Chapter 18

Mental Note: Don't underestimate the power of good people.

Alex smiled to himself as Ryan bucked underneath him. He liked when guys were enthusiastic about blowjobs. It made him feel like he'd really done something special.

"Please," Ryan breathed out as his fingers clutched at Alex's hair.

Alex sucked down on Ryan, taking him deep. He liked how Ryan jerked and then froze before his balls emptied deep into the back of Alex's throat. After swallowing Ryan's cum, Alex sat up and stared down at the sexy man he'd shared the bed with.

Ryan blinked up at him as he caught his breath. "That was so freaking amazing. Best blowjob ever."

"I'm glad you liked it."

"I want to do that for you, but I've never…" Ryan's voice trailed off as he glanced down at Alex's hard cock.

"It's okay. We can take it slow. Let me jerk off, then we can get up and head to the store."

"Ugh, I forgot for a moment," Ryan said as he sat up. Instead of letting Alex jack off, Ryan bent low and licked the tip of Alex's cock. The licks were tentative at first, then he sucked down on Alex's cock before he pulled back fast, coughing a little.

"Sorry. I went too deep."

Alex cupped his jaw. "You'll pick up technique fast. Let me finish, and we can go."

Ryan nodded as he sat back, watching. Alex liked being watched and came fast. They rinsed off quickly before dressing. Ryan thankfully let him borrow a shirt so he wasn't wearing exactly what he had on the night before.

They took both cars and parked out front of the store. Alex could see sadness on Ryan's face. He'd been through so much and now this was just another bad thing that had happened to the guy.

"What time is the glass repair guy getting here?" Alex asked.

Ryan glanced at his phone. "In twenty minutes."

"I'm going to head over and pick up some breakfast. I'll be back fast, and then after the guy finishes with the window, I can help you restock and make the store look presentable."

Ryan drew in a fast breath and then slapped his forehead. "Crap, Mrs. Iden and Jenna are coming today to do the window. This window that was broken out. I don't know if they can decorate it."

Alex didn't really know what Ryan was talking about, but he could tell it was upsetting him. "Hey, what do they do with the window?"

"It's the holiday decorations. They paint some of the windows with a cute holiday theme and then set up a display. It draws a lot of people to the store. My mom was the one who used to do it and she made it special. This will ruin it."

Alex grabbed Ryan's shoulders and met his gaze. "It can be figured out. Don't worry. I'm sure both women know it's not something under your control and they'll be willing to do the window when everything is fixed."

Ryan let go a heavy sigh. "I just feel like everything is falling apart, and I don't like that feeling."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, when life falls apart, it's hard to move on because it feels like you're going in reverse."

Ryan's lips thinned. "You've said some wise stuff about everything falling apart before. What happened?"

Alex blew out a breath. It was time to tell Ryan if he wanted their relationship to last. "My ex was abusive, and I put up with it for too long. He treated me like crap. After I finished my degree, I got a job that was great. But my ex didn't like that I was successful. He put me down every chance he got. Eventually, I started believing him. He changed me, and not in a good way. I left him about a year ago, but he kept coming back into my life. It was rough. I finally found this job out here and moved."

Ryan took his hand. "What about him—the ex? Is he still out there to cause problems?"

Alex shook his head. "He ended up breaking into the place I was working and broke some equipment. If he had stopped at that, it would have maybe gotten him probation, but he attacked the receptionist when she came in that morning. She's okay, well, physically. I'm sure she'll live with that memory forever. But he's in prison and won't be out for more than twenty years."

"Damn. That's awful. And you still went out with me though I was an ass."

"You were just an ass in general, and you had a reason. He was a jerk to me for no reason other than jealousy. He didn't like people praising me."

Ryan pulled him close, and the hug felt amazing. He liked that Ryan cared. Maybe it was crazy that he liked everything about Ryan. They just seemed to fit together.

A car pulled into the lot and Ryan didn't let go immediately or jerk away, instead he looked up and brushed a quick kiss over Alex's lips. That made Alex feel even better. Ryan didn't care if people saw them together.

"That's Jenna, a long-time employee here at the store."

"Oh, does she know you're going out with me?"

Ryan shrugged. "I guess she does now."

The occupant of the car stepped out. It was a middle-aged woman who looked very upset. "Oh, Ryan, I can't believe this happened. The window."

"The glass guy is almost here. It will get fixed."

"That's great." Jenna turned to Alex. "I'm Jenna."

"Alex."

"It's so nice to meet you."

"It's great to meet you, too."

"Hopefully, we'll be seeing more of you. Oh, Ryan, we have the plans drawn up for the window. I just need your final approval. We were planning on doing the painting today, but we can put together the display in the back room and then bring it out this week."

"Thank you. It means so much to have you help me with this. I really appreciate it."

"Oh, hon, it isn't the first time plans have been interrupted. We'll make sure it shines this year."

Another car pulled up into the lot. Ryan took Alex's hand and tugged him over. "This is Mrs. Iden. She helped my mom do the window in past years. Mrs. Iden, this is Alex."

"Well, hello." The woman smiled and shook their hands. "I'm so pleased to meet you. You're the new veterinarian. My friends have great things to say about you. I hope this little incident doesn't turn you off our town."

Alex took her arm and walked her over to the store. "No, it doesn't turn me off. I think this thing happens everywhere. I was impressed so many people have come to help. Last night, the firemen showed up and helped clean the place then board up the window."

"Oh my," Mrs. Iden fanned herself. "Those men are hot. I never dated a fireman in my day, but I think they are the best."

Jenna was laughing and shaking her head. "Mrs. Iden, maybe we should call them out to help us."

The women laughed as they headed into the store. Ryan was shaking his head, and it looked like he was about to say something when a truck pulled into the lot. This was obviously the window guy.

The man stepped from his truck and came over to shake their hands. "My name is Ian. I hope you two are doing well. I'm going to get started. I came out earlier and measured. I should have the window installed in a couple of hours. My buddy will be here in about twenty minutes to help, but for now, I need to get the plywood off."

"Sure," Ryan said. "Let me help you get that off and put up."

"It sucks this happened. Hopefully, they'll stay away. I ran into West this morning. Said they had some video from down the block. Maybe they'll catch whoever did it."

Ryan nodded. "I hope so. I don't want this happening again."

Alex took off to get them breakfast, and the other window guy was there, helping the first man. He and Ryan ate while watching the window being installed. After eating, they headed into the back to help Mrs. Iden and Jenna.

By lunchtime, the new windows were installed, and Jenna and Mrs. Iden had set up the display and were starting to paint one of the far windows. Alex needed to do some paperwork but hated the idea of not seeing Ryan until next weekend.

"Hey, why the long face?" Ryan asked.

"I need to get some stuff done, but I don't want to leave."

"You know, you could come out to my place again tonight."

Alex took Ryan's hand, holding it loosely. "You wouldn't mind?"

Ryan shook his head. "I like the idea of waking up with you."

"I like it, too."

"It's settled then. Text me before you drive out."

Alex nodded before quickly brushing a kiss over Ryan's lips. He liked that Ryan wasn't afraid to be with him. Maybe he should be more cautious, but he really liked Ryan and wanted a good relationship with him.