Personal Entanglement (Thorne and Dash 2)

Thorne slapped his arm. “You know you are.”

He grinned, figuring he looked goofy as hell. “I know you like it.”

“Damn right I do.”

Riley forced himself to sit up. “I should get something for your ass to cool it down.”

“Nothing is cooling this down, not for a long time.”

“I’m still going to put gel on it, or it’ll feel even worse tomorrow.”

“Okay, but hurry back.”

When Riley returned, Thorne was stretching, seeming to luxuriate in extending what had to be some extremely sore muscles. Riley settled across Thorne’s thighs, pushing him deep into the mattress.

Thorne moaned in pleasure as Riley rubbed the gel into his ass. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I do like it when you take care of me, even though I hate admitting it.”

“I know.”

“Will I get this treatment every time you have a catering gig?”

Riley laughed. “Not necessarily.”

He finished with Thorne and stood. Thorne rolled over to look at him, reaching out to take Riley’s hand. “I’m really glad the night went so well for you.”

Riley sank down onto the bed. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Thorne pulled him into a hug. “I think so. You and Susan have a great thing going, and you could always do school at another time. If this is what you want to put your energy into, then go for it. I just…”

“What?” Riley watched him warily.

As if dreading his reaction, Thorne carefully said, “I wish you would let me help you.”

Riley took a long, slow breath. “Okay.”

Thorne froze for a moment, like he thought there was more coming. He’d probably expected Riley to be pissed off.

“Did you just say okay?” Thorne asked.

“I did.”

“As in okay, you’ll accept money from me to start your bakery.”

“As in I’ll take a loan from you, but not a huge one. I have what I’d saved for tuition, and Susan has savings too.”

“Whatever you need, I’ll give you,” Thorne said.

“Thank you.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Riley’s birthday was coming up in a few weeks. Thorne had already talked him into a four-day weekend at the lake where he’d rented a slip for their boat. He’d found a cabin that was perfect for them, and he couldn’t wait to have that time all alone with Riley.

Even without classes and homework, Riley was still working long hours with Susan perfecting recipes, taking small business seminars at the Chamber of Commerce, applying for necessary licenses, and looking for a location for his business.

And he still hadn’t told Thorne about the building next to Darius’s tailoring shop. No matter how much Thorne told himself not to be hurt by this, he couldn’t help it. Why wouldn’t Riley share something as significant as finding a perfect spot for a bakery?

Maybe he’d called and it had already been rented, or maybe it was too expensive. If that was the problem…

Riley had said he’d accept Thorne’s help. And he didn’t have a birthday present for Riley yet. What if…

You can’t rent a bakery space for a birthday present.

I held back at Christmas, no expensive gift, so I should be able to go all out now, right?

He was probably fooling himself, but if this was the right space, Riley and Susan deserved to have it. He should at least find out if it was still available. Maybe Susan knew. If he said it was a birthday present, maybe she’d agree to keep his inquiry a secret.

You’re sneaking around. This isn’t good. Damn that nagging voice. It’s a birthday present. Maybe. Or it’s just…sneaking around because I’m afraid to ask my partner something. Fuck.

He scrolled through his contacts and found Susan’s number. Please let her be available.

The phone rang three times, and then she answered. “Good morning.”

“Hi Susan, it’s Thorne.”

“If you’re calling about the job for Mrs. Rafaldi, she’s already called, and we’re all set.”

Mrs. Eleanora Rafaldi was on the museum board with Thorne. She’d called him to get Susan and Riley’s contact information so they could cater her husband’s seventieth birthday party. “That’s great but, actually, I’m calling because Marc told me Riley found a space he loved for the bakery a few weeks ago. I didn’t know if he told you or—”

“The one in the old building by your tailor’s shop?” Susan asked.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“He sent me some pictures, but he said it won’t be available until the building sells.”

Was a building a good birthday present?

“I was hoping to take a look at it without Riley knowing. I thought I might be able to convince the current owner to rent to you, but I’m hoping for it to be a birthday surprise.”

“If you can convince them, Riley would be over the moon.”

“Would you like to take a look at it together?” Thorne asked.

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in her voice. He was relieved that she wasn’t trying to talk him out of keeping this a surprise. If she realized he was considering buying the building, she probably would, but he didn’t have to mention that yet.