A Change of Pace (14 page)

He smiled briefly, and Ridge noted it was a real smile.

“I learned all right,” Drew continued. “Learned how obsessive engineers can be and how kooky they are.”

Ridge huffed a small laugh in agreement. He could certainly testify to how obsessive one particular engineer could be.

Drew took a deep breath as he continued. “The company has architects on staff, too, so we do design and we’ve worked with developers. We’ve actually developed some projects of our own, too. Anyway, for some ungodly reason, my dad decided that he wanted to run for political office to try to help fix the system.” Drew rolled his eyes at that. “Like anybody could clean up the messes we’re in.” He paused to fork up another bite of pasta, chewing a moment. “Well, he got elected. Holy Christ, was that ever a shocker. And he asked me to help him. So, I became his chief of staff.” A long swallow of the red followed.

Ridge, who by now had finished his plate, turned and put his feet up again. “So how did you end up here? I know it’s not a good story. I can tell that by how snarky you look any time your old job or Chicago is mentioned.”

Drew looked for a moment like he was going to try to deny being unhappy. He stopped with the words unformed as Ridge looked at him knowingly; then he gave a surly shrug. “Look... there was this contract that we had to let. I gave it to the company I knew could get the job done for the best price, and the bottom-feeders in the press jumped all over it -- God, I can’t stand those assholes! -- without checking out the legitimacy of the contract.”

Drew leaned an elbow on the table and propped his head in his hand. “Fuckers.” That last word was muttered.

He raised his head again to stare into Ridge’s eyes. “I swear to you, Sego bid the contract as they were supposed to. Can I help it if they’re in the best position to get the job done? Can I help it if we did business with them at Stratton Engineering? Christ, you’d think I embezzled from the Vatican or something.”

He slouched back and grabbed his wineglass, quickly draining it.

Ridge was trying to understand what was going on. “So you gave a contract to somebody you and your dad had done business with in the past...”

“That was ten years ago!”

“Okay, okay,” Ridge soothed. “So they got the contract. Sounds like they bid it fair and square. So what was the big deal?”

Drew lurched off the bench seat, his anger apparent. “The big deal is those fuckers in the press want to bring Charles Stratton down! They don’t care who they destroy to do it -- whether it’s me, my dad, or an honest company doing a good job!”

Ridge was floored, both by the anger and emotion he was witnessing, and by the fact that he’d just connected the dots. “Your dad is Charles Stratton?” He gulped. “The mayor of Chicago?” He swung his feet back down to the floor and leaned forward.

Holy shit.

Drew shrugged angrily. “Yeah. I told you that.” He stalked to the counter and grabbed the bottle of wine, coming back to drop into his seat. He refilled his glass and shoved the bottle onto the table.

Ridge continued to stare at him.

“What?”
There was exasperation in the question.

Ridge lifted his hands helplessly.
I have no idea.
“Uh, I guess I’m just shocked that your dad is the mayor of Chicago. My God, even here we’ve heard about him and his crusade against corruption in the big city. And you don’t have the same last name. How would I know?” It was like meeting somebody related to Giuliani, was all Ridge could think.

“That’s because I was adopted when I was fourteen.”

Ridge shook his head, forcing himself to concentrate on what was really going on. “But what happened? Why did you have to leave?”

Drew took another big gulp of his wine. “In the time-honored political tradition, I had to get thrown under the bus so that my dad wouldn’t be the target.” He snorted out a breath. “Forget that my dad has actually made real progress in cleaning up corruption in Chicago. Forget that the city is starting, ever so slowly, to actually work again. Did you know it could take more than a year to get a building permit in the city of Chicago? Did you know that to develop a project with the city, it could take three to four years just to break ground? How about the fact that nearly half of the convention business has left the city?” He threw up his hands. “It was ridiculous. City departments were grinding to a halt. Everybody was afraid to take responsibility or be accountable. Well, my dad is starting to change that. The good people are taking command again, and it’s getting better.” He drank again, his hand wobbling a little as he set his glass down on the table.

Whoa. Somebody needed a hug. The only thing stopping Ridge was the realization that here, at last, was the real Drew -- someone that Ridge definitely wanted to know better. “So you had to resign, I’m guessing?”

“Yeah,” Drew responded sarcastically. “I had to resign.” His head dropped back and he stared at the ceiling for a moment. Raising his head again, he met Ridge’s gaze with a razor-like stare. “I would do anything to protect my dad. He did nothing wrong -- neither did I! -- but it didn’t matter. I had to go so that my dad could run for re-election without this trailing alongside.”

Taking another sip, he shrugged as he looked at Ridge again. “But... I... guess I...” He took a deep breath and continued. “To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sorry to go -- just sorry about the way I had to go.” He shook his head slowly. “I hated it there. I’m not cut out for politics and all the bullshit that goes with it. I was there only to help my dad. I hate the back-stabbing, the fake friends, the uninformed voters, the whole thing.”

Ridge smiled slowly. “Somehow, I can see that. You are definitely not cut out for politics. I don’t think you have the patience for it, that’s for dang sure.” He made a face. “I’m sorry you and your dad had to go through that, but I’m not sorry it brought you here.” Propping his elbows on the table, he looked down at his hands. “It seems like you have a new start, whether you wanted one or not.” Ridge raised his head, words slow, voice soft. “And I’m glad you’re here. I want to spend time with you, be with you, get to know you more.” He looked at Drew, trying to interpret the expression on the other man’s face. “I think you want the same, if only you’d let yourself go a little bit. Tell you what. Let’s finish up here, and then we’ll watch a movie. Does that sound okay?”

He had to laugh when Drew nodded rapidly. “Okay, you finish eating. I’ll put some coffee on and run down to the inn kitchen to grab some dessert. You just relax.”

Chapter 14

Even a blind pig finds an acorn once in a while
.

Drew Cunningham

Three hours later, Ridge clicked off the television and lifted his head from where it rested on Drew’s chest. He sat up and looked around, smiling. The two dogs were out cold on their shared bed. Drew was snoring softly in the corner of the sofa.

“Remind me not to order any more movies with ‘jackass’ in the title.” He should have known better. Getting up to turn off the lights in the kitchen, he looked out the window toward the inn, just making sure all was peaceful and quiet. He could hear some crickets chirping, and he smiled, loving the sounds of nature right outside.

“What are you smiling at?” Drew’s voice was a little gravelly.

He walked back to the sofa, drawn by the sexy sound. “I was just thinking how lucky I am to live here, where it’s so beautiful. I love listening to the night sounds.” He knelt next to Drew, then slung one knee over to straddle the long legs. Resting his ass on muscled thighs, he let his hands play with the snap on Drew’s jeans.

“You’re lucky here. Back home, before I moved to my condo on the lakefront, I’d hear trucks, buses, cars with gangbanger music blasting from the windows, you name it.” Drew rolled his head on the sofa back, sliding a glance toward the windows. “It really is peaceful. I noticed that first off.”

“Yeah? So, you do like it?” Was Drew actually going to say that he liked something about Asheville?

Drew pursed his lips, considering. His fingers were aimlessly sliding over Ridge’s T-shirt-covered torso. “Hmmm, I like how green it is. I can’t get over that. I’m so used to seeing asphalt and concrete around me. It really is different.” His hands slid under the T-shirt, and his fingers played.

Ridge sighed a low moan as those fingers pinched and pulled his tender bits. His head tipped forward so he could watch, teeth biting his lower lip. “What... what else do you like?”

“Well... I have to say I like southern cooking, now that I’ve discovered it.” Drew cocked his head, the expression on his face contemplative. “Huh. What else do I like?”

There was definitely a sly gleam in the turquoise eyes. Ridge was breathless as he struggled to stay upright on Drew’s lap. Those fingers were twisting and pulling and rubbing his tits, sending shafts of heat to his belly. “What -- a-about... the people -- here? An-anybody special so far?”

Drew met Ridge’s gaze as the long fingers stopped their teasing. His hands slid around to Ridge’s back, bringing Ridge flush with his chest, their lips just inches apart. “Yeah. There’s somebody special, all right.” One hand slid up through the neck of Ridge’s T-shirt to grab the back of his head, bringing their lips together. “One somebody special.” Their lips met as their eyes held each other.

Ridge felt a thrill run through him before his lids dropped and he began kissing Drew in earnest. He wrapped his arms tightly around the strong neck, driving his fingers through the silky, dark hair.

Drew rolled them both to the side, stretching out on the sofa, working his way between Ridge’s legs. “I do have to say, I don’t know what it is about you, but... I can’t stop thinking about you. I’m not sure I like that.” He propped himself up, elbows on either side of Ridge’s shoulders. “Why do you stay in my head?”

“Hmm. As in, I’m bothering you -- or as in, you’re helplessly, hopelessly attracted to me and you can’t stay away?”

With a groan, Drew frowned at him, then leaned down to kiss him thoroughly again. “As in, I wish I knew what the fuck I was doing.”

Pulling Drew’s stubborn head down again, Ridge whispered against the closed lips. “Quit bitching. You’re doing exactly what you want.” Opening his mouth, he pressed forward quickly, his tongue tangling briefly with Drew’s before retreating. “I kind of think you always do exactly what you want.” He claimed Drew’s mouth, tongue fucking deep. He slid one hand down to cup a muscled ass cheek, pulling Drew tightly to him.

Drew resisted stubbornly for several seconds before surrendering with a groan, his own tongue challenging as he ground his cock into Ridge. He reached back with his arms, one at a time, to pull Ridge’s knees up around his waist. Head lifting just a bit, he moved his mouth to the point between Ridge’s neck and shoulder, and his teeth played with the skin and muscle there. When Ridge gasped in anticipation, Drew pulled the skin up between his teeth and starting sucking strongly.

That got a grunt from Ridge, and Drew shoved one hand under Ridge’s back, sliding up to capture his hair and hold his head in place. Drew nipped and licked a path to the other side, and Ridge jerked his head a little, trying to give himself room to move.

“Drew!” he whimpered. He wrapped his legs around Drew, heels digging into the muscular ass. He lifted his hips up rhythmically, trying desperately to get the friction his cock needed. He pushed his hands down to rip open his jeans, succeeding in getting his zipper down and his hand around his cock. His lover lifted up enough to push Ridge’s hand away.

“Let me.” His dick was grasped and carefully tugged free. “Here... here. Don’t you want some of this?” The playful words were accompanied by a firm grip sliding up and down from base to tip, over and over.

Shifting onto one forearm, Drew moved back far enough to jerk up Ridge’s T-shirt, then grabbed Ridge’s cock once again. He lowered himself, his teeth seeking out and finding one flat nipple, tonguing the ring there.

Ridge’s body arched up in response, a hoarse cry coming out of his throat. God, he loved it when Drew bit and played with his tits. He’d never before realized how sensitive they were and how revved this kind of sport could get him. He grabbed Drew’s shirt, pulling on it in his excitement. “More... God, yes -- unh!”

“More what?” Drew transferred his mouth to the other teat, nibbling it and then sucking it into his mouth to soothe the burn.

“God! Drew, when you -- oh, God, more... bite me -- jeez, I love it when you do that!” His hands came up and grabbed Drew’s hair, meeting the heated turquoise gaze, jumping in with both feet. “Bite me, spank me -- make me take it,” he babbled desperately.

“Holy shit.” Drew jackknifed off the sofa and grabbed one of Ridge’s hands, yanking him up. He was dragged into the bedroom.

Drew halted at the side of the bed and started yanking off his clothes while he tersely ordered, “Get rid of those clothes -- now!” His eyes were a little wild.

Throwing their clothing to the floor, they finished at just about the same time. Drew once again grabbed Ridge’s hand and jerked forward, and Ridge ended up across his lap as he dropped to the side of the bed.

Ridge fell forward with a grunt, hands coming out to catch himself on the floor. He gulped at feeling so vulnerable, over Drew’s lap, with his ass in the air. “Uhh... oh, God, what am I doing?”
Am I crazy?
Drew’s hand came down with a sharp smack. “Ow! Ohhhhhh,” he moaned. “Stings!” And made his cock harder. He wriggled, trying to get some friction for his dick against Drew’s thigh. Another smack followed, then another. He moaned and groaned at each one, but his cock was leaking and he’d never been more excited in his life. He struggled to push his ass higher into the air.

Drew groaned. “God! The way you ask for it -- I... that’s it, baby, spread some more so I can... see -- oh, yeah, there...”

Ridge received a light smack along his crease, just above his balls. “Shit!” God almighty!

Drew rubbed his hand over Ridge’s hot cheeks, caressing where he’d just hit, then ran his fingers down the crease, pressing against Ridge’s fluttering hole. Knowing -- hoping -- more was coming, Ridge held his breath, head up as he looked blindly at the floor in front of him. When Drew’s hand came down again, it was in a little tap just touching his opening. Ridge yelled hoarsely, his head dropping down as he panted.

“Whoa!” Drew grabbed him as he almost slid to the floor and hauled him up onto the bed, shoving him onto his back, spreading his legs wide. Lunging for the bottle of lube on the nightstand, Drew moved back to kneel between Ridge’s bent knees.

Their eyes met. Ridge felt the burn of Drew’s gaze as it went down his body and back up again, pausing at his quivering dick, his taut belly, his chest rapidly lifting with his breaths. “Oh, you are so ready for this, aren’t you?” Drew palmed his cock, tugging it a couple of times as he stared at Ridge knowingly.

Ridge held his breath. “What are you...?” His words trailed off in a small screech as Drew lightly slapped his dick. “Oh, God!” He couldn’t believe how perverse that was and yet -- God, it made him hot!

Ridge shoved his hips up off the bed, spreading his thighs as far as they would go.

“God, you’re a little slut, aren’t you?” Drew said admiringly. “What do you want, baby?” He grasped Ridge’s cock and squeezed, milking it. “Christ! I love the way you ask for more.” He tugged once more. “What else can I give you?”

Ridge whispered one word. “Everything.”

With a groan, Drew dropped forward onto one arm, covering Ridge’s lips, fucking them with his tongue. His hand continued tugging and caressing, his thumb catching Ridge’s pre-come and spreading it around the silky soft head. “God...”

He sat back on his heels again, grabbing the lube, and this time dumping some on his fingers. He set two fingers against Ridge’s hole, pressing, “I like how you watch me.” His voice was low, and his gleaming eyes burned into Ridge as he pressed forward a little. “Do you want this? Huh?”

Nodding rapidly in desperation, Ridge sighed when Drew pushed both fingers in.

“Oh, that’s it, Ridge, let me in.”

Ridge was struck by the look on Drew’s face. He would have sworn that his lover was as caught up in this moment as he was. The intense concentration -- the focus, yeah, Drew could be obsessive about things, he’d seen evidence of that already, but this felt like... more.

Grunting as Drew pushed those fingers as deep as they would go, scissoring them and twisting, Ridge cried out again as Drew’s thumb rolled over his balls, gently pressing, pushing them in their sac.

“Another one?” Drew wiggled his fingers meaningfully.

Ridge nodded silently, his breath heaving in his chest. Reaching out blindly and grabbing another pillow, he shoved it behind him so he could see better.

He groaned when the third finger was pushed into his ass, loving the burn and the sensation of fullness. He loved the feel of all those fingers spreading him, opening him for his dominant lover. He rolled his head on the pillow as Drew took long minutes to stretch him open.

When Drew’s eyes rose to his again, he silently mouthed the word, “More.”

Swallowing deeply, Drew pulled his hand back and added more lube. He dropped one hand to the bed beside Ridge as he brought four fingers to bear.

Ridge’s head arched back and his arms spread on the bed as Drew pushed them slowly, so slowly, inside. He moaned at the feeling of fullness, the pinch and burn. “Oh, God. You... oh, God.” His hips rolled continually, fucking himself on Drew’s big fingers. He hissed in a breath as Drew nudged his prostate repeatedly.

“Christ, you’re hot,” Drew muttered. He pushed his fingers in and out, over and over again. “I can’t get enough of this, Ridge. I love how you let me open you up, how you take whatever I want to give.” Drew looked up and their eyes met again. “More, baby?”

Ridge struggled to answer, panting and writhing on the bed, feeling taken, mastered.

One word was all he could get out.

“More.”