Chad only nodded, not really connecting the dots between now and then. From Chad’s perspective, Ducky had changed very little about his life even with all his successes. His world literally revolved around the same five miles he’d grown up in. The tight grip on his heart eased as he agreed with the parts he understood. “I liked you before too, but I don’t think you’re that different of a person.”
Ducky unwound his hands from the hold he had around his chest, placing a palm on his heart. “I’m different here, and I don’t like it.” Ducky’s angry brow furrowed, the look on his face hardened as he got to his feet, moving completely away from Chad. He took long strides to the railing of the patio, giving Chad his back as he stared out at the ocean for several long minutes.
With the same anguished flare, he turned back toward Chad, leaning his ass on the ledge. His arms crossed over his chest again. He looked ready for an argument. “I’m giving my money away. I don’t like it. People suffer while I have all this cash that I don’t need. I’ll increase our company’s benefit packages then I’m giving the rest to charity. Greer knows lots of nonprofits who are trustworthy…” Ducky shook his head as his lips clamped shut. His strong jaw ground together. The direct focus Ducky had on Chad let him know this decision somehow included him.
“I only need about twenty thousand dollars a year to live on. I don’t like the excess or the way it causes people to look at me differently now. I want to live an authentic life, one that represents me, not everyone else.”
Chad could do little more than nod as he got to his feet. Of course, Ducky wouldn’t like having money. He’d always railed against the world for not taking care of the underprivileged. He hadn’t ever met anyone in his life who considered everyone before themselves, but Ducky did. He inspired Chad to look at the world differently, always do better in his day-to-day life.
Before he said those exact words, he needed to better understand his involvement in Ducky’s changes. As much as he hated to, Chad stopped short again of reaching for Ducky. This time, fisting his hands to force them to stay by his side.
“Do you think I see you differently?” Chad asked.
“Do you?” Ducky shot immediately back. “Are you sure that’s not driving this between us?” Whatever look Chad gave had Ducky lifting a hand between them in some sort of peace offering wave. At least his voice lost the accusatory tone as he finished his explanation. “Not intentionally. I know you’re not that kind of person but consider the possibility. I don’t have any real friends anymore. People look at me differently. I never expected to be making this kind of money in my life.”
“Fuck no, I’m not seeing dollar signs when I look at you.”
Ducky had never seen himself clearly. His lack of confidence in himself, and in Chad for that matter, made him step forward, his chest touching Ducky’s crossed arms.
“I don’t want your money. I want you.” His hands reached out of their own accord, gripping Ducky’s biceps. It just felt better to be touching him. “You’re my best friend. I went nuts when you weren’t talking to me. I’ve stayed away from you all these years because it’s really real for me. These days of this vacation have been the best but hardest of my life. You’re fucking perfect, Duck…”
Ducky unwound his arms, both palms came to his chest. Close to his heart, effectively stopping him from saying anything more. “You have to see we make no sense.”
“What doesn’t make sense?” Chad shot back, shaking his head, giving an exaggerated eye roll to make sure Ducky got the absurdity of such a statement. “What youjust saiddoesn’t make sense. You’ve never seen yourself clearly.”
Chad’s anger sparked, fueling more of his truth to tumble from his lips.
“Give your money away. Take care of the world. You’re the only one of us who’s surprised at your decision. I damn sure make more than twenty thousand dollars a year, and I’m about to make a whole lot more with WS. I got you. I can support us.” He took a small step forward, bumping against Ducky’s chest. The frantic beat of Ducky’s heart matched the thundering one in his own chest. Lust and love were no longer the only things motivating Chad. He was frustrated yet never more certain of anything in his life.
He had to take a second to rewind his words to find which ones may have caused Ducky’s current look of alarm.
“You just said your life’s changed. You’re alone all the time. Give up your apartment and move in with me.” Chad refused to accept Ducky’s stunned expression as anything more than surprise. They made sense, regardless of what Ducky had conjured up in his head. “I have a second bedroom if that helps ease whatever caused that look on your face.”
Chad wrapped his arms around Ducky’s waist like a vise, keeping them pressed together even as his tone changed to reflect the sincerity of his idea. “You aren’t the only one with head issues about the course of your life. I’ve been tilted too, but you’ve helped settle me. I know what I want. My vision is clear. You just need to catch up.”
Ducky’s troubled stare locked on Chad. His lips parted, letting out a puff of warm breath that hit Chad square in the face. “What do you want?”
He couldn’t help this second crazy eye roll he gave. How did he say a lifetime without sending this sweet, nonsensical man running?
Chad decided to let action give his answer. He leaned in, taking Ducky’s lips in one of their uniquely heated kisses. There was no hesitation on Ducky’s part. He opened for Chad, wrapping his arms around him too, accepting everything offered. No matter what they said, this kiss proved they were on the exact same page.
Love and promises exchanged between them with the touch of lips.
Ducky tightened his arms around Chad, hanging on to him.
He leaned forward, pushing Ducky back against the rail. His body grew tense with need, wanting to give this commitment then seal their fate in the bedroom.
No wonder he was the ideas guy. That was clearly the best idea ever.
Maybe the only thing that might tear Chad from this soul-destroying kiss would be getting them back to the bedroom. He pulled away, lifting a hand to Ducky’s jaw to keep him from following. Ducky’s lust-filled gaze searched Chad’s face until they stared one another in the eye. He needed Ducky looking at him before reason lost to the desire ricocheting through every nerve ending in his body.
“I know I love you. Give all your money away. Do what’s best for you. I’ll respect the decisions you make. All I ask is that you keep me in your life. It’s the only place I want to be.”
Tension melted off Ducky. He relaxed against the railing, his face going through a range of emotion before settling on something close to resolve.
“Same.” The simple declaration made Chad smile even knowing he’d have to hear more from Ducky later, his heart required it.
Chad sealed their love with a press of the lips. Then another and another. Ducky’s palms cradled Chad’s face, keeping him close as they kissed again, this time longer, lingering, and filled with the passion that seemed to accompany every single kiss they shared.
