A Change of Pace (16 page)

“Hey. I got sent here against my will. You think I was happy about that?” Drew jerked his chin away, looking cranky again.

“Stop crying about it.” He covered Drew’s lips with his fingers to prevent the automatic response. “Sure looks like you’re better off down here, from what you’ve told me.” He tipped his head, feeling a little cocky now. “Isn’t that right?”

Stubbornly, Drew kept his mouth shut.

Snorting softly, Ridge rubbed the pinched lips with his fingertips before leaning forward and covering them with his mouth, sliding his tongue inside.

For a brief moment, Drew resisted. Then his arms locked around Ridge, and he took over the kiss, pushing his tongue deeply into Ridge’s mouth.

Ridge groaned as Drew slid his hands up Ridge’s back, and he was pressed to the muscled chest.

“God! That nipple ring makes me crazy, you know.” Drew’s grip tightened convulsively before he eased back, his shoulders rising as a big breath shuddered through his body.

Ridge met the shadowed blue eyes briefly, before Drew dropped his head down, forehead bumping Ridge’s shoulder.

“Ridge -- I... you... you think your life was up-dumped...” Drew’s voice was tentative, and Ridge felt a pang at hearing his tough, brash lover speak with such hesitation.

Drew took another deep breath. “I came down here to... get away from insanity, and almost from the first, I’ve been driven crazy by you.” He raised his head so that their eyes could meet. “Jesus, when you look at me like that, I... God, I don’t know what’s wrong with my chest.” He reached up again to rub, but Ridge’s hand stopped him.

“I think what’s wrong with your chest is what’s right with us.” Ridge looked with fond frustration at his obstinate lover. “It’s not physical as much as it’s... not physical.” Okay, he couldn’t exactly get it out either.

Reluctant comprehension lit the turquoise gaze. “Uh-huh.” He paused. “So… who’s going to go first?”

Oooh. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready to step out on that limb after all.

Drew was watching him closely. Ridge was slightly annoyed to see a flash of amusement cross Drew’s face, though the big shoulders were still tense.

The city boy sighed a gusty breath. “I told you I could be an asshole.” The words were slow, and Drew shook his head as he continued. “I didn’t want any of this. I don’t... didn’t want to need anybody -- and I especially didn’t want to need you.”

Ridge swallowed. That stung.

Drew stared squarely at Ridge, finally. “Don’t look at me like that. You wanted to hear this. And I’m trying to be honest.”

Ridge frowned at him and was gratified to see Drew ease back a little.

“You... you were right. Okay? You
can
hurt me -- and I don’t like that. I don’t like any of this -- well, maybe when we’re going crazy fucking each other,” that was accompanied by a sheepish grin, “but, somehow, you’ve gotten under my skin and--” Drew finished in a burst, “I think about you all the time -- I want to be with you all the time -- God! It’s making me crazy.” He looked at Ridge.

Ridge took a slow and careful breath, relieved beyond measure. “Wow.” He leaned his forehead against Drew’s for a long moment, then leaned away to look at him again. “I think... that’s called love. You just need to take a deep breath, relax, and accept it.” His drawl was very pronounced now as he gripped those strong shoulders, shaking them slightly. “Otherwise we’re going to kill each other.”

The turquoise eyes were very serious as they stared at Ridge. “I’ve never said that to anyone... ever. I don’t... have
relationships
.” His emphasis on the word was a little snide. “I don’t -- like to be vulnerable.” This last admission was whispered but steady.

“Tell me something I don’t know.” Ridge cupped his hands on those scruffy, unshaven cheeks and kissed the downturned lips.

Drew eyed him sideways. “I, well, I really haven’t let anyone get close to me since I was a teenager.”

“What about your parents? Don’t you have a good relationship with them? They came all the way here to make sure you were doing all right in your new town.”

“Well, yeah -- I suppose. I guess I made it hard for them, though.” Drew gazed over Ridge’s shoulder, remembering. His next words were stark. “They... adopted me when I was fourteen. When... I was... I was attacked by a group of kids at the place I was living. Ever since then...”

“What happened?”

“I was living in a group home.” Drew looked up from his contemplation of Ridge’s T-shirt. “I never knew my birth parents... as it turns out, it didn’t matter, since Charles and Yvonne Stratton
are
my real parents. Anyway.” His gaze shifted to the side. “Some of the guys caught me with another kid, a... boy... and they beat the shit out of us. They broke my arm and cracked some ribs. They put Bobby in a coma.”

Heart aching, Ridge watched as Drew kept his eyes lowered. He fiddled with Ridge’s T-shirt again.

“I was in the hospital with internal injuries for about a week. While I was there, I met my mom and dad. They’d heard about me from a social worker because I couldn’t be returned to the home. They’d been trying to adopt a baby but took me instead.” Drew smiled slightly. “To this day, I still don’t know why. Taking me instead of a kid where they could have had a fresh start.” He shrugged. “They arrested those freaks, but nothing ever came of it. I heard later that Bobby ended up being okay, but I never saw him again.” He set his hands on Ridge’s hips, his fingers gripping firmly.

Ridge was gratified when Drew met his gaze head-on once more.

“I’m telling you this so you know that I don’t know love. I don’t know how to do this.” He was shaking his head slightly in concert with his statement.

Ridge listened to Drew’s history with sadness, feeling a stab of pity for the boy he had been. Not a surprise that the seminal event had shaped him into a man determined to avoid emotional entanglements.

Now, Ridge shook his head in wonder, staring in dawning awareness at the older but not wiser man. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“I just told you that!”

He laughed softly. “No, sorry, I meant that you really don’t know that you’re surrounded by love.” Still hanging onto Drew’s shoulder with one hand, he waved the other in the air. “I could see it in your dad’s and mom’s eyes. They didn’t fly down here because they don’t care. And I can see when you talk about them that you love them, too. You may not have said it to them -- but you feel it. And Elsa and Bella -- they may be animals, but they’re just as capable of loving as humans. I
know
you love them.”

He kissed his stubborn lover again, this time slowly and thoroughly. “You just need practice saying it. Let’s try together. Say it like this.” He smiled as he started, “I.” He kissed Drew, then leaned back, waiting.

An unwilling smile answered him. “I.”

“Love.”

Drew tilted his head. “Um. Love.” The smile, though crooked, grew wider.

Chuckling, Ridge leaned forward and nipped that pouty lower lip. “You.”

“You.”

Chapter 17

Anywhere is paradise. It’s up to you.

Ridge Huntington

When Ridge and Drew got to the inn, they found Drew’s parents seated at a table near a sunny window, drinking iced tea. Drew’s steps stuttered briefly as he spotted Rae standing next to the table.

Ridge stopped walking and looked over at him, brows raised inquiringly.

“Your sister.” Drew kept his voice low as he tried not to scowl. “She doesn’t like me.”

Snorting, Ridge reached to take his hand, pulling Drew forward a step. “Come on, tough guy. I’ll protect you.”

Drew looked around the dining room as they moved to his parents’ table. He spotted Paul and Howard watching them from across the room. Although they both appeared surprised to see him holding hands with Ridge, Drew was relieved when he got nothing more than a casual smile and wave from both men. The subject had never come up back in Chicago, but his father’s security team had to have known about him.

They walked over to the Stratton table, where Charles rose from his seat at their approach. Drew focused on his parents.

“I see you boys worked things out. That was quick.” Charles reached out to slide a hand up Drew’s shoulder.

Hesitating only a moment, Drew softly brushed that hand away and instead moved closer to hug his father.

Charles paused for just a moment before his arms came around his son. They stayed like that for a long moment.

“Thanks, Dad.” He whispered the words. Jeez, this emotion stuff was hard on a guy.

Drew looked at Ridge and caught the smile of approval. Suddenly bashful -- and not at all familiar with that feeling -- he moved next to his mother, his head down. Drew knelt by her chair, wanting to get it right. It took him a few seconds, and he had to practice in his head first, but his voice was firm. “I love you, Mom.” His throat was a little tight, and his whisper was scratchy, but he got it out.

Yvonne hugged him back, resting her head on his shoulder. When she pulled away, her eyes were shining with tears. “I love you too, baby. I always have.”

Drew couldn’t help but frown for just a second when he felt his own eyes burning.

“You are a stubborn one, though.” His mother laughed softly as she wiped away a stray tear.

Ridge spoke behind him. “Tell me about it.”

Standing, he turned to glare at his lover, but had to reluctantly smile when he saw the grin on Ridge’s face.

Laughing, Charles slid over to the chair next to the window, opposite Yvonne. Ridge hugged his sister before sitting down next to Drew’s mother.

Drew looked at Rae directly for the first time. “Good morning. Or,” he dropped his gaze to his watch, “actually, I guess it’s good afternoon. Just.” He held out one hand. It was probably time to make nice.

Rae stared, clearly trying to figure out what was going on, but her hand came up slowly to clasp his. “Good morning.” Her gaze went back and forth between Ridge and Drew. She raised one brow as her glance came back to Drew.

Ridge snickered softly, tilting his head at Drew while he spoke to Rae. “I know. He looks a little different, doesn’t he? Not so bull-headed and snotty anymore, is he?”

“Uh.” Rae was smart enough to turn her laugh into a cough.

Drew gave her a sideways look anyway, before making a face at his lover. He shook his head as he sat down. “Just ignore him. He’s feeling his oats today.”

Rae cleared her throat, glancing at her brother.

“We’re good, Rae-Rae. We’re good.”

“Well, all righty, then.” She smiled back at Drew, relaxing. “How about some lunch for you two? I think your folks were just about to order.”

“I’m starving,” Ridge announced. “We were going to have BLTs upstairs, but we never did get around to them. Maybe we can have them tomorrow.” He looked at Drew’s parents questioningly. “Will you be able to stay for a few days?”

“Well, we were planning to head back tomorrow night. But we might be able to talk your dad into taking Monday off.” With a twinkle in her eye, Yvonne took a sip of her iced tea. “I don’t think he’s taken a day off in over a year. But seeing as how we have something to celebrate, I think we can stay, don’t you, honey?” She raised her brows at her husband.

His dad nodded with a grin before turning a pointed stare toward Drew. “We do have something to celebrate, don’t we?”

He was about to say yes when Rae interrupted.

“What are y’all celebrating?” She looked around the table.

“Well, when Drew’s parents found us this morning, I was trying to convince a certain stubborn Yankee that he was in love.” Ridge looked with amusement at Charles and Yvonne before shifting his gaze to Drew, his voice arch. “Somebody, who shall remain nameless, was bound and determined to hide his head in the sand.”

The mayor coughed behind his hand. “He had his head up his ass, more like.”

“Chuck!” Laughing, Yvonne slapped her husband’s hand where it rested on the table.

“Thanks, Dad.” Drew’s voice and words were wry.

His dad responded by leaning back in his chair and holding his hands up in surrender. “I’m just saying, is all.”

“My friend Shelby says that all the time.” Ridge smiled at Charles.

“Don’t remind me of your pain in the ass friend.” Drew frowned at his lover. When Ridge responded with an eye roll, Drew shook his head at his parents. “See what I have to put up with?” He turned back to Rae, who was laughing along with Yvonne. “Can I get an iced tea, please?” He smiled nicely when he said it.

Ridge leaned forward suddenly, pointing at Charles. “Hey, do you know who this is?” He looked up at Rae.

“Well, yes.” She looked at her brother strangely. “He’s Drew’s father.”

Ridge turned back toward Charles, frowning. “You didn’t tell her.” It was not a question. He made a face at the older man, then grinned. “Not only is he Drew’s dad.” His voice took on a tone of importance. “He’s also the one and only mayor of Chicago.”

Drew and his parents watched indulgently as Rae stood, silently for a few seconds before it clicked.

“Oh, my God. Oh, my God. You’re kidding.” In horror, she stared at his parents before looking at Drew for assistance. When he shook his head and shrugged, she looked accusingly at her brother. “You’re not kidding. Oh... my... God. Why didn’t you warn me? I wanted you to fix that wall panel there,” she pointed to a space off to the side, “and that light fixture in the lobby needs adjustment--” Rae covered her eyes, then looked back at Ridge. “We put off all those updates because you said you were too busy--”

Yvonne reached over to Rae, taking hold of one hand. “Rae, don’t even worry for a moment. This inn is incredibly charming, and you are a wonderful hostess.” She looked around the wood-paneled dining room. “You have a treasure here -- and I hope you have a room available for us, since we didn’t call ahead. Someone rushed me out here.” She sent a dry glance at her husband.

Charles just shrugged and smiled innocently. The two siblings began to argue. Drew’s mother attempted to moderate the discussion.

Snorting softly to himself, Drew sat back. He looked at his family -- which had now grown by one very important member. He shot a look up at Rae. Um. Maybe two members?

God. What in the hell had he let himself in for?

He grinned. He couldn’t wait to find out.

Epilogue

“Sweetheart, my mom and dad are going to be here any minute. Will you please hurry the hell up?” Drew yelled up the stairs, completely exasperated. It was their wedding day, and he’d been waiting downstairs for going on twenty damned minutes. Cooling his heels in the foyer of the old Duncan house -- now the Cunningham/Huntington house -- he gazed at the photos that Ridge had hung on the wall across from the stair.

Upon discovering that Ridge had a passion for family photos and history, Yvonne had sent a package of old images that she’d dug out of her cabinets. Ridge’s collection now included previous generations of Yvonne and Charles’ families, pictures of Drew as a teenager, and photos of Ridge and Rae growing up. There were also photos of their animal children -- Henry, Elsa, and Bella.

One of his favorite photos was from the day they’d moved into the house, almost two and a half years before. Rae had taken the photo and had captured Drew carrying a laughing Ridge over his shoulder as they’d entered their home together for the first time.

Ridge had put a chunk of his savings in, and they’d agreed that he would earn the rest of his half-ownership in sweat equity as they renovated the home. Even though Drew had assisted him along the way, Ridge’s carpentry skills showed off the revitalized farmhouse.

The closed-off layout had been replaced with an open-flow floor plan, keeping the charm of the original and updating it with the innovations of twenty-first century design. Plus, Drew now had a new, special place; they’d added a sunroom off the kitchen, where he’d spent many an evening in the last year, lazing on the big leather sectional, watching his favorite shows on cable, or reading.

“I love the one taken on the day your adoption became official.” Ridge’s voice came from above.

Drew turned his head to watch as Ridge finally -- finally! -- came down from whatever the hell his mysterious lover had been doing upstairs. His gaze zeroed in on the firm package cradled so lovingly by the old, faded jeans. He moved to the bottom of the stair to meet his sexy lover, stopping Ridge at the bottom. Bringing lips together, he shoved his tongue forward, suddenly hungry.

Ridge slid one arm up, pushing against Drew’s chest to keep them separated as he pulled his head back with a gasp. “I thought you said they’ll be here any minute,” he complained breathlessly. A low moan escaped him as Drew grabbed his ass and ground their cocks together through their jeans.

“Maybe they’ll be late.” Drew moved to kiss Ridge again, sliding one arm up to bring Ridge snug against him. He was stymied by Ridge’s arm, which had not moved from between their bodies. “Baby, come on,” he whined. They hadn’t had any nookie that morning, since Ridge had taken off early to get some errands done before their guests arrived.

Ridge arched his brows. “What are you? Twelve?”

Drew huffed out a breath in disgust. “Yeah? Well, I kind of feel like I’m sixteen right now, if you get my drift...”

Ridge snorted with laughter. “Come on, city boy. Let’s make sure everything is ready.” Pushing past, he headed out the front door and around to the side of the veranda.

***

They’d planned this day for three months. Each of them had had specific responsibilities: Ridge had gotten the caterer and the music covered, while Drew had set up the outdoor seating and coordinated the tented dining and dance area.

When Ridge had mentioned asking Shelby to officiate, Drew had been ready to say absolutely not. He really didn’t want that nosy brat involved at all. Despite the fact that Shelby had gone through the licensing process to conduct the wedding, and the fact that Ridge’s friend had been studying various ceremonies to set the right tone and backdrop, Drew couldn’t get past the fact that Shelby had been a thorn in his side from the day they’d met. Nor had he been looking forward to Shelby lording it over him at the wedding. That is, until he’d had the brilliant idea to invite Seacrest Jones to the reception.

Now, standing in front of the dresser, slowly removing his bow tie, he was starting to feel a little guilty. Drew watched in the mirror as Ridge slipped off the jacket to their matching formal suits. His hungry gaze followed the unfastening of the shirt studs.

“Did you see the way Jones was eyeing your buddy?” Drew watched closely to see if Ridge was pissed at him.

His new husband walked up to stand beside him, dropping the studs in the wooden tray that rested on the dresser. Eying him knowingly, Ridge began unfastening a cufflink.

“I cannot believe you invited that man-eater here, knowing how he’s been after Shel.” Tossing the jewelry onto the dresser, Ridge began toeing off his dress shoes. “He was practically drooling while Shelby made his little toast.” Ridge sniffed. “Poor Shelby didn’t know whether to shit or wind his watch.”

“Well, if the guy would just go out with Jones once and get it over with, he wouldn’t have that problem.” Drew hung up his jacket and took off his shirt, stuffing it in the cleaning bag. “You know Jones has the attention span of a five-year-old. Although--” He paused in thought. “He has been after your dippy friend for quite a while now. That’s some staying power.” Drew slipped off his pants and socks.

“You don’t need to sound so admiring.” Turning on his heel, Ridge marched into the adjoining bathroom. “That is my best friend your shark-boy is hot for.”

Drew heard the water turn on, and he followed the sound, comfortable in his boxer-briefs.

Ridge was brushing his teeth, his open shirt moving a little, giving glimpses of that damned nipple ring he loved so well.

“I’ve told you before. Shelby is plenty big enough to take care of himself. That boy could take on the Notre Dame front four and not have a problem.” Drew frowned. “Baby, why don’t you take your shirt off? In fact, why are you still dressed?”

Tipping the glass to his lips, Ridge swirled some water around in his mouth, then leaned over and spat in the sink. He gave Drew a derisive glance. “Because. Until you unloaded your surprise guest on me, I was intending to give you something special tonight. Now? Now, I’m not so sure. And you know why? Shelby is a lot more sensitive than he seems. People are always fooled by his size.”

Drew frowned. Okay, now his conscience was starting to bother him. But the irritating son of a bitch
had
stuck that nose into their lives way too often. “That guy’s tough as nails. In fact, I almost feel sorry for Jones.”

Well, not really.
That
joker was a survivor, but Drew couldn’t let Ridge see that he might be having second thoughts about letting Jones have a crack at Shelby. He noticed Ridge staring at him out of the corner of his eye. “What?”

Slowly, his husband slid the open dress shirt back, shoving hands inside the dress trouser pockets. Those pretty pink nipples, one of which had that ring he loved, were just hidden by the edge of the shirt material. “You look like you’re feeling guilty. You’re just lucky Jones didn’t show up until the last half of dinner.”