Page 21 of Shaken and Stirred (Bottle Service Boys #1)

He must have heard the shock in my voice because Ryder-fucking-Calloway blushed like a schoolgirl.

“Whatever. You know what I meant. The point is, you need to lighten up and learn to smile every now and again, especially after someone sucks your brain through your cock.”

“You didn’t…”

He stared at me, challenging me without words. He knew how good that had been for me. I’d filled his damn mouth to the brim with a gallon of cum. That didn’t happen from a mediocre blow job.

I wasn’t the type to back down from a challenge, any challenge, apparently, so I held his gaze.

The bathroom crackled and fizzed with electricity as the seconds ticked by.

I inhaled, but the air felt thick, and as I blinked, I could feel the walls closing in on us, moving us closer.

If one of us didn’t leave, we’d be crushed.

Forced together by the universe, me sated yet curious about returning the favor and him with his cock rock-hard and ready to go.

“All right,” I said, but it came out strained and raspy, not with the confidence I demanded of myself around him. “I’ve had enough of this. I’m gonna go back down and make some excuse to leave. Just wait a few minutes or something so no one gets suspicious.”

“No worries there,” he said with a wry smile I refused to call charming.

He pointed toward his dick, which still strained against his pants.

“I’m gonna stay up here and take care of this alone in my boss’ bathroom like a serious creep.

I figure it’s better than going downstairs while I’m pitching a tent.

By the time I get down there, I shouldn’t need to come up with a lie to leave.

Everyone will assume I’ve been up here destroying Parker’s bathroom in a different way. ”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed loud and long.

The way Ryder’s eyes widened in shock probably should have felt like an insult, but everything between us had skewed. Instead of sticking around to hear some comment about how I looked when I laughed, I went with the stellar, “See ya,” turned and fled.

Thankfully, someone in the universe liked me enough to keep the stairs and hall to the rec room clear of my coworkers or worse, Parker.

“Dude!” a beyond tipsy Trevor shouted when I rejoined the group. “Where have you been? I missed you.” He drew out each word as though crooning a heartfelt ballad.

“Wow, drink much tonight, Trev?”

Before I finished the question, I had my arms full of a very drunk, very affectionate Trevor, who had no idea what I’d gotten up to in Parker’s house.

Holy shit, I let Ryder blow me in my boss’ mansion.

Let , hell, I practically begged for it.

No one could argue I wasn’t the initiator, even if Ryder had come up with the stupid bet.

I’m the one who cornered him in the bathroom with a hard dick and missing brain.

If only I could blame the alcohol, but I couldn’t.

The drinks I’d consumed during dinner had me tipsy at best, but weren’t clouding my judgment.

No, that was the lack of sex and the hot man I hated yet couldn’t stop fantasizing about.

“Whasamatter, Ally?” Trevor slurred with a dopey grin.

“Nothing.” I shifted, trying to keep him from falling while avoiding getting a mouthful of his gelled hair, but he was determined to squirm around.

Whenever he drank, he became worse than a wiggling toddler.

“Hey, Trev, I’m gonna take off. I gotta check on Kenny.

” It was the most believable excuse because it was only half a lie.

I should check on Kenny. Someone should constantly be checking on Kenny.

And who, if not me? Trevor would have no reason to doubt my intentions.

“You’re a good brother.” He grabbed my arm and started to lead me in a stumbling waltz, only to pitch us onto the couch. His bony elbow dug into my hip as he giggled.

“Yeah. I’m the best,” I grumbled with a wince as I struggled to sit up with a hundred and fifty pounds of Trevor trying to ‘help.’ At least he hadn’t taken us to the floor.

“Look, Trev, you’re wasted. I don’t want to leave unless I know you’ve got a way home.

How about you come with me? I’ll drop you at your place. ”

The offer wasn’t as selfless as it seemed. With Trevor in the car, yapping away, I wouldn’t be stuck listening to the voices in my head dissecting what happened tonight and why I’d liked it so much.

“I’ve got him. I’ll see he gets home safely.

” Parker’s amused tone had me glancing up to where he stood over us, wearing a frown that betrayed his voice.

Everyone knew Trevor had it bad for our boss, but Parker had never been anything but professional, almost overly professional, around my friend.

As far as I knew, Parker hadn’t crossed or blurred any lines.

Trevor’s poor heart took a beating every time rumors of Parker’s nocturnal escapades made it to our staff room.

The man certainly wasn’t a monk, but he refused to give Trevor the time of day, no matter how green Trevor’s light flashed.

But times like now, with the intense way he stared at Trevor, I’d swear Parker wanted Trevor as much as my friend craved our boss.

Why did all of this shit have to be so complicated?

“You sure, Parker? I don’t mind dropping him home. It’s on my way.” Translated—please save me from myself.

“I’m sure, Alex. Thank you, though. You’re a good friend to him.” Parker shifted his attention to Trevor, who stared up at him with hearts in his eyes from where he’d sprawled on the couch. “Come on, Trevor. Let’s get you some water.”

“Okay.” Trevor took Parker’s outstretched hand and practically floated off the couch. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Ally.”

“Sure.” Chances were, he’d never remember, but I’d check in on him in the morning.

I stood and made the rounds, saying a quick goodbye to the rest of my coworkers. A few protested my leaving early, but a simple mention of helping my family dispelled their arguments.

After retrieving my coat and gloves from James, I left.

Cold, crisp air smacked me in the face the second I stepped outside.

The kind of frigid air that seized your lungs when you inhaled and made your breath visible when you exhaled.

I loved it. Sure, warm weather where I could run around in shorts and T-shirts was great, but I truly loved these freezing winter nights.

Despite the social nature of my job, I preferred to stay home, and nights like these made me want nothing more than to huddle under a blanket on my couch watching a movie.

I’d love it even more if I had someone to join me.

A man who would tangle his legs with mine and run his fingers through my hair as we pretended to pay attention to the movie until we were both hard enough that we couldn’t ignore it any longer.

We’d fuck right there on the couch for hours, maybe even the rest of the night, then fall asleep spent and satisfied.

Too bad I lived with and was responsible for my ailing mother and deadbeat brother.

I’d probably spend the next thirty years alone, working my ass off to keep us afloat until I was too old to get it up and no one would want me anymore. Then I’d trudge into my twilight years a grumpy old jackass who had no prospects and a prescription for Viagra.

Jesus, I was getting morose.

Undisturbed snow glittered in the moonlight as far as I could see.

Parker’s property was gorgeous. I tried to focus on the area’s beauty instead of my minor freakout.

The stroll down the walkway to my car was leisurely despite the cold and snow.

Parker had a heating element under his driveway that melted the snow on contact.

What a life.

I spent two hours yesterday shoveling our small driveway by myself because Kenny never showed up despite promising to take on shoveling duty this time.

I was starting to sound so bitter. No wonder Ryder called me cranky.

“Nope,” I said aloud. “Do not think of Ryder.” I slipped into my car, shivering as a gust of wind rattled my bones.

“Come on, baby,” I said as I turned the key in the ignition.

“You can do it.” It took three tries to get the engine to start.

Sometimes, she didn’t want to run in the cold, which I could respect, but it made me dread the day she refused to start, even with my coaxing and sweet-talking.

As soon as the car was idling and warming up, I cranked the music until my brain pulsed. Hopefully, I could make it loud enough to drown out my thoughts.

It worked. Kendrick Lamar sang to me the whole way home. By the time I pulled into my driveway, my head ached, but at least I wasn’t thinking about Ryder. Not too much, anyway.

“Why did I do that?” I muttered as I killed the engine. My dick twitched as though answering me.

You did it because I wanted it. The man is hot, and his mouth should be registered as a weapon.

“Shut up,” I grumbled, staring at my crotch. Then I grunted. “I’m talking to my dick. Fantastic.” Shaking my head, I climbed out of my car and back into the cold.

The three steps to our small front porch were slick with ice. I made a mental note to sprinkle salt in the morning. It was too late to hunt around the dark garage for the ice melt at this time of night.

As I was about to shove my key in the lock, a groan came from my right.

“Jesus Christ,” I shouted, jumping so hard my neck tweaked. “Kenny? What the fuck?” I rubbed the back of my neck as I walked to the lump huddled on the outdoor chair I’d found on the side of the road last summer. “Were you sleeping out here? It’s fucking five degrees.”

He wore a thick winter coat—mine, and the one I’d been looking for earlier that day—and had his knees tucked into his chest.

“Couldn’t find my key,” he mumbled as he unfolded himself and sat up.

I shook my head, huffing out a white puff of air. “So why didn’t you knock or call Mom?”

“I did. You know how she is when she’s sleeping. An explosion wouldn’t wake her.” He turned away and mumbled something.

“What was that?”

“I lost my phone. Can you unlock the fucking door already? I’m fucking freezing.”

“Kenny, do you know how unsafe it is to sleep outside? Especially if you’ve been drinking or taking whatever.”

“Thanks, Dad, just open the door.”

Sighing, I unlocked the door and motioned for him to go first. He ran straight to the bathroom. Five seconds later, I heard the shower run.

“You’re welcome,” I muttered to no one.

What if I hadn’t left early? What if I’d stayed at Parker’s a few more hours?

Would I have come home to my brother dead and frozen on the front porch?

Something needed to be done about Kenny, but hell, if I knew what to do.

I wasn’t a father, just a twenty-three-year-old drowning under the weight of his life.

And to think I’d been stressed about a blow job.

This was the perfect reminder that my life wasn’t my own, and I had bigger things to worry about than Ryder Calloway and his gifted mouth.