by D. B. Watson
“It won’t bite, Pat. Come to me.” Patrick walked around the counter, stepping in front of Adam.
“Adam, you know me and kitchens have an unhealthy relationship.”
“That’s because you didn’t have me with you.” Adam quickly dried his hands and grabbed a pair of rubber gloves. He helped Patrick’s manicured hands into them and gave him a sponge and a dish and lowered them into the warm, sudsy water.
“First, you soak the item, then you wipe it clean.” He guided the sponge in Patrick’s hand over the dirty dish on both sides under the water. “Now, all you do is rinse it.” He moved Patrick over to the twin sink, dousing it with water, placing it in the dish rack. “And there you go.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah.” Patrick looked around and noticed nothing happening. No dents in the refrigerator, the stove not on fire, and the sink wasn’t overflowing.
“Nothing’s broken?” asked Patrick.
Adam looked around. “Nope, everything seems in order.”
“Let me try alone.”
“Go for it.”
“Oh—but stay close.”
“That’s one thing you’ll never have to ask me.”
Adam stepped up close behind Patrick, holding his waist. Patrick grabbed a dish and mimed what Adam showed him, placing it in the dish rack without dropping it. Patrick’s heart pounded with pride at a task he’d never thought he could complete. He continued to clean the remaining dishes and utensils. Once the last one was in the rack, Adam helped him dry them and clean up the sink. Patrick stepped back and marveled at his completed work.
“We did it!” said Patrick, turning to Adam and jumping into his arms, hugging him.
“What do you mean we? You, Patrick Valdez, did this.” Patrick stepped back, smiling ear to ear as Adam helped him out of the gloves, leaving them hanging off the sink to dry.
“I—I guess I did.”
Adam pulled him in close and kissed his tempting mouth. In a swoop, Adam bent down and flipped Patrick over his shoulder, carrying him back to the bedroom.
“Adam, what are you doing? Put me down!” Patrick laughed.
Adam dropped him to the bed, watching him bounce. Neither said a word as they continued to smile. Adam knelt on the bed as Patrick parted his legs. His detective inched between them and hovered above him. Patrick worked the large top off and tossed it aside, raising his arms over his head. Adam stared at the beautiful man below him in awe. Adam lowered down and lay beside him. They both turned to each other and were about to kiss when the ringing phone interrupted them. He looked and saw it was Patrick’s cell.
“Just ignore it,” Patrick said, kissing Adam.
The ringing continued.
“Maybe you should answer that.”
“I’ll tell them I’m busy.” Patrick turned and grabbed his cell from the nightstand and saw that the call was from his mother. He looked at Adam apologetically. “It’s my mother, I should take this.”
“It’s okay, this can wait.”
“I’ll be quick.” Patrick received the call. “Hello.”
“Patrick, I’m so glad you and Adam are coming to the house this weekend.”
“Thanks for including Adam.”
“Adam’s always welcome here.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes. Could you come by the house tomorrow and help me with a few of the arrangements? We can have lunch.”
“All right, I’ll tell Adam.”
“Thanks, dear. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Patrick hung up and placed his cell back on the nightstand.
Adam grabbed him from behind and pulled him close.
“So, that was your mother?” asked Adam.
“Yes.”
“And it was about their party?”
“Yes, again.”
“Is it canceled?”
Patrick turned to Adam, surprised by his comment. “Why would you say that?”
Adam wished he could take back his words when he saw Patrick’s smile vanish.
“You—don’t want to go?”
“Pat, it’s not that. I like your mom, but—”
“But what? My father? He’s the one who invited you.” Patrick pushed out of Adam’s arms, walking to the bathroom.
“Pat, come on.” Adam rose and followed him, but Patrick shut the door, locking it. Adam shook the knob. “Patrick, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” The shower turned on, and no reply came from Patrick.
Adam made a fist, cursing at himself as he mumbled. “Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut for once,” he said, walking away, climbing back onto the bed.
Patrick had a quick shower. He considered going out, but it was late, and Adam would insist on going with him. A tapping sound made him glance toward the bathroom window. Beads of water collected against the glass, then thundering came from above. The storm erupted and a downpour fell from the sky. Patrick dropped his head in defeat when he heard another knock at the door.
“Pat, I understand you wanting to ignore me,” said Adam, leaning his head against the door. “I was being insensitive. I want to go with you. I’m just not sure how your family will receive me.” Patrick unlocked the door and cracked it open, peeking out at Adam.
“I went to see your family. Whom you never told we were dating.” Adam stared into his hazel eyes and knew he was right.
“Another mistake I made that I regret. They love you.” Patrick opened the door all the way. Adam noticed he didn’t bother to wrap a towel around his waist.
“And my parents will love you.”
“Your father invited me.”
“Right. Which means he’s trying.”
Adam sighed, knowing it would be an uphill battle, but took the olive branch. “You know, I don’t have a decent suit for this party.”
“I can help you pick one out.”
“How about we go shopping for new suits? To give a good impression to your parents.”
“Can I treat?”
“Sure, why not?”
Patrick rushed into Adam’s arms and hugged him.
“You won’t regret this.”
“So long as you’re with me, I regret nothing.”
Patrick gazed at Adam before kissing his lips. Adam lifted him, leaving his legs dangling, carrying him back to their bed.
CHAPTER 7
MUfFiNs
Adam rose without waking Patrick, catching his cell phone’s alarm before a full ring. He glanced at Patrick, who hadn’t budged from the spot he collapsed in after his and Adam’s makeup sex.
Adam exited the bed and headed to the bathroom to shower. Though he didn’t want to, he washed Patrick’s scent from his hair and body. After drying off, he moved naked to his closet. He looked through it, deciding to wear his suit with casual shoes.
“You should wear something more practical,” said Patrick. Adam turned and saw Patrick lying on his stomach, his bare ass exposed, watching him.
“Did I wake you?” asked Adam.
“I heard the shower.”
“Sorry. I’ll be leaving soon. Why don’t you go back to sleep.”
“I want to help.” Adam walked over and sat on the bed. Patrick sat up and rested in a kneeling position beside him. They gave each other a morning peck on the lips.
“Then what do you suggest I wear?” asked Adam.
“You should wear what you normally wear to work.”
“Shouldn’t I be more professional when seeing an important client?”
“Do you wear a suit to see your clients?”
“No. But none of them ever paid me this well.”
“That shouldn’t matter. You are a professional that works without a business suit. You should dress for your job. Even if it means jeans and work boots.”
“You have a point. Fine.” Adam rose and grabbed a pair of jeans and a button-up top with his hiking boots.
Patrick climbed off the bed and gathered a different pair of jeans and top, plus his unde
rwear and socks. Adam dressed as Patrick tugged on Adam’s tee shirt from the night before.
Adam went to the kitchen, setting up the coffeepot for him and Patrick.
“Can you grab something for breakfast out of the fridge?”
Patrick opened the icebox. He found two breakfast parfaits with layers of berries and granola on the top shelf.
“Adam, did you make these?” asked Patrick, holding the stem glasses.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Patrick beamed. “You did.”
“Take them to the table and I’ll bring the coffee.”
Patrick sat at the table as Adam walked up with two mugs of coffee. Patrick first dug into his breakfast treat, savoring the sweet fruit.
Adam drank some of his coffee, then grabbed his spoon to eat.
“Here,” said Patrick, leaving his chair to sit on Adam’s lap. “Let me feed you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Want me to get up?”
“No,” Adam said, holding Patrick’s waist. Patrick grabbed Adam’s parfait and a spoon. With each scoop Patrick fed Adam, he cleaned the spoon in his own mouth. If any yogurt stayed behind on Adam’s lips, he licked it away.
When their meal ended, Patrick walked Adam to the back stairs that led to his office. Adam hesitated.
“What's wrong?” asked Patrick.
“I’m not sure.”
“Don’t tell me my detective is anxious?”
Adam smiled at his comment as he grasped Patrick’s waist and pulled him in for a deep kiss. When he released him, Adam combed his fingers through the soft curls.
“You know I love you.”
“I love you.”
Adam kissed him again.
“Adam, what’s wrong? If it’s the party—”
“No, it’s not the party. I want to go with you.”
“Then why the hesitancy?”
“No reason. I just want to make you happy.”
“You have.”
“We can buy the suits tonight when I get home. If you want.”
“I’d like that.” One last kiss, and Adam turned and walked down the stairs. Patrick waited until he shut the door before heading to the bathroom.
****
When entering his office, Adam got a delicious whiff of coffee and blueberry muffins. He opened his office door, enjoying the aromas, when an ecstatic voice brought him back.
"Good morning, boss." Justin’s royal-blue eyes met Adam's as the perky youth grinned a warm welcome from his desk. He sported cargo pants and a worn-out tee shirt. Across his chest, peeling white letters read: "BOYFRIENDS DON MEAN NOTHING." Adam smirked at his assistant’s blunt tee shirt as Justin rose to get him a cup of coffee.
"The weather is acting up," stated Justin. “It's pouring out there."
"Well, it hasn’t taken that smile off your face. What did you do last night?"
"The usual clubbing until three in the morning,” he said, stirring in the creamer.
"We had a late night too.”
On cue, Justin didn't want Adam's boyfriend's name echoing in his head. He handed Adam his coffee.
Adam spotted the baked goods and grabbed a muffin. He bit into it, savoring the warm, moist texture in his mouth as he returned to his office.
Justin beamed, grabbing a napkin, and placed another muffin on top. He followed Adam into his office and set the muffin on his desk by his coffee cup.
"Here, enjoy." He smiled at his employer. Adam savored the tempting blueberries.
"I shouldn't, I just breathed one in."
"Who knows when you'll eat again? You might miss lunch. Besides, they’re small." He pointed to a thin manila folder. "The printed information about Waldo is on your desk, but I have to warn you, it's not much. Also, I did do research on Yuri Jin, and his information is intriguing."
Adam drained the mug of the scrumptious drink and handed it back to Justin. The caffeine went right to work, turning on Adam's brain. He opened Yuri Jin’s file and read every single page. Justin returned with a refilled cup and placed it on his desk.
"So where is this meeting, boss?"
"A penthouse in Old City called The Duet."
"The Duet; elegant."
Adam looked up at his assistant.
"You’ve heard of it?"
"You should have too; it's owned by your boyfriend’s family."
Adam paused, not aware of Patrick's status.
"I didn't know that."
"Come on, boss, you two had to have stayed there. At least once. One of your romantic getaways?"
"We haven't done those in a while. No, we’ve never been."
"Oh, sorry, it's just, I thought—"
"I was a kept man?"
"No. But he is rich."
"Patrick left that behind him. We're making it on our own. The Duet is out of our budget."
Justin wanted to roll his eyes but changed his mind. "Oh, okay, well, The Duet rooms the elite of society. A one-bedroom in the back without a view can cost a bundle."
"So, a penthouse’s downright ridiculous?"
"We're talking millions."
"Thanks for the heads-up."
Adam glanced at the clock above his door and saw he had thirty minutes to get to his client. He closed the folder he was reading and swallowed half of his coffee. He grabbed his gun, placing it in a holster and fastening it to his belt. Justin grabbed Adam’s coat, helping him with it as he snatched the second muffin.
"You have plenty of time, so don't rush; that's what cause accidents."
Adam turned to him and smiled. "You sound like Patrick." Adam didn't catch the look of resentment on Justin's face as he spun back to the baked goods.
"These were great. Where did you get them?"
"I baked them."
"Really?"
"What, do you think I'm some empty-headed boy toy?"
"Justin, I didn't say that.” Adam sighed.
"But you were thinking it."
"I was wondering how you found the time with the research I give you."
"Oh, well, I did."
Adam saw his assistant looking at the floor. Adam took Justin's chin and turned his face up to his.
"Justin, I would never take you for granted. You are invaluable to me and this office."
"You mean that?"
"I do. In fact, why don't you take the rest of the day off, with pay? Go do whatever you want and tomorrow we'll start again with me buying you breakfast."
"Okay," he beamed. "I never had a boss as nice as you."
"Have a nice day, Justin."
Justin got the door for Adam, flashing his warmest smile as he watched him leave.
Once gone, Justin locked the door and walked over to the closet door, opening it. A skater boy named Ethan Troy stepped out, a college student who’d met Justin at a skate park.
Justin was cutting through the skateboarder’s park when Ethan rolled by and caught his eye. Not looking where he was going, Ethan ran into another skater. When he regained consciousness, Justin was there, kneeling beside him, holding his graffiti-covered skateboard.
Ethan followed Justin as he walked over to the couch, then turned to him. The skater boy set his board down. His clothes were baggy but coordinated; two chains dangled from one of his pockets to another.
"You got your boss played."
"No, I don't."
"Come on, Justin. Getting uptight over muffins? You didn't bake them, my mom did. And I brought these for you."
"So, what, you want a medal?"
"He doesn't want you."
"What the fuck do you know?"
"I heard enough."
"Ethan, if you’re not here to fuck me, get out."
Ethan walked up to Justin, pushing him back onto the couch. He dropped to his knees and undid Justin's pants. He pulled them off his slender waist, tugging his legs free, and tossed them aside. Justin’s head fell back when Ethan’s wet tongue slid along his hard cock, deep-throating him.