High Test

by Elizabeth Noble

  They walked down the hall and stopped at the guest room door. Hayden was treated to a hug along with the kiss this time. He took the opportunity to run his hands down Neal’s back and let his fingertips press lightly against the long, firm muscle on either side of his spine. Neal rubbed one palm over the swell of Hayden’s ass, massaging lightly and slipping between his cheeks for a few beats. Waves of longing swept over Hayden, making him tremble. Leaning heavily against Neal, Hayden rocked his hips gently and smiled when a low moan rumbled up from Neal’s chest to vibrate Hayden’s lips.

  Moving his hands to Hayden’s shoulders, Neal stroked gently and took a half step back. “I need to say good night,” Neal whispered in Hayden’s ear.

  Neal’s warm breath sent a shiver through Hayden. He nodded. “See you in the morning.”

  Hayden slipped through the door, closed it gently, and leaned back against the solid wood, taking a few deep breaths. Using two fingers, he touched his lips, closed his eyes, and stood quietly remembering Neal’s touch. Finally weariness took over, and Hayden’s eyelids began to droop. He sighed heavily. “Guess I should go to bed before I fall asleep standing here.”

  The bed was warm and comfortable and much nicer than the futon in his apartment. He nestled down under the thick comforter, plumped the already very full pillows, and spent all of a few seconds gazing out the window before he fell asleep.

  SUNSHINE was streaming through the large window opposite the bed when Hayden opened his eyes. He took care of personal business, then made the bed quickly before leaving the room and wandering down the hall, combing his hair with the fingers of one hand. The aroma of bacon, eggs, and coffee greeted Hayden as he walked into the kitchen.

  “See, adorable in the morning,” Neal said and poured coffee into a mug, offering it to Hayden.

  Hayden took the mug and sipped the hot liquid, studying Neal’s tousled hair as he did so. “Yes, very adorable,” he said and grinned. “Actually sexy is the word that came to mind.”

  “I can live with that,” Neal agreed. He held out a piece of bacon for Hayden to try.

  Hayden bit off a piece of the bacon, ate it, and asked, “What kind of bacon is this? It’s good, but different.”

  Neal snickered. “Turkey bacon. I didn’t begin following Hindu beliefs seriously until after my brother died and I began spending more time with my grandmother. I was challenged by the no-pork rule, and I love bacon. I’m like the dogs in that commercial for treats. After extensive research and experimentation, I found a good substitute. I’m not sure it’s any healthier, but I can eat it guilt free.”

  They ate their breakfast over a lively discussion of the previous evening’s viewing. All too soon Hayden retrieved his clothes from the laundry room and excused himself to get dressed. One final check around the room he’d stayed in to confirm he’d left it neat and tidy, and he went to meet Neal.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to your place and change?” Neal asked as he adjusted his tie and walked around the kitchen gathering phone, briefcase, and keys.

  “No, I’m good. I’d rather check in there, do what I need to, then get home,” Hayden said. He was working up his nerve to ask when he would see Neal again.

  “May I call you later?” Neal asked.

  “I’d love that.”

  Hayden followed Neal to the garage. Neal nudged Hayden toward a Lexus sedan. Aside from the Aston Martin and the Lexus, there was an older pickup truck.

  It seemed all too soon they were pulling up in front of the coffeehouse. Hayden breathed a silent sigh of relief when he saw the store was open and people were inside. He had no idea how he’d explain it being closed. Leaning to the side, he gave Neal a sensual kiss goodbye and squeezed his hand before getting out of the car. He stood on the sidewalk and waved as Neal drove off.

  Hayden went into the coffeehouse, walked through, and went out the back. The staff that day weren’t friends, and he rarely worked with them. He knew what Neal’s car looked like now, so he paid attention to traffic as he headed down to the bus stop a few blocks from the coffee shop. Neal had driven in the opposite direction, and Hayden was grateful he didn’t have long to wait.

  When he got to the coffeehouse for his shift the next day, Steffie was already there.

  “We’re out of all kinds of supplies. As far as I can tell, there haven’t been any deliveries since that one we took last week, and people are complaining we opened late.” She stopped and tilted her head to the side. “How was your date? Tell me everything!”

  Hayden talked while they prepped the store for opening. “That storm hit, and we ended up leaving the car show early. His house was nearby, and I ended up staying the night. In the guest room,” Hayden finished quickly. “He asked if he could call me. I really like him, Stef.”

  “I think he likes you too,” she said.

  As they went about their work Hayden couldn’t help checking his phone as often as he could. When Steffie arched an eyebrow and gave him a curious look he explained, “I was hoping he’d come in this morning for coffee.”

  “Call him” was all Steffie had to say.

  “He’s such a cool guy. His house is really nice. You can tell he’s got a lot of money, but the place is lived in, if that makes sense,” Hayden said as they worked.

  Steffie laughed. “It does. And it’s also a very good sign you were in his house and he didn’t try to get you into bed.”

  THE next two days Hayden was extra busy with his schoolwork. Every time he went to work, he hoped Steffie wouldn’t ask if Neal had called. She’d given him sidelong glances and talked about everything but Neal. At the end of each shift when Hayden took the garbage out to the large dumpster behind the store, he kicked it a few times to relieve his frustrations.

  “I think he knows I’m not related to the family that owns this company,” Hayden told Steffie. “It’s been days, and nothing. Before you ask, I did send him a few ‘Hi, how are you, had a great time’ texts.”

  “It’s been what, three days?”

  “Yeah,” Hayden said. “I thought he was a nice guy. I shouldn’t have lied. It was too good to be true.”

  Steffie sighed. “You didn’t lie. Did he ever ask you if you were part of that Owens family?” When Hayden shook his head, Steffie continued, “I’m sure there is a good reason, and it’s nothing to do with you. Give him a chance.”

  “But before I went to the car show with him, he was in here all the time, and—”

  “And nothing,” Steffie cut him off. “There is such a thing as stuff coming up and phones dying and lots of other reasons, and it’s only been a few days. The guy is into you. I can tell, and I’m always right.”

  Hayden sighed and his shoulders slouched. “I can’t set the facts straight over the phone or in a text. I was in his house, and we spent nearly two days together. I should have said something. Every time I tried, he’d interrupt me, but he kept acting like he was waiting for me to—”

  “Stop!” Steffie said and laughed. Hayden’s phone announced a text. “See, I bet that’s him right now.”

  Hayden pulled out his phone and gaped at it. “It is.” He shoved the phone toward Steffie. “I can’t read it.”

  Steffie took the phone, and after spending a few seconds staring at it, she grinned. “Read it, you moron.” She shook her head and walked away to refill some of the bins with their dwindling supply of beans.

  Hayden read and reread the text.

  Hayden I’m so sorry. Member of the board of my family’s business died very suddenly. Big mess. Emergency trip to Dubai. Sounds better than it is. With time zones I haven’t been able to call. Dinner Sunday? Pick you up at 7?

  Without thinking it through, Hayden messaged back, Yes. Looking forward to seeing you.

  “Oh shit, Steffie, I said yes to dinner.”

  Steffie turned and looked at him, eyes narrowed. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”

  “He can’t pick me up. I have to—”

  “Yes, you do, b
ut face-to-face. Hayden, trust me. He’s into you, and you haven’t done anything horrible. Simply make up an excuse to meet. Or better yet Rick can drive you. You’re a hip, young guy. Tell him you take one of those services. And you know Rick will love doing that.”

  For the next few days, Hayden ran scenario after scenario in his head, planning how telling Neal the truth about who he was would go.

  Chapter Six

  “THANK you for understanding,” Neal said for the fourth time. “I really thought you’d never want to speak to me again.”

  Hayden pushed his glasses up and glanced down as warmth crept into his cheeks. “I’ll admit I was a bit freaked when you didn’t come into the coffeehouse or answer my texts.” He desperately wanted to ask for the details but was torn. Maybe that would be prying. Hayden settled for a more general question. “How was your trip?”

  Neal reached across the table and took Hayden’s hand. “I am so sorry.”

  Laughing, Hayden said, “Forgiven.” He tilted his head and smirked. “This one time.”

  “My trip was—what’s a polite way of saying this? Interesting.” Neal let go of Hayden’s hand and picked up the menu, looking it over as he talked. “I think I told you before I’m not directly involved with the day-to-day operations of my family’s business, and I’ve got a slew of cousins who are. My parents, however, were always neck deep in everything about that company. They’re older now, and corporate headquarters is in Dubai. It was moved there about ten years ago. Anyway, both of my parents have some health issues, and it’s a helluva long flight from New York State, where they live, to Dubai. Neither of them has left the country for a couple of years now. Basically I went to be their mouthpiece. During all the meetings, I had one of them on the phone. Legally I’m able to sign documents, and I have a larger share of the company than my cousins even though I have a much less active role in its operations.”

  “It sounds more like you’re part of the Mafia.”

  Neal laughed. “It does, doesn’t it? The board isn’t all family, and the man who died wasn’t a relative. He committed suicide, so everything he’d done and all his financials and so on were under scrutiny. Turns out he was having not one but several affairs. His wife found out, his mistress found out, and some hooker gave him a disease. I can only speculate which one. Instead of losing his marriage, his wealth, and his social status, he jumped out of a very tall building. Dubai is full of very tall buildings.”

  “That’s horrible,” Hayden exclaimed.

  Neal nodded. “It is. I didn’t know him other than by name and brief hellos every few years at a company event.” He stopped and shrugged. “I met his wife and mistress. They seemed like decent women. It’s tragic he felt he had to do what he did. I got a call not too long after I dropped you off the other day. Then it was a mad scramble. I had to get the boys to a kennel, get packed, and so on in a few hours. I thought about asking you to house-sit, but—”

  “You should have!” Hayden cut Neal off. “Your dogs are great, not to mention so is your house. Apartments are okay, but not the same as having your own plot of land. Dogs in an apartment are difficult too.”

  Neal chuckled. “You sound like my father. When I moved down here, I think it was his mission to get me into a house. For a while I owned a condo downtown, but I gave it up after a few years. Too much hassle having two places unless I hired someone to oversee them, which I didn’t want to do. So, I have a housekeeper come to the house a few times a week, and I have a favorite hotel that allows dogs I stay in if I have to be in the city for any length of time.”

  They stopped their conversation when the waiter arrived to take their orders. This time they were in a steakhouse, and Hayden had no problem choosing what food he wanted for dinner.

  “Would you care for a bottle of wine, Mr. Kirchner?” the waiter asked. It struck Hayden as odd for a few seconds, until he realized Neal probably ate here often enough the staff had come to know him. He remembered Neal’s comment about how he got tired of always eating out.

  Neal glanced at Hayden. “I think I’ll stick with sweet tea this evening. I have to get up far too early tomorrow,” Hayden explained. No fib at all. What Hayden didn’t add was that he’d driven Rick’s car, and the last thing he was going to do was drink and drive.

  “Sweet tea it is,” Neal agreed. “Thank you, Peter.”

  Hayden couldn’t help arching an eyebrow at Neal addressing the waiter by name. Envy surged through him again.

  Neal apparently read Hayden’s expression because he added, “I meet clients here often, and it’s one of Mirabel’s favorite restaurants. Mine too. Though I have to admit I think I like that you might be a tad envious of another man.”

  That didn’t make Hayden feel foolish at all. Relief washed over him; at least he hadn’t made an idiot out of himself by opening his mouth and letting a dumb jealous rant come out. “I’m being ridiculous,” Hayden confessed.

  Neal shook his head. “No, you’re not. I think it’s rather sweet. How was your week?”

  “I think I told you about the overheating problem I was having with the latest design of my engine?”

  Neal nodded and thanked Peter when their food was delivered. He ate while he listened to Hayden.

  “When I looked at it from a different angle, I got it worked out. Now there are only a half-dozen other issues to resolve,” Hayden said with a laugh.

  Hayden talked on some more about his school project, leaving out details such as taking exams. Hayden had never specified his exact role at the university, only the department he was involved in. Neal seemed happy to listen to details of automotive design, was full of questions, and listened to Hayden’s explanations with rapt attention. The coffeehouse never came up, but it made sense Neal wouldn’t talk about the business he mistakenly believed Hayden had a larger role in than barista. Neal often mentioned how he’d chosen a different course from the business his family owned.

  “It’s nice being able to hear about your work,” Neal said, “and that you are interested in and understand what I do.”

  Hayden smiled. “I feel the same way. Usually when I talk about design concepts, people’s eyes glaze over. Then they pass out.”

  Neal laughed. “I know the feeling. We both followed our passion, and it wasn’t running a business someone else created.”

  “It’s very true a lot of people wouldn’t understand our choices.”

  They were waiting on their after-dinner coffee when Hayden spotted Maeve. Neal’s back was to her, and Hayden hoped she wouldn’t notice Neal and him. She was making her way through the tables and looked as if she was heading for the restrooms. Ducking under the table would probably be too obvious, so he sat as still as possible. Hayden was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Maeve stopped and turned to talk to someone seated at one of the many tables. As she did so, she looked directly at Hayden.

  They made eye contact. Damn.

  Maeve’s eyes narrowed, and her eyebrows pulled together. Hayden watched as she drew herself up almost as if she were going to begin a fight. As she started walking across the room to their table, Hayden was sure she was going to start a verbal sparring match with him. He tried not to allow his panic to show. There was no way Hayden could make a decision about how to react—or not react as the case may be—before Maeve got to their table.

  Neal picked that instant to glance sideways. He groaned. “Incoming,” he whispered. Hayden stifled a laugh. The toe of Neal’s shoe gently stroked up and down Hayden’s shin a few times, and he smiled softly. Hayden realized those were meant to be gestures of comfort since Neal likely had his own ideas of Maeve’s intentions. Hayden wondered how many times Neal’d had to deal with her actions.

  “Neal! We keep running into each other. What a wonderful surprise,” Maeve announced as she put one arm around his neck and pecked at his cheek. She turned and took a chair from a vacant table near theirs and dragged it over, placing it close enough to Neal she could lean against him.

&nb
sp; He scooted his chair away and said, “Hayden and I were just about to enjoy some coffee. We’re catching up after not being able to spend as much time together as I would’ve liked to this week.”

  Maeve regarded Hayden. It was all he could do to concentrate on not bolting from the restaurant. “What was it you do at the university? I didn’t catch your exact title the last time we met.” She cocked her head and leveled a glare at Hayden.

  “Maeve….” Neal’s voice sounded like a warning.

  “There isn’t a Hayden recorded on the list of professors in the automotive design department.” She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table and her chin against her knuckles.

  “I… uh… I’m not on the faculty. I simply work with the students.” Hayden wanted to turn his gaze to Neal, but at the same time he was terrified he’d be met with disapproval and disappointment. Besides, he didn’t want to appear as if he needed defending.

  “You’ve never heard of volunteering?” Neal’s voice was terse, close to snapping at Maeve. “Whatever you think, you’re wrong.”

  Warning sirens went off in Hayden’s head. That was an odd thing for Neal to say. “It’s okay,” Hayden said softly.

  “No, it’s not.” Neal turned to face Maeve fully. “What goes on between the men—and let’s be clear, I’m interested in men—I date and me is no one’s business. I don’t need permission to see anyone, and I certainly don’t need your approval. Now if you’d excuse us, as I’ve already said, Hayden and I haven’t had much time together this week, and I’m trying my damnedest to make up for that.”

  Maeve’s eyes narrowed, and she turned an even more hateful glare on Hayden. “I know what you’re up to, a boy your age with an older man—”

  “Maeve. Enough!” Neal snapped. “Please leave.”

  Maeve gave Hayden a truly nasty glare before standing up. “Have a good dinner.” She turned smartly on her spiked heels and stalked away.