Strictly Halloween

Strictly Halloween

By Stephanie Vaughan

Danny Valdez hoisted the box onto the counter of the empty apartment. He didn’t need the six-inch high lettering that read “Kitchen” scrawled across it in blue marking pen on the box to know that was where it belonged. The metallic clank of pans rattling against skillets was a pretty good tip-off, even if the box hadn’t weighed close to thirty pounds. It was hot as hell in the little one-bedroom place, located upstairs as it was with the western exposure soaking up every bit of the heat rolling off a late afternoon sun in Southern California. The manager’d told him the place got a good breeze off the ocean

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in the afternoon, but on this particular blazing June day Danny hadn’t felt even a hint of one. His T-shirt was soaked with sweat and his cargo shorts hung off his hips like they were made of neoprene instead of cotton. Shoving his hair out of his eyes for the hundredth time, Danny was ready to take a pair of scissors to it, just to have it out of his way. Except that would require knowing which box he’d thrown the stuff from the junk drawer in, though, and damn if he had the first clue which one it was at this point. “I love your hair. Don’t ever cut it.” Long fingers stroked his scalp, tenderly brushing his hair behind his ear, followed by several dozen long, languorous kisses. Across his face, down his neck and chest. Danny sighed and promised of course he wouldn’t. Shaking his head, Danny pushed the memory aside. He’d made a lot of promises while he and Gabe had been together, but at this point dwelling on the past, obsessively recalling everything that had gone wrong wasn’t going to do anything but make him more depressed than he already was. He’d made up his mind, damn it. What was done was done, and all he could do now was move forward--quit living in the past, and start looking ahead. Gabe was gone and he wasn’t coming back. The prickle of tears that threatened at just the thought of Gabe pissed Danny off. Hadn’t he cried enough over Gabe already? He was sick of feeling like a sap and a loser. He loved Gabe, but fuck if he was going to give up his life for him. He couldn’t. He just couldn’t and part of Danny hated Gabe for making him push Gabe away. “Knock-knock. Hello? Anybody here?” “Maybe we should just go in,” a second female voice responded. “Go on. The door’s open. Sort of.” Pushing away from where he’d slumped against the box as it rested on the kitchen counter, Danny moved around the room divider and toward the voices in his living room. A couple of steps brought him face to face with two girls and a guy, all roughly his age. The guy with them was a surprise, since the only two voices he’d heard two had both been female. “Hi.” Danny looked them over, too tired to even speculate on what they wanted. “Can I help you?” A look of shared guilt passed between them, with the shorter of the two women finally speaking up. “Hi, um, I’m Candice and this is Deb and Aaron. We saw you moving in and we wanted to invite you to our barbecue.”

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“We’re your neighbors and it’s more of a barbecue-potluck, really.” Her friend Deb spoke up, glancing at her friends for support. “We’ve been doing it on Sundays all summer and this is the last one, for a while, anyway. Aaron’s going back to school and Candice and I both work weekends, so… I’m Deb, by the way. Nice to meet you.” Deb stuck out her hand to shake while Aaron rolled his eyes and pried one hand out of his shorts. “Finally, you mean. Hi, I’m Aaron.” “Hey.” Danny released Deb’s hand and reached for Aaron’s. Smooth. Warm. Dry. Impressions flickered through Danny’s head as their palms touched and he enjoyed the look of dry amusement on Aaron’s wholesome, guy-next-door face. Pleasantries completed, Danny stuck his hands in his back pockets and surveyed the three faces, all now watching him with varying degrees of expectation. “So. You guys all live here?” “We do. He doesn’t.” Candice looked to Deb, then nodded in Aaron’s direction. “He lives down in Naples.” “I’m just here for the food.” About Danny’s height, Aaron had medium-length dark brown hair and even darker brown eyes, alight with mocking humor. He smiled and Danny smiled back briefly before looking away. “Don’t forget the laundry facilities, you anarchist.” Deb elbowed Aaron, who elbowed back. “My place doesn’t have any, so these two let me come over and use theirs. Keep it quiet, though, would you? It’s Against The Rules.” Aaron’s raised eyebrow and exaggerated emphasis indicated an in-joke, definitely. “So what do you think? Feel like joining us? You can’t feel like cooking after hauling boxes all day.” Candice smiled encouragingly, willing him to say yes, and Danny only wished it sounded more inviting. These days it took all of his energy just to get through the day and any little bit of surplus he might have built up had long since been burned off by the moving. “Thanks, but I’m pretty beat, guys. I’ll probably just call for pizza or something.” “You have to eat and it’s got to be cooler down by the pool—that’s where the grill is.” A little shorter than average, Candice was cute and perky and already shaping up to be someone who didn’t like to take no for an answer. Probably an ex-cheerleader. “Maybe he’s got plans, Can’. Ever think of that?” Aaron shot Danny a sympathetic look, and Danny had a momentary twinge of regret. They seemed like nice people and it wouldn’t hurt to make some new friends. Besides, Danny’s fog of exhaustion was lifting

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enough to notice that Aaron was kind of cute in a slightly nerdy, probably-a-gamer sort of way. The thought of asking Aaron out even crossed Danny’s mind for a half-second before he dismissed it. Danny wasn’t picking up attraction vibes from Aaron’s direction, so either Aaron wasn’t gay or he wasn’t interested. Whatever the answer turned out to be, it wasn’t like Danny had the bandwidth to do anything about it right now, anyway. “No, listen, thanks guys.” Glancing from one to another, Danny was struck by the easy familiarity between the three friends. They seemed like nice people—people he might like hanging out with. Maybe later, when his well of emotional reserves wasn’t so tapped out, he’d have the energy. “I think I’m gonna go grab a shower and maybe try to get some of these boxes unpacked. Tomorrow’s a work day and I’ve still got to locate my soap and underwear. But thanks for the offer. Some other time that would sound really good.” “Okay, but I’m just sayin’…” Candice’s grin was appealing and nearly successful in hiding the dogged determination behind it. “If you get hungry, come see us.” “Thanks. I appreciate it. Seriously, next time.” A trickle of sweat ran down Danny’s temple and he swiped at it with the back of one hand, shoving his hair off his face again on the follow-through. Wiping his damp, dirty hand on his shirt, Danny disgusted himself when he had to make a couple of attempts before he found a dry spot. “I really need a shower.” “’S’okay, man. Some other time.” Aaron’s brown eyes were framed by curly dark lashes and Danny let his gaze flicker briefly over the whole package, admiring Aaron’s surprisingly muscular calves, “For sure.” The three friends seemed reluctant to admit defeat, but finally nodded and turned to go, Candice making one last effort as Aaron towed her toward the door. “It’s just burgers, but I do this thing with blue cheese on them. You’ll love it.” “Can’, let it go. He’s new and you don’t need another restraining order.” Aaron laughed and ducked as his friend took swing at him. “Oh, shut up. That is so old news.” Their good-natured quarreling continued as they left, headed in the direction of the landing and stairs that led down to the pool area. Danny realized he was smiling as the screen door closed and the voices faded gradually, leaving only the dull clinking sound of the anemic ceiling fan as it battled vainly against the stifling air of the little apartment. ***

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“Hey, Danny, you coming?” “Huh?” Looking up from the stack of web updates piled on his desk, Danny blinked and tried to change focus long enough to come up with an appropriate response. “You coming? It’s Dina’s last day and we’re taking her out for a drink.” His supervisor, the supremely sexy, yet hopelessly straight, Joel, leaned on Danny’s cubicle divider, thumbing the edge of the file folder he held in his hands. Ordinarily, the massive injustice of someone as attractive as Joel not being gay would have bothered Danny’s sense of order in the universe, but today he couldn’t summon so much as even a mild frustration. “Um, I dunno. Where’re you going?” “That new place that just opened up--I forget the name. Down the street, across from the mall?” Sighing, Danny shoved a hand through his hair and stared pointedly at the pile of work he’d been trying to chip away at. “Dude, I’m so swamped I don’t know when I’m going to see daylight again. And I haven’t even started on the workaround for the browser problem Richard wants me to take care of.” “Well then, no one’s going to notice if you leave on time and go out with us, will they?” “Oh, man… I shouldn’t. I really need to get this done.” He’d been trying to get caught up, but the minute Danny thought he’d bought himself a bit of breathing room, another one of the execs came up with a project that somehow involved him. “I wish they’d give up on the idea of getting everything up on the web. They just have no idea what they’re asking. You know?” “No, I know. Listen,” bracing a forearm on Danny’s cubicle, Joel leaned over, his voice dropping to a confidential murmur. “Everybody knows it’s a shit load of work, but you’re doing a great job and believe me, it’s noticed. As your supervisor, I can’t make you go with us, but I can tell you to knock off and get out of here. You’re no good to anyone if you burn out. Got it?” “Yeah, I guess.” Danny glanced at the thick stack of updates again and did a quick estimate of the time involved to finish. Hours. “It’s just—” “Forget about it, Valdez. We’re leaving in fifteen, so you can either come with us or go home. Your choice.” Doing his best stern supervisor voice, Joel even tried for a scowl. Too bad his face wasn’t made for serious, seemingly set by default on kind and easy going. “I guess I have no choice, then.”

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“None whatsoever. Shut down your computer and get out of here. I mean it, Danny.” “Got it, boss.” Twenty minutes later, Danny found himself pulling into the parking lot of Brandon’s, the latest new upscale restaurant to open up in the neighborhood near his job. Going out didn’t sound like a the most fun ever, and he’d been half expecting himself to bail at some point and end up at home for another fun filled evening of going through boxes and putting his stuff away. Somehow he’d ended up following his coworkers over and pulled into the space adjacent to where Dina was getting out of her car. As long as he wasn’t right out front, Danny figured that if it was too ghastly he could always go home after making a half-hour’s polite appearance. They were good people, though, and Danny was relaxing a bit and even beginning to enjoy himself after the waitress brought him a beer and he’d dug into the plate of hot wings someone had shoved in his direction. “Jeez, Valdez, eaten recently? It’s traditional to spit out the bones, you know.” Rick from accounting was leading the razzing, whatever bits of it that weren’t being directed at Dina for deserting the group for a better paying job out of state. Swallowing first, Danny managed a laugh. “Bite me. I’m still finding things at the new apartment. So far cereal’s been about the extent of my food preparation.” “And that would be different from normal life… how?” Rick laughed and went back to messing with someone on his other side, allowing Danny to concentrate on his food. The chicken was good—nice and spicy, the way he liked it—and the ice cold beer he was washing it down with was hitting the spot, too. It was a fun bunch of people and Danny was never quite sure why he didn’t do more of the socializing that was so common within the company. “—too bad he isn’t checking me out.” “Yeah, no kidding. Very cute. I like a little touch of nerd with my manflesh.” As he reached for a napkin, Danny caught a bit of an exchange between Dina across the table and Valerie seated next to him. When he looked up, though, they both tried for an innocent air that didn’t quite gel. “What?” “Oh, nothing.” Dina’s little smile and wink in Valerie’s direction cinched things.

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“None of your business, mister.” Valerie shot a quick grin in Dina’s direction before assuming a deadpan expression when she turned to Danny. “Just get back to inhaling your food while the experts here debate the fine points of male hotness.” Wiping his fingers, Danny tried for just the right balance of polite disinterest and friendly co-worker. “I could maybe offer an opinion if, you know, there’s some disagreement. Strictly impartial.” “Nah, that’s okay. He’s not up to your standards and I don’t want to crush his spirit by having you shoot down his little hopes and dreams. I’ve seen the kind of guys you go for and you wouldn’t be interested in this one.” Dina was laughing her big, boisterous laugh now, and Danny had been smiling along until her comment sank in. He’d brought Gabe with him to a couple of company functions and, even though they’d only been together a few months, people still occasionally asked about his ‘boyfriend’. “Yeah, well, I’m taking a little breather from breaking hearts right now, so how about if I promise to throw this one back?” “That’s what I’m saying--when they’re young and impressionable you have to give them a little encouragement. I’d go over and say hi, except it’s obviously not me he keeps checking out.” Maybe he’d given something away with his tone, because Valerie’s response immediately softened. First glancing over at Dina, Valerie draped a sympathetic hand across Danny’s shoulders. “What’s the matter, honey? Things not going well?” Too much information was coming in at once and Danny didn’t know which way to turn. Since a table and a couple of appetizer platters stood between him and Dina, grilling Valerie won out. “What do you mean? Who’s checking who out?” Valerie must’ve decided to take pity on him, because she kept her voice uncharacteristically low and confidential. “The booth to your right, about three o’clock. Two guys and a girl; a couple of parental-looking types with them. Dark-haired guy with glasses keeps checking you out and you act like he’s not even there, you dog.” “Huh? Where?” Fighting the urge to whip his head around, Danny eased back in his chair. Ever so casually sweeping his gaze to his right, it wasn’t hard to locate the group Valerie had described. A middle-aged couple sat flanked by a younger pair Danny judged slightly older than his own twenty-five and a single dark-haired guy wearing glasses. It took an extra couple of seconds to identify where he’d seen the familiar-looking profile, because Aaron hadn’t been wearing glasses when they’d met in the living room of Danny’s new apartment.

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He was now, though, and Danny was beginning to realize just how pleasing the fit of Aaron’s thin green t-shirt was over slender shoulders when Aaron looked up and caught Danny staring. Cautiously, as though half-expecting rejection, a small smile appeared at the corners of Aaron’s lips. A subtle nod of the head followed, accompanied by brows lifted in recognition. Cool. Aaron’s responses the night they’d met had been restrained, to say the least, and Danny’d been too tired to press. But tonight he was picking up a very-definitely-interested vibe. Gaze flicking toward the back of the restaurant, where the restrooms and door to the patio were, Aaron’s eyebrow rose questioningly. Already pushing his chair away from the table, Danny nodded briefly and turned to Valerie, aiming for a casual tone. “Um, turns out I know him. I’m just gonna go say hi.” “Go get him, killer.” Valerie was smiling broadly, but it was Dina who held up her hand. “Hold on. Just hold on a second.” Rummaging first in her purse, her eyes lit up as she reached across the table to press something into Danny’s hand. “Be careful. And we want a full report after, got it?” Danny didn’t have to look to see what Dina’d passed him. The characteristic serrated plastic edges scraped his skin as he curled his fingers around the sealed plastic packet of a single condom. Looking first at what he held in his hand, then into their upturned faces, Danny scowled back at their expectant expressions. “You’re a couple of sick individuals, you know that?” “Maybe. But we’re looking out for you, hon.” He glanced over to where Aaron was telling the older woman something before getting up from the table. Looking his way briefly first, Aaron headed for the door to the patio, where the baking heat of the summer afternoon hadn’t yet given way to the cooler temperatures of evening. Danny shoved the condom deep into his pants pocket, tugging his shirt down to cover it up. They meant well, but he didn’t need people pushing him into things he wasn’t ready for. Aaron was just an acquaintance. He barely knew the guy. All they were going to do was just talk.

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***

This was so weird, running into Can and Deb’s neighbor. Not that Danny wasn’t plenty cute and all, but Aaron could tell from even just a few minutes’ acquaintance that he was high maintenance. Spare him the drama queens and emotionally needy, thank you. He’d had it up to here with guys who needed more upkeep than a saltwater fish tank. No thanks, huh-uh, wanted nothing to do with it. Which begged the question of why he was currently threading his way through the tables, walking away from his parents’ anniversary dinner, and about to go rendezvous with the guy in the first place. Didn’t it? He’d spent the past few weeks since they’d met basically trying to put Danny out of his mind. Sure Danny was hot. Nice body, soft brown eyes, sleek black hair. He even had that brooding, wounded look that never failed to bring out Aaron’s protective side. Which only proved what an idiot he was. Experience might be a great teacher, but what if the student was cement-block stupid when it came to that particular lesson? How many times did Aaron have to take one for the team, patch some heartbroken-hearted waif back together, only to watch them walk away when someone better-looking came along? Disappear without a trace. Aaron pushed open the door leading from the air-conditioned restaurant out to the patio area. Another hour or two and the tables would be set with silverware and condiments, seating more groups like his family inside, anxious to try out the menu at the city’s latest must-try place to eat. Right now, though, it was still ten degrees warmer than comfortable dining temperature, so it was empty and quiet. Perching on the low brick wall that surrounded the enclosed area, Aaron decided it was perfect for a quiet word between two— The door opened and Danny stepped through, quickly spotting Aaron and closing the distance between them. “Hey. It’s Aaron, right?” “Yeah. Sorry for staring; your friends probably thought I was a stalker. I couldn’t decide if that was you or not.”

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“No, no, that’s cool. It’s just a bunch of friends from work. One of the girls is leaving, so we’re taking her out a drink. No big deal.” Danny didn’t stand too close; didn’t even try to shake hands. Just folded his arms across his chest like he needed all the protective social distance he could manage. Which was funny, because Aaron liked the way Danny carried himself when he thought no one was looking. Liked the quiet, understated fit of his clothes that let him know there was a nice body beneath them, but didn’t cling to his chest and thighs like they’d been put on, then shrunk to fit like cellophane with a heat gun. “Ah. I figured it was something like that.” Actually, it had that eclectic mix of completely different personality and cultural types that screamed ‘bunch of people with nothing but work in common,’ but Aaron didn’t see the need to point that out. “So how’s the apartment working out? All unpacked yet?” Danny smiled a little and it occurred to Aaron that that was the first smile he’d seen out of the guy. It was nice. “Almost. I still can’t find my box of socks and underwear. I had to go out and buy all new—which probably wasn’t a bad idea. And I’m missing an entire box of video games. Which totally sucks, ‘cause it’s not like I can afford to run out and replace all of those.” “No kidding. What do you play?” Ah, video games. Safe, non-controversial conversational territory to explore. Rattling off the names of several of the currently most popular, one in particular caught Aaron’s attention. “Dark Zone Defender? No shit? Me, too.” “Yeah, that’s one of my favorites. The graphics aren’t as cool as the latest stuff, but it makes me think more. You know?” Enthusiasm lit Danny’s eyes from within and more energy infused his features than Aaron had seen so far. “Yeah, no, I know exactly what you mean. It’s cool. It’s one of the first ones that totally hooked me.” Aaron grinned, the camaraderie of a fellow addict crackling between them. “I missed so much school the semester that came out, I nearly had to ground myself.” Danny laughed, his head falling back momentarily and exposing his throat, the urge to reach out and stroke it taking Aaron by surprise. “That’s funny. I don’t get to play as much as I used to – gotta make a living and all that. But, still… we should play sometime. What level are you?” Distracted, Aaron took a moment to collect his thoughts. “Um, I wanna say eighty-two? I think that’s right. Does that sound right?” “Oh, wow. I’m only in the sixties. You’ll kick my ass.” Danny’s smile was nice. Best not to think too much about it.

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Even in the shade, the heat was still oppressive and Aaron wiped at the line of sweat that was forming along his neck. “God, it’s hot. We should go back in.” “Yeah, no kidding.” Danny’s response was almost instantaneous and Aaron tried not to take it personally. It was hot; he’d even been the one to bring it up. Still… it wasn’t exactly flattering how eager Danny seemed to get away. “So, um, cool. I guess I’d better get back to the parental units and the big shindig. Good seeing you, man.” “Me, too. I mean, good seeing you, too.” Danny stood, half-poised to go, but looking uncertain. “You think you’d wanna play sometime? You could take my number, maybe give me a call? When you find your missing games, that is.” He couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. Hadn’t he just reminded himself that his shift in the emotional trauma unit was over? So why was suggesting a get-together? “Yeah, sure. That’d be cool.” The chain of thoughts running through Danny’s head was so obvious, it was like the guy had subtitles written on his forehead. Nevertheless, he took out his cell phone and added Aaron’s number. “All right. Well… see you around then, maybe.” Aaron wanted to stay and keep talking, but Danny was already edging toward the door back into the restaurant. Why wasn’t Aaron letting him go, then? What was so appealing about this guy that Aaron was ready to throw himself, lemming-like, over the emotional cliff? “Absolutely. See you around.” Danny turned and slipped through the door, disappearing back into the building, leaving Aaron alone with his thoughts. Seriously, it was time to go out and get laid if he was letting his dick do the thinking for him. What the hell had just happened there? Had he just made a complete fool of himself, making a pass at a guy who obviously wasn’t interested? Wanna play sometime? Wanna take my number? Jesus, he was pathetic. Maybe not, though. Danny might have meant what he said. After all, the man had said “absolutely.” Things didn’t get much more definitive than that, did they? *** Aaron tugged at the tiny shorts of his costume, wishing for the hundredth time that he hadn’t let Candice talk him into something again. Other than the beach, he’d never

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shown this much skin in public and it was a little weird to have so many people checking him out. “Here, sweetheart. You look like you could use this.” The woman herself appeared and handed him a drink. Like everything she did, Candice took her hostess duties seriously. Her preparation was legendary and anyone attending one of her parties could be assured of first-rate food and drink, as well as gorgeous decorations. Aaron didn’t know how she did it, but the ordinary little two bedroom apartment had been transformed. Most of the furniture was gone and the place looked like graveyard, complete with fake headstones and fog. The atmosphere was genuinely a little weird and even the heavy thump of the techno beat music currently playing couldn’t quite dispel it. Taking the proffered drink, Aaron sniffed it. “What the hell is this?” “Don’t be so critical, it’s a little something Deb mixed up. Try it -- you look like you could use a little reinforcing.” Winking, Candice eyed Aaron’s outfit. “Personally, though, I think you look darling.” “Darling? But do I look hot?” Taking a cautious sip, Aaron tried the drink. “Not bad. What’s in it?” “Some things are best not examined too closely.” Candice was leering playfully now. “I think you look very hot. I’d definitely do you.” “No offence, Can, but… eww.” “Oh, thank you very much. Butthead. Since when can you afford to turn down any offers?” Her gaze focusing on something over Aaron’s shoulder, his friend’s tone abruptly changed from friendly haranguing to a soft purr. “Ooh, very nice. Very nice, indeed.” Aaron turned his head, the long sweep of his blond wig brushing his bare shoulders as he followed Candice’s gaze, immediately spotting what had drawn her admiring remark. Standing just inside the doorway, slowly taking in the darkened room with its varied groupings of costumed guests, was a beautiful, beautiful man. Long and lean, dressed in a slim-cut suit that screamed Italian tailoring, his short hair the soft, peach fuzzed stubble of a shave job growing out. He looked vaguely familiar, but it wasn’t until his leisurely scan made it to where Aaron and Candice stood talking and their gazes met that it all clicked into place. Aaron’s breath caught in his chest as he recognized Danny. Oh, my God, he’s cut off all his long, beautiful hair.

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“Yeah, he looks great, though. Don’t you think?” “What? Huh?” Had he spoken aloud? Aaron couldn’t string two thoughts together, let alone come up with much in the way of a rational response because Danny was heading their way, a bemused smile on his face. Never at a loss for words, Candice gave a huge smile and reached out to touch. “Check you out! When did you do this?” “Last week. What do you think?” Danny tilted his head a bit to make it easy for the diminutive Candice to reach the top of his head and let her rub her hand across the stubble. “Very nice. I would’ve voted no if you’d asked, but you didn’t. I think it works, though. Aaron, what do you think?” Still grinning, Danny straightened, taking in Candice’s black-suited, severe-haired Madonna-at-the-Grammys look before turning his gaze on Aaron. “Huh? Oh, yeah, it’s a great look.” It was a great look; Aaron wasn’t lying. Without the long hair, the view of Danny’s cheekbones and the smooth expanse leading to his clean, oval jaw line were unobscured. “Different. But great.” Swinging his gaze to Aaron’s short shorts and lingerie-topped Britney costume – long, blond wig, gel bra inserts and all – Danny’s smile faltered as he cocked his head a bit to one side. “Aaron?” “Yeah?” Sudden realization sweeping over him, Aaron’s face heated and a flush crept up from his chest. All of the doubts and self-consciousness that Candice and Deb had talked him out of returned in an instant. What had seemed funny and a little daring in a goofy sort of way suddenly seemed like a horrible idea, and Aaron had never felt more exposed. “Wow. I, uh…” Danny scratched the back of his head, gaze taking in Aaron’s make up and false eyelashes, long blond hair, and everything in between that and his stocking encased feet inside high-heeled boots. “I didn’t realize. That it was you, I mean.” “Yeah, I guess I can see how that might be.” He’d thought a lot about what he’d say if he ever saw Danny again – although he’d thought less about it as the weeks had dragged on and Danny hadn’t called. Somehow it hadn’t occurred to him when he’d let Deb and Candice talk him into their Madonna-Britney-Christina group costume that Danny might be invited to the party. It only made him feel marginally better that his Britney look was better than Deb’s Christina. “You look great. Is that a costume?” “Not obvious enough? You can’t tell I’m bringing sexy back?”

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Smiling again, Danny turned so that they could admire his silhouette. The cut of the suit was flattering and Aaron’s eye was drawn to the way it clung to Danny’s lean form. He wanted to move in closer, unbutton the tailored jacket and get a better look at what lay underneath. “Oh, right. That’s excellent. Nice suit.” Aaron tore his gaze away long enough to check on Candice, who’d been silent too long and found her watching the door again. “Gotta go, Can?” “Yeah, I’d better. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” Candice left with a wave to greet two recent arrivals, leaving Aaron alone with Danny. “So, uh, where do I go to get something to drink? Any idea?” Danny wasn’t looking around for where the drinks might be stashed, though. He was running his gaze over Aaron’s body and if he didn’t cut it out, Aaron’s snug little shorts would be bulging in a most un-Britney-like way. Maybe it was the confidence he got from the way Danny’s gaze was roaming his body, or maybe it was the fortification of Deb’s drink that Aaron had downed earlier, but it was only a little scary to reach for Danny’s hand and lead him toward the kitchen. “C’mon, this way. I’ll show you.” Danny’s hand was warm against Aaron’s, solid and real like nothing he’d felt in a long time. Aaron had no idea where this was going, but if earlier advances were anything to go by, it wasn’t going to go far. Still, something about Danny called to him and he couldn’t ignore it. After grabbing a beer and a Perrier from the fridge, Aaron led the way outside to the apartment’s balcony where a quiet conversation seemed possible. Finding a spot against the railing, he took a swig from his bottled water. Now that they were more or less alone, Aaron found his courage suddenly deserting him and almost wished he’d opted for another of Deb’s concoctions. “I didn’t realize you’d be coming to the party.” Aaron cast a surreptitious glance at Danny, inexplicably intrigued by the way Danny’s blunt fingers toyed with the beer bottle, stroking thumbs restlessly back and forth over the raised lettering of its painted label. “Oh, yeah, Candice and Deb’ve been great.” Danny flashed him a quick smile before going back to his examination of his drink. “They both stopped by. Well, each of them separately, that is. A couple of weeks ago.” Maybe it was the new haircut, or perhaps it was the suit, but suddenly Danny was overwhelmingly attractive and Aaron didn’t know which would be worse – fumbling and stuttering, turning into his usual socially inadequate self or having something actually

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happen. Danny had been a needy mess at first and aloof and noncommittal later. What good could possibly come of throwing himself at the man again? Nothing, apparently. Now it was Danny’s turn for the surreptitious glances, although his alternated between Aaron’s costume and the door -- as though he couldn’t decide if he was attracted or repelled. Either way, the conversation was dying. “They’re great that way, Candice especially. She can make a friend just going to the store for milk and toilet paper.” Oh, brilliant topics for conversation, you idiot. Milk and toilet paper? Jeez. Of course he’s looking for the door. “Yeah, she seems really nice.” Another sideways look at Aaron’s costume. Or maybe it was Aaron’s body that was turning Danny off. Damn it, why couldn’t he stick to his gym schedule? “Listen, Aaron… I have to ask. The costume. Is it just a costume? Or, like, maybe more of a lifestyle choice?” “Huh?” Danny had caught him in mid-sweep of brushing his hair off his shoulder. “Oh, the costume. Right. Strictly Halloween. First time, I swear. It was Candice’s idea, actually.” “Oh, okay. That’s cool.” Aaron tugged at his shorts, suddenly sure that they must be slipping off or something. The vibe he was getting was suddenly from out of left field – the clues didn’t add up. Looking around to make sure no one else was in earshot, Aaron took a chance. “Yeah? You sure about that?” “No. I mean, yeah. I mean…” Arms folded across his chest, one hand tucked beneath an armpit, Danny looked like a politician who’d just been caught doing something unexpected in a public restroom. In fact, he looked less at home with the circumstances than some of those actual guys had. “I don’t know what I mean.” False eyelashes weighing down his lids, Aaron was acutely aware of how he must look. No one would mistake him for a female from anything closer than ten yards, but there was something about flashing all of that bare skin. Something about the unabashedly blatant come-on of the costume and the make-up. “So, uh, you probably have people you want to go talk to. I should let you go.” Aaron was trying to be noble, but Danny wasn’t having any. “You know what I really want?” Now Danny was looking right at him, meeting his gaze and holding it. Daring Aaron, almost. “Huh-uh.” His throat suddenly so dry the sound barely came out, Aaron shook his head a little just to be clear, the hair again tickling his bare skin.

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“I want to peel off those shorts and see what’s underneath them.” His gaze dropping to the garment in question, Danny’s voice was the same few decibels above silence that Aaron’s had been. “There’s a dick under there, right?” Nodding his head now in stupefied, mindless agreement, sound was all but beyond Aaron. “Uh-huh.” “Want to get out of here?” Panting, probably drooling for all he knew, Aaron nodded again. Danny set down his barely touched beer and nodded toward the door. “So let’s go.” *** “Is my place okay?” Getting down the stairs was tricky, since Aaron didn’t look all that steady in his high heeled boots and Danny didn’t want to let go of him. Danny ended up leading the way, one step ahead and hanging on to Aaron’s hand in case things went south, but they made it down okay. Aaron looked up, his dark brown eyes framed by the bangs of the blond wig. Whoever’d done his make up had done an amazing job. Already striking, they looked even bigger and more luminous, giving Aaron a hint of vulnerability that appealed to Danny. “Yeah, that’s fine. Unless you want to go to my place? It’s farther, obviously, but you want privacy…” “You live down in Naples, right? That’s way too far right now. Besides, I’ve got a lock on my door.” Smiling, Aaron squeezed his hand. “I like the way you think.” When they reached his apartment and he was unlocking the door, Danny had another of those disorienting moments. Aaron had his head turned, looking back the way they’d come and all Danny could see was the curtain of blond hair and the fan of long, dark lashes. It was strange and for the span of two heartbeats Danny second-guessed himself. Was he doing the right thing? And then Aaron swung his head back around and their gazes met. Aaron’s dropped to Danny’s mouth, his tongue flicking briefly over his lips, before climbing back up to Danny’s eyes. An almost shy smile crept over Aaron’s features as he lifted a hand to the short, buzz cut hair Danny still hadn’t gotten used to. “Why’d you cut it?”

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I love your hair. Don’t ever cut it. Danny’s answering smile wobbled a bit as he shoved that particular memory back into the box he’d stuffed it down in. “Just needed a change. Come on in.” He stepped back, holding the door open as Aaron entered. Flipping the light switch next to the door, a soft light came on as Danny closed the door behind them. Aaron’s slender back was to Danny as he looked around, while Danny watched silently. Turning finally, Aaron spread his arms a bit. “So…” Danny gazed back, not quite sure where Aaron was going with his question. “Do I leave the costume on?” Taking a tentative step forward, Aaron hooked a thumb in the waistband of his sparkly black shorts, a questioning look on his face. “Actually, I had an idea about how that might roll out.” “Care to share?” Aaron took another step forward and Danny’s pulse, already pounding, picked up speed. “Definitely. I’d love to share.” With Aaron this close, with no one else around to have to filter out, he had the peace and quiet to sort through all of the conflicting signals that had been confusing Danny since he’d first spotted Aaron tonight. Definitely male; there was no question or Danny wouldn’t have been interested beyond the curiosity factor. Dressed as he was and made up, though, Aaron’s features took on an androgynous quality that caught Danny’s attention like nothing had in a long time. And what was that about, anyway? Danny knew he had a look he was drawn to normally – a type – and Aaron wasn’t completely outside that. The first time they’d met he’d noticed and filed the information away for another time when he had the energy and emotional resources to do something about it. Maybe that time was now, because pretty much since he’d walked into the party tonight, Aaron had been the only thing on his radar. Circling, Danny trailed a hand up one of Aaron’s arms and across a naked shoulder, thrilled by the warm, smooth skin under his fingers. A shiver passed through Aaron’s body and he bowed his head, obviously waiting for Danny’s response. Pausing, Danny brushed the blond hair aside, lowering his mouth to taste the skin he’d bared. Naked flesh met his lips and the clean, fresh scent of Aaron filled Danny’s head. A full-body shudder shook Aaron at the contact and Danny couldn’t hold back any more,

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running his hands down Aaron’s arms, moving in close to press against Aaron’s back, bare except for the thin straps holding the outfit’s top in place. Reaching around, Danny cupped Aaron’s crotch, grinding into his ass, pressing Aaron forward into his hands; feeling all of that glorious hardness behind the stretchy black material of Aaron’s shorts fill his hands. He ran his hands up Aaron’s stomach, pausing to splay his hands across its naked expanse and Aaron’s back rounded a bit as his pelvis flexed forward. “Danny. Danny, God!” Aaron’s groan filled Danny’s ears like his scent filled Danny’s head, so different from— Stop it! Danny shoved the thought aside and raised his hands up to feel Aaron’s nipples, but the costume’s top got in his way. “This has to go. I hope you don’t mind, ‘cause I—” Danny pulled back enough to undo the hooks of the bra-like top. Another first. “Danny, aw… yeah.” Danny had the top off in seconds, slipping it down Aaron’s arms and tossing it aside. His fingers found Aaron’s nipples, teasing and pinching as he pressed close again. But Aaron was turning, slipping his arms around Danny’s neck, pausing to look Danny in the eye for a moment before finding Danny’s mouth with his, and then they were kissing. Opening his mouth to Aaron’s, their tongues met, slid along side, withdrew. Aaron tasted amazing, different, but sweet. God. God! “Aaron, Jesus you feel good. Can we, I gotta… Shit, gotta get out of these clothes.” Danny was leaning back, clutching Aaron’s fine, fine ass in his hands, leveraging their cocks together, putting the most incredible pressure on them both. Aaron smiled, his eyes dark and exotic, shadow and liner giving them a totally unexpected allure—unexpected to Danny, anyway. “I think I can help with that.” Hands slipping down Danny’s front, Aaron deftly unbuttoned Danny’s suit jacket, slipping his hands around Danny’s waist. He continued undressing Danny, interspersing commentary and kisses throughout the process. “You are gorgeous. Just so hot.” The jacket was tossed aside and Aaron tackled the shirt next. “Oh, nice.” A deep kiss accompanied Aaron’s smooth stripping of the long-sleeved shirt off Danny’s torso.

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As he tucked his fingers into Danny’s waistband, though, Aaron paused and looked up. “What’s next?” So wrapped up in Aaron’s unexpectedly take charge attitude, Danny had to stop and consider the question. “What do you mean?” “Bed?” Aaron popped the button at Danny’s waistband, looking quickly over each shoulder in turn. “Couch?” His fingers delved a little deeper into Danny’s pants and Danny came up onto his toes when Aaron’s fingers found the head of Danny’s cock. “Floor?” After losing the shirt, Danny’s hands had come to rest on Aaron’s shoulders, but now they moved up to cup Aaron’s beautiful face. As he lowered his head for the kiss he needed desperately, Danny smiled at the impish humor in Aaron’s eyes. “Bed. It’s brand new. Never so much as been christened.” Thumbs stroking the clean lines of Aaron’s face, Danny took another kiss. Aaron’s hands were still inside Danny’s pants, though, moving sinuously against Danny’s straining dick and Danny broke away with a groan. “Now?” “Thought you’d never ask.” Licking his lips, Aaron reached out an arm to Danny’s shoulder with one arm, reaching for a boot with the other. “Hang on while I take these off, ‘kay?” “Leave ‘em.” Slipping a hand underneath Aaron’s upraised arm, Danny thumbed a taut, pink nipple. Aaron flashed a questioning look from those eyes that ought to be illegal. “Huh?” “I don’t know, man. It’s working for me, though.” “Okay.” When they finally made it to Danny’s bed and Aaron’s shorts finally came off, it took a concerted effort to get them over the boots, but it was worth every bit as far as Danny was concerned. Aaron’s body was beautiful, pale and slim, and when he slipped a lubed finger into Danny’s ass, the pleasure was unspeakable. Long, pale hair shining in the moonlight, deep shadows cast by cheekbones high and sharp. And always that wicked mouth smiling with a knowledge that didn’t seem quite natural as Danny lay on his back, looking up at Aaron’s grin. “Ever been fucked by a guy in heels and make up?” “Never.” Danny was still shaking his head when Aaron entered him. “Oh, yeah. Oh, Jesus-God, Aaron.”

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Pushing in slowly, Aaron held Danny’s knees, stroking his thighs in long, slow sweeps as he gradually took possession. When he was completely in, when Aaron’s thighs met the backs of Danny’s legs and Danny was stuffed full with Aaron’s silken heat, Aaron’s head dropped forward for a moment. When he raised it again, dark eyes glinted down at Danny. “Touch yourself. Stroke it. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to see that.” “Yeah?” Danny reached down with both hands and Aaron pulled out, almost as slowly as he’d entered, until the knob of his cock caught on the rim of Danny’s asshole. A dozen, a hundred flickering expressions chased themselves over Aaron’s expressive face as Danny continued stroking himself with his right hand, thumb slipping over the head on every third or fourth pass, while Aaron found his own rhythm. “Oh, yeah. But I never…” Danny knew there was more to say, but speech was beyond him. The pleasure overtook him, the intensity of it stealing any ability to form words, or thoughts even, as Aaron fucked him and he lost himself in the perfection of it all. Later, they’d talk. They’d figure out where this was going, maybe. For now, though, this was enough. It was everything.

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Strictly Halloween Copyright © 2007 by Stephanie Vaughan All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680 Printed in the United States of America. Torquere Press, Inc.: Sips electronic edition / October 2007 Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680

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