Page 44 of Saving You

Ridge didn’t laugh. He didn’t look disgusted. His face wasn’t full of pity. He gave a firm nod, stepped inside, and closed the door behind him. His gaze traveled up and down Oz’s body, and then he reached his arms out, holding them open.

It took Oz a second to realize what for, and something inside him cracked that he didn’t immediately recognize the offer for a hug. His throat felt thick as he stepped into those warm arms, and he felt himself groan as Ridge’s arms tightened around him. And after two breaths, tension rushed out of him like Ridge had pulled the plug on a drain.

He felt the rumble of Ridge’s chuckle, and the bigger man squeezed tight before gently pulling back. He kept hold of Oz’sshoulders as he searched his face and looked into his eyes. ‘Okay?’ he eventually asked.

Oz nodded. ‘I’d like to change out of my gross clothes though.’

Ridge laughed again and waved him off. ‘If you want. You look good to me.’

That had to be a lie. There was not a chance in hell Oz looked anything other than the mess he was on the inside, now reflected on the outside. But he appreciated Ridge’s kindness. ‘Help yourself to food or drinks. I won’t be more than five minutes.’

He was definitely going to be longer than five minutes. He rushed into his bedroom to gather clothes from his dresser, taking three shirts, a pair of jeans, two pairs of sweats, some boxers, and mismatched socks.

He threw them all on the top of the toilet lid, then stared at himself in the mirror. God, he looked like shit. He tugged at his cheeks, pulling down on the dark skin under his eyes, then bared his teeth at his reflection and recoiled in horror when he saw a bit of parsley from his lunch stuck between two.

He frantically picked at it, then grabbed his mouthwash and began to swish as he attempted to order his hair. His fingers bumped over the magnet lump, and he debated about putting his processors on to make the evening easier. But the truth was, it wouldn’t be easier. Not for him, and he didn’t think Ridge had come over expecting to be accommodated.

That was what made him so great and so terrible at the same time. Oz wished the man wasn’t such a good person. It would be easier to think of this as pure experimentation—trading bodies and pleasure for the fun of it. For the experience.

And he’d be able to walk away without giving a shit.

But instead, Ridge was gorgeous, sweet, caring, and he spoke Oz’s language with growing fluency and the promise that he would never, ever ask Oz to use his voice if he didn’t want to.

Fuck his life.

Shoving away from the mirror, he stared at his clothes, then went with the tight jogging sweats that made his ass look great and a long-sleeve Henley with thumb holes. They were his comfort clothes that had the bonus of looking good, and he didn’t hate his reflection when he returned to the sink.

Well, apart from his hair.

He finally spit out his mouthwash, then wet his hands and finger-combed his locks until they settled into something reasonable. He turned from side to side. Not the best. Not the worst. Exactly as he should look for someone who would never be his forever person.

Never mind how the thought of having Ridge forever made his insides squirm.

Turning away from himself again, he reached for the door handle, then came to a halt when he saw Ridge once again hovering in his doorway.

‘You’re making this a weird habit.’

Ridge flushed, but he didn’t look sorry. ‘Thought it might be easier if we were in here.’

Oz’s ears blazed. ‘Bold.’

Ridge shrugged. ‘You didn’t seem like you were in the mood for small talk, though if you want to?—’

‘No,’ Oz signed very quickly. If he didn’t do something now, if he didn’t make some kind of move, he was going to lose his nerve for good, and he didn’t think Ridge would extend this offer more than once if he was rejected.

‘I can leave if this is too much. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with,’ Ridge signed.

Fuck, why did he have to be such a good guy, damn it. Oz closed his eyes in a long blink, then squared his shoulders and tensed his jaw. ‘I want this. I want you to show me what it’s like to come with another man.’

Ridge’s body spasmed, and Oz briefly wondered if a noise had come with the movement. If he was closer, he could have touched to find out, but he was still several steps away, waiting on a knife’s edge.

He licked his lips, his breath trapped in his lungs.

Then Ridge lifted his hand, made a C-shape, and rubbed it up and down from throat to chest three times. He ended the sign by pointing at Oz. It wasn’t exactly right, but it was close enough.

He was turned on. And it was because of Oz.

‘Bed?’ Oz asked.

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