Page 45 of Without Fail

How long would they all stay?

“So, you and Ryker are what?” Bishop was speaking and Ryker caught a glimpse of Marshal’s shoulder leaning against the wall a bit around the corner. The two men were speaking softly, but Ryker was close enough to hear them.

It was said not to listen in on other people’s conversations because nothing good can come from it, but he couldn’t help himself.

“Oh no.” Marshal denied and Ryker fought a smile.

Was the man trying to protect his reputation?

“So, you’re not together?” There was a frown in Bishop’s voice.

“No. No way.”

“So, it’s nothing?” Bishop sounded confused and Ryker was growing confused as well.

“Yep. Not even nothing.”

The breath he’d been holding stuttered out and his face went hot.

Bishop caught sight of him.

“Marshal,” Bishop said.

“No, I’m telling you. There’s nothing there,” Marshal finished and glanced over his shoulder. Finding Ryker white-faced was the last thing he expected and his heart dropped sickeningly. “Ryker…”

The slender man spun wildly around and Marshal had to be fucking quick to catch him. He wrapped his arms around Ryker’s waist and hauled the man’s back to his chest.

Nails gouged at his forearms and Marshal kicked open the nearest door and stepped inside. He didn’t release Ryker until he had the door closed and himself planted firmly in front of it.

He didn’t dodge the object that hit him in the head because he didn’t expect the violence.

He should have. Ryker had a volatile temper when he lost it.

When a small potted cactus flew at him, Marshal ducked and it crashed against the door. Next came all the wooden square coasters along with the stapler and the hole punch. All from the desk. Ryker moved on to the next desk, but Marshal launched after him.

He snagged Ryker’s hand and wrestled the porcelain coffee mug out of the man’s hand. Slamming it to the desk, he met Ryker’s glare head-on.

“I didn’t mean it,” he began, and his head snapped sideways when Ryker’s hand connected to his cheek.

“Fuck you.” Ryker delivered another slap, this one harder. “Get the fuck out of my way.”

He fisted his hands at his sides. “I didn’t mean it.” He blew out a breath, his cheek stung. “I’m just trying to keep us secret.”

“Go to hell and take your secrets with you,” Ryker spat, shoving him hard.

Taking a step back, he gave the man a bit of space.

“Once you calm down, we can talk about this rationally.”

Ryker slapped him on the face again and then again. There’d be a bruise tomorrow.

“You wish. Now move.”

Marshal clenched his teeth together. Ryker was too pissed off right now to see reason and that was probably why he did what he did next.

And it was the worst decision he’d ever made.

Lunging forward, he caught Ryker’s jaw in his hands and forced his mouth into a kiss.

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