The Salt of the Earth

THE BROTHERHOOD 10: THE SALT OF THE … EARTH?

Willa Okati

® www.loose-id.com Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers. ***** This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable (homoerotic sex). The Brotherhood 10: The Salt of the ... Earth? Willa Okati

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by Loose Id LLC 1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924 Carson CityNV89701-1215 www.loose-id.com

Copyright © December 2006 by Willa Okati All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-374-2 Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader Printed in theUnited States of America Editor: Olivia Wong Cover Artist: P. L. Nunn Dedication

To the ladies I “jaw” with! Chapter One

“Mmm. I like that story. Want to tell me another one?” Alex leaned forward, brushing Liam’s hand with his own. Really, he was shameless. Still, he couldn’t help himself. Flirting came as naturally to him as breathing; it made a great cover-up for his nervousness, and it beat having the vapors any day. He might be young and he might be hung; he might even know he was all that and a bag of chips ... but even queens got stage fright. Yeah, covering up had become second nature. Alex hardly ever stopped to think about stopping to think anymore. Hence his brash, sexually laced playtime with Liam. Unfortunately, Alex didn’t think Liam would ever take him up on the unspoken offers he’d made and continued to make. On the other hand, if Liamdid , Alex wouldn’t mind. He was a firm believer in trying anything -- or anybody -- at least once.

Maybe twice, if it or they were nice or nicely naughty. “Go along with you and your games,” Liam scolded, dipping into the bowl on the bar for a pretzel stick encrusted with thick salt crystals. “By the way, these are good, very good. Have you tried any of the snacks, or do you fear that they will ruin your figure?” Alex selected a piece of popcorn, yellow with what looked like real butter drizzled over it. Carefully balancing the snack between two fingers, he lightly licked the kernel with the tip of his tongue. “Mmm, good.” He took another taste, half-closing his eyes in ecstasy, then pushed the popcorn between his lips and allowed it to rest there.Delicious . Rolling his eyes with pleasure, he let the tidbit dissolve, then swallowed before flipping his hair saucily over one shoulder. “There’s just something about slippery, slick things that glide over your tongue ...” Liam regarded him indulgently. “You are, as they say, a piece of work, Alex.” Alex fluttered his eyelids. “You bet I am. As for getting fat, I never worry about my weight. Who can fret about that when there are so many things to taste test? All the food in the world and all the men ...” He glanced up sultrily through his eyelashes. “Everything’s got its own special flavor; what kind are you, Liam?” “Candied violets,” Liam said seriously. As Alex chuckled, he added, “Wait until you are forty. Then, voila! You will be bald and fat. You cannot be the dashing young lothario forever, Alex.” “Oh, but why not?” Alex formed his lips into a pout. “It’s so much fun. If it doesn’t last, fine, but I’m going to enjoy my life while the sun shines. Isn’t that the way you’d put it?” He gave Liam a saucy wink. “Go on. You weren’t done yet. I want to hear another story. That last one about the man who wished to be twelve inches long was the best one yet.” Liam shook his head, looking amused. “And what makes you think you will get another tale out of me?” “Um, I have you wound around my little finger?” Alex delicately took a pretzel stick and teased the other man’s lower lip with the brown stalk. As Liam’s mouth opened, he poked the snack in like he would a cigarette. “I’ll even feed you if you entertain me.” “Bah. As if there is any lack of fun and games all around us. We are in Amour Magique, you know. There are dozens of Romeos for your Juliet, dancing and drinking and celebrating, yet you stay by my side like a withered branch planted in the mud.” Liam gave Alex’s shoulder a light push. “Stop hiding in plain sight. Go, have fun! You need not spend your time with me.” “But, Liam, Iwant to spend time with you.” “Flatterer. Shameless flirt. In times past, if you were a woman you would have been quite the wench. Oh, but to have known you in those days long past! You would have lured any man with a pretty face to your side for a kiss. You toy with me, oh, yes, yet I know this is only fun and games to you. Go and play elsewhere.” “And you’d know about these olden times how, exactly?” Liam tapped a finger on the side of his nose. “I study history.” “I’m sure you do. I can just see you sitting home at nights watching theLearning Channel , taking notes

on the latest archaeological dig. Or, hmm, wait ... that’s someone else completely. MaybeHarrison . Dry old stick. I know you, Liam.” Alex leaned in, placing one smallish hand on the other man’s upper thigh. “If you’re not meeting with the Brotherhood, you’re off having the time of a dozen lives. Maybe even before the Brotherhood meetings.” He leaned in, delicately inhaling the scent of Liam’s autumn-colored curls. “I know what sex smells like.” “Here, now, you are not a dog and I am not a toy. Stop sniffing me. And you are deliberately working at my nerves. Cease your games.” “Why should I, when I’m enjoying myself so much? Besides, maybe Iam trying to get a ‘rise’ out of you.” Alex’s hand slipped further up Liam’s leg. Almost to ground zero. “What do you say, mister? Want to find some place close and cozy and go for a ride?” Liam rolled his eyes as he pushed Alex’s hand away. “Ridiculous child. This is all a pastime to you, is it not? Much of life is a mere entertainment for one of your sort. I have brought you all here tonight to find pleasure with others, not to waste your time drinking with me.” “Why, that’s exactly what’s wrong here. No drinks!” Alex took his hand away without any hard feelings -- or anything else hard for that matter.Damn! -- and flagged down the busy server attending to the small, crowded bar where they sat. “I’ll have a seabreeze. And you, Liam?” “Water.” “Oh, come on.” “Very well.” Liam addressed the bartender. “A beer. Whatever you have on tap will do. Not American, though, if you please. Something European. Perhaps British. Warm. If that is available.” “Awfully picky for a guy who just wanted water. Would it have had to be Perrier, seltzer, lightly grape-flavored, and hand-selected from a fresh tub of ice?” Alex teased as he picked up another piece of popcorn and bounced it off Liam’s nose. Liam briefly went cross-eyed, then plucked out a pretzel stick from the snack bowl and stuck it directly into Alex’s hair. “There. Are you satisfied?” Liam chuckled as Alex fished out the offending snack. “Liam, darling, you should know better than to tangle with a gay man’s hair.” “Do hush. I barely mussed you.” Alex peered across at the mirror over the back of the bar. He scowled and turned back on Liam. “You did so; I am definitely mussed now. One strand is pointing in the wrong direction. Do you know how long it takes to get the right kind of bed head?” “I imagine all it takes is a nap, and then running a few puffs of mousse through one’s hair.” “Easy for you to say, you with your curls.” Alex reached out to tweak a lock of Liam’s hair. “Mmm, silky. Very sexy. I’d love to sift my fingers through this while we’re both somewhere a little more private. Maybe with a few less clothes ...” He slid his tongue across his lips. “Are you sure you’re not interested in a little company? You could take me around Amour Magique, show me the sights ...” “That you must do on your own.” Liam pulled back with an air of finality. “Amour Magique will be as an

open book to you, Alex. Some of the other Brothers need my help tonight. You do not.” “Mm-hmm. That would explain why, while you and I have been sitting here all this time, I’ve also seen you with Bree, David, and Allen?” Alex took his seabreeze and pointed the glass at Liam. “Stories, stories, everything’s a story. You’ve told me about men who loved not wisely, but too well; men who made stupid wishes; men who made the kind of history that no one takes seriously, but should. You were telling me all kinds of tales. What’s yours?” Liam raised one eyebrow. “You miss very little, Alex. Perhaps you see too much for your own good.” “Curiosity is my downfall.” Alex plucked a cherry out of his drink and rolled the ripe fruit across his lower lip, tickling the dark red treat lightly with his tongue. Curiosity ... yeah. Liam had a way of inspiring men to wonder about him. Alex, now, he’d had his suspicions about Liam for a while, having been raised on the lore of things way beyond imagination since the time he was knee-high to a grasshopper. He didn’t mind believing in the strange and unusual -- and Liam qualified as both. First, Liam wasn’t one of the Brothers, and then,poof , there he was. Everyone else seemed to believe the small man had always been one of the group, but Alex knew different ... and held it close to his own chest. From the way Liam winked at him when Alex kept quiet from time to time, especially when it came to “sharing” -- and the Brothers talked about their pasts -- Alex had a feeling that Liam knew that Alex knew, and it didn’t bother Liam one bit. Alex figured he himself had his Irish grandmother and his Appalachian father to thank for an ... open mind when it came to people like Liam. Then again, Liam was kind of in a class of his own. So was this place. Absolutely unreal, unless you didn’t blind yourself to the truth. Far bigger on the inside than on the outside, filled with people that he’d only ever heard about in fairy tales or dreamed of on colorful nights, Amour Magique was an amazing mystery to be solved. The club was impossible, and its patrons improbable, but they existed. Alex figured he could either believe in the unbelievable and have a good time, or collapse into a nervous breakdown. His choice. And when it came down to the heart of the matter, Alex liked to have fun. Alex persisted. “So, are you going to explain what you paid to get us in here?” “I will not. Some things are my business, and mine alone, but I will say that the price of these tickets was most expensive, Alex. Must I push you off this bar stool? Is it necessary that I force you to explore the club in greater depth?” Liam twirled the blue pendant at his neck; it shone with an almost hypnotic light. He added quietly, so quietly that Alex almost didn’t hear, “Yes, you have no idea what I gave up to allow you and the other Brothers a night here.” “What, you promised away your firstborn?” “Alex ...” Liam said in an exasperated drawl. “All right, lover, all right.” Alex slid off his bar stool and put his seabreeze down on the counter. With practiced movements, he smoothed the lines of his tailored button-down shirt and his neat cargo pants that he knew showed the shapely curve of his ass off to its best advantage. Jeans might have been a better choice, but he’d known most of the Brothers would be dressed casually.

It always paid to stand out. Always. Unless you were Collin, in that strange orange shirt Liam had coaxed him into wearing. Hmm. Maybe Liam had done that on purpose so he’d be able to keep an eye on the man who put the “up” and “tight” into “uptight.” Interesting. “You are pretty as a princess,” Liam said patiently. “Now, will you go, or do I need to plant a foot in your behind?” Alex picked up his drink and took a sip, savoring the sweet fruit juice and the bite of high-quality vodka. “Honestly. I’m on my way. Such a rush.” “There is never any time to waste when one is in search of true love, or even a night’s lover,” Liam replied. “Idle away no more minutes with me here. Go and find someone more to your taste. Someone young and brimming with sexuality. Warm up the sheets and drink a toast to your benefactor when you have champagne afterward.” “Mmm, champagne.” Alex bent before Liam could stop him and pressed a kiss to the small man’s temple. “I’m betting I’ll probably end up with a good ol’ bottle of beer myself. But you’re sweet to think of me. Anddo think of me while I’m gone, won’t you? Otherwise, I’ll fall into a decline because you don’t love me anymore, which is what I’ll believe if you’re paying attention to someone else.” Liam snorted. “My heart belongs to you, Alex, or at least a part of that organ bears your name. This, I swear.” “Then I’ll just have to be satisfied with the little things in life.” Alex heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “You know, it’s still not too late, Liam.” “Go.” Chuckling, Alex sauntered away. He carried his beverage with him, fairly sure that the staff at Amour Magique could sort out their own glassware when the night was through. He figured he’d just drop the container off at another bar when he was done with the tart, sweet goodness of his fine ... cocktail. Or done with some cocks and tails. No one would notice a little bitty glass traveling from here to there. Not when there were so many other things to look at. Amour Magique was definitely an ... interesting dance club. Alex had never been inside the place before, but he’d heard things. Enough tales that they’d made him curious about what lay inside. And he never, ever denied his curiosity, so here he was. I should have been born a cat, he thought as he slinked through the crush of men surrounding the various bars. He mostly skirted the main dance floor, although he did pause every now and then to sip his seabreeze and watch the men dancing with one another. The size of the crowd would have surprised him if he hadn’t known any better. Just then, Alex caught sight of Christian, who was surrounded by a circle of horned men, and lifted his drink. Yeah, there might indeed be a good-sized number of gay men inCharleston , but not all of the dancers were from these parts.

Thosehorns weren’t fake. Anyone who knew even the littlest bit about makeup, or was paying attention, could tell a pasty from the real deal. Frankly, Alex didn’t have any idea what they were beyond a wild guess at “fauns,” or where they’d come from or how, but they weredefinitely not local. Was Scotty just waiting behind the scenes to beam them back up once the music switched off for the night? Them and the rest of the clubbers who, from the looks and actions of them, were more than just a little on the bizarre and not-quite-so-human side? He supposed a part of him should have been goggle-eyed and in a panic over the beasts among the men, but what the hell? He’d seen stranger things in his day. Besides, he’d been raised on folktales. More, he believed his own eyes and he didn’t have a problem with anything he saw.Maybe because I’m not surprised by anything. I’m open to Amour Magique, so Amour Magique is open to me. I’d say that’s a fair trade . More things on heaven and earth, he thought, taking another sweet sip of his cocktail. I wonder who’s human, and who isn’t? I’m pretty sure Liam is something special. Although I doubt there’s anyone else here like him. People underestimate him, but Liam is definitely a force to be reckoned with. It’s such a shame he refused to have a little fun. All work, work, work. Alex tilted his head at the sight of yet another Liam hurrying after Christian as the young man departed in a huge hurry. He took a quick glance backward, confirming a sighting of “his” Liam where he’d left the little man.How does he do that? If I thought he’d give a straight answer, so to speak, I’d ask him. Oh, well. Time to get my freak on . Slinking along, letting his hips lead him, Alex made his way past the dancers to a dimly lit hallway, which then led past some more bars, and then around a corner. “What should I spy with my little eye?” he murmured. “Liam, stop me if I’m going to get into trouble.” He waited a beat. Nothing happened. “Good enough.” Alex took the occasional sip from his glass as he wandered along, letting the cocktail heat his belly. The corridor looked fairly innocent, and no one yelled at him to stop when he turned the corner. Alex lifted his drink in a silent toast and grinned to himself.Now this is going to be fun. And, ooh, pretty pictures . He paused to examine a graphic fresco decorating an otherwise bland beige wall.Very nice. Kama Sutra, isn’t it? Oh, yes, I’m going to have a great time. This club is all about sex, and I am built for sex . Of course, he’d had his problems in the past. His recent, but very much former, job as a male escort had gotten him into enough hot water that he’d had to make a quick backpedal into a new position as valet for a previous client, with Simon as Alex’s lawyer. Where Simon went, the Brotherhood followed. Well, no harm done. Alex had a pretty good time with the guys, even if they weren’t exactly the type he’d normally hang out with. Not if he had a choice, that is. Sure, he liked the Brothers just fine, but when it came to his social life, Alex tended to prefer a little more ... excitement. He’d just had a dry spell lately. But there had been rain right around the corner. Which Liam had delivered. Alex idly continued on his way, turning left or right on a whim whenever he came to a fork in the hallway. The club seemed to go on forever. Not a surprise, really; the size of the building on the outside couldn’t have possibly held the dance floor alone, not to mention all the bars he’d already seen. It was a mystery. Ooh, yeah, he loved a good stumper. One turning led him to a dull and dirty corridor with, to his surprise, a bar in the center -- behind solid

wood and glass doors. The name over the doors read “Last Chance.” Inside, Alex could see a red-haired man standing on a stool, waving his arms. Out of curiosity, Alex tried to enter. He heard a beep. “This isn’t the place for you,” a sullen voice said over some kind of intercom. “You don’t belong here.” Well!No one told Alex “no.” “Come on,” he wheedled, trying a door again. Locked. “Just a little drink? That redhead looks yummy enough to eat with my fingers.” “He isn’t yours.” Hmph. “Who does he belong to, then?” “Not you.” The voice hissed and crackled, as if the speaker were on a crappy intercom. “Keep moving. Go to the end of the hallway, take a left, and then another left. You ought to like what you find there.” “You’re sure I can’t come inside?” Alex caressed the doorknob -- then jerked back, swearing. A blue crackle of static electricity had arced across the smooth metal. “Well! No need to get violent. I’m on my way. See? This is me, going.” He heard a grumble, and then a click as the speaker cut him off. Alex raised his middle finger at the doors, took a healthy gulp of his seabreeze, which was nearly gone, and meandered on. He had half a mind not to listen to anything that grouchy old coot had to say but, oh, his curiosity ... Alex reached the end of the hallway, took a left, and then another sharp left. He couldn’t have stopped himself if he’d wanted to. And he didn’t. This hallway dead-ended in another bar.No lack of places to find a sweet little nook and cranny, is there? The joint was crammed full of men, some of them waiting in line outside. They looked ordinary enough, so how had they found their way back to this place? Curiouser and curiouser. Alex approached. The music from inside the bar, a nice low-key alternative sort of sound, spilled out. Some of the men in the queue were dancing with each other, hands wandering down from sturdy backs to edible asses, cupping and groping one another. Not like he hadn’t seen plenty of the touchy-feely out on the main dance floor, but this sight still set Alex’s blood on fire. Mmm. I feel right at home already. He gave his blond hair a toss as he slid past the men. “You don’t mind if I cut, do you?” he asked, reaching up on tiptoe to kiss the cheek of one big bruiser of a man waiting in line. “I didn’t think you would. Ooh, you are strong, aren’t you? Buy me a drink later?” The tall, bulky guy looked comically stunned, just as if someone had hit him between the eyes with a two-by-four. “Yeah,” he said huskily. “Oh, yeah, sure. No problem. See you inside. Hey, guys, let him pass.” With his bulk, he cleared the way. “Go ahead, cutie. And don’t forget about that drink.”

“Sweetheart,” Alex said, half-turning, “I never forget about a promise to a handsome man.” He lowered one eyelid in a wink and pouted. “Find me when you’re ready.” He heard several wolf whistles behind him as he moved along, deep into the heart of the bar. Smiling to himself, Alex let his body shimmy a little to the music. A little sexy undulation, and he had a dozen pairs of eyes fixed on him. Just the way he liked things. Carelessly depositing his now-empty glass on one edge of the busy bar -- and pinching the perfectly rounded ass cheek of a man sitting on a stool -- Alex roamed on, further and further in.Down the rabbit hole. But, oh, it’s so much fun . A wild round of whooping, yelling, and applause distracted Alex from his casual examination of first one hunk, and then another. He turned his head toward the far end of the bar, amused when he saw several men who were dressed in jerseys over their jeans focused on a huge-screen TV with a football game on. Big brutes. All of them pounded their tables with glee. “Go team,” Alex murmured. He did love a man who didn’t mind getting down and dirty ... nice and sweaty ... a man who was raw and real. He’d been in too long of a dry spell, and there were just too many pieces of man candy among the crowd to turn down a chance at one of them. He’d go find himself a place to sit, maybe get nice and cozy with one of the men in the jerseys. Get all close and personal, root for the team, and once the game was won he could suggest they take off for a little celebration. He had a feeling Amour Magique would provide just the place for a dab of post-game nookie. A voice interrupted his machinations. “What are you havin’ to drink?” Not fazed for a second, Alex turned toward the bar and the man who’d spoken to him ... ... and forgot all about the football fans. The bartender was grinning at him, a lopsided lift of the lips that went straight to Alex’s heart and made it give a lively pitter-patter. Taller than any man Alex had ever been with, six-foot-five if he was an inch, the bartender had all the muscles a man needed to go with his height. His arms rippled beneath the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt, his collar was open to reveal a small patch of yummy dark hair, and his jeans had a seriously promising bulge hiding behind the zipper. “Depends,” Alex said, abandoning his previous plan and sidling closer. The other men there took one glance at Alex, smirked, and made room for him to stand there, resting his elbows on the scarred but polished wood. Alex reached out and traced patterns on the counter, imagining the bartender wiping him down, all those delicious muscles rippling as he worked with the towel currently slung over one shoulder. “Depends on what? Time is money, little one --” “Little one? Well, I never.” Alex huffed and put his hands on his hips. “You can’t be over five-foot-nine. That’s little. And you don’t look like you’ve never.” The bartender winked. “I’ve got a whole crowd of men to serve.” Despite his words, the man didn’t seem any too impatient. He lingered there with Alex, big hands at rest in front of him. They were interestingly scarred, as if he’d worked with them -- maybe carpentry or construction -- before turning to a life of serving drinks. Alexliked a man with a few marks on him. He’d had enough of soft, pampered fairies to last him a lifetime. “I just don’t know what I’d like best,” he said in a drawl. “Can I have a few minutes to make up

my mind?” “You can take all night if you want, but right now, I need to have your order.” He winked again. “So, what can I get you to drink? We’ve got everything a man like you, all sassy and spicy, might happen to want.” “A man like me? And just what do you think I’d like?” “You? You’ll take whatever’s on offer if there’s a good time involved. But that’s in general. Why don’t you tell me what you want right this minute?” Alex let himself smile, his best seductive expression, one that promised a good time for everyone concerned. “Absolutely everything.” “To drink,” the bartender clarified, grinning as if he were willing to play. I could go for something long and tall. Alex discreetly checked out the bartender’s package a second time. Oh, yes, definitely long. Nice and thick, too. Absolutely perfect. “I’ll have a beer,” he said, stroking a finger across the back of the bartender’s hand. The man twitched a little, but his smile didn’t waver. In fact, it curved up even higher. “You choose what kind.” “I live to serve.” The man tugged at a lock of his overgrown, curling hair. “One beer coming up. Anything else you’d like? We have hot wings, mozzarella sticks ... lots of things you might enjoy.” “Just a beer for now.”And later? Well, we’ll see, won’t we? Alex took the foaming glass the bartender offered him and tasted it delicately, licking the froth off his lips with a slow sweep of his tongue. To his pleasure, the man didn’t look startled, but smiled at him instead. “Enjoy the game.” “Oh, I already am.” Alex turned away from the bar, but he didn’t go far. There was a seat opening up with a perfect view of the man he’d already chosen to play with. The guy didn’t know it yet, of course, but he would. Soon. Lifting his beer in a toast, Alex winked at the bartender. Ready or not, here I come. You won’t know what hit you, but I think we’ll both enjoy ourselves. Play time is officially on.

Chapter Two

The football game finally ended and, with a flick of his remote, the bartender changed the channel to nude mud wrestling. Not a one of the sports fans seemed to object. Hand curled around his beer, Alex turned to watch the screen with curiosity. “Now, usually, when I watch two men getting down in the dirt, it’s a good time. All those arms and legs grappling around.

Whoever says that wrestling is not a gay man’s sport doesn’t know what they’re missing. Mmm.” He took a smooth, cool swallow. “Thing is, there seem to be a few limbs either gone or in the wrong places on those wrestlers.” He turned to the bartender. “Those are men, aren’t they? Alex’s smile was deliberately teasing, encouraging the big guy to answer his question. The bartender kicked the volume up and returned a matching grin to Alex. The sounds of moaning and groaning fit for a porn movie filled the room, along with the enthusiastic shouting of a commentator. “This isn’t exactly your ordinary wrestling.” “Well, no. For one, there’s all that slippery mud. All slick and soft ...” Alex ran a finger around the rim of his beer glass. “I’ve never played in the dirt myself, but it’s always interested me. This, in particular, looks fascinating.” To his credit, the bartender took every ounce of Alex’s flirting and dealt it right back, smooth and sweet like a deck of cards. “You should try grappling with a big man sometime.” The other man’s voice was rough as gravel and yet warming as a shot of whiskey going down. “It’s a lot more fun than advertised.” “Mmm. I might just try.” Alex put his drink down and edged closer to the luscious man behind the bar, which had emptied out a little as the other patrons rushed to watch the naked wrestling. A hue and cry was going up, bets were being exchanged, and several of the men added to the groans of pleasure. Alex nudged a beer mat toward the bartender. “Since we’re getting to be such close personal friends, how about telling me your name?” “Do you want another drink?” “Again, that depends. Is that the price for getting your name?” “Nothing’s free. Not even in Amour Magique.” “Put it on my tab.” Alex leaned forward. “Or we could do a straight trade. Your handle for mine.” He undid one button on his shirt so that it matched the bartender’s, teasing the man with a glimpse of his own hard muscles underneath. “Fair exchange and no robbery. What do you say?” The bartender’s rich brown eyes twinkled with amusement. “You buy a drink and give me your name. Then I’ll tell you who I am.” “Or what you are?” “Do you think I’m not like you? You are human, aren’t you?” Alextsked . “Now, a man in your position shouldn’t make assumptions like that, should he?” “I can tell. You’re as human as half the men in here.” “I notice you don’t include yourself in that category.” “I,” the bartender replied, neatly pulling a draft for one of the football-cum-wrestler hooligans, “am something completely different. Not like you, anyway.” He passed the brimming glass over to his customer, made a note in a ledger, and put his hands on the bar. “Come on. Do we have a deal or not?”

Ooh, Alex liked this one. Saucy and spicy as a good dish of peppers withTabasco . “I’ll have another beer.” Alex deliberately didn’t reach for his wallet and said again, “Start a tab for me. I think I may be here a while.” The bartender raised an eyebrow. “No tabs for you and your Brothers. Everything you want is paid for in advance. The manager’s orders, per Liam’s words.” Well, well. “So you know who I am already.” “I know about the whole bunch of you. Doesn’t mean I know you personally.” “Is that a mistake we can rectify?” “Depends.” The bartender mimicked him, then leaned over for a moment, briefly crossing his arms on the scarred wooden counter. “Your name, first.” Alex weighed the man carefully. He was loving this little dance, one step forward and one step back, but as in some games, it might be a wise move to sacrifice a pawn. “I’ll give you a hint. I’m the Brother who works for one of the richest, gayest men inCharleston . Who is, by the way,not here tonight. He’s spending an evening with friends. On my recommendation, of course. Previous working acquaintances of mine are showing him afine time. I don’t know what he’d do without me.” He took another long, smooth swallow, licking the foam off his lip, and noticed how the bartender’s gaze followed his tongue. Alex curled the tip of it around his teeth. “If you know so much, then who am I?” “I’m going to guess you’re Alex.” The bartender raised an eyebrow. “Am I right, or close to right?” Alex considered lying for a second, then changed his mind. “Aren’t you the smart one? All right, now you know who I am. Who are you?” “Call me Dylan. The bard of the bar.” “You do have a way with playing taps.” Alex admired the man’s hands as they once more danced over bottles and levers, effortlessly dispensing drinks without missing a beat in their conversation. “How about a shot of something special? I want to see what you’ve got.” Dylan’s eyes flashed. “Is that a fact?” Alex leaned a little further across the bar. “How about my drink, Dylan?” He let his voice caress the syllables of the other man’s name, drawing them out until they sounded as if he were whispering them in the throes of passion. “I’d advise against whiskey. Liquor before beer, never fear. Beer before liquor, never sicker.” “What if I asked for a boilermaker and split the difference down the middle? I’m good at compromise.” “Are you, now? What else are you good at?” “Mmm. All sorts of things.” Alex caressed the bar, running his hand over the old wood as if it were a lover’s hard flesh. “Care to try me and find out?”

“Got to play the game by the rules, little one.” “Call me ‘little’ one more time and I’ll have your balls strung on a bracelet,” Alex said sweetly. “I may not be a giant, but I’m tougher than I look. I could take you down.” “You could try.” Dylan pulled another pint and poured a shot of something that looked dark, rich, and sensual. He tipped the contents of the shot glass into the beer, and passed it to Alex. “Don’t worry about getting drunk. All of the flavor, all of the buzz, none of the nasty side effects -- that’s what this bar is all about.” A particularly noisy shout sounded as one of the wrestlers on the TV pinned his opponent. “That would be why we’re so crowded.” “And you the only one on duty.” “It’s a living. Like I told you, nothing is free.” “Mmm.” Alex turned his attention back to Dylan, who was half-hunkered over the bar, grinning daringly. “And what’s the price for a little information?” “Let me think. I could ask for anything I want ... but I think I’ll settle for a kiss.” He twinkled at Alex with thosedelicious dark eyes. “Do you think that’s reasonable?” “I can bring myself to pay the toll.” “Be careful,” Dylan warned. “Once you cross the bridge, there’s no going back.” “What’s the fun in looking over your shoulder?” Alex leaned forward. Mmm, he could all but taste those sweet lips under his. Yeasty with beer, salty from pretzels, and underneath it all, a hint of pure male. Tantalizing. “I’m up for the challenge.” Dylan’s glance flickered down. He couldn’t have seen the rising bulge in Alex’s cargo pants, but the look on his face said he knew it was there. “All right.” He reached out with one of his huge hands and, surprisingly gentle, pulled Alex to him. Their lips met. Alex closed his eyes in pleasure. He’d been right about the way Dylan would tease his senses. Sliding his tongue forward, he traced the seam of Dylan’s lips for a better taste. Dylan chuckled against Alex’s mouth and opened his own a little. Alex slid inside, stroking his tongue along Dylan’s, slow and easy. Dylan made a small noise and moved his tongue against Alex’s, tapping and tangling a bit, before he moved forward, deepening the kiss. Alex moved with him, his appetite whetted and ready for more. The other man had a mouth on him like few that Alex had ever encountered, and Alex wanted to make this last. Too soon to satisfy him, the moment ended. Dylan drew back, his irrepressible grin in place. “Drink up. I’m giving you first-class service here.” Alex pursed his lips in a moue of unhappiness at having the kiss, in his opinion, cut short. “ThisVIP wants another taste.” “You’ll just have to wait. Business before pleasure.” Dylan took the towel off his shoulder and began to

polish the bar, wiping away condensation rings from Alex’s drink. A slight smell of lemons filled the air between them, and Alex inhaled with pleasure. He adored fruity aromas. Cherries, sweet pineapple, leathery oranges, crisp, mealy pears ... give him a bowl of fruit and he was a happy man. Give him someone to share the fruit with, and he’d be even happier. Dylan paused long enough to flick a finger gently at Alex’s chin. “Hey, there. Be patient, Alex. All good things in time.” “Is that a fact?” Alex reached for a snack dish and plucked out a cashew. He popped it into his mouth, savoring the good salty taste. “What does a man have to do to get the best stuff of all?” “Trade secret,” Dylan replied. “Although you’re getting pretty close to making me bend my rules.” “We couldn’t have that, now could we?” “It’s not sporting.” “And we have to play fair.” “FuckWimbledon rules,” Alex said. Catching Dylan by the back of his large head and threading his fingers through the man’s tumbling curls, he pulled the bartender down for another kiss. Dylan made a surprised noise against his mouth, but Alex was nothing if not persistent. He cocked his head at an angle that invited invasion of his mouth, and Dylan surely didn’t say no. The tables turned with delicious ease. Even though Alex held Dylan, Dylan was definitely the one in charge as their mouths remained fused together. He nibbled at Alex’s lower lip, sucking it into his mouth, nipping, and then soothing the sting with his tongue. Alex reveled in the touch, wanting to roll and rumble like a satisfied cat. He’d wondered what it would take for the big man to lose his control. Looked like he was on the right track to finding out. Dylan released him with a final suckle on Alex’s upper lip. “You know,” he said outright, “I’m going to be in all kinds of trouble for this. Management doesn’t really go for their employees fraternizing with the customers.” “Damn right!” one patron called out. Others whooped, whistled, and catcalled. “Hey!” shouted the big bruiser who had allowed Alex to cut the line into the bar. “You forget all about me?” Alex pivoted to wink at his would-be suitor, who was more than a little pissed.Ooh, better mend this bridge before I jump off it . “Another time, big guy, another time,” he said blithely over the man's protests. “Now, now, none of that. You just keep me in mind. Okay,” he said, looking back at Dylan, “what about this fraternization? Isn’t a good bartender supposed to laugh, dance, and put on a show while he’s pouring out the drinks?” Alex said suggestively. “What’s wrong with a little improvisation?” “Even a sweet temptation like you isn’t enough for me to risk getting fired. Working for Amour Magique is the sweetest gig I’ve had in over a decade, and I’m not taking any chances.” “I’ll just have to work harder on making you want to take a chance.”

“Shut up, and drink your boilermaker. I do have other customers waiting on me.” “Think they enjoyed the free show?” “In Amour Magique? I know they did.” Dylan pressed his finger to Alex’s lips. “Think you can keep those pretty lips shut while I do my job?” More encouragement from their very own peanut gallery egged the showman in Alex on. Alex threw them a wink, then turned back to the long, tall draft of bartender he was putting his stamp of ownership on. He nipped at the man’s finger. It tasted of lemons and margarita salt. Not a bad combination, all things considered. Dylan jerked his hand back, swearing with a laugh. “Lesson learned. Never underestimate you. Just sit here and behave until I come back.” “You will come back.” Alex made it a statement, not a question. “Of course I will. You’re a bona fide customer, aren’t you? Doesn’t matter if your own bill is marked ‘Paid in Full’ regardless of how much you drink. I’m still here to serve.” Dylan tugged at a lock of Alex’s hair, flashed him a dazzling grin, and headed off to the far end of the bar where men were squeezed against one another, eager for another drink. Alex watched Dylan go with a mental growl of satisfaction. He could feel his inner sex kitten sharpening its claws against the other man’s long, strong legs that were topped by the most perfect, rounded ass cheeks he’d seen in years. He really hated to see the man leave but, ooh, how he loved to watch him move. The sports coverage on that big-screen TV couldn’t compare with Dylan. Alex focused wholly on the bartender, watching him in action. Dylan was a one-man band, the way he worked. Seemingly without effort, he pulled taps and took bills, keeping track of everyone from what they wanted to what they owed. The muscles in Dylan’s back played visibly even under his white shirt, making Alex want to trace them with his fingers one by one. Preferably while naked, from a position beneath the man ... Oh, yes, he was the one Alex planned on going home with. His place or Dylan’s, he didn’t care. But if he had his way -- and he almost always did -- there would be a bartender in bed with him that night. Guess he had to hand it to Liam, after all; the gently crazy little queer had done Alex a favor by pushing him out of the nest. Not that he’d have minded staying there and playing a few more games, but he’d gone, and look where he’d ended up. Yum. With the crush finally thinned out to a handful of contented drinkers, Dylan ambled back down the length of the bar toward Alex. He shook his head as he approached. “You do know you’re irresistible, don’t you?” “I try my hardest.”

“You could have any man in this room, but you pounce on me like I’m Tweety Bird and you’re Sylvester,” Dylan teased. “Not exactly. Sylvester never failed to lose the prize.” Alex lowered his eyelids. “I always win.” “You’re that sure of yourself?” “I’m sure of you.” Alex inched closer, undid another button on his own shirt, creating just enough of a gap for the edge of one flat nipple to peek out. To his pleasure, Dylan’s eyes were drawn right to the spot, as if there were an “X” marking his chest. A muscle jumped in the man’s jaw. “So you’ve seen me in action. You know what I do. Let’s talk about you.” “Little ol’ me?” “I thought you said not to call you little.” “Big ol’ me?” “That’s more like the man I’m getting to know and appreciate. Spill. What keeps a man like you in fine clothes and good whiskey? I have a feeling we’re going to becomereally well acquainted, and I’d like a little more information about you than your name.” Alex quirked an eyebrow. “So I’m old-fashioned.” Dylan settled in, crossing his arms. “We’ll start simple. What do you do for a living?” “Oh, you don’t really want to hear about ...” “Hey, fair is fair.” Dylan reached for one of Alex’s hands and turned it over in his own. Alex made a small noise of pleasure at the feel of those working man’s calluses against his skin. “Soft and white. You’re not the blue-collar type, I take it.” “I like any kind of collar, blue or white. And I do work with my hands.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Laugh if you will, but these days I’m a valet.” Dylan gave him a disbelieving stare. Then he cracked up. “Choosing a man’s socks is no small task, especially when they cost more than I make in a week,and they have to match his tailored suit justso .” “It must be drudgery.” “Sweetheart, if you think a drunk can be obnoxious, you’ve never seen a fat cat who’s just discovered you laid out the wrong tie.” “I like that,” Dylan said, momentarily confusing Alex. “Like what?”

“You calling me ‘sweetheart.’ It’s nice. Makes me think there’s actually something going thump-thump underneath all that spun sex on a stick.” “Flattery will get you everywhere.” “Anywhere?” “Wherever you like. In a bed, up against a wall, in an alley, behind the bar ...” Alex teased with an arch look. “That’s a pretty tempting offer you’re laying out on the table. But what about me? You seem to think we’ve got a done deal. I don’t get a say in this?” “Oh, you can talk all you want. I’d rather have you screaming my name, though.” “So much for polite conversation.” “There’s no sense in wasting time when we could be doing something so much more fun.” Alex took another taste of his beverage. “You mix a fine drink. I wonder what else you do well. I’ve already seen how good you are with your hands. Makes a man think about how else you might use them to touch ... rub ... caress ... grip ...” “Oh, yeah. No small talk with you. It’s all about the sex, and it’s right now, isn’t it?” Dylan shook his head. Alex ducked his head in faux shyness. When he came up, it was with a wink. “How about I just cut to the chase?” “If this is your way of dancing around a subject, I don’t think my old ticker can take you being direct.” “We’ll see if you survive. Fix yourself a shot first. Consider it a gift of the Brotherhood. Something good and smooth, but fine. Go on, now.” Alex watched as Dylan gave him a dubious look, but obeyed, opening a bottle of aged Scotch and pouring a finger’s worth into a glass. “Chug-a-lug.” Dylan drank. Alex could smell the smoky fumes of the alcohol, but to Dylan’s credit he barely flinched as the strong drink went down his throat. As it did, Alex admired the muscle action. Mmm, he’d bet a man like Dylan would be a natural at sucking cock. And while he himself preferred to bottom, he did love having attention lavished on his dick. So call him selfish. Alex laughed, tossing his hair. “What’s so funny?” “I’ll let you in on the joke later. Now that you’ve got a shot burning in your chest, come a little closer, and let me suggest a game plan.” “More games. You like them, don’t you?” “What’s life without a little fun? But, no, this is about point A to point B. Possibly with a side trip to points C and D and E if you’re as good as I think you’ll be.”

“Now I’m damned good at what I do, and part of my job is reading men. I’d say you are about to proposition me.” Dylan waggled his eyebrows. “Would I be right, or would I be wrong?” “I think you’re just about where you should be.” Alex reached over the bar and curled his fingers in Dylan’s shirt, tugging the bigger man close enough to inhale his scent of beer, faint sweat, salt, the Scotch he’d drunk, and the shampoo Dylan had used before coming on shift. All man. A nice, heady bouquet. With his hand tightly fisted in the shirt, Alex leaned up to whisper in Dylan’s ear. “I know what I want. I know what you want.” “So what do you suggest we do about it? I’m on the clock. And unless you’re willing to wait ...” “I don’t wait.” Alex paused, breathing in more of Dylan’s scent and almost humming with satisfaction. “Take a break. Fifteen minutes.” “You’ll be satisfied with fifteen?” “No.” “Then ...?” Alex drew back and grinned, showing off his sharp white teeth. “Take two breaks.” Dylan threw down his towel. He smiled back, appearing ferocious and playful all at once. “You’re on. We’ll see who can take whom.” Alex chuckled. Oh, yes. Party time.

Chapter Three

From the second Dylan took Alex’s hand in his own, apparently casting aside all cares for what the management would think aboutthis kind of “fraternizing,” Alex could feel the electric charge running through him. He might barely know this man, but he recognized a fellow spirit when he got up close and personal. He was out for all the fun he could have, and so was Dylan. The boozehounds at the bar could just wait for their drinks. He and Dylan hadbusiness -- the serious down-and-dirty business of screwing each other blind and stupid. Hopefully, more than once. Putting up an “on break” sign and waving away the chorus of disappointed boos from his patrons, Dylan grinned and walked with Alex to the end of the bar. A well-worn path that he navigated with grace. He disentangled their fingers when they reached a half-Dutch door, which he flipped open to let Alex in behind the counter. The big man fumbled with a set of keys he fished out from his pocket, frowning at first one, and then another. He finally held an odd flat disc that swung on a short beaded chain. He grunted in satisfaction. “This’ll open the way to my room. You’re so ready, aren’t you?”

“I always am. Especially right now.” Alex pressed himself close against Dylan’s side.Ooh, I get to come behind the scenes. Can’t wait . Dylan rumbled low in his throat and bumped their hips together. Alex nudged back, enjoying his bartender’s playfulness. He could still feel a little of the buzz from the seabreeze and the beer he’d had, but it only served to heighten the anticipation and pleasure. Oh, yeah, illicit chills and thrills. The best possible kind. Alex felt like he was teasing another boy into slipping beneath the bleachers with him where no one could see. Mmm, the good old days. He shivered happily. Walking his fingers across the small of Dylan’s back, he dipped down to pinch one ass cheek. “So we’re literally going to do this behind the bar? Not that I mind, of course. I just don’t want to get pelted with popcorn because we’re drowning out the TV.” “Not exactly. Do you trust me?” Dylan cocked an eyebrow as he looked down at Alex. “I’ll wager you’ve been pretty accepting of everything Amour Magique has had to offer if you found your way down here. I’d say I know it for a fact, since the wrestlers didn’t faze you. And you know I’m not exactly human, don’t you?” “Mmm.” Alex licked his lips, then chuckled. “D’uh. I’m not stupid. This place is better than Charlie’s chocolate factory. So you’re not human. I wouldn’t call my boss human, even if he has a pedigree longer than my leg.” He pressed closer. “So what might you be? Bird, bee, red herring ...?” Dylan lowered his lips to Alex’s ear. “Do you want to talk, or do you want to fuck?” Alex rubbed up against Dylan like a hungry cat, draping himself across those big, solid muscles. “What do you think?” “I’m serious.” Dylan rumbled hungrily and pushed back into Alex, hip to hip. “We’re going to take a little trip, you and I. Do you trust me enough to do exactly as I say?” “Into dominance games, are we? That’s fine as far as I’m concerned. I’ve been told I make the sweetest sub you ever saw when someone’s in the mood.” Alex widened his eyes. “Will there be floggers? Maybe paddles? Tell me you’ll at least have handcuffs.” “Don’t tempt me,” Dylan growled. “But all in good time. I’m too old to go at it on the hard floor --” “Oh, ancient. How old are you?” “Thirty-one.” “I’ll have to be careful of your aging bones. After all, you have seven whole years on me -- and we know what a difference that can make, don’t we?” Alex batted his eyelids. “Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.” By then, as far as Alex could tell with a quick glance over his shoulder, more men were watching their personal show than the one on TV. “Nail him!” someone shouted. “Pound that sweet ass into the ground!”

“You know how to show a man a good time, don’t you, sugar?” Alex preened and gave the crowd a wave. Dylan chuckled in short, growly bursts. “Would you let me finish a sentence? One of the perks Amour Magique gives its bartenders is free room and board. But the quickest way there is a shortcut through here. It’s not exactly the easiest way to fly. So, back to my question. Do you trust me?” He held out his hand. “Aren’t you trustworthy?” “What do you think?” Dylan stood patiently. Alex glanced him up and down, then took the massive paw that was still held out for him. The dance and crackle of electricity was just as good as it had been the first time around, making him want to moan and purr. “Lead the way, then, Captain. Or would you rather I called you ‘sir’?” “Call me anything you like, sweet cheeks.” “Oh, now, we’ve been through this. No fair nicknamingme unless I give you permission.” “You don’t like endearments, my little honey bun?” Alex gave Dylan a slight push. He stuck out his lower lip. “Now you’re just being mean. What if I decide I don’t want to go with you, after all?” “Then I’ll go back to pouring drinks and you’ll have wasted all that quality time you spent flirting, not to mention you’ll be missing out on a fantastic fuck. Baby, if there’s one thing I know besides how to pour the best damn drink in this place, it’s how to make a man scream.” Dylan faced Alex and lifted his hand, thumbing Alex’s lower lip to poke it back in place. “Up to you, lover. What’s it going to be? Just remember we’re on the clock. Tick-tock, tick-tock.” Alex considered a little more pouting, but theywere on a countdown. He couldn’t risk Dylan losing his job. “All right. I’ll trust you. So, what’s the mystery about getting to your room? Do we have to click our heels three times and make a wish?” “Not exactly. Just hold my hand -- and I mean hold it. No letting go no matter what -- and follow me. That a deal, kitten?” “There you go again. Mmm, I think I could deal with this pet name, though.” “You’re definitely the worst or the best sex kitten I’ve ever met.” “And to think we’re not even in bed yet.” Alex bit lightly at Dylan’s thumb. “Do your hocus-pocus, Mr. Wizard. I promise I won’t let go. Now take us away toNever-neverLand .” Dylan grinned approvingly. He lowered his lips to Alex’s ear and whispered, “I just hope you’re as much of a cherry bomb as all the hype promises.” “You haven’t even begun to discover the real me.” “And am I ever looking forward to that particular joy.” Dylan squeezed Alex’s hand. “It’ll be the best

quickie of our lives.” He lifted his odd-looking key and tugged Alex along to a shadowy corner of the bar. “Just remember to trust me.” “Do I look like a doubting Thomas?” “Okay, then. Hang on tight. Here goes nothing.” He pushed the key into what looked like a great big old patch ofnothing , but all the same Alex heard a click and something that sounded like the tumblers of a lock turning. The shadows turned darker, forming a tall, broad oval. Dylan gave him a sideways glance. “Don’t you let go of my hand.” Ooh, this evening kept getting better and better. “Lead the way,” Alex murmured, weaving his fingers tightly with Dylan’s. Following the other man’s lead, he stepped forward into the shadows. “Holy shit!” he yelped -- or would have, if he could hear his own voice or feel his body. This appeared to be a place where sound couldn’t be made or heard. He also felt like he was in an elevator on free fall from the top floor of theEmpireStateBuilding , but with the lights out. The only thing he could feel at all was Dylan’s warm hand in his. Let go? Like hell he’d let go! Almost as soon as the screaming free fall had begun, it finished with the two of them thumping hard as they landed on their feet in a carpeted hallway. Alex abruptly stopped shrieking and glanced quickly over his shoulder and saw the big black oval retreating into a pinpoint, then disappear. He took a deep breath, collecting himself. Strange mud wrestlers, Liam, Amour Magique. He’d coped so far and he could deal with this, too. He hoped. When he looked around again, Alex could see Dylan’s grin held a note of challenge. “Didn’t scare you, did it?” “You’ll have to try a lot harder to get me screaming.” “Oh, I heard you when we stepped in.” Dylan let go of Alex’s hand and pushed him back against a wall, the rough nubbles of the wallpaper pressing into his shoulders. “You’re not as tough as you pretend to be.” Alex shrugged, then preened. “But I’m twice as sexy.” He wrapped his arms around Dylan’s neck and pressed their bodies together. Dylan smelled of rich, briny salt and, oh, he moved as gracefully as a seal in the water. Fuckinghot . “Fifteen minutes. Several down. You want to talk?” “Fuck, no.” Dylan ground against him. “I want to have you.” He began gyrating against Alex’s hips, grinding their cocks against one another. Alex felt his prick stiffen so quickly it was nearly painful but, oh, so good. Dylan’s own length was hard as iron, stroking quick and fast against his lower stomach. “Fifteen minutes,” he chanted hoarsely. “Gotta make it count.” Alex couldn’t say anything in return. He was too busy riding this cowboy off into the sunset. He felt his eyes roll back inside his head as his cock and Dylan’s rubbed together. Even with a barrier of clothing between them, the sensation was un-fucking-real. Too good to be true. He began grinding back, urgency spurring him on. “Oh, God,” Dylan moaned. “Keep that up and I won’t last.”

Alex laughed and started moving in the nastiest way possible, writhing and twisting against Dylan’s body. He humped like there was no tomorrow, because who knew? There might not be. His body was on fire and Dylan was feeding the flames. An orgasm of his own started to rise up, warning him that he was about to go off like a rocket. Why not?Alex bucked, twisted, and got his arms down so he could give Dylan’s ass cheeks a rough squeeze. He pulled Dylan close, then darted up to nip at his neck hard enough to leave white marks in the tanned flesh. The man even tasted like sea salt. “Meow,” he whispered. Dylan made a loud noise with no words and began to shake like a tree in the wind. Alex felt a warm wetness spurt up between them, enough to push him over the edge. They stood together for a long minute, arms wrapped around one another, just breathing. “Fuck management,” Dylan finally said. “I’ll risk being late back to the bar for another chance at you when we’re both naked.” Alex licked his dry lips and nodded. He still felt shaky and thought he might be glowing, but his quick tongue didn’t fail him in the clinch. “Tell me we’re at your room. I think I’ve had about all the foreplay I’m in the mood for.” “You? There’s got to be space for a little more. Always a little more, no matter what. But, yeah, we’re here.” Dylan reached past Alex with his ring of keys, jingling as he pushed one into a lock of the door beside them. “Home, sweet home, or as close as it gets when you’re -- when you work for Amour Magique.” Alex got his breathing under control. Who cared what the place looked like as long as it contained a naked Dylan? All the same, he had to keep up appearances. “Can’t wait to see,” he said breezily. “Just don’t go expecting the Ritz.” “Doesn’t matter to me. All I expect is to see you sans clothing on a great big bed.” Alex undulated against Dylan, letting him feel the rapidly re-hardening cock between his legs. “I’m going to suck you down like a straw once I get you nude.” “You do have a way with words.” Dylan pushed the door open. “Come on, and make yourself at home. Don’t take too long admiring the ambience, though.” His eyes darkened with heat. “I’d rather you took your time looking at me and wondering exactly what I’m going to do with that fine, tight body of yours.” “Well, we’d better get in there, hadn’t we?” Alex stepped backward out of Dylan’s arms as the other man freed him and moved aside. Then he turned and faced the room. “Oh, my. Not bad, bartender. Not bad at all.” The quarters weren’t exactly over-decorated, but Alex found he appreciated the spartan look after day in and day out of working with a man who thrived on excess -- soft beige carpet, plastered walls bare of anything except an old ship’s wheel and a few art prints, a lamp, and a bed. A long, wide bed, the kind a big man like Dylan would need. Alex slunk across the floor and sat on the edge of that bed. He crossed his legs -- not easy to do with an erection and wet pants -- and glanced up at Dylan through his eyelashes. “Care to show me your etchings?”

“There’ll be time to talk about art later. Right now, we have other things to talk about, like betting how many times I can get you to yell out my name.” “My money’s on fifteen,” Alex said without batting an eye. Dylan blinked. Then he burst into laughter. He reached for his belt and began pulling it out of the loops. Alex eyed the leather appreciatively. He hadn’t been kidding -- much -- about liking to sub, and he loved having his ass spanked nice and rosy red. That length of rawhide could come in handy later. Dylan tossed it to one side. “Come on,” he encouraged. “I want to see that tasty little body naked and spread out for me.” “You can’t just snap your fingers and get me naked in a puff of smoke?” Alex teased. “Don’t tell me we have to do this the old-fashioned way.” Dylan rumbled. “Ilike the old-fashioned way. Especially if it means getting to see every delicious piece of you unwrapped one piece at a time. So get to work.” “Oh, big and bossy, aren’t you? And here I thought you had to get back soon.” “Soon can be a relative term. If I’m going to break the rules, I’m going all the way. The boozehounds can wait. You just can’t rush some things.” “I think we just did,” Alex pointed out archly. Dylan’s dark eyes smoldered. “You just go ahead and get undressed. Let me worry about the ticking clock. Get yourself naked.” “Uh-uh.” Alex shook his head. “You go first. I want to enjoy the show. And then, if you’re very, very good, I’ll let you undress me.” “Really? And what do I get in return for drawing this out?” “Mmm.” Alex licked his lips, tasting Dylan’s salt from when they’d kissed. “How about me down on my knees in front of you, taking that delicious-looking prick of yours into my mouth? I’m dying to find out what you taste like. What do you say?” He got his answer as Dylan drew off his button-down shirt and threw it into his face. Laughing, Alex pulled the white cotton, smelling richly of spilled beer, out of his eyes. “I take it that’s a yes?” “I’m not undressing this quickly for the sake of my health.” Dylan drew down the zipper of his pants and let them slide off his hips. He wore tight-fitting jockey shorts underneath, which revealed -- oh, yum -- a cock underlined beneath that lived up to all of Alex’s expectations. Fully hard and thick around as Alex’s wrist, with the tip peeking above the elastic waistband. Dylan stepped out of his shoes and then the pants. He hooked a thumb underneath the jockey band. “Say pretty please.” “With a cherry on top.”

“Only one cherry in this room -- my cherry bomb.” Dylan skinned his underwear off in a flash, revealing himself in all his many inches of naked glory. Kicking the material aside, he put his hands on his hips and grinned. “Well?” Alex’s mouth had gone dry in the face of such magnificence; he hadn’t seen such a lickable cock in ages. “I think you should bring that over here on the double,” he said huskily, standing up. “Sit on the bed.” “You’re not even naked yet.” “I don’t think I can wait.” The dryness was being replaced by water at the thought of wrapping his lips around Dylan’s gorgeous cock. “Perch on the edge of the bed with your legs open. Do I have to switch and play the dom, or do you know how to take orders?” “Aye, aye, sir.” Dylan grinned as he seated himself on the bed, knees braced wide apart. Alex purred and knelt between them, his hands resting on Dylan’s thighs. This close, he could smell the rich, musky, natural male scent of Dylan’s cock. He nuzzled in a little to get a better whiff of the bouquet -- hard-working man and dick -- flicking his tongue out to taste the man’s lightly furred balls. Still salty, but oh, so good. Dylan made a strangled noise. “God, to have a seat belt right about now.” “You bet. Hang on for the ride of your life.” Alex licked a long, lazy stripe up one of the veins decorating Dylan’s cock, loving the way the big man jumped at the contact. Dylan groaned, reaching down to fist his hands in Alex’s hair. There were some things Alex didn’t mind mussing his coif over. This was definitely one of them. He took his own sweet time just running his tongue over the magnificent length of Dylan’s cock, enjoying the seashore flavor and the texture. Dylan’s prick jumped under his attention. Whenever Alex found a particularly sensitive spot, he lingered for a moment with teasing flicks until Dylan swore and tugged at his hair. “You said to fuck the clock. So patience, patience,” Alex said, kneading his hands into Dylan’s thighs. “Fuck the clock and fuck patience too,” Dylan said, sounding breathless. “Either quit playing around, or suck me.” Normally, no one gave Alex orders off the job. But there were a few commands he just didn’t mind, no matter when, especially when facing down such a yummy treat. “Your wish ...” he murmured. Time to blow Dylan’s mind. Starting with the tip of the other man’s cock, he worked on driving Dylan absolutely crazy. Alex licked it delicately to get it moister, and tasted a salty bubble of pre-come, then blew cool air over the bulbous head. Dylan moaned and shifted, moving his legs further apart. “Oh, yeah. Just like that. No! No, wait. Condom. We need a condom. Damn it! I should have one in the back pocket of my pants. Can you ...?” Alex purely hated to let anything distract him, but he knew enough to play safe. With a roll of his eyes and a mock grumble, he reached for the crumpled pile of fabric and felt around until he reached the pocket and a hard foil square. Pulling it out quickly, he examined the shiny surface in the lamplight.

Amour Magique’s logo was stamped across the surface, along with “flavored for his pleasure.” He gave Dylan a wicked look. “Kinky. Were you planning on getting some, or is this just my lucky night?” “Always be prepared. You never know when someone’s going to waltz right into your life.” Dylan wet his lips. “Put it on me. I want to feel your fingers on my dick.” Alex pulled open the square, careful not to tear the thin latex inside, and pulled out the small doughnut. “Hope this is an extra large.” “Do you think I’d do small?” “I wouldn’t be here if you did.” “So superficial.” “I’m attracted to you purely for your mind.” Alex kissed the tip of Dylan’s dick again, then winked at him. “Check this out.” He formed a ring with his mouth and placed the condom within the circle. Lifting Dylan’s cock at just the right angle, he used his mouth to press the latex down on the head, and then kept on going, unrolling the rubber with his lips and tongue until every inch of that gorgeous prick was covered in a protective barrier. “Fuck,” Dylan gasped as Alex drew back, trailing his tongue along the sheath. “No one’s ever done that to me before. Where’d you learn how?” Alex grinned. “Trade secret from a former life. So, you ready for me? Think I can take you on?” “I think you can take whatever you want from me.” “I’m up to the challenge.” Alex laid a light kiss on Dylan’s swollen purple head, then took just the crown into his mouth and sucked hard. When Dylan swore, he laughed around the flesh, making sure Dylan could feel the vibrations. God, he loved to suck cock, especially when it was worth his while. Ever so slowly, Alex began to slide his mouth down Dylan’s shaft, pausing to suck every now and then, exactly when he figured Dylan would least expect it. God, it was fun to drive a man insane. Seemed to be working, too, from the steady stream of gravelly voiced swearing he heard coming out of the man’s mouth. Alex had long ago learned how to deep-throat, and that was a good thing since Dylan was lengthy enough that the tip of his cock bumped against the back of Alex’s tongue ages before he’d engulfed the whole thing. Alex let it glide a little way further, got a grip on what was left with his hand, and swallowed, squeezing that sensitive head as tight as he could with the muscles in his throat. “Jesus Christ!” Dylan hissed. “Yeah, yeah, just like that!” Your wish ...Alex swallowed again, then hollowed out his cheeks with the force of his suction as he slowly pulled his way back up the everlasting length of cock, his lips a tight ring and his hand working wickedly away at what he couldn’t take in his mouth. “Stop! Oh, God, stop!” Dylan panted. “You’re way too good at this. Go that deep again, and I’ll lose it

all before we even start.” Alex glanced up at him, letting mischief twinkle in his eyes and smile. He made to dive deep once more -- and would have succeeded if Dylan hadn’t grasped his hair harder to make him come to halt. “You make me want to rush, baby.” Dylan sounded breathless. “We play this game by my rules this time around. Just sit still, and let me fuck your mouth. That gorgeous mouth, so sassy and sweet. Come on, kitten. I want to see you take it all.” Mmm. Alex closed his eyes in pleasure. He formed a harder seal with his lips, careful of his teeth, and stroked Dylan’s thighs in response. He felt the hands in his hair relax for a moment, then grip even harder as Dylan began to thrust forward, pushing his cock in and out of Alex’s mouth. Alex’s eyes almost rolled back in his head.Oh, yes. Fuck me between my lips. Give it to me hard and nasty. You know how to treat me right . He moaned around his mouthful, urging Dylan on as the deliciously musky cock slid over his tongue. The condom tasted faintly like berries.Mmm, fruit . “Good God, you’re incredible at this.” Dylan was panting. “Suck harder. Use your tongue.” Oh, yes, Master. Alex did as he’d been told but decided to improvise besides. He lifted his free hand to cup Dylan’s nuts and began to roll them gently, feeling the sac draw up high and firm at his touch. “Fuck! You devil!” Alex chuckled to himself and kept right on doing what he did best. He used his tongue to stroke, his teeth to scrape ever so lightly, and worked his fingers around those hardened balls. Dylan continued to slide in and out, swearing a blue streak as Alex worked his magic. You might be able to transport us through some kind of hocus-pocus kind of gateway ... but I’ve got the keys to you now, baby. Dylan’s fingers tightened and loosened in concert with Alex’s sucking. Alex urged him on, letting his cheeks bulge around Dylan’s cock. “You have no idea how sexy you look,” Dylan said hoarsely. “No, wait. You probably do.” Mm-hmm. Alex exhaled around Dylan’s cock, then tickled his balls and gave them a rough squeeze. It’s been a good show. Let’s see about the big fireworks. I want this to end with a Fourth of July kind of bang. He scraped his teeth harder over Dylan’s staff, then bit ever so lightly. The testicles in his hand pulled into a hard knot, and Dylan began to huff like a freight train. “Damn it. Want to fuck you. Get my cock into that tight little ass.” There’s always later. And believe me, I plan on there being a later. Like I said, you can take another break. Alex let go of Dylan’s balls and reached behind them to tickle the little strip of sensitive flesh there, before sliding one finger into his mouth to moisten it, teasing Dylan’s cock with that extra bit of sensation. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Exactly. Using his dampened finger, Alex traced his way back down the line of Dylan’s sac and

perineum, then up into the crevice of his ass cheeks. “You do that and I’m not gonna ...” Alex did. His slick finger pressed up against the hard wrinkled skin of Dylan’s hole, pressed hard, and sank in. “Oh, hell!” Dylan gripped Alex’s hair roughly enough to hurt as his cock jumped and his legs twitched. He froze for a brief moment, then let out a long, guttural cry and began pumping into Alex’s mouth as the condom filled with thick spurts of creamy come, weighing heavily on Alex’s tongue. Alex’s own cock gave a sharp buck, and he came along with Dylan, once again soaking the front of his own pants. He couldn’t have cared less. Giving Dylan’s cock one last, lingering lick that swirled down around the tip, savoring the berry taste of the condom, Alex drew off and sat back. Dylan’s fingers slid out of his hair, those big hands coming to rest on his thighs. The man was sweating profusely and looked shell-shocked, as if he didn’t have two working brain cells left to rub against one another. Alex rested his chin on one well-shaped knee. “So,” he murmured. “Was it good for you?” “You’re a demon,” Dylan managed to rasp. “Why the hell didn’t you come in with someone? Any man who knows how to use his mouth like that ... God.” He removed the used condom with shaking fingers, tied a knot in the end, and hurled it neatly into a trash can by the bed. “Don’t think I’m not going to get inside your ass,” he warned. “Just give me a few minutes.” Alex lowered his eyelids to half-mast. “Thought we were still technically on the clock.” “Not anymore. As if I’m going to go back to pulling drinks when I’ve got a hot armful like you with me? I can afford a sick night.” “Liar, liar, pants on fire.” Alex drew his nails lightly down the corded length of Dylan’s thigh. “You’re not sick at all.” Dylan flashed him a wavering grin. “You never heard of lovesick?” He rolled away from Alex before Alex, startled, could form a reply, and stood. That taut, toned ass of Dylan’s flexed temptingly as he walked toward a wall phone Alex hadn’t noticed before. As Alex watched, his lover’s fingers danced over the keypad. Dylan swore once when he had to stop and redial, but he managed to get the right number on the second try. “Silas? Hi. It’s Dylan, from the Motor Pool bar. Can you have someone cover for me the rest of the night?” Pause. “Damn. Busted. Yeah, I did meet someone.” Pause. “No, it’s not just anyone. He’s one of the Brothers.” Longer pause. “Take it easy. I know what I’m doing. Don’t worry about Liam. I’ll treat my guy right.” Pause. “Great, thanks.” Alex leaned against the bed as Dylan hung up, and then turned around to face him. “It always comes back to Liam,” he drawled. “That man is a mystery to me, but if he gets you off the hook for the night, I’ll have to kiss him when I see him next.” “Better not. I want all your kisses.”

“Then you’ll have to earn them, won’t you? Mmm.” Alex sighed happily as Dylan reached down and pulled him up for a hard lip-lock, tasting the man’s natural flavor again even in the all-too-brief encounter. “Now we have all night. Whatever shall we do with our time?” “No one operates on an empty belly,” Dylan informed him. “Let me get dressed, and I’ll take you to one of Amour Magique’s restaurants. We need more than popcorn and pretzels to fuel us up for tonight.” “Oh, and waste all that good-quality fucking time?” Alex batted his eyes once more. “I thought you wanted to put your cock in me.” Dylan’s grin was sharp. “All in due course.. Right now, I’ll find you a change of pants while I dress. Damn, I never knew anyone who could come just from sucking before. You’re fantastic.” “And it just goes up from here.” “I may not survive.” “Maybe not, but you’ll go with a smile on your face.” “Food first, you insatiable kitten. Then we come back here and fuck. I promise.” Dylan held out his hand. “Once more with feeling. Are you ready, willing, and able?” Alex considered for a moment, then reached up to take the warm, strong fingers in his own. “Lead on,” he purred. “I can’t wait to see what you have in mind.”

Chapter Four

Alex was about to put on the clothes Dylan had offered when he was struck by a bright idea. “Room service,” he blurted. Dylan paused. “Say what, now?” “Food brought to the room. You know, so we don’t have to go anywhere.” Alex cast the loaner clothes aside. “I’d rather stay right here as long as we can. The lighting is just to die for, there’s plenty of condoms and lube and, oh, yes, this great big bed.” He shrugged the shirt he still wore off his shoulders and let it float gracefully into a puddle on the floor. “And all the things we could do on this bed. Even while waiting for room service to show up.” Dylan had paused with his hand on the doorknob but now turned to watch Alex. The expression in his eyes was hot as he gazed at Alex’s naked torso. Alex preened, knowing that he presented a tempting picture: rippling with lean muscle and smooth as a man’s chin right after a shave, crowned by his two lovely flat nipples. “You make a good argument. But what if I told you Amour Magique doesn’t have room service?” “Then I’d just have to have you for dinner. Mmm, big strong man with a side of sex. Best entrée I can think of.”

The tall bartender grinned. “So, would it spoil your fun if I told you theydo have room service?” “Depends. Can I eat my meal off of you?” Alex moved his hands to his zipper and drew it down. “I can imagine all sorts of things to do with food, if you’re bound and determined that we eat.” “There is a meal called the ‘Full-Body Special ...’” Dylan ran his tongue across his lips. “Blow job of my life aside, do you think you’re worth the cash for that kind ofVIP treatment?” “Baby, I’m worth my weight in platinum.” Alex slipped out of his shoes and dropped his cargo pants, good and sticky in the front. He’d gone commando. Now his cock was revealed in all its glory, thick and uncut, a respectable size even when he wasn’t hard. He posed for Dylan. “Don’t you think so?” “If there’s a chance I can get my hands on that fat prick, I’ll order two of the specials.” “Play your cards right.” Alex fluttered his eyelashes and strolled, completely naked, over to the bed. He lay on top of the covers, a nice hardy quilt, and arranged himself justso , head on the pillows and body drawn up just far enough to hide the good bits while letting others peek out. He dearly loved to tease. “What game is it now? Five-card stud?” Alex grinned. “Joker’s wild.” “What does the winner get?” “Mmm. Whatever he wants. And he gets to do it with the loser.” Something bright flared in Dylan’s deep brown eyes. “That a fact? Well ... I might just take you up on the offer, then.” “It’s not an offer. It’s a bet.” “A bet, right. Can’t forget that. Ah, and to think I could be upstairs right now, changing channels between the trivia game and the post-action highlights. Such are the hours gone by. Hope my replacement’s having fun.” “He’d better not be having as good a time as you are.” Alex caressed the quilt. He liked the way it felt, rough in some spots and soft in others, just like Dylan’s hands. Mmm, those hands. “Put in an order, and come join me.” “Demanding, demanding.” “You know you love it. Dial already.” Dylan shook his head, dark curls tumbling, but went to the phone again. He punched in a series of numbers and waited. “Yes, is this the kitchens? Oh, good. No, I know I’m not paid enough to afford you. This is going to be on one of the Brothers’ tabs. I know you’ve heard of them, right? Which one? Alex. Yep. Send the bill to Silas, care of Liam. One Full-Body Special. With a selection of drinks. House choice. Doesn’t matter to me; choose something that goes with the entrée.” He grinned. “Good deal. Thanks. Just knock.” He replaced the receiver as Alex watched him with an arched eyebrow. “This meal must be pretty pricey,” he observed. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to think you like me.”

“Hey, it’s all on your tab.” “Ah, yes, my big-but-nonexistent tab. I really do have to thank Liam.” Alex stretched a little, enjoying the play of his muscles. “So do you think we could come up with a few ways to pass the time until the food arrives?” He lifted one leg, letting Dylan get a glimpse of his balls but not his cock. “There’s an old saying concerning turnabout. It’s supposed to be fair play.” “Are you asking me to wrap my lips around that beautiful prick of yours?” Dylan crossed his arms. Alex admired him from head to foot.Mt.Dylan . Oh, but he could pick them! “I’m saying you want to,” he answered with certainty. “I can read your mind.” “You’re sure you’re human?” “Born and bred.” “And you’re fine with the fact that I’m not?” Alex rolled his eyes. “I’m here, aren’t I? You know, you really have to tell me what you are.” “There’s plenty of clues. Just take a look around. Smell the air. Salty.” Dylan winked. “Now, come here. Lick me clean and then get me all dirty again.” Alex parted his legs, fully revealing himself. His cock was already on the move, enthusiastically rising to the occasion. “Don’t take all day. You have to finish before room service gets here.” “Oh, I do, do I?” Dylan crossed the room swiftly, his long legs eating up the short distance. He lay on the bed beside Alex, his head hovering over Alex’s groin. “We’re on the clock again?” Alex tapped him. “I’ve just started the swingy thing going.” “Pendulum.” “Whatever. Just shut up and suck me. Then, later on, we can get to the fucking. After, as you insist, we eat.” Dylan grinned wolfishly. “Oh, you’re going tolike the Full-Body Special. I bet it’ll be the meal of your life.” I’ve had fine food before. But why couldn’t this be the best I’ve ever tasted? I’ll try anything and everything once. Alex gasped as Dylan lowered lips to his cock, wrapped around it, and started to suck. “Oh, yeah. Good and hard. That’s how we play.” He tugged at his lover’s curls, running them through his fingers. “Fuck! Yes!” Dylan lifted his head. “If you like this, just wait until dinnertime.” Alex raised an eyebrow. *****

“Yum ...” Alex lifted his mouth to take the last bite of chicken from between Dylan’s lips. He still tasted salt when he kissed Dylan, but it didn’t overpower the flavors of their meal. Each segment, from the appetizer of braised asparagus to the tiniest soft rolls to this chicken, was perfectly sized and shaped to be fed from mouth to mouth. Everything had been a delicious treat, made even better by touching Dylan’s lips with each bite. The poultry was perfectly spiced with a hot dash of rosemary that perked it up even more and making it something entirely different and wonderful. Alex was used to fine foods; he ate well in his position as a valet, but he didn’t generally eat naked.This he could get used to. Especially if he happened to be dining in the buff with Dylan. His adventure in Amour Magique got better and better by the second. Alex slipped his hand down between Dylan’s legs and stroked what he found there, rigid and silky, ready to go. “Do we get dessert with this meal?” Dylan grinned. “Yes, but I’d call what you’re touching another main course.” “You filled my mouth up just fine earlier. This chicken is but a finishing touch.” “Oh, we’re a long way from finished.” “You read my mind.” Alex caressed Dylan’s swollen cock again, feeling it buck underneath his questing fingertips. “Now, dessert ...?” “All good things come to those who wait,” Dylan chided. “Besides, I think you’ll get a kick out of this. Lie down on your back, with your arms by your sides and your legs straight.” He reached for the silver cover on one last tray. “Now, promise me you’ll be good.” “Me? Never. But what about if I promise to be bad?” “With you, that’s pretty much the same thing.” Dylan gave Alex a love tap on the thigh. “Now stay still, kitten. Let me work my own brand of magic.” Alex gave a long, put-upon sigh. “If you think this is more important than sex ...” “Kitten, nothing is more important than sex, especially with a dish like you in the room. But I promised you the Full-Body Special, and I intend to deliver what I promised. Solie still .” Alex rolled his eyes and grumbled, wriggled just to prove he could, then lay as he’d been directed like an obedient boy.Wonder what’s under that cover? It’d better be a can of whipped cream and maybe a surprise toy or two ... He tilted his head in curiosity as Dylan lifted the lid to reveal a pile of succulent-looking fruit. Everything from melon balls, sticky in their own juice, to rings of pineapple, to ripe red cherries. The fruit was surrounded by a small selection of serving-sized bottles of alcohol. Alex recognized a few of the labels. Crème liqueurs. Mmm, this could be fun. He wiggled again, then was quiet as Dylan made his first selection. Two rings of pineapple. A wicked look on his face, the bartender laid one around each of Alex’s nipples. Alex squealed. “Ooh, those are cold!”

“I’ll warm you right up.” Dylan picked up a handful of cherries and started decorating Alex’s torso, arranging the fruit in a straight line arrowing down to his groin. Warm fingers brushed the swelling of his cock, then, disappointingly -- or not -- went back to the fruit tray. He picked up several sticky melon balls and laid them in the nest of hair surrounding Alex’s cock, balancing each one just so. Alex purred. “I see what you mean by ‘Full Body.’” “The whole meal should have been eaten this way, but I was just too hungry to do more than wait for dessert. I would have loved to eat every last bite off this hot, tight little body.” “What did we decide about calling me little?” “Right. Are you going to punish me?” “As soon as I’m not covered with fruit, I’m going to show you exactly how good I am at being very, very bad.” “Kitten ...” Dylan leaned down to kiss him, first light and tender, then hard and passionate. “There is just nothing about you that isn’t bad to the bone. You were born to drive a man to sin.” “Hail Mary,” Alex replied with a wink and a playful wrinkle of his nose. “Be with us now, and at the hour of our little death. Now, can you please be quiet for a few more minutes? This is going to require all of my concentration.” Dylan laced his fingers together, then stretched them, cracking the knuckles. “Work, work, work. You’re so high-maintenance.” “And you love every bit of it.” “I think you’re worth the effort.” Dylan gave him another light slap, not hard enough to undo his careful work. “Behave yourself.” “Well, that’s no fun.” “Hush.” Dylan lowered his mouth to Alex’s right nipple and began, ever so slowly, to eat the sweet-smelling pineapple. “Ohh.” Dylan swallowed. “Now you’re getting the idea.” He bent again and bit gently at Alex’s nipple, blowing cool air over the sting. “Let a hungry man feast.” Alex tried to lie still, he really did. But it was so ... damned ... hard to play by the rules when the most gorgeous side of beefcake he’d seen inmonths was using his lips and tongue and teeth in one of the best possible ways. Dylan went slowly, bite by bite. When he’d finished with the pineapple, lapping Alex’s nipples free of their juice, he made his way down the row of cherries, swirling his tongue in circles around each one before lapping the fruit into his mouth. Alex whimpered.

“I knew you’d like this.” “Eat me.” “Trying my best.” Dylan ate another cherry. “How do you like the room service you demanded?” “If you don’t finish soon, I’m going to sit up, tackle you, and we’ll both be fucking on top of squashed melon balls.” “Well, we can’t have that.” Dylan ate the last cherry. Finally, he brought his hands into play, rubbing a line down where the succulent food had lain. “You taste so sweet. It’s not just the fruit. You’re good to the last drop.” “Nothing wakes you up like semen in the cup,” Alex said very seriously. Dylan cracked up, holding his sides. “Jesus! Watch your mouth, kitten.” “Watch it for me.” “I’m about to do a lot more than that.” Dylan shifted position and braced himself over Alex’s groin. “Now, be very, very careful. This is a delicate operation, and I don’t want to bite the wrong thing.” Alex groaned. “Oh, yeah. Music to my ears.” Dylan nuzzled into Alex’s groin, lapping up each melon ball in turn. He diligently cleaned up after himself, taking care of each drop of juice. Alex moaned and fisted his hands in the covers as Dylan ate, feeling the tickle of mouth and lips taunting him with the promise of what would come. When he’d eaten the last melon ball, Dylan pressed his mouth against Alex’s hard, ready cock, kissing his way up its side. He licked the top and hummed. “Sweet.” “You’d better finish what you started,” Alex warned. “Oh, I will. But every meal deserves a little alcohol to wash it down.” Dylan reached for one of the bottles of crème liqueur. He screwed off the small cap and offered it to Alex. Alex tipped his head back to be fed like a baby bird. Dylan dripped a few drops on his tongue, just enough for Alex to get the taste of sweet almond cream, before he pulled the bottle back. “Don’t be greedy. Besides, I think you’ll like this even better.” Raising himself, he slowly tilted the bottle and drizzled it over Alex’s chest and stomach, the creamy drink forming pools that slowly began trickling down Alex’s sides. “Oops, we’re making a mess.” Alex closed his eyes in sheer bliss at the feel of the silky liquid on his skin. “I do hope you’re about to do what I think you’re going to do.” “There’s nothing like a good encore.” Dylan licked around Alex’s nipple, then began cleaning him like a big cat -- a mountain lion to Alex’s sex kitten -- driving him completely out of his mind. He followed each runnel down to the covers and came back again for more. The scent of almonds and liqueur filled the air

between them, along with Dylan’s own unique smell of salty sea air. The room resounded with small sucking and lapping noises, just like one man sucking another off, along with Alex’s groans and whispers, begging Dylan both to keep on going and to never, ever stop. By the time Dylan drew back, swiping his lips with his tongue for the last traces of amaretto, Alex had had enough. He lifted up, his torso gleaming with juices and saliva, and seized the back of Dylan’s neck, dragging him down for a rough, bruising kiss. He took the lead this time, plundering the bartender’s mouth for the taste of sweet fruit, sharp liqueur, and the faintest aftertaste of Scotch. Dylan moaned into his mouth, then hissed as Alex sucked his tongue inside and bit it. “You little devil!” “Thought we’d already decided I came straight from hell, bent on tempting a man past his limits.” Alex didn’t release Dylan’s hair. “I don’t care whether I’m on my back, my stomach, my side, or standing on my head. I want you inside me, and I want you there now. Do you understand me, or do I need to draw a map?” Dylan grinned. “I already drew one.” He fairly smoldered with passion underneath his playfulness. “Open the bedside table and get out another condom.” “Oh, the perks of the position,” Alex teased as he slid a drawer out, rummaged around, and came up with another condom that had the Amour Magique logo stamped on the silver. “Is this for you, or for me?” “Me. You’re messy enough already. A shower’s going to fix you right up.” “Mmm. Could you be convinced to join me?” “Anything is possible, but then again, I think you’re already aware of that, aren’t you? I can read you already, Alex -- you never question anything and jump in with both feet.” “Do I have to remind you how desperate I am?” Alex passed over the condom and reached down to pump his own erection, rewarded by a spasm of pleasure and a small drop of clear fluid welling from the tip. “Oh, yeah. Wouldn’t it be better if you were doing this for me?” Dylan growled. “If I didn’t already have plans to fuck you out of your mind, I would have them now. On your hands and knees, Alex. I’m going to slam my cock into your ass until you’re sore but still screaming for more.” “Now we’re talking.” Alex reached for another hard kiss, licked his lips, and scrambled gracefully into position. His ass high in the air, he glanced over his shoulder and lowered his eyelids. “Well? Don’t take all day.” “Always in such a rush.” “And that’s a bad thing? We’ve got to cram as much as we can, literally, into one night. So go ahead and stuff yourself inside of me.” Alex made a rumble in his throat. “Keep moving, Dylan. I want to feel that fat cock filling me up.” He heard Dylan groan, then some muffled curses, and the sound of a condom wrapper tearing open. “Lube,” Dylan muttered, reaching over Alex into the drawer again.

“Does this have the Amour Magique logo as well?” “Benefits of the rank, little one.” “Mmm. If you could feel me -- and I wish you would -- you’d know that is the last thing I am.” “Let me check.” Dylan’s hand snaked around to grip Alex’s cock, squeezing nicely firm. “Oh, no. My apologies. Not little at all.” “Don’t go,” Alex pleaded when Dylan would have withdrawn. “Just need to get you ready, that’s all. Then I’ll be back.” Alex heard the click of a tube opening, a squish, and Dylan rubbing his hands together to warm up the lubricant. Mmm, a considerate lover. Points in his favor. He arched and hissed as Dylan’s fingers sought out his puckered hole. It’d been months, and he was aware that he’d be tight as a virgin again. He remembered exactly how to relax, though, and with a deep breath, he let his body open for Dylan to plunder within. “Arr, matey. This is a fine booty I’ve discovered.” Alex dissolved into giggles. “You smell like the sea, you say you come from the sea ... I’d better not be with a pirate. If a parrot appears on your shoulder, warn him to stay out of the way or he’ll be in for a special education.” He shut up as the hand that wasn’t stretching him open came around and began to rub his dick. “Oh, God, yes. That’s the way.” “No parrots. Just you. Just me.” Dylan released his grip on Alex’s cock. “Ready for me? You’d better be.” Alex felt a hard, blunt pressure at his entrance. “Here I come.” “Careful, sugar. It’s been a while. I bet you have lovers every night, though.” Alex felt a light kiss being pressed to his shoulder blade. “Not every night,” Dylan whispered. “Not for a while. No one’s been able to reel me in like you have.” He pushed with greater force -- there was a moment of unbearable pressure -- and then he was in. Both men drew ragged gasps of pleasure, Alex almost convulsing at the feeling of Dylan’s thick cockhead just inside him. But if he’d thought the head was good ... “Ohh,” Alex moaned as Dylan slid in with one long, slippery stroke. He felt stuffed full to bursting but so damned good he couldn’t help bearing down around the dick inside him. He laughed at Dylan’s stifled curse and squeezed again. “You keep doing that and this’ll be over.” “I’m a bad boy. Oh, God, fuck!” “Good thing I like you bad. Now.” The kiss returned, turning into a love bite. “Let’s see if I can make you really scream.” Dylan pulled out, the almost painful retreat burning its way into pure pleasure for Alex. With only the tip of his cock still inside, Dylan plunged back, quick and nasty, stopping when his balls were flush with Alex’s ass. “Dylan! Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

“Oh, yeah. That’s one. I love it when you say my name like that.” Alex tossed his head, too needy to form any more words. He pushed back against Dylan, silently begging him to continue. And Dylan’s hand was wrapped around his cock, couldn’t forget that. He somehow managed a mewl of encouragement, prodding the man to move faster, harder, deeper. “Hungry,” Dylan breathed, then got down to the real business -- which was, apparently, fucking Alex blind and stupid. Alex lost his breath as Dylan’s luscious fat cock slammed in and out of his ass, the fire turning into pure bliss as Alex was filled, emptied, and refilled. Dylan’s hand stayed busy on Alex’s dick, pumping it hard in rhythm with his strokes, giving a strong squeeze to the head at the end of each pull. “Dylan!” “Two,” his lover panted, his breath coming in short bursts. “Want to go for a third?” “Dylan ...” “Doesn’t count.” The bartender stilled his hips, even though Alex could feel him shaking from the effort, then set to work on Alex’s cock, jacking him hard. Alex cried out, wordless streams of nonsense, babbling Dylan’s name atleast fifteen times as his dick jumped, protested, and all but opened its tiny mouth to howl in pleasure. When Dylan pushed a thumbnail into his slit, he was done for. Arching his back, opening his lips in a silent scream, Alex came like a geyser. Ropy strands of come spurted from his cock to stripe their way across Dylan’s quilt and coated the big man’s hand. The rolling waves of bliss went on forever and ever, leaving him a shaking mess held up only by Dylan’s sturdy arms. “Dylan,” he hummed when he finally caught his breath, turning the name into a long, drawn-out caress. “Now that’s more like it.” Dylan’s own voice shook. “Get ready, because it’s my turn.” Oh, yeah. Bring it on. His hand loose and viscous around Alex’s cock, Dylan began to thrust in and out, brutal in his movements, but it was exactly what Alex wanted. His own cock tried to rise again at feeling the powerful prick stroking across his sweet spot, hitting it time and again, but all Alex could manage was moans, groans, and the rippling of his body to match Dylan’s rhythm. Dylan grunted and seized Alex forcefully around the abdomen. “Can’t wait ... gonna --” And he froze. Even though his lover wore a condom, Alex could feel the burst of extra heat inside him, turning his brain inside out and making him see stars. He could only imagine what was going through Dylan’s mind. Probably Fuck, yes, fuck, yes! When Dylan relaxed at last, releasing his bruising hold on Alex, he let out a long breath that tingled hot and cold on Alex’s back. Alex flexed his muscles, satisfied as a cat wriggling in the sunlight. Dylan made a mumbling sound, probably some sort of curse or blessing, and Alex made a grimace of pleasure and mewled back at him. “I’m going to need to eat again if you want me to fuck you a second time,” was the first thing Dylan got

out as he slowly withdrew, careful of the condom. “You take everything out of a man.” “Mmm.” Alex collapsed onto his side, careful to avoid the wet spot. “So I’ve heard from a few good men.” “But not recently.” Dylan paused. “I’m glad I’m your first in a while.” Alex felt an odd wave of tenderness wash through him. “Me too,” he said softly. “Let’s get comfortable, huh?” Dylan disposed of the condom and lay down next to Alex, the two of them wrestling playfully for a minute over who had to lie on the damp splotch. In the end, they pulled up the comforter and lay huddled together, Dylan’s hands still roaming over Alex’s body. Alex stroked Dylan’s chest, playing idly with his nipples. Dylan laughed. “Insatiable.” “Always.” “Some of us need a little recovery time, kitten. How about you take ten while I just close my eyes for a little?” “Spoilsport. There’s all sorts of things we could be doing.” “Yeah, but I’ve been working all night on top of this marathon fucking session.” Dylan yawned. “Endorphins, adrenaline ... whatever. I need to zonk for a bit.” “If you must, you must.” Alex reached up to brush a curl out of Dylan’s forehead. “If I can’t sleep, I’ll just watch you.” “Careful, kitten. Someone might think you’ve got a soft side under all those sexy sharp edges.” “We can’t have that. Go on and rest. I’ll just amuse myself by tying your hair into knots.” “If I wake up with a head like a fishing net, your ass is going to pay.” Dylan’s voice was already slurring, though, and soon enough his breathing evened out. Alex closed his eyes in deep contentment. So far, his evening at Amour Magique was everything he could have hoped for and more. What on earth could come next to top what’d already happened? Whatever it was, he couldn’twait to find out.

Chapter Five

Patience didn’t come naturally to a guy like Alex. He tried to be good, honestly, but after watching a quarter of an hour tick past on the alarm clock at Dylan’s bedside, he got restless.

Now, really, every man had his flaw. Recovery time -- okay, fine. Most guys needed a few minutes to catch their breath. But unlike most of the men Alex had known or had slept with, he didn’t need to crash after sex. There was no “Make me a sandwich and roll me over” for him, no, sir. Alex was always ready for a little more playtime. He tried nudging Dylan. “Hey, sugar bear,” he whispered in singsong. “Time to get up. The sun is shining -- well, the moon is shining -- and all the happy gay men who’ve gotten lucky tonight are ready to frolic some more. Good evening to you, good evening to you --” Dylan let out an annoyedwhoof and slept on. Alex rolled his eyes and gave the man’s shoulder a harder push. “Sleepyhead,” he complained. “Okay, you get fifteen more minutes, and then I’m going to wash you down and suck your cock again. How’d you like that, huh? Being woken up by a hot, wet mouth wrapped around your succulent prick, just eating you up like the best treat anyone could think of ...” The bartender mumbled in his sleep and smiled. Alex couldn’t help a wry grin. “Okay, fine, be that way.” He carefully eased his way out of Dylan’s arms. “I take it you don’t mind if I just amuse myself?” Dylan made another noise and flopped his hand into the empty space Alex had left behind. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Oh, I should have been born a cat, no doubt about it. Just can’t contain myself when there’s ever so much to be curious about. Alex rolled out of the bed, chuckling when Dylan grunted, and stood up. His nakedness didn’t concern him. Why should it? Dylan would have a great view when he woke up. First off, he investigated the room service cart. They hadn’t gone through half of the contents and, okay, call him just a little bit stereotypical, he was sort of hungry. Lifting one cover and then another, Alex snacked on bites of spicy chicken and beef that had been marinated in some sweet sauce. Everything was sticky, designed to leave its mark on lips or body. He licked his fingers, sucking them between his lips and playfully fellating the digits with his tongue.Just practicing; got to keep the skills in top shape . What should he try next? Ooh, the fruit tray. An aperitif would be just the thing, and he knew there were more bottles than the one Dylan had used for the body shot. Turning his attention to that tray, still uncovered, Alex bounced in excitement. An entire ring-around-the-rosy of individual servings. He picked up a crème liqueur, saving the others for later. He wouldn’t mind lapping something up off Dylan’s body himself. Uncapping the bottle, he saluted his newly found lover. “Here’s to you, bartender. A drink to your drinks.” Tilting his head back, Alex took a deep swallow of the most delicious, sweet alcohol he’d ever had the pleasure of savoring. Cinnamon, nutmeg, spices -- what was this? Lifting the bottle to eye level, he had to chuckle. The Amour Magique logo was on the label, done up in shades of red and gold. “Always the best,” he said, saluting again, this time to the surroundings. “Now, what else is there to do in a joint like this?”

Carrying the bottle in his hand and taking tiny sips to make it last longer, Alex began to prowl around Dylan’s living quarters. He investigated the bathroom, wanting to tidy himself up a little before he got too matted. There were plenty of fresh white towels and a neatly wrapped bar of soap. Maid service, too, he mused, not bad. Alex wondered briefly about getting a job serving drinks himself -- maybe spending a few more nights in Dylan’s space. Not that he minded working for his employer, but he still went home to quarters that were empty, and no one providedhim with any little bottles of shampoo or conditioner. And with Amour Magique, you could bet their supplies would be the best at keeping your hair nice and shiny.Mmm . Alex hummed in pleasure at the sensual memory of Dylan’s silky curls slipping through his fingers. He’d smelled so very good, just like a day at the beach. Next, a peek into the shower. Alex frowned. There was barely enough room for one person in the stall and definitely no tub.Phooey! He’d been hoping for some splashy fun later ... but, then again, if they didn’t mind getting close and cozy, which he didn’t think would be a problem, they could probably manage, even if Dylan was the size of a Mack truck. Big, delicious man. Yum! Curious, he uncapped the bottle of body wash hanging in a rack off the shower wall.Oh, yeah . Pungent sandalwood. He squeezed a tiny dollop out, rubbing his fingers through the smooth gel. “You don’t mind if I borrow a few of your toiletries, do you?” Alex called out to Dylan. He got a mumble in response. Alex chuckled to himself. Plucking a white washcloth from the stack on a polished faux-marble counter, he wet it with nice soft water from the tap, and added a bit of that most delicious body wash. Rubbing it up into a lather, he carefully cleaned his groin, and then his ass. Cleanliness was next to godliness, after all. Alex winked at his reflection in the mirror as he dried off with a fluffy towel. A little more investigation turned up a hamper, where he deposited both pieces of terrycloth and washed his hands of the mess. His coif? Not too bad. He looked properly fucked and had the memories to prove it, as well as a few very decorative red love bites decorating his chest and belly. He did like a good mark to remember the occasion by. And if he had his way, there’d be more than a few more occasions. Oh, yes, Dylan was a keeper. Alex had a notion that the price of admission to Amour Magique was more than he made in a week, but he could save up, or Dylan could just hop out of his luxurious accommodations to come downtown and visit for a while. Of course, he didn’t know what Dylan had in mind after their interlude. If the man thought this was just a one-night stand, Alex would have to change his mind. And he could do that. The sex between them was more than too much to write home about, and Alex had a feeling it hadn’t been as good for either of them in a coon’s age. Flirting at his reflection one more time, Alex left the bathroom. Well, what next? Alex scanned the room. Dylan had flopped over onto his back, one arm outstretched in the spot where Alex had been lying. Apparently, he was a sleeptalker. Every few seconds he’d shift, mumble, and then subside back into silence. Bless his heart. Well, at least he didn’t snore.

Mischievous, Alex sat down on the edge of the bed. “What’s that, big bad bartender? Are you dreaming about the wonderful time we just had? I have to admit, you’re the stuff fantasies are made of.” He trailed his fingers across the man’s beautifully muscled, rugged chest. “You are going to wake up in a few, and we’re going again. I have the most delicious ache in my ass, but there’s no way I’m done with you yet. I want to remember you for days and days whenever I sit down.” Maybe heshould look into getting a bartending job. He’d done some of the work in college, filling in at the occasional party, and he did love a good time. Alex bet the tips were just out of this world, too. He’d have to talk to Liam and see if he could get an “in.” If anyone knew how, it would be the small man he owed a great big bunch to already. Well, Alex could just owe him a little more. Not that he thought Liam was keeping score. “So you know my buddy Liam, huh?” Alex asked, petting Dylan’s hair. “...cubus,” Dylan muttered. “S’good.” “You bet it’s good, sugar. You just lie here for a little longer. I’m going easy on you.” Alex stood up with a final pat and put his hands on his hips. “What ever should I do with myself?” He toyed with the idea of masturbating next to Dylan in the bed, hopefully waking him up with breathy whimpers and soft sighs. But, no, why play by yourself when you had a partner? He loved the thought of that big, hard hand wrapped around his cock again. Maybe they could bring each other off or, ooh, a sixty-nine would be just plain nifty, or ... In the meantime, Alex had to entertain himself. Folding his hands behind his back, he began to stroll around the room, looking at pictures. Definitely a nautical theme going on there. Not so many ships a-tilt at sea, though; more of peaceful green waters ebbing up onto emerald green shores. Peaceful seas. Alex gave a quiet sigh, gazing at the serenity laid out in the pictures. He was usually a restless sort, always on the get-up-and-go, but wouldn’t it be nice to spend an afternoon on one of those seashores, preferably naked with Dylan, just basking away in the warm sunshine? As he gazed at the picture, it became sort of ... fuzzyaround the edges. Alex blinked, staring at a small painting of himself appearing here and there in the water, then bouncing off to the beach to join a tiny version of Dylan. “Can I trust you, lover?” he heard Dylan’s voice rumble. Didn’t seem to be coming from behind him. No, the picture was talking. Okay, this was a whole new level of weird to have to handle. Alex shook his head to clear it, but the images remained. Tiny Alex and wee Dylan were both naked by then, stretched out on the beach with their hands roaming over one another. “Can I trust you, lover?” Dylan’s voice asked again. Alex tilted his head. “I-I think so,” he said as his little painted self turned to Dylan in the picture. “I haven’t taken you down a wrong turn yet, have I?” “Can I trust you, lover?”

Alex put a hand on the wall to steady himself. “You’re not going to be satisfied with anything but a straight answer, are you?” The little figures wavered, fading in and out of focus. “Yes, you can trust me.” “Just remember that.” There was a muted flash, and then Alex saw his tiny painted form in the waves, frolicking with a seal. Then the picture became solid again, fading back into reality as if it’d been beamed up. Well, now. Alex took a look behind him at big Dylan, asleep on the bed. Dylan ... and seals. Alex examined the pictures more closely. The only big thing they all had in common, he now saw, were seals. Sometimes just peeking their heads out of the water, sometimes cavorting with one another. Alex studied them. The most he knew about seals was that they had great big eyes, and women loved them. He’d have called himself more a dolphin man. He had swum with those mammals once, and what a buzz it had been. Brushing his hands along their sandpapery backs, listening to them click and whistle at each other, pretending he understood -- that had been a glorious time. Maybe he could drag Dylan along on a vacation down toFlorida sometime. Alex stopped himself, frowning.What is going on with me? he wondered, perplexed. He wasn’t the sort to go making long-term plans, even if he had decided this wasn’t to be only one night of passion with a so-long-see-you-around kiss in the morning. And yet he was thinking about the future. Definitely strange. Alex gave himself a little shake, and glanced at Dylan again. Mmm. If he had to go and start to fall for someone, he couldn’t have picked a better man. Absolutely edible from head to toe, starting with Dylan’s wild mop of hair, going down to his mouthwatering cock, and finishing up with his great big Godzilla feet. “Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?” He licked his lips, trying to catch the last taste of Dylan on them. “Why don’t you wake up and we’ll find out?” “M’sleep ... lemme be ...” “Oh, you are an old spoilsport.” Alex crossed to the bed and gave it a hearty bounce. “You’re tougher to wake up than a bear who’s hibernating for the winter. Ooh, will you growl at me if I poke you?” He experimented, then laughed when Dylan did make a snarly noise. “Tick-tock, now,” he chided. “You have five more minutes, lover.” There really wasn’t much left in the room to investigate once Alex had looked at all the pictures, and Alex wasn’t sure he wanted a return trip to la-la land. Nice watercolors, absolutely, but once you’d been around the room, the museum tour was over unless you happened to be drunk, high, or stupid. Dylandid have a nice, comfy chair angled to face the bed. The thought of having a seat and just enjoying himself crossed Alex’s mind again, the lure tempting him more strongly, but he pushed it aside. If Dylan didn’t wake up when he got the royal summons, though, then Alex would have to take matters into hand. So to speak. The only thing he hadn’t checked out yet was an old sea chest sitting at the foot of Dylan’s bed. Alex hesitated to open the battered thing up. After all, there was innocent curiosity and then there was plain going too far.

“Dylan, sweetie?” he asked, approaching the chest. “Mind if I have a look in here?” “Wha’ever you wan’...” Dylan mumbled. “Mi casa es su ...” “You know, I think you’re faking being asleep.” “Brat ...” “Yes, I am, and you’d better not forget it. I’m talking about the sea chest, bartender. Can I have a peek at what’s inside?” Dylan grumbled and threw his arm over his forehead. “Good enough.” Sinking down on his knees, Alex examined the trunk. Looked old, like it had seen years of hard use, probably on board an actual ship. Lots of scars and dents. No name or brass plate, though. Nicely anonymous. Something David, Mr. Antiques himself, would undeniably like to check out. In fact, hadn’t he heard David mentioning a trunk lately ...? As he got nearer, however, Alex wrinkled his nose. Ugh! The faint smell of fish! But beyond that ... the trunk had a definite salty odor to it, a little like Dylan, a lot like the sea. Positively pungent. Earthy, too, like rawhide. Now what in heaven’s name could Dylan be storing in there? Alex flipped the chest open ... ... and blinked. Well, of all the things I expected to see ...Frowning, he got a double handful of sleek black hair and pulled, standing up as the object stretched on and on. What the hell was this, a seal skin? Oh, God, it had a head and everything! Alex shuddered ... but couldn’t quite make himself put the thing down. His fingers tingled in the thick black hair, almost the way they had in Dylan’s curls. “Well,” he murmured. “Now I know what you are, don’t I? Smells like the sea, comes from the sea ... selkie. I’ll be damned.” He grinned. “This is beyond cool!” Alex swung the skin around himself like a cape. The inside was dried, if not cured, so it itched. But what the hell? He barked like a seal and waved his arms. No response, so he decided to tease. “Dylan, look! Who knew you were a collector? I might have expected a pyramid of beer bottles, but you’re a real sea chantey, aren’t you?” Still nothing. Laughing to himself, Alex leaned over and brushed Dylan’s leg with one edge of the hairy pelt. The effect was, in short, electric. Dylan shot up out of bed and was on his feet, staring wildly. “Who the fuck is touching my skin?” he demanded, shaking his head. “Hell! My head ...” He turned to stare at Alex. “Take it off! Take it off right now! Right now, do you hear me?” “Jesus.” Alex began to peel off the fur. “Overreact, why don’t you? It’s just a pelt.” Playing the teasing

game by rules he made up as he went along, he acted innocent as the driven snow. “If you’re afraid I’m going to turn you in for having one of these, don’t worry. We all have our dirty little secrets.” “Alex, fuck, no, you can’t just ...” Dylan dragged his hands through his hair. “That’s ... mine. Put it back in the chest and close the lid. Please.” Alex raised an eyebrow but did as he’d been told. The skin felt even more silky as he folded it back into its storage area, the hairs brushing against his skin as if the seal it had belonged to was still alive and was frisky. Nice. Creepy, but nice. He gave the skin a pat before standing up with a lazy stretch. “So, it’s good to see you’re finally awake. What kept you dreaming for so long? I’ve been all over your room. And did you know you talk in your sleep?” Dylan winced. “Oh, God. What did I say? Fuck, fuck, fuck. There’s a reason I don’t let men sleep over, I swear, but you were just so tempting that I ... what did I say?” “Nothing important. Something about Liam that I didn’t get. You mostly just mumbled.” Alex took a step backward, his spine buzzing. He hadn’t pegged Dylan for the violent type despite his size, but the big man was now so frenzied, he didn’t exactly feel safe. “Just calm down, okay? I haven’t hurt anything.” “You don’t know how close you came.” Dylan came over to thump the chest shut and sat on the lid. He looked just as delectable in his agitation as he had when he was being teasing with the food. Alex’s heart gave a thump. If he thought it would be a good idea, he’d go and try to relax the man down with a good back rub. A nice massage, maybe leading to a more horizontal position, and then on to the party. “Alex, never, never touch that skin again.” Dylan jumped up and grabbed Alex’s hand in both of his, dry and rough flesh against soft and smooth. “That’s a part of my past I don’t need to remember. I’ve put it behind me, and I have to move on.” “It’s aseal skin , Dylan. Unless you were some kind of great white hunter, clubbing animals to death, how bad could it be? For all I know you bought this on eBay. Is that it? Are you ashamed of a little spending spree?” Impulsively, Alex whisked the chest open again and wound his free hand in the pelt. “Feels so soft, just like it’s alive.” “It is. Alive, I mean.” “You know, you can tell me the truth,” Alex said softly, letting his fingers run through the seal fur. “I get it. I do. I know what you are. I figured it out from the pictures, and from the stories I grew up hearing. But it’s okay, right? It’s not like you had to keep this a secret from me.” He glanced up. “Did you?” Dylan swallowed. “Look, Alex, you’ve been one of the best at accepting everything Amour Magique can throw at you. But that skin ... it belongs to me. Do you know what I’m saying? It. Is. Mine. Not just something I own. I wasn’t ready for you to meet that part of me yet. Now that you have ...” Alex frowned. “Are you saying that because I know, things have changed?” “They have, but ... damn it!” Dylan rubbed a hand across his face. “It’s a part of my life I’m not ready to get into yet.”

“You were plenty ready to getinto a lot of other things,” Alex said archly. “Sex is fine, but this is the line you won’t cross?” “Don’t let this come between us, Alex.” Dylan shut the lid again. “I chose a life on the land. The seas aren’t what they used to be, and there’s no safe place for a seal anymore.” “Selkie, I think you mean.” “Semantics. Fuck! You know what I’m trying to say. I didn’t want to tell you until later. You know I’m not human, Alex, just a good imitation. If I wear that skin, there’d be a seal right here on this floor.” Alex narrowed his eyes. ‘So do it, then.” “What?” “Do it, I said. I’m an open guy. I want to see you change. Put it on.” “No! I mean, sweet Jesus, we just met.” “Oh, lover, I think we did a lot more than meet. I’d say we’re good acquaintances by now. So put it on for me.” “Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Alex, I had this whole night planned out. More sex ... more food ... more sex ... I was going to ride you until the sun came up in the morning. If you get all stubborn and mule-headed now, I’ll have to spank you or something.” “I should be so lucky.” Alex stood up, twitching his hips. He reached for his pants where they’d landed on the floor. “Oh, come on, Alex.” “Nope, bartender. We play this my way or not at all.” Alex stepped into the pants and pulled them up, frowning at the way the spot with the dried jism itched. He looked exactly like the fact he’d come in his pants, which was a shame. When he put on his shirt he left it unbuttoned to camouflage the area. Dylan sat back with his arms folded over his chest, looking mutinous. “You’re not being fair. And while you might be one hell of a sex kitten, I don’t just bend over backward for anyone. Respect my choice to leave the past in the past, or get the hell out of my room.” “What does it look like I’m doing, sugar?” Alex flipped the tails of his shirt at the other man. “If you change your mind, you can come find me. I’m not leaving Amour Magique until dawn. Until then, I plan to have me a fine ol’ time.” “How the hell are you even going to find your way back to the main floors?” Alex lifted Dylan’s pants and tugged out the chain full of keys. “The same way I got in.” Dylan got up and lunged for him. “Oh, Christ, Alex, don’t!” “Sorry, sweetie.” Alex darted for the door, turned the knob, and bolted into the hallway, betting that Dylan wouldn’t follow him naked. And, oh, yes, right there was one of the dark shadows. He sorted

through for the weird flat key, and stuck it into the pool of blackness. It opened into a yawning oval. “Perfect,” Alex said smugly, tossing the keys behind him. He heard Dylan scrambling from the room. Turning his head, he saw the man -- selkie -- still struggling into his clothes. “Alex, don’t. Please. You go through one of the portals, and there’s no telling where you’ll end up. I won’t even be able to trace you.” “Then you’ll just have to find me the old-fashioned way, won’t you?” Alex frowned. “That is, if you decide to straighten up and face yourself -- and trust me.” His anger burned bright at the words. Hadn’t they been through the whole faith in him issue before, in the pictures? Fuck Dylan. “I can take you on. See you around, bartender.” Taking a deep breath, Alex stepped forward into the portal. He felt a hiss, a rushing wind, and then -- pure freefall. He lifted his arms, screaming silently with glee, and waited to see where he would land this time.

Chapter Six

Much to Alex’s disappointment -- although really not to his surprise -- the portal deposited him smack in the middle of yet another crowded bar on the fringes of the main dance floor. Once again blocking a TV, damn it. The patrons sent up a chorus of boos and hisses, one man standing up and yelling, “Get that fucking thing out of the way!” Alex scrambled to one side, but the black oval remained in place. “What, you’re not done with me yet?” he asked the non-entity. “Close already. I’m here. Wherever here is.” “I believe one would say that here is the point of no return, or perhaps the opposite,” a familiar voice remarked. “If you wish to know, the portal is in a state of dormancy. It requires a key, or a touch of magic, to make it close.” “Liam, thank God.” Alex rushed to the sweet little man’s side, where he sat placidly on a bar stool drinking something alarmingly green. “If anyone can help me out, it’s you. Close the damn thing, would you?” Liam arched an eyebrow. “If, in exchange, you explain to me why you opened one. I had thought you were getting along so well with your shenanigans tonight.” He slid off the stool and walked to the portal. Petting the insubstantial edges, Liam crooned to the opening. “Yes, yes, you have done well. Go along, now, until you are called for again. No, wait. Do not go far. You may be needed sooner than some of us think.” The portal wavered, for all the world like a small child who had one finger stuck in his mouth, not sure what he should do. “Scoot,” Liam scolded. “We will call you when we are ready for you. Have no fear. You did your job well.”

Rippling once more, the portal disappeared. The ragged choir of jeers and raspberries died down to a disgruntled rumbling. Ignoring the men who could finally get back to watching their show of choice -- figure skating? -- Liam hopped back up onto his seat and patted the bar stool next to him. “Do have a seat, Alex. Tell me about your troubles.” He passed a hand over his forehead. “I sense that something bothers you very much. Alas, I had thought you would be one of the easy Brothers. Perhaps I was wrong. I do seem to be losing my grip ...” Concern overcame Alex’s pique at Dylan. “Sweetie, are you okay?” He reached over to put the back of his hand against Liam’s forehead. “You’re burning up.” Liam waved him aside. “Leave me be. It does not matter at the moment.” “How many of those drinks have you had?” Christian demanded. “Too many for you to take some aspirin?” “Ha! Aspirin does no good to one of my kind. I have a remedy waiting for me that merely needs a little brewing time.” “Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble?” “In a sense.” Liam toyed with a basket of broken crackers, then pushed it toward Alex. “From the smear of pineapple juice on your cheekbone, I would suspect you are not hungry, but would you care for some of these? They are bland but appealing in their own way, much like me.” “You? Bland? That’ll be the day, and one I hope I never see.” Alex got himself arranged on the stool and hooked his legs around its rungs. “Can you do anything about dried come stains?” “I can recommend several excellent dry cleaners.” “Very funny.” Alex made a face. He plucked up a crispy fragment of cracker and popped it into his mouth. “Dear Lord! Salty!” “Have some of this.” Liam passed his green drink over. “The two tastes mix very well.” “What is it, a lime margarita?” Alex took a sip, expecting tequila and salt. Instead, he tasted something fruity and sweet, without a hint of alcohol. It took away the salty sting, but at the same time it made his throat feel thick. “Good God, what is this? Pure fruit juice with about ten cups of sugar per serving?” Liam chuckled, shaking his head. “One needs to refuel oneself. Sugar is a quick booster. The bartenders here at Amour Magique are excellent at mixing and serving up exactly what one needs.” He gave Alex a sharp look. “Something I suspect you already know.” “Oh, Lord. You know what? I’m not going to ask how you got the4-1-1 on Dylan and me.” “Ah, yes, Dylan. I was amused by your choice. The grapevine around here is remarkable, giving me the wherewithal to know precisely whom you had wandered off with. The price for that Full-Body Special, by the way, is going to leave me a poor man for days.” “The day I believe you get your information from the grapevine is the day they can bury me toes to the ceiling.” Alex waved over the bartender, a short and square man. “Let me have a beer. Something nice

and dark. Full-bodied.” The man gave a grunt, reached for a glass, and pulled a tap. Alex rolled his eyes. Whoever this was, he had absolutely none of Dylan’s charm. Which, Alex supposed, was a good thing. One charmer per night was enough. The thought startled him. Was he losing his touch? Normally he’d dance the night away, flitting from one man to the next. Had being with Dylan changed him somehow? With his beverage in hand, Alex turned back to Liam. “All right, Mr. Special. I think you know down to the last detail -- am I blushing yet? -- about what happened tonight. You have your ways.” He gently tapped the side of Liam’s head, fiddling with a curl. Couldn’t help himself. “So, what do you think? Did I do the wrong thing, or have I completely screwed up? You choose.” “You have gotten yourself into a fine twist. And a pickle.” Liam looked thoughtful. “I wonder, where did such an expression come from? I shall have to look it up sometime.” “Focus, Liam. You, with your magic boogedy-boo and all-seeing eyes, are no doubt one hundred percent aware of what went down between me and Dylan. A good time was had by all, but then kaboom! I think I ...” “Perhaps you went too far?” Liam pushed gently. “From what I know of him, Dylan is a proud man, and it is a man he has chosen to be. Your attack on him was not something he needed or deserved.” “So you do think it was an attack.” “It was certainly not your average lover’s spat.” Liam took another sip of his drink. Even he grimaced at the saccharine sweetness. “I am not going to solve your problems for you, Alex. Be aware of that. However, I can offer advice.” Alex folded his hands. “I’m queer, I’m here, and I’m all ears. Now there’s a picture for you. One great big giant ear sitting next to you. Ready to listen.” “You may not wish to hear.” “Are you going to tongue-lash me?” Alex batted his eyelids. “This could be fun.” “Oh, stop it, you incorrigible flirt. There will be no more teasing me, even if I have let you twine around my ankles tonight, foolish cat. The portal brought you to me for a reason, I am certain, but I will not be a statue you can hide behind. If you desire my help, then you must drop the gamin ways and listen to me seriously. Can you do so, for once in your life?” Alex sighed. Honestly, some men. How could you please everyone? “Fine. I’m listening.” “Good, then. To begin with, you were wrong to attack Dylan.” Liam took another sip, this time drinking deeper. “I am, you might say, well-informed about the staff of Amour Magique. Knowledge I cannot help but pick up the longer I remain inside these walls, with ...” His glance flicked to a side and upwards. Alex followed Liam’s look to the main entrance doors of Amour Magique’s dance floor. A blue crystal, barely noticeable, hung on a string halfway up the wall. Looked an awful lot like the necklace Liam wore. “You traded something to get us all in?”

“A small price to pay for a chance at true love for my dear friends. And, yet, as time goes by, the toll becomes heavier.” Liam rubbed his head. “But where was I? Oh, yes. Dylan. His story is his alone to tell; you must respect the man’s pride and realize when it is time to stop playing, and when to act as it befits a man grown enough for body shots and a night out on the town. Everything has consequences, Alex. Realize this and your life will be much smoother.” “So you think I should apologize to Dylan?” Alex looked glumly down at the bar. “It’s my temper, you know? I get an idea in my head and if it doesn’t go my way, then look out. I think I blew it with him, Liam. I tried to make him --” “Hush, hush, I know what you tried to do. What you failed to succeed at. Other things you have failed in. But I think that this is an overreaction from both parties involved. You insisted, he said no, and you ran away in a fit of pique. This does not make matters irreconcilable. However, a reunion is for the two of you to work out.” “Damned good grapevine, Liam.” Alex traced his finger through a condensation ring on the bar. He lowered his head to the wooden surface and began to bang carefully. “God, what a mess.” “I was wrong indeed. You are proving most difficult to handle. Come, listen to me. I can advise you well, and here is what I suggest: swallow your pride and return to him.” “I don’t know if he’ll even let me near him again, Liam. I should have known better. I did, but still I pushed him too far. There was magic in his room, in the paintings. I’m pretty sure I don’t have to tell you about the paintings. Seals and selkies, and him asking if he could trust me. And I let him down. Fuck, I’m an idiot.” Alex snatched Liam’s drink back for a sip, although he still grimaced at the overly sugary taste. “Here, stop stealing my beverage. That has always been the way with you, no? You take what you please.” “I wasn’t the only one enjoying myself tonight.” “Ah, and now we come to the crux of the question.” “The what?” “The heart of the matter.” Liam tented his fingertips. “Do you wish for things to continue as they have begun with Dylan? You have a choice, and there is a chance to make amends. However, you must conquer your fears.” “Fears? Me?” “I meant what I said. I rarely dissemble; only when it is necessary. Youare afraid, Alex. When you are not hiding behind my skirts, so to speak, you put on a brave mask and go wandering the halls of Amour Magique like the curious kitten you are. You find a tasty treat and play with it. But the moment that mouse shows its teeth, back you go. Fears, as I have said.” Alex felt his temper heating. “I’m not scared of Dylan.” “No? Then perhaps there is hope. However, he may be frightened of you.”

“A big man like him?” “Big men often have big secrets. You would do well to remember as much. I expect that you, with your knowledge of Irish fairy tales, know the legends of the selkies. He has chosen to leave that life. Now, you must move on as well. You can go forward with Dylan, or backward by yourself. But youmust move. Do not forget that.” Liam finished his drink. “Be on your way. If you are willing, I will summon the portal again and have it take you to where Dylan is. If not, you will end up in the middle of the dance floor. The choice is yours. However, choose now. There will be no more lurking about with me.” “I’m-I’m not --” “Alex, Alex.” Liam gently touched Alex’s cheek, his thumb wiping off a smear of something. Probably that damned pineapple juice.God, I must look a mess. Come stains on my pants, fruit syrup all over my face ... hickeys popping out like Rudolph’s red nose ... Alex swallowed. All his charm, his ruses, his games, everything he cloaked himself with -- the disguises felt fragile. One crack widened into a fissure and words came spilling out. “I am afraid,” he admitted in a low voice. “I don’t know if I’m ready for what I felt with Dylan.” “The chance at a happy-ever-after can be a frightening thing. However, Alex, if you find the one -- the veryone -- it is best if you can settle down with him. I should know, for I wasted my own chance.” “You --” “Hush. That story belongs to me, and I will tell no man the details. If you think that Dylan may be the one in all the world who can make you happy, then your decision is made. You must go to him and make your amends.” Alex closed his eyes, running over scenarios in his head. He really had behaved like a man-bitch, hadn’t he? He’d deserved every angry word flung at him ... although there hadn’t been too many. “All right,” he agreed, lifting his lids to look at Liam’s open, good-natured face. “I’ll see what I can do. But I will miss you, cutie.” “Go on with you and your flirting. Use it to win back the man whom fate has chosen for you.” Liam reached out with his hand curled, as if he were about to open a doorknob. Alex put a hand on his arm. “You really believe that? That fate brought Dylan and me together?” Liam smiled, the glow reaching all the way to his eyes. “What else could it be? Now, go, Alex, go, and remember what I have told you. It is time.” He turned the unseen knob, and Alex’s old friend, the portal, reappeared in front of them. “Turn that shit off!” an irate TV-hound yelled. “Oh, do be quiet!” Liam shouted back. “We sit in one of the most magical places on this continent and you are content to stay put and vegetate in front of a televised sport? Have some courage, man, and do more than tilt a glass.” Alex regarded Liam with admiration. “As they say, yougo , girl!”

“The dayI am a girl is the day you can bury me, as well. Into the portal, Alex. It will take you to where you should be. Dylan’s side. Are you prepared?” Squaring his shoulders, Alex nodded. “Just about ready, mostly willing, and possibly able.” Liam sighed. “Good enough.” He shoved Alex hard in the small of his back, forcing him forward into the opening. Alex’s last sight was of Liam grinning at him, wicked as a little devil. Then it was shrieking-rush time again, almost like plummeting down a unbelievably steep rollercoaster in the dark. In the wild void, Alex focused his mind on Dylan, only Dylan, and found that he did regret acting like such a child, after all. “Grow up!” he shouted at himself, his voice silent and yet carried away by the nothingness. Then the portal closed and deposited him in a vast room that smelled of sunny summer afternoons spent by the briny ocean. Well, damn. I’m definitely not inKansasanymore, am I?Alex took a step forward, slipped in a shallow pool of water, and landed on his ass.One more time ... damn! This had better be worth the effort.

Chapter Seven

The first thing Alex heard was laughter, soft and low, like a peal of thunder off in the distance. He shook his head to clear away the lingering aftereffects of traveling by portal, and turned in the direction of what looked like an Olympic-sized pool ... in the middle of a freakin’ forest. “Damn. Amour Magique should be fined for defying the laws of time and space,” he grumbled. “Who’s making fun of me?” “Look to your left, and you’ll know,” a familiar voice said. Alex stood up, shaking water off his already ruined pants, and pivoted to face the speaker. His heart positively went pit-a-pat and his loins started to throb. Dylan was in the pool, arms propped on one cement, faux-woodsy edge, looking at him in a way that made his liver quiver. Part anger, part pure amusement, and all sex. “You can’t say I don’t know how to make an entrance,” Alex announced, striking a pose with one hand on his hip. “Dylan. How have you been?” “Working off some tension. I don’t use the seal skin anymore, but I love swimming. Lucky for me Amour Magique has this big pool. They use it for when the mermen decide to come by, or even for other outcast selkies, but when it’s wide open ... then I swim.” Dylan propelled himself away from the edge and began doing a fast breaststroke to the opposite side of the pool. Alex watched him go. His hands curled into fists out of pure nerves, then uncurled. Dylan might sound

good-natured, but only a fool would think the man wasn’t still majorly pissed at him. And much as it pained him to admit, Dylan had every right. With a sigh, Alex rolled up the legs of his pants and sat down on the wet edge of the concrete, dangling his feet in the water. The liquid felt cool and soft, no sharp chemical edges. Curious, he dipped a finger in and tasted. Salt. Of course. Watching Dylan flash in and out of the water, quick as a -- well, aseal -- was a sight to behold. Alex shook his head. What in the hell had possessed him to be such a devil-may-care fool? This was a big, strong, powerful guy, every inch a man, and not one to be pushed around. Alex knew he’d let his urge to play get the better of him. Well, he saw it now. The question was -- could he convince Dylan of how sorry he’d become? At the far edge of the pool, Dylan turned around and began the lap back. Alex’s heart sped up even as Dylan swam a little slower, as if he, too, were dreading the coming confrontation ... but he did keep coming, drawing closer and closer. When he reached a spot about five feet away from where Alex was seated, he pulled to a stop, treading water. “So, you have something to say?” “I did. Now, I’m not sure that anything I have on my mind is going to cut it. Especially when I realize what a natural you are in the water. But then, you were born to it.” “Decades before you ever took your first step,” Dylan rumbled in that edible voice of his. “While I lived in the skin, I didn’t age like humans do. I’ve put on a few years since I decided to go ashore.” Alex bit back his curiosity. “I won’t ask why.” “Really?” Dylan made a face. “And here I thought you were going to be just full of questions. Why this and why that.” “I don’t want you to be more angry at me than you already are.” “It’s a little late for that, Alex. I should get out of the water and take a portal back to my room, lock the door, and sleep until you’re gone.” Dylan paused. “I don’t know why I’m not.” Alex hesitated. “Maybe because you feel what I do?” “And what would that be?” “A link. A tie.” Alex put his hand to his heart. “I don’t know how or why, because this most definitely has never happened to me, but I keep sensing there’s a connection between us.” “Body shots will do that to a man.” “Bullshit. I’ve had men licking more than crème liqueur off my body before; we kissed in the morning and never saw one another again.” Alex bit his lip. “I don’t want that to be the way things go between

you and me.” “Is that a fact?” Dylan paddled nearer. “So tell me more about this ‘tie.’ Is it striped or paisley? After all, you’re the valet.” “Not fair. I could ask you if the water tasted like your margaritas.” “What?” Dylan was apparently surprised into a laugh. “You really don’t do well when you’re backed into a corner, do you?” Alex raised one shoulder with a half-laugh. “I’m trying my best here, Dylan. This isn’t something I’m used to. Want to cut me a piece of slack?” “I can bet this isn’t part of your routine. Love ’em and leave ’em.” “Or part by mutual agreement.” “You’re not used to actually making a connection to someone that goes beyond dick into ass ...” Dylan paddled a few inches closer still. “Am I right?” Alex sighed. “No, I’m not. And this scares the ever-loving shit out of me, okay? I don’t like feeling vulnerable, and you make me ten kinds of uncertain. This bond freaks me out, even if it does feel right. It did when I was back in your room, and saw the pictures on the walls.” “You looked at my pictures, too? What did you see?” Dylan didn’t seem angry, only curious, so Alex figured it was safe to answer. “Weird things. One was a picture of a seal sunning itself on the beach. I looked at the painting, and it turned into one of those Magic Eye things. Sucked me right in like a portal, and there I was on the sand with you.” “Those paintings aren’t what you might call ordinary.” Dylan was almost up against the side of the pool now. “What happened?” “Well, we didn’t exactly whip out a silver cart and have a high tea, if that’s what you’re wondering.” “I don’t know. You made a pretty good meal earlier.” A glimmer of hope flickered to life in Alex’s chest. “I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed fine food more,” he admitted. “And we both know it’s not the first time someone’s eaten off my body.” “What made it different?” “The man that the mouth belonged to. Like I said, there’s a link between us, Dylan. I was high on the sex rush, but when I came down I realized the connection was there. Had been there from the moment I saw you, nailed into place when we just couldn’t wait that first time. And when you accepted me for what I am -- a silly little flirt.” “A flirt with issues. A blind man could tell you that.” “Yeah, well ....you didn’t laugh at me, not once. You took me for who I am.” Alex inhaled deeply. “And I should have accepted you at face value, not pushed you to be something you aren’t.”

“So you’re saying you were wrong to insist I put that skin on?” Dylan was close enough at this point that he reached out and put a hand on Alex’s knee. His skin felt cool from being immersed in the water, but still good. An absolutely great working man’s hand. “You’re sorry you tried to make me change for you?” “Yes, and more. I acted like a jackass.” “Hee haw,” Dylan said, although his voice was not unkind. “How about you pin on a pair of ears and a tail? Youwere an ass, Alex. And if I didn’t feel this tie myself, I’d have walked out of this pool room a long time ago. Thereis something between us, a piece of magic I’ve never felt before. I’m not about to spill my guts and write ‘I love you’ all over the walls in purple crayon, but I think we could have something special together. Now that you’ve apologized, I’m almost sure of it.” “Good. I don’t think I could handle the crayon. Do you mind if I come in?” “Take off your clothes first. No need to put on a show. Just get naked, enter, and join me.” Dylan stroked backward a little. “And, hey, don’t splash me, will you? Even if I am already soaked, I don’t like getting splattered.” Alex tilted his head, but swallowed the questions that remained in his mind. He still had to be on his best behavior. Scrambling up on the pool edge, he undid his shirt buttons and shrugged the fabric off, letting it spill to the ground. Dylan’s eyes warmed. “I see you’re still wearing your badge of honor.” “Oh, yes. A beautiful stain advertising the fact that I couldn’t wait.” “While you were sucking my cock ... the way you looked with your mouth wrapped around me was a gorgeous sight. Do you know how fiery it made me to have you get off on that alone?” “Scorching enough to boil this water?” Alex asked as he skinned off his pants. Good God, he’d been running around barefooted! “Feels okay when I test it, but how cold is it in there, anyway? Really?” “Bracing. After the first shock, you’ll love it.” Dylan hummed in the back of his throat. “It’s a little like home used to be.” Alex hesitated. “I thought you didn’t want to talk about your past.” “So maybe I’ve changed my mind. But we make it an even trade, because nothing is free, remember? You’ve come down here to eat some crow, and I’ll trade you a little info on why I became what I am. Fair?” He couldn’t tell if this was a test or not, but Alex took a chance and nodded. Swallowing hard, he slid his feet back into the chilly water, and then, holding his breath, slipped over the edge and plummeted down. Hol-ee fuck! Cold! Cold, cold, cold!The change in temperature the deeper you went was a serious shock to the system. Alex all but shrieked, remembering at the last second that it wouldn’t exactly be sexy for Dylan to need to perform CPR to get the conversation going again, and shot to the surface.

He poked his head above water with his teeth chattering. “G-g-good G-g-od!” Dylan roared with laughter. “Wuss.” “I am not! I just don’t like being frozen.” Alex clung to one pool edge. It’d been years since he’d done more than sit in a hot tub with a mimosa at his side, and he wasn’t at all sure he wouldn’t drown. “Oh, for heaven’s ... come here, would you?” Dylan pried Alex’s arms away from the edge and pulled him into the circle of his arms. The bartender felt buoyant, like a cork, comfortable to hang onto and, oh ... so ... naked.Yum. Safe, naked. And -- how can I help myself around Dylan? -- horny. I really hope this leads to the inevitable . Apparently Dylan was thinking along the same lines, because his lover slid one wet hand behind Alex’s head and brought him in for a kiss. His lips were also cool, but the mouth-on-mouth was plenty hot. Damn, did the man know how to work a good smooch. Nibbling at Alex’s bottom lip, then sweeping his tongue in, Dylan chuckled into Alex’s moan of pleasure and tilted their heads so he could plunder deeper. Alex gladly surrendered control, head over heels with the feeling of being wrapped up in those strong arms. Both men were rigid by the time Dylan drew back to let Alex get some air. Alex could feel his lips swelling slightly from the bruising force of the kiss, and he licked them, loving the sensation. Dylan rubbed the back of Alex’s neck, soothing and comforting, which made Alex think he could be content to just savor this particular moment, no frills necessary. That was, until Alex changed his mind on a whim.What? It could be a man’s prerogative, too. He shifted accidentally-on-purpose and brought their cocks bumping together. Dylan sucked in a deep breath, then grinned. “Sex kitten.” “And we all know how much cats like water.” Alex regretted the words as soon as they were out of his mouth. Dylan didn’t seem to mind, though. “Every now and again there’s a cat who likes to swim with the big dogs. Maybe you’ll learn to love the water.” He sighed. “And I suppose I should tell you why I stopped.” “You explained a little before,” Alex said, not wanting Dylan to feel pressured any longer. “The seas aren’t safe anymore.” “They aren’t, but that’s not all. I’ll tell you if you promise to hush and let me get this all out, okay?” Dylan laid one finger over Alex’s lips. “That, by the way, meansshush .” Blinking innocently, Alex nodded. “There aren’t many of my people left, and among those remaining few, they had a compulsion to breed. I’d never enjoyed sex with the females, even though I’d tried it often enough when someone asked me for a tumble ... so I couldn’t stay with the seals or I’d be untrue to myself. I suppose you’d say that was my big ‘coming out.’” He laughed a little bitterly. “‘Out’ is the operative word. They pushed me away and refused to let me back in.” Alex shook his head. He was being good, being quiet, but he hoped Dylan could understand his unasked why? andwhat happened next?

It seemed he did. “I hitched a ride with the captain of a fishing boat, pretending I’d fallen overboard from another ship. He was a nice man. Big and fat, with a white beard like Santa Claus. He gave me the trunk that you saw and didn’t ask questions about the seal skin. I got the feeling he knew I wasn’t telling him the whole truth, but he left well enough alone.” Alex felt himself flushing a deep dark red. “Stop that. You aren’t him.” Dylan tugged Alex closer. “For one thing, I never had a single urge to fuck him until he was nothing but a puddle that whimpered.” He pushed their groins together, starting up a slow and steady rhythm. “You, on the other hand, I can’t get enough of.” Taking a chance, Alex raised his hand. Dylan was clearly amused, but said, “You have a question?” “A few, but I’ll keep it simple for now.” Alex twined his arms around Dylan’s neck. “Have we kissed and made up? I’m so sorry I was such an unbearable twat earlier. And now I really know just how much you don’t like those.” “Depends. Do you want to keep being a part of my life?” Dylan gave Alex another taste of the old bump-and-grind, grownup style. “Or do you want this to be a one-nighter with a, what did you say, a kiss and goodbye in the morning?” Alex bit his lip. The thought of being with someone long termstill just about scared the shit out of him, but for a chance with Dylan ... “Let’s see how long we last,” he said quietly, just loud enough to be heard over the lapping water. “I think you’re worth it; do you think I am?” He rubbed his chest against the ex-selkie’s. “Tie, remember?” Dylan grinned, then slanted his head so that he could fit his lips over Alex’s. His tongue flickered out, sliding suggestively along Alex’s own, tickling and enticing. Alex moaned into Dylan’s mouth, loving every second of this. Do I have another chance? Maybe, maybe?Alex thought he sensed reluctance in the selkie when Dylan brought their kiss to an end. The bartender was still grinning, though, as he flicked a wet strand of hair from Alex’s cheek. “Then I’ll have to take you to a beach one day. I won’t exactly be in seal shape, but we can still have a good time sunning ourselves.” Alex perked up. “Can we go to Hilton Head?” “If I get enough time off.” “Your get-out-of jail-free-due-to-the-Brotherhood card only lasts for one night?” “Valid until the expiration date of dawn tomorrow.” Dylan brushed Alex’s mouth with a light kiss. “Doesn’t mean we can’t still see each other. I have weekends, you have weekends.” “I was thinking about tossing in the valet job and getting a bartending gig here,” Alex admitted. “It’s a thought. We probably wouldn’t run into each other any more often, though.”

“What if I used my connections to get a job helping you out at your bar?” “It’s a thought. But our shifts might not coincide.” “Ah, we could work something out.” Alex nuzzled closer. “I saw how busy you were. You could use a hand. That place is too much for a one-man show.” “Mmm.” The offer earned Alex another ardent kiss. “I could always use some help, that’s for sure. Those sports fans get rowdy. You wouldn’t believe how much beer and liquor they can put away.” “So we can think about it? Maybe I can ask Liam.” “You leave Liam alone. The poor guy’s going to be worn out after tonight.” Dylan grew serious. “I don’t know how many details you’ve been given, but Liam gave up a lot to see that you Brothers had this one magical night, and he’s still giving. He’ll be ragged. Don’t bother him. We’ll just take things nice and slow and see what happens. Deal?” “Can I have another kiss?” “I think that can be arranged.” Dylan lowered his mouth to Alex’s and licked at the corner before pressing their lips together, the embrace long and lingering, heated enough that by the time they broke apart again Alexwas whimpering, humping against Dylan like a horny teenager. Dylan slid his other hand down to cup one cheek of Alex’s ass. “I’ve been dreaming about getting inside you again,” he whispered into one ear. “You ever do it in the water, kitten?” Alex shook his head. “I’m always up for something new though.” He laughed, startled. “I guess that’s why the club likes me.” “Hmm.” Dylan seemed to roll that over in his mind. “I think you’re right. Are you still slick from earlier?” “Should be.” Alex gave Dylan his sauciest look. “Why don’t you find out for yourself?” Dylan slid one finger into the crevice between Alex’s ass cheeks and prodded at the snug hole there. Alex couldn’t help making a needy sound and writhing in Dylan’s arms. “Oh, yeah, you’re still slick. And you’re very hungry for me, aren’t you? Just dying to have my cock inside you. You want me to fuck you good and hard.” “Yes, please. Now?” “One-syllable words. Now that’s a positive sign that a man is ready. Here, grab on to the edge.” Dylan guided Alex to the side of the pool and lifted Alex’s arms so that Alex could hold the concrete in his hands. “Good and tight, now. Just like that sweet hole of yours.” As Alex clung to the wall, he felt the pressure of two fingers sliding into his ass. He gave a deep sigh of contentment and a hitch of eagerness, writhing backward toward his lover as best as he could. “Greedy, greedy.” “You said it yourself. Insatiable.”

Dylan paused. “So, we’ve put everything behind us now? We’re going to have a fresh start?” “Brand new,” Alex said breathlessly. “But I want to keep the memory of that Full-Body Special. That’s one for the diary.” “Mmm. I’ll have to read your diary someday.” “It’s nothing to write home about. Just page after page of meaningless sex.” “And this does mean something?” Dylan added a third finger, creating a sweet burn of pleasure/pain. Alex moaned and shifted his hips, bearing down to help Dylan stretch him out. “It means more than you know.” “I’m not sure, but I think I have an idea. I’m the possessive type, Alex, so if or when you say you’re mine, you’re mine. At least for now. No more questions about the past, right?” Alex tilted his head back as Dylan added a fourth finger, the pressure almost too much and not quite enough at the same time. “None,” he breathed. “Now shut up and fuck me.” “As you wish.” Alex felt Dylan’s cockhead lining up against his pucker. “No need for condoms. We couldn’t pass anything back and forth. I should apologize myself, for misleading you earlier.” “We both screwed up. Over and done. Nowscrew me .” “Anytime, kitten. Knowing you, I think you’re more than ready.” Alex felt the solid, blunt push and gasped when Dylan popped into his channel. “More. Harder,” he begged. “All night long, if you want.” “Is that a promise?” Dylan laughed. “We’ll see what we can do.” He thrust in fiercely, taking Alex’s breath away. Oh, yes. This is definitely going to be a night to remember. As Alex closed his eyes in bliss, he spared one more thought for his benefactor. Thank you, Liam. Wherever you are, whatever you are, thank you beyond my wildest dreams. You might just have helped me find the love of my life. ***** Liam finished up another drink and pushed his glass away. He could feel the lines tightening around his eyes, but the extra sugar had helped him maintain this aspect of his corporeal form. “You look like shit,” the bartender grunted. “How much longer you gonna keep this up?” “Not too much longer. Then I will have my reward.” Liam winked at the man, and let himself disappear, leaving behind a neatly written signature on a paper napkin.

He came back to himself in the viewing room, just in time to see another monitor go dark. Ahh ... so Alex has made up his differences with the handsome bartender. Another of the Brothers has found his happiness. But what of myself? I wear too thin, like a well-patched blanket coming apart at the seams. Allen and Harrison yet need my help. Will I be able to give it to them? No. There must be no room for self-doubt. Liam straightened his back, sitting upright despite his shaking hands and the tremors in his legs. He tapped the floor, focusing on Allen’s screen. “Come on,” he whispered. “Come on. This can hardly be as difficult as many of the others, Allen. You have nothing to fear. He is, after all, only a werewolf ...”

Willa Okati

Although a relative newcomer to the field of e-publishing, Willa Okati has been writing since before she was old enough to pick up a pen. She thinks she knows where those dictated stories are hidden, but she'll never tell. Willa is also very interested in the paranormal: magery, Wicca, New Age philosophy, transgender studies, and of course, writing. You can drag her away from the computer if you really fight, but you'd better be prepared for a battle. Just so she doesn't sound entirely dull, Willa has her fun: she is a practicing member of the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) and is involved in her community. She is owned by far too many cats, all of which have serious attitudes, and addicted to anything made out of chocolate or involving coffee. She is quiet, but has a very wicked sense of humor that springs out when you least expect it. A secretary for eight years, she now writes full-time -- and wouldn't trade it for the world. She loves to hear from readers, and always responds. You can contact her [email protected] , or visit her website to check out her work atwww.willaokati.com .