MM Romance: Chemistry and connection
This is a romance between Ryan, radio show host of “The Night Owl”, and Cameron, a tattoo artist and owner of a tattoo studio. You can feel Ryan’s calm energy as he introduces his show.
This is an interesting story for me. Ryan messaging Cameron makes me think of how rare it is for those of us with walls to open up and let someone in. When you get burned by family and “friends” you go into protection mode, keep your distance, and feel safe with only one or two people usually after they have earned your trust.
The detail in how the tattoo parlor is described makes me feel like I’m stepping through the door, nervous, about to get my first Tattoo.
Ryan asks himself “what do you do when you’ve possibly flirted your way into a complicated situation?” That’s feels like a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point in time.
Cameron finds himself intrigued by Ryan, drawn to his careful way of keeping his distance. I’ve felt that way too, drawn to those who keep a bit to themselves, wondering what hidden depths I may find under the surface.
Cameron’s confidence, his almost challenging flirting, keeps him in the front of Ryan’s mind, and also makes me wonder what he’s keeping close. He thinks about Ryan keeping himself at a safe distance, yet he’s doing the same in his own way. He’s going to be unapologetically himself, which is his own form protection.
Ryan putting his musings out there on his radio show, vague enough for the public, yet direct enough knowing Cameron is probably listening, that takes guts. How this story is unfolding really reminds me of those first moments of getting to know someone, trying to figure not only them out, but yourself.
I like the teasing banter. They are slowly dancing around their interest in each other, their teasing taking the edge off. It feels like they both have walls, but see something in each other that has them considering taking a chance. It’s interesting because even though this is a thoroughly modern story, some of their exchanges remind me of 1940’s movie dialog.
I do really enjoy the first two to three chapters of Ryan Moore’s books. I’m always curious to see how each story unfolds, the glimpses into each character, the dance they perform as the feel each other out and start to get to know each other. It’s a delicious moment in time, not quite knowing when and where they start making a deeper connection.
Their first kiss is pure fire, obliterating everything around them.
In Cameron’s pursuit of Ryan he keeps stepping back to allow Ryan to pursue him. He makes his intentions known, then pulls back so Ryan has to choose him.
I’ll leave things here for the main story. This story ends with some mystery and intrigue.
Cameron’s story – Beneath the Ink
This story has so much heart. We learn how Cameron got into tattoos and art.
“Sketching until his fingers ached. Fear – Hope – The gnawing ache of being too much and not enough at the same time.” I get that.
“If no one else could see the storm inside him, at least he could write it on his own body.” Wow!
I like Cameron realizing when he first starts doing tattoos that he’s not just drawing, but listening.
“Tattoos are confessions” – yeah, that sounds right. That’s why I love when someone has this mix of art on their body that may seem random to others, but really means something to them.
Cameron aching for someone to look past the charm and ink and see him – really see him – and stay anyway. This makes his pursuit of and by Ryan even more special. It really makes me understand how he was with Ryan. He saw the potential, but needed Ryan to really see him, want him, choose him. He was willing to take a chance, but needed Ryan to jump with him into the unknown.
Great story! Highly recommend.
