Against All Odds Ch. 05

"Have you ever tried to leave the grounds?" Riley asked him.

Noah nodded. "A few times. It's never ended well though. I start to hyperventilate, my heart races, my vision blurs, and I eventually pass out. I've even experienced vertigo at times. Once, when I was a child, I had to be hospitalized because of a serious illness. The paramedics had to sedate me just to get me out of the house, it was awful."

"Sounds awful." Riley said, his features marred with concern. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. You must have been so scared."

Noah shrugged. "It was years ago. I haven't had to go to the hospital since, thank God. Most of my appointments I can do virtually now though my therapist, Paul, does stop by the house once a month to see me face to face."

"That's good of him." Riley said. "I've personally only been to therapy once. It was court mandated. Six months and then I was released."

"Mandated therapy?" Noah raised an eyebrow. "What did you do, try to kill someone?" He laughed at his joke but immediately regretted it when he noticed the pained look on Riley's face.

"No." Riley said, setting his half eaten sandwich back down on his plate. "Not someone else." His eyes dropped to his lap as a look of shame and humiliation crossed his face. Noah could have kicked himself for once again being so insensitive to Riley's feelings.

"Hey, there's no reason to feel ashamed." He said, taking one of Riley's hands in his. "We've all been there at one time or another. I can't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind, because it has, many times. Sometimes, you just get so low that it feels like there's no way out."

Riley looked up, a bit surprised by Noah's words. "No one's ever explained it to me like that." He said. "Normally I'm told how selfish I am, that I don't care about anyone but myself or, they'll say that I'm being dramatic because there are people who are worse off then me and I should count myself lucky."

"The people who told you those things are idiots." Noah told him. "They have no right to tell yo how you should feel. Everyone handles grief and trauma differently. There isn't a right or wrong way to deal with it. Anyone who thinks there is has been misinformed."

"I dunno, most people never took me seriously. They thought I was just looking for attention. I can't tell you how many times I've been told to just grow up and get over it."

"I don't think most people understand how debilitating mental illness can be. Not unless they've experienced it for themselves. It's something that gets swept under the rug way too often."

"I agree, It's like they think you can take a pill and everything will be just fine. I hate it when I'm feeling depressed and people ask me if I've taken my medication." Riley rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Sometimes, I just feel sad, ya know? There's no reason for it and one stupid, little, pill isn't going to change how I feel."

"Yeah," Noah laughed bitterly. "Or, they ask, 'have you tried not being depressed?' As if I can just flip a switch."

"Oh, my, God." Riley laughed. "Like it's a conscious choice. Yeah, I always wake up and say, Gee, I think I'll be depressed and miserable today. That should be fun."

"Yeah," Noah chuckled. "They just don't get it, do they?"

"Nope." Riley shook his head. "Not at all."

"So, tell me something about yourself that no one knows." Noah said with a mischievous grin, trying to lighten the mood some.

"Well," Riley thought about the question. What could he tell Noah that he didn't already know? Riley was an open book, but he supposed there were some things he hadn't really shared about himself. He took another bite of his sandwich but almost choked on an unexpected laugh.

"You okay?" Noah asked, concerned.

Riley held up a hand and nodded as he struggled to swallow. He took a drink of soda then wiped his mouth on a napkin. "I'm sorry." He snickered, wiping stray tears from his eyes. "I just thought of something really stupid."

"Oh, well, please share." Noah grinned, folding his hands on the top of the table.

Again, Riley shook his head. "I can't, it's to dumb."

"Tell me." Noah pressed. "If you do, I'll share something embarrassing about myself."

"Now that I can't refuse." Riley said with a glint in his eye. "But, I have to warn you, this is really stupid."

"I'm all ears." Noah leaned forward, giving Riley his undivided attention.

"Okay, so, I love to cook." Riley started. His ears were already burning before he'd even began. "I don't get to do a lot of cooking now but I did most of it in my last foster home. So, anyway, I like to pretend, when I'm cooking, that I'm the host of my own cooking show. I talk to an invisible audience, tell jokes, and everything. I've even had imaginary guests on my show. I usually only do it when I know I'm alone but one day my foster father came home early and caught me. He just shook his head, told me I needed professional help, then walked away. I was so embarrassed I could have died right there."

Noah tried to hold back but he couldn't. As soon as Riley had finished, Noah let loose with a loud belly laugh. He could literally picture Riley standing in the kitchen, wearing an apron, in his mind it was one of those pink frilly aprons that fifties house wives wore on television, and cooking while hosting an imaginary show for an imaginary audience. It was just too cute. "I would definitely watch that show." He said, still laughing.

"Yeah, well, you're not gonna." Riley said with a wink before taking another sip of his soda.

"No, really. We have to get you in the kitchen here. I'll set up a camera and we can use the staff as your audience."

"Dream on." Riley giggled. "Anyway, it's your turn." He sat, eagerly looking across the table to Noah, waiting to hear what embarrassing moment he had to share.

Noah smirked, running a hand through his hair. "I did promise, didn't I?"

Riley nodded. "Yes you did, so spill."

Noah sighed. "I know I'm going to regret this but here goes. So, you know the scene in Risky Business, when Tom Cruise is dancing in his underwear?"

Riley's eyes went wide. "You didn't."

Noah cracked a grin. "I did. Same song and everything. I even slid across the floor in my socks. Mimicked the dance perfectly."

"Did anyone see you?"

Noah took a drink then nodded. "Thomas had the unfortunate honor of catching me when he came into the living room to ask me to turn the music down per my mother's request."

"Oh no." Riley put a hand over his mouth to stifle a giggle. "What did he do?"

"By that point, Thomas was used to my strange behavior but I don't think even he was prepared for that. To his credit, he didn't say anything to me but the look he gave me said enough."

Riley shook his head, still laughing as he tried to picture a young Noah dancing in his underwear. "How old were you? Like ten or twelve, or younger?"

"Twenty-two." Noah said and Riley nearly lost it.

"Twenty-two?" He asked, unsure if he'd heard correctly.

"Yep." Noah grinned. "I've matured since then though. Now I only dance in my underwear in the privacy of my room."

"That's probably a good thing." Riley laughed. "I'd hate to see what would happen if Tina had walked in on you instead of Thomas."

"Oh, God." Noah rolled his eyes. "I've have given her a heart attack."

"Or an orgasm." Riley said. "I'm sure you've seen the way she looks at you."

Noah just about spit his soda across the table. "Mr. Hicks!" He put his hand over his chest in pretend shock. "Such language! I'm appalled at you."

"Sure you are." Riley snickered. "You're the one that wanted to massage my ass earlier."

"Still do." Noah said, stuffing the rest of his sandwich into his mouth.

Riley just shook his head and grinned. He wouldn't admit it, not yet anyway, but the idea of Noah's hands on his ass was kind of appealing. Actually, the thought of Noah's hands anywhere on his body was appealing.

Their conversation continued to flow effortlessly as they moved on from one topic to another. Noah shared a bit about his family's business, explaining the ins and outs of what he did. Riley knew a little about what Noah's company did, but only what he'd read online. He knew that Noah's company, Medline Solutions, was the leading supplier in medical equipment and held several contracts with major health care corporations. Noah explained that for years, Medline Solutions had specialized in the manufacturing and distribution of medical supplies but with health tech on the rise, Noah wanted to take the company in a new direction by incorporating mental health tech into the many services they already offered.

Currently he was working on developing software for mental health facilities such as virtual therapy platforms, mood-tracking Aps, and AI-powered bots that would provide mental health support to patients. Noah's goal was to make mental health services better available to people like him who have difficulties leaving their homes.

"A lot of people feel self-conscious enough about seeking mental health help as it is and of course there are those who can't leave their homes due to either mental or physical disabilities. This way, they can benefit from the same quality of health care they'd get in a clinic but from the comfort of their own homes. A lot of the bigger cities already provide virtual health care to their patients. I want to give the providers in our area access to similar technologies that the larger companies are using."

"That's so amazing." Riley told him. "Something like that, Noah, it could change so many people's lives for the better. I can't even...you're such an amazing man. What you do is inspiring. You more than help people, you give them hope."

Noah couldn't help but notice how Riley's eyes lit up with interest as he listened to Noah speak. Riley had seemed captivated by Noah's every word. He'd hung onto each syllable, taking it all in. Noah found himself captivated by Riley as well. His gentle charm and genuine kindness. Noah felt a warmth spread through his chest as he listened to Riley praise his work. The passion in Riley's voice alone gave Noah a sense of pride. Riley really believed in Noah, in his idea, and he supported it, wholeheartedly.

Noah couldn't have asked for a more perfect partner. He realized just then how much he actually enjoyed being with Riley. He felt as though he could literally tell Riley anything. He could open up to Riley in a way that he couldn't with anyone else, not even his own mother. It became clear to Noah then that Riley's presence in his life was a gift, a rare and precious gift, and one that he was not going to take for granted.

Their lunch stretched on, the hours slipping by unnoticed as they lost themselves in each others company. Baxter cleared away the empty dishes and Noah reached across the table and took Riley's hands in his own.

"This was nice." Noah said.

"It was." Riley smiled at him as he starred into Noah's eyes.

"I'm really glad you decided to stay." Noah told him.

"I am too." Riley said, blushing. "I've really enjoyed our time together, Noah."

"So have I. I'm just sorry that I couldn't take you out someplace better."

Riley tilted his head to the side and sighed heavily. "Noah, you don't need to impress me with fancy restaurants or expensive gifts. I don't care about any of that. Being here, with you, is all that matters to me. Just you. That's all I need."

Noah brought Riley's hands to his lips and softly kissed them. "You, Riley Hicks, are a dream come true."

Riley smiled. "If this is a dream, I hope we never wake up because I never want this day to end."

As the midday sun stretched out across the horizon, and shards of light broke through the window, painting dappled patterns of light across the floor, and casting a soft, golden glow over the kitchen, Noah and Riley shared a moment of silent understanding, realizing that they had found something special in each other--a bond that was more than mere friendship. A bond that held the promise of something deeper and infinitely more precious.

Noah and Riley shared an affectionate smile, their fingers brushing against each other ever so briefly as they rose from the table. Noah offered Riley his arm and Riley gladly accepted it.

"Last step on the tour." Noah said as they walked out of the kitchen together. "The rose room. I really think you're going to like it."

***

Noah led Riley down the hallway on the second floor, the same hallway that Riley had first walked down when going to meet Noah in person for the very first time. They didn't go to the end of the hall to Noah's rooms this time though, instead, they stopped a few doors down, outside a door marked with an intricate brass plaque bearing the name, "Rose Room."

Riley must have walked past this very room on his way to meet Noah though he had failed to notice it at the time. He blamed his lack of attention to the building apprehension over seeing the man, he had spent the past three months talking with, in the flesh.

Riley couldn't ignore the room now with its opulent sign as the door stood before him like a metaphorical bridge between his old life and the one that awaited him once he crossed the threshold.

"Here we are, Riley. This is your room now." Noah said, his voice tinged with pride as he pushed open the door to reveal the breathtaking interior beyond.

The room was a vision of elegance and beauty, encompassing the timeless charm of the Victorian era. The walls, adorned with pastel hues of rose and cream, reminded Riley of standing in a floral meadow. Delicate floral patterns were woven through the plush carpeting as well as the upholstery of the antique furniture. The room was lit by an overhead light in the ceiling. Small lamps rested on the bedside tables, giving Riley the option for dimmer lighting if he so chose.

It was all so stunningly gorgeous, even the more modern amenities didn't distract or seem out of place. Everything in the room seemed to blend seamlessly together in perfect harmony. The crowning jewel of the room though was the balcony window, overlooking the lush rose garden below. Though it was currently February, Noah explained how the garden would burst into full bloom come spring and summer, filling the room with the intoxicating fragrance of roses.

"Wow." Riley breathed, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the sight before him, scarcely believing that this was actually his room. "Noah, it's magnificent."

"You really like it?" Noah asked, his tone hopeful. "If you'd prefer something else, something more..."

"No." Riley spun around to look at Noah. "It's perfect, Noah, I love it."

Noah sighed in relief. "I'm happy to hear you say that." He said, a fond smile playing across his lips. "This is probably my favorite room in the entire house. I don't know why but I've always been drawn to this room, like it was important somehow. Anyway, it's been empty for so long, it's good to finally have use for it again."

"Who decorated it?" Riley asked. "The design is stunning."

"Who actually designed it is unknown. All we do know is that my Great-grandfather had the room built for his wife, Rose. Ironically, she adored roses, probably as much as you do, hence the same. It's been rumored that it was actually named Rose's room but over the years became the rose room. No one really knows for sure though."

Riley smiled. "It's Rose's room." He said, almost in a whisper. "It was made for her. It's her room and will always be her room, no matter who uses it."

"I like that." Noah said, placing a hand on the small of Riley's back. "It's almost like you can still feel her presence here."

"It's wonderful, Noah. Thank you." Riley turned, then wrapped his arms around Noah's waist and hugged him. Noah closed his eyes as he too wrapped his arms around Riley, holding him close. Riley lay his head against Noah's chest and for the moment, they just held each other.

After several long and wonderful minutes, Riley finally pulled back and looked at Noah. Slowly, Noah cupped Riley's face with his hands. His thumb trailed lightly over Riley's cheek. Riley's eyelids fluttered but he kept his eyes focused on Noah. His large, beautiful, brown eyes looked straight through Noah, directly into his heart and to his very soul.

Noah's heart sped up, matching the flutter in Riley's chest perfectly. In that moment, Noah felt as if they had become one being, perfectly intertwined in blissful symmetry. Slowly, carefully, Noah bent down and covered Riley's mouth with his own. The kiss was deep, passionate, and all consuming.

Riley felt his knees buckle. He would have fallen to the floor if not for Noah's strong arms holding him up. Noah's hand slid over him, one moving slowly down his back and resting at the base of Riley's spine, the other cupped Riley's ass as Noah pulled him closer, crushing their bodies together. Riley lifted his eyes to gaze into Noah's. Noah's blue orbs peered back at Riley through a haze of need and desire. Riley's heart was racing and in that moment he wanted nothing more than to have Noah claim him as his own.

Riley needed him and from the look in Noah's eyes, he needed Riley just as much. He lifted up, wrapping his arms around Noah's neck, pulling him back down into another, burning, kiss. He kissed him hungrily, devouring his mouth. Noah opened his mouth, granting entry to Riley's tongue. He nipped and sucked at it, taking possession of what was his. Riley moaned into the kiss, pressing himself harder against Noah as if trying to crawl into his very flesh.

Riley was hard, unbearably hard and, from what he could feel pressed against him, Noah was just as aroused as Riley. This was it, Riley was certain. Any minute now Noah would carry Riley to the bed, lay him down against the soft fabric of the comforter and make sweet, passionate, love to him. Riley told himself he was ready. Ready to give himself to Noah, mind, body, and soul.

He wanted him and he was sure that Noah wanted him just as badly. His desire was consuming him, the need too great but, just as he was certain that Noah was going to take him and claim his body, he pulled away.

Breathless and confused, Riley staggered backwards, unable to control the whimper of need that escaped his lips. "Why?" Was all he could manage, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Noah placed a finger against Riley's lips and smiled.

"Not yet." He whispered. "Not here. When the time is right, but not yet. Our first time should be something special, something memorable. I want our first time to be perfect."

"It will be." Riley said through ragged breaths. "If it's with you, it will be perfect."

"We have time, Riley."

Riley opened his mouth to argue, to plead with Noah, to tell him he was ready now. All he needed was Noah. Nothing else mattered to him but Noah. Before he could say a word though, Noah reached out and pulled Riley into a crushing embrace.

"I want to do right by you, Riley. Please, give me this. I want to cherish you, not just your body but you as a while. I want t take care of you, provide for you, and protect you. I want to treat you as you were meant to be treated, as a precious gift because that's what you are. I've known it since the first time we met. You, Riley, are everything I have ever wanted and I don't want to mess this up."

Hearing Noah speak those words, all the fight in Riley seemed to ebb away. He could wait. It was killing him, but if that's what Noah wanted, he could wait.

"Alright." Riley took a quick breath then smiled. "We'll wait."

"Thank you." Noah ran his thumb along Riley's bottom lip and Riley's breath hitched. "I'm going to leave you to settle in now." Noah told him. "I have a few things to take care of and you have unpacking to do. I have something special planed for us tonight." Noah announced, his eyes filled with excitement. "Get ready, I'll come back to get you at six. Sound good?"