Higher Ground by Becky Black (notion reading list txt) 📗

“You know he could check that,” Jan said as Adam sat beside her and brought up the data he’d already transmitted to the Institute’s computers.

“And he’ll find out that’s exactly what I was doing,” Adam said. “Though I’d hope he doesn’t realize I was coming out of the grocery store at the time.”

She shook her head. “You are in trouble.”

“Yeah, I’m a bad boy, I admit.”

It all took on a ludicrous air. Being told off for taking the truck, the deadline for these reports. Somehow what Zach had told him gave everything a feeling of being pointless. Adam shook that away. Even Zach wasn’t sure he was right about whatever he was talking about anyway. No use basing his choices on something Zach might turn around and say he was mistaken about; just forget it. Adam went to work with an eye on the clock. He’d be out of here by 18:00, and Zach should arrive at 20:00. He had some staging to do.

Chapter Five

Would rose petals on the bed be too much? Probably. Also, Adam had no rose petals. But after all the teasing and anticipation he wanted tonight to be as close to perfect as he could make it.

He’d changed the bedclothes, putting on some freshly laundered and pressed white sheets, enjoying the fresh scent as he shook them out and let them float down. He’d plumped up the pillows, also in fresh cases. All this done, he examined the results with a critical eye. Everything looked good, the white sheets and pillows contrasting with a blue-green eiderdown. As a final touch, he turned down the covers at one corner, creating a wordless invitation and welcome.

He swept various bits and pieces from the nightstand into a drawer and sprayed some room deodorant around, banishing the last lingering evidence of the dirty socks he’d evicted from under the bed earlier. And he grinned at himself for the great big fool he was, treating the room like a bridal chamber. It would serve him right if they ended up getting carried away and having a quickie on the couch.

But they’d use the bed eventually; he knew it. He’d give Zach a night he’d never forget in this bed. Shame it wasn’t bigger than a double. Adam liked a big canvas to express himself on. More comfortable for afterward too, assuming Zach stayed. He probably would; he seemed like the staying-the-night sort. Waking up with him tomorrow would be almost as delightful as going to sleep with him tonight.

He checked his reflection once more before he left the room. His hair was just the right degree of sexily mussed up. His white button-down shirt showed an intriguing vee of skin at the base of his throat. Its sleeves were long, covering up more than usual, because he wanted to give Zach plenty to peel off him. A quick look at the rear view confirmed his black pants snugly outlined his ass, making it look especially grabbable.

Perfect.

He went back to the kitchen, where he was actually cooking. Nothing fancy, just some roast chicken, but he rarely cooked. His cupboards were full of snacks and breakfast foods. After making sure the chicken looked okay, he glanced at the clock. It showed 19:50. Would Zach be on time? Probably not. Especially if he forgot to charge his bike up again. Adam probably should have waited until Zach arrived before cooking the chicken. He wasn’t too good at these logistics, bringing dates home usually being a more casual affair. But he wanted to make this special for Zach. Zach needed it. He’d been working too hard and getting himself quite stressed out, and a relaxing evening would do him good. Adam started putting a green salad together. The desserts were already in the refrigerator, along with the wine, chilling nicely. Even if Zach was a little late, this would still be perfect.

At 20:25, he started to worry. He tried to call Zach but got no answer. He left a message, waited for a reply. A reply came back at 20:45.

Sorry. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Z

Well what the hell did that mean? At least he knew Zach wasn’t dead in a ditch, but he was close to an hour late. Adam fired off a curt message.

Where are you? What are you doing?

The reply answered both questions with one word.

Work.

Adam threw the Link down on the sofa and stalked into the kitchen. The chicken had been staying warm on a low heat for a while and had started to shrivel up. Well, that was gone to hell, then. He could just eat it himself, but he felt no more inclined to do that than take a bite out of one of the plates. In fact, less so. The way his jaw was clenching, he could have chewed through the kitchen worktops. He took a bottle of beer back to the living room and flopped on the couch, uncaring about creasing his shirt.

Damn. So much for perfection. Zach had seemed so determined earlier to see Adam tonight, but then he just stood him up like this? The fact Adam had to contact him first implied he’d entirely forgotten about their date. Maybe Zach wasn’t as keen as Adam had thought. He’d been so distracted the last few days, which he claimed to be about work, but could that be an excuse? Had he lost interest in Adam already?

Adam began to wonder if he’d miscalculated. He’d thought he was bringing Zach to a boil with his flirting and teasing, but Zach either thought Adam wasn’t really interested or that he was too much of a tease. Dammit, he was too much of a tease! Usually it worked fine. He danced with a guy, building the anticipation. Most of them went along with it until he had them panting like dogs for him. But Zach was too smart to let his cock