by Ari McKay
Asher was tempted to make a comment about Zach being on top, but he thought he should save it for later. Instead he approached the tree and hung the ornament as high as he could safely place it. The last thing he wanted was to be responsible for Zach’s ornament falling off the tree and breaking.
“You don’t change a tradition,” he said as he returned to Zach’s side. “How’s that?”
“Perfect!” Zach nodded his approval.
Katherine brought out a delicate crystal star, and Mark placed it at the top of the tree. Mikey was given the honor of turning on the lights so they could admire their efforts. To Asher, it was even more beautiful than the professionally decorated trees he grew up with. Those were tasteful and expensive, but they weren’t personal, not like this tree.
Asher drew Zach aside and spoke quietly. “I don’t have any family that I’d want you to meet,” he said. “But I do have a best friend who’s been like a brother to me since college. He and his wife are having their annual holiday party next Saturday. I’d like you to go with me and meet them.”
Zach started, as though surprised by the invitation, but then he smiled widely. “Thank you. I’d love to go with you.”
Asher smiled back, relieved Zach had accepted the invitation. Hopefully, Zach would see it was Asher’s way of trying to open up his life to include Zach, but more than that, it would be a clear statement that they were dating. It was a little nerve-racking to think about making their relationship public, but he was ready to take that step.
Asher Caldwell was officially off the market and happy to be so.
Chapter Seven
ZACH WATCHED the lights of the city going by and resisted the urge to fidget. When he’d agreed to go with Asher to his best friend’s holiday party, he thought it was going to be something informal, perhaps an open house with people coming and going, much like the party his parents threw every year for their friends. But he learned how wrong he was when Asher said it would be a suit-and-tie affair. Which was why he was now seated in Asher’s expensive luxury sedan, dressed in a custom-made suit that had cost more than every other suit in his closet combined and wondering how in the hell a boy from Princeton was going to fit in with people from the tip-top of New York Society.
Asher was from that world, and he had the money and the apartment to prove it, but Zach forgot about Asher’s wealth when they were together. For one thing, Asher didn’t act like he had tons of money. He seemed perfectly content doing things like going ice skating or stopping to buy roasted chestnuts from a street vendor in front of Zach’s apartment. Zach had gone to school with plenty of snobbish rich kids who talked about their parents’ wealth and power, but Asher was so down-to-earth, Zach was always a little surprised when Asher did things like call his driver to pick them up or offer to take Zach to the tailor who made his suits. Zach was a bit uncomfortable, and he wondered if Asher’s friends would think someone like Zach wasn’t good enough for him.
The closer they got to the Madison Avenue high-rise where Asher’s friends lived, the tighter the knot of tension in Zach’s stomach grew until he found himself clenching his hands in his lap to keep from opening the door of the sedan and bolting off into the night.
“Are you okay?” Asher reached out to rest his hand on top of Zach’s, peering at him with visible concern.
Zach managed a weak smile. “Just nervous,” he admitted. “I feel a little out of my league.”
“You’re not out of your league,” Asher said firmly, squeezing Zach’s hand. “You’re an intelligent, well-educated professional. Just because you weren’t born with a multimillion-dollar trust fund doesn’t mean you’re somehow less than anyone in that room.”
“Intellectually, I know you’re right,” Zach said, turning his hand over so he could curl his fingers around Asher’s, taking comfort from the touch. “But the butterflies in my stomach are not persuaded by logical argument. I feel like I did the first time I argued a case—sort of a sense of unreality combined with a desire to throw up.”
“You’ll be fine.” Asher leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Derek is a lot like me, and Caroline is sweet.”
“I hope you’re right.” Zach drew in a deep breath and told his pounding heart to slow down. “I’m afraid I’ll do something to embarrass myself horribly and you’ll wonder what you ever saw in me in the first place.”
Asher touched Zach’s chin and guided Zach to look at him directly. “You could get drunk on spiked eggnog, set their Christmas tree on fire, and vomit on their designer rug, and all I’d want to do is take you home, tuck you in, and help you recover from your hangover in the morning,” he said, his blue eyes warm and sincere.
Asher’s expression made Zach want to melt, and he smiled again, this time without the pensive edge. “If you say so,” he murmured. “Will you promise to take me home and tuck me in even if I don’t do all those other things?”
“I thought I might take you to my home and tuck you into my bed after we leave,” Asher replied, then leaned in to kiss Zach lightly. “And I do say so. I’m proud of you, Zach. That’s why I wanted you to come with me tonight. You can’t embarrass me.”
Asher’s assurance made Zach feel better. He liked the thought of Asher being proud of him, and he hoped he would justify that level of trust. “Please just don’t abandon me to a bunch of society people, okay? I wouldn’t even know what to talk about.”
“I’ll stay with you the whole time,” Asher promised. “But we aren’t a separate species, you know,” he added, amusement lacing his voice. “We talk about the same things other people talk about. Derek is a huge Yankees fan, for example, so if you can talk to him about baseball, you’re golden. Actually, you don’t even need to talk once he gets going. Just listen.”
That coaxed a chuckle out of Zach. “That I can do. So long as they don’t want to talk about fashion, antiques, or celebrities I can probably cope.”
Once they reached the high-rise where Derek and Caroline Goulder lived, Parker got out and opened the door for them. Asher waited until Zach exited the back seat, then reached for Zach’s hand and held it as they approached the entrance.
“Have I told you how hot you look in your new suit?” Asher murmured in Zach’s ear once they were in the elevator, heading up to the top floor.
“Do you really think so?” Zach turned his head, smiling bashfully. “More or less than in the skinny jeans?”
“Tough call.” Asher looked Zach up and down, pretending to study him. “It’s a different hotness, I think. The skinny jeans make me want to push you against the nearest wall and fuck you senseless. The suit makes me want to dance a waltz or a foxtrot with you, offer a glass of champagne, and then get you naked so I can lick the champagne off your bare skin.”
Zach couldn’t help the shiver of desire that ran down his spine at the thought of Asher doing those things to him. “Well, if you don’t have champagne back at your place, maybe we could stop for a bottle on the way back?”
“Or we could improvise with a nice white.” Asher flashed a wicked grin at him.
The elevator doors slid open, and Asher placed his hand at the small of Zach’s back to guide him to the Goulders’ door. They were met by a distinguished-looking older man with silver hair who greeted Asher with warmth as he let them in.
The Goulders’ place looked much like Asher’s—large, filled with expensive furniture, and with a stylish decor straight out of a magazine or a designer’s notebook—but the difference was that the Goulders had decorated for the holidays, and the high-end sound system was playing Christmas carols.
Asher peered at the guests, most of whom were holding glasses of wine and plates of finger food, and then he steered Zach over to a couple standing near a huge Christmas tree gleaming with thousands of white lights that reflected off silver and crystal ornaments. The man was tall and blond, and his handsome face lit up when he saw Asher.
“You made it!” The man beckoned them over and touched the shoulder of the petite
brunette woman standing beside him. She too looked pleased when she saw Asher approaching.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Asher said, smiling warmly as he shook hands with the man and kissed the woman’s cheek. “Derek, Caroline, I’d like you to meet Zach Richardson. My date,” he added, sliding his arm around Zach as if to emphasize the point.
Derek regarded Zach with an open, friendly expression as he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Zach.”
Zach took Derek’s hand and smiled politely. “Nice to meet you as well,” he said. He resisted the urge to lean against Asher, not wanting to seem too needy or possessive in front of Asher’s friends. “Happy holidays.”
“Happy holidays to you too,” Caroline said as she extended her hand to Zach and smiled at him. “I’m so glad to meet you. Asher has been dropping hints about seeing someone the last couple of weeks, and I was hoping he’d bring you tonight. He’s never brought a date before, though, so I wasn’t going to hold my breath.”
“And now we see why I haven’t brought a date to your party before,” Asher retorted, but she just laughed.
Zach relaxed a little as he took Caroline’s hand. “Well, then, I’m doubly pleased to meet you,” he said, and he gave Asher a playful smile, thinking about the way Mikey hadn’t hesitated to tell Asher that Zach hadn’t brought a boyfriend home before.
“Ash said you’re a lawyer, right? How did you end up at Caldwell and Monroe?” Derek asked, seeming genuinely interested.
“It was partly by luck,” Zach said. “A friend of mine works there, and after I saw Asher argue the Winters case, I knew I wanted to be part of that team.”
“See? I told you he’s a sensible man,” Asher said, beaming proudly at Zach.
“Okay, but the real question is, how is Asher doing as a boyfriend?” Caroline asked, tucking her arm in Zach’s and steering him toward the buffet table. “He’s been single for as long as Derek and I have known him, so he’s new to this whole relationship thing. Is he treating you well?”
Zach glanced over his shoulder at Asher, then looked back at Caroline. She reminded him of his sisters, and he instinctively knew the question was well-meaning, so he didn’t mind answering. “Asher treats me very well,” he replied. “I’m new to the relationship thing myself, but I can’t imagine any way he could treat me any better than he does.”
Caroline nodded, seeming to relax at that. “We worry about him,” she said, leaning close to confide in Zach. “His dad has been such a toxic influence on his life. Derek and I wondered if he’d ever get over his fear of being like Ted and stop avoiding commitments.”
“His father should be ashamed of himself,” Zach said flatly, then shook his head. “If dating me counts as a commitment, then he’s making progress. I’m willing to give him however long he needs, and I’m not going to push. His father tried to push him into being someone he wasn’t, and I’m not going to do the same thing.”
“I thought you must be special if you managed to get Asher to consider dating, and I was right.” Caroline’s smile widened as she looked up at him and hugged his arm. “You’re doing the right thing. Pushing would only make him run. I don’t think he’ll run from you, though. He sounded happy when he told us he was bringing a date to the party.”
Zach thought about everything Asher had told him, not just about his father, but about the escorts and about liking the way Zach responded to him. He wanted to believe Asher thought he was special, but part of him wondered if Asher would have responded the same way if they hadn’t ended up in bed together through a case of mistaken identity.
“I want to make him happy,” he said truthfully. “Because he makes me happier than I ever thought I could be.”
“It looks to me like you’re doing a good job of it so far,” she said, then glanced back at Derek and Asher. “Come on, let’s get you a glass of wine and something to nibble on, and I’ll introduce you around. It looks like the boys have started talking about baseball or football or some kind of ball. Whatever it is, they’ll be useless for the next half hour at least. Do you like white or red?”
Five minutes later, Zach had a glass of white wine in his hand, and Caroline introduced him to everyone, seeming determined to make sure he had a good time. Zach worked on remembering everyone’s names, and by the time Asher rejoined him—a bit chagrined at having gotten caught up in his discussion with Derek—Zach was relaxed enough to eat something without worrying he might embarrass himself. Once the party began winding down, Asher took Zach to say good night to their hosts.
“Good luck handling Ash,” Derek said with a teasing smile as he shook Zach’s hand.
“You’re going to need it,” Caroline said, hugging Zach first, then Asher.
“With friends like these….” Asher grumbled, mock-scowling at them.
Once Asher and Zach were in the back seat of the car, Asher reached for Zach’s hand, twining their fingers.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No, it wasn’t,” Zach replied, giving Asher’s hand a squeeze. “Caroline reminds me of my sister Ellie, and Derek was very nice. Everyone was gracious to me.”
“Derek likes you. I think Caroline likes you better than me,” Asher said with a little snort, but he smiled to show he wasn’t serious.
“Caroline cares a lot about you,” Zach said, smiling in return. “They both do, which is a good thing. I’ve been worried you didn’t have anyone at all.”
“Derek and I were roommates in college. He latched on and refused to let go until I accepted the fact that I had a best friend. Caroline became part of a package deal, so I’ve had them for years. And now I have you. Right?” Asher fixed Zach with a questioning look.
“You’ve definitely got me,” Zach replied. “I’ll be here for you as long as you want me to be.”
“That might be a while,” Asher murmured, leaning over and resting his head on Zach’s shoulder. He was quiet a moment, and then he gave Zach’s fingers a squeeze. “I thought we might do something a little different tonight.”
Zach leaned his cheek against Asher’s head, enjoying the closeness. “Oh? What did you have in mind?”
“How would you like to top?”
“What?” The question was so unexpected that Zach blurted his response without thinking. “I mean… that’s something you want?”
“If it’s something you think you’d enjoy.” Asher squeezed his hand again. “I’d like to share that experience with you.”
“I never really thought about it,” Zach admitted. “I mean, you give off a very toppy vibe, so I haven’t considered the possibility. But I’d enjoy anything with you. I want to give you pleasure in any way you’d like.”
“I do have a preference for topping,” Asher said, chuckling. “But I want to be flexible when it comes to giving you pleasure too. I don’t want to be selfish and have it my way all the time.”
“I don’t think you topping means you’re having it your way,” Zach pointed out. “Or have you forgotten the woods already? But I enjoy making love with you no matter what we do. Topping or bottoming doesn’t mean as much to me as just being with you.”
“You can be a pushy little bottom when you want to be,” Asher said, and Zach could hear the smugness in his voice. “But I want to do this. I want you to know I’ll give you pleasure in any way you want it, any time.”
“Then we’ll do it,” Zach replied softly. “I might be a bit rusty, but hopefully I can make up for that in enthusiasm.”
“I’m not at all worried,” Asher said, bringing Zach’s hand to his lips for a lingering kiss.
Zach gave Asher’s hand a squeeze, feeling a tingle of anticipation as Parker stopped the car in front of Asher’s building and opened the door for them. On the ride up to Asher’s apartment, Zach took the opportunity to grope Asher’s ass, giving Asher a heated smile as he anticipated what they were about to do. Asher’s eyes were already darkening with arousal as he groped Zach in return. As soon as the elevator doors opened, he
grabbed Zach’s hand and practically dragged him to the apartment door. All was quiet and still inside, and Asher paused to steal a kiss once they were inside with the door closed and locked behind them.
Zach pulled him toward the bedroom, deciding if he was going to top—perhaps for the only time—that he’d be completely in charge. He stopped inside the door and closed it firmly, then gave Asher a heated look.
“Strip for me,” he commanded. “I want to see you.”
Asher’s eyes widened as if he was startled by the unexpected order, but then he lowered his lashes and gave Zach a coy look. “Whatever you want,” he said as he loosened his tie and whipped it off. He tossed the designer tie aside carelessly, then shrugged out of his jacket. That too hit the floor, and he began unfastening the buttons of his shirt slowly, a little smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Zach’s breathing sped up, and he stalked toward Asher, walking around him as he watched Asher removing his clothes.
“That’s it,” he said, eagerly anticipating the sight of Asher’s bare body. “Show me more.”
Asher finished unfastening the buttons and let the shirt hang open, trailing his fingertips up and down the narrow strip of exposed skin. “Like this?” he asked, blinking innocently.
“Exactly like that.” Zach brushed Asher’s fingers aside so he could caress Asher’s chest himself. He pushed his hand beneath the fabric to tease one of Asher’s nipples. “Do you like that?”
Asher gasped and arched against Zach’s hand, his eyes going half-lidded. “Yes, I like it.” He shrugged out of his shirt and let it fall to the floor. “Do you?”
“Very much,” Zach replied, his voice husky as desire mounted swiftly. He circled Asher’s nipples with his thumbs until they tightened into taut peaks. “I like to look at you, and I like to give you pleasure. And I love how you look when you’re aroused and desperate for me.”
Asher sucked in a sharp breath, a flush rising on his skin. “I like giving you pleasure too,” he said. “If you want to see me desperate, I won’t hold anything back.”