Until the Stars Fall (Just the Way You Are Book 1)

by Abigail Kade

  Chapter Seven

  After what had happened at the restaurant earlier, if you had told me I would be having fun later, I would have laughed in your face or punched you, it was fifty-fifty really. But here I was just an hour after that complete clusterfuck in the restaurant, having a blast. And the reason was the gorgeous, funny man standing with me in line at the Loco Taco food truck. I had fallen apart when Parker had attacked me. His facts weren’t all correct, but they were close enough to the truth to hurt me deep in my soul. I hadn’t really thought about that time of my life for so long, and hearing about it in front of a rapt audience of strangers had been utterly devastating. Not to mention the complete humiliation in front of someone I was trying to make a good impression.

  After that, I had been sure that Connor wouldn’t want anything to do with someone like me, someone who had come from the background I had come from. I knew for a fact he would come after me and accuse me of the same things Parker had, lying to him about the kind of man I was. Acting like such an upstanding member of this community when I had been one step away from selling myself to support myself and my brothers. Who in their right mind would want to be with someone like that? Well, apparently Connor did.

  I had been one thread away from breaking as I stood leaning against his truck waiting for him to come out. I was fully prepared to endure his ridicule and possibly find my own way home. What I wasn’t prepared for was him holding me while I cried, consoling me while I recounted my difficult memories, or making me laugh after all of that drama and sadness. And that kiss! Connor was an amazing man. I didn’t know if I deserved his attention, but I was beginning to realize it wasn’t about what I thought. He wanted to be with me, and I wasn’t about to do anything to mess that up no matter what I told him about my lack of trust. If I was being honest with myself, I didn’t really feel like he would leave me. For some reason, I believed him when he said he was sticking around for a long while, but I wasn’t ready to admit that to him just yet.

  We had already walked around to the various vendors up and down Fairpoint Avenue, and now we were getting tacos for dinner before dropping in to visit Aunt Lillian. I needed a little fortification before that visit. I had a feeling she would love Connor, but you never knew with her. She was a wildcard on the best of days, and if Remy was there, too. Well, we’d just have to see, Remy could have a bit of a hair trigger. He had positioned himself as my protector the day he grew taller than me at the age of fourteen. If I showed up with someone he hadn’t vetted, especially after Parker, he might react unpredictably. On the day they handed out his redheaded temperament, Remy got in line twice. I could only hope for the best.

  We finished up our dinner while we strolled past the tables on the street offering handmade candles, paintings or other artistic endeavors. We were heading back toward Aunt Lillian’s place named Elder Ridge Gallery when I was abruptly grabbed from behind and hauled over someone’s very tall shoulder in a fireman’s carry. I let out a startled yelp as I looked down and the only thing in my view was a man’s jeans covered ass with a chain wallet hanging out of the back pocket. I giggled and slapped the man’s ass. I knew who that belonged to and he deserved a spanking—the jerk.

  “Put me down, you ass, I’m on a date.” I yelled, but before he could set me down, I heard a loud, angry growl behind me. Before I knew it, I was back on the ground, Connor’s arms wrapped around me with my back to his front, just like he’d held me the day I almost went over the balcony. And just like on that day, I instantly felt safe, even though I knew I wasn’t in danger tonight. I could feel Connor breathing heavily behind me getting ready for another confrontation on my behalf. I knew he thought I had just been in trouble and he’d jumped in to protect me. He was showing me his true colors every time I turned around tonight, and the more I saw, the more I loved.

  I looked up at my would-be abductor, who was frowning deeply and rubbing the back of his tattooed neck, telling me he was confused and trying to decide whether to whip Connor’s ass or apologize. I was curious what he’d decide, but first, introductions. I tapped Connor’s arm still wound tightly around my waist, “Connor, I’d like to introduce you to one of my younger brothers, Remy Eldridge. Remy, this is my date, Conner McDaniel.” Connor’s arm flinched around my waist a second before he let me go. I missed the feeling but stepped away from him and reached up, way up, to hug my baby brother.

  Remy was as tall as Connor, topping out at six-feet-one-inches. He and Rhett had surpassed me when they were fourteen, and I had been pissed. Where Rhett had always been the quiet, conservative twin, Remy had always been bigger than life. He hated being confused for Boring Rhett so as soon as he had turned eighteen, he’d started getting tattoos and piercings. I’d asked him once how many tattoos he was planning on getting. His answer had been, “When I run out of skin or money, bro.”

  Running out of money wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Remy worked part-time with Rhett in his law practice, but his true love was metalworking. He had studied with a blacksmith when he’d been in high school and had studied metalworking throughout his college years and even apprenticed part-time while he had attended law school. Now, he loved manipulating various metals into intricate sculptures that he sold for ungodly amounts of money. They were true, one of a kind works of art. But along with his art came an artist’s temperament. Remy had it in spades, so I wasn’t surprised tonight when he decided to be confrontational instead of contrite.

  “What the fuck, man? Why did you grab my brother like that? He’s not your property. You don’t own him you know.” Yep, Remy was showing his true colors tonight, too. “Don’t ever manhandle my brother like that, man. Not unless you want to have a bigger problem with me than you already do.”

  I could feel Connor getting tense next to me. He had reached for my hand as soon as I’d stepped away from hugging Remy and he hadn’t let go yet. He was staking his claim against my brother, and I liked the feel of his large hand embracing mine. “Remy, chill out! Connor didn’t know who you were. He thought you were assaulting me on the street and he was protecting me for the second time tonight. He did exactly what you would do, so quit your bitching and shake hands with my date.”

  Remy didn’t stand down quickly, but he did hold his hand out for a shake after holding Connor’s gaze for about a minute. Neither one shifted their eyes away, each refusing to give the advantage to the other. Eventually, they silently called a draw to their alpha bullshit, shook hands and broke apart. “So what do you mean he protected you twice tonight? What else happened?” Of course, he would pick up on that.

  “We had an issue at dinner earlier tonight, but everything is fine now.” I gave him what I thought was a radiant smile and hoped to hell I had successfully glossed over what had happened earlier. I didn’t need Remy in jail…again. It looked like I had succeeded when Remy relaxed his stance and slipped his hands into his pockets.

  “Actually, it was more than an issue, Ladd,” Connor said, then looked at Remy, “Some asshole named Parker confronted your brother in the middle of Noble House and embarrassed the hell out of him, so I broke the fucker’s nose. So excuse me for overreacting to your grabbing him off the street, but I’m a little on edge after everything we’ve been through tonight.” Well hell! I mentally started going over how much money I had on hand and wondered if it would be enough for bail.

  I could see Remy’s blue eyes go gray and knew I was going to have to head him off before he caused any more trouble. “Remy, we were just about to head to Aunt Lillian’s gallery.” I threw a look at Connor hoping he would pick up on my silent invitation for help, then grabbed Remy’s bicep a little too forcefully, all but dragging him down the sidewalk. “Come with us and say hi. I know she would love to see you, plus she’s been wanting to show us her new collection. I’m anxious to see what she’s come up with now.”

  Remy tried to pull away from me, but Connor had thankfully gotten my mental plea for help and slapped a heavy hand on Remy’s other shoulder. “Aw
e, come on. We just met, and I’d like to get to know Ladd’s little brother better. Come with us, what else have you got to do?” We all knew what he wanted to go do, but no one, especially Remy, would admit it. With a pained sigh, he gave in by shrugging Connor’s hand off his shoulder and stalking down the sidewalk.

  Well, we won round one at least.

  “I know what you’re both doing, and I’m letting you get away with it for the moment, but mark my words this isn’t over. That fucker Parker is going to have a come to Jesus meeting with me sometime very soon!” Well, fuck, I guess I’d spoken too soon.

  We made it to Elder Ridge Gallery, and I was shocked to see so many people milling around outside. They were all peering through the gallery windows pointing and giggling. What the hell is Aunt Lillian up to now? I saw Remy glance at the window, then he did a double take and stopped in his tracks so fast I nearly ran into him. I stopped short to avoid him, but Connor had been looking that way, too, and ran right into me, pushing me forward with such force I went face first into the window. I was plastered to the glass, both hands out in front of me to break my fall, and face pressed to the pane with a front row view of Aunt Lillian’s newest art collection. At first, I wasn’t sure I was seeing it right, so I blinked a few times to make sure. But sure enough, there in the window of Elder Ridge Gallery was an entire collection of erect cocks in all shapes, colors, and sizes standing tall and held aloft by perfectly placed balls which acted as stands. Dear God, what had she been thinking? I scrambled back from the window, leaving a clear impression of my face and my handprints still visible on the glass. Perfect! I noticed Connor was trying to hide his smile, but the sparkle in his eyes gave him away. Remy, on the other hand, had his palm to his forehead and was laughing out loud at both me and the window-o-dicks. I shook my head and just walked away from them both. I needed to get inside to find out what the hell was going on.

  As soon as I entered, Aunt Lillian rushed over to me as quickly as she could through the crowd. Her red hair was held back in a long braid down to her waist as usual. She was wearing a long flowery skirt and a powder blue peasant blouse that engulfed her petite frame, and she wasn’t wearing shoes. Yep, typical Aunt Lillian. It was hard to believe she was Aunt Helen’s older sister. Both looked younger than to be in their 50s and their facial features were very similar, but their style was completely different.

  When she got to me, she grabbed me in a huge hug, her long red braid falling between us. “Ladd! I didn’t expect you tonight.” She pushed me out from our embrace and placed both of her slightly calloused palms on my cheeks to keep my eye contact with her. I could feel her excitement buzzing through her touch. “Did you see my window?” I nodded against her strong grip. “Tell me honestly, my love, what do you think of my new collection?”

  I had no idea what to say to that question, so I went with KISS—keep it simple stupid. “It’s really great, Aunt Lillian. It seems to be really popular.”

  That was the right answer because she squealed a little, pinched my cheeks, then gave me a big smack on the lips. “It is, my love, it so is. It’s been more popular than I ever imagined. But then again everyone likes cock, am I right?” She gave me a conspiratorial wink and dug her elbow into my ribs laughing with her deep horse laugh that was quintessential Lillian. Then she qualified her statement, “Everyone except Helen and Gwen.” Like magic, my other aunt materialized through the crowd with her girlfriend, Gwen. Well technically she was her girlfriend, but they preferred lady friend. I just went with it.

  Gwen came over and gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek. She was dressed as impeccably as ever in a tailored pantsuit in her signature black. Her dark brown hair was flowing around her shoulders softening her angular face, and her eyes were perfectly framed by her cat eye glasses in a bright green to match her eyes. “Ladd, darlin’, it’s so good to see you! I just met your gentlemen friend over by the drinks table. He’s delicious, sweetie. And I heard through the grapevine that he punched that no good Parker Radcliff tonight defending your honor. I’d say that man’s a keeper. If he knows how to make you come so hard you see stars, then marry him, sugar.”

  I wasn’t sure whether to laugh hysterically or be mortified, but Aunt Helen came to my rescue by slapping at Gwen’s arm. “Gwennie, for heaven’s sake, they haven’t slept together yet, this is their first date.” Gwen slapped back playfully with a giggle.

  “Well, then, he needs to put out on the first date and find out then doesn’t he?” Okay, mortification was winning.

  Blushing to my roots, I changed the subject, “So what do you two think about the new collection?”

  Taking the hint, Gwen looked to Lillian, “It’s amazing, Lil. Really, how on Earth did you get them to look so lifelike?”

  Lillian beamed an evil smile, “They look lifelike because they are. I took life casts of real cocks and balls. Then I cast them and manipulated them to suit the function I needed. I made them to stand on their own, so they’re functional. The smaller ones are cell phone stands, and then the monster cocks can be used for tablets. Isn’t it great? I call the collection Dick Stand. You know like a kickstand but with dicks!”

  I busted out laughing along with Gwen and Aunt Helen, all of us holding our sides and crying. Jesus, that was the funniest thing I had ever heard. I looked around at the variously sized dick stands and realized Aunt Lillian was a deviant genius.

  Having a semi-normal conversation with these women while surrounded by dicks and strangers was at once surreal and oddly hot. I suddenly really wanted to find Connor, so I searched above the crowd where I had last seen him. When I located him, we locked eyes and the heat in his gaze scorched me from all the way across the room. I guess I wasn’t the only one who found this weird scene slightly arousing. I let the need and want I had felt at lunch earlier today come rushing back in full force. At that moment, all I wanted to know was whether Connor was a phone stand or, please God, a tablet. Letting my own need read in my eyes, I angled my head toward the door and made my way through the crowd. The public portion of our date was over, but if I had anything to say about it, this date wouldn’t be ending anytime soon.

  Chapter Eight

  After all the drama of earlier in the evening, I had prayed I could salvage this date with Ladd, and as we left his aunt’s gallery, both laughing and joking about the reactions we’d seen to her collection, I knew I had succeeded. I was nowhere ready to end the evening, so once we made it back to my truck, I asked, “What should we do now? The night’s still young.” I turned to Ladd, and he was staring at me now with a look I couldn’t place.

  “No, actually, can we just head back to my place now?”

  I didn’t make eye contact with him because I was so surprised but smiled to hide my disappointment. “Sure, hop in, and I’ll take you home.” I guess I’d read him completely wrong and somehow blown my chance. I was so hoping to make something work with this beautiful man, but maybe all the drama had been too overwhelming. Or maybe you’re not enough for him just like you weren’t enough for Troy.

  I did my best not to listen to that voice, but it was so damn hard when all I felt was depression starting to take over again. Ladd tried to talk a few times, but I was stuck in my head with self-doubt and just shut him down each time. If he was ending the date early, I didn’t want to be any more invested than I already was. Ladd was unusually fidgety. When we got to his place, he gave me the code to enter the driveway, then pointed out where I should turn to take him to his carriage house.

  I pulled up and didn’t turn off the truck thinking he would make a quick getaway now that he was home, but he surprised me. “Do you want to come in for a drink or something? I know you said you don’t like dessert, but I could make some hot chocolate, and we can sit on the back porch and talk or whatever.” I was speechless for a moment because I hadn’t seen this as a possibility. I wasn’t going to say no though.

  “Um, sure, I’d love that. I do love hot chocolate, and the weather tonight is perfect for
it, too.” I turned off the truck, and we both made our way up the steps to his front door. I took a chance and put my arm around his shoulders when I saw him shiver in the cooling breeze. I wasn’t sure he’d welcome it, but he snuggled in and gave me a brief thank you. I grinned like a fool. I seemed to do that a lot around Ladd tonight.

  Ladd got the door open, and I was amazed by the room before me. Like the main house, this smaller cottage was decorated like it was about to be featured in a national magazine. All of the furniture was done in neutrals and off-white fabrics and leathers. The walls were painted a soothing dove gray with deep moldings painted antique white gloss. The only color in the room was from the gigantic Persian rug anchoring the seating arrangement, various pillows on the chairs and sofa and a gorgeous landscape painting hanging above the fireplace. The whole mood of the room was soothing, comfortable and elegant. I was absolutely sure Ladd had decorated every square inch of this space with loving care and attention to detail.

  “Wow, this place is amazing. I’m assuming you did all of this yourself.” I glanced in Ladd’s direction, and he gave a shy nod of his head. “Well, it’s beautiful. Now I see why you’ve won awards for your interior designs. You’re not just an architect, you’re an artist, too.” I looked at the landscape and asked, “Who did this? It’s beautiful. It reminds me of the view I saw earlier from the back porch of the main house.” The style of the painting was more impressionistic than realistic, but the effect with the water and the sunset in the distance was mesmerizing.

  “Oh, that actually is the view from the back porch. Rhett painted it for me when I graduated and moved in here. All of us have some sort of artistic talent. It’s just in different mediums. Even Uncle James has a hobby of jewelry making believe it or not. He sells his silver and gold pieces at Gwen’s jewelry store in town. He tells us it’s just a hobby, but he’s got a huge following and people have started collecting his pieces. He even has thousands of followers on Instagram, believe it or not. He could retire now and live very comfortably on what he makes with his local sales and his online and custom orders. He has a big demand for matching custom rings for weddings, both gay and straight. His clients say they can feel the love and care he puts into each piece he creates. He loves making them, so I guess it’s true.”