Chapter Five
Derek
I figured four breakfast sandwiches and a pile of hash browns between the two of us would suffice.
I added coffees and OJ as well, not wanting to assume what he had in his fridge.
As I drove to his house, with the help of GPS, I reflected on how little I knew about him.
His friends obviously adored him.
Admired him.
That kind of esteem wasn’t easy to earn.
His humbleness surprised me, though.
He could’ve been boastful Friday night.
Instead, he’d kept quiet about who he was and what he’d accomplished.
The house was an unassuming rancher at the end of a cul-de-sac.
I parked on the street and looked around the neighborhood.
Nice houses.
Nice lawns.
Even beneath the snow, I could see everything was well-tended.
Very…suburban.
Closer to what I’d grown up in than what I’d been used to in recent years.
I grabbed the bag of food and balanced the drink tray while I locked the door to my SUV.
Something told me I could probably leave it unlocked. This neighborhood had that kind of vibe. City paranoia was ingrained, though, so I locked it and set the alarm.
The driveway led to a path which, in turn, led to the front door.
A note was taped.
Come on in. Make yourself at home.
Ah, so my instincts about this being a safe area were confirmed. Not sure I’d have ever left my front door open—even if I had someone coming over. I balanced the food on the drinks and opened the door. I toed off my boots in the entryway and wandered into the house. The warmth assailed me, as did the gentle woodsy smell from the fireplace. Cute. He’d started a fire. Was that a practical gesture or a romantic one? I wasn’t sure.
I walked toward the back of the house, easily locating the kitchen. I put the food and drinks on the counter and made my way over to the sliding glass door. Was I snooping? Yep. Did I want to know more about this man and his home? Absolutely. I shucked off my coat and hung it on the back of a kitchen chair before looking outside.
The view brought me up short.
Stunning.
I saw the back deck, and from there an unobstructed view of what I assumed was all the Nicola Valley. The mountains on the far side down to the entire town of Merritt. A view similar to this would cost a fortune in Vancouver, and I idly wondered what he’d paid for it.
Something butted my knee, and I looked down in surprise to see the cutest black dog looking up at me with soulful chocolate-brown eyes. The dog came nearly to my waist.
“Well, hello Benjamin.”
He cocked his head, clearly surprised.
“Oh, I’ve heard about you. You’re quite famous.”
The dog nuzzled my hand and I petted his soft curly fur. I pulled back, but he butted my hip. I had to shift so as to not get knocked over. Man, this dog was strong.
“He’ll insist you pet him until your arm gets tired.”
Ace whistled and, after an endless moment, Benjamin backed away from me.
“He’s adorable.”
“And he knows it.”
I turned to face Ace just as he came up to me.
“I didn’t kiss you properly earlier.”
He took my cheeks in his hands and leaned in for a kiss. This one was not light and sweet. He thrust his tongue into my mouth, and I moaned at the contact. He yanked me closer until our bodies pressed together. He wore sweatpants and a hoodie, so when he came flush with me, his erection rubbed against my denim-clad hip. He ran his hands through my hair, using the leverage to pull us even closer.
His fresh-soap smell invaded my senses, kicking my libido into high gear. God, I wanted him with a ferocity and passion I wasn’t accustomed to. Guys before? I could take’em or leave’em. But this man? I wanted to possess. To be possessed.
He pulled back and met my gaze. His eyes were unfocused, his cheeks pink, a sheen of sweat across his brow, and his lips were kiss-swollen. Debauched.
His nose twitched. “As much as I want to eat you right now, I need food.”
I grinned. “Well, I brought food. Two bacon sandwiches, two sausage, and a pile of hash browns.”
I hesitated. “I hope you’re not a vegetarian.”
There’d been several items on his menu.
“Nah, meat eater all the way. Do I feel guilty? You bet. Does it stop me? Oh hell, no.”
He pulled back from me and stepped to the counter. Benjamin also stuck his nose in the air. “No.”
Ace’s growl was clear, and although the dog hesitated, he did eventually back off and head to a bed in the corner of the room.
Ace pulled out all the food and spread it on the counter. He motioned for me to pick. I snagged the bacon, but before I could do anything, he snatched it from me. He headed over to the microwave where he tossed it in. “Lukewarm is no good. Got to be piping hot.”
When the machine dinged, he removed the sandwich and handed it to me.
Sheesh, he wasn’t kidding. The wrapper was so hot I could barely hold it.
He dumped the hash browns on a plate and put them in next. He glanced at me and then indicated the kitchen table.
Obediently, I sat. While my food cooled, I watched him with eager admiration. He moved with the same fluid grace I’d seen at the bar. For such a big guy, he was light on his feet.
He put the juice on the table and then heated the coffees. “Don’t wait for me.”
Another devastating grin. My stomach did a little flip. “I’m waiting for it to cool.”
An arched eyebrow. “Ah, I’ll note that for next time. I take my coffee extra hot.”
And I preferred slightly cooled.
He placed the plate of hash browns on the table, added our coffees, then put his sandwiches in front of him as he sat.
He glanced at me, and I indicated he should eat.
Eat? More like inhale. He wasn’t rude, but he downed those three sandwiches and half the hash browns before I finished my sandwich. I grinned in amusement.
After wiping his mouth, he took a long gulp of coffee. Finally, he sighed and leaned back, patting his flat stomach. “That was amazing. Thank you.”
I waved my hand. “I didn’t do anything.”
I spun my coffee cup ninety degrees. “I mean, you missed going out with your friends.”
Another ninety-degree spin.
Ace grasped my hand, stilling me. His fingers wrapped over mine, and he squeezed. “I love my friends, but I see them every weekend during the hockey season. We also play softball in the summer. And a few of us play two-on-two basketball, and several of them play golf.”
He shuddered.
I smiled. “Not a golf fan?”
“Uh, hitting a little ball with a piece of metal and trying to get it into a little hole? No, not my idea of fun.”
His charming grin was wide. I melted every time he bestowed that smile upon me.
“What would you like to do?”
I wondered if he meant sex, but I wasn’t ready for that yet. I pointed to the deck. “I want you to show me your view first.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Oh, yeah, that I can do.”
He rose and snagged the plates. He put them in the sink and then tossed out the wrappers. “You might want to get your boots.”
After eyeing the snow on the deck, I agreed with that sentiment. I walked back to the front door and snagged them. When I got back to the sliding glass door, I put them on. “Do I need my coat?”
He waved me off. “Nah, I don’t plan to keep you out for long. And then we can head into the living room. I’ve got a fire going.”
“Trying to woo me?”
“Any chance?”
“I might be persuaded.”
I hadn’t come for sex—or for anything else for that matter—but a little nookie? Yeah, I was up for that.
He unlatched the lock and slid the door back. A blast of cold air hit me, and I stepped out quickly. He joined me, sidestepping the enthusiastic dog barrelling out, and then slid the door closed.
“Keeping in the heat.”
Benjamin promptly ran down the stairs into the yard where the snow was several feet deep.
He sank nearly to his shoulders, and when he looked back, I could’ve sworn he had a grin on this face. I moved to the edge of the balcony and felt the same sense of wonder. The view was stunning. Strong arms banded around me as a warm chest pressed against my cooling back.
“You’re even more amazing than the view.”
He whispered the words in my ear, his breath tickling my neck.
“Bullshit.”
The response erupted from me.
His grip tightened. “Nope. Ace doesn’t bullshit. He’s a straight shooter. And he’s telling you that you’re not only sexy as fuck, but one of the good guys. You did the right thing, and if that led you to me, then I’m the lucky one.”
Warmth suffused me despite the chill in the air. I’d never believed in fate. One made their own destiny by making carefully considered choices. The move to Merritt, visiting Ace’s Place, going to the game this morning—these were all things I’d never have done six months ago. Decisions I’d never have made.
Yet they all felt perfectly correct now.
Ace bit my earlobe and a shiver ran through me. Funny, I only saw him as Ace now. Harold was just the name his mother used. When he tugged me back toward the door, I took one last look around. As I did, the clouds parted, and a beam of sunlight cut across the valley. Stunning.
Once I was back in the house, I removed my boots and placed them on a rubber mat. Ace did the same, and he petted Benjamin when the dog bounded in, covered in snow. Must have been playing in the stuff.
Would I ever get used to the sheer volume of it? Possibly. Probably. Didn’t have much of a choice. “I, uh, need to borrow your bathroom.”
He gave me a quick grin and pointed down the hall. “Second door on your right.”
I found myself in a modern four-piece bathroom. White with slate gray accents. The entire house felt both modern and traditional. Although I needed to piss, I also needed a moment to center myself. I was about to have a conversation that was going to be pithy and light or that might determine my future. A lot of pressure to put on one little discussion. I washed my hands and did a quick check in the mirror.
You can do this.
I walked down the hall and into the family room.
Benjamin lay on a rug in front of the wood-burning fireplace. A massive sectional couch dominated the room with recliners on either side of it, and all seats faced a big-screen television. A comfortable place to hang out with the guys and watch a game.
Or a good place to Netflix and chill?
I gulped.
Ace sat on the sectional and patted the space next to him. The space was even warmer now than before. I yanked my sweatshirt over my head and felt the instant relief as my bare arms hit the air. I tossed the hoodie onto one of the recliners and took up the seat Ace suggested. We faced the fireplace and the smell again enveloped me. Not familiar, and yet not strange. Something I suspected I could get used to.
“Wood burning isn’t good for the environment, so I usually use my gas fireplace. I only trot out wood for special occasions.”
Okay, well, pretty blunt.
“I appreciate it. I like the rustic feel.”
I swept my hand to encompass the place. “You have a lovely home.”
No mistaking the pride shining in his dark-brown eyes, or the grin. “When I bought the property, it had an old starter home that’d seen better days. But that view? Deserved a home to match. We tore everything down and built this one with all the modern amenities. Oh.”
He smiled lasciviously. “You should see the soaker tub in the master bathroom. And the view.”
“You’ll just have to show me.”
“I can give you the tour right now.”
He started to rise, but I placed a hand on his thigh.
“Maybe in a bit.”
Because if we didn’t get through the chit-chat and on to the main conversation soon, I might’ve lost my nerve.
A look crossed his face. “Yeah, okay.”
He resettled. “You want to know why I didn’t tell you the truth.”
I shook my head. “Nah, your friends explained that pretty clearly. Did I feel stupid when Twyla and Tamara were laughing? Yeah, a little bit. But I knew they weren’t laughing at me or being unkind. Just laughing at your antics.”
Relief washed across his face and he rubbed his hand up and down it. “Yeah, I meant to tell you. I was planning to as I was getting dressed, but then you tossed me out—"
“Yeah, about that—"
“—and on the way home it dawned on me you didn’t know who Benjamin was and, of course, it sounded like I was cheating. Which I’d never do. And I almost drove back except I didn’t have the key card and Benjamin was waiting and…”
He scratched his stubble. “I just hoped you’d show up again. If not, I planned on tracking you down.”
That caught my attention.
“You did?”
He snagged my left hand, enveloping it in his two massive ones. “Yeah, for sure. I mean, maybe you don’t feel the way I do…but Friday night was special. For me. And I hope for you too, but that’s incredibly presumptuous of me.”
“And yet if the feeling is reciprocated, then it’s just you being brave and speaking out first.”
“Huh.”
A frown marred his brow.
I pressed my thumb between his eyebrows. “Don’t overthink it. We had a good time. We connected. Maybe we’re both looking for more, or maybe this’ll just be great sex that fizzles out.”
“No fizzle. There will be no fizzling. Only sizzle. Plenty of sizzling.”
His vehemence brought a smile to my face. He was quite adamant about this. His optimism was infectious, and I found myself running through scenarios in my mind. “So, we’re going to keep seeing each other.”
“Oh, hell yes, we are.”
He squeezed my hand almost to the point of pain. “I’m not letting you go without a fight.”
He barely had me and he already felt this strongly? Something warmed me from within.
He released my hand then cupped my cheeks. “You’re worth fighting for.”
The intensity in his eyes stole my breath and the back of my eyes prickled. How often over the past six months had I questioned my worth? How many times had I wondered if I made the right decision, turning in colleagues who trusted me? How frequently had I fought the urge to give up the fight?
“I am worth it.”
And I meant it. To this man, I had true value. And I suspected some new friends as well.
“Can I kiss you now?”
He felt he needed to ask? Something in that considerate gesture reassured. Comforted. “I’d love it.”
I moved forward as he did, and just before our lips pressed together, he grinned. His soft lips pressed to mine, and I nipped his bottom lip. He opened his mouth, and I thrust my tongue in, demanding admittance. I wasn’t sure if this was a reverential sealing of a promise, or the beginning of something physical. Something demanding.
It didn’t matter. We had all the time in the world. And as he ran his hands through my hair, my desire kicked into high gear and my cock strained against my jeans. I wanted this. Whatever this was. Whatever he was offering, I’d happily take it.
Right until a furry head poked between the two of us and we broke apart.
Benjamin placed his massive head on Ace’s thigh and gazed up between the two of us.
Ace sighed.
“He doesn’t like competition for your attention?”
A shrug. “Actually, I’ve never brought anyone home.”
“In two years?”
I couldn’t keep the teasing from my voice.
His eyes sharpened. “I didn’t say I was celibate…”
He snickered. “But pretty much. He’s been my sole focus, and apparently he’s a little spoiled.”
He glared at the dog who simply grinned, tongue lolling. “We could, uh, take this into the bedroom.”
I petted Benjamin on the head. “Nah. We’ve got all the time in the world. Why not let him get comfortable with me first?”
Again, relief washed over Ace. Relief that I understood? I might not have much experience with dogs, but I knew how I’d feel if my person started paying rapt attention to someone else. If that meant we split our attention for now, I was good with that.
Ace angled himself against the corner of the couch and reclined, tugging me with him. Benjamin, apparently sensing the change in mood, headed back for his blanket. I let Ace pull me to him. I laid my head on his muscular chest and accepted the comfort he offered as he wrapped his arm around me shoulder.
How long we lay like that, I wasn’t sure. I was accustomed to doing the deed and heading out, but I wasn’t in any hurry. And even if we did nothing today, I was okay with that too. Just being here — just being held by him — that was all I could ask for. I didn’t know what the future for us held, but I could feel the promise. Sense the possibility.
Too little time had passed for me to know my true feelings, but the rightness pervaded my bones and sank into my soul.
I never wanted to leave.