Chapter Nine

A few days later, Eddie backed up to the loading dock of the local furniture store and put his truck in park. Ridge wanted to knock the arrogant smirk right off his face.

"Don't say it, Eddie."

His best friend sighed, and Ridge thought he'd effectively silenced him. But a heartbeat later, Eddie angled in his seat to get a better look at Ridge. "I just want to go on the record and say I encouraged you to get to know Kendall. I said nothing about you moving in with him." He waggled his white-blond eyebrows, and humor twinkled in his green eyes. "Have you even made it to second base yet?"

"Eddie, we're not dating. Kendall has a spare room to rent, and I need a place to stay. My current landlord is an obnoxious prick, and we spend way too much time together."

"There is that," Eddie conceded. "Seriously, bro."

"Bro?"

Eddie rolled his eyes. "Fine. Do you like jackass better?"

"Actually, yes, I do."

"Okay, jackass , you're not rushing out of my apartment because you think you're cramping my style, are you?"

"No."

Eddie laughed. "Liar."

Ridge caught movement in his side mirror and watched as the bay door went up. "Here we go." It didn't take them long to load the bed frame, mattress, and small dresser into the bed of Eddie's truck. "Thanks for helping me today."

"No problem," Eddie said, wincing when one of the employees slammed his tailgate closed. "I'm just surprised they don't deliver."

"Oh, they do," Ridge said. "I didn't spend enough money to get free delivery, and there are better ways I can spend a hundred dollars."

"Such as?"

"Stuff for Sammy."

Eddie glanced over before he put his truck in drive and pulled away from the loading dock. "You're serious about getting the cat?"

"Of course."

Eddie chuckled. "You do realize the shit with Todd is nothing more than a ploy, right?"

"Yep."

"And?" Eddie pressed.

Ridge squared his shoulders and kept an eye on the mirror to make sure nothing flew out of the truck bed. "I'm calling Todd's bluff."

"How?"

"By finding a place to stay and picking up Sammy."

Eddie stopped at a red light and looked over at him. "Does he know you're coming over today and expecting to leave with his cat?"

"Yes, and Sammy is my cat. I told Todd I'd found a place and would be moving in today. I told him I'd be over to get Sammy after I got everything set up."

"You're just going to knock on his door and take the cat?" Eddie shook his head like he couldn't believe it.

"Kendall wanted to steal Sammy, but it's too much drama for me."

Eddie laughed. "I knew I liked that guy. So, walk me through the plan."

"We figure Todd plans to hand Sammy over today but will reach out in a day or so because he ‘misses' him. He'll try to get us both back."

" We ?" Eddie asked.

"I didn't realize what Todd was up to until Kendall pointed it out." He repeated the conversation they'd had, and Eddie had a good laugh at Ridge's expense. "Anyway, I'm taking a contract with me when I go to Todd's."

"It won't be binding without witnesses and a notary public."

"Kendall is a notary," Ridge said.

Eddie grinned. "And I'll be the witness."

"Are you sure? I've taken up enough of your Saturday."

"Shut the hell up. I wouldn't miss this soap opera if my life depended on it. Wait until Todd sees Kendall. The fur will fucking fly."

Ridge honestly hoped not. He just wanted to collect the cat and go.

Kendall's car was parked in the driveway when Eddie backed in. The bumper was still slightly crooked from the fender bender he'd been in because he'd decided not to make more trouble for the kid who'd hit him.

Eddie let out a whistle. "This is nice."

The house was even prettier in daylight. The paint color looked sunnier, making a nice backdrop for the vibrant flowers.

"I mean, if you're going to play house…" Eddie said.

"No one is playing house, and please don't say anything to Kendall about how you and Zack were trying to get me to ditch my boyfriend for him."

" Fiancé ."

"Yeah, whatever," Ridge said. "Please keep your commentary to yourself. It's one thing to embarrass me, but to mislead Kendall—"

"Give me some credit, Ridgey."

Eddie was right. They might play around and cut up, but they wouldn't purposely hurt someone else in the process. "Sorry."

"No worries. You're just going through a lot of changes all at once."

Ridge got out of the pickup, grabbed his duffle bag and suitcases, and headed up to the porch. Kendall had already given him a key, but he still felt like he should knock. Turned out he didn't have to because Kendall swung the door open when Ridge's foot landed on the bottom step.

"I figured you'd talked yourself out of moving in."

Ridge's brain had made a valiant effort while waiting for Eddie to finish getting ready, but he'd ignored the dire warning in favor of listening to his gut. "Nope," he said when he reached the door.

Kendall stepped aside so he could enter. Ridge had really liked the house when he'd first seen it, even though there had still been moving boxes stacked around. In just a few days, Kendall had completely transformed the space. "My home is your home," he said, gesturing to the living room, which had overstuffed furniture, a large television, and lush houseplants.

The kitchen was immaculate and included a tall table with four padded chairs. The back of the house had a screened-in porch, and the two bedrooms and single bathroom were off to the left. The home was tiny but cozy and comfortable. If Ridge were looking to buy a house and put down roots, this would be the kind of house he'd want.

"Oh, this is nice," Eddie said when he stepped in behind Ridge. He pointed to the multitiered shelving units where the plants sat. "Sammy is going to have fun climbing that thing."

"I made sure all the plants were cat friendly," Kendall said. "I included some grass made specifically for cats to eat."

"The stuff that makes them high?" Eddie asked.

Kendall chuckled. "Not catnip. This is to aid their digestion."

"I never knew there was such a thing," Ridge said.

"Makes two of us, buddy." Eddie slapped Ridge's shoulder. "Ready to move the bigger pieces in? The sooner we get you set up, the sooner we can go over to the asshole's and get your cat."

"You're coming too?" Kendall asked.

"I wouldn't miss it for anything."

The three of them worked together, carrying in the furniture and getting everything set up. Eddie had brought a drill, but Ridge was surprised and even charmed when Kendall told him not to bother and retrieved one from the garage. Kendall wielded it like he'd been born with a drill in his hand.

When Kendall left the room to put the tool away, Eddie rounded on Ridge.

"Marry him. Even I got a little hot watching him work that drill."

"Shut up, Eddie." Ridge swung his garment bag on top of his newly made bed and unzipped it. "I'm not interested in a relationship, and I'm sure as hell not looking to hurt Kendall." He'd sensed the guy had been hurt enough. A ten-year-old kid didn't develop an eating disorder for no reason. Ridge craved Kendall with every fiber of his being, but he wouldn't act on it. He tugged the closet door open a little harder than necessary, then stared in shock at two large canvases resting against the wall.

The first one was a close-up of Kendall's face. His platinum hair was styled artfully to look mussed. Kendall wore a lacy black mask that beautifully contrasted with his pale blue eyes. It felt like Kendall could see right into Ridge's soul, and he couldn't tear his eyes away for several heartbeats. Ridge took a deep breath and dropped his gaze lower. Kendall's parted lips looked shiny and pink and oh-so-fucking kissable. Ridge imagined the little sigh of ecstasy he could coax out of that delectable mouth. Kendall's bare chest looked like it was covered in a sheen of sweat, and Ridge longed to lick a path from his collarbone to his ear, then along his jaw until he reached those soft lips.

The second image was of Kendall stretched out on a bed adorned with black satin sheets. He wore only a pair of skimpy lace boxer briefs, which left nothing to the imagination. Ridge was in jeopardy of choking on his own saliva as he stared at the erection straining the fabric. He took a shaky breath and allowed his eyes to roam over the full length of Kendall's splendid body. The sheen from the first photo was still present, making Kendall look thoroughly fucked and sated as he smiled sexily for the photographer. Who the hell had taken the photos? Someone Kendall knew intimately?

"Wow," Eddie whispered.

Ridge's heart was thundering so loudly he hadn't heard his friend move closer. "Shut up, Eddie." He quickly shut the doors.

His friend made a wheezing sound, and Ridge spun around to assess him. The asshole was trying his hardest not to laugh at him. Ridge knew Eddie wasn't mocking the provocative photos; the jerk was laughing at Ridge's reaction to them.

"You should see your face," Eddie said, then he raked his gaze down the front of Ridge's body. "And other things."

Ridge became aware of the growing problem just as he heard Kendall in the hallway.

"Good luck resisting him," Eddie said just as Ridge turned his back to hide his erection from Kendall. He spent an unusual amount of time removing his dress clothes from the garment bag and laying them out on the duvet while Eddie engaged Kendall in small talk.

"I saw a pretty plant in the living room I wanted to ask questions about," he said. "I think my girlfriend would like one for her office, but she's pretty low maintenance."

"I'd love to help you," Kendall replied.

Jess was beautiful but the opposite of low maintenance. She liked to look like a million dollars and didn't mind spending the time or money to make that happen. Ridge appreciated Eddie distracting Kendall so he could pull himself together, though. As soon as the two men left him alone, Ridge opened the door enough to look at the canvases one last time, knowing he'd take the memories into the shower with him later.

Todd answered the door wearing a crop top and a pair of barely there shorts. It was something Ridge had gone wild for when they'd first started dating, but after seeing Kendall stretched out and wearing nothing but lace, Todd's attempt didn't budge Ridge's desire meter.

"Hey, stranger," his ex said playfully. "I—" His words died when he saw the expression on Ridge's face.

Eddie muscled around Ridge and smiled at Todd, who gaped at him in shock. "Hello, Todd."

"Eddie," Todd said with barely contained disdain before turning his scowl on Ridge. "You didn't say anything about bringing your friend with you."

"Is Sammy packed and ready to go?" Ridge asked.

Todd looked at him with wounded eyes. "Don't you want to come in and talk for a minute?"

"We have nothing to discuss, but I do want to come in for a minute. I brought a contract for you to sign."

"And a notary and witness to make it legal," Kendall said from behind Ridge.

"Who the hell is that?" Todd asked angrily.

Ridge stepped aside so Todd could see Kendall. "This is Kendall."

"And you are?" Todd asked.

"Um, he just said my name is Kendall."

Todd raked his gaze over Kendall's lithe body, and Ridge could see the storm building in his eyes. "No, I mean, what's your stake in all this?"

Kendall batted his lashes innocently. "I'm just the notary public."

"And I'm the witness," Eddie said. "I have lots to do today, so can we get on with it."

"Fine," Todd said, stepping aside so the three of them could enter.

Sammy loudly meowed when he saw Ridge. The miniature lion jumped down off the couch and made a beeline straight for him. Ridge bent down and scooped the cat up, loving the way his purrs rumbled through his body. Sammy butted his head against Ridge's chin. He'd always loved it when Ridge's facial hair grew out a little on the weekends. Todd might have manipulated most of the situation, but Sammy was deliriously happy to see him.

Todd sighed unhappily. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

Kendall handed him the contract, and Todd took his time reading it. In the end, Ridge was doing exactly what Todd's very own text messages had said he wanted. Ridge had found a place to live that would accept the cat. The document simply stated Todd was surrendering both his rights to the cat and any financial responsibility. Todd retrieved a pen from his desk and signed the agreement, then handed both items to Ridge. After he finished, Eddie took his turn as a witness before Kendall signed and stamped the agreement.

"I'm out of here," Eddie said. "It wasn't nice seeing you, Todd."

"Ah, we finally agree on something," Todd replied.

"Too little, too late," Eddie said before he exited the apartment. He'd driven separately since his plans with Jess took him in the opposite direction of Kendall's house.

Ridge gently placed Sammy in his carrier while Kendall grabbed the things Todd had packed up for him. "Goodbye, Todd." Ridge had almost made it to the door when his ex called out.

"Can we talk privately for a few minutes?" Todd asked.

Ridge stopped but didn't turn around. "There's nothing to discuss."

"I don't agree."

Ridge turned around to face him. "Fine. But Kendall stays."

Todd rolled his eyes. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

"For cheating or for gaslighting me?"

Todd sighed. "Because your dad's heart attack left you in a vulnerable place, and I exploited it to get a marriage proposal from you. I knew our relationship was doomed, and I clung harder when I should've let you go. And I'm sorry about the other things too."

In shock, Ridge stared at Todd. "So, this deal with Sammy wasn't a con to win me back?"

Todd's cheeks turned pink. "It might've started out as a ploy, but the cat really does love you more, and he hasn't been the same since our breakup."

Nodding, Ridge said, "Take care, Todd."

"You too."

He left the apartment without a backward glance.

"I'm sorry about your dad," Kendall said softly when they reached the elevator.

Ridge had the strongest urge to pull the man to him for a hug and bury his nose in Kendall's neck, but he managed to resist. "Thanks. He's much better now."

"Good. What about you?"

Sammy meowed in his carrier, making Ridge smile like a lunatic. "I'm better now too, aren't I, Sammy?" Feeling Kendall's eyes on him, Ridge glanced up. "What?"

"Nothing." His lips quirked into a wry smile.

"Not nothing. What are you thinking?"

"You're so damn cute with your cat."

"Am not. Sexy, maybe. Never cute."

"Right now, you're both."

Ridge would've replied, but the elevator arrived. Once inside, he lifted the carrier to look into Sammy's worried eyes. "It's just a short ride, buddy. I promise. No vet. No snip snip."

Kendall grimaced. "I could hold him on my lap or sit with him in the back if it helps."

"Would you like that?" Ridge asked the cat.

Meow .

Sammy made his discontent known with incessant yowling the moment Ridge started the SUV.

"Maybe I should drive, and you hold the cat," Kendall suggested.

"Hell no. Your driving would traumatize Sammy even more."

Kendall laughed but didn't argue. He did slide a hand inside the carrier to stroke Sammy's fur. Ridge was insanely jealous and utterly charmed at the same time. The cat still meowed, but his protests became fewer as Kendall cooed to him and told him what a beautiful boy he was. His voice was so hypnotic Ridge nearly ran a four-way stop.

"Close call," Kendall said, tightening his hold on the carrier.

"Sorry. I got a little distracted."

Their eyes met and held while Ridge waited his turn to go. The zing of lust he'd felt earlier was tempered by something more profound and far scarier.

He was good and fucked.