Drawbacks
Ryan Taylor up and coming star of the architectural world had attended his best friend’s wedding at his husband’s country estate outside New York, the venue was to die for he couldn’t stop staring at the architectural structure of the buildings on the property. He had not just attended to support his best friend but he had a meeting with his friend’s husband and his business partner after the ceremony.
Tatum Adams had been Ryan’s friend since childhood and they had been inseparable for many years, Ryan fully supported Tatum’s marriage to Andrew Pearce the international real estate and business enterprise billionaire.
Tatum was an Omega a rare evolution species and had always been a jabber addict as his sisters called him, he never kept quiet and he always butted in where he wasn’t asked to, so for Tatum to have found and married his soul mate had given Ryan some hope for his own future.
Tatum had introduced Ryan Taylor to Andrew his new husband and Jonathan Down, who was Andrew’s business partner and company CFO during the wedding reception, and they had been extremely impressed by his architectural portfolio and style.
His style matched and exceeded what they had in mind for the new Pearce Enterprise's mall development.
They had set up a proper meeting for after the happy couples returned from Greece and would then discuss the upcoming project, and sign all relevant documents pertaining to Ryan’s exclusive contracted employment for the foreseeable future at a lofty sum.
Ryan Taylor is a 25-year-old man who is very attractive and has a well-toned physique, his personality is friendly and open his only drawbacks are that he is shy and deaf, after an accident in high school that left him with complete loss of hearing he is also in the closet and not likely to be coming out by himself.
Because of being deaf Ryan had never had the courage to come out so to say, even though his family knew they didn’t want to pressure him or even tell him that they were aware of his preferences. Because they loved him too much, to make things awkward, they were willing to wait for him to gather the courage to stand proud.
His two older brothers were happily married but fully supported Ryan being gay, even though he didn’t know it yet.
When Tatum introduced Ryan to Andrew and Jonathan, he kept looking at the floor when Jonathan looked at him. Tatum was watching him closely, as he was officially the only person Ryan had confided his sexual preference too.
*Hmmm, I wonder if Jonathan likes guys?* Tatum thought silently to himself. * I need to remember to ask Andrew*
An hour earlier…
Andrew, I’d like to introduce you to my oldest friend.
“Gentlemen, this is Ryan Taylor,” Tatum said excitedly
Tatum signed for Ryan: “This is Andrew, my husband”
Ryan nodded and smiled while shaking Andrew’s hand.
“And this is Jonathan, who is Andrew’s best friend and CFO of Pearce Enterprises.” Tatum signed one again.
Ryan looked towards Jonathan, and his smile died on his lips.
He tried to avoid Jonathan’s gaze and looked at the floor when Jonathan shook his hand.
His hand was tingling all over when Jonathan released it. He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and looked at Tatum with panic in his eyes.
Jonathan had noticed that Ryan had eagerly smiled and shaken Andrew’s hand but had desperately avoided his own eyes, and had lost his smile when their eyes met briefly.
The sparks that Jonathan felt when they shook hands were still vivid in his mind.
Interesting! I wonder if he is shy or, is it just that he dislikes me? I definitely like his sweet smile and expressive eyes… I have to ask Tatum more about him. Jonathan thought to himself.
Tatum had briefly signed to Ryan about the project, but he was also adept at reading lips as he had been hearing impaired for 10 years already.
Ryan seemed very enthusiastic about the project itself although Jonathan’s presence seemed to distract him somewhat.
This amused Jonathan, he asked Tatum to speak privately for a moment.
“Sorry mate! I’m going to borrow your husband for a few minutes.” Jonathan said.
“All good, just bring him back. Andrew replied.
“Always mate,” Jonathan said.
Jonathan and Tatum went to the open bar for drinks.
“Tatum?” Jonathan queried.
“Yes, Mr Down?” Tatum replied.
“Nonsense your family, call me Jonathan for pity's sake.” Jonathan chided Tatum.
“Ha-ha Jonathan, what’s the matter?” Tatum asked
“Your friend doesn’t like me for some reason?” Jonathan asked with a frown.
“No! That’s not it, believe me.” Tatum replied smiling.
“Really? He avoided my eyes, tried to look at his feet instead of at me and he stopped smiling the second he looked my way.” Jonathan said.
“Jonathan I think you scare him” Tatum replied
“What? I’m not the scary one! Your bloody husband is!” Jonathan was outraged.
“Ha-ha, no, not in that way.” Tatum laughed.
“Huh?” Jonathan said confused.
“I think you scare him because you’re his type and he liked you the moment he saw you, and he is in the closet, he is too afraid of being deaf and gay…” Tatum said.
“What? He is deaf? Ha-ha” Jonathan looked flabbergasted.
“Jonathan I never asked but do you like guys or girls?” Tatum asked.
“Tatum my utterly beautiful friend, you are not my type. Simply because you are way too feminine, you look like a girl.” Jonathan replied smiling. “So, yes I am gay and I like handsome guys not pretty ones”
“You are such a jester, but I do think Ryan might like you instead of dislike you, he is trying to avoid looking interested as he has always felt being deaf and gay might be too hard on his family, not so much himself,” Tatum explained.
“He reads lips perfectly and can still speak but usually avoids speaking as he can’t control the volume,” Tatum added.
“Jonathan please promise me one thing, if you’re going to pursue him, take it slow he is a very gentle soul and tries not to hurt anyone I don’t want to see him get hurt himself,” Tatum asked nicely.
“Tatum, who said I was interested?” Jonathan asked looking cocky.
“I just married Andrew Pearce do you think I am dumb or naïve?” Tatum asked.
“Point taken, okay I promise not to hurt him, do you think he will give me a chance? “ Jonathan asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea. He to my knowledge has never had a boyfriend and avoids relationships like the plague, when he likes someone he runs away. You might have to get creative if you really want him.” Tatum stated.
“Let’s go back, I’m sure Andrew is getting fidgety again” Tatum noted.
“Yeah right!, Your husband might just actually throttle me if I keep you too long,” Jonathan said.
“You never know” Tatum laughed.
When they got back to Andrew and Ryan they found Andrew engrossed in a drawing, Ryan was busy doing a preliminary sketch of what Andrew had envisioned and he without a doubt had amazing talent.
As Jonathan stepped closer to take a look at the sketch his arm grazed Ryan’s side and with a sudden jolt Ryan dropped the pencil he was drawing with, it rolled under the table. He seemed to be panicking slightly the quickly bent down to retrieve the pencil from underneath the table, lifting the long white tablecloth to look underneath he came face to face with a smiling Jonathan whole held the pencil out to him.
Ryan’s eyes went wide and he tried to unsuccessfully jump up from under the table, knocking his head hard on the table’s underside.
Jonathan was very surprised when Ryan suddenly spoke, although it was very soft. He had a very nice voice that sent shivers down Jonathan’s spine and stirred some erotic thoughts and a place obscured by his slacks.
“Ouch! You stupid idiot, you’re under a table what the hell were you thinking” Ryan said so softly it was almost inaudible.
Rubbing the top of his head he looked up and straight into Jonathan’s piercing eyes; he blushed bright red and hummed, then promptly looked down again.
Jonathan found this very amusing, it was like I’m some scary monster out to devour him.
Jonathan reached out again to hand the pencil back to Ryan, this time he took the pencil trying to avoid touching Jonathan at all, but Jonathan had other plans.
As Ryan reached for the pencil, he grabbed hold of Ryan’s wrist, holding him there…
Ryan’s eyes shot up staring into Jonathan’s, who stared right back with a cocky smile.
“I know you can read my lips” Jonathan whispered
“You can run away from me and hide as much as you want, but right now all I want to do is kiss you,” Jonathan whispered.
Ryan’s eyes went wide, he tried to pull himself out of Jonathan's grip, but Jonathan yanked him toward himself.
Ryan couldn’t look away; he looked at Jonathan’s smiling lips to see what he was saying.
“Can I kiss you?” Jonathan mouthed.
Ryan shook his head with panic in his eyes and mouthed “No”
“Okay, I won’t.” Jonathan removed his hand from Ryan’s arm and moved to get out from under the table, but before he was able to get out Ryan grabbed his head pulling him back, blushing profusely then he kissed him quickly on the lips. He tried to pull away as quickly as he had grabbed Jonathan, but Jonathan put his hand behind Ryan’s head and pulled him back, looking into Ryan’s eyes he moved in for an earth-shattering kiss, their lips touched and Jonathan’s tongue explored the seam of Ryan’s lips which opened to him, they tangled and their tongues danced a steady rhythm, Ryan let out a soft moan which fueled Jonathans desire more, but he came back to his senses when he remembered Tatum’s words, Jonathan slowly ended the kiss, then pulled back a little moving his hand from behind Ryan’s neck to stroke his cheek.
“You will be mine, I promise” He got up from under the table and seated himself smiling at Tatum who lifted his eyebrow at him.
Andrew watched a very flustered Ryan emerge from under the table, his lips were bruised and he looked a little spooked, he saw Ryan glanced at Jonathan who winked at Ryan and chuckled, Ryan immediately looked down blushing.
Andrew kept quiet, content in the notion that his forever bachelor best friend actually likes someone enough to show it openly.
“I really like the design for the mall Ryan drew, I think we will discuss preliminary plans and the budget when we come back from Greece, what do you think Jonathan?” Andrew asked Jonathan Directly.
“Hmmm, I think I need a one-on-one meeting with Mr Taylor to discuss some more intimate details.” Jonathan was looking only at Ryan, who was reading Jonathan’s lips and turning into a tomato.
“Ha-ha you are the CFO if you want to have a meeting then so be it, but just remember not to scare him off, I want him to work on this project.” Andrew chided softly
Ryan read Andrew’s lips and his eyes turned into saucers.
Tatum was giggling, he signed to Ryan. “Pay them no heed, they’re both softies, Jonathan won't pressure you but he knows you are gay, he is too. I know you don’t want to disappoint your family but don’t throw away a chance at happiness if it’s presented, If you like him give him a chance.”
Ryan signed back. “I’m not an Omega like you, I’m a normal Beta so being a homosexual is not really the same for me as for you, and you’re genetically made to be like that. I’m afraid!
“Don’t be, if you want it; take it, if you’re always afraid you’ll never be happy.” Tatum signed
”I’m deaf Tatum, why would he want me?” Ryan signed to Tatum looking unhappy
“Because you are handsome, sweet and talented and I know you have a lot to give.” Tatum signed back.
“I’ll think about it”
“Good enough for me, Now shall we stop being rude, they don’t speak sign.” Tatum signed.
“I’m very glad they don’t. Tatum I Like him.” Ryan signed reluctantly
“I know” Tatum mouthed back.
Andrew could grasp a few words they used, so he had a general idea that they were talking about Jonathan and Ryan being interested in each other, and Ryan being afraid, but he chose to not mention it.
Jonathan was looking from Tatum to Ryan as they signed, amused.
“You’re being awfully rude excluding us from your conversation, or is it a private one?” Jonathan queried slyly.
Smiling Tatum said. “Not at all Jonathan, Ryan was merely asking about Anastasia, so not really private. What do you say we go get some champagne while Andrew and Ryan get on with their design, my glass is empty.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think you're trying to distract me” Jonathan noted.
“Not at all ha-ha” Tatum laughed softly.
“Okay then let’s grab some champagne and we can have a chat on the way.” Jonathan seemed eager.
Tatum walked off with Jonathan, waving cutely to Andrew.
“You think you’re being clever, or are you actually aware I speak sign?” Jonathan asked suddenly
“Oh, I’m fully aware ha-ha Andrew told me your mom is deaf since birth and you are fluent in sign language,” Tatum smirked.
“So you just lied to your best friend?” Jonathan seemed surprised.
“It was only a little white lie nothing groundbreaking and it helped you didn’t it?” Tatum teased him.
“Mmm-mm he likes me. Now how do I get him to be mine?” Jonathan asked a rhetorical question.
“Not sure, though remember he is a Beta, your pheromones won’t work on him” Tatum stated.
“Was he gene tested? Is that how the Beta genetics was determined?” Jonathan queried.
“I assume so, he has never manifested and with many Dominate Alphas at my house, he has never even shown any signed of pheromone influence or scenting,” Tatum stated.
“Hmmm, I wonder if he could be recessive, I mean to say I felt really attracted to him the moment I met him and he has a very enticing fragrance about him, almost like toasted coconut and apples which are both favourites of mine,” Jonathan said this with a frown.
“Strange I have never scented him, but then again I was never scented till Andrew came along,” Tatum said
“I’ve never been really attracted to Omegas per se, I’ve also never really been interested in women, I like what I like other than my best friend who married your butt, but Andrew was always too boisterous to date and he wasn’t into me or really any guys for that matter. You my dear Tatum are his soul mate and I have a gnawing feeling that you invited mine to your wedding.” Jonathan smirked.
“Ha-ha it’s going to be difficult to get him to date you Jonathan, he really is scare,” Tatum said
“I don’t want to date him” Jonathan stated bluntly
“What?!” Tatum exclaimed.
“I’m going to marry him” Jonathan declared boldly.
“Are you for real?” Tatum looked stunned
“I want him, and I will have him,” Jonathan said matter-of-factly
“How can you be so sure? You literally met only 2 hours ago” Tatum asked
“I don’t understand it myself, but every time he looks into my eyes my heart sings and when he looks away my heart pains. My very soul yearns for him.” Jonathan sounded sad.
“Holy shit!” Tatum exclaimed
“I know, I’m desperate,” Jonathan said
“Jonathan what if you take him to meet your mom, and slowly win him over?” Tatum asked softly
“Slowly? I Literally want to devour him every time I look at him, I don’t think slowly will work>” Jonathan stated bluntly
“Ha-ha kidnap him and elope!” Tatum joked
“Great plan!” Jonathan looked enthusiastic
“I was just joking Jonathan! Tatum tried to forestall Jonathan
“No but it’s really a great plan” Jonathan smiled widely
“You’re insane” Tatum exclaimed
“Does he have a place he has always wanted to visit?” Jonathan asked
“Yeah… Italy, why?” Tatum asked suspiciously
“Because that’s where we're getting married” Jonathan stated looking confident
“Huh?” Tatum said
“We have an office in Italy and some smaller projects, I’m going to offer him a job in Italy for the next few months before the New York mall project starts, and while we are in Italy I’ll make him my husband,” Jonathan stated
“You really think you can get Ryan to marry you? He doesn’t even know you and what’s your time frame for this?” Tatum asked
“Oh, he will marry me in the next week if all goes to plan” Jonathan stated boldly.
“Week?! What the hell! Are you crazy?” Tatum exclaimed
“Yes, crazy about Ryan” Jonathan smirked
“Ha! This I have to see.” Tatum declared
“In a week Ryan Taylor will be Ryan Down and I’ll make sure he stays that way, he WILL be mine” Jonathan stated with surety
“Well good luck you’re going to need it.” Tatum laughed
“No luck needed just my wits, money and personality; he will be putty in my hands,” Jonathan stated confidently
“Ha-ha” Tatum laughed out loud.
Well, that’s what Jonathan thought, but Ryan Taylor was no one’s putty.
