Found at the Bookstore

by Christi Snow

  Tommy’s eyes widened and Mac’s scowl just deepened.

  Stig sighed, tired of the condemnation. He knew all the reasons why he was the wrong choice for Ryder, but he wasn’t the devil. “Okay, seriously, both of you stop. I realize I’m a grandfather compared to him.”

  Ryder choked on his breath. “Excuse me? No, the fuck you’re not. Stop that.”

  He smiled and lifted their hands that were still entwined. He kissed Ryder’s knuckles. “It’s okay.”

  Ryder wasn’t satisfied with that, pulling him closer and kissing him. It didn’t take long for him to get lost in the kiss, lost in the sensation of Ryder.

  The sound of a throat clearing reminded the two of them where they were and that Ryder’s judgmental big brother sat just feet away from them.

  They pulled apart, and Tommy stood. Stig steeled himself for the punch, but instead, Tommy pressed his lips together and turned his concerned gaze on Ryder. “I’m going to go order more drinks. Come with me.”

  Ryder sighed. “Okay, but only because we’re celebrating, and you could use some more liquor to lighten you up.”

  Stig sat down at the table with Mac, and they watched the two brothers walk away. Tonight, their resemblance as siblings was obvious. They had similar builds and strides. The main difference between them was Ryder’s hair was shorter and lighter than his big brother’s dark, curly hair, but with Ryder wearing that hat, the difference wasn’t as obvious.

  By his confident gait, Ryder still felt good. He had his cane, but wasn’t using it. That was pretty much a minor miracle after the full day they’d had. Stig only hoped his health continued to cooperate through the wedding tomorrow.

  “Do you know what you’re doing?” Mac asked, drawing his attention back to the table.

  Stig looked at his ex.

  Mac watched him with a soft light to his eyes.

  “Not even a little bit,” Stig answered. And he was more than a little terrified about that fact.

  Mac’s face broke out into a huge grin.

  Stig scowled. “I’m so glad that amuses you.”

  “You misunderstand me. It’s not that I find your situation funny. I just like your response. That was actually the best answer you could have given. It means you’re aware that you need to be careful with him.”

  “You have no idea.” He wished he could talk to Mac about having sex with a virgin. In twenty years of sex, he’d never gone to bed—at least not that he knew of—with someone with zero experience. The whole situation made him nervous, antsy. He didn’t want to do anything to Ryder that might ruin the experience and any future experiences. That was a lot of pressure on a guy.

  Stig’s own first time with a guy had been horrific. He wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

  But with Mac being an ex and the fact that Ryder was about to become Mac’s brother in law, it was probably better to keep his inner debate to himself.

  He still didn’t quite trust Ryder’s feelings for him. If they did this thing and then Ryder regretted it, Stig wasn’t quite sure he could live with that. “I don’t want him to get hurt.”

  Mac tilted his head and studied Stig as he hesitated for a moment. “I’ve never really said it, but I’m sorry you were hurt by what happened between us,” he said, his tone serious. “You’re a forever guy. I didn’t realize that when we started dating, or I wouldn’t have let it go as deep as it did. I don’t know if you’ll find what you’re searching for with Ryder, but you do deserve happiness in your life.”

  Stig’s attention caught on those last few words. He deserved happiness? At the time they were dating, Stig hadn’t been able to see that he couldn’t get that with Mac. But could he find that with Ryder? Suddenly, it felt like maybe he could.

  “I’ve been worried about you,” Mac continued. “In the last few years, there’s been an intense edge that seemed almost self-destructive.”

  Stig shivered at the memory of the horrors that Peter had put him through.

  “But you’ve seemed lighter lately,” Mac said with a nod toward Ryder. “I guess now I understand why.”

  Ryder.

  Stig grinned. Just the thought of the man and what their friendship had done for him made him happy. Yeah, he felt lighter, too. To risk all that was huge, but as their relationship grew, he had a feeling the reward just might be worth it.

  “I know we may seem like a bizarre match. Believe me, I get it, but I can’t fight it anymore. He’s an amazing man. I would be an idiot to throw away the opportunity to have more of him in my life, and I can’t sit back and watch him walk away with another guy. Not when I had a chance with him first.”

  Mac stilled and frowned. “This isn’t just about winning, is it?”

  “No. Hell, no. I didn’t mean to make it sound that way. Ryder has been so sure, but he doesn’t have much experience with men or women. We’ve become friends—close, you know? I didn’t want him to settle because I was there and easy.”

  Mac flat out guffawed at that. “Stig, I don’t know how you see yourself, but there is nothing about you that is easy or convenient.”

  “Hey!” He scowled at the still-laughing man. “I think I should be offended.”

  “It’s completely true, and you know it, just as well as I do.”

  Stig rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and searched the bar for Ryder. The two brothers were deep in discussion at the end of the bar.

  The bartender watched the two of them from a distance, too. He felt Stig’s gaze and glanced up at him with a wink. Stig ignored the impulse to go have a talk to the man, married or not. Which probably validated what Mac said. They’d always had issues with Stig’s possessive and jealous side. Between the two of them, though, the jealousy had been aimed at the characters that Mac had living in his head.

  “You might have a point,” Stig said.

  “Stig?” Mac’s voice had suddenly gotten deep and serious.

  “Yeah?” He refocused on Mac.

  “You may not be easy, but you are a good guy. If the two of you can work this out, you could have everything you’ve always hoped for. I can see it...the two of you making it work for the long-term.”

  Honestly, so could Stig...and that terrified the bejeezus out of him.

  Stig shook his head. “You’re just caught up in all the unicorns and roses in your life right now because you’re getting married to the love of your life tomorrow.”

  “Maybe, but I don’t think I’m wrong.”

  The brothers were coming back to the table, and Stig’s gaze connected with Ryder’s. A bolt of lust shot straight to his groin, but the anticipation was more. A slow grin spread over Ryder’s handsome face, and that right there was why he prayed Mac’s feeling was correct. If he could see that smiling face every day for the rest of his life, he’d die a happy man.

  The possibility both exhilarated and petrified him.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ryder

  Ryder settled into the limo, and Stig climbed in behind him. Tommy hadn’t been happy with this new development. Ryder hadn’t wanted to argue with him tonight of all nights. They had to agree to disagree on the matter of Stig. Ryder was old enough to make his own decisions, but he didn’t want to stick around and rub Tommy’s nose in it, either. He’d made their excuses, and Stig and he had left the rest of the group to head back to the hotel.

  Besides, this was better. He needed to get Stig alone. He wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off the man much longer. While dancing with Stig had been better than he ever could have imagined, it had ratcheted up his lust to the point he’d been ready to take Stig into a dark corner of the club and do very wicked things with him.

  Nerves and anticipation thrummed under his skin. He needed to do something to about them. He tugged Stig to him and kissed him. It was hot, open-mouthed passion with tangling tongues and grappling hands. Ryder couldn’t get close enough.

  Stig tasted like the Scotch he’d been drinking earlier in the evening tinged with the best, dark,
forbidden chocolate.

  He tugged at the buttons of the fitted vest Stig wore, wanting to find skin.

  Stig grabbed the back of his head, controlling the kiss, controlling him in the very best way. His fingers wouldn’t work as he focused on how incredible it was to have his mouth and hands on Stig...finally.

  The buttons popped free, and he started to pull Stig’s shirt out of his dark-washed jeans. But Stig pulled back, panting, and his pupils, highlighted by the passing lights, looked completely dilated. He pulled Ryder’s hands out of his clothes.

  For a moment, Ryder panicked that Stig planned to stop him completely. “No,” he whined, “you can’t change your mind now.”

  Stig’s grin looked pained. He leaned up and brushed a soft kiss across Ryder’s lips, but kept a tight grasp on his hands. “Not changing my mind. Just slowing things down.” He nodded his head toward the driver. “In the right moments, I can be all for exhibitionism, but tonight, I want to be selfish. No one gets in on what happens between us but us.”

  Ryder’s breath caught in his chest. He peppered a trail of kisses across Stig’s stubbled chin. “Who knew you could be such a romantic?”

  Stig chuckled low as he ran his hand across Ryder’s clothed torso. That sound sent goosebumps spreading out over his skin. Stig sat halfway in Ryder’s lap. The weight of him was delicious. There was no way in hell he’d complain about that.

  “Not romantic, just truth.” Stig lowered his voice. “I can’t wait until we can get back to our hotel room and strip you bare and then lick every single inch of you.”

  Bolts of lust shot up from Ryder’s balls through his groin and up his chest. He moaned low as his cock surged against the tight zipper of his jeans. Why had he thought skinny jeans were a good idea tonight? If this kept up, he’d have permanent zipper indentions on the surface of his dick.

  Luckily, the limo stopped under the portico in front of their hotel. Ryder hadn’t realized how close they had gotten to the hotel. It was probably a good idea Stig had stopped him when he had or else that could have been embarrassing. He had been ready to drop to his knees on the floor of the limo to suck Stig off.

  The two of them separated quickly and tried to reassemble their clothing so they weren’t looking quite so debauched. They’d almost accomplished the task by the time the driver opened the door. Ryder grinned when he noticed Stig hadn’t managed to get the buttons on his vest aligned quite right, and one shirttail hung from below the woolen hem.

  That was okay with him. He wanted everyone in this lobby to know that yes, he’d been lucky enough to get to maul this gorgeous man in their limo and planned to do even more when they got up to their hotel suite. A shudder of wanton lust trailed up his spine, ending on a shiver.

  Stig placed a calming hand at the small of his back and leaned in close to his ear. “You okay?”

  “Yeah.” His voice cracked. “Just wishing it wouldn’t look bad to sprint through the lobby.”

  Stig’s laugh sounded low and filthy. “Patience. Good things come to those who wait.”

  “Well, I hope those good things come in the form of orgasms.”

  Stig’s grin was cocky. “Oh, no worries, they most definitely do.”

  They entered the elevator with a handful of other people and fell silent. But that didn’t mean Ryder wasn’t aware of every single inch of Stig standing behind him. That warm hand still pressed into his back, but so was a very hard length pushing against the cheek of his ass in the close confines of the crowded space. Ryder’s breath ratcheted up. He wanted to reach around and shove Stig into the wall of the elevator and rub their erections together. Just the thought made him want to moan as his hard cock pulsed. Fuck. He was in very real danger of shooting off within seconds of Stig’s first touch. Wouldn’t that be fucking embarrassing?

  Two floors before theirs, the elevator emptied. Before the doors had even fully closed, Stig turned on him and shoved him back, his gaze predatory and aroused, hinting at a touch of danger. It did that much more to arouse Ryder. Like he needed any more.

  Stig leaned against him so they touched from knee to chest. Stig tilted his head and bit at the sensitive skin of Ryder’s neck right below his ear. The sensation of Stig’s stubble across that delicate skin sent a hard shiver down Ryder’s spine. He groaned, cupped Stig’s head with one hand, and threaded the other into the belt loop at Stig’s hip to pull him closer. He thrust against Stig’s hard cock.

  Stig pressing back threatened any semblance of control Ryder had been grasping at. “You’re going to make me come,” Ryder panted.

  “No,” Stig admonished as he thrust again. “You’re going to wait, because that’s what I want and need you to do. Right?”

  The show of dominance sent a bolt of heat straight across his balls. Ryder could only mutely nod.

  The elevator doors opened, Stig reached over to hold the door open, but he didn’t release Ryder. “We’re going to our room now. When we enter, you’re mine in every way possible.”

  Ryder couldn’t stop the trembling that began. It erupted under his skin, sending his teeth chattering from a mix of lust and adrenaline that he couldn’t calm.

  Stig stilled, examining him with a concerned expression that slowly softened. Stig brushed a calloused fingertip high over his cheek. “But regardless of what happens”—he swallowed hard as if pained—“or doesn’t happen, this is your show. If at any time you change your mind or feel unsure, tell me. We can take as long as you want to make this happen. If we never do anything more than make out, I’m okay with that. Okay, Ry?” Stig’s voice had softened like melted butter.

  Stig’s voice had the same effect on Ryder’s skin. He relaxed into Stig’s hold. He trusted this man completely.

  Ryder nodded. “Okay, but we probably should get to the hotel room, because if I have that erection of yours pressed against me much longer”—he flexed his hips and Stig closed his eyes and moaning as if in pain—“I’m in real danger of blowing in my pants, whether you allow it or not.”

  Stig nodded curtly, and the two of them stumbled out of the elevator, again kissing frantically as if they were trying to consume one another.

  Finally, Stig got the door to their room unlocked and rushed to the door connecting theirs to the other suites. Ryder slowly entered and stilled in the center of the room, unsure what to do now.

  Stig closed and locked the doors, turning to lean against the wall. He crossed his arms across his chest, a smile breaking across his face. “I don’t want anyone interrupting us.”

  “Good idea.” Ryder swallowed. Fuck, his skin suddenly felt too tight and itchy. He didn’t know where to turn next.

  Stig raised an eyebrow. “I have lots of good ideas. Like how about you strip right now?”

  Ryder’s eyes widened. He hated the fact, but he couldn’t help his reaction. It had been easier when he’d been swept up in desire. Entering the suite, everything had slowed down, making him more self-conscious about his inexperience. “Here?” His voice cracked as he eyed the huge wall of windows.

  Stig licked his lips. “Oh, yeah.” He stalked across the room, stopping at the gas fireplace. He reached down and flicked it on. “Come here, where we have the fire so you don’t get cold.” He nodded at Ryder’s clothes. “I want to see you. All of you. Now.”

  Ryder swallowed against the surge of nerves threatening to swallow him up. He didn’t have a bad body, but he certainly didn’t go to the gym daily like Stig obviously did. No eight pack abs for him.

  His hands shook as he reached toward the buttons of his shirt and slowly unbuttoned them. As his hands lowered down the placket of the shirt, Stig became more focused and intent. Ryder’s mouth went dry. If Stig could deliver on half the promise his lascivious expression held, he was on the cusp of the best night of his life.

  He peeled off his shirt and bent down to remove his shoes and socks, throwing the fedora onto the table by the door. He’d forgotten to return it to the bartender. He stood again and reached down t
o the button on the waistband of his jeans.

  Suddenly, Stig was right in front of him, stilling his hands. “Let me.”

  One of Stig’s fingertips tracked down the thin trail of hair leading into the top of his waistband. Ryder’s breath caught in his chest as he watched the slow descent of Stig’s touch. His balls tightened in anticipation of that hand touching him more intimately.

  “Fuck.” He moaned. “I’m not going to last.”

  Stig gave him a startled glance. “And I’m good with that.” He kissed Ryder hard on the mouth, the kisses then leading across his neck and down his chest, latching onto the edge of one nipple. Ryder moaned low and thrust his hips against the air. Stig took the hint and attacked the placket of his jeans, ripping them apart with a suddenness that had his head spinning. His jeans were too tight, so he hadn’t worn underwear.

  His cock surged right into Stig’s waiting hands. “Oh, fuck. No underwear. Now that’s sexy.” Stig dropped to his knees and swallowed Ryder’s cock down his throat in one convulsive swallow.

  “Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit,” Ryder crooned as he clung to the top of Stig’s head, his hips rutting into that tight, hot mouth without any control. His balls tingled and tightened into hard walnuts ready to erupt. He surged into Stig’s mouth once, twice. His hips stuttered as the world went white hot. He couldn’t stop the orgasm barreling through his balls even if he wanted to. He yelled as his hips jerked and everything inside him tightened to the point of pain as his cock erupted into Stig’s mouth. Stig sucked and tongued and swallowed, not letting a single drop spill from his lips.

  Too quickly, the sensation became too much for Ryder’s sensitive skin. He gently pushed Stig off. The sound as Stig withdrew was wet and so dirty his dick throbbed with a lingering aftershock.

  Ryder sank to kneel beside Stig. His legs had lost the strength to stand. “Holy shit, Stig.”