Page 26

Ridge

3 months later

Aspen holds her vomit bag and has her head resting between her knees as Arlo rubs her back.

“Are you okay?” I look in the rearview mirror but can only partially see her because Zeland is pushed half through the gap between the front seats, his hand on her knee.

“Do I look okay?” she snaps. “What if she hates me?”

Arlo chuckles lightly. “My mom has never hated anyone in her life, and I don’t think she’ll start now.”

“She knows we broke your heart, and now we’re stealing you away.”

“I already told you, Rowena is the best,” Zee quips. “She did create Arlo after all.”

“I don’t know how to do moms. I never had one, remember?”

“Just breathe, I really don’t want to get the car detailed. Vomit smell lingers.”

She flips me off, and I laugh. I wasn’t keen on meeting Arlo’s mother either, but the little asshole demanded I come. Apparently, if I can watch him fuck, I have to meet his mother. Fair point, and I didn’t have an argument against it. Besides, I got payback. He said it just before he was about to suck Zeland’s cock and I had my fist in his hair. Arlo has a very nice gag reflex.

“Do you trust me?” Arlo asks Aspen, and she nods.

“Then just know if I’m happy, my mom is happy. And she already loves Ridge. Because of him she was able to give up her shitty job.”

When I did a little more digging into Rowena, I found out she was working nights for the worst pay in the world. I offered her a management job at Game and Grind. We haven’t officially met yet—I just gave the order and made it happen. Now she gets to work whatever hours she chooses, and the other staff can do the rest.

That’s also when Aspen found out that The Syllabus was shut down. Her boss Barbie has reopened in a different location, but I like to make her life a little difficult from time to time—a building inspector here, a health inspector there—so she knows that if I took it away from her once, I can do it again.

“Okay,” Aspen whispers. “But if she hates me and I throw up in her kitchen, that’s on you.”

“Good thing we’re here then,” Arlo says as I pull into his mother’s driveway. Their house is cute, but a lot smaller than I imagined.

“Don’t be a snob,” Zeland whispers to me as Arlo helps Aspen from the car.

“I’m never a snob.”

He scoffs. “I can see the look on your face. Not everyone was born into money and had everything they ever wanted. Rowena has worked hard for this house.”

“Just get out of the car,” I demand. “I am not a complete asshole, at least not all the time.”

“Baby!” Arlo’s mother cries out as she runs through the front door. I swear he saw her a week ago. I know he has been staying at our house a lot, but this seems a little excessive.

“Your face is talking,” Aspen quips, and as I look at her, she laughs.

I lower my voice so only she can hear me. “He is almost twenty-four, and he just ran to hug his mother.”

She elbows me in the side. “It’s cute, and it’s a wonderful trait for a man to have a good relationship with his mother.”

Aspen has met my father because he likes to insert himself into my life, and he insisted last week that we meet his new wife—who isn’t a child this time—and her son. They, surprisingly, seem decent enough. However, my mother, she’s... well... a lot. She is of high society breeding, and though I know she loves me, she is the only person in the world who isn’t a fan of Zeland. And if she can’t accept him, then I still have no immediate need to see her.

Aspen twists her fingers with mine and pulls me toward where Arlo, his mom, and Zeland are standing.

“Mom, this is Aspen and Ridge.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s so nice to finally meet you. My baby boy has told me so much about you. I’m so happy that he is happy. Come in.”

We follow her inside. The hallway is narrow, and I have to push Aspen in front of me so we fit. I look at the framed photographs that line the hall as we pass and smirk—Arlo was a cute baby. Aspen and I have spoken about how against children we are, me because I am not fond of children and Aspen because she doesn’t want to be a mom. She laughed and said she would be okay with it if she was the dad. That started a conversation that is way too early to have in our relationship because Zeland started blending all our baby pictures with Aspen to see who would have the cutest children. Zeland’s looked like something out of The Hills Have Eyes , and Arlo won by a landslide, all because of, in his words, “the gorgeous curls.” I gave up, dragging Aspen to my bedroom and screwing her brains out while leaving poor Arlo to deal with Zeland. I did tell him just to put his cock in his mouth—it’s how you shut him up.

“Ridge,” Rowena says, catching my attention as I step into the dining room. She wraps her arms around me, and I freeze because it’s not from one of the very few who can touch me, though they all happen to be in this room. “Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to work in a good-paying job.”

“You were more than qualified. And I like to know my customers are in good hands. Arlo speaks very highly of you.”

She pulls back, and I exhale a sigh of relief. “Everyone sit. I’ve made lasagna, Arlo’s favorite, and homemade garlic bread.”

Arlo helps his mother serve the food and I watch as they bring out the plates. Aspen digs her nails into my leg, and I smile.

“This looks wonderful,” I say, even though it looks like a sloppy mess. I’m not sure if I have ever eaten lasagna that looked like this before.

Everyone digs in, and Rowena asks lots of questions—thankfully Zeland answers the questions about our business. By the time we have finished eating and dessert is pulled out, I’m stuffed. Dinner may have looked a certain way, but I think it was one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

“So, what are you kids up to tonight?” Rowena eventually asks.

“I have a surprise date, actually. Arlo and I planned it.”

Both Aspen and Zeland look at me with raised brows. I didn’t tell them before this because they would have nagged us endlessly until we told them what we were doing. Well, Arlo would have spilled the beans, because let’s face it, he is the weakest link out of the two of us.

“Oh, how fun!”

“It will be,” Arlo says.

We finish dessert, though I ate as slowly as I could to annoy Zeland, who finished in a few minutes. He hates waiting for surprises.

“We will have to have you over for dinner one night,” Zeland offers. “The meal won’t be as nice as this, but Ronny is an amazing cook.”

Once we say our goodbyes and are back in the car, Zeland puts his hand on my leg and inches it higher.

“Nice try. I’m not telling you where we are going. Arlo, can you get out the blindfolds?”

Arlo hands one to Zeland, and when I look back, he is helping Aspen into hers.

“I hate surprises,” he huffs as he pulls it over his head, and we all say that we know.

I drive in circles for a bit to put Zeland off, as he is great at knowing how far places are, and what turns we have to take. When I feel like he is completely lost, I pull up to the golf club. It cost me an exorbitantly large sum of money, and I had to cash in some favors, plus I had to call my father for help—which cost me lunch and a round of golf next month. But the entire place is shut down for the night, for a private party, though they don’t generally shut the entire building and grounds. We don’t need to go inside anyway. I hired a company to place some motion alarms along the perimeter, so I will be alerted if any prying eyes are trying to watch .

Arlo stands with Zeland and Aspen, helping them out of the car, and I grab the duffle bag with the masks. This time Arlo plans to do the chasing—he was the mastermind behind this date. He loved the idea of this location when I explained to him how Zeland mentioned it a while ago, so I made it happen. Today is three months since we all officially got together, after Arlo forgave us, and he wanted to do something special.

I will watch, to make sure no one gets to see what is mine naked. I don’t like when people stare or touch them, including Arlo. He is a part of my life, and while I’ll never say it out loud, I like having someone else levelheaded around. It evens out the chaos.

Arlo smiles as he slips a mask over his head, and I do the same.

“You can take the blindfolds off now,” I say, Arlo by my side.

They both remove them and blink at us for a few seconds. Aspen’s lashes flutter before her eyes lock on mine, and Zeland just grins like a lunatic.

“Run,” I say.

“I can’t wait until you’re on your knees for me,” Arlo adds, the voice modulator making him sound dark and dangerous.

They don’t hesitate. Aspen bolts first, and Zeland is right behind her, one hand catching in hers, tugging her closer as they disappear into the rolling darkness of the golf course.

I don’t move, not yet.

Arlo stands just ahead of me. He’s never chased before, but tonight he gets the chance to hold the power. He watches them, shoulders rising with every breath, then he takes off after them.

Aspen glances over her shoulder and laughs as Zeland guides her across the fairway, keeping her close, never letting her hand go.

Arlo gains on them, nearly silent, moving with an intense speed—not that I’m surprised.

I run after them to keep watch. Arlo knows to steer them toward the tenth hole, but Zeland will run there anyway, I’m sure of it.

My feet hit the grass, and I see the flash of Aspen’s blonde hair in the moonlight just beyond the ninth hole. She turns, her smile and eyes wide. Zeland’s hand wraps around her wrist, tugging her forward. They’re staying together.

“Run faster, sweetheart,” Zeland calls over his shoulder, teasing Arlo.

I grin under the mask. “I’m going to watch Arlo fuck you both by the tenth hole,” I promise, loud enough for it to carry.

Aspen laughs, stumbling a little as Zeland encourages her to run at a faster pace. They vanish behind the hedge lining the path to the fountain.

I cut across the green, catching a shortcut I knew they wouldn’t take. The sight of the water fountain glinting ahead confirms I’ve made the right call.

I hear them coming, Aspen’s laughter echoing around me.

Arlo comes from the side and Aspen shrieks as he grabs her around the waist, pulling her back against his front.

Zeland lunges in to help her, but he trips and they tumble to the ground, tangled together, all three of them laughing.

Aspen twists to face me, her unspoken words making me want to join them. “Happy anniversary,” Arlo says.

“It’s not over yet,” I murmur, stalking toward them. “Now I get to claim what’s mine. All of you, on your knees.”

All three of them quickly move to their knees, and Arlo’s mask is now off.

I pull out my phone and at the press of a button the fairy lights behind the fountain come to life. They can’t see, as it’s behind them, but I have set up a makeshift bed, because tonight Zeland’s wish comes true: we all fuck together on the tenth hole.

“Turn around and see your gift.”

They obey eagerly. Aspen gasps, Zeland whoops, and Arlo stares at me and mouths thank you.

Fuck, the kid is adorable. I never thought I would feel anything for him, but here I am, feeling all warm and fucking fuzzy on the inside because he is happy. Aspen ruined me. She broke through my reinforced-steel exterior and released years of pent-up emotions. Lucky she is adorable.

“Who wants to watch their boyfriend suck my cock?”

Aspen’s hand flies up into the air. Zeland looks at me and smirks, raising his hand. Oh, he wants to play this game. Lucky for him, this is something Arlo and I spoke about a few days ago.

Arlo walks into my office, wearing his black jeans and stupid Rick and Morty shirt. I swear he has it in his office and switches shirts every time he has to come up to see me. He has no real reason to be here, but I sent for him anyway.

“You wanted to see me, Mr. Ellington?”

I love the way my name sounds on his lips. “If you say my name like that, I might get the wrong idea.”

His face goes bright red. “Sorry Mr. Ellington, I will do better next time.”

I stand from my chair, and stalk toward him. Zeland is right—he looks fucking hot when his face flushes red beneath his thick, black-rimmed glasses and his mop of curls.

“You’re in my head, Arlo. And I hate that I don’t want you out.”

His face tilts up to mine, his body language hard to read. Is he scared of me, turned on, or just really nervous?

“I... uh, wow. Okay. That’s— I mean, I’m in your head? Like rent free, or...? No, wait, that’s not what I meant. I just, uh, cool. Coolcoolcool. Totally normal. Yep. Just, uh... you too. Kinda. A lot. Actually, a lot, a lot. Shit, you’re making me nervous. I thought you didn’t like me.”

He looks down as he talks, and I hate that; I tilt his chin back up. “That’s because I didn’t know you.”

“Oh—I need to talk to Aspen and Zeland first.”

“I respect that, and I have a plan.”

I love that I make him nervous.

“It looks like they want to see it,” I say with a wink, and I motion for him to move forward. He crawls toward me and looks up at me with his big brown puppy-dog eyes, those red cheeks, and an eagerness I love. Arlo is submissive, and I knew him chasing them would end with me in charge. He still needs to learn to be more aggressive in the bedroom, but he is getting there. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

He reaches up with shaky hands and takes my cock out of my pants, something I have thought about for days. His innocence turns me on.

He nervously wraps his hand around my length. I love how he paints his nails—so masculine, yet not.

“Wrap those lips around me and show them what they are missing. They don’t get to move until my cum is sliding down your throat.”

He hums against me as his mouth closes around my head, and fuck that feels good. He goes slow, sucking and licking, teasing me and making me want more.

“Fuck, you’re doing such a good job,” I praise. Arlo loves to be praised and walked through what he is doing. “If you suck a little harder, I will come. Do you want to taste me?”

He nods, and I move my fingers through his hair as he sucks me deep and hard. His head bobs, and he gets no warning before I give him what he wants. He barely has a chance to take a breath, then Zeland is on his feet and moving, his mouth attacking Arlo’s face.

Aspen walks over to me and wraps her arms around my waist. “So, that’s new. ”

“Are you okay with it?”

She smiles up at me. “Of course I am. This might seem weird to others, but it works for us. If you’re all happy, I’m happy, but I think we are complete now. I don’t think I could handle any more dicks.”

“I agree. Now go join them.” I gesture to where Zeland and Arlo have moved over to the other side of the fountain, and Zeland is chasing Arlo. “I’ll join you in a minute.”

She walks over to them and helps Arlo gang up on Zeland.

If you told me a year ago that I would believe in love, I would have laughed in your face. If you told me I would let three people into my heart, I probably would have made your life a living hell. Yet I stand here on the tenth hole, watching the man I love chase the ones I’m falling for, and I know love doesn’t always fit in the neat little boxes people try to force it into. It’s messy, chaotic, and sometimes it wears a mask until you’re brave enough to look beneath it. But this? This works for us.

The timber of Arlo’s laughs as he runs, the fire in Aspen’s eyes as she looks back over her shoulder, and the way Zeland reaches for her hand so they don’t lose each other in the dark—it all fits. Not perfectly, but it’s real. It’s how our love looks.