Page 106 of See My Words

Rylan’s body was rigid, and despite that, Scott enfolded him in his arms again. “But I want you. I want you to be my partner. I love you, Rylan. So fucking much. All I knew was that the pattern we were falling into wasn’t healthy, and I felt it would eventually destroy us. I’d do anything to keep that from happening. Anything.”

“Even send me away.” Rylan blew out a breath. “I get it. I’d told myself all this time I understood your reasons for doing that, and I wanted to trust you, but obviously deep down somewhere inside me, I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

“Because you’re not perfect. And neither am I, right?” Scott kissed each eyelid and then the tip of his nose. “But maybe we can figure this shit out together, if you still want to.”

Rylan gave him a tremulous smile. “I want to,” he said simply. “But now I need to sleep.” He swayed a little, and Scott wrapped his arm around his waist, almost carrying him down the trail as they headed for home.

* * *

“What time is it?”

Rylan’s voice was hoarse with sleep as he padded into the living room, and Scott looked up from the laptop resting on the coffee table, grinning at the sight of him. Despite falling into bed in his underwear, Rylan was now wearing a pair of Scott’s sweatpants, rolled several times at the waist, and one of his long-sleeved T-shirts, which hung halfway down his thighs.

“About midnight,” Scott replied, holding his arm out. Rylan plopped down on the couch and snuggled against him with a groan.

“God, my schedule is so fucked up. I hate jet lag.”

“Mmm, but I love you all sleep-warm and adorable like this.” Scott lifted Rylan’s chin and kissed him, stroking his tongue along his lips before delving inside. “If we need to think of something to do to pass the time and keep you awake all night, well—”

Rylan hummed into his mouth, slipping his hand under Scott’s sweatshirt to splay his fingers along his belly. He’d just started to move them downward when he caught sight of Scott’s computer.

“What’s all this?” He let go of Scott and sat forward for a closer look.

Scott gritted his teeth and willed his body to behave, reaching down to adjust himself ruefully. “I, uh, I’m thinking of buying a house instead of renting an apartment.”

“You are? That’s great!” Rylan grabbed for the mouse and scrolled through the real estate listings Scott had been perusing.

“Yeah. These ones all have mother-in-law suites or cottages, because I kind of want a home office I can see my clients at.” He waited expectantly and grinned again as Rylan looked over at him with wide eyes.

“Clients?” He sat back and lifted his socked feet into Scott’s lap, pointing at him. “Spill.”

Scott put his hand on Rylan’s crossed ankles, stroking along the top of his foot with his thumb. “Remember Brian and Julia, that couple we planned the wedding for? Apparently the whole thing went great, and a few months ago, some friends of theirs came into the restaurant looking for me. Brian and Julia’d kept in touch with Minh, and he told these friends where I worked, so they drove up to find me.”

“Really?” Rylan’s eyes were bright with interest. “They wanted to plan one, too?”

“Yep. I was like, ‘Uh, well, that was kind of a fluke. I don’t really know anything about wedding planning.’ But when I was talking to them, I found out the girl’s dad just passed away three weeks before. She was still hurting, obviously, and I thought about Dawn’s uncle, the flute and the spiritual healing. So I called him, he came down, and we planned something which combined both a wedding and a communication with her father’s spirit, so she could feel like he was there.”

“That’s amazing, Scott.” Rylan’s tone was admiring.

“They posted pics on their Facebook page, and suddenly my phone was ringing off the hook. I loved the thought of doing something involving local vendors and artisans, so Dawn and I sat down and dreamed up Uniquely Sedona.” Scott paused, feeling suddenly bashful. “It’s our business, Rylan. We can set up weddings, celebrations of life, spiritual healing weekends, vortex tours, anything that captures the heart and soul of Sedona. We’ve already done several different events, and we’re booked well into the summer.”

“Wow.” Rylan sat up and slid his hand under Scott’s shirt again. “I’m in love with a real entrepreneur. A hot one.” He flirted with the waistband of Scott’s pants, delving his fingertips just underneath to stroke along the patch of hair there.

“Dawn designs her own clothing line,” Scott said hoarsely, shifting restlessly as his cock started to harden again, “using elements from her Tohono O’odham heritage and based on her great-grandmother’s beadwork. She’s sold some of her pieces as wedding dresses, so we’re branching out that way, too. Oh God.”

Scott sprawled back against the couch as Rylan pushed his shirt up out of the way and mouthed along his abdomen. “Mmm,” he murmured, swirling his tongue in Scott’s navel. “Tell me more about your business.”

Scott combed his fingers through Rylan’s sleep-mussed hair, trying to gather his increasingly scattered thoughts. “Well, that—that’s it,” he stammered. “People call, we set stuff up.”

Rylan chuckled wickedly, kissing his way down to where Scott’s excited cock was now peeking out over his waistband. “Really? That’s it?” He hovered over the slick tip teasingly, licking his lips. “There’s gotta be more.”

Scott arched his back as Rylan reached between his legs and cupped his balls. “I’m gonna—” He panted. “—gonna take some college classes. Business type stuff.”

Rylan helped him shove his pants down and off and then slid gracefully to the floor between Scott’s widespread knees. He planted an openmouthed kiss on Scott’s inner thigh, dragging his parted lips all the way up to the base of his cock and nuzzling it. “Hot businessman and student?” He raised his head and looked up at him. “I’m so fucking proud of you, sweetheart. So proud to be yours.”

Scott flushed and stroked his thumb over Rylan’s cheekbone. “I love you.”

Rylan smiled, holding Scott’s eyes with his as he licked up the length of Scott’s dick to the tip. There he used his tongue to tease and play until Scott was writhing on the couch, reaching up over his head to grip the back of it.