Toxic (The Complete Series): Contemporary Gay Romance Read online

  “Hey, Ryan. You here to see Mason?”

  “I told him I was coming, but I know he has a meeting right now.”

  “He said it wouldn’t take long. Have a seat.”

  One of the members of the band walked over and got water from Bea, seating himself next to me with a smile.

  “You’re in the band, right?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Don’t set up for a bit, but I needed to talk to Mason.”

  “Sounds like he’s busy today.”

  “You here for him, too?”

  “Yes.” I shifted in the seat to face him better.

  “Mason’s a good guy,” the band member said.

  “Have you guys known each other long?”

  He shrugged. “A few years. We get drinks sometimes. Talk, laugh, flirt.”

  Bea reached over the counter and smacked his arm. “Don’t listen to him,” she said to me. “He flirts with everyone.”

  I looked at him more closely, unable to help the flicker of jealousy that went through me. He was good-looking, with dark hair and eyes—and I knew he had a great voice. He had that sort of appeal men loved. Women loved. I could see him with Mason easily.

  The band member smiled at Bea. “Well, he is cute. Can’t help it.”

  When he walked off, I turned back to Bea. “Did they used to date?” I asked, curious despite myself.

  Mason didn’t talk about many of his past relationships—but that was because I knew he hadn’t had many. I knew he’d dated a lot but nothing serious.

  Had he ever been in a serious relationship, or was that just not his style?

  Bea rolled her eyes. “Nate’s a flirt. And Mason—he just treats everyone like they’re special. It’s hard for people not to like him. But no, they didn’t date.” She lifted her gaze to someone who’d just walked through the door, and then muttered under her breath, “Oh, shit.”

  Alarmed, I glanced over my shoulder. “What? Is everything okay?”

  “It’s not—” She looked around the bar, searching for someone. “Where’s Tate?” she called to one of the other bartenders. When he shrugged, she pointed. “Go find him!”

  I sat straighter on the stool. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. It’s fine, it’s just…Mason’s ex.”

  My gaze jerked to the man at the front of the bar. He carried himself like he was the king of the world and waltzed in our direction.

  I stood, my stomach twisting. First Nate and now Mason’s ex? Maybe he had been with someone seriously. Or more than someone, since it seemed like today I was surrounded by people who wanted to see Mason.

  “I think I’ll get out of the way,” I told Bea.

  “No, Ryan. I know Mason wants to see you. This—” She broke off when Tate came in, eyes dark.

  While they were talking, I skirted around the man at the front of the bar and left. The sun beat down on me, making me squint.

  I hesitated in the parking lot. I hated leaving, not when I’d told Mason I was stopping by. But not only was he in a meeting, he had two other guys looking for him.

  Blowing out a sharp breath, I walked to my car and got in. I had other things I could do besides waiting around.

  But when I finally got home, the house felt empty and lonely. My first night without Tucker here with me. And my first night off with nothing to do.

  Chapter 11

  MASON

  “What the fuck?” I said, pacing back and forth in the small manager’s office.

  Tate leaned against the desk, his legs sticking out far enough I had to step over them each time I walked by. “He’s gone now,” Tate said in a soothing voice.

  “Still. What the fuck was he doing here? It’s not like I told him I wanted to talk. He showed up at my house—”

  “Wait.” Tate straightened. “He came to your house?”

  I stopped pacing. “Last week. I was going to tell you, then things got busy and I didn’t hear from him.” I shook my head at the frustrated look on his face. “You’re happy, Tate. You don’t need to deal with that fucker.”

  “And you do?”

  “No. I’m just saying, I figured he was out of the picture and I didn’t want it to mess up anything going on with you.”

  Tate lifted his eyebrows. “What about things with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Bea said Ryan was there when Travis came in. He was waiting for you, and then he saw what was going on and Nate was talking about flirting with you—“

  “Shit.” I shoved a hand through my hair. “Dammit! I thought maybe he hadn’t gotten here yet. I need to call him. I need—”

  I turned around in the office, trying to find my phone. I didn’t care about Travis or Nate—I cared about Ryan and I needed to make sure he was okay.

  “Hold on,” Tate said before I could grab my phone.

  “Hold on? Travis is fucking with me. Why the hell would he show up here?”

  Tate sighed. “He said he wanted to talk to you.”

  “I don’t want to talk to him.”

  “I think he wants to get you back,” Tate said.

  I rolled my eyes. “The fucker doesn’t know what he wants. He can’t commit to anything and he’s after every piece of ass he sees.”

  Tate stayed quiet while I ranted. It was crude, I knew it, but I was pissed off.

  “And Nate? Why the hell’d he have to say anything? And in front of Ryan?”

  “It was perfectly innocent. You know Nate. He likes to flirt and likes to talk.”

  “So what? I—” My gaze dropped to the floor. I’d almost told Tate exactly what the problem was.

  I was falling for Ryan and I was worried this had messed things up between us. The idea of that scared me more than I expected it to.

  “You should go to him,” Tate said softly.

  I looked back up, meeting his eyes. “What?”

  “Go to Ryan, explain what happened. He sounds like a reasonable guy. Just talk to him.”

  I jingled my car keys in my pocket, almost ready to walk out the door right there. Finally, I nodded. “I have a few things to finish up here, and then I’ll go.”

  “What about Travis?” Tate asked.

  “Tell the bouncers not to let him in if he comes by. And if he doesn’t back off, I’ll deal with him, too.”

  I worked another few hours, checking my phone non-stop for a text from Ryan. And when I’d finished my paperwork, I told Tate I was leaving and hurried out to my car.

  I just hoped Ryan was home. I knew he had the night off and was planning on spending time with Tucker, but I needed a few minutes with him.

  I needed him to know that he was important to me—and that I wasn’t with anyone else. Or interested in anyone else.

  When I got to the door, I paused. It was eight. What was Tucker’s bedtime?

  Instead of ringing the bell, I texted Ryan. Are you home? I’m at the door.

  I waited for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Ryan opened the door, wearing low-slung pajama pants and no shirt. My throat dried. Fuck, he looked good. And tired. And vulnerable.

  I had to hold back, force myself not to take him into my arms right there.

  Ryan looked confused. “Why didn’t you ring the bell?”

  “I wasn’t sure if Tucker was asleep. I didn’t want to wake him up.”

  “Oh. He’s staying at my mom’s house.”

  “Really?”

  Ryan shrugged. “He wanted to, and I figured if he was okay with it, I was too. I…” He shrugged again. “It’s not important.”

  “It is to me. And so are you. You’re important, and I know you saw some things today that might make you think otherwise,” I said, getting it all out in a mouthful, “but I wanted you to know this: I care about you.”

  His gaze searched mine for a long moment and then he stepped back. “You want to come in?”

  “Yes.”

  I didn’t hesitate, just followed him inside. His house was always clean, which a
mazed me because I knew from experience that Tucker liked to take out every single one of his trains and scatter them around the house. All day, every day.

  In the kitchen, I took off my jacket and set my phone on the counter, noting Ryan had opened a bottle of wine. I didn’t see a glass, however.

  “Did I interrupt something?” I asked, to make sure he really did want me here.

  He gave me a wry smile. “I was in bed. Drinking wine and eating pasta.”

  “Can I join you?”

  He opened his mouth in surprise, like he’d expected something entirely different. But then he nodded, and it took away all the stress of the day.

  I stepped forward and drew him into my arms. “I’m sorry about earlier. It was a mess.”

  “It sounds like there are a lot of people in your life you’re still dealing with.”

  “That’s not true at all,” I assured him, easing back to see his face. “Nate flirts with everyone—even women. It’s part of his stage persona. We had drinks after work once and decided there wasn’t anything more there.”

  “And the other one?”

  I swallowed. I hated talking about Travis. I hated talking about that part of my life. “He’s my ex—from a long time ago. Like…six years. He cheated on me and I broke things off, of course. I haven’t seen him in almost that long, until he showed up at my house last week.”

  Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Last week?”

  “Yes. I don’t know why—I didn’t even care. I don’t want to have anything to do with him and I told him so. If he keeps coming around, I’ll deal with it again. Same thing. I’m not interested in seeing him, talking to him, or anything else.” I kissed Ryan gently, drawing his lip between my teeth and giving it a soft nip. “But I am interested in you. And you’re the only one I’m interested in.”

  He slid his hands up my arms and then to the buttons on my shirt. “You sure? I’m the only one? Because, in case you haven’t noticed, that’s how I work.”

  “I’m sure. I’m the same way. I got cheated on when I’d been nothing but faithful and it hurt. I would never do that to someone else.”

  That seemed to be enough for him, because he backed me up to the wall.

  “I want you in my bed,” he said against my lips as he finished unbuttoning my shirt.

  “I want you, too,”

  He took my hand and led me to the bedroom. He hadn’t lied. On the end table, there was a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine.

  “Let’s eat afterward,” he said, unbuttoning my pants.

  My cock hardened, aching to be free. “I agree.”

  I helped get my pants off for him and let him tug down my underwear, watching his face as he took me in. As his eyes lingered on my middle, need in them that I felt as well.

  We finished stripping our clothes off and climbed on the bed. It smelled like him. Clean, and with a subtle hint of his cologne. And it was soft, welcoming. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been in another man’s bed.

  “I want to be inside of you,” Ryan murmured.

  I’d been prepared to top him. I wanted to feel his him clench around me. But I wasn’t opposed to letting him take the lead.

  When I didn’t argue, he reached for lube and a condom, which I watched his muscular shoulders move as he rolled it on.

  In a flash, he was on top of me. The weight of his body felt good, right. And as he kissed me with abandon, tongue licking deep into my mouth, he rocked his hips against mine.

  The feel of our cocks touching was exquisite. I discovered I wanted this more than I expected. Him to penetrate me, to let him top me and feel him lose control as he pleasured us both.

  So I lay back and gave in as he reached down and touched me, fingers sliding inside of me.

  Chapter 12

  RYAN

  When I added another finger, pressing further inside of Mason, he arched his back and moaned. “Fuck, Ryan. That feels so good.”

  I’d wanted this the first night I saw him. To see him laying beneath me while I slid inside of his tight hole. When I removed my fingers, I leaned down to kiss him.

  His cock brushed my stomach, a drop of pre-cum tracing its way on my abdomen. I kissed him lightly, letting my tongue slide on his bottom lip.

  “Open your eyes,” I said. “I want to see them when you come.”

  His eyes opened and locked on mine, heat and desire mingling with surprise. I figured he was used to topping. And I wasn’t. But this…I wanted this. I wanted things to be different with Mason. I wanted to experience it all.

  And this was just the beginning.

  I touched the tip of my cock to his opening. His breath eased in.

  “Relax,” I murmured.

  His eyes went hazy when I slid in further, showing me just how good it felt. “Fuck,” I whispered. He was so tight. And so warm.

  I pressed in the rest of the way, sighing when I bottomed out. His muscles clenched around me, tightening on my cock. It felt so good, I was afraid I wouldn’t last long.

  Mason lifted his hips, urging me to move. I obeyed, rocking my hips against him, moving in and out in a slow rhythm at first.

  His lips parted, a groan escaping, telling me I’d hit the right spot. So I kept up that rhythm, slowly getting faster and faster as Mason’s hands clenched on the comforter.

  “Ryan,” he gasped. “That feels so good.”

  It felt good to me, too. Mason was a perfect fit for me, in more ways than one. I picked up speed again, driving in and out of him as my cock spasmed and pulsed inside of him.

  “Fuck!” he shouted, breath heavy.

  Then he came against me, spurting against my stomach, eyes locked on mine. I followed a moment later, emptying inside of him as his muscles clenched around me, milking me until I was dry.

  I rolled to his side, my heart still racing. “It’s been a long time since I’ve done that,” I admitted.

  He shifted so I could rest my cheek on his shoulder, and then wrapped his arm around me. We were dirty and out of breath, but all I wanted in this moment was to relax next to him, to take comfort in his presence.

  It had been a long day, but it all felt right with him here.

  “Since you had sex?” he asked, surprise in his voice.

  “In that position,” I said. “It…it’s a different experience when you do it with someone you care about.”

  He kissed my temple. “I know.”

  We were both silent for another few minutes. Then his stomach growled. I laughed. “Hungry?”

  “A little,” he admitted.

  “Let’s clean up and then I’ll fix you a bowl.”

  I watched as he stood, his ass tight and shapely as he walked to the bathroom. I followed behind him, taking his hand and guiding him to the shower.

  “You said Tucker’s gone the whole night?” Mason asked.

  “The whole night. Will you stay with me?”

  He kissed me. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  ***

  I woke snuggled up against Mason, his arm still around me and tucking me to his side. His breathing was soft and even, indicating he was still asleep. I took that moment to reflect on what had happened yesterday. And then last night.

  I trusted Mason. He hadn’t given me any reason not to.

  For him to come here and explain it to me, even though he didn’t have to, meant even more. And then being able to sleep with him, sleep next to him…besides having Tucker with me, it was the most complete I’d felt in a long time.

  Softly, I traced my hand over his cheek. I could see myself falling for Mason. Or maybe, I already had.

  I hadn’t felt like this for anyone else in a long time. Or maybe I hadn’t wanted to. I’d been too afraid of rocking the boat, of making things harder or scarier for Tucker.

  But now, things were different. And Tucker seemed to like Mason just as much as I did.

  Mason shifted in his sleep, turning his head in my direction. I drop a kiss on his lips, then slid my hand
under the covers.

  I hadn’t had enough of him last night. Not nearly enough.

  He was naked under the sheet, all muscles and curves. He clearly worked out and it turned me on that he was so fit.

  I wrapped my fingers around his cock gently, encouraging it to come alive. Encouraging Mason to wake up so we could have a few more minutes of intimacy before we had to go back to life.

  His dick started to grow, hardening and lengthening in my hand. I smiled when he murmured something. Then his eyes opened and locked on mine.

  He went hard the rest of the way as I ran my hand slowly down the length of him.

  “That’s a nice way to wake up,” he said, voice low and still sounding sleepy. “But I think…it’s my turn.”

  He rolled over on top of me, pinning me to the bed. My cock went rock hard, turned on by his strength.

  He kissed me hard, making my breath catch, and then took me in his hand and started teasing me.

  “Promise me we’ll do this again soon,” he said.

  “I promise.”

  He grinned, and then his head vanished under the covers and I felt him take me in his mouth.

  Chapter 13

  MASON

  A chilly breeze blew in through the doors at the back of the building as I talked with Tate at the bar. School was back in and it was Tucker’s first day in Kindergarten.

  I couldn’t wait to see them this evening so I could hear all about it.

  “It’s supposed to rain tonight,” Tate told me as we cleaned with Bea behind the bar.

  I didn’t know why, but I’d wanted to be more involved in with the bar lately. Instead of working in the office, I wanted to be out on the floor with everyone else. I was enjoying that social interaction, and now that I had Ryan in my life, I didn’t mind seeing Tate with Liam all the time.

  They were as happy for me as I was for them.

  “Not until later,” I answered, still turning to look out at the darkening sky. “We’ll be okay for dinner.”

  “Liam is bringing dessert.”

  I smiled at him. “So is Ryan. I told him we didn’t need it but telling a chef not to bring food to a dinner is like telling Nate not to sing along to every single song he hears on the radio.”