Long Way (Adventures INK Book 2)

by Mercy Celeste

Chad skimmed his hands along Skip’s back and pulled him closer. “I want to sleep with you. Make love to you. That’s all I want from you.” His voice broke as he spoke, barely above a whisper.

  “We just met, Chad.” Skip wanted so much to say yes. “Four days ago. Just four days ago.”

  “Tell me you don’t feel the same as I do,” he whispered this time, his eyes wide open, and filled with every emotion Skip was feeling.

  Skip swallowed hard and nodded. He couldn’t deny that he was falling hard in lust right now. But… he’d been in love once. This didn’t feel like that. This felt… fragile. “I want you in my bed.”

  Chad blinked rapidly and pulled away. He wouldn’t meet Skip’s eyes. “Okay. Good. Lunch is getting cold.”

  Skip dropped his hands and returned to his seat. They didn’t speak much more than to make small talk about the area, and the food, and the weather. Considering the first night they’d slept together had been one of the worst storms Skip could remember, maybe the weather wasn’t exactly small talk. It was still very chilly this far north, but there shouldn’t be any more snow. At least, Skip hoped there wouldn’t be more snow. He usually planned his trips here to avoid the snow. He wasn’t fond of snow so much.

  He helped Chad clean up the kitchen, and waited for Chad to make the next move. “I’m going up to shower, and change clothes,” Chad said when the last glass was put away. “Is there anything you want me to get from town while I’m there?”

  Skip looked around at the stocked kitchen, and shook his head. He couldn’t think of anything that he hadn’t brought with him, or that Cat hadn’t supplied. Hell, they even had condoms. There wasn’t one damned thing he needed.

  “No, I think we’re good. But feel free to pick up anything you think we need. Like charcoal.”

  “Maybe some steaks to throw on the grill you have out there.” Chad grinned. “And green things. You don’t have any vegetables.” He laughed at the face Skip made. “Not a salad fan, I take it?”

  “Not really, no. But…” he squeezed his eyes closed, wondering how his next words would come out, or how Chad would take them. “If you want to take over my kitchen, and maybe convince me about the vegetables… I wouldn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” Chad was still grinning when he looked again. “Don’t know why you had to close your eyes to say that.”

  “Afraid you’d take it wrong,” Skip admitted. “Something like earning your keep while we fuck.”

  “And that’s happened to you in the past, hasn’t it?” Chad had remarkable observation skills.

  “Yeah, and before we go thinking I’m a sexist pig, it wasn’t my arrangement. It was just something that happened. I paid the bills, and well, it’s nothing to worry about. It was a long time ago.” Skip hated thinking about the times in his life that a pretty face had damn near been the death of him.

  “She wanted a ring and California is a community property state.” Chad hit the nail on the head first time.

  “It was a he, but yeah, same thing. Strangely, I can’t think of one single girlfriend who’d tried to get into my bank account through my kitchen.” And he winced again. “That’s what I mean about taking things wrong. I don’t think that’s what you’re doing.”

  “The one-million-dollar life insurance policy,” Chad said his grin gone again. “Can I ask how you know about it?”

  Skip went to the fridge, and pulled out a beer. If they were settling down for a business meeting, then he needed something to wet his suddenly dry throat. He popped the top, and drank half while looking for the courage to carry on with this conversation. “Colt bought the policy when you were born. Your mother was the beneficiary. He changed it to your name when they separated. And that pissed her off. She took him to court to have the policy put back in her name. The courts ruled in your dad’s favor. But you probably know most of that.” Chad shook his head, his face going pale. “Colt made me the executor of his will in case something happened to him before you were eighteen. I was supposed to make sure everything went to you and not her. After your eighteenth birthday, he took me off, and made sure you were next of kin. She couldn’t touch the policy, or anything he’d left. It’s old news. And painful. He wouldn’t have canceled the policy, so… yeah, I know. I can offer advice on how to invest it. But that’s all I have to say about it.”

  Chad stood there with his arms crossed over his chest, looking completely demolished. “She tried to kill him. Did you know that? I remember it. I was ten. She took a knife from the kitchen and tried to kill him. She beat him. I…” He wiped his face, but there were no tears to wipe away. He wouldn’t look at Skip. “I didn’t understand why he took it, you know. She had a terrible temper, and she threw things at him, and punched him. All the time. And he never said anything, and he never called the police after the knife incident. But that’s why he left. He tried to take me. And then he was gone, and I didn’t see him again until I left the Corps.”

  Skip shivered, hard and fast, and painful… as if a rabbit crossed his grave. “I didn’t know. No. He never said a word.”

  Chad stood up straight, and laid the dish towel on the counter. His eyes glassy. “She started on me at the end. I didn’t know how to escape her. That’s why I went into the Marines. Seemed like a good idea at the time. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to shower now.”

  Skip watched him leave. He didn’t follow. He went to his office, and sat behind his computer only to stare at the screen saver until his eyes blurred. How had he not known? He thought back to the week Colt had brought Chad up to Cliffside, and she’d followed. He’d known something was off that week. He just didn’t know Jillian all that well. But he knew Colt, and Colt wasn’t right. He was never an overly demonstrative person. Very much an introvert, as well as shy, Colt only opened up to people he loved. And that week had been fine, until she showed up. Then father and son had both changed. Colt seemed to stay in his room more, and the boy had sought out Skip… to escape a tense family situation? He could only speculate, but he should have known.

  “Hey,” Chad said, and Skip jumped. He had no idea how long he’d been staring at the screen. Which was blank now. “I’m… ah… what’s the address up here?”

  Skip opened his desk drawer, and took out a notepad to scribble down his address. He looked up to find Chad leaning over him. He had a touch of fear in his eyes when he kissed Skip. “I… Do you remember how to get to town?” He asked stupidly, when Chad pulled away.

  “Yessir,” the Marine said, not looking much like a Marine now. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” He took the note, and slipped it into his pocket as he put his hat onto his head. “Are you sure, you don’t need anything?”

  “I’m sure. I have so much work to do here. I’ll see you when you get back. Maybe watch a movie or something.” He was nervous now, and he didn’t know why. “Keys…” he looked around the office, wondering what he’d done with the spare set he kept here. “I have extra keys.”

  He pulled out the bottom drawer, and opened the fireproof box, and found the set he’d made for Brian a long time ago. “Here. Keep them. If you’re going to live here… I mean. Yeah. Okay. So. I’m rambling.”

  Chad smiled, and leaned back over. “You’re adorable when you ramble.” He kissed Skip again, skimming his fingers over Skip’s cheek just before their lips parted. His breath catching as the kiss lingered.

  “Go… now,” Skip said, his own breath not exactly unaffected. “Go or we’re going to have to go upstairs. Go… oh god. Go, before I beg you to stay, and fuck me right here.”

  Chad moaned his eyes rolling, as he reached for the desk to steady himself. “I can go tomorrow.”

  Skip wanted him to stay. He forced himself to look away. He brought his computer up again, and pulled up the file he needed to start. Then, he cleared his throat. “Go… I have work to do.” He hated every word that came out of his mouth. “Just…” He sighed and squeezed his eyes closed, trying to calm the rush of need, and want, and cr
azy that assailed him. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

  Chad held the keys tight in his hand. He nodded, and turning on his heel, he walked away, as if Skip had dismissed him. His shoulders ramrod straight and his head held high, he looked every bit the pissed off Marine he probably was.

  The front door slammed, and a couple of minutes later, Skip heard his Jeep engine rev. He was alone in his fortress of solitude. The peace and quiet of the place nearly overwhelming him.

  He pulled out the first chapter and tried to decipher his notes, but the ticking of the clock distracted him. He yawned. The words blurring with each tick and tock. The good food and wine caught up with him, and he shut down his office, and dragged himself upstairs to his bedroom. He stripped down to his skin and crawled into bed. He didn’t give a shit that the sun was still up, or that his blinds were open. He couldn’t keep his eyes open another minute. He pulled the pillow that smelled like Chad against his chest, wishing it was the real thing. Wishing he’d asked him not to go. Wishing that he didn’t know everything he knew now. He couldn’t keep him. So why did he desperately want to do just that?

  Chapter Fourteen

  What he’d thought was a picturesque little town nestled at the base of a mountain was really a small city. He drove along Main Street looking for the post office he’d seen on the way in the day before. He parked in a space on the street, and went in to do his business. His mail was being held at the post office that served his father’s address. He guessed he’d end up sending for his father’s mail until he could put a stop to it all. He chose not to do that yet. He wasn’t ready.

  When he was finished submitting the paperwork, he decided to walk the street. He found a coffee shop and went inside. Cover off and in his pocket. People saw him walk in, and rose to greet him. He winced at the same ‘thank you for your service’ greeting he’d received every time he was out in public. He appreciated their gratitude. He did. But… he left because he couldn’t serve anymore. He didn’t deserve their thanks.

  He got a bear claw and a coffee, black, because he was starting to feel tired. He wasn’t used to sleeping during the day, and having nothing to do in the afternoon. Who was he kidding? He had nothing to do at any hour of the day.

  He needed a job. He didn’t need the money. He just didn’t want to sit around Skip’s house getting underfoot. Cover back on, he browsed the windows on the street finding more food places, a florist, a craft store. A small bookstore. He dropped his empty coffee cup in the trash beside the door, and went into the bookstore. There was a huge display of the new SW Simpson book coming out next month. Apparently, he’d be signing here the day the book was due to release. The title of one of the other books caught his attention. It was the book he’d found in Skip’s bag while he was sick in the motel. The cover was new. He’d read two of the three books that were getting a re-release. The Girl Scout book being the second of the two, and the one he’d had a hard time getting through.

  He needed something to read. He wasn’t sure if he was up to the gore of a SW Simpson book just yet. He browsed, finding a JD Robb book he hadn’t read. He stopped in the cookbook aisle, and grabbed a couple of books, and then looked around for a local section. He wanted to read up on the area, and maybe find a guide to the local scene. He had no idea why.

  “We meet again,” he heard right behind him, and turned to find the pink-haired woman who’d delivered Skip’s groceries the day before. She carried a basket of books and assorted gift items. “So, what brings you to town?”

  “I, uh…” He held up the books, and tried to think of a better reason than just getting out of Skip’s hair. “Wanted to get to know the town since I’m going to be here a little while. And… is there a section with local guide books or maps or something?”

  “Honey, the best local library to be had in this town is in the house where you’re staying.” She took the mystery from him, and put it back on the shelf. “Skip has all of her books. Signed. He’s a mystery junkie. And the best hiking is on his mountain.”

  “I, uh,” he mumbled again. He had no idea how to respond. He could borrow the book from Skip, yeah. He didn’t have a problem borrowing, but how was he supposed to know Skip had a stocked library.

  “Oh, now, cookbooks, you’re not going to find one of those in Skip’s library. He barely knows how to boil water. I write explicit instructions on the frozen meals I prepare for him. He could use a home-cooked meal. Get him out of that office, and remind him to eat. He’ll go days without eating. I pop in twice a week to bring him new food, and find the meals still in the freezer, but the junk food is all gone. The weird thing is, when he’s out on the trail, he’s the one shoving food and water at people. I do not understand that man.”

  “Did someone say cookbooks?” A woman wearing a smock with the bookstore’s mountain and writing pen logo on it came up. “Hi ya, Cat. Are you shopping for you or a client? Oh, hello, how are you? So lovely to see a new face.”

  She held her hand out and Chad took it. “I… nice to meet you,” he said, even though they hadn’t met. He had no idea who she was, or why he was still here. “I guess, I’m about done here.”

  “He’s staying with Skip. His father died, Colt. Remember Colt? Colt passed. Poor man. He had such a hard life. He was such a nice man whenever he came to visit. I didn’t know he had a son. Have you met Brian, sweetie? You and Brian would get along well. You’re both about the same age,” the pink-haired Cat said, chatting with both him and the bookstore woman. Chad politely held captive between them.

  “I haven’t met him. I understand he was married recently.” Chad wondered if she’d been subtly hinting that Skip’s look-alike son would be more his speed. Maybe she was jealous. Why would she be jealous, if she didn’t know there was something between him and Skip? Did anyone know Skip liked dick? Could they tell he liked dick?

  “Married? Well, isn’t that nice. Skip didn’t say a thing. I keep after him to bring the boy up for a visit, so we can meet him properly. All these years and not one visit. You know, hon, there’s a weekly cooking class at the community college. And we have a small culinary school, if you’re interested. But, there are bigger schools. One down in San Diego, not far from Skip’s compound… if that’s something that would interest you. Oh… maybe you should take the Robb book. Skip might not have a reading copy of this one yet. I wonder if he even has this one yet, it just came out last month.” Cat kept talking while the bookshop woman patted him on the arm until Chad cleared his throat. He needed to get going; it was going to be dark soon, and he had a couple of other things he wanted to do.

  “I… was wondering if you could tell me where I can go to buy some… I mean, I only have my BDUs with me. I don’t have any street clothes… or biking equipment. I need hiking boots.”

  “What’s a BDU?” The bookshop woman asked, looking confused.

  “Battle Dress Uniform, Gail. What he’s wearing. Try to keep up, hon. I do love a man in uniform. But I can see you need to fit in around here. Not that you will, any more than Skip does. But there’s a sporting goods store where Skip buys his equipment, and they have regular clothes as well. Jeans and the like. But we have a couple of nice men’s retailers, and there’s an Old Navy in the new mall just off the highway, if you’re on a budget.”

  “I’m not. It’s been nice to meet you both.” He tried for diplomacy, hoping to extricate himself from the unwanted attention. He was about to put the books down and run for his life, but the one named Gail took them, and picked up the mystery novel, and added a couple of items from the gift tables as she led him up to the checkout counter. She rang up the items, and put a receipt in the bag.

  “Thank you so much. I hope to see you again. And say hello to Skip, from Gail,” she said, blushing a little, while Chad pulled out his wallet to pay, but she refused the money. “I put it on Skip’s credit with a military discount. Just… tell him we’re happy he’s back.”

  “No.” Chad handed her the bag back. “This isn’t for S
kip. It’s mine. I pay for my purchases.”

  Cat set her basket down on the counter, and took his arm again. “I’ll be right back, Gail. Hold on to that for me.” She dragged Chad out with a strength Chad didn’t expect from such a tiny woman.

  He still carried the bag of ill-gotten goods when they hit the street. She looked and found the Jeep, and started leading him toward it. “Honey, Skip owns the bookstore, and Gail has a serious thing for him. She doesn’t have the sense to realize you’re his boyfriend, so it’s… just taking care of her boss to her.”

  “I’m not his boyfriend.” Chad looked back at the store at the mountain logo with the fountain pen flag atop it, and saw Skip’s influence. “I didn’t think he’d own a bookstore. He’s not the type.”

  She laughed and patted his arm again.

  “Oh, honey, you are too cute. Like a hedgehog. Something cute and prickly. Trust me. I know Skip well enough to see that he’s gone on you. If you weren’t aware of that, then pardon me for spoiling the plot for you. We had some good times back in the day, but he never looked at me the way he does you. And he’s never had eyes for Gail, and she’s been after him for years.”

  Chad blinked rapidly, wondering if he’d developed allergies all of a sudden. He wasn’t boyfriend material. “But a bookstore?”

  “Well, the old store went out of business around the time he came biking through here. He wasn’t from around here. Looked like a wild man with that long, flowing hair, and the scraggliest beard I’d ever seen. Didn’t have anything, but what he carried on his back. He stopped, and went inside, and sat down in the office, and asked to use the phone. Next thing we knew, the door was locked and the going-out-of-business sign was taken down. Skip moved into a storage room for a few months, while he had it renovated. And that’s it. He hired staff and rode out of town without a word to anyone. That’s how he is. And he’s never brought anyone to town with him before you. So… if you’re not his boyfriend, then you should probably put him out of his misery.”