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

Laughing, Hayden got his feet under him, but not before he managed to press against Neal’s very firm groin. Neal took the opportunity to slip his palm over Hayden’s rear and rub the soft material of the sweats across his skin a few times. “We should…um…the clothes.”


Neal held Hayden at arm’s length and rubbed his shoulders a few times. “Right. Dry clothes and dinner.” He stooped and snatched up the wet clothes. Dipping his head toward the kitchen, Neal turned, and Hayden trailed after him.


“I’ll get you some socks.” Neal ducked out of the kitchen and was back a minute later with a thick, woven set of socks. Hayden hopped around on one foot then the other, pulling them on and looking around the kitchen at the same time.


Neal’s kitchen was sleek and modern. Everything was stainless steel and black. It was spacious and clearly well used. Off the kitchen was a laundry room. Neal packed their clothes into the washer and started the machine. “Better wash them first.”


Chapter 22