Page 31 of No Rules

Ryan glanced at him again, then stared straight ahead. “You’re doing well so far. Better than I expected.”

Sheer joy filled Alex’s insides. “Yeah?”

“Don’t let it get to your head.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Cockiness is dangerous in this business.”

“I know.”

“Once you’re convinced you have all the answers, you start missing important clues.”

“I understand.”

“And you still have a lot to learn.”

“Jesus, Ryan, let me enjoy the compliment, okay? I promise I won’t see it as evidence that I’m at your level. Or, you know, that youlikeme or whatever.”

Ryan’s mouth curled up in a smile. “You’re not too bad.”

Alex put his hand on his heart. “Stop. I can’t take two compliments in a day. It’s too much.”

The smile widened, and Alex’s stomach fluttered over that rare occasion. Ryan pulled up to the front gate of Jesse’s house and scanned his key card. The gate opened, and neither spoke a word until he’d parked the car.

Ryan turned off the engine. “I’m leaving early tomorrow and won’t be back until midnight the day after.”

“Okay.”

Ryan quirked an eyebrow at Alex. “You’re not gonna say how much you’ll miss me?”

Alex snorted. “I’ll be heartbroken. Inconsolable.”

“I figured. To make sure you’ll remember me, I’ll give you a goodbye present.”

For one glorious moment, Alex thought Ryan had actually gotten him a gift, but Ryan’s hands went to his zipper, and Alex swallowed. Idiot. He knew better by now.

Ryan put his seat back as far as possible and pointed to the floor in front of him. “On your knees, baby boy, and open that mouth of yours wide.”

Disobeying wasn’t even an option, not when Ryan used that tone, so Alex wiggled himself into the small space and did as he was told. Ryan was quick this time, abusing his mouth with ruthless efficiency until he came down his throat. Alex took it greedily, sucking every last drop out of him.

When he was back in his room, he stared at himself in the mirror. His lips were swollen, his eyes still red-rimmed and teary, and his throat was scratchy. He’d loved the blow job, so why had it left him feeling so empty? Why was he starting to question if he truly wanted to be Ryan’s fuck toy? Or was it possible that maybe, just maybe, he was going to miss Ryan while he was gone and that was why he was in such a weird mood?

Nah, that couldn’t be. He wasn't quite stupid enough to get attached to Ryan.

Was he?

10

Ryan stepped out of his rental car and surveyed the small family home he knew all too well. The worn white picket fence around the familiar front yard had seen better days, just like him. The porch swing creaked lazily in the breeze, stirring up memories of laughter-filled evenings spent with his mom and Quinton, now forever gone. He shook off the pang of guilt and sadness and instead focused on the warm glow of the living room windows that spoke of love, family, and comfort.

“Damn, it’s been too long.” Ryan sighed as he approached the house. He hadn’t been back since he’d left Austin well over a year ago, and he hadn’t expected the rush of memories at seeing the house he’d grown up in. He’d played hide-and-seek with Rachelle among the overgrown bushes countless times and climbed the gnarled old oak tree that stood guard in the small front yard.

“Hey there, stranger!” Rachelle stood in the open front door, beaming at him with her arms wide open. Her dark curls framed her face, making her look eerily similar to their mom.

Ryan closed the distance between them and enveloped her in a bear hug. “I’m happy as a clam at high water to see you.”

“And I’m happier than a tornado in a trailer park,” Rachelle fired back, hugging him just as tightly.