Chapter Twenty-Two

RYAN

Saturday dawned bright, and normally Ryan would want to sleep late, but that morning he awoke to a very warm, wet mouth teasing his neck. He sighed and settled into Logan's arms.

" Mmm . That feels nice."

"Only nice?" Logan hummed against his skin. "I'd better up my game."

Ryan wiggled his ass onto Logan's thick cock, nestled in the cleft of his ass. "Your game seems pretty up to me."

The breath whooshed out of him when Logan flipped him underneath and took his mouth in a bruising kiss that left him gasping for air. Aching and hard, he palmed their dicks, loving the greedy sounds of Logan's moans and cries as he rubbed them up and down.

"Fuck, Ry. I need inside you."

"Want that too," he panted, and watched Logan grab for the lube and condom. He didn't take his eyes off Logan as he rolled on the rubber and slicked his shaft. A pool of saliva built up in his mouth, and desire shot through him like a bullet. "Give it to me."

Still open and slightly sore from their lovemaking the prior evening, he winced as Logan breached his hole. Logan stopped.

"Are you all right?" Concerned eyes met his.

"No, because you stopped." Ryan yanked his elbow. "I need you."

An almost feral grin curved Logan's lips, and he pressed a quick kiss to Ryan's mouth. "Hold on because here I come." He thrust hard, burying inside fully.

Ryan hissed, but that pain soon turned to groans, the pleasure so all-encompassing, he closed his eyes and let Logan's ownership of his body…his heart, carry him away.

"Open your eyes," Logan ordered, and Ryan's dick stiffened at his harsh tone. God, he loved how Logan got hot and dominant. "Look at me."

Logan's mouth slammed onto his, and he groaned, fingers digging into Logan's shoulders. "You like that, don't you?" Logan demanded as he sucked and nibbled Ryan's lips. "Tell me you want it. Want me."

"Yes, God, more," Ryan pleaded, his head thrashing on the pillow. His entire body was a single element, there solely for Logan's taking.

Their tongues probed and licked, and Ryan's toes curled as Logan continued to thrust into him hard and fast. Logan shifted to his knees and pulled Ryan closer. "So damn perfect," he murmured while rolling his hips. He grasped Ryan's cock and began to jack him off, spreading the slippery precome over the head and shaft.

"Logan," he whispered, voice shaking. A nearly violent orgasm ripped into him, and his cock pulsed and jerked out streams of come, splattering over his stomach through Logan's fingers.

A startled expression filled Logan's emerald-green eyes. He shuddered to his climax, then dipped his head to place soft kisses on Ryan's quivering skin. "Good morning."

With Logan's cock still throbbing inside him, Ryan smiled. "It sure as hell is."

* * *

An hour later, after showering and getting dressed, they sat in the kitchen. Logan poured himself a coffee and held up the pot.

"Want another?"

"No. Two cups is all I can handle." He took a sip of coffee, debating breakfast. "What're you doing today?"

"Me?" Logan seemed curious at the question. "I don't know. Having breakfast first. What do you want to do?"

Warmth settled in his chest. "Oh, I…I wasn't sure you'd want to spend the day together."

Before answering, Logan took a sip from his mug. "I'm thinking if we're going to try this thing, the way to do it is to spend time with each other. You know, to see if we're compatible—aside from the physical." His eyes twinkled. "Which, in my opinion, is fucking amazing."

Still tingling from earlier that morning, Ryan grew hot. "Yeah. It is. And by ‘thing,' you mean what exactly?" Yes, they'd discussed it, but Ryan wanted to hear Logan say it again.

Logan clasped his hands. "Exactly what you think. We did it in a roundabout way with you moving in, then us having sex, but we're still getting to know each other. So I guess we're dating? Is that still a term?" He frowned. "Are you having second thoughts about our situation, now that we've slept together?"

"No. I just want to get to know you better out of bed. We've already established we're compatible in it. The times we went out to dinner or to the Broadway show were more fun than I've had in years. I want more of those moments with you."

Logan rinsed out his now-empty mug. "I might be more fun in the sheets. But sure. Let's spend the day together. Any ideas?"

Ryan thought. "We could just walk around the city. Maybe go to a museum and have lunch."

"I haven't done that in years," Logan mused.

"I remember you used to work from home on the weekends. Was that because you wanted to keep an eye on me?" Ryan challenged him.

It was Logan's turn to blush. "Well…yeah. But also…it kept me busy, since I had nothing else to look forward to."

Those words hit Ryan like a knife to the heart. Here Logan sat in his beautiful penthouse apartment, all the money and success he could want, and yet he was as lonely and isolated as Ryan, who had virtually nothing.

"Now we do. Let's go to the Met, then Central Park, and maybe the zoo."

But Logan didn't answer him and instead stared off into the distance.

"We used to go to the park every weekend. My father had to work—the bakery's busiest days were Saturday and Sunday. Our mom would meet her friends, and Todd and I would spend the whole day there. When it got too cold, we'd go to the Brooklyn Museum or the library."

The utter desolation in Logan's eyes hurt Ryan's heart. Logan wasn't thinking about their plans for the day. He was trapped in the past. "I've never been to either. Maybe we should go there instead."

Logan blinked and turned an astonished face to him. "To Brooklyn? Why?"

Because you're hurting and you need closure.

But Ryan couldn't say that, so he attempted to keep it light. "Why not? I hear it's the cool place to be these days."

Logan's stare was unreadable, but then he nodded. "All right. Why not? But let's eat first. I know a little diner that has great pie."

"Pie? It's barely eleven in the morning."

Logan winked. "I already had my cake. We can have brunch."

He shrugged. "Okay, sure."

* * *

Logan remained mostly silent on their walk to what turned out to be a slightly grungy diner.

"Here it is."

Puzzled that they'd passed much nicer restaurants, Ryan hesitated before entering. "This is where you want to eat?"

"Don't be a snob," Logan teased, then pointed to a booth in the corner. "Let's sit there." They slid in, Logan across from him, just as the waitress strolled over.

"Coffee, folks?" Her blue-shadowed eyes grew wide when she saw Logan. "Hey, I know you. How you doin', honey?" She poured them each a cup, though neither had answered. A busboy appeared from behind her and slapped down two glasses of water. "You're looking a heck of a lot better than last time, that's for sure. This the boyfriend you were mooning over?" She cackled. "He's a cutie."

His cheeks red, Logan darted a quick glance his way.

Mooning over?

Ryan's heart gave a funny twist.

"I didn't think you'd remember me," Logan said, and Ryan watched in fascination as Logan chatted with her. Logan's earlier, contemplative mood had evaporated, replaced by his charming personality.

"Are you kidding? How could I forget you? Best looking guy to come into this godforsaken joint. Plus, I remember everyone." She tapped her frosted blond head. "Mind like a steel trap."

"Donna, pick up," a voice yelled out, and she rolled her eyes. "Be back to take your order. Don't get the chili. Frank put in too much garlic, and it don't make for good kissing breath, if you know what I mean." She left with a wink, and Logan snickered.

"She's a trip."

Ryan sipped his water. "There has to be a story behind how Logan Silver ended up here."

"I grew up going to diners like this." He drummed his fingers on the speckled Formica tabletop. "The truth is, one night when you were missing, I'd gone to the police station to see if they had any new leads on you. I wandered in here afterward because I didn't want to go home, and this was the only place open. And as you can see, Donna is the talkative type."

"And you talked back?"

Logan studied the menu for a moment before setting it on the slightly sticky table. "Let me set you straight. I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Everything I have today is because I worked my ass off to get it, and I make zero apologies for how I live now. But that doesn't mean I forgot where I came from."

Embarrassed by his assumptions, Ryan met Logan's annoyed gaze. "I'm sorry. I guess it's good we're doing this, so we can learn about each other. I just figured you came from money."

"Yeah," Logan said bitterly. "I get it. And you know what the worst thing is? Now that I do have more than I know what to do with, none of it matters. I'd give it all up to have my family with me."

"I'm sorry," Ryan whispered, chastened by Logan's revelation.

Logan sighed. "It's not your fault. Forget it. Let's get something to eat and then have a good day."

Donna returned. "So, whaddya want? The burgers are good, and Frank makes a mean tuna melt."

"I'll have a cheeseburger with fries, and I hear your pies are something special." Ryan's stomach growled.

Donna turned pink. "Aw, ain't you sweet. Yeah, lemme bring you something just for you." She wrote his order. "And you, honey?" She cocked her head at Logan.

"I'll have that tuna melt and lemon meringue."

"You got it."

Their orders came quickly, and they both demolished their lunches.

"You're right. The food is good—those fries were perfect." Ryan wiped his face, and his eyes widened as Donna approached. She carried two plates, one with Logan's lemon meringue and then his, with an assortment of three pies: peach, cherry, and banana cream.

"I figured why not a little of each. Lemme know which one you like best. Here's the check, but take your time."

Ryan figured she'd leave, but when she stayed by the table, he glanced over at Logan, who winked and grinned, before proceeding to eat his pie. Realizing Donna wasn't going anywhere until he tasted them all, he tried a forkful of each.

"I can't pick. They're all delicious."

Donna smirked. "You're as smooth a talker as your boyfriend." Hips swinging, Donna strolled away.

"They really are good," Ryan remarked, then finished all three slices. He realized Logan was staring and stopped licking his fork. "What's wrong?"

A strange smile flirted on Logan's lips. "Nothing. I'd like to take you somewhere."

His heart pounded. "Where?"

Logan picked up the check and left double the amount. Ryan always felt you could tell the character of a person by how they treated their servers, and Logan was extremely generous.

"Trust me?"

Ryan nodded, and they waved good-bye to Donna, who winked and blew them a kiss. An idea popped into Ryan's head as they walked down the block. "Would you want to see the center Jordan started? They're open on the weekends to help parents who have to work."

"If you'd like."

"I know you're not into it, but I promise it won't take up too much time. We'll go to Brooklyn afterward. I think it'd be nice if you saw it, and I should be going more—"

Logan's mouth hit his, stemming the flow of words. "You're babbling. I'm fine with it. Really." He took Ryan's hand. "Lead the way."

It took less than fifteen minutes to walk to the center, and when Ryan pushed in the doors, he spotted Jordan and his husband in the library area. They looked up and waved, said something to the two children they were speaking with, and headed their way.

"There are Jordan and Luke." He nudged Logan, who stood a few steps away from him and was scanning the large, airy space.

"This is very nice. I'm impressed."

Jordan reached them first. "Thanks, Logan. Ryan, you didn't say you were coming today."

"We were close by, and I wanted to show Logan what you've done here for the neighborhood."

Jordan took Luke's hand in his. "Not only me. It's a joint effort. Wanda, the head of the center, has accomplished more than I even dreamed, and Luke has kept up the fundraising to cover the ongoing expenses." He frowned. "It's a never-ending battle, but we're determined to succeed. We want to make sure we can continue to stay open on the weekends."

"Let me have your info, and I'll get my firm on board." Logan took the card Luke handed him. "We're always in the market for worthy causes, and this one certainly qualifies."

Jordan's brows rose. "Thanks, Logan. I appreciate it."

Inexplicably, pride swelled in Ryan's chest, but then he laughed to himself.

Look at me, acting like a proud boyfriend.

"Daddy, Papa, listen to my story." A curly-haired little girl clutching a book ran up to Jordan and Luke. She didn't wait for a response and began to read to them. Face beaming, she finished. "TJ and Brandon helped me practice all week."

Jordan scooped her up and kissed her. "That was great, Ellie-belly."

Ryan spied TJ at the back of the center, gathering up the scattered books and papers, and then he disappeared into one of the offices. Seeing him reminded Ryan of his story and how far he'd come after being hooked on drugs. Knowing TJ made it encouraged him to think more positively about his own recovery.

"Eww, don't call me that." The little girl made a face and wriggled out of his arms. "Grandma's here," she yelled and ran to the door, where Ash and Drew approached with Esther, whom he'd met several times at the center. Ellie hugged and kissed Esther.

"Your daughter calls Esther her grandmother?" Logan asked, sounding confused. "Isn't she related to Drew?"

Jordan chuckled. "Yes, but Esther is a surrogate grandmother to everyone. My parents are Nanny and Pop-Pop to her." His brow wrinkled. "How do you know Esther?"

Ryan wondered the same thing and listened to Logan's explanation of how he'd come to update her will. The group approached, and Jordan and Luke hugged Esther gently before she faced him and Logan with her inquisitive gaze.

"So nice to see you both again."

"You as well, Esther," Ryan said. "Logan and I just stopped by because I wanted to show him the center, but we'll be on our way."

"I understand." Her eyes twinkled. "I'm sure you two have plans for the rest of the day."

About to deny Esther's obvious matchmaking, Ryan received the biggest surprise of his life when Logan took his hand.

"We do. It was great to see you all, but we have to get going. Jordan, Luke, I'll be in touch."

They left, and halfway down the block, Ryan slanted a glance to Logan, who had his phone out to call for a car. "That was smooth."

"I try," Logan deadpanned, then squeezed his hand. "I know they're your friends, but I'd really rather spend the day with you. Alone."

"Can't argue with that logic." Ryan kissed Logan's cheek. "Especially since I agree with you. Where are you taking me?"

Logan's face grew grave. "Someplace very special to me."

It was apparent no more information was forthcoming, and Ryan had to be content with Logan holding his hand as they waited for their ride.