Hayden Owens is just a typical graduate student working his way through school as a barista for the Owens Coffee Company -- no relation. But he keeps the "no relation" part to himself when he meets dashing, older Neal Kirchner, a successful architect from an old-money family. Hayden doesn't exactly lie, but he figures it can't hurt for Neal to believe he's a rich kid. After all, Hayden doesn't want Neal thinking he's a gold digger.<br><br>Neal Kirchner is Asian Indian and British decent. His parents became Christians, shoving their heritage to the side. Neal has returned to the customs and religion his grandmother cherished. On top of being a very successful architect he's heir to the Indian Rose Tea Company, a business that's been in his family for generations.<br><br>Neal's passion is high performance cars and he meets Hayden at a fundraiser for the automotive engineering department of Clemson University. They are immediately smitten with each other. The closer they become, the harder it gets for Hayden to come clean. Something always seems to get in the way. When a company bankruptcy and a jilted, vindictive woman threaten to expose his charade, Hayden thinks it's all gone down the drain. Luckily Neal is ready with some innocent trickery of his own, but will their relationship survive?

High Test

Neal might have been a good twenty years older than Hayden, but he was muscular under his expensive, tailored suit. Hayden ran his hand over Neal’s arm and across the bulge of his shoulder. The scent of Neal’s cologne swirled around in Hayden’s head and mingled with the music. The combination conspired to lower Hayden’s defenses. He leaned more heavily against the warmth of Neal’s body and appreciated the strong arms around him. Neal bent his head and hummed softly in Hayden’s ear.


Their hands moved slowly over each other, touching and caressing. Hayden pressed closer as Neal’s hand roamed over his shoulders, down his spine, and over the curve of his ass. They swayed together to the music and kept on even when the music changed.


The lights were being turned off when Neal took Hayden’s face in both hands and kissed him. At first it was chaste and sweet. Neal’s lips were just the right combination of firm and soft, and he tasted of martinis.


Hayden decided he really liked martinis.


Chapter 4