Read Online A Change of Pace by JM Cartwright - Free Book Online Page B

girl?”
    Ohhhh. Must be the horse. He headed back to the bathroom to shower, deciding to call Drew at lunchtime if he hadn’t heard from him.
    He shivered just thinking about what Drew had done to him and with him. His insides were jumping around and he felt flushed. If they got to do it again and it was any more explosive than last night, he wasn’t sure he’d live through it. He grinned again in delight.
    What a way to go.
    Rae was in the kitchen when he stopped by to grab something to eat on his way to work. She looked up from the bagels she was slicing. Her lips compressed when she saw him and she looked back down at her work without speaking.
    Puzzled, he stared at his sister. What was her problem? “What’s wrong?” He went to the cabinet and pulled out a to-go mug, filling it with the delicious-smelling brew on the counter. He reached for a bagel to toast as she answered.
    “You were with him last night, weren’t you?”
    He froze with his back to her, the bagel held in the air over the toaster. His hand came down slowly, setting the bagel in the slots, then pushing the bar down to start the appliance. “Why are you asking me that?” He didn’t turn to face her but instead walked to the far counter and grabbed a fresh tomato. Pulling out a sharp knife, he began slicing it.
    Rae’s voice was troubled behind him. “Ridge, honey, women aren’t the only ones attracted to bad boys. And he’s bad, you can tell by looking at him.” She stopped what she was doing and walked up behind him. Reaching out, she put a hand on her brother’s shoulder, rubbing a little. “You were my responsibility for a long time. Even though you’re a grown man, I still feel the need to look out for you.” She shrugged apologetically. “He could hurt you badly -- and I don’t want that to happen. That’s all I’m saying.”
    Ridge turned to face her. “He could also make me happy. Did you think of that?” He watched his sister’s eyes widen. “He doesn’t know how good he can be.” He moved back against the counter, his posture casual but his voice serious. “I think he’s used to taking care of himself and not worrying about anybody else. That’s the man you see.”
    “But how much can you possibly know about him? You just met him the day before yesterday.” Rae was clearly baffled by his take on the whole situation. “I’ve never seen you... so sure of yourself.” She shrugged helplessly.
    “I’m learning more all the time,” Ridge assured her with a small grin and a shrug of his own. He looked at his sister seriously again. “I know he could hurt me -- but I’m not going to miss this chance because I’m too scared to reach out and try.” He looked his sister in the eye. “Besides, right now, we’re just having fun.” He turned around again and grabbed the tub of cream cheese, spreading some on his bagel and topping it with the fresh tomato. He wrapped it in a paper towel and picked up his mug.
    Rae watched in silence as he finished putting his breakfast together.
    Sheila walked into the kitchen at that moment, putting an end to any more discussion. Taking advantage of the distraction, Ridge grabbed his to-go meal and waved to both women as he headed out the back door.
    He shook his head to himself. He did love his big sister, but he wasn’t eighteen anymore. He was a grown man who had to make his own decisions.
    He jogged to his truck and got in. He needed to get to work.
    ***
    “Shel, I’m telling you, it was unbelievable.” Ridge walked out to the backyard of the house they were building near the UNC-Asheville campus, trying to get away from the interested ears of his fellow construction crew. “It wasn’t like that before.”
    He worked off and on as a finish carpenter, and that allowed him the time and money to pursue his custom woodworking and cabinetry business. The crew was all at morning break, sitting around on boxes and canvas folding chairs. The guys were an okay bunch, but they