beautiful.”
“Oh, honey, you’re really gonna sit here and worry about what ‘they’ say? Come on, that’s not like you. You’re the most self-confident boy I’ve ever met.” Minh turned to face him. “Look. When you live your life in the public eye, like he does, you’re always gonna get those haters, the ones who think they have a right to comment on every single aspect of your life just because you’re friends with them on social media.”
Rylan snorted, and Minh went on earnestly. “It’s true. It wouldn’t matter if Scott dates goddamned Miss America, there will be someone hating on him for dating a woman, for being bi, for having his cake and eating his pussy, too.”
Rylan choked, his eyes watering, and Minh laughed. “The point is, it don’t matter, baby, who he dates or even who he fucks, because someone somewhere will be having an opinion. Yes, there will be assholes who say he can do better than you. There will also be people who can’t wait to tell you he’s a son of a bitch, a fuckboy, a brainless piece of ass.”
Rylan grimaced. “Ugh. Couldn’t be further from the truth.”
“You know it, and I know it. That’s all that matters, right? Who cares what anyone says?” Minh glanced toward the coffee shop. “He knows how to handle situations like these, like with that girl. He’ll give her a little bit of the attention she’s looking for to thank her for her help today, because that’s what he does, but he’s making it absolutely clear this isn’t a date.”
Minh put his arm around Rylan’s shoulders. “I’m sure he appreciates you, sweetheart, that you’re not causing drama over this. Believe me, I know when he’s interested in someone, and he’s not interested in her.”
“He told me that himself, Minh,” Rylan confessed. “When he came to find me outside the restaurant.”
“That girl’s pretty words don’t mean nothin’ to him, darlin’. He hears that sort of thing every day. It’s always been about somebody’s actions with him, not their words.”
“He told me that earlier, too.”
Minh gaped at him, his mouth dropping open. “Oh my God,” he gasped, “he’s actually communicating with you? Where’re my smelling salts?” He fanned himself vigorously, pretending to swoon. “Where’s my fainting couch?”
Rylan cracked up, elbowing him. “Stop it.”
Minh grinned before jumping a mile when Chris touched his shoulder from behind, reaching around to hand him some kind of frozen coffee drink piled high with whipped cream. “Here you go, honey.”
Rylan saw Minh’s eyes flash with an indefinable emotion before he donned his usual playful mask, looking up at Chris with a wink. “Thanks, handsome.”
Chris sipped his own drink. “Scott said he’s ready to go, if we are. He’s walking Dawn to her car, and he’ll meet us at ours in a minute.”
They made their way slowly to the parking lot, and when they got to Chris’s SUV, Rylan could see Scott loping toward them, his long legs eating up the distance. He piled into the back seat after Rylan and grinned at him. “Hi.”
Before he could answer, Scott hooked his arm around his neck and gave him a loud, smacking kiss. Rylan gazed into his sparkling eyes and reached out to brush a lock of wayward black hair off his forehead, letting his fingertips linger. “Hey.”
Scott dropped his gaze to Rylan’s mouth and leaned in, his breath fanning Rylan’s lips. The kiss he gave him was achingly gentle. “Can’t wait to get you alone,” he whispered.
“Mmm.” Rylan smoothed his thumb over one of Scott’s eyebrows. “And once we’re alone, what—exactly—are you gonna do to me?”
“Oh, just gonna show you how hot I think Jealous Rylan is,” he teased, nuzzling their noses together. “I wanted to drop to my knees for you right outside that restaurant.”
Rylan bit his lip at the visual. “I’d have liked that. You know what made me super hot today, though, and proud? Watching you decide to fix a problem and then take charge to get it done.”
“Yeah? Tell me more—” Scott ran his hand slowly up Rylan’s inner thigh to his crotch, cupping him and giving him a light squeeze. “—about how hot that made you.”
Rylan lifted his hips into the caress. “Oh, yeah,” he said breathlessly. “So hot, the way you charmed everyone left and right, using that beautiful smile to get people to do whatever you want them to do.” He groaned when Scott rubbed the head of his dick roughly through his jeans, gasping. “You’re killing me.”
Scott grinned. “I have to say I think Jealous Rylan is way hotter than Efficient Scott will ever be,” he said facetiously, and they both snorted.
Rylan kissed the tip of Scott’s nose. “Well, you definitely make me feel hot.”
“And you make me feel loved.”
Rylan shivered at that, swaying closer, and Scott strung kisses across Rylan’s cheek down to his lips. He traced them with his tongue, and Rylan wrapped his arms around Scott’s neck in surrender.
The SUV rumbled on as Chris drove them back to the cabin, but Rylan barely noticed his surroundings, his senses full of Scott’s guttural growls as he devoured Rylan’s mouth. He twisted his fingers in Scott’s hair and opened to the onslaught, his own needy whimpers welling up in his chest.
“God, I’d suck you right here,” Scott panted against Rylan’s throat. “But we’re almost home.”
The car crunched up the driveway to the cabin and came to a smooth stop. Scott pushed the door open and hauled Rylan out, laughing as he staggered a little, steadying him. Rylan gained his balance, grabbing Scott’s hand to tow him up the steps of the cabin. He huffed with impatience as Scott struggled to find the key to unlock the door, pressing up against his back and mouthing the side of his neck.
“Have fun, kids,” Minh called out as Scott at last got the door open and wrapped his arm around Rylan’s waist, practically lifting him off his feet and carrying him toward the stairs.
Chris’s “Jesus Christ” drifted to Rylan’s ears, but he was entirely too busy groping Scott’s ass to care. They stumbled into their bedroom, and Scott slammed the door closed, shoved Rylan back against it, and stripped Rylan’s T-shirt up and off.
He dropped to his knees, and before Rylan knew it, his pants were open and his cock was down Scott’s throat. “Fuck,” he groaned. “Oh God.”
Scott held his eyes as he pulled back and licked the head of Rylan’s dick. He sucked on it with strong pulls that sent aching pleasure rocketing through Rylan’s body, making his nipples tingle.
“What do you want, baby?” Scott whispered. “You want my mouth or my ass? I’m all yours.”
Rylan could barely speak, but he managed to croak, “This is good. I’m good.” He whimpered as Scott teased him with tiny kisses and nuzzles, bringing his hand up to massage Rylan’s tight, aching balls. “Please.”
Scott took him deep, the wet heat of his throat making Rylan hiss. He held Scott’s head still and pulsed his hips, a sensual thrill going through him when Scott’s eyes watered. Scott choked a little as Rylan pulled back, saliva running out to hang in a shimmering string from his chin. Rylan wiped it away with his thumb, rasping, “God yes, just like that. More.”
He collapsed against the door and rested his fingertips on the back of Scott’s head, riding the motion as Scott let him slide to the back of his throat again. Scott reached around and grabbed Rylan’s ass, encouraging him to thrust, and Rylan threaded his fingers through his hair and began an almost brutal rhythm.
Scott hummed around him, one hand working Rylan’s balls, the fingers of the other hand digging into Rylan’s butt cheek. Rylan closed his eyes, his world narrowed down to nothing but his cock and the scorching heat of Scott’s mouth.
Rylan’s legs started to shake as his orgasm bore down on him. Scott pulled off with a pop, holding Rylan’s eyes with his as he pumped the wet shaft relentlessly until Rylan erupted with a cry, hot semen arcing out in agonizing pulses, splattering Scott’s lips and stringing over his fingers.
Scott stood and kissed him roughly, stripping Rylan’s pants and underwear off and kicking them away. Rylan could only gasp for air as Scott ripped his own pants open, slicked himself up with Rylan’s come, and grasped the back of his thighs to boost him up.
“Hold on to me,” Scott growled as he almost lost his grip, his slippery hand scrabbling for purchase. Rylan wound his legs around Scott’s waist and clutched his shoulders, moaning as Scott buried his face in Rylan’s neck and circled his hips, driving his erection against Rylan’s abs. Trapped between the hard door and Scott’s equally hard body, all Rylan could do was grip him tight.
Over Scott’s shoulder, Rylan could see their reflection in the window on the opposite wall. It was a mesmerizing sight, him with his knees splayed wide, ankles locked around Scott’s waist, his fingers digging in to the bunching, shifting muscles of his back. Scott’s jeans sagged around his thighs, his glorious ass flexing as he undulated and thrust.
“God, you feel so good,” Scott moaned, flattening one palm on the wall next to Rylan’s head, his other arm like a steel band around Rylan’s hips. His cock slid along Rylan’s sweaty skin, and Rylan put his mouth to Scott’s ear, whispering filthy encouragement until Scott froze, his body convulsing as liquid warmth flooded the space between them.
Scott gasped and trembled against him, moaning his name. Rylan kissed him gently, over and over, stroking his hair. Giving Rylan a shaky smile, Scott helped Rylan lower his feet to the floor and steadied him until he found his balance.
“Wow, we’re a mess,” Rylan observed, his voice hoarse. He skimmed his fingers across the drying come caught in Scott’s stubble, looking ruefully down at his own semen-streaked belly. “Shower?”
Scott picked up Rylan’s discarded T-shirt and gave them both a cursory rubdown before stripping the rest of his clothes off. “How about a soak in the hot tub instead?” He sighed. “It’s our last night here. Back to reality tomorrow.”
They made their way to the bathroom to grab a couple of towels and wrap them around their waists before heading down to the patio. Not surprisingly, Minh and Chris were already there, submerged to their shoulders in the bubbling water.
“Well, hello, lovebirds,” Minh called when he spotted them. “Join us!”
Rylan hesitated a split second. He wasn’t a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but all of a sudden he was painfully aware of how he must look compared with Scott’s tanned, ripped glory. Here he was—skinny, pale, no hint of a six-pack in sight—about to stand naked right next to Mr. MC₂ himself. Shit. Times like this it really sucked having a goddamn underwear model for a boyfriend.
Rylan took a deep breath and dropped the towel, his face burning. It didn’t help that Minh let out a long, low wolf whistle when Scott did the same, but Rylan noticed Chris’s eyes were fixed firmly on him. Not Scott, but him. His heavy-lidded gaze was admiring as it traveled leisurely from the top of Rylan’s head to his toes, never once straying over to Scott.
Rylan gulped, stepping shakily down into the water, cursing as his foot slipped and he stumbled. Scott was too far away to help, but Chris was there in a flash, wrapping his strong arm around Rylan’s waist to steady him.
“Easy there.” His hand brushed Rylan’s hip as Rylan lowered himself to sitting, mumbling his thanks.
“My pleasure.” Chris winked at him, resuming his seat next to Minh, leaving Rylan flattered and tingling with a pleasant warmth.
Minh whacked Chris on the arm. “Your pleasure indeed,” he said, his tone indignant as he gave him a mock glare.
Chris grinned back at him unrepentantly. “A chance to have a hot naked man up against me, baby? What can I say?”
Minh pulled his head down and kissed him with passionate thoroughness. “Just don’t forget the hot naked man you’re gonna have under you later,” he purred, sitting back with a smug grin when Chris bit his lip and groaned.
Scott sank into the hot water up to his neck, rolling his eyes at their antics. “I think Rylan and I’ll head back to Phoenix first thing in the morning,” he said, and Rylan glanced at him in surprise.
“Not go to the wedding?”
Scott shook his head. “I don’t see the need, do you? We’ll just be in the way, not family, not really friends…”
“I think Brian and Julia would have a differing opinion about the ‘friends’ part,” Minh remarked, “but I’m gonna officiate, and Chris can handle the photos if you two want to head back, no problem.”
“They’d be lucky to have you too, Rylan,” Chris said. “You have breathtaking talent.” He paused. “That’s why I really want you to accept that internship and come to Africa with me.”
His eyes were steady on Rylan’s, and Rylan gave a rueful quirk of his lips when Minh burst out, “Internship? What internship?”
Chris explained the situation briefly, concluding with, “I’d be acting as a mentor of sorts, and Rylan has the chance for his work to appear in a national magazine under the byline of a pretty famous writer. It’s a big deal. The guy’s a bestselling author.”
“Whoa.” Minh looked back and forth between Rylan and Chris before cutting his eyes over to Scott. “I think we all need a drink.” He stood, heedless of his nakedness, water sluicing down his sleek body as he grabbed a towel and padded to the kitchen for a bottle of wine and some plastic glasses.
Rylan peeked at Scott’s face, and while he appeared serene, Rylan could see the tension in his shoulders, his neck.
“How long?” Scott asked, his tone conversational. “Would you be gone, I mean?”
“Couple of months,” Chris said, and Scott shrugged, his shoulders bunching even more.
“I still haven’t decided if I’m going to go.” Rylan reached up to take the glass of wine Minh offered him, mouthing his thanks. “My project—I’m not sure I’m ready to put that aside just yet.”
“What project is this, sweetie?” Minh lowered himself back in next to Chris, his skin pebbled with goose bumps after his brief foray out into the cool evening air.
Rylan explained what he’d been trying to do, saying, “About six months ago, national media picked up on a series of sex worker murders here in Phoenix, murders of trans women of color, and that the mayor had decided not to dedicate any resources to pursuing it.”
“The fuck?” Minh looked appalled. “I heard about those murders but not about the fucking mayor.”
“It’s the same old stigma, that sex workers are criminals themselves, just doing it to support a drug habit, that they’re not worth a city’s time and resources.”
“I imagine a lot of the women around here are undocumented,” Chris said quietly. “No papers means no job. Not a whole lot of options.”
“Exactly. Trans, Latina, undocumented. Sex work is one way to make a living. What I envisioned for my project is a photo essay. Women going about their lives—including their job.”
“Try to destigmatize it,” Scott stated.
“Yes. I got a writer interested in writing the accompanying piece, and I cashed out the last of my savings and trotted my happy little ass to Phoenix, Arizona, convinced I was on to something important.” Rylan winced. “I even had delusions of grandeur, that maybe the piece would eventually convince the mayor to change his mind about investigating the murders.”
Chris smiled at him. “That’s not so far out there, Ry. The power of journalism is a force to be reckoned with.”
“Well, what I totally overestimated, as some random white cis dude, was my ability to get anyone to trust me. I made sort of a breakthrough not long ago—” He told them about Maya and the diner. “—but I haven’t been able to pin her down since.”
Minh looked at Scott. “Maybe he should talk to Beej?”
Scott pulled himself out of the hot tub, his legs casually splayed, face flushed from the heat. “That’s actually a fantastic idea,” he said. “I’ll take him over there sometime this week.”
Rylan tore his eyes away from Scott’s happy trail, glittering with water droplets, and croaked, “Beej? What the hell’s a Beej?”
Scott gave a husky laugh. “Would you believe a Beej is a nun?”
“A—nun?” Rylan blinked. “What?”
“Yep. Sister Belinda Jalisco. She works with that homeless center I told you about,” Scott said. “Remember? Where I met the guy with the sign-twirling job?”
Rylan nodded, and Scott went on, “A big part of her program is sex worker outreach, handing out condoms, like I said, no questions asked. She keeps a list of low-cost or free resources for other needs, like STI testing, abortions.”
“Also a bad-date list,” Minh interjected. “Names of sympathetic cops and detectives in case of assault. Pro-bono lawyers in case of arrest. She does good stuff, Ry. It’s about advocacy and support, not rescue.”
Rylan pursed his lips. “But a nun?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Named Beej?”
Minh giggled. “Sister Belinda Jalisco. You know, BJ?” He winked.
“Ah, shortened to Beej. I get it.” Rylan chuckled. “So obviously she’s plugged in to the community.”
“Yes.”
“And she supports trans women?”
“She supports women. Period.”
Satisfied, Rylan leaned toward Scott for a kiss. “Thanks.”
They had a few more glasses of wine, and when Minh and Chris started nuzzling and making out, Scott tossed Rylan his towel. “We can stay and watch if we want, but I’d rather not.”
Rylan gave a mock shudder. “Nope.”
They ambled up to their room, and as they showered the chlorine off together, Scott suddenly asked, “Are you still attracted to Chris?”
Rylan rinsed the shampoo from his hair, sputtering, buying himself a minute before deciding honesty was the best policy. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be? He’s an attractive man.”
“He wants you bad.”
“I think he’s just teasing me at this point.” Rylan shut off the water and handed Scott a towel. “Not sexual teasing, but busting-my-balls teasing.” He dried off and moved to the sink to brush his teeth. “We talked about it a little bit yesterday when we were off hiking.”
“What, that he wants you?” Scott’s voice was tight as he grabbed his own toothbrush.
“Well, yeah,” Rylan said slowly. “You practically threw him in my face, man. Come on. What did you expect was going to happen? The subject…came up.”
Scott slumped against the counter for a moment. “Yeah, I imagine it did.”
Rylan hung up their wet towels, taking Scott’s hand to lead him to bed. They crawled under the sheets and light blanket, and Scott put his head on Rylan’s chest, sliding his leg in between his.
“How do you feel about exclusivity?” Rylan asked, sifting his fingers through Scott’s damp hair. “I guess we need to talk about that.”
“It’s never been on my radar before, ever. I never cared what people did when they weren’t with me. What about you?”
Rylan rubbed the back of Scott’s neck, feeling sleepy and utterly relaxed. “I’ve always considered myself a pretty sex-positive person, you know? Like Felipe and I, we were in a serious relationship, but once in a while we—I don’t know, mixed it up a little, brought someone home to join us.”
“So you wouldn’t have cared if I’d gone home with Dawn tonight?”
Rylan couldn’t help but tense. “I wouldn’t go that far. Felipe and I played together, but if he’d wanted to go off with someone by himself? I don’t know. We weren’t together long enough for that to come up.”
Scott drew lazy circles on Rylan’s abdomen with his fingertips. “So what, you two shared guys?”
“Yeah, sometimes.” Rylan slid his hand up and down Scott’s back, tracing the muscles. “Felipe preferred bottoming for me, and I have to say, it was really hot watching him top a guy every now and then. Those times I wouldn’t even participate, I’d just sit in a chair and watch.”
Scott considered that. “You loved him?”
“I did,” Rylan said softly. “The other men were just sex, and we were always on the same page before anything happened.” He paused. “Hey, look at me.”
Scott lifted his head from Rylan’s chest, his eyes wary. Rylan stroked his cheek. “I know how you feel about Chris. I’m not going to fuck him. It’s not okay with you, so it won’t happen.”
“Did you tell him that?”
“Yes, I did. I said I was in love with you.”
That earned Rylan a soft kiss before Scott put his head back down with a small sigh. Rylan stroked his hair again, wanting to ask him what he’d told Dawn, but deciding it was better not to put him on the spot like that. One thing at a time, and Rylan was just happy they were talking.
It wasn’t long before they drifted off to sleep, and when Rylan woke again, the early-morning sun was just peeking through the blinds. Scott was on his side facing away from him, and Rylan was spooned up to his back, his arm draped over Scott’s chest.
A memory welled up, of that long ago morning in that dingy, old trailer, waking up in much the same position, hard and aching, unable to give free rein to his desire for his stepbrother. But now Rylan could touch all he wanted, and he combed his fingers gently through that enticing strip of hair on Scott’s belly like he’d wanted to do back then, sliding his hand down to cup his balls, hefting their furry weight in his palm.
Scott gave a husky moan, lifting his top leg to give Rylan better access.
“What are you doing to me?” he rasped, reaching one arm back and wrapping it around Rylan’s neck, thrusting helplessly into Rylan’s encircling fingers.
Rylan put his lips to Scott’s ear and traced the sensitive shell with his tongue before whispering, “Making love to you.”
Scott rolled to his stomach and spread his legs, his face flushed, his eyes slumberous as he looked back at Rylan. He was laid out like a rich, decadent meal, so Rylan feasted, with lips, tongue, and fingers, until Scott was writhing beneath him, the room filled with his hoarse, begging whimpers. Some lube, a snap of latex, and Rylan filled him from behind, deep and hard, arms wrapped around Scott’s shoulders, holding him close.
He took his time, hips circling, thrusting, until Scott sobbed his pleasure down into his pillow, his back bowed, hands twisted in the sheets. Rylan soon followed, unable to keep from gasping his love into Scott’s ear as he throbbed deep inside him.
I don’t want to go to Africa. I don’t want to miss any more mornings like this.