Found at the Bookstore

by Christi Snow

  ***

  Five hours later, Stig was pretty sure they’d blown past amazing hours ago. From the photos he’d seen on the display of Ryder’s camera, the two men had created brilliance beyond anything he’d ever seen in the photographic field before. And those photos were still raw. Just thinking about how they’d look after retouching...his fingers itched to start calling buyers now.

  But right now, he had a different job to do. Although both Ryder and Remy’s energy levels were visibly flagging, Ryder had one more shot that he wanted to capture while they had the opportunity. Remy stood on the other side of a small pond, the lit trees illuminated behind him so that his body showed in silhouette. Stig held a flashlight to the side of him and had it aimed so that it spotlighted the side of Remy’s face. The light highlighted the silver lines, making them look luminescent.

  The expression on Remy’s face blew Stig away.

  This lone figure stood apart in the middle of incredible beauty, but he looked devastated. It was a look that Ryder had coached him on, and Remy had nailed it completely. But it was when a lone tear rolled down his cheek that made Ryder gasp.

  “That’s it. That’s the shot.” Ryder’s whisper was quiet and reverent, which is why it was so shocking when he whooped. “Remy, you are the man. This is fantastic stuff. I’m buying you five pizzas when we get out of here.”

  “It really worked?”

  “Hell, yeah,” Ryder yelled. “We’re going to make you famous. You just wait. We’re done. Let’s go get some food.”

  And suddenly, Remy transformed into a kid again as he scrambled around the edges of the pond, giggling. “This was awesome.” Remy flung himself into Ryder’s arms. “Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

  Stig placed a steadying hand at Ryder’s back. It wouldn’t do for them to fall. Remy wasn’t very big, but he was really excited right now, and Ryder had been working to hide his exhaustion for the last hour. The only reason Stig noticed was because he knew to look for it. He worried that Ryder was pushing himself too hard.

  “Slow down, Remy,” Stig warned, “and I’ll buy you as much pizza as you can eat.”

  “Awesome. I’ll meet you guys at the car. It’ll give me a head start to take off all this gear and makeup.” Remy took off at a lope.

  “Hey, Remy?” Stig called.

  He slowed and turned back.

  “You might need keys for that.”

  “Oh, yeah.” His grin was wide as he jogged back over to them.

  Ryder grabbed the keys out of the side pocket of his camera bag and handed them to Remy.

  Then they were alone in the quiet, magical forest of Christmas-lit trees.

  Ryder began to disassemble the camera, but his hands shook with fatigue.

  Stig took the heavy piece of equipment from Ryder, finishing the job and then slinging the bag over his shoulder.

  Ryder turned and gave him a weak smile of thanks.

  “You need to take better care of yourself.” Stig brushed a fingertip across the shadowed skin under Ryder’s eyes.

  In the low light from the Christmas lights, his eyes appeared luminescent.

  Ryder bit his lower lip unconsciously. “I’m okay. I have tomorrow off, so I’ll be able to rest. Besides, the shots we got were worth a little shakiness now.”

  “Nothing—not a good shot or anything else”—Stig grabbed Ryder behind his neck, making sure he had his attention— “is worth sacrificing your health for. I don’t like seeing you hurt or shaky.”

  “Stig, it’s just a fact of my life that I have to live with.” Ryder’s voice was quiet, and his gaze had dropped to Stig’s lips.

  After hours of watching Ryder, wanting Ryder, the temptation of that look proved to be too much. He leaned up and gently brushed his lips across Ryder’s.

  Ryder drew in a surprised gasp, but instead of pulling away, he reached around Stig’s waist with a moan and sank into the kiss.

  Stig had fantasized so many times about this moment, but that was nothing compared to the reality of kissing Ryder. His lips pressed in hard against Stig’s, forcing them to open. Ryder’s tongue explored and plundered, his desperation making up for any inexperience.

  The thrust and parry felt so close to sex it had Stig rock hard in moments. They pulled together tighter, and the scruff of Ryder’s beard scraped across Stig’s lips in the most delicious way.

  Ryder’s hard cock flexed against Stig’s stomach, tantalizing him with forbidden ideas, but it the tiny sounds Ryder made affected him the most. Mewling, needful gasps colored the air between them. Everything inside him lit up with arousal and need and want. He wanted more. More of this incredibly arousing connection.

  Ryder wrenched himself out of the kiss, pulling back with a gasp. He stood, panting, watching Stig with a stunned, wary expression as he fingered his wet, swollen lips. His eyes were wide with a mix of shock and arousal.

  “We...” Ryder began, but then stopped, looking away uncomfortably.

  In that moment, Stig’s gut turned to ice. He’d screwed up. He knew better than to have started this. He was lucky that Ryder hadn’t decked him, although he still looked stunned, so that might be coming.

  “It doesn’t have to mean anything,” Stig told him even as his heart twisted at the lie. That kiss meant everything.

  A flash of pain filled Ryder’s eyes, and he glanced away with a nod. “Remy...” Ryder swallowed hard and tried again with a wave of his hand toward the parking lot. “Remy’s...waiting for us.”

  Stig nodded, not trusting his voice. He followed Ryder back to the car, wondering how that kiss had happened. How had he already managed to screw up one of the best friendships he’d ever developed?

  Chapter Sixteen

  Stig

  A huge, five-foot wide, round clock made of all rusted metal and cogged gears that Galleon had designed dominated the wall and Stig’s attention. It had been three hours and forty-seven minutes since he’d texted Ryder. Three hours and forty-seven minutes with no response.

  Their kiss last night had thrown Ryder. Dinner and the ride home had been beyond stiff and awkward. Luckily, Remy had been so ecstatic and high on excitement after the shoot that he hadn’t even noticed the sudden stiltedness between Ryder and Stig.

  But Stig had noticed and let it go...last night. Today was a different matter. While he wanted to give Ryder time to adjust to the shock of it, he wouldn’t accept being completely blown off. Ryder’s friendship meant too much. He didn’t plan to let go of it that easily.

  He picked up the phone and called this time. It rang five times before voice mail picked up with Ryder’s voice. “You’ve reached Ryder Garrett. You know what to do.”

  Stig stood and paced. “Ry, it’s me. I know you may not want to talk to me right now, but I’m going to keep calling until you do, so you might as well get it over with.” He hesitated but didn’t hear anything that sounded like the line picking up. He sighed. “At least text me and let me know you’re okay. Otherwise, the likelihood of me showing up on your doorstep is pretty damn high, and you know that will be even more awkward.”

  There was still no response from the other end. “Please, call me. I’m sorry, okay? Our friendship means something. Don’t let this ruin it.”

  He hung up the phone and dropped his head into his hands, staring numbly at the month-long calendar blotter on his desk. It was an old-fashioned thing, but sometimes, the classics were classics because they worked so well. This calendar was one of those things.

  It was Monday. They left for Vegas in two days. Stig didn’t have the luxury of letting this thing fester between the two of them. He’d been looking forward to getting away and showing Ryder the fun to be had in the city of sin. Things needed to be okay between them for that to happen, though.

  A shiver of dread swept through him. What if Ryder wasn’t just avoiding him though? Yesterday had been a long day, and Ryder had looked exhausted. What if something had happened with his head, and he couldn’t answer
the phone? All kinds of scenarios flew through Stig’s imagination, each one worse than the last. He rose from his desk. He couldn’t sit here any longer when Ryder might be home hurt or worse.

  “Lola, I’m heading out,” he called as he shut down his computer.

  She came through the doorway. “Are you leaving for the day?” Her brow furrowed in worry.

  “Yes. If anything comes up, send me a text. Better yet, just take a message. It’s Thanksgiving this week. In fact, just put a message on the phone system that we’ll be back next week. Anything can wait until then.” He shrugged on his coat.

  “What about your appointment with Mrs. Hofstadter? She’s supposed to be here in an hour.”

  “Dammit.” Mrs. Hofstadter was part of the elite, old money guard that made up Denver’s high society. Standing her up for her appointment wasn’t even an option, not if he wanted to still be in business next year. Yes, she had that much power in Denver at least when it came to the demographic the Minton Galleries targeted.

  And she was coming today to discuss a charity fundraiser for the local children’s hospital, so he couldn’t even begrudge the visit without going straight to Hell. He sat down at his desk with a huff of frustration and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, but cancel everything after Mrs. Hofstadter. We’re done for the week.”

  “Will do, boss. I’ll call Anton and let him know we got a surprise mini vacation.” Lola started out of the room, but then turned back to study him with a slight tilt of her head. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I just need to check on a friend who isn’t answering his phone.”

  “Is there anything I could do while Mrs. Hofstadter is here? I could run by his place if you thought it might help.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Lola, but my friend wouldn’t be happy with me sending a stranger to check on him. Honestly, I’m not even sure if I’ll be welcome. Just maybe...if the meeting looks like it’s running long, you can come in with some sort of emergency that needs my attention right away.”

  ***

  Luckily, an hour later it appeared as if Mrs. Hofstadter was as anxious to get through their meeting as Stig had been. In record time, they finished their business and came up with a plan for the spring fundraiser that worked for both of them.

  As Stig closed the door behind her with a wave, Lola handed him his coat and briefcase. “Everything is taken care of here. All the information, including the itinerary that Mac sent over for your trip, is in the zipper pocket of your briefcase. Have a great Thanksgiving, Stig.”

  “You too, Lola. And if I forget, remind me that you deserve a huge Christmas bonus this year.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  He winked at her. “You do that.”

  He climbed into his Aston Martin and sped toward Ryder’s. As the day had worn on, he’d become more positive that something else had happened. No matter how embarrassed Ryder may be about their kiss, he wouldn’t let Stig worry for no reason. He would have at least texted, right?

  Stig swung back and forth between feeling panicked and positive he was completely overreacting. He’d even considered calling Tommy, but Ryder wouldn’t have thanked him for getting his brother involved if this was just about their kiss. Also, Tommy would then know for sure that something was happening between them. Until Stig figured out exactly what that was, they didn’t need Tommy butting into it. Things between the two of them were complicated enough already.

  When Stig arrived at Ryder’s door, he squared his shoulders and prepared to knock when he realized the door wasn’t closed tight. Panic seized him and he rushed into the apartment.

  “Ryder! Are you here? Where are you?” He ran through the kitchen and living room, but everything looked normal, empty but normal. He rushed down the hall toward Ryder’s bedroom. The bed had been slept in, but was also empty. Ryder’s phone was on the nightstand by his wallet. When Stig tried to awaken the phone, it didn’t respond. Dead battery.

  “Ryder!” he called again. There wasn’t any sign of struggle, but Ryder wouldn’t have left his wallet and phone.

  Stig had his phone out and was dialing Tommy with shaking fingers as he ran down the hall again. But then he spotted Ryder wrapped in a quilt, lying on the floor in the bathroom.

  Stig rushed over to him. “Ryder!”

  “Wha...” Ryder cracked an eye and lifted his torso off the floor, squinting in confusion. “Stig? What...” He glanced around his bathroom and swallowed, his complexion beyond pale. Actually, he looked green.

  Stig helped him sit up. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

  “Stay away.” Ryder’s voice cracked, and he lowered his head against his chest breathing slowly. “Germs. Have the flu. You don’t want this. Feel like crap.”

  Stig placed his hand on Ryder’s forehead. “Damn, you’re burning up.”

  Ryder pressed into his touch. “You’re cool. Feels good.”

  “Let’s get you into bed.” He started to help Ryder up.

  Ryder pushed him off. “No, last night you could have gotten away with seducing me into bed.” Ryder gave him a feeble smile. “But not tonight. I’m not leaving this spot right here.” He moaned and clutched his stomach, breathing heavy through the cramp in his gut. “Not yet.”

  “Shit, Ry. Are you sure this is the flu?”

  “Yeah, Cari took me to the doctor.”

  “Why isn’t she still here with you?” Didn’t anyone in Ryder’s life get how dangerous it was to leave him alone? Hell, anyone could have walked in here today.

  “She just found out she’s pregnant. She told me on the way home from the doctor’s office. She doesn’t need these germs.” Ryder gasped and grabbed at his stomach with a moan. “If I asked, would you kill me now?”

  Stig gently wiped the sweaty hair off Ryder’s brow. “I’m sorry, but no. I kind of like having you around even when you feel like shit.”

  “Thanks.” Ryder laid his head down on the edge of the toilet. “I like you, too. But back to Cari... If I’d known about her condition, I wouldn’t have let her take me in the first place. She doesn’t need to get sick right now. On the way home, I convinced her of that. A delivery guy is supposed to be bringing me some meds.”

  Just as he said that, a knock sounded on the apartment door. “Hang tight.” Stig cupped Ryder on the shoulder. “I’ll go get it.”

  “Thanks,” Ryder said. He lunged toward the toilet again and groaned in pain as Stig left the bathroom.

  Stig opened the front door.

  The delivery guy stood there shaking his head. “I’m sorry, man. I know my instructions said to leave it inside the door.” He lifted the small white bag. “But the door was locked.”

  “It’s no problem. I can take it.” Well, at least that meant that Ryder’s front door hadn’t been open just because someone had been negligent. Stig reached into his pocket for his wallet.

  The delivery driver waved him off. “It’s already been taken care of, both the medicine and the tip. Happy Thanksgiving.” He bounded back out to the white van with the pharmacy logo on the side.

  Three hours later, Ryder began to show signs of the illness abating. His fever had broken, and he’d moved from the bathroom floor to the bed. He’d dozed in and out of sleep almost the entire time that Stig had been there.

  Finally, he turned and looked up at Stig with clear eyes. “You know, we’ve spent an inordinate amount of time in bed together the last couple of weeks.”

  Stig laughed. “Too bad it wasn’t in the good way.”

  “Truth,” Ryder said with a sigh as he snuggled deeper into Stig’s chest.

  This probably wasn’t the time, but Stig couldn’t wait. “I tried reaching you earlier. When you didn’t text or call back, I thought you hated me, that you regretted last night.”

  Ryder stiffened, but he shook his head as he seemed to be carefully choosing his words. “Regret is the wrong word,” he said softly. “I’m more confused than anything. Am I g
ay now?”

  Stig chuckled. “No matter how good the kiss was, a kiss doesn’t make you gay.”

  “I know that,” Ryder whispered, “but I’m thinking that the fact that I really liked it and want to do it again does, though.”

  Stig ignored the flutter of excitement low in his belly. He liked Ryder for more than just sex. He wanted it to be more. But when Ryder was done experimenting and finally decided he was straight, the rejection would be worse than an outright no would be right now.

  “Not necessarily.” How did he say this without sounding condescending? “From what I get from you, you don’t have a lot of experience with this type of thing with either males or females.” He waited for Ryder to say something, but he stayed silent, so Stig pushed on. “Touch—almost any kind—used in a sexual way can be stimulating, especially when you aren’t used to it.”

  At those words, Ryder leaned back and scowled, looking so affronted that Stig just wanted to kiss him more.

  “So,” Ryder growled, “you’re saying that since I’m hard up, I can’t trust my body’s signals? Any person touching me would do this? I don’t know who I should be more offended for? Me or you? Damn, Stig, do you really believe that?”

  It was too dangerous to his heart not to.

  “It’s the truth, Ry. Touch is arousing. That’s why teenagers have such a hair trigger. Combined with hormones, first time sexual touches can be extremely exciting. More than one person has had sex with someone they normally wouldn’t consider as a partner because they were caught up in the sensations of the moment.” Stig swallowed before adding, “And then they regretted it later.”

  Those blue eyes gazed at him with such earnestness it took his breath away.

  But Stig continued on anyway. “I don’t have many people in my life. I don’t want to risk our friendship with something you would eventually regret.”

  Hurt flitted through Ryder’s gaze as he appeared to take those unwanted words to heart and thinking them through. That was good. That’s what he needed to do. No matter what, Stig would hate to be something that Ryder regretted.