Nine Tanner

Living in Wyatt's apartment for the last week had been strange, to say the very least. At first, both of us had been walking on eggshells, doing everything we could not to get near one another. But as the days wore on and we were forced to be within close proximity at all times at work and at home, we developed a sort of unspoken rhythm. Wyatt did what he needed to do, and so did I. There was no reason for us to talk to one another or get too close.

Not that I didn't notice his constant glances. And sometimes, when I wasn't paying attention, I found myself staring back. He was an attractive man, that was for sure. I already knew what he was packing, too, so that made it harder to keep my mind off him. There were plenty of nights I saw in my room alone, slowly jerking myself as I remembered that night at the hotel. Part of me wanted to let him do it again, but I couldn't get over how angry I was with him.

His sneaking out probably would have bothered me less if it hadn't cost me my networking opportunities at the conference. Not only that but the moment I got home with an empty contact book, my father tore me apart, which eventually led to my being fired. I knew there were things I could have done to figure it out on my own, but if I was being perfectly honest with myself, I hated real estate. Being a salesman was the worst job I could imagine.

I'd been thinking about it over and over again. The truth was, I didn't hate Wyatt. Instead, I hated that he made me feel good for a moment and then abandoned me like everyone else in my life. My dates rarely survived past the first fuck, and the other relationships in my life were ones of convenience or expectation. The family didn't really matter to me because I knew I was just cheap labor to them, another way to increase their profits. I never got to go to college since my father forced me to come work at his office, so all my friends up and left. They went out into the world to start their lives. Meanwhile, I did the same thing over and over again from the moment I left the graduation ceremony.

To say I was lonely was an understatement. And, for some stupid fucking reason, Wyatt made me feel seen. I felt this kind of deep connection to him that I just plain didn't understand. The way he smelled, the way he looked at me… the way he kissed me like it was the first and last he'd ever have. All of it was wonderful.

So, every time he told me he was straight, I felt another twinge of regret and abandonment. He wanted me, of that much I was certain. But that last thing I was going to do was let a man use me to experiment and then drop me like a hot fucking potato when he was satiated. I didn't just want to be a piece of meat.

But I wasn't sure if I had the time or the energy to be anything else to anyone. Life had left me fairly jaded, so I couldn't imagine I was exactly a peach to be around.

"Ugh…" I sighed, leaning my head back against the pillow and rubbing my eyes. "This is a never-ending circle, Tanner. Let it go…"

I lay there for a long moment, my hand draped over my eyes to shield them from the harsh overhead light. I didn't know what to do next or where to go. There were so many conflicting emotions and thoughts in my head, muddling everything up. All I wanted to do was escape, but that wasn't going to happen. I'd started searching for a place of my own, but being freshly fired and without at least two months worth of paychecks, not a damn place was going to accept my application. Not to mention, for such a tiny town, everything had crazy-high prices.

Suffice it to say, I was stuck with Wyatt.

My stomach rumbled, and I pulled my hand away from my eyes, wincing because of the bright light. I'd been lying in bed since the moment we'd gotten from the office, and I was starving. Wyatt didn't really keep food in his place, so that meant I'd need to order or go out and get something. Unfortunately, delivery fees were quickly eating a hole in my pocket. His apartment was practically downtown anyway, so all the restaurants were close by. Besides, maybe a quick walk would help me clear my head.

Sighing once more, I pushed myself up from the bed and threw on a hoodie. The snow had gone from the ground, but it was still hella cold outside. I had a morbid thought about freezing to death but quickly brushed it away. My irritation with my entire situation was getting the better of me.

I slipped on my shoes and headed for the door, stuffing my wallet and phone into my pockets as I went. The apartment around me was quiet, all the lights off except for a single lamp up on the loft where Wyatt slept. Knowing I didn't owe him an explanation, I grabbed a spare key off the table next to the door and left without a word.

The brisk, cold air shocked my system as it struck my skin. Stuffing my hands in the hoodie pouch, I started across the cold parking lot, the wind biting at my cheeks. Thankfully, there was a great little Chinese place only a couple blocks away. They made great food, and I wanted a warm place to sit for a while where I wouldn't be disturbed by anyone.

By the time I got there, I was nearly frozen, the hoodie providing far less protection than I'd anticipated. The woman seating me gave me a stern look like she thought I was crazy for being outside without a winter coat. I couldn't blame her for that. She took my drink order, and I headed for the bathroom. I always had to pee when I got cold.

I passed by several long steam tables full of the most delicious things in the world. Chow Mein, fried rice, orange chicken, sweet and sour pork… it made my mouth water so hard that I thought I might drown. I picked up the pace, wanting to get back to the food as quickly as possible. I hadn't eaten all day, thanks to a bunch of client meetings, so I was on the edge of starvation.

The bathroom, like most restaurants, was far too small and poorly lit, and I was too distracted by the food to pay much attention. I stepped up to one of the two urinals, barely conscious of the figure using the other one next to me. Knowing dude protocol, I kept my eyes to myself and did my business.

However, the moment I turned back to head toward the sinks, my eyes caught a flash of ginger hair, and I looked up.

There was Wyatt, his deep blue eyes staring at me with his dick still hanging out of his pants.