At Long Last

had only one thing on my mind."
    Scott smiled. "Apparently. But I haven't eaten since like one o'clock this afternoon." His gaze went to the digital clock on the nightstand next to the bed. "It's now almost eight."
    "Well," Preston said, sitting up. "You were late."
    "Yeah, yeah."
    "Okay, get dressed. I'll go start the fish." Preston rose and found his own discarded clothes. He paused while pulling on his T-shirt. "I'm really glad you came tonight."
    Scott nodded. "Me, too. Pres?"
    "Hmm?"
    Scotty bit his lip, and then looked away. "It's nothing. I think I'm going to take a quick shower. Okay?"
    Something was bothering Scotty and Preston had a good idea what it was. He wanted to talk about their having sex. Problem was, Preston just wasn't ready for that. And he didn't want to say anything to send Scott away. The younger man looked ready to bolt. He couldn't explain to himself this absurd reaction he had to Scott, let alone explain it to Scott.
    "Sure. There are towels under the sink."

Chapter 6
----
     
    Scotty woke up facing the window with the sun streaking in through partially open mini-blinds. He was spooned against Preston and the other man's arm rested across his middle. The sheets were tangled between his legs. He glanced at the clock next to the bed. Seven o'clock already. Normally he would be up and showered by then.
    He gently pushed at Preston's arm and struggled to sit up. Preston murmured in his sleep, then turned over to lay on his stomach. His dark hair stood on end. He was adorable and for several minutes Scotty just watched him sleep.
    Preston was a damn fine cook. The halibut had been full of flavor and cooked perfectly. He was also damn fine in bed. Scotty grimaced a little at how sore he was.
    He found it a little strange to be waking up in someone's bed. He couldn't remember sleeping over at a lover's house any time recently. He wasn't a slut, but he also didn't allow such intimacies with many lovers.
    He swung his legs out and onto the floor and walked over to the window to peek out. A gloriously sunny day. No one in their right mind would want to go in the office on such a day. Which had him thinking.
    Turning back to face the bed, he called out, "Hey, Pres, wake up."
    Preston stirred, but didn't open his eyes. Scotty walked back to the bed and sat next to him. He shook him further awake.
    "What?" Preston grumbled.
    "Let's play hooky from work today. It's Friday. You could call in sick and I can say I'm out in the field all day doing investigative stuff. We can drive up the coast to Morro Bay and make a weekend of it." Morro Bay in Central California was Scotty's favorite location in the world. Someday he hoped to live there. He loved the idea of going there with Preston.
    Preston rubbed his eyes with his fists and then sat up. He frowned. "What the hell? What are you talking about? Play hooky?"
    "Yeah. Come on." Scotty grinned.
    "You want to go away together? Like a...a couple?"
    The incredulous, nearly panicked tone of Preston's voice threw ice water all over Scotty's enthusiasm. What had he been thinking? They weren't a couple. He was an idiot.
    "Never mind," Scotty said quickly. He glanced down at his own naked body and his vulnerable state hit him hard. He yanked a corner of the crisp white sheet over his lap and tried to make his voice casual. "Bad idea. I'll go shower and get ready for work."
    He stood up when Preston's hand closed over his wrist and tugged him back down.
    "Wait," Preston said, his mouth twisted in a grimace. "I didn't say I wouldn't."
    "It's okay, Preston. It was a stupid thought. It's just a beautiful day and I got carried away. No need to freak out." He spoke lightly, hoping to make Preston smile. It didn't work.
    Preston shook his head. "I'm not freaking out, Scott."
    Scotty sighed. Somewhere between last night when Preston was pounding him into the mattress and this morning he'd gone back to being Scott instead of Scotty. Distancing himself.
    "Look, it's no big deal," Scotty said.
    "Where would we go?"
    "Well, I thought Morro Bay."
    Preston exhaled deeply. "Um, okay."
    "Okay?"
    "Yeah." Preston nodded. "Okay. Let's go."
    Scotty threw himself at Preston. "Oh, cool. You won't regret it. We'll have the best time. I swear."
    Preston gave him just a hint of a smile. "Then I guess I better call work."

    * * * *
    The drive up the coast had been pleasant. They'd purposely not discussed anything too personal, though. The conversation kept to sports, politics, the business,