Chapter 9: Partners
Ridge woke to Alex's fingers squeezing his. He stretched and rolled over, delighted to find Alex studying him. He leaned up and kissed her softly. "Oh, I could get used to this, darling woman." Alex nodded and smiled. "And it's only Thursday. Imagine a Saturday or Sunday...," Alex trailed off, her fingers still tangled in the sheets as she propped herself up on one elbow.
Ridge cupped her cheek. "Sadly, on Tuesday and Thursday, I don't have classes until noon. I figured I would be spending time in the gym on those days. Little did I know that my lover would be giving me a better cardio workout than I could have expected." Alex grinned and leaned down to bite his lower lip playfully. "Are you complaining, sir?"
Ridge's eyes went wide. "God, no. I don't have a single bad thing to say about you." Alex laughed, the sound rich and warm as she moved to straddle him, looking down at him from the confines of the Journey shirt that he was pretty sure she was staking a claim on going forward. "Good answer," she said, her fingers tracing the lines of his chest. "But if you're going to be in the gym, I'm coming with you. I need to keep up with you somehow."
Ridge groaned, his hands sliding up her thighs to grip her hips. "You don't need to do any such thing," he said, his voice rough with amusement. "You're already perfect just as you are." Alex smirked, leaning down to press her lips to his. "You're sweet, but I've got to keep up with you somehow," she murmured against his mouth. "Besides, I've been meaning to get back into a routine.
Ridge studied her a moment, his hands always moving over her skin. "Well, tell me, Alex, it seems to me that you are either a runner or swimmer, given your glutes and thighs. Are you sure you want to get into a lifting routine?" Ridge asked, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip. "You’ve got the body of someone who’s spent years in the pool or pounding the pavement. You don’t need to lift weights to keep that figure."
Alex leaned forward, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. "I like the way you think, but I’m not just talking about staying in shape. I’m talking about *strength*. I want to be able to handle myself. I want to be able to throw a punch if I need to, or lift something heavy without breaking a nail." She smirked, her fingers tangling in his hair. "Besides, I’ve always wanted to try CrossFit. It’s got that whole ‘I can do anything’ vibe," Alex said, her fingers still tangled in Ridge’s hair as she leaned down to kiss him again. "But I’ll need a good trainer. Someone who knows what they’re doing."
Ridge nodded and considered, then finally said, "Don't take this badly, baby. I don't think I'm the right person for that job. I mix activities but not at the pace of CrossFit trainers. I use cardio to warm up and then do focused weights, alternating between arms, legs, and core over a week, not in an hour." Alex playfully pouted at him. "If you want to make going to the gym together a thing, we certainly can try. But before you set your hopes on me as your trainer, maybe see if the gym has dedicated CrossFit specialists?" Ridge suggested, his fingers still tracing lazy circles on her bare thigh beneath the hem of his t-shirt. "I’d hate to disappoint you on your first day."
Alex smirked, leaning into him with a playful nudge. "Oh, I don’t know. You seem pretty good at *other* kinds of training." Her fingers danced over his chest, tracing the faint scars that told stories he hadn’t yet shared. "That's bias confirmation, professor." Ridge kissed her gently. "Please look for the people who know what they are doing? And if that fails I'll see what I can research."
Ridge kissed her again. "I don't know about you, but I'm not terribly hungry after midnight scrambled eggs. Can I bathe you and we'll see about some fruit or yogurt before we go to the gym?" He swept the hair from her shining eyes and continued, "Or am I being a complete moron and missing you trying to seduce me this morning?" Alex laughed, the sound rich and warm as she leaned into his chest. "You’re not missing anything," she murmured against his skin. "But I think we’ve earned a little break. Maybe a shower first?"
Ridge grinned, his fingers tracing the curve of her hip beneath the t-shirt. "I was thinking the same thing," he admitted, his voice rough with amusement. "But I make no promises about keeping my hands to myself."
Alex smirked, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer. "I wouldn’t have it any other way," she whispered, her lips brushing against his. "But if you touch me in the shower, we’ll never make it to the gym."
Ridge snorted softly. “Really? Just touching? Hmm.” He stroked her hair slowly. “Well then I guess you should go in the bathroom by yourself. I want to see those thighs and that ass at work, in something other than the usual way. I want to see you *moving*," Ridge said, his voice low and teasing as he kissed her shoulder. "But if you want to make it to the gym, you better get in that shower before I decide to keep you here all day." Alex laughed, rolling off him and standing up. She stretched her arms overhead, the oversized t-shirt riding up to expose the smooth skin of her stomach. "You’re impossible," she said, but her tone was affectionate. She turned and walked toward the bathroom, her hips swaying just enough to make Ridge groan.
The Journey t-shirt barely covered the tops of her thighs, and the way it clung to her curves made his fingers twitch with the urge to pull her back into bed. But he resisted—barely.
The bathroom was all sleek lines and modern fixtures, the kind of space that looked like it belonged in a design magazine. But right now, the only thing Ridge cared about was the way Alex moved, the way her bare feet padded softly against the tile, the way the dim glow of the vanity lights caught the golden highlights in her hair.
She turned on the water, testing the temperature with one hand before stepping under the spray. The steam curled around her body, turning her skin dewy and warm.
Alex closed her eyes as the water cascaded over her, letting the heat soak into her muscles. She reached for the shampoo, her fingers brushing against the bottle before she paused. The scent of Ridge’s soap—something woodsy and masculine—filled the air, and she smiled. She was in his space. In his life. And it felt right.
The glass door slid open behind her. Ridge stepped in, his body already slick with water, his dark hair plastered to his forehead. "I thought you said you’d go alone," he murmured, his voice rough with amusement as he reached for her.
Alex turned to face him, the water streaming down her back. "I *did* say that," she admitted, her lips curling into a smirk. "But I didn’t say I’d *stay* alone."
Ridge stepped closer, the heat between them suddenly more intense than the shower spray. His hands found her waist, pulling her against him. The water sluiced over their bodies, turning the space between them into a steamy, intimate cocoon.
"You’re a terrible influence," he murmured, his lips brushing against her temple. "I was trying to be noble."
Alex laughed, the sound rich and warm as she tilted her head back to meet his gaze. "Nobility is overrated," she said, her fingers tracing the lines of his chest.
"Besides, I don't need noble. I need *you*."
Ridge’s hands slid down to cup her ass, lifting her effortlessly. The warm water cascaded over them as she wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the hard press of his cock against her stomach. The steam swirled around them, turning the world outside the shower into a distant memory.
"Tell me what you need, Alex," Ridge murmured, his lips brushing against hers. "Because I’ll give it to you."
Alex’s breath hitched as his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thighs. "I need you to stop pretending you’re not going to fuck me in this shower," she whispered, her voice thick with desire. "I need you to stop holding back."
The water pounded against Ridge’s shoulders as he turned, pressing her back against the cool tile. His mouth crashed onto hers, hot and demanding, his tongue sweeping in to claim her. Alex moaned into the kiss, her fingers tangling in his wet hair as she arched against him. The contrast of the cold wall at her back and the heat of his body against hers sent shivers through her.
"I thought *I* was the baby in youngster in this relationship," Ridge growled against her lips, his hands sliding up to cup her breasts. His thumbs brushed over her nipples, already hard from the cold and the anticipation. He kissed her jaw and whispered, "Please don't get over being infatuated with me." Alex laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I don't think that's going to be a problem," she murmured, her lips brushing against his. The water cascaded over them, turning the air thick with steam.
Ridge's hands slid down to her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. "Hold on to me," he commanded, his voice rough with need. Alex obeyed, her legs wrapping around his waist as he pressed her against the slick tile wall. The cool surface contrasted with the heat of his body, sending shivers down her spine.
"You're so fucking beautiful," Ridge murmured, his lips trailing down her neck.
His teeth grazed her collarbone, and Alex gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. The water pounded against them, turning the world outside the shower into a distant hum.
Alex arched her back, pressing herself against him. "You're not so bad yourself," she teased, her voice breathy. Her fingers traced the lines of his shoulders, feeling the strength beneath his skin. "But I think you're stalling."
Ridge chuckled, the sound low and rough. "Maybe I am," he admitted, his hands sliding down to grip her thighs. "But I want to savor this. You. Us," Ridge said, his voice low and rough as his thumb traced the curve of her hip. The water cascaded over them, turning the air thick with steam and the scent of his woodsy soap. His fingers slid between her thighs, finding her already wet and ready for him. "You're so responsive, Alex. So perfect."
Alex moaned softly as his fingers teased her, her head falling back against the tile. "Ridge," she breathed, her voice trembling with need. "Don't tease me. I need you."
Ridge groaned, his cock throbbing against her stomach. "I know, professor," he murmured, his lips brushing against hers. "I need you too." His fingers slid deeper, teasing her entrance before he finally, mercifully, guided himself inside her. Alex gasped as he filled her, her nails digging into his shoulders as she held on tight.
The tile was cold against her back, but the heat between them was electric. Ridge moved slowly at first, his hips rolling in a deliberate rhythm that made her breath hitch. His head tilted back, lost in the wonder of her, the sensations of her body engulfing his. Then he lowered his eyes to hers again and whispered, "So much for getting to the gym any time soon." He grinned toothily to her.
"I'm not complaining," Ridge said, his voice rough with amusement. "But I think we're going to need to rethink our morning plans." His fingers traced the curve of her hip, the water cascading down their bodies, turning the air thick with steam and the scent of his soap. "I don't know about you, but I feel like we're both getting a much better workout right here."
Alex laughed, the sound rich and warm as she tightened her legs around his waist. "I think you might be right," she admitted, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "But we can't exactly stay in this shower forever."
Ridge groaned, his hips rolling against hers.
"Forever sounds like a damn good idea." The steam curled around them, turning the shower into a private world where nothing existed beyond the two of them. The cool tile against Alex’s back contrasted with the heat of Ridge’s body, the water cascading over them like a waterfall of sensation.
Alex arched into him, her fingers digging into his shoulders. "You're going to be the death of me," she murmured, her voice breathy.
Ridge chuckled, the sound rough and low. His lips found hers again, hot and demanding, his tongue sweeping into her mouth as he thrust deeper, pressing against her cervix, a sensation that Alex had grown to relish. She groaned in his mouth.
"Ridge..."
The sound of her voice, breathy and broken, was his undoing. His hands slid under her thighs, lifting her higher against the tile, changing the angle so that every thrust sent a jolt of pleasure through both of them. The water pounded against his back, turning the air thick and steamy, the scent of soap and sex filling the space between them.
Alex wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his wet hair. "Harder," she whispered against his lips, her voice trembling with need. "I want to feel you tomorrow."
Ridge groaned, his hips snapping forward with a force that made her gasp.
His fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thighs, lifting her higher, deeper. "You're going to regret asking for that," he growled against her lips, his voice rough with desire.
Alex laughed breathlessly, her nails raking down his back. "I don't think so," she murmured, her voice thick with pleasure. "I think I'm going to be thanking you for it later."
Ridge's chuckle was dark, his lips trailing down her neck as he thrust into her again. The water sluiced over their bodies, turning the air thick with steam and the scent of his soap. He murmured hotly, "Why? You haven't thanked me yet. What would that even sound like, you filthy thing?" Ridge growled, his teeth grazing her collarbone as he pinned her against the shower wall.
Alex gasped as he hit that perfect spot inside her, her nails raking down his back. "Like this," she murmured, her voice thick with pleasure. "Like *Ridge*." The sound of her voice, breathy and broken, was his undoing.
Alex moaned, her head falling back against the cool tile as Ridge’s rhythm grew more insistent. The contrast of the cold wall against her back and the heat of his body pressing into hers sent shivers down her spine. His fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thighs, lifting her higher, deeper, until she felt him everywhere—inside her, around her, consuming her.
Then he groaned and quivered around her, then convulsing as he pressed her harder into the wall, his cock swelling and jetting his seed inside her. Her eyes went wide and she came too, body milking him dry as her eyes never left his. Slowly, he leaned forward, his mouth barely moving against her ear as he whispered, "Is it too soon to tell you I'm falling hard?" The words were so quiet she almost missed them, lost in the sound of the water and her own ragged breathing.
Alex’s fingers stilled in his hair, her body still trembling from the aftershocks of pleasure. She turned her face toward him, her lips brushing his temple. "No," she murmured. "It’s not too soon."
Ridge exhaled sharply, his forehead pressing against hers. The water continued to cascade over them, warm and steady, as if the world outside had paused just for this moment. His hands, still gripping her thighs, relaxed slightly, his thumbs tracing slow circles against her skin.
"Well, it's true. I think the midnight scrambled eggs was the final straw," he said, his voice rough with something deeper than amusement. His eyes slowly searched hers, looking for some kind of reaction to his words, anything. The vulnerability there was raw and unexpected. Alex felt her heart clench in response.
She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing against the stubble on his jaw. "I'm falling too," she admitted softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "And I think I like it."
Ridge's breath hitched. His hands slid up her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. "Why?" he murmured, his lips brushing against hers.
Alex smiled against his mouth, her fingers still tangled in his damp hair. "Because it feels like coming home," she said, her voice soft but sure. "I didn’t even know I was lost until I found you."
Ridge exhaled sharply, his forehead resting against hers. The water cascaded over them, warm and steady, as if the world outside had paused just for this moment. "I didn’t expect this," he admitted, his voice rough with something deeper than amusement. "I didn’t expect *you*."
Alex laughed softly, the sound warm and rich as she leaned into him.
"Neither did I," she admitted, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "But here we are." The water continued to cascade over them, turning the air thick with steam and the scent of his soap. The moment stretched between them, fragile and perfect, like a bubble of time they didn’t want to burst.
Ridge’s hands slid up her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. His lips brushed against hers, soft and lingering. Then he reached for the shampoo and began a slow washing of her hair. She closed her eyes and reveled in his gentle touch, her lips parting with enjoyment. She licked her lips and whispered, "We'll start going to the gym. Tomorrow." He nodded, accepting her decision without question.
"Tomorrow it is," he murmured, his fingers working through her hair with slow, deliberate strokes. The steam swirled around them, turning the bathroom into a private sanctuary where the outside world didn’t exist. Alex leaned into his touch, her eyes closed as the scent of his shampoo filled the air. "You know," she said softly, "I think I could get used to this."
Ridge chuckled, his lips brushing against her temple. "Good. Because I plan on spoiling you rotten." She opened her eyes to meet his gaze, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "You don’t have to spoil me," she said. "Just… be here.
With me," Alex said softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water. "That’s all I want."
Ridge’s hands stilled in her hair, his fingers tangling in the wet strands. "I’m not going anywhere," he murmured, his lips brushing against her forehead. The steam curled around them, turning the bathroom into a cocoon of warmth and intimacy. "But you should know, Alex, I’ve never been good at half-measures. If I’m in, I’m all in. And I’m *in*."
She smiled against his skin, her fingers tracing the lines of his chest. "I think I like the sound of that," she admitted, her voice soft but sure.
"But I should warn you, I've got a lot of baggage. And not the kind you can check at the door."
Ridge chuckled, his fingers tracing the curve of her shoulder. "I kinda got that, but I've got a storage unit full of my own," he said, his voice warm with amusement. "I think we'll manage."
Alex leaned back against the cool tile, letting the water cascade over her. "So, what now?" she asked, her fingers still tangled in his hair. "Do we just... keep doing this?"
Ridge considered her face a moment. "You have a job. In fact, as I recall, you need an outline for a conversation with Nora tomorrow. And I've promised myself I'm going to get a degree." Ridge eased Alex to her feet. "So we become partners, supporting, and helping when we can, in our endeavors. A team, that apparently takes a lot of breaks for fucking." Ridge smirked, his fingers still tangled in her wet hair as he guided her under the water to rinse out the shampoo. The steam curled around them, turning the bathroom into a private sanctuary where the outside world didn’t exist. "I think I can live with that," she admitted, her fingers tracing the lines of his jaw. "But we should probably get out of this shower before we turn into prunes."
Ridge groaned, his hands sliding down to grip her hips. "Fine," he said, his voice rough with amusement. "But only because I promised you fruit and yogurt." He squeezed her ass. "I *really* like this, Alex. And I really like you. I want us to be more than lovers, okay?" Ridge said, his fingers tracing slow circles on her hip as the water continued to cascade over them. "I want us to be partners. In everything."
Alex tilted her head, studying him through the steam. "Partners?" she repeated, the word rolling off her tongue like something exotic. "What does that mean, exactly?"
Ridge turned off the water and reached for a towel, wrapping it around her shoulders before grabbing one for himself. "It means I want to be there for you. Not just in bed, but in life. Your job stuff, your student problems, your weird obsession with organizing your spice rack alphabetically—"
Alex swatted his chest.
"It’s not weird. It’s *efficient*."
Ridge caught her wrist, pressing a kiss to her palm. "Efficiently maddening," he murmured against her skin. "But that’s not the point. The point is I want to be the guy who listens when you rant about Nora’s latest power move. The guy who brings you coffee when you’re grading papers at 2 AM. The guy who—"
"—who distracts me from grading papers at 2 AM?" Alex arched a brow, her lips curling.
Ridge’s grin turned wicked. "That too. But seriously, Alex. I’m not just looking for a good time. I’m looking for *you*. All of you—the sharp mind, the stubborn streak, the way you bite your lip when you’re thinking too hard. I want to be the guy who gets to see all of that, not just the parts you think are presentable."
Alex exhaled sharply, her fingers tightening around the towel at her chest. The steam had begun to dissipate, leaving the bathroom cool against her damp skin. "That’s... a lot to take in before breakfast," she said lightly, though her voice lacked its usual playful edge.
Ridge studied her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. "Too much?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No. Just...*real*."
Alex exhaled slowly, watching as Ridge's fingers traced the curve of her jaw. The steam had dissipated, leaving the bathroom cool against her damp skin. The mirror was fogged, their reflections blurred and indistinct—just like the boundaries between them seemed to be dissolving.
"You're not wrong," Ridge admitted, his voice low. "But I think that's the point. We've both spent too much time playing it safe, haven't we? You with your conservative blazers and your perfectly organized spice rack—"
"Speaking of, partner, I completely forgot to tell you that Lila wants to have drinks tomorrow. She's dying to meet you." Ridge turned the water off and wrapped Alex in a huge towel. "Will you come out with me?" Ridge paused and tilted Alex's chin up, smiling down at her. "Are you showing me off, professor?" Ridge asked, his voice teasing but his eyes warm with something deeper as he wrapped the towel more snugly around her shoulders. The steam had cleared enough for Alex to see the golden flecks in his irises, the way his lashes were still damp from the shower.
Alex rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Don't flatter yourself," she said, nudging him playfully with her shoulder. "Lila's my best friend, and she's been hounding me for details about you since I mentioned your name. She's got a sixth sense for these things," Alex said, running her fingers through her damp hair as she stepped out of the shower. The bathroom tile was cool under her bare feet, the air still thick with the scent of Ridge's soap.
Ridge watched her move, his gaze lingering on the way the towel clung to her curves. "Details, huh?" he said, leaning against the doorframe with his own towel slung low around his waist. "And what exactly have you told her about me?"
Alex smirked, reaching for a comb on the counter. "Oh, just the usual. How you're too young to be this charming. How you have a body that shouldn't legally exist. How you make me forget my own name sometimes." She caught his smirk in the mirror as she dragged the comb through her tangled hair.
Ridge pushed off the doorframe, stepping close behind her. "And what about the rest?" His hands settled on her hips, thumbs tracing the edge of the towel where it dipped between her thighs. "The parts that matter?"
She turned to face him, the comb forgotten. "Those are the parts I haven't figured out how to explain yet." Her fingers traced the water droplets still clinging to his collarbone. "They're still new. Still unfolding," Alex said, her voice softer now. The bathroom was quiet except for the distant hum of the building's HVAC system.
Ridge's fingers tightened slightly on her hips. "Drinks it is, then. On one condition." His eyes met hers in the mirror. "I get at least one dance with you." Ridge grinned, his fingers tracing slow circles on her hip as he spoke. "Lila sounds like she's got good taste in friends, but I'm not sharing you all night."
Alex laughed, the sound rich and warm as she leaned back against him. "You're ridiculous," she said, but there was no heat in her words. "But fine. One dance. And maybe I'll let you buy me a drink."