Page 64 of Leather and Longing
What bothered him was that right then he had no idea what Paul wanted.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Something hadawoken Paul way before his alarm. He rubbed his eyes as he lay there, the sunlight already creeping through his curtains, Paul trying to shove off the last vestiges of sleep.
There was something I had to do….
Adam’s writing. His independence.
That was it.
He got out of bed and went to use the bathroom, his mind still focused on his task. He pulled on a pair of shorts and headed down to the kitchen to make some coffee. He needed the caffeine to give his brain its wake-up call.
Once he had his mug, Paul entered the office, sat at the desk and took out a notepad and pen from the drawer. He scribbled down his thoughts, pausing now and again to sit back and drink more coffee, before coming back to his task. After fifteen minutes he’d amassed a comprehensive list. More coffee was needed before he went any further, and he padded barefoot into the kitchen with his empty mug. It was only as he poured out the coffee that he thought of something else to add to the list.
Settling into the comfortable office chair, Paul switched on the PC and monitor.
That was as far as he got. He didn’t have the password.Damn it.There was nothing he could do until Adam got up. Adam’s laptop was still in the box he’d brought down from the attic, but he wasn’t about to touch that.
His plans would have to wait.
Paul went back upstairs and grabbed a T-shirt. He paused at Adam’s door, listening for any sign that his boss was awake.
“You can come in, you know.” The note of wry humour didn’t escape him.
Paul smiled to himself and entered. Adam was lying in bed, looking alert. Paul came around to his side of the bed. “Good morning. Would you like me to bring you some coffee?”
Adam smiled and propped himself up on his elbows. “That would be good. I was actually lying here, thinking about doing it myself. I’m sure I’m perfectly capable of making a cup of coffee, instead of leaving you to do everything.”
Paul chuckled. “The coffee’s already made. I can pour you a cup.”
Adam cocked his head. “What got you out of bed so early this morning? It isn’t even seven yet.”
Shit.
“Did I wake you?”
Adam shook his head. “It wasn’t a great night for me.”
Now that he mentioned it, Paul could tell. The dark smudges under Adam’s eyes said it all.
“I’ll go fetch the coffee.” Paul left him and descended the staircase, his mind still on his list. He wanted to spend the morning conducting some online research, and if it went well, Adam’s immediate future would undergo some changes. But there was a way he could make the start of the day a good deal more pleasant.
Paul retrieved bread from the freezer and popped the slices into the toaster. He poured out a mug of coffee for Adam, and while the bread was toasting, he filled a bowl with muesli, slicing up strawberries and adding them to it. When he was finished, he carried a tray up to Adam’s room, backing up to the door with care.
Adam sniffed the air and arched his eyebrows. “Breakfast in bed?” His lips twitched. “Okay, what have you broken? Or what is it you want?
Paul guffawed. “I see. I try to do something nice, andthisis the thanks I get? I can always take it away, y’know.” He made as if to turn.
“No!”
Paul snickered. “Next time, think before you try to be funny at my expense.”
Adam sat up in bed and positioned a pillow in his lap. Paul placed the tray there and tried not to laugh when Adam attacked the toast with gusto.
“I’ll leave you to it. I’ll collect the tray later.”
Adam nodded, his mouth full. Paul collected Adam’s laundry from the hamper, and Adam swallowed. “What are you doing?”
