Making It Personal Wells, C. (red queen free ebook TXT) 📖

like desperation. Intrigued in spite of himself, Will leaned forward and slid the bolt across, slowly pulling open the door. Rick stood there, eyes miserable, looking decidedly jumpy. A look of relief crossed his face when he saw Will. “Oh mate.” His voice was unsteady. “When you come out… you come out!”

Will couldn’t help it. He gave a feeble smile. Rick chuckled.

“You gonna come out here or shall I come in there?” Rick winked. “Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been in a toilet stall with a guy—if you follow my drift.” He locked eyes with Will.

Will barked out a harsh laugh. “I bloody knew it!”

Rick laughed. “Yeah, okay, so I’ve been thinking the same about you for a while now.” Will got up and exited the stall. Rick leaned against the wall as Will ran his hands under the hot tap. All of a sudden they were so cold. “You all right, Will?” The look of genuine concern was touching.

Will expelled his tension in one long push of air as he dried his hands. “Yeah.” He’d calmed down a little. Rick was watching him intently. “So… do they know about you?” He flicked his head toward the door.

“Uh-huh. So I’m probably the only person here who was relieved to hear your, er, declaration.” His eyes sparkled with humor. “Have you any idea what’s it’s been like around here, being the only gay in the village?” They both chuckled at this reference to the comedy Little Britain. Rick’s expression grew more serious. “So let’s try this again. You want to talk about it?”

Will gave him a gentle smile. “Much as I would love to, I can’t.”

Rick nodded. He stepped toward him, his eyes never leaving Will’s face. “Of course, I’d hoped I’d got it right about you.” His voice softened. “Do you know how many times I was dying to ask you? The whole situation is so fucking ironic.”

Will cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

Rick chortled. “Well, I’ve been in lust with my boss for six years, for a start.” Will’s eyes widened. Rick laughed. “Yeah, why are the gorgeous ones always straight? Although now and again, I could’ve sworn…” He shook his head. “Never mind. Waste of time thinking like that.” He gazed into Will’s eyes. “And then you turn up, and right from the start you had my gaydar pinging like crazy.” He stroked his fingers along Will’s arm, Rick’s blue eyes never breaking contact with Will’s. “I suppose it would be too much to hope that you’re unattached.” There was a hopeful expression on his face and Will could hear the question Rick was clearly afraid to ask. Oh hell.

“Rick,” Will began, his voice gentle, “I’m…. that is….” He sighed. “It’s complicated.” Rick’s face fell and Will felt like a complete bastard. In spite of the way Blake was treating him right now, there was this little part of his brain that hoped they’d work through it somehow. Because Will knew he wanted to be with Blake. He let out a heavy sigh. Yeah, complicated was an understatement. He brought his attention back to Rick. He couldn’t lead him on. It wasn’t fair. Those soulful eyes regarded him intently. Will leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’m flattered. Really. And for the record, you are very cute.”

Rick flushed, his cheeks a delicate shade of pink. He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Oh well, I had to ask.” He touched his cheek briefly and then stepped back. “We still mates?”

“Hell yes.” Will grinned. “It’s good to know I’ll have at least one person in my corner around here.”

Rick returned his grin. “Oh, more than one, mate. We like you. Okay, so Karen might have it in for you for a while. She looked bad, I have to say. You hit her pretty hard.”

Will nodded, chagrined. He could have done it differently, but it had been a knee jerk reaction. That’s what a lack of sleep and misery will do to you. “I’ll have to apologize.”

“Good idea.” Rick gestured toward the door. “C’mon, let’s get out of here. You’ll have them all thinking something’s going on in the gents.” He winked. “No such luck.”

Will laughed and ruffled his tousled hair. “You’re a bad boy.”

Rick’s brows shot up. “You’re only discovering this now? How long have you worked here?” Both men chuckled and then left the bathroom. The kitchen was empty. Will grabbed another mug of coffee and after giving Rick a warm but brief hug, he went to his office and closed the door. Sitting down behind his desk, he took a drink and gazed at the still closed door. His one consolation was that at least he was out now. Unfortunately it might have made things more awkward for Blake. And judging by Blake’s reaction, his boss was distinctly unhappy about this turn of events.

Oh well. It looked as though Melissa was going to get her way after all. Maybe it was time he started looking for another job. It looked as though he was going to need one.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Why the hell wasn’t he drunk?

Will couldn’t understand it. He sat at a corner table in the club, staring at the empty shot glasses with tired eyes. The music boomed out and the air was filled with chatter. G.A.Y was his favorite club, and tonight it seemed to be the rest of the world’s favorite, too. He’d never seen it so packed. Of course, the go-go boys on stage might have had something to do with it. He watched them gyrate around their poles, clad only in the skimpiest of silver lycra shorts which showed off their equipment very nicely, thank you. Will was hiding. He’d glimpsed a few people he knew, but he was in no mood to talk to anyone. Erroll, his waiter for the evening, sashayed his way past Will’s table and gave a quick glance down.

“Another, Will?”

Will hesitated. It