Unlovable

by Charity Parkerson

  “You’re better off without it,” Tim said, still refusing to answer Rylan. “I love every side of you, especially the diva, but right now—with your hair a mess and free of all makeup—I think this is my favorite side of you. No one else gets to see you this way. When you’re like this, I know you’re mine.”

  Goddamn. He loved this man. “You should always know I’m yours. Now,” he said, determined to hear Tim’s opinion. “What do you think of your eyes?”

  Tim appraised his reflection once more. “It’s crazy the things you can do,” he answered before setting the mirror aside once more.

  Rylan bit his bottom lip. He didn’t want to ask. He couldn’t stop himself. “Is that a good or a bad thing?”

  Tim smoothed his palms up Rylan’s thighs. “It’s a very good thing. You have talented hands.”

  “In more ways than one,” Rylan boasted—confident.

  “Damn, don’t I know it,” Tim growled, hardening Rylan’s cock.

  The more time he spent alone with Tim, the more Rylan realized how overly optimistic he’d been about spending two weeks doing nothing but keeping Tim in bed. Still, Rylan kept wishing they could stay here forever. When it came to Tim, he was greedy as hell. The more time they spent together like this, the deeper Rylan sank. He already knew one day he’d wake up so entrenched in Tim, everything else would disappear. Rylan wasn’t sure that was a good thing.

  7

  Leaving Tim’s bed after two weeks at the lake and two nights in Tim’s apartment was the hardest damn thing Rylan had done in damn long time. He couldn’t stop watching Tim dress. Layer after layer of business suit covered Tim’s skin. The sight made Rylan equal parts sad and turned on. For the tenth time, Rylan tore his gaze away and tried focusing on gathering his things. He had no clue how so much of his stuff had ended up spread out all over the apartment, but Rylan kept finding things. Rylan’s gaze slid back Tim’s way. The man buttoned his shirt. Rylan’s mouth watered. His cell phone buzzed in his pocket, giving Rylan something else to do and stopping him from jumping Tim.

  “I need a favor.”

  “Anything,” Rylan said, holding the phone between his ear and shoulder while repacking his overnight bag. Since Adam had taken his interns for two weeks, Rylan could hardly answer otherwise.

  “Wow,” Adam said, sounding surprised. “I didn’t expect it to be that easy. Anyhow,” he added, obviously not intending to look a gift horse in the mouth. “I’m sick—again—and Kano has a high-profile client coming in today I was supposed to work with, but I don’t want to risk getting him sick.”

  “Done, but what’s going on with you? This is the second time you’ve been too sick to work in a few short weeks.” Rylan didn’t want to care, but he did.

  “It’s my fault. I wasn’t one hundred percent before coming back to work after the flu, and my immune system is still recovering. Then I took your interns to a hospital to make over the nurses and stressed-out moms. We also did a fashion show with some of the kids who are cancer patients. It was fun, but I guess I picked up another bug.”

  It was on the tip of Rylan’s tongue to point out no good deed goes unpunished, but Adam was a good person—unspoiled by life. Someone should get to hang on to that. “As long as you’re okay,” Rylan said. “I’ll head over there now.”

  Adam blew out a relieved-sounding sigh. “Thank you. You’re a lifesaver. Do you want me to send Tim to pick you up?”

  Rylan glanced over his shoulder at the sexy bodyguard slash personal driver currently dressing nearby. “Not necessary.” Rylan heard the breathless note to his voice but didn’t care.

  It seemed Adam chose to ignore it. “Okay, then. Thanks again. I’ll find a way to make it up to you.”

  “That’s not necessary either,” Rylan said, losing interest in the call in the face of such sexiness nearby. “I’ll keep you posted. Chat later.”

  “Okay. Bye, babe.”

  “Bye,” Rylan muttered before tucking his phone back inside his pocket. “It seems I’ll be going to work with you today.”

  Tim glanced up with a sweet smile. “More time with you? Love it,” Tim said, giving up on his tie and moving in close. His arms encircled Rylan’s waist and his eyes flashed with something Rylan feared to hope. “How did I get so lucky?”

  “Adam is sick again.”

  A line appeared between Tim’s gorgeous eyes. “That’s twice in a short amount of time. However, that’s not what I meant. How’d I get so lucky to land you?”

  It was damn hard not to smile when Tim said all the right things. Instead, Rylan focused on Tim’s tie, quickly fixing it for him. “That wasn’t luck. It was skill and patience.”

  Tim hummed and sidled closer until no light could shine between their bodies. “I’ve got a few minutes left to show off some skill.”

  Rylan wanted him. There wasn’t enough time. “As tempted as I am, we have to go. Adam needs me.”

  Tim shook his head as if confused. A small smile touched his lips as he moved away, giving Rylan some space.

  He had to know. “What?”

  “You,” Tim answered with a smile. “I’m proud of you. You’re trying, and I like seeing you get along with my friends.”

  Out of habit, Rylan snorted. He tried playing it off the second he realized what he’d done. Instead, he blew out a sigh and went back to gathering his things, hoping Tim wouldn’t see his discomfort.

  Tim’s arms engulfed him once more, pulling him back against the man’s solid chest. Rylan automatically sank into Tim’s hold. His head rested against Tim’s hard chest. Tim stroked his throat, as if lovingly holding him in place. “It means a lot to me that you’d try.”

  Rylan lost the battle against the smile tugging at his lips. He pet Tim’s arms and every other place he could reach. “I’m finding there’s not much I won’t do for you, but I also like Adam.”

  Warm lips brushed the spot beneath Rylan’s ear. “I can’t wait until this day is over so I can taste you.”

  Jesus. Sometimes, Rylan wondered if he’d survive so much attention from Tim. His knees were weak and his heart raced. No one got to him the way Tim did. The man had Rylan considering expanding his horizons. If liking Adam made Tim act like this, Rylan might have to make more friends. Tim’s teeth sank into Rylan’s shoulder. Then again, Rylan wasn’t sure he’d get any work done if he had much more of Tim’s attention.

  Each time Tim thought about Rylan admitting his affection for Adam, Tim caught himself smiling. Rylan needed more people in his life, especially people like Adam. It didn’t bother Tim that people looked at him like they thought he was insane for caring about someone as cold as Rylan, but he’d love for more people to see Rylan the way he did.

  “Is that sexy smile for me?”

  Tim bit back a groan when Dex’s question sank in. He hadn’t seen the man approach. “I was trying to figure out how you were seeing anything around this huge flower arrangement,” Tim lied as he nodded toward the expensive-looking vase overflowing with flowers Dex carried.

  “I followed the beat of my heart,” Dex said, holding the vase out to Tim.

  The groan in Tim’s throat moved to his tongue. Somehow, he managed to swallow it before the sound escaped his lips. “These are for me?”

  Dex’s perfect features radiated happiness. “Of course. I couldn’t come empty handed to see you after all these long weeks.”

  Fuck. Tim accepted the flowers. His smile felt brittle. “Thank you. You know you don’t have to buy me things, especially since you know I’m with Rylan.”

  Dex’s smile didn’t dim. “Perhaps this is to show my condolences. Your obvious fire seems at odds with someone as cold as Rylan.”

  Tim held his smile as well, refusing to back down. “You know what happens when hot and cold mix—steam.”

  “Touché,” Dex said with a chuckle. “Still, I’m an optimist. And, really, what could it hurt to accept my gifts? That’s all they are—meaningless trinkets.”

  Tim would accept
them, not because he thought they were pointless gestures. In fact, he expected Dex would eventually call all these gifts in. However, Tim had other ways to deal with the unwanted attention, because he had a sneaking suspicion the gifts weren’t as much to lure him in as they were meant to insult Rylan. “Thank you. This changes nothing, but the flowers are lovely.”

  Dex’s smile hitched up a notch, and he smacked his hands together. “Wonderful. Now, is Kano around? We have an appointment.”

  “Then I’m sure his receptionist will be more than happy to see you inside,” Tim said, stepping out of the way of the door leading to Kano’s office.

  Confusion crossed Dex’s features. “You’re not joining me?”

  Tim nodded toward the flowers while trying to hide his evil grin. “I have to find a spot for these, and then I’ll be along.”

  Heat dripped from Dex’s gaze as he eyed Tim’s body. “I look forward to it,” he said before finally heading for Kano’s office and leaving Tim in peace. The moment Tim was free of Dex’s flirtatious stare, his shoulders fell. It was past time for him to put an end to this. If this was some game on Dex’s part, he would soon learn Tim wasn’t so easily played.

  Since the first time Rylan found himself in Tim’s arms with no real idea as to how it happened, the ding of the elevator turned his head. Each time it happened, he stared at the lift’s door, expectant and needing a certain large frame to step out. Every time Tim appeared, Rylan felt the same burst of pride.

  The door slid open, revealing Tim. Rylan’s muscles tensed. He had to stop himself from rushing the man. Instead, he focused on what Tim carried.

  “What’s this?” Rylan asked, eyeing the large vase in Tim’s hands.

  “It’s the flowers I just got from Dex.” Judging by Tim’s put-out expression, he wasn’t happy about it, but still...

  “You know you can refuse a delivery, right?” Rylan asked, hearing the cattiness in his tone. He didn’t fucking care. Tim was his.

  Tim nodded. “I’m aware, but this was hand delivered. By Dex,” Tim added, causing Rylan to mentally sharpen his claws.

  He ran his tongue over his teeth, fighting all the words. “Really?” Rylan asked, dragging out the word.

  Tim nodded.

  Rylan geared up to find a billionaire and kill him. “I’m guessing he is the high-profile client Adam called me in to work with?”

  Tim nodded again. “I can’t avoid him, but I threw the card away.” His sexy mouth lifted in one corner. “And I’m giving these to you,” he said, holding out the vase.

  Rylan didn’t hesitate accepting. An evil laugh rose in his throat. “That’s the shittiest thing I’ve ever seen you do, baby,” Rylan said, eyeing the flowers with new interest. They were expensive. “I love it,” Rylan added as he headed for his workstation. “Let’s set them right here where everyone can see them.” Especially Dex. He rearranged some of the stems. “Perfect,” he breathed. Something shifted in his chest as he stared the flowers. They’d been meant for Tim. Tim passing them on to Rylan was the hottest gesture Rylan had seen in a while. It warmed his cold heart. He faced Tim. “Thank you.” Even Rylan heard the breathlessness to his tone.

  Tim stared at him in that way that made Rylan’s heart skip a beat—like he wouldn’t stop until he possessed every drop of Rylan. “You’re perfect,” Tim said, stealing the oxygen from the room.

  For a moment, Rylan forgot where they were. Tim was serious. His posture and intense gaze said it all. The man believed to his soul Rylan was every bit as flawless as he claimed. Rylan wanted to claim Tim was blind. He equally wanted Tim to believe in him in a way even Rylan didn’t. “Only to you,” he said instead.

  Tim flashed him a sweet smile and tugged at the hem of Rylan’s shirt, hauling him forward. “Better be only for me.” He pressed a light kiss to the corner of Rylan’s mouth. The move left Rylan wanting more. “I’ve got to get back to work. Until tonight?”

  Rylan nodded. It wasn’t that he couldn’t speak. Rylan was too scared to open his mouth. His feelings might pour out. Instead, he watched Tim’s retreat until the elevator swallowed him. He stared so long at the closed door that it surprised him when it reopened. Dex stepped out. Even after discovering he was Adam’s high-profile client, Rylan hadn’t been prepared to see the man, especially after learning he’d delivered flowers to Tim.

  Loathing filled Rylan’s veins.

  Dex’s step slowed when he spotted Rylan. “Rylan.” Rylan bit back an evil grin at the distaste in Dex’s voice. “I thought I was working with Adam today.”

  Rylan patted the chair. There was no way Dex didn’t recognize his invitation as a dare. “Adam is sick, so he called me.”

  Dex wasn’t one to back down. He sat. “I find it odd that such a nice man would call you in, yet this is the second time he’s asked for your help that I’ve seen.”

  Rylan shrugged. He touched Dex’s chin and tilted it from side to side, already planning where he’d start. No matter what, he was a professional. “What can I say? Adam likes me and trusts me. The feeling is mutual.” He met Dex’s sexy gray stare. A wicked grin pulled at his lips. “There was a time when you felt the same.”

  Proving he wasn’t a coward, Dex still didn’t pass on the challenge. “Well, let’s hope Adam doesn’t end up tossed aside in the same heartless manner as me.” Despite the bravado in Dex’s voice, he still looked away. His gaze landed on the flowers. “Those look very familiar.”

  Rylan moved away to search for the nude colors he needed. “They should. You gave them to my man and he passed them along to me.”

  “Then they ended up where they belonged,” Dex said. The way his voice turned sultry had Rylan freezing. He fought the urge to glance over his shoulder. It wasn’t that he hated Dex. They’d had fun a few years back, but that was all it had been. Once Tim had caught Rylan’s attention, Rylan had never looked elsewhere. Unfortunately, Rylan had opened the topic, and now Dex seemed prepared to see it through. “God, you should’ve seen the way you looked at him when you showed up together in Texas.”

  Rylan switched on his hot iron in case he needed to defend himself.

  “I got beat out by a bodyguard.”

  Rylan found his nudes. “That’s your pride talking, Dex. You don’t even want me. Not really. I was convenient and just another notch in the bedpost. Everyone has to find something real eventually.” He turned to find Dex watching him with an unreadable expression.

  “Real is an illusion meant for people who have nothing else,” Dex said, sounding one hundred percent serious. “That’s not us.”

  He used to believe all the same things. There was a time when Rylan thought he could be content with nothing more than an awesome career and a one-night stand. There was a time before Tim. Rylan stared at Dex, seeing the bitterness beneath his good looks for the first time. The mask Rylan wore for everyone except Tim slipped away. “Someday soon, someone will knock you on your ass, and you’ll wonder why you’re incapable of looking at another soul. When that day comes, remember this conversation.” Rylan’s harsh façade snapped back into place. “Until then, stop sending gifts to Tim or I won’t leave you with the parts needed to seduce anyone any longer.”

  “You drive a hard bargain,” Dex said with a congenial laugh.

  Rylan winked. “But I keep all my promises.” And he would too. Dex didn’t know him. No one did. They didn’t know the things he’d done or could do. Dex didn’t have anywhere near enough money to protect himself from Rylan should he keep pressing this. Tim belonged to him.

  8

  Rylan had done everything possible to keep from traveling for longer than two days at a time in the past three months since Tim announced they were a couple. A week-long trip had been inevitable. It had also been the longest week of his life. He’d hoped staying busy would make the time fly. Instead, each second had crawled. The moment his plane touched down in New York, Rylan had his phone pressed to his ear.

  Tim answered on the first ring, as if he’d been
missing Rylan too. “Hey sexy.”

  Rylan pushed a strand of hair behind his ear. “Hey, stranger.”

  “How was your flight?”

  “Uneventful. I’m waiting for my luggage at the carousal. So, what are you wearing?” A man around six feet wearing a twenty-thousand-dollar suit turned at Rylan’s question. Even after the guy realized Rylan was on the phone, he didn’t look away. His gaze slid down Rylan’s body, openly inspecting him. Rylan turned his back on him and focused on his call.

  “The same thing I wear to work every day,” Tim said. Rylan could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Damn, are you still working?” Since Kano married Adam, the man hadn’t worked past six or more than two days a week. Rylan had a hard time imagining Kano was still at the office at ten.

  “Nah,” Tim said, sounding tired. “My apartment feels empty as hell without you. I’m sitting at Gentleman Joe’s instead.”

  Rylan knew the place. It was less than two miles away. “You’re so close.” Even Rylan heard the longing in his voice.

  A low and sexy chuckle vibrated against Rylan’s ear. “That was the point. I waffled between meeting you at the gate with flowers and sitting at the bar.”

  “I lost out to alcohol?” Even Rylan heard the smile in his voice. If the shoe had been on the other foot, he probably would’ve chosen the same.

  “I’m here out of necessity,” Tim assured him. “If I’d met you at the gate with flowers, I also would’ve met you with a hard on. Fuck, I’ve missed the hell out of you.”

  “Gentleman Joe’s it is,” Rylan said—breathless. A loud siren, signaling the luggage was about to emerge, sounded through the air. “Hopefully, I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Order me something strong.”

  “You got it, sexy. Rylan.” At the sound of his name in such a sexy tone, Rylan’s knees weakened.

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you.”

  Rylan’s cheeks ached from smiling. “I love you too.”