Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
ORION
I saw it the moment he accepted what I was saying. His entire body deflated, like he was letting out everything he’d been using to support his doubt.
Taking the moment as a green light, I leaned forward slowly. I kept our eyes locked together. If he even hinted at not wanting this, I would stop.
Either he gave enthusiastic consent or nothing. There was no gray here.
He gave no indication he didn’t want me to kiss him. In fact, he closed his eyes the closer I got. His body also sank deeper into my touch, like he trusted me to take care of him.
It gave me a sick amount of pleasure to have his submission.
I wasn’t really a kinky guy. I’d tried the scene in the past and played with enough people to know it wasn’t really for me. If my partners wanted to play a bit, I had enough training to make it through a night. It was just never something I wanted long term.
But the way Arick melted for me had me rethinking every interaction I’d had. What if the reason it never worked before was due to the person and not the act itself?
I pushed those thoughts away as I sunk into the moment with him. Each pass of his lips over mine had me eager for more of him. I already knew I’d never get enough, no matter how much he gave me.
He was my new obsession.
This is what it meant to fall into something so completely, you couldn’t see your way out. It was how it felt when things went so far beyond your wildest dreams.
There’s a reason it was a cliché phrase. It held some truth beneath its overuse.
Needing a breath, I pulled back to see how he felt about this kiss. His eyes remained closed tight, his lips tilted in a smile.
Fucking gorgeous.
“Arick,” I said, voice like gravel.
His eyes popped open. “Yeah.”
“You good?”
“Yeah.”
“Know how to say anything more than ‘yeah’ now?” I teased.
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Too mixed up.”
“I understand that. This wasn’t at all how I thought this morning would go, but I’m happy it did. I’d like to have more of these talks with you when we’re home.”
I winked to let him know I was partially teasing about the talking part. We would have plenty of time together to talk and kiss and do whatever other things he felt comfortable with. I wasn’t going to rush something that had the potential to be great because my hormones were awake for the first time in years.
No performative attraction here.
I was on fire for this man.
“Let’s get the rest of the stuff packed up. I’m ready to get you both home.” I pressed one last kiss to his lips, then stood and held out my hand.
He didn’t immediately move to take it. His eyes searched mine like he wasn’t sure if this was how things would be from now on. I didn’t want him to doubt me, which is why I wasn’t hiding anything from anyone.
Arick had been my friend all those years ago.
Now, I wanted him to be more.
Upstairs, we double checked that we had everything, then he followed me to the bunkhouse to get the last of my items. We loaded the bags into the car before taking off to find Sol. The snow had melted enough to let us roam around without feeling like we were fighting for our lives.
The air was still crisp though, and there was a silence that hinted at the storm we knew was coming. While I hadn’t truly planned to leave so soon, I couldn’t fathom being here for possibly three more weeks.
I needed to get Arick and Sol to my place. Needed them in my home, learning all about my way of life so they could tell me what to change to give them space there. I didn’t want to change them or myself. Just my routine and such because I didn’t want to live without them in my life anymore.
Even if we were only ever friends again — which was not the goal by the way — then I’d still help Arick out this way. I’d still want him around and to be part of his life.
When it was to the point that we couldn’t put off leaving any longer, I set us off in search of Sol. I knew he’d likely be wherever Dakota was. The two of them had become fast friends during his stay. They loved working chores together, eating right beside each other, and giving all the men a run for their money.
If Sol had been able to stick around, I had no doubt he’d be just as spoiled as Beau and Jackson’s son was.
“Time to go, kiddo.” I ruffled Sol’s hair as I stepped up beside him.
Sure enough, I’d found him with Dakota, who also happened to be with Bobby Allen. He was working with a fowl that they’d all hoped would become part of the next generation of horses on the ranch.
The Colemans were a family run operation. Though it wasn’t family in the sense of biological factors. They’d accepted all kinds of people, and apparently animals too.
“I’m not ready to leave yet,” Sol admitted shyly. His eyes filled with tears as his gaze darted to Dakota. The other boy had his face buried in Bobby Allen’s shoulder, likely from his own overwhelming emotions at losing his friend.
Arick stepped forward, then dropped to his knees to give Sol his full attention. “Remember what I said about the people we care for, son?”
“They always come back to us, or we find our way to them.”
I smiled at the familiar message. It was my mother’s saying. She’d said it to me and Arick as kids when we wondered what would happen if his father got arrested and sent away. It wasn’t stuff we should have been thinking about, but we were both far too bright to ignore the obvious abuse. There was just nothing we could do about it.
“Yes, that’s right. Which means Dakota and the ranch will always be a part of your life. Maybe the next bit of time when there’s a break in school, we can come visit? I think it would be pretty to see this place during the summer months, don’t you?”
Sol lit up, his head bouncing so fast I worried about him getting whiplash. “Can I go tell Dakota? He’s sad too.”
The other boy was close enough to have heard anyway. Still, Arick nodded, then we watched as the pair collided, their voices rising as they discussed future plans to get together.
It was an adorable sight.
I reached out for Arick’s hand under the guise of helping him up off the ground. He could have gotten up on his own, but why do so when I’m right here?
He grinned at me knowingly, slipping his hand into mine. When he stood, I leaned forward until our bodies were touching. Anyone watching us would know there was more going on than friendship. But since it was just us and the boys, I didn’t care.
Honestly, my entire team could have been there, and I’d have still pulled him close. I was seconds away from kissing him too, only a squeal broke through my needy haze.
“Dad! Dakota said we could maybe do sleepovers in the summer. Can we?”
Arick nodded, waving the other boy over. “Let’s tell everyone bye for now, then we can hunt down your parents to make sure they approve of this too. I think it’s a great idea.”
We both hugged Bobby Allen, then set off to see all the other men. Some were more emotional about the sendoff than others, though all were eager in their encouragement we come back soon. It was no wonder I found this place so special.
“You’re welcome anytime. We can go camping or have the kids stay inside to have a sleepover. All the details can be worked out later,” Jackson said as he hugged me and Arick.
Beau picked up Sol and swung him in a circle. “Gonna miss my little helper here. But I’m glad you got your dad back.”
“Me too. He’s the best ever. No offense.”
We all laughed at his good manners. Of course, neither Beau nor Jackson were offended. They knew Dakota would argue on their behalf anyway had it been said in a mean way.
Atticus walked us out to the truck, then held me back while Arick got Sol strapped in. “Orion,” he started. “I know you’ve got a home in the city and everything to keep up with. Please feel free to come back with them if you want. Or on your own even. I’m honored you thought to bring Sol here when things got rough.”
“I’m not sure why, but this place feels like a second home. It’s where I’d want to be if my life didn’t keep me closer to the office.”
The words were completely honest. I wasn’t trying to blow smoke up his ass or anything. The Coleman Ranch had been on my mind, in some form or fashion, since the first time I visited. I’d never been a country kind of guy. Mudding and work chores weren’t my thing. Yet I found myself captivated by the land, the animals, and the work.
Years later, I still felt that pull.
“Don’t be a stranger,” he told me before giving me one last hug. He walked back up onto the porch where the rest of the men had gathered. It was a tear-jerking kind of sendoff.
I would always remember it.
“Ready to hit the road?” I asked Arick and Sol after I strapped myself in and started up the car.
They give me solemn sounds of agreement. I don’t want to leave either guys .
But we all knew three weeks of being snowed in was not ideal. If it gets too bad in the city, we could hunker down in my place and still have access to necessities if an emergency arises. At the ranch, we’d be limited by the supplies they have on hand. I couldn’t possibly put them out more by adding three mouths to each meal for that length of time.
“We’ll grab some food once we’re closer to the city, ok? For now, you two sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Please remember tips are welcome, and we’d love a review at the end of your journey.”
I tipped an invisible hat like I was some chauffeur. Sol laughed, while Arick shook his head at me. The two were really carbon copies of each other. As I glanced at them one more time before leaving the ranch, I had the overwhelming urge to keep them.
They were mine.
My family.
My future.
I just had to figure out what the hell that really meant and make sure they were ok with it.