Zack was so relieved, he didn’t answer right away. It wasn’t until John started fidgeting that he realized he’d been uncomfortably silent. “Of course! I would love to. Just let me text my neighbor and check on my dog. He usually lets Ziggy out for me, but if he didn’t, I’ll need to stop at home.”

“Excellent. I’ll change clothes.” He disappeared down the hall.

Zack pulled his phone out of his—John’s?—pocket and sent a quick text. He got a reply within a minute. Mr. Alvarez had already let Ziggy out and given him water. They were hanging out in the backyard while Mr. Alvarez worked on Marilyn.

Zack seriously needed to send him a gift basket or something. The man was an angel.

John reappeared a few minutes later, and when Zack looked up, he had to stop himself from drooling. John was wearing more casual attire than he had donned for their date: loose white pants made of some kind of canvas material, and a navy-blue tank top that showed off his toned arms. The mix of light and dark colors made his fair skin look golden.

“Wow,” Zack said.

John strolled over and insinuated himself between Zack’s legs, sliding his hands up Zack’s thighs. He tilted his chin in a feigned-innocent way. “You like?”

Zack had to force himself to focus on the question and not the slowly creeping hands. He had a feeling he was going to be half-hard all day. “Yeah, I do. Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Should I change?”

“Definitely not.” John leaned forward and kissed him deeply. He pulled back just far enough to whisper, “I’m enjoying this way too much. You, wearing my clothes and smelling like my shampoo . . . I thought I was more evolved than that, but I guess not.” He skimmed his hand over the noticeable bulge between Zack’s legs.

Zack gasped and grabbed his hips. He’d expected John’s pants to have a rough texture, but they were as soft as cotton.

“Oh God,” Zack moaned. “Please tell me we have time to fuck before we leave.”

John made a tutting sound. “Unfortunately not, if we want to fit in everything I have planned for today.”

“You can fit something in me right now.”

John laughed and moved away. Zack had never felt such an acute loss. John kissed the frown off his face. “Maybe if you’re good I’ll drag you into a bathroom somewhere.”

The thought mollified Zack enough to convince him to nod. “Are you really not going to tell me what you have planned?”

“Sorry, but no,” John said. “I have it on good authority that you’ll be pleased, though. Is that okay?”

“Definitely.” Zack grinned. “I like a little mystery.”

Zack followed John outside. It was a beautiful day: sunny but still cool, with golden light filtering through the trees.