by Ari McKay
Asher glanced sidelong at him, surprised Zach had noticed. Then again, perhaps he shouldn’t be surprised, since Zach was both observant and sentimental.
“I don’t see the point,” he said with a little shrug. “I mean, who would see them other than me and Martha? I get plenty of invitations to holiday parties, so I can enjoy other people’s decorations if I want to. It seems like a waste of time to put up decorations when I’m not home that much, and I don’t have anyone to celebrate with.”
“It doesn’t seem like Christmas without decorations.” Zach gazed at Asher with a pensive expression. “I’d like to take you home with me next weekend, if you’re willing to come. I grew up in Princeton, and my family goes for Christmas in a big way. You’d be welcomed with open arms. If you don’t want to go, I won’t be offended, since I know you might have other plans. But I’d like to show you what a real Christmas with family can be like. I think you’d enjoy it.”
The only time Asher could remember having something like a real family Christmas was when he was young and his mother was still around. She’d tried to make Christmas special for him, and it was until she left. After that, his father had hired a decorator every year to turn the apartment into a holiday showcase, but it was for the benefit of his social circle. Asher received a pile of expensive gifts every year, but not a lot of time with his father, who was out with either his latest wife or newest girlfriend. Christmas in the Caldwell household was for adults, and the magic vanished for Asher. He hadn’t felt much interest in Christmas in years, especially once he and his father stopped speaking to each other.
“I’d like that,” he said softly, reaching for Zach’s hand. He might regret seeing the kind of festive household he’d never had—and might not ever have—but he would regret not seeing what a close family looked like during the holidays even more.
Zach’s eyes widened, and he grinned with excitement as he squeezed Asher’s hand. “It’ll be great, I promise. There’s lots of things to do, but no one will think anything of it if you need a break from all the togetherness, either. My family is laid-back, and I know you and my mom will get along great. She’ll probably try to wheedle all your secret recipes out of you.”
“Well, she can try,” Asher said, twining his fingers with Zach’s. It struck him that he’d never done so simple a thing as hold hands with a date—a boyfriend?—in public before, and he decided he wasn’t ready to let go yet. “But she’s dealing with a brilliant lawyer. I won’t let go of any secrets without some quid pro quo in return.”
Zach chuckled. “I’m sure she’d be willing to discuss terms, but be prepared. My mother isn’t a lawyer, but she has negotiating skills that will make you sit up and take notice. I suspect by the end of the weekend, you’ll be ready to offer her a job handling plea bargains.”
“We can always use more help.” Asher tugged Zach’s hand, finding himself eager to get out on the ice. “Let’s stash our stuff and get out there. You did say you’d tend to any bruises I get, right?” he added with a teasing grin.
“I promise to kiss them all better,” Zach replied, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “No matter where they are.”
“Ditto,” Asher said, leering at Zach before leading him toward the rink. He hadn’t thought about ice skating in years, but now he looked forward to it as much as he had when he was a teenager. He’d let simple pleasures like these slip away for too long, but he wanted to break that workaholic habit, and Zach was the man to help him do it.
Chapter Five
“ALL RIGHT, Richardson, you’ve put us off long enough. When are we going back to the club?”
Zach glanced up from the brief he was editing to see Kevin leaning against the doorframe, wearing a determined expression, and he smiled guiltily. In the two weeks that he’d been seeing Asher, he’d put Kevin off twice about trying the club scene again. Of course, they didn’t know he had gotten involved with someone, and he wasn’t sure he could tell them—or even if he should. But Kevin was a friend, and Zach owed him an answer.
“Um… how about tonight?” he asked. He’d been disappointed when Asher said he had a prior engagement for the evening that he couldn’t get out of, but now Zach could keep his promise to Kevin and Erik without taking any time away from Asher.
“Tonight? Really?” Kevin looked startled, but then he nodded. “Sure, that should work. Let me double-check with Erik and I’ll text you. Did you want to meet at our place or at the club?”
“How about at the club? I don’t need you to dress me this time,” Zach replied, smiling as he recalled how much Asher had liked the jeans Kevin forced him to wear the last time.
“Sounds good. How about six? That should give us time to get home, change, and still beat the crowds.”
“Six works,” Zach said. He could probably beg off by nine or so, which meant he’d be available if Asher’s appointment finished early.
“Okay. I’ll text you. Later!”
After Kevin had departed, Zach stared down at the brief, biting his lip pensively. He should probably dress up, since Kevin and Erik would be expecting it, but he wasn’t looking to attract a man this time. He didn’t want anyone’s attention except Asher’s, although sometimes he wondered when Asher was going to get tired of him and either move on to someone else or go back to using escorts to satisfy his needs.
As if summoned by his thoughts, Asher appeared in his office door and knocked on the frame. “How is the brief coming along?”
For a moment, Zach didn’t answer, his attention riveted on Asher and how gorgeous he looked in his Armani suit and tie. Sometimes he found it hard to believe Asher was dating him when Asher could have anyone he wanted. No doubt Asher would wake up one day and realize Zach wasn’t anything special, and the dream he’d been living for the past two weeks would be over.
“I’m still working on it,” he replied, feeling a bit guilty at not having given the work his complete attention. “I’ll get it done before I leave for the day.”
Asher stepped into the office and closed the door. “I’m sure you will,” he said as he approached Zach’s desk with a predatory gait. “But the truth is, I’m less interested in the state of the brief and more interested in giving us both something to tide us over.”
Zach’s mouth went dry, and his breathing sped up in anticipation. Asher was a bold and demanding lover, and Zach’s appetite for Asher was as strong as Asher’s seemed to be for him. “What did you have in mind?” he asked, his voice low and breathless.
“Nothing too distracting this time.” Asher skirted around the desk and bent over, cupping Zach’s face between his hands. “But I didn’t want to leave for the day without this,” he murmured before kissing Zach, slow and deep.
Zach closed his eyes and parted his lips, returning the kiss as his body tightened with desire like it always did when Asher kissed him. He rested one hand on Asher’s neck and gave a soft moan. Asher stroked Zach’s cheeks gently with his thumbs as he explored Zach’s mouth at a leisurely pace, seeming to enjoy taking his time. When he drew back at last, his blue eyes were warm with affection, and he smiled as he let his gaze roam over Zach’s face.
“Now I’ll have something to think about while I’m stuck having dinner with my father’s old cronies. If I thought I could get out of it, I would, but it’s good networking,” he said with a little grimace.
“I understand,” Zach replied, his own smile sympathetic. “You have to do what you have to do. As it turns out, Kevin Anderson stopped by, and he wants me to go out with him and Erik, so I won’t have to sit around pining for you.”
Asher straightened, a flash of worry in his eyes. “You aren’t going out to meet men, are you?”
Zach’s eyes widened. “What? No! Of course not! I’m only going because Kevin is my friend and I made a promise. I’ll just tell them that no one appeals to me, which will be the truth anyway.”
“Okay,” Asher said, and there was no mistaking the relief in his voice. “It’s just that the last time
you went out with them, they were trying to set you up, and they don’t know we’re seeing each other yet.”
“No, they don’t,” Zach replied. “I could tell them I’m interested in someone and I don’t need their help anymore. That also happens to be true.”
“Yes, it is,” Asher said softly, reaching out to stroke Zach’s chin with his thumb.
Zach leaned into the touch, wishing Asher would say it was all right to tell Kevin and Erik they were seeing one another. But it was probably too soon, given how short a time they’d been together, and while Zach was falling hard for Asher, there was no guarantee Asher would ever feel the same way about him. He summoned up a smile.
“So there shouldn’t be any problem, right? I’ll go out, we’ll have a couple of drinks, and I’ll be home early.”
“Don’t cut it short if you’re having fun,” Asher said, bending to press a lingering kiss to Zach’s lips. “I won’t get to escape early, so you don’t need to rush home on my account. I’ll fuck you extra long and hard tomorrow to make up for it.”
“Promise?” Zach asked, a curl of desire tightening within him. He hoped Asher didn’t think he was too needy, but he couldn’t help how much he wanted Asher.
“I promise,” Asher said, a hint of a growl underlying his voice, and there was banked heat in his eyes as he moved away from the desk at last. “Just don’t wear those tight jeans tonight, okay? Otherwise, you’re going to drive some poor man crazy, wanting to feel those long legs of yours wrapped around his hips, but he never will because those legs are all mine.”
Zach swallowed hard, forcing away the images Asher’s words evoked. “Yes, they are,” he agreed huskily. “No tight jeans, I promise. Those are only for you.”
Asher’s answering smile was wicked. “I’ll be sure to express my appreciation for that tomorrow,” he said as he headed for the door. “Have fun!”
With that, he left Zach’s office, and Zach could hear him whistling as he returned to his own office. Zach shook his head. Being with Asher was wonderful, but it was also a roller coaster, and he just hoped he didn’t get flung off at some point.
Turning his attention to the brief, he managed to get it completed before 5:00 p.m., and with a sigh of relief he emailed it to Asher. After collecting his briefcase and overcoat, he left the office, heading for the subway and the short ride to his apartment.
After changing into jeans—regular, not the tight ones—and a dark green sweater, he headed out once again. Twenty minutes later, he arrived at Nepenthe, and he couldn’t help smiling as he remembered his first time at the club and the strange way he’d ended up in Asher’s bed.
The place was more crowded than it had been before, and it took him a minute to spot Kevin and Erik at a table against one wall. He made his way over to them through the press of bodies near the dance floor and smiled apologetically.
“Hi, I hope I’m not late. I can’t believe how packed it is in here tonight!”
Kevin smiled and shook his head. “I forgot, it’s the first night of Hanukkah,” he replied. “People are celebrating.”
“That’s right. I’d forgotten too,” Zach said as he took a seat at the table. He’d been so wrapped up in Asher, he hadn’t paid any attention to the date, and he needed to remember to email his Jewish friends when he got back home. “Have you ordered yet?”
“We ordered the first round of drinks and some appetizers,” Erik said. “We got you a rum and Coke. I hope that’s okay.”
“Perfect!” Zach nodded his approval. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” Kevin replied. He glanced around the club. “Looks like you’ll have your pick of guys tonight.”
Zach shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Um, about that… I’m not looking for anyone, at least not now.”
Kevin turned to look at him, eyes wide with surprise. “I thought what’s why you wanted to go out. What’s changed?”
“I’m interested in someone,” Zach admitted. “It happened after the last time we went out.”
“Our little Zachary found a man all by himself?” Erik leaned forward on his elbows, gazing at Zach with bright, inquisitive eyes. “Do tell! When, where, how… big?”
Zach’s face grew hot. “Erik, really! Do I look like the kind of man to kiss and tell?”
“But we’re your friends!” Kevin chimed in, his expression one of avid interest. “And your fairy godfathers, don’t forget! Come on, tell us…. Were you wearing the jeans?”
It was hard not to blurt everything out, because Zach wanted them to know who he was seeing, but he bit his lip, hesitating. “Yes, I was wearing the jeans,” he admitted, then chuckled as Kevin gave Erik a high five.
“I knew those jeans would make it happen,” Erik said. “So what’s he like? Tall, dark, and handsome? Blond and hunky? Did you find yourself a hot top who couldn’t wait to get you pinned to his mattress? Or did you do the pinning? Personally, I had you pegged as a bottom, but you never know.”
Zach was spared from needing to answer immediately by the arrival of their drinks and a large basket of homemade potato chips and dip. When the waiter departed, Zach took a deep sip from his drink, then looked at Erik.
“Definitely a tall, dark, and handsome top,” he said. He could say at least that much, since he doubted either of them would ever think someone like Asher would notice him. “I do happen to be more of a bottom, but with him… absolutely.”
“Sounds familiar.” Erik smirked at Kevin, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. “What does this tall, dark, and handsome top do for a living? Are you guys compatible outside of bed?”
Zach hesitated. “He’s a lawyer, actually.” He recalled the fun they’d had ice skating and the way Asher had relaxed and even been playful. “Yes, we’re compatible outside of bed. But it’s early days yet, you know? I don’t want to jinx anything.”
“I understand.” Erik nodded as he sipped his martini. “But Kevin and I want to make sure you find a good guy who’s going to treat you right. As your fairy godfathers, we feel responsible for you now. Don’t we, Kev?”
“Of course we do,” Kevin agreed. “Does he treat you well? Does he make you happy?”
Rather than offering a glib reply, Zach considered the questions. “He treats me very well,” he said quietly. “He makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.”
“Good. We want you to be happy,” Erik said with a firm nod. He studied Zach while he ate a couple of chips. “If he’s a lawyer, he must work at Caldwell and Monroe, but I can’t think of anyone suitable. Unless he’s not out?” he asked, fixing Zach with a quizzical look. “You need to be careful if he’s a closet case.”
Erik was getting far too close to the truth, but Zach hated to lie, especially to friends. “I never said he worked at Caldwell and Monroe,” he pointed out, hoping it would change Erik’s focus on the firm. “He’s not closeted. He’s just… picky.”
“Well, you haven’t mentioned going out without us, and I know how much time you invest at the office, so unless this is some kind of star-crossed romance with a lawyer from a rival firm, it’s got to be someone from Caldwell and Monroe,” Erik pointed out. “Are you sure he’s not in the closet? The only unattached gay lawyer I know of is Asher Caldwell.” Seeing Zach’s guilty start, Erik stared at him, eyes wide with shock. “Oh, my God—you’re sleeping with Asher Caldwell?”
Zach stared back, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t believe Erik had guessed who he was seeing, and he had to make himself stay in his chair rather than getting up and fleeing.
“Is that a problem?” he asked, keeping his tone low.
“Not for me,” Erik replied, glancing at Kevin, who looked stunned as well. “But it might be a problem for you. I’m sure you know about Asher’s reputation. The man takes being a workaholic to a whole new level, and rumor has it he’s commitment-phobic because of his dad. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I appreciate that,” Zach said, reaching out rest his ha
nd on Erik’s. “You’ve both been wonderful friends to me, and I don’t think Asher would have noticed me if it hadn’t been for the two of you. Believe me, I do know Asher’s reputation. Maybe things won’t work out for us, but he makes me happy. I hope I make him happy too.”
Kevin drew in a deep breath. “I hope it works out,” he said. “You deserve to be happy.”
Erik turned his hand over and squeezed Zach’s fingers. “I hope it works out too. I like Asher, but I’m concerned about his ability to give you what you deserve. I want you to have the best guy possible. If that turns out to be Asher, great! If not, Kev and I will kick his ass and find you someone else who’ll treat you right.”
“You bet we will!” Kevin replied, nodding emphatically. “There’s a million fish in the sea. If he’s not right, throw him back.”
The words gave Zach a warm feeling, and he squeezed Erik’s hand in return. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. But if you don’t mind, can we keep this just between us? I’m not ashamed, but you know the office rumor mill. If things don’t work out, I’d hate to feel like I had to leave the firm due to gossip.”
He didn’t know why, but he trusted Asher to be fair if they went their separate ways. Asher had a conscience and was as different from his father as it was possible to be, and Zach trusted his instincts that said Asher wasn’t the type to be vindictive.
“You got it.” Erik drew an X over his heart with his free hand. “Believe me, I think it’s smart to go slowly and be careful with him.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Zach said. He squeezed Erik’s hand again and released it. “Well, counselors, now that you’ve wheedled a confession out of me, why don’t we get serious about having fun? It’s the holidays, after all, so we should celebrate.”
“Good idea!” Erik raised his martini glass. “I think it would be fun for you to tell us all about how good Asher is in bed. He must be pretty damned good to get you to agree to a secret office romance.”
