A Change of Pace (6 page)

Chapter 6

If brains were dynamite, you wouldn’t have enough to blow your nose.

Drew Cunningham

Ridge woke up alone just before seven. His ass was sore from its unaccustomed activity, and he sat up gingerly. The television in the living room was making noise and, through the open window, the birds were singing. The sky was yellow in the east as the sun’s rays slowly brightened.

Pushing himself to his feet, he walked naked to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, he sized himself up. He really didn’t look any different, but he surely felt different. Last night with Drew had been incredible. Just thinking of what they’d done together made him hot and tingly inside. His cheeks were burning as he remembered how he’d behaved.
God!

He winced as his hole flexed in memory of last night’s fun. It had been a little weird to just roll over and watch television after the wildest sex he’d ever had, but he’d run with it. He was pretty sure he’d come off as adult and cool about everything.

But he did have to call Shelby this morning. He needed to talk to his best friend and check on the morning-after protocol.

He looked yearningly at the deep tub and wished he had time to soak away his sore muscles before he had to be at work. No such luck today. After relieving himself, he walked out to the main room, looking around for Drew and the dogs. Huh. Maybe he wouldn’t need that coaching on morning-after conversation.

He wandered over to the kitchen, just to make sure Drew wasn’t quietly taking up space in there. He looked past the breakfast bar into the eating nook and found it empty. As he turned his head, he spotted a note on the counter. Grabbing it, he read it eagerly.

Ridge -- my baby girl is arriving this morning. I just got the call. I’ll try to call you a little later to get together. Here’s my cell number if you need it.

Ridge picked up his cell phone and programmed in Drew’s number.

I called the front desk for your number. PS -- Henry wanted to come along, so he’s with me.

Marveling that he hadn’t heard Drew make a sound this morning, Ridge grinned, glad to see that he hadn’t been left without a word... but who in the heck was Drew’s “baby girl?”

Ohhhh. Must be the horse. He headed back to the bathroom to shower, deciding to call Drew at lunchtime if he hadn’t heard from him.

He shivered just thinking about what Drew had done to him and with him. His insides were jumping around and he felt flushed. If they got to do it again and it was any more explosive than last night, he wasn’t sure he’d live through it. He grinned again in delight.

What a way to go.

Rae was in the kitchen when he stopped by to grab something to eat on his way to work. She looked up from the bagels she was slicing. Her lips compressed when she saw him and she looked back down at her work without speaking.

Puzzled, he stared at his sister. What was her problem? “What’s wrong?” He went to the cabinet and pulled out a to-go mug, filling it with the delicious-smelling brew on the counter. He reached for a bagel to toast as she answered.

“You were with him last night, weren’t you?”

He froze with his back to her, the bagel held in the air over the toaster. His hand came down slowly, setting the bagel in the slots, then pushing the bar down to start the appliance. “Why are you asking me that?” He didn’t turn to face her but instead walked to the far counter and grabbed a fresh tomato. Pulling out a sharp knife, he began slicing it.

Rae’s voice was troubled behind him. “Ridge, honey, women aren’t the only ones attracted to bad boys. And he’s bad, you can tell by looking at him.” She stopped what she was doing and walked up behind him. Reaching out, she put a hand on her brother’s shoulder, rubbing a little. “You were my responsibility for a long time. Even though you’re a grown man, I still feel the need to look out for you.” She shrugged apologetically. “He could hurt you badly -- and I don’t want that to happen. That’s all I’m saying.”

Ridge turned to face her. “He could also make me happy. Did you think of that?” He watched his sister’s eyes widen. “He doesn’t know how good he can be.” He moved back against the counter, his posture casual but his voice serious. “I think he’s used to taking care of himself and not worrying about anybody else. That’s the man you see.”

“But how much can you possibly know about him? You just met him the day before yesterday.” Rae was clearly baffled by his take on the whole situation. “I’ve never seen you... so sure of yourself.” She shrugged helplessly.

“I’m learning more all the time,” Ridge assured her with a small grin and a shrug of his own. He looked at his sister seriously again. “I know he could hurt me -- but I’m not going to miss this chance because I’m too scared to reach out and try.” He looked his sister in the eye. “Besides, right now, we’re just having fun.” He turned around again and grabbed the tub of cream cheese, spreading some on his bagel and topping it with the fresh tomato. He wrapped it in a paper towel and picked up his mug.

Rae watched in silence as he finished putting his breakfast together.

Sheila walked into the kitchen at that moment, putting an end to any more discussion. Taking advantage of the distraction, Ridge grabbed his to-go meal and waved to both women as he headed out the back door.

He shook his head to himself. He did love his big sister, but he wasn’t eighteen anymore. He was a grown man who had to make his own decisions.

He jogged to his truck and got in. He needed to get to work.

***

“Shel, I’m telling you, it was unbelievable.” Ridge walked out to the backyard of the house they were building near the UNC-Asheville campus, trying to get away from the interested ears of his fellow construction crew. “It wasn’t like that before.”

He worked off and on as a finish carpenter, and that allowed him the time and money to pursue his custom woodworking and cabinetry business. The crew was all at morning break, sitting around on boxes and canvas folding chairs. The guys were an okay bunch, but they gossiped just as badly as teenaged girls.

He’d called Shelby as soon as they’d started break. His friend wasn’t a morning person, so Ridge tried to avoid calling him before nine a.m.

“That’s because you were with a bang ‘em and run asshole.” Shelby yawned. He never had liked Ridge’s college boyfriend. “So, what did you two do?”

How to answer that. “Um. It was kind of amazing. Um, I was in the shop yesterday, working on that desk for, you know, those folks in Montford--”

“I know about the desk.” Shelby could sound so superior when he wanted.

“Well, I was just wanting to tell you how I ran into Drew when I went up to the inn to check with Rae on--”

“Just tell me about last night. Get to the good parts.”

Ridge rolled his eyes. “You know, for a guy who has a new date practically every week, you’re awfully interested in what I was doing last night.”

His friend was quiet for a moment. “Maybe I’m looking for something new, you ever think of that?”

“You’re looking, all right. But the guys you meet just want to hook up -- and use you as arm candy.” Ridge shook his head. It was the same old argument. Shelby was going to do what he was going to do. “Forget it. Let’s not have this discussion again. Especially since I had a hook-up of my own last night.” Hard to be self-righteous on that one.

His friend sounded relieved when he answered. “Fine with me. Just tell me all.”

Snorting, Ridge shook his head. “Uh-uh. How about I give you just a few highlights? Or, come to think of it, maybe just the lowlights.”

Shelby’s laughter was infectious, and before too long, Ridge was joining him.

***

His phone rang a few hours later, the notes of “Bad Romance” sounding. The painter who was working on the window trim gave him a skeptical look.

“What? I like Lady Gaga.” It was his new ringtone.

Shaking his head, the painter applied himself to his brushing. “Uh-huh. Sure you do. You might want to tone that down around some of the boys, though.”

Acknowledging the wisdom of that with a grimace, Ridge mouthed “Thanks” as he flipped open his phone. Looking at the number on the caller ID display, he grinned. It was Drew. “Hey.”

“Ridge! She’s here! Man, she looks great.”

Smiling, Ridge stepped out of the kitchen and walked to a quiet area of the house. “Who’s here, Drew? What’s going on?”

“My Bella. The trailer just pulled in a few minutes ago.” Ridge could hear some loud banging in the background, and he frowned.

“Where are you? What’s going on?”

“Listen, come over to the Hidden Springs Stables, will you? Do you know where that is? Can you get away?” Suddenly Drew cursed loudly and his voice sounded far away for a moment. “Goddamn it, let’s get her out of there, okay?”

Drew’s voice came back on with Ridge. “Listen, I’ve got to go. Come on over, okay?” The line went dead.

Ridge shook his head, smiling. Whatever it was, it sure had Drew excited. He headed over to his foreman to ask for an early, long lunch, and to check Google Maps.

Twenty minutes later, Ridge pulled into a tree-shaded drive that wound away from the road. He parked in front of a barn-like structure, stopping next to Drew’s truck. He got out and walked to the Navigator, spotting the dogs inside, lying in the back. Drew had parked in the deep shade to protect the dogs. All the windows were open, and the temperature under the huge black locust was at fifteen degrees cooler than out in the sunshine.

At his soft whistle, Henry and Elsa sat up with a woof. They stuck their heads over the seat back, and he reached in the window to rub and scratch obligingly, crooning to them while he cast his eyes around, trying to find Drew.

The main building reminded him a little of Churchill Downs -- at least what he had seen of it on television. He’d watched the Kentucky Derby a time or two and had always liked the gracious style and tall steeples of the clubhouse. It looked like there were some of the same details here. He walked around the corner and noticed rows of black fencing and paddocks, some with horses inside. Ridge had lived his entire life in the Asheville area, and he’d never been around a stable. He knew there were some of the horsey set around, but he’d just never had the opportunity to visit anyone who actually owned a horse. The stable was a strange place, with gorgeous creatures all around.

He heard a horse neighing and turned his head to follow the sound. Speak of the devil -- times two. His breath caught as he spied Drew walking next to a huge black horse. Drew had a lead rope and was walking the big animal around the large open area down at the other end of the barn.

Ridge started walking toward him, dragging his feet a little, unsure of himself around these large animals. Maybe he’d better keep out of the way. Shoving his hands in his jeans pockets, he hunched over a little as he moved forward.

Drew turned at the far end of the barn and headed back along the building. The horse followed alongside, its head nudging the big man as they walked. Drew spotted Ridge leaning against the barn building, and a big smile lit his face.

Ridge found himself responding helplessly -- he had a feeling this man didn’t smile that often.

“Hey! Come and meet Bella. Isn’t she gorgeous?” Drew stopped walking and turned his face up to the horse, whose nose came down to rub against his cheek.

Ridge thought the moment was beautiful -- they were a pair, the huge black horse and the big muscular man, nuzzling each other.

Drew chuckled at the horsey kiss and turned his head. The turquoise gaze did a quick down-and-up, stopping for a brief second at Ridge’s crotch.

Ridge felt his cock twitch at the look.

Just then, Bella nudged Drew with her head, demanding his attention, clearly sensing she was no longer the center of his universe. Snorting in acknowledgment, Drew turned back to her. “Okay, okay, already. I’m right here, baby girl.”

Hearing Drew refer to the giant animal as “baby girl” made Ridge smile. “You’re kidding, right? Isn’t she a little big to be called ‘baby girl’?” He halted a few steps away, not wanting to get anywhere near those huge feet. Good God, the horse was way taller than Drew -- her majestic head topped his lover’s by half a foot, at least.

“Nah, she’s my baby girl, all right. She’s only five.” Drew just then noticed Ridge hanging back. “Come on, sweetheart. She won’t hurt you.” He gestured with his free arm, holding out a hand in encouragement.

Ridge sidled over slowly, nervously eyeing the big dark eyes that watched him. Smiling, Drew pulled Ridge close, then raised their joined hands to Bella’s nose. “Let her smell you so she can get to know you. Say hi to her.”

Ridge felt the velvety softness of Bella’s nose against his fingers; her soft breath blew over his skin as she scented him. He’d never felt anything quite so soft and silky -- well, except maybe the skin of Drew’s cock, he thought with an inward grin. “Hey, girl,” he said softly.

She really was beautiful, he acknowledged. Her eyes had long lashes, and were exotically slanted. Her ears were swiveling as he petted her, and he thought she must be listening to everything around them. Then Bella tossed her head and he jumped, nestling closer to Drew.

Drew hugged Ridge’s body close to his, his hand sliding for a moment down to Ridge’s ass. “Easy, there, she’s just getting rid of flies. She won’t hurt you.” He turned to start walking again, leading Bella with his right hand and motioning with his left. “Come on, walk with us. She still needs to stretch her legs a bit after that long ride.”

They walked with Bella for about a half-hour, taking her around the strange stable, letting her get used to the new sounds and smells. Ridge received a short primer about horses, the care and stabling of the big animals, and more. Ridge learned that Drew had been riding for over fifteen years and had owned horses for the last ten years or so. It was one of his few passions, it seemed.

“Tell me again what kind of horse she is? Why is she so big?”

“She’s an American Warmblood; that’s a cross between a draft -- in this case, a Percheron -- and a thoroughbred. You know, like the racehorses. The drafts are the big breeds -- and since I’m a big guy, I wanted a big horse, and I wanted a good temperament.” Drew ran his hand up under her mane, rubbing her arched, muscled neck. “She’s a sweetheart.”