Love Is Always Write Volume 4

almost fell on his ass again on the bathroom floor. Wet and dripping he rushed into the next room just in time to hear the phone by the bed ring yet again. "Who the fuck?"
    "Hello." His voice came out scratchy so he cleared it, but all he heard was a dial tone. "Fuck." Even after rushing and almost breaking his neck in the process he'd missed the call. Did it really matter though? It had to have been a wrong number, he couldn't think of a single person that would be calling him here. Why would they, nobody even knew where he was. Maybe the front desk? But, why? Especially at – he checked the bedside clock as he used the towel to dry off – five a.m.
    Hearing the water still running in the bathroom, he wrapped the towel around his waist and he went back to the bathroom. He stopped at the door, seeing the floor covered in water, and rolled his eyes. A couple towels tossed on the floor to absorb it would have to do for now. He was too tired for more. The shower had done a sufficient job of relaxing him and funny enough the rush to the phone hadn't changed that.
    Chad set the alarm on his cell phone to wake him at eleven and got into bed, not caring anymore that the mattress was lumpy. Or that there was now early morning light coming through the window. The second he closed his eyes he was out.
    ****
    Chad was sitting on the rocks, looking out at the large lake in front of him and feeling peaceful. The sound of the waves, the deep November sunset reflecting onto the water, and warm arms wrapped tightly around him were like gifts from the gods, sweet and heavenly. He leaned back against his lover and felt Zeb's chest rise and fall slowly.
    Neither one needed to speak. This particular strip of shore, so quiet and serene, had become their special place – their romantic getaway. It had been Zeb's idea the first time they'd come. Chad couldn't remember now why, but maybe there'd never been a reason. They were there to relax and enjoy each other. He'd teased Zeb a little, after their first time here, about having such a romantic idea when he'd been the one to accuse Chad of being a romantic when they first met. Only a little though – he'd wanted to make sure they kept coming back after all.
    He felt Zeb's breath on his cheek and then his cold nose nuzzling behind his ear. "Hmmmm" Zeb hummed. "You see that, baby?" Zeb asked in a hushed tone. Chad knew exactly what he was talking about. The sun gave off that last little glimmer over the horizon, one last ray before it disappeared for the night.
    "Sssssssss" Zeb's little 'sizzle' noise made him laugh. He'd always do that, like the hot sun was sinking into the water creating steam, and Chad thought it was cute. Would probably always think it was cute even if he heard it a hundred times. "Come on baby, that's our cue."
    Chad felt Zeb pull away from his back where he'd been keeping him nice and warm. "Augh." He complained and whined. He heard Zeb laugh behind him.
    "Oh, it's not that bad you big baby." Chad turned around and saw Zeb's brilliant smile and his hand extended down to help Chad up. He hesitated and just stared a moment, his head cocked. Something was different. Something seemed seriously off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "Just think of the fun we'll have when we get back to the cabin. I promise I'll warm you up proper then."
    Smiling, Chad shook off the feeling, reached up to grab Zeb's hand and haul himself up off the large rock. He was halfway to standing when Zeb let go. He landed back on his butt harder than he thought possible with a loud grunt.
    "What…" He looked up at Zeb and saw the other man shrug, still smiling. No 'oops', no 'I'm sorry'. That just wasn't like Zeb. He'd never do that on purpose. He'd never hurt me.
    A loud ringing brought Chad out of his dream. He blinked a few times and tried to focus on the room around him. That's right – hotel. Phone? Had that been a phone ringing?
    He looked around blankly, trying to remember where he put his cell, when the phone rang and he saw it was the hotel phone again. "Dammit." He glanced at the clock – seven fifteen. "Aaah, come on. Seriously?" He grumbled and grabbed the receiver, his dream already forgotten.
    "Hello." Chad half expected to hear the dial tone again. What he didn't expect to hear was a voice that just last night he'd thought he'd never hear again – unless it was on the radio.
    "What do you say to lunch?"
    "Be afraid. Be very afraid." With the gravel still in his throat it