Chapter 9

The doors opened into the lobby. Jared led the way out to the curb, glad the fifty he’d left with the cabbie was enough to keep him waiting. They slid into the back seat, thighs lightly touching, and after they’d pulled into traffic, he let his hand come to rest on Rick’s knee.

“I’m glad we finally got our schedules worked out.”

Rick’s soft smile made his stomach lurch again. Nope. It wasn’t an effect of the elevator after all. “Me, too.”

The ride to Nobu was quicker than he’d expected. He kept his hand on Rick’s knee the entire way, pleased that Rick didn’t shift away or do anything to discourage the contact. Rick was clearly out, but Jared got the impression he wasn’t big on public displays. He would bet Rick would’ve been that way even if he’d been straight.