On the Ridge by Jayda Marx

Chapter Eight

Ridge

 

Excitement pounded through my veins as Zane led me into the private space of his bedroom, but I meant what I told him; I was blessed just to be near him. I would never push for more than he was ready to give.

My body burned for him, but my soul was at peace because he carried my mark. We were united and I would wait for a physical connection as long as he needed me to. His sweet kisses would curb my appetite.

"It's not much," Zane said nervously as we stepped into his room. It held a full size bed in the corner which was dressed in navy blue bedding, a nightstand beside it, and a dresser along the wall which held a television on top.

"I think it's lovely."

"Thanks." Zane smiled and stepped out of his shoes before sitting on the edge of his bed, his fingers tapping nervously on his thighs.

I sat next to him, resting my back on the headboard. Ordinarily, I slept in the nude and liked to relax the same way, but I didn't want to make my mate more nervous (even though I knew he liked the view from the way he watched me strip earlier).

I thought jumping into conversation might soothe his nerves, so I asked, "Has it always just been you and your dad?"

Zane sighed in relief and nestled close to me. I draped my arm across his shoulders and he replied, "Not always, but it's been just the two of us since we moved here over a decade ago."

"What about your mother?" I hated to ask in case it was a sore subject, but I wanted to know everything about him.

"My mother has never been in the picture. She was a young woman who worked as a receptionist at my dad's old financial consulting firm. They were never together or anything," he added, and I nodded even though I wasn't sure where his story was going.

"When the lady found out that she was pregnant with me, she nearly had a breakdown. Apparently my biological father was a one night stand and she didn't even know where to find him and she didn't want to raise me by herself. She thought about having an abortion, but she decided to put me up for adoption instead."

"When Dad found out through the grapevine at work, he approached her and asked if he could adopt me. He'd always wanted a child but of course being gay he wasn't able to have one outside of adopting or using a surrogate."

I blinked in surprise; not only because I wasn't aware that Zane's father was gay, but also, "You look so much like your dad. I never would have guessed that you two aren't related by blood." Even though Grayson had salt and pepper hair and brown eyes, they resembled one another.

Zane chuckled. "It's the nose, right?" I nodded; he and Grayson had nearly identical long, semi-flat noses. "I'm not sure how that worked out, but I'm glad; I like having similar features with him. It makes me feel closer to him."

I nodded with a smile and he continued on with his story. "Anyway, the lady agreed and Dad paid all of her medical expenses and stuff. Then when I was born, she signed me over to him. He's the very best Dad I could ask for. It doesn't matter who made me; he made me his."

"That's beautiful." Zane had a father who loved him and that's all that mattered.

"A few years later, Dad met a man named Mike. They got pretty serious and Mike ended up moving in with us. He was kinda like a second dad to me, but he left us when things got crazy."

"What do you mean 'when things got crazy'?"

Zane told me about what happened after he and his father saw the young shifter in the woods; how their friends disowned them and they sought refuge alone. It broke my heart that everyone turned their backs on them; especially the man whom Grayson loved and Zane saw as a father.

"But it all worked out in the end," he shrugged. He described everything he'd learned from Grayson and how close they'd grown over the years. I was proud that they'd turned their situation into a positive one and thrilled that my mate had a happy life.

"So what about your parents? When will I meet them?" Zane asked curiously before his eyes popped wide. "I'm sorry; I'm not trying to rush you."

I smiled and kissed his temple. "I want to show you off to everyone, but unfortunately, my parents aren't around any more."

Zane's face pinched up with guilt. "I'm so sorry. Are they…?"

"They're alive," I replied, and he appeared relieved until I added, "But they disowned me"; then he looked horrified.

"Why would they do such a thing?"

"You know that shifter cub you guys saw on your hike all those years ago?" He nodded. "I have a sneaking suspicion that the cub was Rowdy."

”Rowdy? Your friend Rowdy?” Now I nodded.

"Around that time is when he wandered away from the pack and accidentally revealed his identity to two hikers and our pack disowned him for his actions. He was just a child and needed help and guidance, so Rider and I stood with him and were ultimately disowned too. I haven't seen or heard from my parents since that day and I most likely never will again."

"Oh, Ridge." Zane wrapped his arm around my stomach and buried his face into my neck. "I'm so sorry. You were so kind and brave to stand up for Rowdy when he needed you. Your parents should have been proud of you and stayed behind too. But I'm proud of you. It takes a great man to do what is right even when it costs so much."

"Thank you, my love." I hugged him close and let his sweet words wash over me until a worry struck me. "Does it bother you when I call you that?" It was true, and I loved the way it sounded, but I'd stop if it made him uncomfortable.

"No, I like it," Zane confessed with a shy smile. "I think it's very sweet and I don't want you to hide your feelings." I melted; even if he didn't share what I felt, he wanted me to be free to express it without worry.

I gave him another squeeze and asked, "So, what are some of your favorite things to do?" We'd heard all about the sad parts of one another's lives, and I wanted to lighten the mood.

"I love fishing and hiking here in the woods."

"Me too. I love to hike in human form, run and explore in cougar form, and I love to mountain climb in both."

"I thought you said that the mountain face was too steep and smooth to climb."

"Near my home it is, but the opposite side of the mountain is great for rock climbing. Have you ever been?"

"No. It sounds fun, but kinda scary too. I'm safer curling up with a good book."

I smiled at how adorable he was before asking, "What kind of books do you like to read?"

"I love the classics; To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, The Great Gatsby...but I think my favorite has to be Moby Dick. Have you read it?"

"I haven't, but I'll definitely check it out now." I wanted to experience everything my mate enjoyed. "What kind of movies do you like?"

We fell into a conversation about all of our favorite things, from movies to foods and everything in between. Talking with Zane was easy and natural, and we found that we had a lot in common (not that I expected anything less of mates). With each detail I learned, I fell deeper for my wonderful man.

It wasn't until Zane yawned widely that I realized just how long we'd been talking; I looked at the clock on his nightstand and saw that it was after two in the morning.

"I'm sorry for keeping you up so late," I offered, but Zane shook his head.

"I enjoyed it. But I am pretty tired. I think I'll brush my teeth and get ready for bed. I bet I have an extra toothbrush for you if you'd like."

"Thank you."

I gave Zane some space to go through his nightly routine, and then followed behind him with my own. When I stepped back into his bedroom, my heart pounded at the sight of Zane lying in bed with the blankets folded down next to him in invitation.

I wasted no time in removing my jeans and shirt and climbing into bed next to him wearing a pair of black boxer briefs. I rolled to face my mate and carded my fingers through his wild hair. Zane's pretty green eyes sparkled when he smiled at me.

"Thank you for everything today; for saving my life, for making my dad so happy, and just for spending time talking with me. Since Dad got sick, he needs to rest a lot and I get lonely sometimes. I'm so happy that you're here."

His sweet words warmed me from the inside. "I'll always be here for you, beautiful."

"I like when you call me that too." I chuckled but Zane's smile wavered. "I want to be beautiful for you."

"You are. You are the most gorgeous man in the world to me and I'll never desire another."

Zane's hand traveled down his chest and onto his stomach. "Even with these?" He pulled up the bottom of his shirt to show the scars that stretched across his skin. "I saw them all together for the first time in the bathroom mirror; the ones on my back too. There are so many. I know it's dumb and vain to be upset; I could've died. I would've died if not for you and I'm grateful. It's just…" He shrugged as he sighed. "I don't know. Like I said, it's dumb."

"It's absolutely not dumb," I argued. "Zane, you've been through so much; learned so much in such a short amount of time and I'm in awe of your grace and acceptance. You were injured and your body was altered; it's natural to be upset. But don't think for one moment that these marks take away from your beauty."

I eased his shirt off of his head and touched my fingertips to his stomach, tracing across the bumpy skin. "These marks mean that you're still with me. They show the strength of our bond and the courage in your heart. They remind me of your selflessness; of how your biggest fear wasn't about your own life ending, but about leaving your father. These marks only add to your beauty, and I will always love them."

"Thank you," he replied in a shaky whisper.

His eyes scanned over my torso as he licked his lips. "I think you're gorgeous too. I should've told you earlier - I'm not great at this mate stuff." Before I could argue, he added, "But I do. Your body is so strong and perfect."

He reached out a trembling hand, but stopped it before he touched me. My voice was husky when I told him, "It's okay. Touch me all you want; I'm yours."

Zane pressed his hand to my chest and slowly grazed it down my torso. He tucked his bottom lip between his teeth as he watched his fingers bounce across my muscle mounds.

The heat in his gaze and the slight tremble of his hand warmed my blood and pulled it south, filling and swelling my cock until I was hard and barely contained by the thin cotton of my underwear.

Zane's lip escaped his teeth when he swallowed hard, his eyes trained on my thick bulge. I cupped his cheek and tipped his head back so that he was looking at me to tell him, "I can't hide the way your touch affects me, but remember that I expect nothing. Just being here together is incredible."

A slow smile spread across his lips. "It is incredible." His gaze drifted down to my lips, and his grin turned shy when he added, "But touching you affects me the same way."

Zane leaned forward, pressing our lips together, and his shyness disappeared. This wasn't a sweet, gentle kiss like we shared earlier; this kiss was hungry and passionate.

He bit my lips and slipped his tongue between them. He lapped sloppily against my cheeks and tongue, reminding me that it was his first time. But that only made it better. I wanted the sloppiness and the enthusiasm and every sweet little whimper he breathed into my mouth. It couldn't be more perfect.

Or so I thought. Zane shocked me by gripping onto my sides and rolling onto his back, pulling me on top of him. I held my weight on my elbows, but every inch of my body pressed against his.

My blood burned in my veins. Desire swelled inside me, consumed me until it escaped as a guttural growl. Zane ripped his lips from mine and looked at me with wide eyes. Before I could apologize for startling him, he whispered, "That was so sexy." I growled again as a predatory grin took my lips.

"Oh wow," he moaned as his whole body shivered. His eyes were dark and needy when they looked into mine. "You're driving me crazy. I'm so hard it hurts. I need...I mean, I want..."

My beautiful man was inexperienced and a little confused, but I'd always take care of him. "Is this okay?" I asked when I rolled my hips, grinding our erections together. Even though fabric covered our flesh, we both moaned in pleasure.

"Yesss," Zane hissed, tipping his head back and baring his throat. I leaned in and licked across his Adam's apple as he hissed again. I sucked his supple flesh into my mouth and his moan vibrated against my lips.

I rolled my hips again and Zane's breath caught. His fingernails embedded into my back and he pulled me closer.

"It feels so good," he whispered breathlessly, but I could make it feel even better.

I wedged my hand between us and pushed my underwear down to my knees. I watched Zane for any signs of discomfort when I worked his pants and briefs off of his hips, but saw only need staring back at me.

I couldn't fight my curiosity and looked down between us. Zane's dick was long and thin with a glistening pink tip. "Every part of you is just so damn beautiful."

Zane took my lips in another heated kiss. He sank his tongue into my mouth and licked in a frenzy. And when I dropped my hips, pressing the bare flesh of our cocks together, he moaned against my lips.

I rocked quickly, keeping steady friction and pressure as I grinded against him. Zane clawed at my back. He writhed beneath me and called out his pleasure. Years of pent up sexuality were bubbling out and he wasn't holding back. He dismissed his inhibitions and showed me just how good I made him feel.

I wanted to give him more. Once again, I slid my hand between us, this time wrapping my fingers around both of our hard, hot cocks. I squeezed our flesh and Zane cried out my name. It was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard.

I stroked us quickly, my palm slickened by the pre-cum that steadily leaked from both of us. I pumped my hips faster, chasing the sweet friction all around me. I heard the desperation in Zane’s voice as he chanted my name, so I pumped quicker, squeezed harder, and growled deep in my chest.

Zane’s pretty green eyes rolled back and his lips parted. He only made a slight whimpering sound when his cock jerked against mine and thick white gobs erupted from him, painting my hand and his stomach.

I breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of my mate as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. It was intoxicating and sent me over the edge. My balls rolled and tightened, and I grunted as my dick surged before dumping my seed onto Zane’s flesh.

My hand slowed to a gentle stroke and I smiled as I watched Zane’s body twitch and shudder. His eyes slowly rolled down and came into focus. He gazed at me with dreamy satisfaction for a few moments before saying, “Ridge, that was…” He shook his head, seemingly unable to find the words, but I understood them.

I kissed him lazily, dipping my tongue between his lips and tasting the minty toothpaste on his skin. When our seed cooled and became tacky on my skin, I pulled away; I didn’t want Zane to become uncomfortable.

I worked my underwear the rest of the way down my legs and used them to wipe Zane’s stomach before cleaning my hand. I tossed them to the floor to deal with later; right now, I needed to be close to my mate.

Zane kicked his pants and briefs off as well and snuggled up to me, nuzzling his face into my neck and declaring, “This is the best feeling in the world.” Even after our sexy adventures, he was most excited for me to hold him in my arms, which melted my heart.

“I couldn’t agree more.” I pulled the blankets over us and tucked them around Zane to make sure he’d stay warm enough throughout the night. I kissed his forehead just as his jaw stretched into a yawn. “Goodnight, my love. Sleep well.”

“You too,” he mumbled, and was fast asleep within moments.