Riding Ryder Read Free

over him. He sighed, lost in the moment. A butterfly kiss on his lips. A swirl of misty feelings like a newly budding rose began to unfurl inside him. He let himself be led out of the kitchen and into a bedroom. Big picture windows let the sea and cliffs in. They moved into a bathroom with more wide, wide windows. As he looked more closely, he saw they were not just windows, but doors that stood open, letting warmth, sunlight, and bird song in to surround them.
    “I like the outdoors.” Caleb stood watching him. “I believe in the spirit of nature. I’ll explain it all later, if need be. But for now, just accept that I accept all things happen for a reason. Anyway, if you look up, you’ll see this bit of roof retracts. That’s a Jacuzzi; nothing nicer than sitting in it, watching the stars. And if it snows? Magic. Come on, let me show you.”
    Logan allowed himself to be led to the big tub. Set to one side of those open doors, it did indeed have no roof over it. As he looked up, he could see the leaves on the trees moving gently in the soft breeze. The waves at this distance could barely be heard. The overwhelming feeling was of peace. Or so he thought, until he saw Caleb looking at him. Then the feeling was very overwhelmingly one of seduction.
    But who was going to seduce whom?
    “Neither. Together. Watch.” Shit. Caleb was at it again. Logan never knew he was so easy to read. His nickname back home had always been Poker Face. Now it seemed he wore his thoughts on his T-shirt, except he wasn’t wearing one. He heard Caleb laugh as he bent over and started filling the Jacuzzi, his gorgeous butt, round and smooth, presenting itself to him enticingly.
    “You can touch if you want.” Caleb’s voice was amused. “Be my guest.”
    “For fuck’s sake, that is bloody scary, you knowing exactly what I’m thinking. How the hell do you do it?”
    “If you stay, you’ll learn,” Caleb said.
    “I’ll stay.” His tone was fervent. He saw Caleb looking at him thoughtfully.
    “Maybe,” he was told somberly. “Maybe not. Ah well, we will see. Come on, step in and sit down over on that side. There’s a headrest you can use.” He did as he was bid and began to lower himself into the warm, bubbling water.
    “Now we’ll talk.” Caleb was smiling, although to Logan’s dismay, the smile didn’t reach his eyes. They seemed shadowed, worried even.
    He let himself sink all the way down until he sat on the seat and rested his head on the soft cushion. Caleb was watching him, his expression enigmatic. He made no move to join him in the tub, merely stood tall and erect at the side. All of him.
    “Are you getting in?” Logan asked.
    “Later. We need to talk first. About us. Is there even going to be an ‘us?’” Caleb sounded worried. “Did you feel that same instantaneous ‘he’s the one?’ I tell you, Logan, it goes against everything I’ve ever believed in. Hell, it scares me shitless, more than lust, something almost overwhelming. I saw a raven this morning, so I knew there would be change.” He must have seen the bewilderment Logan experienced, because he smiled faintly. “Seeing a raven signifies change. There’s been one about a lot these last few days.”
    “Do you believe that?” Logan asked.
    Caleb nodded. “I do. I believe certain animals appear to give us guidance. No, I’m not crackers; it happens, believe me. And I meditate. But nothing prepared me for this feeling I have about us. And if you feel it?” His eyebrow rose in silent query.
    “Yeah, I did, and I do,” Logan replied. “Without any animals or stuff. And yeah, it’s bloody scary for me as well.”
    “Whew. Well, in one way ‘whew,’ because now I want to jump in the tub and jump you. But I have things to explain. What I am; what I do. It sounds trite, and I guess somewhat unbelievable.” Caleb was silent for a moment.
    Logan held his breath. What was he going to say?
    “And my job has nothing to do with my beliefs; I’ve