by Z. Allora
In the middle of the day, Club Zombie became peaceful, which was the only time Jasper would ever enter willingly. Many years had passed since he’d attempted to wear a priest’s frock, but sharing himself with someone he wasn’t in love with couldn’t be compromised on. Nothing wrong with seeking momentary solace; he had just wanted something else… something he doubted he’d ever find.
He set his book on the bar and straddled a stool.
Corey danced over to him with earbuds in. Slapping the bar, he yelled, “What can I get for you, Jaz? Coffee, tea, or me?”
Jackson stomped through the cellar door, carrying a case of beer. He set the jiggling bottles on the shelf, pulled the earbuds out of Corey’s ears, and smacked him on the ass. “He’ll have Alpirsbacher, and you know it.”
Giggling, Corey stuck out his tongue at his lover. “Jasper knows I’m just kidding.”
True, Corey had no interest in most of the men he hit on. His flirting was the way he communicated. Jasper saw past the sassy, carefree façade that concealed a very sad man.
Jackson also got this about Corey and responded in a way that sent Corey a message: he belonged to Jackson. Or at least partly to him. Dr. Mayer had a theory that Jackson and Corey might have a third mate, which would explain their ability to ingest the essences of others and their continued ability to orgasm.
Corey whined and made a show of rubbing his ass with two hands. After his pout was registered with Jackson’s eye roll and groan, Corey placed a brown bottle in front of Jasper. “Here’s your fancy German Pils. Take the damned thing before Jackson abuses me again.”
Jackson brushed past Corey with another case and grumbled, “It’s not abuse if you beg for it. By the way, you didn’t hear me calling you, but I could have used help.”
“Of course.” Corey winked at Jasper and mouthed, “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t bother. I’m done now.” Jackson put down the case of beer he’d hauled upstairs and squinted at his mate, who waved at him. “What?”
“Come here. I need help now.” Corey threw the cloth he was cleaning with onto the bar.
Jackson glanced over to Jasper, as if he’d have any guess what Corey meant.
Jasper chuckled. “Jackson, come on man. Even I get what Corey wants, and I’m a virgin ex-priest.”
After squinting at Jasper, he turned his attention to Corey. “Help with what?”
Corey skipped to the cellar door, stepped onto the top step, leaned back into the bar, and yelled, “My dick. You know slapping my ass wakes it up.”
“Oh.” Jackson’s big smile said he was more than happy to assist his mate. He darted after Corey.
As the door slammed shut, Cassidy entered through the side door and slid onto the barstool one over from Jasper. “I guess they’re getting busy again?”
Jasper shrugged. “Yeah.”
As if to lend credibility to his answer, Corey’s cry drifted through the door.
“Must be nice.” Cassidy didn’t bother to keep the longing out of his voice as he smoothed down his pastel-pink-and-blue kilt. Cassidy’s unique fashion choices always made Jasper smile.
Every night Cassidy came to Club Zombie and worked through the dancers with mechanical precision. Jasper heard the man would slink off to the shadowy rooms sometimes three or four times a night. He never went with the same man twice, even if he liked them. His total focus remained on finding his mate. He’d been living at Club Zombie for something like thirty years.
Cassidy always tried to put up a good front with a quick joke and a grin, but the smile no longer lit his eyes. The loneliness had gotten to him. How could it not? It had eaten at Jasper until he accepted he was meant to be alone. But Cassidy hadn’t given up hope and kept trying even after nearly three decades.
“You know when Lafayette and Beau are getting back?” Jasper asked.
“Yeah, I saw them pull up with the newbie. He’s a hottie, and he’s from Germany. Weren’t you from there?”
“Yeah. My family was from Kronau near Heidelberg.” He sipped his beer.
Jasper didn’t buy that zombies from the same place had a higher likelihood of being mates. Dr. Mayer said a few subjective cases didn’t prove anything. Still, some zombies clung to any bit of hope. For all Jasper knew, his mate might have died without being rescued or wasn’t born yet. He no longer drove himself crazy. His focus was on enriching the quality of other people’s lives.
Cassidy fiddled with a stack of drink coasters. He built a seven-coaster house before the structure collapsed to the bar. “How do you think rehearsals are going?”
Jasper didn’t take part in the usual evening essence-gathering activities most of the other zombies were involved in, but he stayed an active part of the community. His friend Beau had wheedled him into agreeing to direct a new group of zombies in a production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. “I think you’re the perfect Dr. Frank-N-Furter. You put a lot of yourself into the role.”
Ducking his head, Cassidy focused on straightening his stockings. “I understand the character and issues around gender.”
Cassidy bent gender stereotypes with his cross-dressing, actions, and words. He’d not come out as gender fluid, but Jasper was ready to be supportive if he did.
Jasper sighed. “I worry that Alex may back out of his role of Rocky.”
The poor guy was too self-conscious. The other zombies fell over themselves to be with him, but he stayed reclusive. Jasper hoped the role would allow him to accept the perceptions everyone else had of him so he could own them. And help the other guys realize how they were making Alex feel. But things didn’t always work out as he hoped.
Cassidy gave a long sigh. “Yeah, it’s a crime, because boyfriend looks damned good in those golden shorts.”
Jasper chuckled and shook his head.
His cell vibrated with a new text. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Ah, Lafayette asked me to meet him at my cottage. He’s got a favor to ask me.”
Cassidy chuckled. “Good luck, and if he’s looking for me, tell him you haven’t seen me.”
“Okay, but I’m sure I don’t need luck.” Why would he need luck?
5
Take Thee to a Priest
With Beau at his side, Kai crossed the manicured gardens behind the sprawling estate. A shrub maze circled and looped around the grounds, getting higher as the bushes got closer to the center. Shrieks and giggles of delight echoed out of the greenery. How exactly did the residents use the maze? Ignoring some of the obvious answers that involved essence gathering, he focused on the animals carved out of flowering hedges.
Lafayette waved to them and wove past the benches and koi ponds scattered along the stone path to catch up to them.
“Fayette, did you let Jasper know we were on our way over?” Beau asked.
Lafayette grabbed the duffel bag off Kai’s shoulder. “He wasn’t home, so I texted him to meet us. You’ll love Jaz, Kai. He’s a good guy.” The big man swung all of Kai’s worldly belongings over his wide shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
“Most of the unmated zombies who’ve already transitioned live in that wing.” Beau directed Kai’s attention to a large section of the estate.
Transitioned. No longer able to orgasm. Kai didn’t want to contemplate such a fate.
Beau gestured to the section that jutted out twice as far. Streamers were twisted between windows, and several guys played Frisbee in the lawn in front. “The unmated, not-fully-transitioned zombies live there.”
Someone opened a window and wolf-whistled at their group.
Lafayette waved to them and said to Kai, “Beau texted me and told me you don’t want to participate in the usual way of receiving—”
Beau cleared his throat and injected, “Medicine.”
Lafayette stopped dead and stared at Kai with an open mouth. He turned and squinted at his lover and asked, “Medicine?”
“Yes, medicine. You see, our new friend Kai doesn’t think he’s gay.”
; Lafayette scratched his head. “Not gay?”
So what if he had stray thoughts or the occasional dream about a guy or two? No matter how arousing, his uncle’s rants about how he’d never allow anyone gay in his home stayed with Kai. Gay had never been an option… but maybe now it could be? Was that a good thing? Maybe it felt too early to tell.
Beau answered, “Yeah. Doc said he’d do more research. The phenomena might have morphed or changed or something….”
Lafayette pursed his lips, then said, “Interesting.”
Turning to Kai Beau continued, “Since the original plan of moving you into the dorm with the unmated zombies might be uncomfortable, we matched you up with Jasper until we can get a cottage renovated for you. The cottages are on the quieter side of the estate.”
“Um, okay.” What could Kai say? Quiet would be good.
The grounds were so lush and green, Kai could have been in the German countryside.
As they tramped past several dilapidated buildings, Beau grumbled, “Those were the slave quarters.”
Lafayette took Beau’s hand and pressed a kiss onto the knuckles.
They hiked up the steps to a stone cottage and knocked on the large wooden door.
“I didn’t call for delivery,” the man who answered the door said as he peered over Lafayette’s shoulder.
“You sure?” Lafayette laughed and slapped the man on the shoulder. He pushed into the guy’s living space.
The men exchanged macho hugs, and the cottage owner said, “Good to see you. How did your trip go?”
“Successful,” Beau answered. “May I introduce Kai Bauer? He’s from Germany.”
“I’ve heard. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Jasper, or Jaz,” the living action figure said as he smiled, stealing Kai’s breath.
Jasper was by far the loveliest man Kai had ever seen. He could have been a movie star with his chiseled cheekbones, square jaw, handsome face, sandy brown hair and—
“Kai can’t live with the other zombies.” Beau kissed Jasper on both cheeks.
With little thought, Kai pushed down all his wants threatening to bubble out. “’Cause I don’t think I’m gay…. I don’t know I never thought about it. And now I’m supposed to drink… you know and well, I just don’t know.”
The man who could have stepped out of an adventure movie set rolled his striking blue eyes at Kai. “I haven’t been a priest since World War II, but if you ever need to talk I’m here.”
“World War II! Is that when you… um, became… you know?” Kai had trouble using the surreal word. Zombie? What the hell did that even mean? Zombie?
Jasper turned toward him, gaze roaming over Kai. The perusal tightened Kai’s belly with a disturbing, unexplainable need, making him hard. Jasper leaned in and inhaled in Kai’s direction. He shut his eyes for a moment.
What the heck was that? And why did Kai find being sniffed sexy?
“No, I transitioned before then.” Jasper’s voice was huskier. In three seconds, his expression changed from molten desire to a blanket of serenity.
Lafayette sighed and crossed his arms. “Since the dorms might be overwhelming, do you have any issue letting the kid stay here with you while we renovate one of the other cottages?”
Jasper turned and smiled at Kai. “Of course not. You’re more than welcome to stay.”
The smile eased things in Kai, but he didn’t know if spending more time with Jasper was reason to celebrate or run. How could someone be this generous to a stranger?
Beau clapped. “Good. We’ll have Doc send two doses of essence over daily.”
“Any questions?” Lafayette asked.
“Um…” Kai had a ton, but nothing formed into sentences.
Beau added, “Feel free to explore the grounds. Nothing happens in the club until after eight. Feel free to meet the other guys. If you want to leave, let me know and I can arrange—”
“Wait! I can’t leave the grounds?” Was Kai a prisoner?
“Of course you can, but you need your daily dose of medicine and a backup plan just in case.” Beau shrugged. “I thought you’d have enough to deal with and wouldn’t want to negotiate another country alone.”
Good point. Kai nodded with reluctance. Funny, he had started to think in English. However crazy this entire situation happened to be, it was helping him become more fluent.
Lafayette added, as if his words softened the blow of being a virtual prisoner, “But if you want to go, we can arrange for a companion—”
Kai scoffed, “A babysitter?” He didn’t mean to have an attitude, but this was a lot to adjust to in a short amount of time.
Jasper stepped closer to him. He stroked a finger down Kai’s cheek. “No one’s holding you prisoner. Everyone knows how overwhelming all of this is—you’ve been through a lot. Plus, you’d want someone with an American driver’s license who can get you where you need to be until you get yours.”
“Oh, right.” The touch might be a weird thing to do, but he missed the tender gesture when the contact ended. The caress had been oddly comforting, like someone cared about him. He stepped closer to Jasper.
“I’m happy to take you wherever you want to go,” Jasper added.
Pushing aside the X-rated ideas that flooded his mind, Kai focused on the kindness Jasper had shown him. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I guess… this is all insane.”
Jasper’s hand rested on his shoulder. “I bet you miss your cousin.”
He savored the soothing weight of Jasper’s hand and let it reassure him. “I do. Is there a way to contact Ulrich?”
His nearness along with Jasper’s intense gaze ate at Kai’s gut. The dedicated attention made Kai aware of wishes he’d buried and now couldn’t stop thinking about.
“Of course. We’ll send a laptop and your phone over.” Beau slapped Jasper on the back, causing him to jump. “Jaz will show you everything you need to know. Won’t you, Jasper?”
Kai didn’t get the joke.
Jasper pushed the two grinning loons to the door but not before Beau could murmur something too quiet for Kai to hear.
Jasper responded, “Verflixt!” and ran his fingers through his hair.
Lafayette folded his arms and narrowed his gaze at Beau. “It appears you and I need to have a discussion.”
The way Lafayette said the word discussion, Kai was pretty sure the man meant more than talking. Also, Kai didn’t want to understand the implications.
Jasper chuckled and said, “Go easy on him. He was teasing.”
“Indeed.” Lafayette’s eyes seemed to spark with fire as he studied Beau.
Beau dropped his head forward as if he’d become interested in the floor.
Lafayette glanced over at Kai. “You’re in good hands with Jasper. Do you need anything?”
Kai shook his head.
“Get settled in, and we’ll see you tomorrow.” Lafayette grabbed Beau by the upper arm. “Jaz, if there’s an emergency… deal with it.”
“Bye,” Kai said, but he received only a quick wave as the two hurried out of the cottage.
He shoved his hands into his pockets and took in the large room that included an open all-white kitchen with stainless steel appliances. They were standing in a well-appointed sitting area in shades of gray and white. Deep brown woods of the side tables gave the gray life. Behind the small charcoal-gray sofa, a breeze blew the white curtains covering the large bay window and across a cushioned velvet seat in heather gray that seemed to welcome a reader. The material’s transparency allowed Kai a view of the grounds.
Jasper gestured for Kai to follow him down the hallway.
Kai grabbed his duffel bag, trailed after his new cottage mate, and followed him into a room three times the size of the one he’d shared with Ulrich.
“I turned the second bedroom into a study. I took the bed out, but Beau insisted on putting a Murphy bed in here just in case.” Jasper slid the wooden bookcases aside and pulled a rope, bringing a bed down.
“Wow.” Kai ha
d seen nothing comparable to this contraption back home.
“Saves space and cleanup is easy. I despise making beds.” Jasper demonstrated by pushing the bed up and pushing the bookcases across the rails back together again.
“Cool! No bed making needed,” he said for lack of something brilliant to say, but it didn’t seem to matter. He felt no judgment from Jasper.
“That closet is empty, so you can stash your stuff there. I left the dresser for storage, but I’ve never put anything in it.”
“Thanks.” Kai dropped his duffel bag down and followed Jasper out into the rest of the cottage.
Jasper continued the tour. “This the guest bathroom—please feel free to move your toiletries in there. It’s all yours. I’m across the hall, so if you need anything….” The word anything chased around Kai’s mind and seemed to linger until Jasper added, “Anytime, I’ll be right in there. I understand how jarring this all seems at first.”
Kai couldn’t comprehend why the “anything” and “anytime” gave him a weird nervousness in the pit of his stomach. The guy was trying to be a good host. “Um, I appreciate this. I know—”
Ding dong.
“Let me get that. It’s probably your electronics.”
Whoever delivered didn’t come in. He just handed over a laptop, iPhone, iPod, a nest of folded cords, and a card. “And tell him this is all his cousin’s contact information.”
“I will. Thanks.” Kai’s handsome cottage mate kicked the door shut and held out all the equipment and cords. “Your connection to the outside world.”
Kai took the items. “Thank you. All this stuff is very generous of them.”
When his fingertips brushed across Jasper’s muscled chest, an unfamiliar need to touch confused him.
“All the men here are good. They saved my life.” Jasper paused. “Um… shall we set this stuff up?”
“Yeah, definitely.” Kai couldn’t ignore the shiver of excitement when Jasper’s shoulder touched his as he moved past him with all the equipment.
