He found Evan in the kitchen, where he was turning after putting something in the fridge. “Baked ricotta cheesecake.”
“Yum.” The local patisserie made the most amazing desserts, better than anything he and Evan were capable of making. He knew this because they’d tried to mirror the tarts and cakes with limited success—it’d been fun, but it was easier to take a shortcut and purchase from the experts.
They met in the middle of the kitchen, and Evan pulled him into a kiss. “Mmm…. I’d rather devour you than cheesecake any day.”
“At least I’m low calorie. Not that you have anything to worry about.” To underline his point, he ran his hands down Evan’s back and over his pert arse, the muscles bunching under his palms. “But I’m up for a bit of a workout if you are,” he teased, pulling Evan more firmly against him.
Evan groaned. “I wish.”
The hardness pressed against his own was proof that Evan was definitely up for it. He glanced at the time on the microwave display. “Damn! They’re due in ten minutes. We can try for a new record?” he proposed hopefully.
Evan chuckled. “Rain check? I want to take my time with you.” But he brought his mouth to Harry’s again, kissing him deeply, his action at complete odds with his words.
Harry quickly lost himself in the pleasure of being in Evan’s arms, the slow slide of their tongues, the intimate exchange of breath, the way he always reacted when Evan was near, his pulse thundering as the want coiled in his belly. The sense of loss was immediate when Evan pulled away slightly.
“I’m sorry, but I really don’t want my sister and niece arriving while I’m…” He waved a hand in front of his body, drawing Harry’s gaze to the impressive bulge in his slim-fitted suit pants.
Harry chuckled as he waved him away. “Understood. Go get changed.”
Evan smiled, then headed down the hall to the bedroom. Harry grabbed him a beer and followed. “Here you go,” he said, passing the chilled bottle over.
“You think I should?” Evan asked, taking a small sip of the lager before setting it on the bedside table as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“One beer after work isn’t going to hurt you. You can even have a glass of wine with dinner.”
“But the baby?”
“You’ll be fine. It won’t make you drunk. Parents all over the world take care of their kids after one drink.” He bent and pressed a kiss to Evan’s forehead. “But I love that you take your uncle role so seriously. If it really worries you, just have the one beer or don’t have it at all.”
“It’s the first time we’ve had her for longer than an hour or so.”
“Yep. But you’ll do fine. You’ve mastered heating the bottle and changing the nappy. I don’t think there’s much more you need to know, especially as you’re already an expert at giving cuddles.”
Evan grinned. “If I can manage to snatch her out of your arms.”
“Aww… but she smells so nice! What is it about baby smell? Anyway, get out of your work stuff and into something comfy. I’ve got dinner covered. All you’ll need to do is eat and cuddle Sofia. I even promise to hand her over without too much resistance this time.”
“That sounds like heaven,” Evan said with a sigh.
He’d had a lot going on at the office, and it had been a big week. Harry couldn’t wait to spoil him with an Italian seafood pasta feast and a quiet night watching a movie. Maybe he’d even encourage Evan to take a bubble bath after Sofia had been collected. He headed for the door.
“Do you regret missing the function tonight?”
Harry stopped and turned at Evan’s words. “Are you kidding?” And he meant it. Evan had been invited to the release of a new model of a luxury car manufactured by a client of his company. He’d asked Harry if he wanted to go, but Harry had been happy to decline. “You know, back in the day, John would have been chomping at the bit to attend an event like that. All the glamour and free booze and chance to hit the social pages. It was one of the reasons he hated me leaving Mercer & Brown—all those sorts of invitations dried up. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy attending those type of things every now and then, but when it comes to a choice between champagne and schmoozing versus our first chance to babysit Sofia, then there’s no competition.”
“Maybe the next function will be your launch.” Evan grinned widely. “I’m looking forward to that one. It’s one party I’m definitely attending.”
“I’m looking forward to it too.” They were still a couple of months away from launching the new product that had been in development for the last year and a half. It had been tough—lots of hard work and long hours—but the end was near, and the job was so fulfilling that it made up for the stressful times. The best part was that Evan was his biggest support and cheer squad, providing a shoulder to cry on as well as giving encouragement and celebrating all the small wins along the way. “Not long to go now.”
“And speaking of not long to go, they’ll be here at any minute.”
“I’ll check the sauce. See you back out there.”
After a quick peek and another stir, Harry wandered onto the balcony and picked up his beer from where he’d left it. It was a little warm but was nearly finished anyway. He drained the bottle and leaned on the balustrade. The early evening sun still played on the water below, where boats bobbed with the gentle movement of the river. Across the expanse of water, homes dotted the opposite shore, interspersed with dense green foliage of the bushland. Beyond that, in the distance, he could see the tall buildings of the CBD. He looked down, where closer to home, some people were walking their dogs along the path that followed the shoreline. It reallywaslike living in a paradise, although still close to the city. And being with Evan made it perfect.
“Hey, there you are.” Evan joined him by the railing. He wore cargo shorts paired with a navy T-shirt, and his feet were bare. He flashed a dimple at Harry. “I’m assuming you got the same email I did?”
“Email?”
