Chapter 22
Ryder
Did I need to buy a lava lamp from the sixties that would probably burn my cabin down? No. But was the money from my first paycheck at the Nelson Ranch burning a hole in my pocket? Yes. Also, it was pretty.
I had just enough time after the sale to run it home, freshen up, and head back to the church for the dinner afterward.
I couldn’t miss it, not when Connor was there waiting for me.
It would be our first time in public together without my father lording over us or forced separation due to his parole status.
Tonight, we were just two people at a community function. Maybe we wouldn’t be holding hands or kissing in front of everyone, but it was a good first step. And one I’d been looking forward to for too long.
I pushed through the church doors, feeling that little buzz of excitement in my chest. The community hall was already filled with the sounds of conversation and laughter, the smell of home-cooked food hanging in the air.
Several tables had been pushed together in long rows, covered with mismatched tablecloths and centerpieces made from wildflowers in mason jars.
My eyes scanned the room immediately, searching for Connor.
I spotted him in the corner, looking uncomfortable as Mrs. Henderson talked his ear off about something.
He was nodding politely, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes kept darting around the room.
Then he saw me, and something in his expression softened.
I made my way through the crowd, stopping to say hello to a few people I knew. Cole and Jesse weren’t there since they’d gone back to the ranch to finish up some work. But Evelyn waved at me from where she was setting out desserts.
“Ryder!” Mrs. Henderson exclaimed when I approached. “I was just telling your friend here about my arthritis. The poor dear’s been so patient listening to an old woman ramble.”
“I’m sure he’s been a perfect gentleman,” I said, flashing Connor a quick grin. “Mind if I steal him for dinner, Mrs. Henderson? I promised I’d introduce him to some of the Nelson Ranch folks.”
She patted Connor’s arm. “Of course, dear. Such a nice young man. Hard to believe what they say about these parolees.”
I watched Connor’s jaw tighten slightly, but his smile never faltered. As soon as we were out of earshot, he let out a long breath.
“Thank you for the rescue,” he muttered. “I was about ten seconds away from hearing about her bunion surgery.”
“My pleasure,” I laughed, leading him toward the buffet line. “I see you made it.”
“Larry drove us in,” Connor explained, grabbing a plate. “Your father stayed home, thankfully. Said something about church dinners being for ‘simple folk.’ But he didn’t seem to upset about not having to feed us tonight.”
“That sounds like him,” I snorted. “Well, his loss is our gain.”
We filled our plates with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and rolls that I was pretty sure Evelyn had baked. The food smelled amazing, and I realized I was starving after a long day at the sale.
“Where should we sit?” Connor asked, his voice careful and neutral. To anyone watching, we were just two acquaintances making casual conversation.
I nodded toward a table near the back. “There’s space over there. Not too crowded.”
We made our way to the table and sat across from each other. A few other people were already seated. There was a couple of elderly men playing checkers while they ate, and a woman with two small children who were more interested in pushing food around their plates than eating it.
“So,” I said, keeping my voice casual, “what did you think of the rummage sale?”
“There was… uh…” he paused for a moment before lowering his voice. “A lot of junk, honestly.”
I grinned at his hushed confession. “I won’t tell anyone you said that, but yeah, most of it was crap. Though I did score an awesome lava lamp.”
“A lava lamp?” Connor raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Really?”
“Don’t judge. It’s retro. Nostalgia is in right now.” I took a bite of chicken, savoring the crispy skin. “Besides, I need something to make my new place feel like home.”
Under the table, I let my knee brush against his. It was a small touch, innocent enough that anyone watching wouldn’t think twice, but the contact sent a jolt of electricity up my spine. Connor’s eyes darkened slightly, and he shifted in his seat.
“Speaking of your new place,” he said, his voice dropping even lower, “how’s it coming along?”
“It’s small but decent. Jesse and Cole fixed up one of the old ranch hand cabins near the main house for me.” I stabbed at my mashed potatoes, trying to act casual while my foot found his under the table. “Nothing fancy, but it’s mine. And private. But temporary until… well, you know…”
Connor’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, and I watched the movement with undisguised interest. “That sounds really nice.”
I slid my foot up his calf, watching his expression carefully. His poker face was impressive, but I caught the slight flare of his nostrils, the way his fingers tightened around his fork.
“It is nice,” I murmured, taking a sip of my sweet tea. “Got a big queen bed all to myself. Sure gets lonely sometimes…”
“Ryder,” he warned quietly, but there was heat behind his eyes that made my stomach flip.
“What?” I asked innocently, sliding my foot higher up his leg. “I’m just making conversation.”
Connor’s jaw tightened, and he leaned forward slightly. “You’re playing with fire, pup,” he whispered, his voice so low I almost missed it over the din of the room.
The pet name sent a shiver down my spine, and I bit my lip to suppress a grin. “Maybe I like getting burned.”
I watched him take a controlled breath, his eyes never leaving mine as he deliberately cut into his chicken.
The tension between us was palpable, crackling like static electricity.
To anyone else, we probably looked like two guys having a normal dinner conversation.
But underneath the table, my foot was now resting against his inner thigh, and the muscle there was taut with restraint.
“How’s the food?” Pastor John’s cheerful voice broke through our bubble as he appeared beside our table.
I jerked my foot back, nearly knocking over my drink in the process. “Great!” I said, my voice coming out a bit too high. “Really delicious.”
Connor cleared his throat. “Yes, thank you for having us.”
Pastor John’s eyes twinkled with amusement as he glanced between us. “I’m glad you both could make it. Community is important, don’t you think? Having friends, people who care about you.”
“It’s been nice,” I admitted, stealing a glance at Connor. “A nice change of pace.”
“Well, I’ll leave you boys to enjoy your meal,” Pastor John said, patting my shoulder. “But remember what I said earlier, Connor. You’re welcome here anytime.”
As he walked away, I felt a rush of gratitude toward the pastor. In a town where gossip traveled faster than wildfire, it meant something to have someone in our corner.
“He’s a good man,” Connor said quietly, watching Pastor John greet other parishioners.
“One of the few,” I agreed.
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, though I couldn’t resist occasionally brushing my foot against his under the table. Each time I did, I watched his jaw tighten, his eyes darkening with desire he was fighting to control.
“So,” I said, leaning forward slightly, “when’s your next day off?”
Connor took a sip of his tea before answering. “Sunday after next. Your father’s been staggering our schedules to make sure we’re not all free at the same time.”
“Two weeks?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “That’s forever.”
“It is what it is,” he replied with a shrug that didn’t quite mask his own frustration. “We just have to be patient.”
I stabbed at my green beans, suddenly less hungry. “I hate this. Having to sneak around, pretending we barely know each other.”
“It won’t be forever,” Connor reminded me, his voice low. “Just a few more months.”
Under the table, I let my foot travel higher up his thigh, feeling bold despite the public setting. His eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t pull away.
“Ryder,” he warned, his voice dropping to that deep register that made my skin tingle.
“What?” I asked with a small smirk. “I know you like it.”
His eyes flashed with something primal, and I knew I’d hit the mark. I pressed my foot against the growing bulge in his jeans, enjoying the slight hitch in his breath.
“Ryder,” he repeated, glancing around to make sure no one was watching us. “Not here.”
“No one can see,” I whispered, applying gentle pressure with my foot. “And I’ve missed you.”
Connor closed his eyes briefly, his knuckles white around his fork. When he looked at me again, the intensity in his gaze nearly took my breath away.
“You’re going to pay for this later,” he promised, his voice a low growl that sent heat pooling in my groin.
“I hope so,” I replied, smiling through it all. “I want to be your good boy, but when I have to wait so long…” I ground my foot against his stiff cock through his jeans. “I just can’t help myself.”
Connor’s eyes narrowed and his leg tensed under my touch, but he didn’t move away.
“You know what happens to boys who can’t behave themselves, don’t you?” he asked, his voice so low I had to lean forward to hear him.
A delicious shiver ran down my spine. “They get punished?”
“Exactly.” He took a slow, deliberate bite of his chicken, maintaining eye contact in a way that made heat pool in my stomach. “And I have some very creative ideas for punishment.”
I pressed a little harder with my foot, feeling him grow even harder beneath my touch. God, I wanted him. Right here, right now, community dinner be damned.
“Is everything alright over here?”
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of Evelyn’s voice. My foot jerked away from Connor’s lap as I turned to see her standing beside our table, a knowing look in her eyes.
“Fine!” I squeaked, my voice embarrassingly high. “Just fine. Great food, right Connor?”
Connor cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. “Delicious, thank you.”
Evelyn’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Well, I’m glad you boys are enjoying yourselves. I just came to let you know we’re serving dessert now if you’re interested.”
“Dessert sounds great,” I said quickly, desperate to change the subject.
“I’ll bring you both a slice of my apple pie,” she offered, then leaned down closer to me. “And maybe cool it with the footsie under the table. Mrs. Henderson may be half-blind, but she’s not stupid.”
My face burned as Evelyn walked away, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
“She knows,” I whispered, mortified.
“Everyone knows,” Connor replied dryly. “You’re not exactly subtle, pup.”
I buried my face in my hands. “Oh god.”
“Relax,” he said, his voice gentler now. “I don’t think anyone here is going to turn us in to Pete. He’s not very popular right now.”
I peeked through my fingers at him. “You’re not mad?”
“Mad? No.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping again. “Turned on beyond belief? Absolutely. And planning exactly how I’m going to make you pay for this little stunt next time we’re alone? You bet your ass.”
My mouth went dry at the promise in his words. I was about to respond when Evelyn returned with two generous slices of apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream.
“Here you go, boys,” she said, setting the plates down. “Enjoy.”
I mumbled a thank you, unable to meet her eyes. Connor thanked her more coherently, and she patted his shoulder before heading back to the dessert table.
“Eat your pie,” Connor instructed, his voice back to normal volume. “And when we’re done, you and I are going for a walk, pup.”
My cock twitched. There was a tone in his voice that told me that my punishment was coming sooner than I might’ve thought.