On the Ridge by Jayda Marx

Chapter Twelve

Ridge

 

When we returned to Zane's home, my mate rushed in and gave his father a hug before asking a hundred questions about how he felt. Grayson swore that he was doing well, but he didn't appear as lively as he did before Zane and I left for our date.

Grayson thanked both of us for the shirt Zane picked out for him, though he seemed doubtful about the colorful pattern. But I knew that, like me, he would do or wear anything to make Zane happy.

Zane helped his father to the restroom and then back to his bed, making sure he was comfortable before he and I went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

I'd always enjoyed cooking, but doing it with Zane was an incredible experience. He played music on his phone and danced all around the room, making me smile at his silly moves and drool at the sexy ones.

I kept my arms around his waist and guided his hands as we peeled and chopped the apples and potatoes. He surely didn't need my help, but his body was heaven in my arms, and I needed to make sure that he didn't cut himself. The need to protect him from everything ran deep.

Once dinner and dessert were in the oven, I took a shower to freshen up. I wanted to shower with my mate and scrub his beautiful body from head to toe, but I worried an invitation in front of his father would be disrespectful, so I went alone.

Afterward, Zane gave me a pair of his father's lounge shorts (since his were too snug on me) and I pulled on my new tie-dyed shirt. Zane showered as well and dressed in his matching top. Then he sweet talked his dad into changing, and took pictures with his phone of all three of us wearing our matching clothes. He was so damn precious.

Dinner was delicious. The apple chutney with the pork chops was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Zane and I both ate every bite on our plates, followed by a large slice of warm apple pie.

Grayson drank half of his smoothie, and when I saw him eyeing our pie wistfully, I put a slice in the blender until it was the consistency of applesauce, and he ate nearly half of it as well. Zane beamed at me before mouthing 'thank you', and I winked at him.

Once our bellies were full, we started watching a movie together, but Grayson only made it about half an hour into the story before he fell asleep. Zane and I went back into the kitchen to load the dishwasher and wipe down the counters until everything was sparkling clean.

"Thank you for such an amazing day," Zane said as he hugged me and nuzzled his cheek on my shoulder.

"It was my pleasure. I enjoyed every minute of it."

He looked up at me with heat in his eyes. His jaw rippled when he swallowed hard before telling me, "I want to give you an amazing night." My heart pounded. Just being near him would ensure an amazing time, but I had a feeling that Zane had something else in mind. He confirmed my suspicion when he whispered, "I want you to make love to me, Ridge. I want to share my body and be yours in every way."

I palmed his cheeks and kissed him hard, plunging my tongue into his apple-cinnamon flavored mouth. Zane whimpered and fisted my shirt as our tongues battled and twisted together.

I released his face to grip his ass cheeks and I hoisted him into my hold. Zane locked his ankles behind my back and held on as I carried him into his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind us.

I held him as I climbed onto the bed, and laid him gently onto his back. I kissed down his neck and he shuddered when my lips pressed against his mating mark.

Zane gripped the hem of my shirt and worked it up my torso. I parted our lips just long enough for the fabric to slip over my head and then I attacked him with kisses again.

As soon as he flung my shirt to the floor, Zane pushed my shorts over the swell of my ass. I would have chuckled at his eagerness if I weren't just as desperate to see his gorgeous body.

I worked his clothing off as quickly as possible and growled with pleasure as I looked over my prize. Zane's cock was hard and dripping, just begging for my touch. I couldn't deny my mate a single need, so I gave his dick a slow pull as he moaned.

"Do you have any-"

"Nightstand," Zane replied before I could fully ask the question. I reached out to collect a bottle of lubricant from the drawer and poured the slick, clear liquid over my fingers.

"Open up, beautiful," I encouraged, tapping his thigh as I rose up onto my knees. "Let me see that pretty hole."

Zane bent his knees, tucking his heels against his ass cheeks. He relaxed his legs and displayed his little pink pucker as I growled again. He brought out the animal in me. But as much as I wanted to pounce and take, I needed a gentle touch. This was Zane's first time, which was the greatest gift he could give to me.

I circled my slick finger across his wrinkled flesh and told him, "I'm going to go slow and open you up. If you need me to slow down or stop, just tell me." Zane nodded his understanding and I slipped the tip of my finger through his tight ring. “How does it feel?”

He took a few deep breaths and nodded again. “Good.” I inched the rest of my digit inside him as Zane sucked a breath through his teeth. I didn’t want my love to have any discomfort, so I distracted him by bending down and swallowing his cock to the root as he cried out in surprise and pleasure.

His tip brushed the back of my throat as I sucked him hard, flicking my tongue against his firm, hot flesh. Zane sank his hand into my hair and gripped, sending a pleasant sting across my scalp.

I bobbed my head, sliding my lips up and down his shaft as I pumped my finger in and out of his tight hole. Zane chanted “Ridge” in a whisper and my blood burned; there was nothing better in this world than hearing my name on my mate’s lips.

I slid a second finger inside him just as I deepthroated his cock. Zane gave no signs of distress; just a long, loan moan and another tug on my hair.

“Ridge, it’s so good,” he groaned before pushing down against my hand, burying my fingers deeper inside him.

I sucked his dick in a steady rhythm but held my hand still, allowing my mate to ride my fingers. I curled them towards his stomach and smiled around his dick when I grazed across his prostate and he cried out my name again.

Zane writhed against the bed, fucking himself on my hand and humping into my mouth until every inch of his slim dick was past my lips. “Oh, Ridge,” he moaned, pulling my hair. “Ohhh, Ridge.”

I loved that my mate was feeling good, but I wanted to make him feel even better. I wanted to give him everything, but I also needed to feel his body around me; to be inside him and take him as my own.

Zane whimpered when I pulled my fingers free from his hole and dropped his delicious dick from my lips. His eyes were wide and wild as they searched mine, but I shushed him gently.

"It's okay, my love. I've got you." I poured a generous amount of lube over the length of my cock and positioned my body over his, keeping my weight on my elbows and my gaze on his.

I shifted my hips until the head of my cock pressed against his hole. I slowly pushed forward until his muscles stretched around my flesh to let me inside.

Zane's forehead scrunched up and his breathing quickened. "Deep breaths," I instructed as I slipped my hand between us. I wrapped my palm around his cock and stroked him, and his face relaxed as I continued to sink inside his tight heat.

"Yes," he whispered when I was fully submerged inside him. I gave him a moment to adjust to my size, and then moved again.

I slowly rocked my hips back and forth as I tugged at his cock. Pre-cum dripped over my hand and down my forearm as he bit his lip and dropped his brows in a look of personified lust.

His walls hugged me like a glove crafted just for me. Each thrust inside him milked my hard flesh and urged me to go faster. I quickened my pace and Zane's lip escaped his teeth when he cried my name again.

I grunted in surprise when Zane used my hair to pull me down into a scorching kiss. I sank my tongue into his mouth and he captured it between his lips, sucking in time with my pumping wrist.

I lost all control. I plowed into my mate's tight, perfect ass and jerked him for all I was worth. He let loose of my tongue and moaned long and loud. His chest heaved with breaths. Sweat beaded on his brow. His hands clenched my hair and the sheet beside him. He was sexier than I knew anyone could be.

I pounded into him, making his body lurch with every thrust. My fangs elongated and Zane moaned again. "Bite me, Ridge. I want to feel it this time."

I growled and leaned in close. His whole body shivered when I licked across his scar, and then he shoved my face into his neck. I wasted no time in sinking my fangs through the supple flesh of his throat.

His sweet blood painted my taste buds, but I didn't stop until my teeth grazed against his collar bone, claiming him all over again.

Zane screamed my name as his cock jerked in my hold, spraying warm cum over my hand. His asshole clenched around my dick and my hips stuttered to a stop. I erupted, pumping my mate full of my seed as he breathed heavily in my ear.

I pulled my fangs free from his throat and watched his skin cinch back into his beautiful mating scar. I kissed the mark and pulled back, finding a dreamy grin on Zane's lips.

"I love you, Ridge. I love feeling you inside me and wearing your mark. I'm so happy to be your mate and so lucky that I get to love you forever."

I swallowed the lump in my throat caused by his sweet words. "I'm the lucky one, Zane. Meeting you was a greater blessing than I deserve."

"And I love when you bite me," he added seriously, making me chuckle.

"So do I."

He sighed and gave me a lazy, sloppy kiss. "Will you hold me for a while?"

"Of course, my love."

Zane winced when I pulled my cock from his body. I massaged his hole with my fingertips, hoping to relax away any tenderness. Then I used his briefs to wipe our bodies clean before lying beside him and pulling him close.

Zane snuggled next to me and rested his head on my chest. He chuckled sweetly when a purr rumbled deep in my chest.

"I love that too," he said as he nuzzled his cheek against me.

I stroked my hand up and down his back as he snuggled me, listening to my purring and petting my chest.

Soon, his hand stilled and his breathing grew slow and deep. I made sure he was covered and warm, and then kissed his wild hair. "Sleep well," I whispered in his ear, and let my eyes drift close.

*****

I awoke suddenly to the sound of violent coughing. I eased out from beneath Zane, pulled on my borrowed shorts and hurried out to the living room. There, I found Grayson coughing into a handkerchief as his body quaked. When he pulled the cloth away, it was speckled with blood.

"Let me take you to the hospital," I begged him, but he just shook his head as he folded the cloth.

"There's nothing that can cure me."

"But maybe you could be more comfortable."

He shook his head again. "I want to be here - in my own home, in my own bed, and with my son."

I hated that I couldn't help him, but I understood his wishes. He deserved to live out the rest of his life on his own terms.

"Come sit," he requested, pointing to the chair next to him. I settled in and watched helplessly as he went into another coughing fit.

"May I get you a glass of water?"

He once again folded his bloody handkerchief before waving me off. "No, thank you. I want to have a little chat with you." I nodded and he continued, "I don't have much time left. I feel my body getting weaker and I'm just so damn tired. The fight is almost over."

"I'm so sorry."

"I've come to terms with it, but Zane doesn't like to talk about these things. But they must be said. There are things I need you to know."

"I'm listening," I promised, giving him my full attention.

"In the top drawer of my dresser is a folder which holds all of my banking and investment information. Zane is the beneficiary in the event of my death. I've got everything set up so that he'll be taken care of even after I'm gone." The love he had for his son warmed my heart.

"I have great financial resources as well," I told him. "Zane will never want for anything."

He smiled at me and continued, "There is another folder containing a notarized copy of my final wishes; I don't want a large service. Zane is the only one who stood by me in life, and I don't want any nosey bastards snooping around or gossiping after my death. I've already purchased a burial plot so that Zane can come visit me."

"I know he will. And I'll be right there to support him and help him through his grief."

Grayson's eyes grew misty as he nodded. "Help him to stay strong. Don't let him waste his life grieving for mine. Keep pushing him forward and make sure he has fun."

"I will."

A large tear rolled down his cheek and he didn't move to wipe it away. "I just want him to be happy."

"So do I."

Grayson reached out his hand and I put mine inside. "I'm glad he met you. You're bound to love him the way he deserves, and with your bond, he'll never have to feel the sting of sickness or death. You're allowing me to move on in peace, knowing my boy has someone to love him."

"I do love him. And I swear I'll love him more every day for the rest of time."

Grayson squeezed my hand and gave me a watery smile. "Thank you. Now, go and be with him. Hold him tight and never let him go."

"I promise." I stood up and asked, "Is there anything I can get you?"

"Nothing." He gave my hand one more squeeze before releasing it. "Goodnight, Ridge."

"Goodnight, Grayson."

I left him alone, but stood listening in Zane's bedroom doorway until I heard Grayson fall asleep. Then I climbed back in bed with my mate and took him in my arms, smiling as he snuggled closer in his slumber.

I would never let him go. He would never be alone. And I would do everything in my power to honor his father's wishes while supporting him through all of life's ups and downs. No matter what, we had each other.

I breathed in Zane's sweet floral scent and my soul settled. His presence soothed my worried mind and soon my eyes grew heavy and I drifted off to sleep.