Page 88 of Saving You

Ina slept like the dead, and being that she was totally Deaf, she was never woken up by whatever sounds they wanted to make. But sometimes it was nice not watching the door handle twist in case of an emergency or constantly being hyperalert in case she needed them.

And he had plans—big plans—to show Ridge how grateful he was to have met him.

He walked in through the front door, thrilled when a tiny body slammed into him. He picked Ina up and kissed her forehead before hitching her on his hip. ‘Daddy where?’

She pointed at the kitchen, so he headed through the little alcove and found Ridge bending over in front of the fridge. His ass was round and tight, and it was only not wanting totraumatize his daughter for life that he refrained from groping him.

Ridge turned after a second, grinning as he slowly rose. ‘Hey, baby. You just get in?’

Oz nodded and bounced Ina until she laughed. ‘Someone met me at the door. I was hoping she’d still be here when I got in.’

‘I see Gage tonight!’ she signed excitedly.

‘Yep. And you’ll be a very good girl, yes?’

‘No!’

Ridge growled and lunged, tickling her until she was squirming. ‘Yes?’

She gave him a look, then signed, ‘No!’ before wriggling out of Oz’s arms and taking off down the hallway.

Oz grinned as Ridge rolled his eyes, then yanked him close by his belt loops. ‘Hi,’ he mouthed, then dove in for a kiss. Oz let it linger for a bit before pulling away.

‘What time is Adele here?’

As if on cue, the lights flickered to let them know someone was at the door. Ridge kissed him again. ‘He’ll let himself in.’

A few moments later, Adele and Gage appeared in the doorway, Gage holding Ina. She had her little backpack on and her sunglasses pushing her hair haphazardly back away from her forehead. Oz’s heart twisted in his chest. She was starting to feel a little bit like his.

Adele gave Ridge a fist bump, but he dragged Oz in for a hug, which wasn’t entirely surprising, but it felt different this time. When Adele pulled back, he swallowed heavily. ‘Frey called me after you left the café. He told me what you said.’

Sappy bastard, Oz thought. But he understood. He couldn’t imagine what Frey had been going through the last few months, and he knew how validating it was to hear someone soothe all those ugly, dark thoughts that rarely let up.

‘I meant it.’

‘I know.’ Adele hugged him again. ‘I’m glad we all met you.’

Oz hugged back, then stepped close to Ridge as he and Gage finished talking about anything Ina needed. There was another round of hugs and kisses, and then Gage followed Adele out the door with Ina still in his arms.

After a beat, Ridge pulled Oz close again. ‘Gage looks a little better, don’t you think?’

Oz hadn’t been paying attention, but he had noticed a few days back that he didn’t look so full of grief. But he didn’t want to talk about Gage. Or Adele. Or anyone else. So he nodded, but then he spun Ridge and pinned him to the counter.

“Oh,” Ridge said aloud.

Behind him, Oz’s CIs were in their case. He had been struggling to wear them ever since his sister had tried to force them on, but right then, he wanted to hear all of Ridge’s noises. He snagged them and watched Ridge’s eyes go wide as he put them on.

He was sensitive to sound after keeping them off for so long. He hummed in the back of his throat, then said, “Bedroom?”

Ridge nodded his fist. ‘Yeah. Let’s go.’

Their fingers tangled together, and he led Ridge lead the way. The room was dark and quiet. The fan was off, and the window was only open a small crack. It was lit only with the hazy glow of the late afternoon, but somehow, it was perfect.

Tugging on Ridge’s hand, Oz led him to the bed, then spun him and pushed down on his shoulders. He sat with a little laugh, then spread his thighs, making enough room for Oz to kneel between them. And when Oz did, Ridge let out a soft groan and cupped his cheek.

“What’s happening right now?”

“Appreciation,” Oz said.

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