Equation for Love by Sutherland, Fae (freda ebook reader .txt) 📕

changed his mind or wanted to see him sooner. After the other day and the mind-blowing sexthey'd had, Liamwouldn't mind inthe least.

"Hey, darlin'." He swiped his forearm across his face, wiping away sweat as the sun beat down, reflecting off the roof and making it even more sweltering hot. "I didn't expect to hear fromyou today."

"I'msorry...amI botheringyou?"

Liam propped his forearms on his knees, shaking his head. "No, no, not at all. What do you need?" He lowered his voice on the last bit and could practically feel the shudder through the line. He grinned. It was intoxicatinghow Skye reacted to him.

"I... Well, I was hoping if you were free, we could meet today instead of tomorrow? I have a meeting tomorrow I can't reschedule. If you can't, I understand, but we'd have to canceltomorrow."

Liam didn't like the sound of that. "No cancelling. We can reschedule for today." He'd have to juggle a bit, but was surprised to discover if it came down to it, he'd cancel his other client before he'd cancel Skye. Giving preference wasn't usually his thing, but he didn't stop to ponder whySkye was different. He just was.

Skye let out a breath, and Liam smiled at the thought he'd been holding it. "Oh, good. When would be okay? I mean, I'mfree much pretty allafternoon and tonight, ifyouwant to decide?"

Liam's lips twitched. Skye sounded hesitant, which was unusual for him. Usually, the other man was very firm and even stubborn in his determination of what he wanted and how. "You're being very agreeable, my own," he murmured. "Did something happen after I left youyesterday?"

Skye coughed a little, then cleared his throat. "No, no, of course not. I just...well, I'minconveniencing you, I ought to at least be polite, right?"

Hmm, suspicious. Something was definitely going on. Whatever it was, though, didn't seem to be a bad thing, so Liamwent along with it. "Right. Okay, then, let me callyouback in an hour. I have some plans to make for us."

"Plans?" The million and one questions hovered in the air.

"You'llsee. I'llcallyouinanhour withthe details."

After he hung up, Liam pushed to his feet and carefully made his way over to the ladder against the side ofthe house and climbed down. He jogged over to where Eric, a friend and owner of the house, was watering the flowerbed. "Eric, I have to go. I'm about half done. It shouldn't take more than another couple of days' work to get the roofallpatched up."

Eric glanced up at the roof, squinting, then nodded, clapping Liam on the shoulder. "I appreciate the help, man. No way could I afford what those thieves at Trison Construction estimated." He shook his head. "Highway robbery. It's a damn shame you had to shut your doors, Liam."

Liam forced a smile. "Thanks, Eric. I'll see you later." He turned to go gather his tools. He refused to feel sorry for himself. He wasn't the only person in the country to lose his business and livelihood due to the economic crash. Maybe someday things would even out and he'd try again. Right now, that was a pipe dream.

Besides, he wasn't going to spend his day moping about losses he couldn't regain. He had plans for debauchery to make. The past was the past. This was real life now. Besides, with Skye on his to-do list, Liam could hardlycomplainabout his job, could he? * * * *

Skye was suddenlyreally regretting giving Liam free reinas far as lessonplanningwent.

"This is not a good idea. I really do not think this is a good idea." Skye gave the shopping bags Liam held out a wary glare. "Is there a reason we can't just...stay

in?"Liam's brows lifted, though his hazel-green eyes

sparkled with amusement. "Yes, there's a reason. The reasonis because I saywe're goingout."

Skye sighed and gave himan imploring look. "Well, thencan't I just wear this?"He glanced downat his own outfit. He didn't see what was wrong with it. A pair of vintage seventies jeans, tattered and faded just the way he liked, combined with a Porsche T-shirt, also vintage, and his favorite browncardigan.

Liamsmiled. "I get the whole hipster vibe thing you have going and it's cute, but you can't go to a club in that. I want you to try something new. Are you saying

no?"Skye knew this was some sort of test. He didn't

want to fail, but...he was comfortable in his clothes. He felt... safe in them. No one looked at him like they thought he was trying to be something he wasn't. No one looked at him, period. Which was precisely the wayhe liked it.

Liam was giving him that firm look and he'd start using The Tone soon, too, probably. Skye knew he'd give in when it happened. He might as well save himself the trouble. He sighed. "I'mnot saying no. What...what did you bring?"And how had he known Skye's sizes? He supposed a man in Liam's line ofwork knew bodies in ways other people didn't. The idea Liam knew his bodythat wellsent shivers downSkye's spine.

Liam set the bag on the hotel room bed and gestured to it. "See for yourself."

Skye eyed the bag like it might contain a nest of vipers. He'd spent the afternoon anticipating nakedness and touching and more of those glorious kisses that made his bones turn liquidy. Not new clothes and a nightclub and potential mortal embarrassment. This was prettymucha huge disappointment.

Liam was standing there looking gorgeous in a pair of jeans that fit like a glove and a flawless white shirt that made his golden skin just about glow, and Skye couldn't help himself. He really wanted to spend the night withhim, evenifit wouldn't be spent inbed.

He grabbed the bag, turning to head for the bathroom.

"Where are yougoing?"Liamasked witha laugh.

"The bathroomto get dressed."

"Because being naked in