Page 42 of Hearts Colliding
“Like being us, Alex and Ryan, just as it was at the beach?” Alex smiled. “It was good, to forget about everything else.” His smile fell away. “But that was one day only. I don’t see how we can pretend the issue of the development doesn’t exist.”
“It doesn’t have to exist, though, does it? Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” Ryan raised his hands, palms facing out. “But the issue’s not going to go away, is it, until a decision’s made. One way or the other.”
Alex shrugged, but didn’t answer. Until a decision was made, until they arrived at their use by date.
The waitress arrived, and asked if they wanted coffee. Alex smiled up at her, grateful for the interruption. He glanced over at Ryan, who shook his head. Moments later the bill arrived, which Alex grabbed before Ryan could.
“I asked you, remember?”
“Thank you. I don’t think I’ve ever been bought lunch by a handsome guy before. Or not if I don’t count bullying my friend Joss into sharing his bag of chips with me.”
“It’s on you next time.”
“So there’s going to be a next time? Are you sure?”
Something, a catch or a hitch in Ryan’s voice, made Alex flinch. He was being given a chance to step back, to retreat. A wise man would take the bait.
“Maybe next time you can bring pizzas and beer over to the house. And dessert.”
“I like dessert.”
Alex laughed, feeling the heat pulse in his cheeks. “Me too.”
“Or I could bring one of our world famous pies?”
“From your pie night? I could go with that.”
“Or you could come to pie night. I can guarantee the best table and my undivided attention.”
“Ah. Complications, remember?”
Ryan paused. “Yeah, you’re right. Complications.”
Outside, their cars were parked next to each other, Ryan’s mud splattered Land Rover, and his sleek sports car all clean and shiny and with two new tyres. Alex settled Henry into his seat, but not before struggling to prise him from Ryan’s arms.
Alex shifted his weight from foot to foot, all his uncertainty rushing to meet him. Should they make another arrangement now? Should he text Ryan in a day or two? Should he kiss him goodbye, or wave, or just climb into the car and drive off? Should he—?
He gasped as he was pulled into Ryan’s arms. Ryan’s low laugh rumbled through him, and warm breath wafted against his ear.
“You think too loud.”
“I—”
His words were stopped with a kiss, as two firm hands clamped to his cheeks. Whatever it was he’d been going to say, it didn’t matter, nothing mattered when Ryan kissed him like he did.
“Oh.”
Ryan’s iron-hard erection pushed against him and Alex answered with an instinctive roll of his hips.
Ryan laughed. “Yeah,oh. Much as I want, I can’t come back with you. Too much to do at the pub for later.”
“That’s okay.” It wasn’t, but…
“Don’t look so sulky. I’m the man whose going to be bringing you a meat pie, remember?”
“And there was I thinking dates brought flowers and chocolates.”
Ryan laughed, before planting a quick kiss on Alex’s lips. “If you’re a good boy, I might even bring a couple of bottles of Badgers Arse, too.”
