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CHAPTER ONE

This was not how he expected his evening to go. Not that Ryden had any grand plans other than hanging out with friends and coworkers to celebrate the grand opening of Val’s tavern. Still, he hadn’t expected to end up annoyed.

The Red Ax Tavern was packed with folks drinking and having a good time, some far more than others.

Ryden grunted into his glass as he took a sip of his soda.

As if being annoyed by Jay wasn’t enough, he was annoyed at himself for being annoyed.

It’s not like he hadn’t known Jay would be here tonight, or that wherever Jay went, an entourage of admirers was bound to follow.

It was ridiculous. Did the guy always have to be the center of attention?

“What’s the scuttlebutt, Marine?”

Ryden gave a start and glared at Saint. “What the hell ya sneakin’ up on people for?”

“Since when does anyone sneak up on you?”

Damn. He got you there, pal. Ryden eyed his best friend. Saint was genuinely surprised. “Fair point.” He sipped his drink, unable to stop his gaze from returning to the rowdy table across the room. Saint followed his line of sight.

Jay sat on one of the tables, dressed in a loud blue paisley vest with matching pants and bow tie, and a blinding fuchsia button-down shirt underneath with the sleeves rolled to the elbows.

His blond hair was perfectly styled, and his face was flushed.

Probably winded from all that hot air he was letting out.

The guy hadn’t taken a breath since he’d arrived.

“Look at him. He’s such a diva.”

Saint shrugged. “He’s just having a conversation.”

“Oh, bless your heart. Saint, those three men right there are what we call bears, and that in the middle is a sweet little pot of honey for those bears.”

“I know what a bear is,” Saint said, amused.

Three large, bearded, muscular men sat around Jay, practically drooling.

They wanted to devour him, and one or more would probably try to.

How could Jay not see it? Like they gave a shit what was coming out of his mouth.

They were only interested in what they could put in it.

Probably picturing him on his knees or face down, ass in the air.

Was Jay that oblivious? Did he ever consider the consequences of his actions?

“Why don’t you just tell him?” Saint asked, snatching up the stool next to Ryden.

“Tell him what?” Ryden frowned. What the hell was Saint going on about? As if Ryden had anything to say to His Highness.

“That you’re interested in him.”

“But I’m not.” Ryden narrowed his gaze. “He’s annoying.

” So fucking annoying, and pretentious and prissy, like the whole fucking world revolved around him.

Why else would he dress like he did if it wasn’t for attention?

Ryden was already blind in one eye; he didn’t need Jay’s shirt to finish off the other one.

Talk about a shit sense of self-preservation.

Ryden stood. “I’m going to say something. ”

“Oh, great! It’s about time.”

“I’m gonna tell him he needs to stop before he gets himself into trouble.

” Did Jay think someone would always be there to bail him out?

That he could do and say whatever he wanted and not worry about what came after because he had a small army of Snake Eaters wrapped around his little finger?

Fuck that . Jay needed to wake the hell up.

“Oh, no. No, no, no. Please don’t do that,” Saint said, hurrying after Ryden.

Ryden moved through the crowd, and Saint followed. His best friend didn’t see what he did. Probably because of that fucking pink shirt. Who the hell wore fuchsia and paisley? Looked like a damn flower garden threw up on him.

“Excuse us, fellas,” Ryden said, stopping in front of Jay. “But I need to have a word with Glee over here.”

The three men glanced up at Ryden but didn’t move until Ryden dropped his gaze to one of the guys. Fuck with me and find out. They practically fell over themselves to get gone.

Jay folded his arms over his chest and arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at him. “Do you live to torment me? Do you get up every morning and think of all the ways to make my life miserable?”

“Yes, it’s my favorite hobby, along with getting my balls waxed and chest hair plucked.

My sole purpose in life is to annoy you.

” Talk about ego. Did he think Ryden had nothing better to do?

Nothing better to think about? Like, he woke up in the morning, and his first thought was Jay?

Was there ever a time when Jay didn’t expect to get his way?

He sure as hell wasn’t going to get it with Ryden.

Jay sighed. “Delightful.”

“This ain’t the place.”

Ryden ignored Saint’s groan. His friend meant well, and Ryden appreciated the concern, but sometimes, Saint was clueless about these things.

Someone needed to knock Jay off his rainbow unicorn.

Jay narrowed his gaze. Ryden had seen plenty of fellas run for the hills after being on the receiving end of that stare, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

Unlike most people, Ryden wasn’t a sucker for those big blue eyes and pouty lips.

He wasn’t wrapped around Jay’s little finger the way everyone else seemed to be.

“Place for what? Talking?”

Ryden didn’t care for Jay’s tone. “Pickin’ up men.”

“First of all, I was conversing. You know? That thing mature adults do? Second of all, whether or not I pick up someone is none of your concern.”

“It is when you’re causin’ a scene,” Ryden growled low. Unbelievable.

Jay looked around, then moved his narrowed gaze back to Ryden. “Yes, I can see everyone is absolutely up in arms about it. Oh, wait! No, they’re not.” He leaned forward. “Because they’re not all up in my business like you are.”

The little shit. Who the fuck did he think he was talking to? “You keep teasin’ men the way ya do, and you’re gonna to get yourself into more trouble ’n you can handle.” Wait. Shit . Ryden regretted the words the moment they’d left his mouth.

Jay’s bright blue eyes turned to ice. “I’m sorry. Did you just say I’m asking for it?”

Fuck. That’s not— fuck . Ryden’s face burned. “Um, I didn’t mean…. What I meant….” What did he mean? Not that. Okay, it kinda sounded like that, but no. Fuuuuuuck .

Jay’s eyes welled with tears, and the smack to Ryden’s cheek left a fierce sting behind. Wow. That hurt. Holy shit.

“Ryden Foster, you are the biggest asshole I have ever met!” Jay shoved Ryden harder than Ryden had been prepared for, and he stumbled back. This wasn’t—Shit. What had he just done?

“Jay—”

Jay jumped off the table and spun to go, but Ryden grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“I’m sorry. I?—”

“Go to hell!” Jay jerked his arm away and disappeared into the crowd.

This wasn’t… He hadn’t…. “I should go after him,” Ryden said, only to have Saint stop him.

“Let him go. I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”

“I fucked up,” Ryden admitted. “I need to go after him.” He pulled away, and Saint, thankfully, let him go. How the hell was he supposed to make this right? Damn it. Every. Freaking. Time.

The guys were always teasing Ryden that he had a big mouth, and he did.

He’d never been one to hold back, but what he’d said had been uncalled for.

Jay pushed all his buttons for some reason, and Ryden found himself unable to hold back his reaction.

No one got under his skin like Jay did, and things between them had been escalating recently.

Ryden moved through the crowd and hurried outside into the muggy evening air.

The humidity in the summer was stifling, even at night, but what else could he expect from a state built on mostly swampland?

Damn, Jay moved fast. He was almost to the sidewalk.

Had Jay walked here? Maybe he’d parked somewhere else?

Parking in the Historic District wasn’t exactly easy to find.

They were damned lucky Four Kings Security had its own parking lot.

Ryden caught up with Jay before he could leave the tavern lot.

“Jay, come on. Wait.”

“I have nothing to say to you,” Jay growled. “Leave me alone.”

“Can we please talk?”

Jay spun to face him, the hurt catching Ryden off guard. “This ends now . I am done talking to you.”

“We work together. You kinda have to talk to me,” Ryden replied, hoping it might lighten the tension. Judging by the way Jay’s expression darkened, he’d failed. Miserably. No surprise there.

“You’re right. And as a professional, that will be the only exception.” Jay turned to go, but Ryden caught his arm again, pulling him to one side, closer to the brick wall with overgrown greenery away from the busy street.

There was never a time when St. Augustine’s Historic District wasn’t filled with tourists and locals.

The last thing he needed was an audience to witness…

whatever this was. It’d probably end up on social media, and King would have him working security at kids’ birthday parties for the rest of his life.

“Would ya just listen?” Ryden’s anger flared.

“Why do ya have to be so fuckin’ infuriatin’?

” He expected Jay to shove him again, or blow a fuse and curse up a storm.

Instead, he closed his eyes, inhaled deeply through his nose, and then let it out through his mouth, drawing Ryden’s attention to his lips.

They were so soft-looking. What the fuck? Where the hell had that come from?

Jay opened his eyes and lifted his gaze to Ryden’s. “What’s going on here?” His words were quiet. “What do you want from me?”

Nothing. What could Ryden possibly want from Jay? Did he want something from him? His gut tightened. Nope. Not a damn thing. Ryden shook his head. Why did he let Jay get to him like this? It was frustrating and pissed him off.

“You don’t know what you want, do you?” Jay moved his eyes to Ryden’s mouth. “Well, when you figure it out…” He moved his gaze back up, his pupils dilated. “Maybe you’ll have the balls to do something about it.”