Page 9 of Hearts Colliding
Alex looked up, quick and sudden, his pale blue eyes sparkling as they met Ryan’s. A weight pressed against Ryan’s chest, making it hard to breathe. Dusk was fading fast as it chased towards night, but it was still light enough for him to drink in the man who was just inches away and all but on his knees in front of him. Ryan swallowed as his dick twitched and pushed against the confines of his jeans.
Oh, Christ…He should go, right now, and not make a fool of himself, but all Ryan could do was stand and stare.
Everything about Alex was still. His face was immobile, almost mask like, as his hand ceased petting Tina. Slowly, he bit down on his lower lip as he stood, his silent uncertainty and apprehension crackling in the cool evening air. Ryan’s breath burned in his lungs. Unable to move, unable to turn and walk away, as Alex opened his mouth to—
“Alex? Anything the matter?”
The deep, masculine voice was a thunderclap in the silence. Ryan jerked hard as though struck and Tina barked a protest as Alex stumbled backwards a couple of steps, clutching a struggling, whining Henry.
All the evening sounds that had fallen silent rushed back in: the breeze in the trees, theshushof the waves, the call of an owl ready to hunt, and the first shufflings through the bushes of small nocturnal creatures. Deep in his chest, Ryan’s heart beat fast and hard and his pent up breath escaped in a rush.
Silhouetted in the doorway, a tall man leaned against the door jamb, his posture easy and relaxed.
Ryan’s jaw stiffened. He’d assumed Alex was alone, even though it was no business of his. The guy, whoever he was, looked as though he belonged as he carried on watching from the doorway. Boyfriend, it had to be. Yeah, he had no doubt about which way Sir Alexander Love swung. Or maybe husband. Ryan threw a quick glance at Alex’s left hand. There was no ring to be seen, but that didn’t mean anything.
“No, everything’s fine. I’m coming back in,” Alex called out. The guy hesitated for a second before he turned and disappeared inside. Alex didn’t attempt to follow him. Henry had stopped squirming and appeared to have fallen asleep in Alex’s arms.
“I’ll leave you to your evening. I’m sorry, about being here. It won’t happen again.” Ryan gave Tina a half hearted tug on the lead.
Alex shrugged, not taking the bait to reveal who the guy was, and making no move to leave.
It’s not my business…Ryan had no reason to know or care who was in the house with Alex, it was a question he really, absolutely had no right to ask.
“Who was that?”Fuuuck….
“A friend.”
Ryan waited, but Alex refused to be drawn.
“Good night, Ryan. And make sure you stick to the right path. I remember how dangerous it can be to take a wrong step.”
Alex turned and made his way to the house. He didn’t look back, but Ryan waited and watched, only turning to go when the door closed with a soft thud.
CHAPTERSIX
“Stop smirking, Brendan, it’s a very unattractive look.” Alex upended the rest of the bottled beer he’d been drinking before Tina’s barks had ripped through the air. He glugged deeper and faster than he’d meant, and the sting of alcohol brought tears to his eyes.
“Unlike Mr. Muscles. The back of beyond has its benefits, obviously.”
“You’re crass, do you know that? Always so, so crass. He’s from the village. I found him trespassing a couple or so days ago, and now he’s done it again.”
Brendan laughed. “I’ve been called a lot worse than crass, and mostly by you. If he was trespassing, why weren’t you running him off like the wicked squire? Talking of which, does he know that’s who you are?” A mischievous smile hovered on Brendan’s lips as he settled lower into the deep, squashy sofa and stretched out his legs, nursing a decidedly non alcoholic tonic water.
“Yes. I’m sure by now the whole village knows who I am.” He took another draught of beer, slower this time. “And I’m not a wicked squire. All I’m doing is realising an asset to its full potential. The village will benefit, ultimately.” Or not. Either way he didn’t care.
Alex tracked the turn of Brendan’s head, knowing what he was seeing, what he was thinking. The Adam fireplace, the elegant and clean Neo-classical lines.
“This place is a gem. I don’t understand why you don’t want to keep it.”
“I’ve no plans to come back here to live so it’d just be an expensive albatross hanging around my neck.” Alex’s grip on his bottle tightened.
“Don’t you fancy playing lord of the manor? You could host country house parties at the weekend.” Brendan grinned. They both knew hell would freeze over before Alex would throw any kind of party. “But seriously, I don’t get why you’re so eager—”
“I’ve told you. I won’t be living here. Ever. I’m paying you to produce the plans for conversion, not to question my reasons. Just do as I tell you, Brendan.” Alex met and held the man’s eye.You’re not indispensable, I’ve any number of architects I can use…
Brendan shrugged and looked away, wilting under the silent threat.
Soon after, they dug into dinner, a selection of upmarket ready meals, spread out on the kitchen table.
