“Wanted to make sure you had it again.I know the series meant a lot to you.”
“I might have to collect the rest of them.”He reached out and squeezed Ry’s hand.Then Alex pulled him into an embrace.“Thanks for the dinner and conversation, too.”
Ry hugged him back tight, the familiar texture of Alex's shirt against Ry's cheek.The scent of orange and musk filled Ry's nostrils.It was strangely fitting, yet jarring, to hold a man he'd once known so well.Alex had transformed, the sharp edges of his youth softened, but the embrace brought forth a torrent of memories Ry had desperately tried to bury over the years.
As Ry slowly let him go, a keen, cold pang shot through him, quickly receding into a persistent, throbbing ache.As much as romance featured in his fantasies, he couldn’t jeopardize anything now that he had him back in his life.
“I missed you,” he whispered
Alex's hands pressed into Ry's shoulders.Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.The kiss began with a tender press of lips, the gentle yielding, the slight moisture that hinted at more.His own body responded instinctively: a subtle leaning forward, a quiet yearning held in check by practiced reserve.In that brief, warm exchange, a sense of future possibilities bloomed.
“I’d say it was a successful date.”Alex smirked, pleased with himself.
“Yeah,” Ry said, breathing heavily.He didn’t know what else to do, so he reached up to kiss him another time, a little more tender, trying to fill his touch with desire, intent, and passion.Alex melted instantly into him.
After a few minutes outside, making out like they were teens once more, Ry slowly pushed himself away from Alex.
Alex smiled, then looked up at the half-hidden stars above.“It’s been a while since anyone has hit those buttons.Picked up a new technique?”
“So have you.”As the light softened, Ry’s gratitude was accompanied by another flush of heat rising up his neck.“Let’s go at a pace that’s comfortable for both of us.I was so young and stupid that I’m afraid to make mistakes.”
“Everyone does,” Alex said, pulling Ry in close.“You owning them now is more important.Keep doing that, treating yourself right, listening, and I’ll be willing.Pull any shit like you did before, and I’m out.”
“It’s gonna be more difficult than the first go-around, I think.”Ry took a deep breath, breathing in the rich scent of Alex.Ry leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips and hugged him closer.
“Then we’ll work harder,” Alex said, squeezing him.“Let’s leave it at that tonight, alright?Call me when you get home.”
“Okay, I will.”Ry let Alex go.“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Ry.”Alex waved from inside.
The door clicked shut with a soft thud, leaving Ry in the hushed quiet.Back in his vehicle, he eased out of the driveway, the hum of the engine a low thrum as he headed to his house.He replayed the phantom touch of lips, a kiss he’d anticipated for years, endlessly in his mind during the short drive.Parking his car, he pulled out his phone, fingers tapping out notes as he had at Rosewood.A wide, unstoppable grin stretched across his face, bright like sunshine, and a joyous whoop escaped his throat.Alex liked him.Despite the odds, the second chance he perhaps didn't deserve, a flicker of hope ignited, promising something more.
CHAPTER 22: PRESENT
The elevator door slid open with a soft hiss.Ry stepped into the warm box with Sania right behind him.He fumbled for the button panel, the smooth plastic under his thumb as he pushed floor 28.A faint, sterile scent of cleaning chemicals hung heavy.As the doors sealed shut with a dull thud, a sickening lurch sent a wave of nausea through him.The cramped interior pressed in on him.He tugged at his sleeves, the rough fabric scraping against his skin, and adjusted his pants, the material clinging to his legs.The upward motion, combined with the rising heat, made his head spin, nearly bringing him to his knees.
“It’ll be alright,” Sania said, her voice hushed.
Ry swallowed and nodded.
At their floor, Ry gestured down the hallway, the muted thud of his shoes echoing slightly on the plush blue carpet, its familiar texture unchanged from his first visit.The air stirred as they walked.His ally followed.The walls, lined with a dazzling array of gleaming platinum records and award statuettes, caught the light.Autographed photos of legendary musicians, their smiling faces and bold signatures a testament to years of artistry, watched them pass.
Arend’s door was open, his manager standing at the window looking down at the city below, his hands folded behind his back.He wore a modest dark green suit with a more vibrant emerald vest.His hat lay on the desk.His long auburn hair, streaked with white, curled around his ears and his neck.Light stubble covered his sagging cheeks.Arend’s sharp eyes pinned them as they entered.
“Ah, Orion,” he said, then glanced at Sania.“And this must be the lawyer.”
“Sania Patel,” she said, striding into the room.“Pleasure.”She held out a hand, but Arend didn’t take it.
Instead, he strolled to his gargantuan desk and lounged in his enormous chair.He waved for them both to sit.The instant Ry sat down, the brutal design dug into his legs and back.Sania settled into the firm chair, looking completely comfortable.
As Sania opened her mouth to say something, Arend spoke over her.“I will discuss nothing until counsel is present,” Arend said, his voice steel.His tone changed, and he smiled.“But where are my manners?Though I don’t have a full suite of refreshments, I can provide chilled beverages.”
Ry shook his head, and Sania waved away the offer.
“Shame.If you change your mind, let me know.”
Ry shifted in the unforgiving seat.After a few miserable minutes, a young woman knocked on the door.
