They liked to play in the bars and Ridge didn’t. Simple as that. If he was going to play, it would be when he was out with Shelby, and even then, he was picky.
Half an hour later, he had finished his second glass and was seriously considering leaving before Tony arrived. Sharon was playing with his hair and wouldn’t stop talking to him.
“So, what do you think? Should we get out of here... maybe head to my place?”
Ridge kept taking refuge in his beer glass, but he didn’t know how much longer he could keep that up and still drive home.
“Hey, guys. How’s it going with y’all?” Tony’s warm, gruff voice rose slightly over the music.
Jerking his head around to the left, Ridge saw his boss standing near the table. His eyes lit up as he spotted Drew standing next to Tony. He hadn’t known the two men knew each other. Whoa. Is he the new partner Jack mentioned?
The beginnings of a smile turned down as he saw turquoise eyes glaring back at him.
Suddenly noticing she had lost Ridge’s ear, Sharon canted her head around Ridge to look at the newcomers. Ridge watched as Drew shifted his icy gaze to her. In the background, he could hear as Tony chatted casually with the crew.
What is going on? Ridge felt a pang deep inside as he tried to figure out what had Drew so pissy. Did he not like learning that they were working for the same company? Was he afraid the men around them would learn about them?
“And guys, I want you all to meet my new head of operations... Drew Cunningham.” Tony gestured with his hand, waving Drew up closer to the table.
For an electric moment, Drew’s blazing eyes stayed on Ridge and Sharon before he blinked and stepped up next to Tony.
Released from that hard stare, Ridge watched as the other man shook hands with the crew and chatted briefly with each guy, then nodded his head casually as he was introduced to the three women. When he got to Ridge, he spoke briefly to Tony. “We’ve met.”
Tony nodded in acknowledgment, not noticing that Drew didn’t actually speak directly to Ridge. But Ridge definitely noticed.
“That’s right, I’m sure you’ve seen each other around at the Grove.” Tony turned back to the men. “Drew is staying at the Grove until he can move into his new house.”
While the crew sized up Drew, clearly trying to figure out what he’d be like to work with, Ridge eyed his lover. He wasn’t sure what the hell was happening, but something was. He frowned. What the fuck?
They hadn’t spent much time together since Sunday. Both of them had been busy. Other than the two evenings in his apartment, in fact, Ridge hadn’t seen Drew come and go.
Right now, Drew was answering a couple of questions about where he’d lived before and what he’d done for a living, but his answers were brief and fairly uninformative. He hadn’t looked at Ridge again since that first moment after he’d come into the bar.
What the hell was his problem?
“He doesn’t look very friendly, does he?” Sharon leaned toward him to whisper.
Pushing back away from Sharon a bit, he could only shrug. It was true. Drew didn’t look like the most approachable man in the bar.
Just then, Tony spoke again. “Drew, what can I get you?” He was motioning toward the bar as he pulled out his wallet.
Drew stepped back and held up his hands briefly, palms out. “No, thanks, Tony. I can’t stay. I just noticed what time it is... I’ve got to get out to the barn.” As he spoke, he turned toward the door. He looked back to wave briefly at the table, then turned to look at Tony. “I’ll see you on Monday morning.”
Tony looked confused at Drew’s abrupt departure before his attention was caught by a question from Jack.
Ridge pushed back his chair, determined to follow Drew and find out what was going on. He dodged Sharon’s outstretched hand as he stood, pulling money out of his pocket to lay on the table. “Y’all, I’ve got to get back to my shop. See y’all Monday.”
Jack looked knowingly at him, smirking at the disappointment on Sharon’s face. Ridge smiled back, knowing Jack thought he was escaping the eager woman. He shrugged in a what can I say? manner, then headed out of the bar with a wave.
Hurrying out the door, he spotted Drew just pulling out of the parking lot. Cursing softly to himself, he jogged to his truck and jumped in, starting it up. Jerking the gearshift into drive, he stepped on the gas, heading south on the road behind Drew, buckling his seatbelt as he went.
He caught up to Drew quickly, but he wasn’t sure if the other man knew he was there. The early evening sun was still shining brightly and the windows of the Navigator were tinted, preventing him from meeting Drew’s eyes in the rearview mirror. He managed to stay a few car-lengths behind as Drew headed east to cross the river. Expecting the city boy to keep heading in that direction for a couple more miles, he almost ran into the back of the other truck when Drew suddenly slowed to turn. Puzzled, Ridge quickly turned to follow, frowning again when Drew turned onto Riverside Drive. His frown switched to a smile when he realized Drew was headed back to the Grove.
A few minutes later, he pulled to a stop at the Grove, and spotted Drew just entering the inn’s doorway. He threw his truck into park and hopped out. “Drew!” Blowing out a frustrated breath as Drew disappeared up the stairs, he followed quickly.
He reached Drew’s room and banged on the door, starting to get pissy himself. Through the door, he heard Elsa’s soft woof. When the door was suddenly yanked open as he raised his fist to bang again, he jerked back slightly in surprise.
“What the hell’s going on, man?” He stared at Drew, trying to figure it out. “I was calling you as you came upstairs. Didn’t you hear me?” He pushed past Drew, coming to a halt and swinging around near the end of the four-poster bed. “And I thought you were going to the barn...”
Elsa lay just beyond the bed. The room was fairly spacious as inn rooms went, but right then, it didn’t feel that large as Drew and Ridge stared each other down. The big shepherd started to move, stretching from her afternoon nap beneath the window. “Well?” Absently, he reached down to pet the shepherd as she stood up.
Drew remained motionless for another few seconds before shoving the door closed, and stalking to the mini-bar. Pulling it open, he grabbed a bottle of water, then swung back around to face Ridge as he cracked open the seal. “Well, what?” He threw back his head and gulped down half the bottle, then wiped his lips with the back of the hand that held the bottle. He stared challengingly at Ridge. “You looked busy in the bar. I’m surprised you’re back so soon.”
Surprised and confused, Ridge looked back at him. “Huh?”
“Don’t you want to go tap that?” Drew waved a hand in the air as he sneered the words. “And here I was thinking it was just guys you hadn’t fucked before now.”
The insulting words hung in the air a few seconds before Ridge’s brain processed them.
“What?” He shook his head slowly. “Are you accusing me of something?” His voice got a little louder. “And why would you think that?” He looked at Drew in disbelief. “So, now you’re saying I was getting it on with that chick in the bar back there? Is that it?”
He stepped closer, ignoring the slight growl from Elsa, who watched the two men closely. Ridge stared hard at Drew and was gratified to see the Yankee back up a pace as Ridge approached.
You should back up, asshole.
“Listen, dickhead.” He kept his voice soft with effort. “The only reason I’m not pounding you right now is that I figure you’re a jealous prick who doesn’t know any better than to get pissy and act like an idiot.” He ignored the snort of disbelief from his angry lover and continued walking forward as he spoke, stopping within inches of Drew.
Drew jerked his head back as Ridge got right up in his grill.
“What... because we had some fun, you think you have the right to judge what I do?” Breathing heavily, he clenched his fists to keep from swinging them. He could feel the blood pounding through his veins as he attempted to ke
ep a hold on his temper.
Elsa made a noise behind him. “Elsa -- quiet!” He slapped his hand into Drew’s chest, shoving the larger man back a pace. Drew hit the wall behind him with a small thud, which gratified Ridge. It wasn’t often he could push such a big guy around. “She knows I’m not going to really hurt you, even though I have a really good reason right now.”
“You? Hurt me?” Drew’s voice was scornful, but he was still against the wall with Ridge a few inches in front of him, so the comeback lacked a little something.
“Yeah. Me. Hurt you.” Ridge leaned against him, placing his hands flat on the wall next to Drew’s shoulders.
Ridge paused as a thought flashed through his head. Surprise made his mouth drop open for a second before he took a deep breath. “You know? I think I’m getting it now.” He cocked his head a little to the side, examining the scowling face of his lover. “I’m thinking that I can hurt you -- but not physically. I think it’s more emotionally... and you don’t like that. Do you, city boy?”
He watched closely as Drew’s head jerked back again, then started to shake back and forth vigorously.
“What? Are you kidding me? How much did you have to drink at that dive?” Drew’s hands came up and grabbed Ridge’s shoulders as if to push him back.
Ridge leaned all his weight forward to prevent it. Based on what he knew of Drew so far, he was going to have to make Drew admit it.
“Hey, look, buddy, I don’t care if you’re fucking every guy from here to...”
Ridge pressed one finger to Drew’s lips. “Uh-uh.” He shook his head, his temper subsiding. “You do care. That’s your problem.”
“No way!” Drew tried to withdraw further, but he had nowhere to go. His back was literally against the wall.
“Yes, way.” Ridge was calm now, feeling a certain satisfaction at knowing that Drew was emotionally invested. To what degree, hopefully time would tell. But he had to believe that Drew wouldn’t have acted like such a nasty fool if his feelings weren’t involved. “And you’re about as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.”
Drew grunted. “Don’t throw one of your idiotic hillbilly sayings at me.” He turned his head away, staring out the window, a pugnacious look on his face.
Snorting in reluctant amusement, Ridge allowed the rest of his irritation to slide away. “How’s this for a hillbilly saying? Bite me.”
That brought Drew’s head around. Eyes narrowed, he stared at Ridge, expression mistrustful.
Leaning his weight forward, Ridge pressed a soft kiss on Drew. “You do care if I fuck somebody else,” he mocked softly, leaning his belly against Drew’s hardening cock. “You sure as heck didn’t want me to be with Sharon at the bar.” He rubbed his lips slowly back and forth, teasing, tempting.
“I wasn’t, by the way.” He shook his head. “She was hitting on me, not the other way around.” He stopped kissing long enough to shrug in resignation. “I don’t know what it is about women, but they won’t leave me alone when I’m in a bar.” He reached in and slid his tongue along the seam of Drew’s lips, smiling slightly when he felt them open to the slight pressure. “I swear to you, I don’t do anything to attract them. I don’t know why they won’t leave me alone.” He lifted one shoulder, honestly confused. “That’s why I don’t go out with the crew much, you know?” He met Drew’s eyes once again, staring straight up into the blazing turquoise gaze. His lips quirked as he considered his plight with women. “I know straight guys would probably kill to have that problem.”
***
Drew looked down into Ridge’s whiskey eyes and felt a strange tightness in his chest. He wanted to press his hand to it, but Ridge’s arms were in the way, the muscled strength caging him against the wall. Ridge’s lean weight pushed into his body, that pretty package rubbing him nicely.
Despite his anger, his cock had gotten hard as Ridge had reamed him out. He had been listening with half an ear, eyeing his lover as Ridge had stalked closer. He’d watched those lips move and the way the slim muscles bunched and found himself both angry and hungry -- that is, until Ridge had made that crazy claim. That’s when Drew’s chest had tightened and his belly had clenched, like the time he’d been thrown off his horse and landed badly. Everything had hurt that day. Today, though, it was more the center of his body. He couldn’t figure out what was wrong with his chest. Maybe it was stress.
He tried to clear his suddenly dry throat. “Ridge.” His voice was slightly hoarse. He tried again. “Ridge... get off me. Let me loose.” He pulled away slightly to avoid the tongue and lips that were following his.
Ridge didn’t relax his stance. “I’m not holding you. You can get away any time you want. Anyway, you’re a hell of a lot bigger than I am, aren’t you?”
Drew grimaced at that. If he’d wanted to, he could have knocked Ridge away at any time. They both knew that.
Just then, Elsa whined, causing him to jerk his head in her direction. “Easy, girl. Everything’s okay.” At his soothing tone, she dropped back down on the floor, and he turned back to Ridge, who was still right up in his face. “Everything’s okay,” he repeated softly. He leaned his forehead down to Ridge’s and sighed deeply. Closing his eyes, he spoke in a near-whisper. “I didn’t like seeing you with that woman.”
“About time.” With that hoarse whisper, Ridge shifted his stance and slid his arms up over Drew’s shoulders. He kissed Drew, tongue sliding forward, laying claim. Shoving one booted foot between Drew’s, Ridge leaned his head back for a brief moment. “Let me in.”
Marveling anew at the assertive side of this surprising man, Drew stared into the whiskey eyes for a moment, trying to decide if he should retake the dominant position. He wasn’t sure if he should let Ridge talk to him this way. He raised one hand to push at Ridge’s shoulder. “Back off. I can’t breathe.”
Grunting, Ridge just leaned closer. “No.” He kissed Drew again.
Unable to resist any longer, Drew blew out a heavy sigh. “Christ, you’re a pain in the ass.” He brought his arms up, tunneling under Ridge’s arms, snugging Ridge up close to his body.
“Uh-huh. Rae says that a lot. Why don’t we go to my apartment so we can finish straightening this out?”
Drew groaned automatically at that. He didn’t want to talk about anything.
Ridge leaned his head back. “Don’t be such a pussy. Just admit you’ll feel better if we clear all this up. I know I will. No more mixed signals.” Easing away, Ridge stared at him. “Besides, I’ve got to check on Henry, anyway.” With another step back, he slid his hand down Drew’s arm.
Drew could feel his muscles bunch at the contact.
Ridge grabbed his hand and pulled Drew away from the wall, tugging him to get him going. “Come on, city boy. Bring Elsa and her stuff.”
Chapter 11
If you’re looking for sympathy, it’s between shit and sweat in the dictionary.
Ridge Huntington
Ridge’s apartment was fairly spacious for a one-bedroom, but right now, Drew felt like he could use a couple of counties between them. He watched Ridge walk around, turning on lights, clicking on the ceiling fan, and moving to the speaker dock to turn music on low.
Ridge spoke on his way to the kitchen, looking to where Drew still stood by the door. “How about some dinner?” He walked behind the breakfast bar, then came back a few steps with a quizzical look on his face. “Hey. Don’t you need to get out to the barn to check on Bella?”
Reminded of the excuse he’d used earlier to leave the bar, Drew frowned. Pursing his lips crookedly, he shrugged. “Nah. Not really. I called George before I left work. She’s doing fine.” Too late, he realized that he’d just thrown out a perfectly good excuse to avoid “the discussion.”
He grimaced. Fuck.
“Well, why don’t you come in, then, and we’ll get something to eat?”
Eager for something to do with his hands so that he didn’t have to think, Drew stepped forward. “I can make us so
mething.”
“You can?” The doubt was clear in Ridge’s voice. The blond came back out to stand next to Drew.
“Uh, ye-ah.” What? Was it so unbelievable that he could cook? He wasn’t helpless. His lip lifted in a silent snarl as he stalked to the kitchen.
He could practically feel Ridge smiling at him. Christ!
“You know,” his lover’s voice was smooth, the humor just slightly apparent, “Even though you’re having a baby temper tantrum, it’s kind of good to see you being human again instead of acting like a nasty stranger.”
Little shit. Drew really didn’t have an answer for that. He stared down at the kitchen counter for a second before looking up again.
Ridge met his gaze. “Okay. I’ve got to get out of these work clothes. I’m going to take a quick shower.” He disappeared into the bedroom. “Let the dogs in, will you?” he called as he walked away.
Blowing out an annoyed breath, Drew moved back to the door and opened it to call the dogs, letting out a shrill whistle. Despite his pissy mood, he couldn’t help but smile as the two big shepherds bounded up the stairs, shoulder to shoulder, then barreled through the door to slide to a stop inside.
He moved out of their way just in time. “Jesus, you’re like a couple of second graders.” He shook his head and walked back to the kitchen. “Do you want cookies?” He poked around until he found dog treats, then handed out a couple to each animal. The happy pups retreated to Henry’s large bed, chomping away companionably.
Okay. Drew breathed out a heavy sigh. “Might as well look for something to make.” Drew quickly washed his hands and started searching the cabinets and fridge. He found a jar of spaghetti sauce, and then spotted some Italian sausage in the fridge. He smiled in satisfaction. “That’s what I’m talking about.” The spicy sausage would jazz up the ready-made sauce.
Locating a frying pan in the drawer of the range, he frowned at the cheap metal. With a roll of his eyes, he set it on a burner, then cut the skin of the sausage and squeezed it into the pan to brown. He found a stockpot and filled it with water, then turned on the gas. Wandering back to the fridge, he spotted makings for a salad and began slicing and chopping. Drew made a mental note to get some fresh herbs and garlic for Ridge’s kitchen -- and fresh tomatoes instead of the warehouse crap he’d found in the fridge.
A Change of Pace Page 12
