Starts With a Bang (Redemption Ridge #7)

Chapter Six

Dom

S ven’s fingers were still entwined with mine when we arrived at the chateau, though he’d fallen asleep an hour ago. I’d reclaimed my hand on multiple occasions to perform driving tasks, but I always seemed to find my way back to him. Every time I reached for Sven, he sighed or performed a slight shimmy in his seat, as if I were falling right into his trap. And did I care if I was? Not really. Sven was the sexiest, smartest, and kindest man I knew. And he wanted me.

I knew the moment he woke up, even though he hadn’t made a sound. Something stirred, an energy that was uniquely Sven and more addictive than alcohol or drugs. He was offering me everything I’d craved for two years, and though I agreed to the free-for-all he’d insisted on, I’d have to be a little nuts not to worry about the fallout.

Sven pulled his hand free, and I turned to look at him. He cupped my face and brushed his thumb over my scruffy chin. “Are you still in love with Emerson?”

“I’m not.”

He searched my gaze for a few moments, then nodded. “Then let’s get this awkward initial greeting over with so we can slink off to our suite for some naked exploration.” He kissed me one more time before he removed his seat belt and reached for the door handle.

“Don’t you want to ask me questions about my family?”

“I did plenty of research over the past two weeks and feel like I have a good read on everyone.”

I quirked a brow. “I’d love to hear your analysis.”

Sven laughed and shook his head. “Is this a delay tactic?”

“Only partially.”

“Okay. Here are my deductions.” Sven cleared his throat dramatically before continuing. “Your parents are madly in love with each other. They are best friends who do everything together. Molly and Dominic Sr. are smiling or laughing in every photo they post on social media.”

“They have a lot of fun together,” I admitted.

“John and Janet Carmichael are the polar opposite. Woof.” Sven grimaced apologetically until I nodded my agreement. “I think your Aunt Janet is devastatingly unhappy, and she is possibly a borderline alcoholic.”

My mouth fell open in shock. “How could you possibly know that?”

“Besides the constant presence of alcoholic beverages in her hand, you mean? Alcohol abuse wreaks havoc on a person’s face. She thinks her photos depict a perfect marriage, but your uncle comes across as an unwilling participant at best and a prisoner at worst. The man looks like he would chew his own ankle off at any minute to escape her. I wouldn’t be surprised if golf isn’t his only mistress.”

I stared unblinkingly at Sven until the stretched silence made him squirm.

“Did I go too far?”

I shook my head slowly. “No, I’m amazed. You formed those conclusions just from scrolling through their social media accounts?”

Sven nodded. “I focused on what their posts didn’t say instead of what they’d written.” His brain fascinated me as much as his banging body.

“Give me an example,” I nudged.

“Okay.” Sven pursed his lips and stared out the windshield as he pondered his response. He cleared his throat when he was ready and met my gaze again. “We’ll start with your parents because they’re the easiest. I have an unfair advantage here because Lucinda is friends with your mom, but I didn’t need any help from her to know that your parents are the real deal.”

“They are,” I agreed. “Tell me how you know that.”

“I already remarked on the laughing and smiling pictures, which was my first clue. Nothing is ever forced, and sometimes their photos aren’t very flattering. The selfies are typically off-center or out of focus because they were too busy looking at one another. Often, one of them is mostly cropped out of the photo. Sometimes your mom’s hair is a hot mess, and your dad’s clothes are often disheveled. And I think he has a bad habit of dribbling food onto his shirt. None of that stuff matters to them. They only care about how the moment makes them feel. And they share their beautiful joy with the people they love. Their posts are pure and reactive instead of phony and curated.”

“Wow,” I whispered.

Sven continued without acknowledging my admiration. “Their pictures grabbed my attention, but their written posts were just as revealing,” Sven said.

“Do tell.”

“I considered what they were smiling and laughing about in the photos with their windblown hair and stained clothes. They’d found weirdly shaped—often phallic-looking foods. They’d stumbled across something that reminded them of a private joke that always made them laugh. Sometimes it was a pretty rock on a hike, and once, a tumbleweed nearly took out your dad.”

“Those things are so much bigger than you imagine,” I said.

Sven smiled. “That’s what your dad commented on your mom’s post.”

I laughed. “This apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

“I could go on,” Sven said.

“Please do.”

“They go to community theater performances and try new restaurants. Sometimes the entertainment or meal is a miss, but the experience is always a hit because they’ve done it together. That comes through loud and clear in every post. Your mom often talks about what your father liked most about the meal instead of what she liked.”

“Though it’s pretty evident on his shirt, right?” I asked.

Sven laughed. “Not always, but sometimes. And your dad always comments on the sound of your mom’s laughter during a performance or the way she smiles or silently cries when especially moved. It’s like he prefers observing her reactions to the production rather than watching the performances himself.”

I tilted my head and recalled bits and pieces from my childhood. “We had our favorite weekly shows, and my father spent more time watching my mother’s reactions than the show. I’d forgotten that until you reminded me just now.”

“You’ve internalized it, not knowing it was special. I bet you do now that you’re an adult.”

I nodded. “Yeah, my parents are the ideal couple.”

“Your aunt and uncle couldn’t be more different,” Sven said. “A person wouldn’t even know John Carmichael is a husband or father by scrolling his social media accounts if not for your aunt’s incessant tags. His posts are about business and golf. Nothing about Janet or Christian.”

“Uncle John is the definition of an absentee father and a disinterested spouse,” I said.

“I think Janet’s forced cheerful posts are even sadder. I have a lot of clients like her, and I work hard to make them feel seen and appreciated when they’re in my chair.”

“Those are some impressive observations and insight.”

He gave a little bow and straightened in his seat. “But wait! There’s more.” Sven chuckled at his infomercial actor impersonation. “Your cousin and ex-husband work overtime to show the world that they’re ‘not that kind’ of gay.” Sven pointed at himself. “Flighty, flirty, and sexually free. They wouldn’t be caught dead at a drag brunch, and I pity them. Your ex-husband dresses like a youth pastor and is the wrong kind of tight ass.” Sven waggled his brows. “My ass is tight in all the right ways, but I’d bet money Christian and Emerson think gays like me are ruining things for gays like them. They probably watched as teens like me got bullied because my queerness had been on full display since birth. Their internalized homophobia may have even prompted them to take part in the harassment. Bet they’re all too happy to claim all the rights afforded to them without having joined the fight to make it happen.”

Sven’s cadence had increased as he spoke, and he gestured more than usual. He’d never come across as nervous before, so it was obviously a sensitive subject. I snagged his hand and brought it to my lips.

“You’re the best kind of gay,” I said. “Perfect in every way.”

Sven inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “I’m no Mary Poppins, but I’ll do in a pinch,” he teased.

I turned my head and studied our home for the next few weeks. The two-story chateau was a magnificent beast made of glistening glass and rustic timber, set against a majestic mountain backdrop. Every light in the rental house must’ve been on because it shone like a gaudy beacon in the dying daylight, as if to say, “Look at me!” By going inside, I was participating in the farce. Everything wasn’t okay with our family, and two weeks in Vail wouldn’t fix that. In fact, this holiday would likely make everything worse.

Sven’s hand covered mine and squeezed. “You’re thinking awfully hard.”

“This is a bad idea,” I said.

“Then we should leave.”

I turned my head to study Sven. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to rearrange his schedule and clear the time off for my benefit.

He chuckled and leaned forward to kiss me. “I’m not doing this solely for you.”

“Did I say that out loud?”

“Nope,” he said. “Your expression gave you away. I’m here for myself too. I’ve never wanted a man the way I want you, and I will prove that you and I are the real deal.”

“How can you possibly know that? We haven’t spent much time together in the past two years.”

“How long did it take for your parents to figure out they were made for one another?” Sven pressed.

“One date.” At Sven’s raised brow, I added, “They got married a week later.”

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case.”

“But we haven’t had sex yet,” I protested. “We barely rubbed each other off in the back of my minivan.”

Sven closed his eyes and hummed happily for a few moments. He reopened his eyes, and the dark blue irises shimmered with wicked mischief. “Intimacy isn’t just about penetration, and I’m excited to explore all the ways we can please each other.” Sven glanced at the chateau and said, “But we can experiment and play anywhere. We don’t have to stay here. Parents as wonderful as yours would understand.”

“I’m not doing this for my parents,” I said. “If this is Nana’s last holiday, I want it to be special.”

And with that, I made up my mind. I killed the engine with grim determination. The interior lights came on as our cue to exit the vehicle, but Sven stopped me before I could reach for my door handle. He crooked his finger to beckon me closer, and I leaned toward him as if pulled by an invisible string. I didn’t get very far because I’d forgotten to remove my seat belt.

Sven chuckled as he pushed the button to free me, and I pulled the belt across my chest. “Just one kiss,” he said an instant before our mouths met.

His lips parted, and I deepened the kiss. I hadn’t meant to linger long, but the first glide of slick tongues made me hungry for so much more. Angling my legs toward him, I cupped the back of his neck to hold him in place, leaning into the moment instead of thinking about my next step. Or the one after that. I didn’t think at all. I just felt. Sven slid his hands into my hair and massaged my scalp. A breathy whimper filled the vehicle, and it took me a few seconds to realize it had come from me. God, his hands were magic. I couldn’t stop myself from imagining his skilled fingers in other places.

Next thing I knew, I was cupping his ass and hauling him halfway over the console. Sven growled and nipped my bottom lip to rev me up more. And that’s when a car horn started going off. One short beep followed by a long wail. Someone was really laying into that thing, and it took me too long to realize I was the someone. Sven pulled my arm back from the steering wheel and collapsed back into his seat in a fit of giggles.

“Sounds like…” His voice trailed off as he lost his breath. “Like you’re expecting them to…” Sven lapsed back into another round of laughter. “Come out and greet us.”

I looked back toward the chateau in time to see a group of people step onto the porch. “Fuck me.”

My cursing only made Sven laugh harder. “That’s one way to break the tension.”

“It’s still here,” I said, though a silent laugh rumbled my body.

Sven wiped his face and reached for the door handle. “Let’s get this weird part over with so we can retreat to our room before dinner. You know, to unpack.” He waggled his brows suggestively.

I pushed out of the SUV and walked around to the back to get the luggage. A quick glance at the porch revealed only two people had remained. I recognized and adored those silhouettes. Mom and Dad lit up brighter than the house as we approached with our luggage. I was grateful the others went inside so we could share this moment in private.

“Mom, Dad, this is Sven,” I said.

My mom threw her arms around Sven and squeezed him tightly. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too,” Sven said, and I could tell he meant it.

Dad moved in on me, wrapping me up in one of his famous bear hugs. “It’s not too late for all of us to make a break for it. Your SUV is big enough, and I don’t care about my clothes and stuff inside.”

Mom let go of Sven and swatted Dad. “Dominic, stop that. You’ll give the boys the wrong impression.”

“That John is on his high horse about his latest corporate conquest or that Janet is on her second bottle of wine?” Dad asked. “Don’t even get me started on Christian and Emerson. Those uptight assholes who are just spoiling for a fight.” Dad turned to me. “Don’t you dare oblige them. Kill them with kindness.”

Sven nudged me with his elbow. “I told you I didn’t want to be an accomplice to murder.”

Dad cackled and opened his arms to Sven for a hug. “Sven, I am delighted to meet you. Dom talks about you all the time.”

Sven lit up like a Christmas tree. “Is that so?”

“No,” I said.

“Sure is,” my parents countered in unison.

Sven hummed appreciatively as he sized up my dad. “I can see where Dom gets his good looks and strength.”

Dad cackled. “Luckily, he gets his smarts from his mother.”

“And his sense of humor.” Mom looped her arm through Sven’s and led him toward the front door.

“Hey!” Dad called out. “What about the luggage?”

“You big, strong men can handle a couple of suitcases. I want to talk to Sven.”

I suspected our detour to the bedroom would have to wait. Damn it . I grabbed the handles for the largest bags and said, “Might as well do what she says. We won’t win an argument, and she’s taken my boyfriend hostage.” I halted for a second, shocked by how easily the word rolled off my tongue.

“Janet!” Mom yelled loud enough to raise the dead.

The entry was open to the second story, with an enormous antler chandelier overhead. That bastard had to weigh four hundred pounds. I hoped like hell it was bolted properly because Mom’s shouting might cause it to break loose. Beyond the monstrosity was a double staircase winding up toward the second floor. A moderate sitting room was to the left of the entrance, and a study or small library was to the right. Mom and Sven walked under the staircase and moved farther into the house. She seemed eager to lead Sven straight into the lion’s den, so I picked up my pace.

“Let’s leave the suitcases by the stairs, Dad. Sven and I can take them up once we know which room is ours.”

“Actually, you and Sven are staying in the primary suite on this floor.” He cackled. “That went over like a lead balloon with Janet.”

“How’d that even happen?” I asked.

“Molly Beth insisted we draw names for it, just like she insisted on paying for half this trip. There was no way in hell she was going to let Janet lord this over us.”

I winced at the cost. “I can pay for my portion.” It would cut into my savings, but I didn’t want my parents to siphon money from their retirement accounts.

“Nonsense. This trip is a gift from your mother and me,” Dad said. He gestured down a hallway just on the other side of the stairs. “Your room is down here at the end of the hallway. Nana is in a smaller suite down there.” He gestured in the opposite direction. “The rest of us are on the second floor. Pray for us.”

While I was happy for some distance between myself, the Carmichaels, and Emerson, I hated that my father was unhappy. But before I could comment, my mom’s voice echoed through the house again.

“Janet! Come meet Dom’s gorgeous boyfriend!”

I let go of the luggage and stepped up my pace. Dad joined me, sounding a little out of breath.

“I don’t want to miss the fireworks,” he said, then muscled past me. “Your mother has practically vibrated with anticipation. She couldn’t wait to show Sven off. Molly Beth has been watching his TikTok videos religiously since you told us Sven was coming with you.” Dad looked over and winked. “Why’d you try to keep your relationship a secret for so long?”

“I, uh…”

“Afraid to jinx it, right?”

“Sure,” I agreed.

“Once you go public, you open yourself up to opinions,” Dad said. “Which are stinky like assholes.”

“Uh-huh.”

The back of the chateau opened into an enormous open space that combined a gourmet kitchen and a grand family room with a two-story stone fireplace and a chandelier the size of a compact car. The room was gleaming pale wood from floor to ceiling, broken only by shaggy white area rugs and furniture. A massive U-shaped sofa was centered in front of the fireplace, with a grouping of club chairs off to the side. The furniture wasn’t the same color but various shades of gray and white and finished with different fabrics. I wouldn’t have thought to pair leather with corduroy and velvet, but it worked somehow. The throw pillows ranged from over-the-top feathery numbers to somber tweeds and faux fur.

The largest artificial Christmas tree I’d ever seen stood in the corner. It had been flocked until every branch was covered in an inch or more of fake snow. There had to be thousands of lights on that sucker. Silver and gold ornaments hung from every branch, and I couldn’t decide if the tree was beautiful or gaudy.

“Check out the television,” Dad said.

I’d clocked the massive beast hanging over the fireplace, but I was more concerned about Mom’s troublemaking at the moment.

“You have a gorgeous fireplace and fancy television in your room too,” Dad added.

And I couldn’t wait to check them out, but I’d need to reclaim my boyfriend first. Damn, that was rolling freely in my brain now.

“Molly Beth!” Janet yelled back. “Hush before you wake Mother!”

I turned toward the kitchen and saw that the Carmichaels and Emerson had gathered around a massive kitchen island. Even more impressive was the amount of booze and food littering its surface. Someone had gone to the store or had groceries delivered. My stomach growled, but I didn’t want to rummage for snacks and draw attention to myself. I nearly snorted out loud. I could’ve taken everything off the island without their notice. Their attention was on Sven, who stood proudly at my mother’s side.

“This is Dom’s boyfriend, Sven.” Mom turned and smiled at him. “You’re even more gorgeous in person.”

“You’re too sweet.” Sven lifted his hand and waved. “Hello.”

“Hello,” chorused the Carmichaels.

Emerson was too busy raking narrowed eyes over Sven to remember his manners. His brown eyes sparkled with malicious intention when he finished his perusal. He sniffed and turned his head, and that’s when his gaze connected with mine. Eyes I used to adore widened in surprise, which was stupid since he had to know I was coming. His lips parted, and he shifted on his stool as if to get up but changed his mind at the last minute. Emerson turned and spoke softly to Christian, who jerked his head in my direction. Sadness was the first emotion I clocked in his familiar blue eyes, but his expression quickly turned to defensiveness.

My aunt and uncle stood beside one another, gazing from one grouping to another as if they weren’t sure where to look or what to say. If I wanted alone time with Sven, and I did, it would be up to me to end the awkward standoff. I paused next to Sven to kiss his temple before moving into the kitchen. I extended my hand to my uncle, who shook it firmly, and then I brushed a kiss against my aunt’s cheek. She was thinner than I’d ever seen her, and I was worried about her.

“It’s good to see you both,” I told them. “It’s been too long.”

And I realized I meant it. They hadn’t handled the situation between Christian and me very well, but he was their son. I would give them a pass this time, but I couldn’t say the same about Christian and Emerson. Ignoring their existence wouldn’t work and would only cause more trouble, so I faced them from the opposite side of the island and offered a cordial nod. It was the best I could do at the moment. I left the Carmichaels and Emerson in the kitchen and walked to my mother and Sven.

“Have we decided what we’re doing for dinner?” I asked Mom.

“There’s a brick oven out back, and we’re going to do wood-fired pizzas,” she said excitedly. “I bought every type of topping I could think of to cover all the bases.”

“Sounds perfect.” I leaned closer and whispered, “Everything is going to be fine. You don’t have to try so hard.”

She patted my cheek and sighed. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I held out my hand to Sven, and he slipped his fingers between mine. “We’re going to unpack and get settled. Let me know when you’re ready to make dinner. Wood-fired pizza is my favorite, but I’ve never seen it done.”

“It will be a first for all of us.” Mom winked. “Dad and I watched some YouToo videos, so we have a plan.” God, could they be any cuter? I didn’t bother correcting her. “You two go rest, and I’ll let you know when it’s time.”

I led Sven back to our luggage and took the hall in the direction my dad said. There was only one bedroom, and it was a doozy. It was three times the size of my apartment. The bed was big enough for a small army and covered with luxurious linens I couldn’t wait to mess up with Sven.

“Holy shit. No wonder Janet is pissed we won this room in the drawing.”

“Drawing?” Sven asked.

I repeated what my dad said as I inspected the fireplace and the massive television above the mantel. “Wonder if this is a smart TV. I could access my streaming accounts and show you what your entertainment has been missing.” I spun around and noticed Sven was nowhere in sight.

He poked his head out of a doorway and beckoned me closer. “You’ve got to see this bathroom.”

My jaw dropped when I entered the room. The mixture of marble, wood, and copper gave the space a luxurious Western charm.

“Look at that bathtub,” Sven said, then pointed in case I didn’t see the massive copper structure on the opposite end of the room. “Do you have any idea what I could do to you in there?”

“I can’t wait for you to show me.”

“And that shower!” Sven walked to it and practically put his face up against the glass wall like a kid outside a toy shop at Christmas. His breath even fogged up the glass a little. “Marble benches. I can’t wait to bounce on your thighs in there.”

“My ass just clenched at the thought of sitting on cold marble.”

Sven pointed to a control panel near the shower. “It’s heated. And there’s an option to warm the floors and turn on a ceiling heater for when you step out of the shower.”

“Just need a refrigerator and a microwave, and we’d be all set. Wouldn’t have to leave the room.”

Sven looked wistfully at the shower. “Would you mind if I freshened up before we…”

I smiled wickedly. “Of course not. I’ll check out the rest of the room and meet you on the bed.”

Sven stood on his tiptoes and kissed me. “I won’t be long.” He turned to the shower’s panel and started fiddling with the options. Water came out of the multiple showerheads and the jets along the far wall. “Oh, this is exciting.”

I chuckled and ducked back into the bedroom to give him privacy to explore the shower. I kicked off my shoes and admired what would surely be our sanctuary from my family’s chaos. For a second, I wondered what they were discussing in the kitchen, but Sven’s off-key singing dragged my attention to what mattered most. There was plenty of room in the dressers, and I found a walk-in closet that was bigger than my bedroom. I didn’t know how many outfits Sven brought, but he’d have plenty of room to store his things and make himself feel at home. Instead of unpacking, I stretched out on the bed. The comforter felt like it was made from clouds, and the pillow had the perfect amount of firmness. Yep, I was going to make the best of my time in purgatory.

I raised my arms over my head and smiled as my favorite fantasy of Sven played out in my head. The dreams of him riding my cock would become a reality as soon as he finished in the shower. My limbs and eyelids felt heavy, and I seemed to sink deeper into the cloud as the tension drained from my body. I’d just close my eyes and rest them for a few seconds while I waited for my boyfriend to join me.

Next thing I knew, someone snored loudly in the bed. My eyes flew open, and I realized I’d rolled over onto my left side and had fallen asleep. I was the one snoring. Sven sat propped up against the headboard beside me, reading something on his phone. He was bare-chested and wore only a pair of red-and-green plaid lounge pants.

Sven looked over at me and smiled. “Hi, sleepyhead.”

I sat up too fast and made myself dizzy. That’s when I noticed the crusty spot on the corner of my mouth. Great, I’d not only fallen asleep on him, but I’d snored and drooled. “I can’t believe you didn’t take the keys from my pocket and leave.”

“Why would I do that?”

I lay back down and covered my head with my pillow. “I wanted things to go better this time.” My words came out muffled by the pillow, but he heard me just fine.

Sven snatched the pillow off my face and shifted on the bed to straddle my hips. He leaned over me and braced his hands on either side of my head. He rocked his hips forward, and I didn’t bother to hold back the moan.

“That right there,” Sven said. “Your immediate reaction to me drives me wild.”

He rocked his hips again and sent desire zinging through my blood. If I didn’t take control of the situation, things would be over too fast again. In a series of fluid motions, I grabbed Sven’s hips, rolled him to his back, and tucked myself between his spread thighs. “It’s my turn to drive you wild.”