by CJ Bishop
“Nope,” Horatio gave an emphasizing shake of his head. “I’m as pure as the driven snow.”
Max pursed his lips and leaned toward Angel. “Driven snow with a few tire tracks run through it.”
Angel burst into a laughing fit and Horatio scowled and threw a dish towel at Max’s head.
Chapter Thirteen
Clint paused in the club entrance, his narrowed eyes darting around the large room. This was a private show, so most of the faces were familiar. On stage, the four vixens gyrated around, keeping the growing crowd entertained until the main event began.
“Something wrong?” Axel asked when Clint ventured no further.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” He looked at the younger man’s mildly stunned expression. “This is your torture chamber, huh? You keep bringing me here, slowly killing the fuck out of me.”
A slow smile formed on Axel’s face. “How is it torture?” he asked. “You get jacked up, then I take you home and we both reap the benefits.”
Clint stared at him, his jade eyes shadowed beneath his cowboy hat. “Mm,” he muttered skeptically.
“Don’t try to pretend you don’t like it here,” Axel said. “You love it as much as the rest of us.”
His focus drawn to the stage, Clint wasn’t sure that was true. He was growing more and more in favor of eloping when he and Axel finally got hitched.
Clint flinched when someone smacked him on the back.
“What’re you waiting for, Uncle Clint?” Cory appeared at his side, a wide grin on his face as he threw his arm across Clint’s wide shoulders. “Don’t worry, it isn’t your time to dance for us.” He laughed and scooted away when Clint shot him a deadly glare.
“Don’t mess with the bull,” Colton warned, drawing him further back. “You’ll get the horns.”
“Ah, his bark is worse than his bite.” Cory winked at the cowboy.
Colton shook his head. “Um…no…I’ve seen his bite…it’s way worse than his bark.”
“Listen to your man,” Clint advised.
Cory laughed. “I know you too well, cowboy. You can’t scare me.”
“Well, he can still scare me,” Colton chuckled. “So, let’s not agitate him.” He ushered Cory on ahead and into the club.
It wasn’t true, of course; Colton didn’t fear Clint in the least. Colton was Donny’s little brother and Clint would fight to the death for him…and Colton knew it.
Clint looked down when Axel took his hand.
The young man smiled at him. “Is that what’s bugging you? The thought of our bachelor party?”
“No,” Clint stated bluntly. “Because there isn’t going to be one.”
Axel’s smile stretched. “You are persistent, I’ll give you that.” He moved forward, still gripping Clint’s hand, then halted abruptly when Clint didn’t move with him. “Aren’t you coming inside? This is going to be one hot show. You don’t want to miss it.”
Clint tugged him back and ran his palms up Axel’s neck and stroked his cheeks with his thumbs. He didn’t say a word, just kissed him then walked into the club.
♦
“Seth! Jamie!” Grid surged across the floor toward the stage, leaving Nolan to speak with Samuel. He hugged the two young men heartily. “So, how was your night last night?”
“Hot and heavy,” Seth confessed with a grin.
Jamie nudged him. “It was romantic, too.”
“Yeah, that, too,” Seth chuckled.
“So, uh…how did things go with Reuben’s mom this morning?” Jamie asked doubtfully.
Grid shook his head. “Not good. Nolan’s afraid she’s going to figure out a way to take Reuben away from him.”
“What do you think?” Seth asked.
“I don’t think she will.” He looked across the club to where Clint and Axel were talking to some of the guys at the bar. “And Clint made it pretty clear he wouldn’t let that happen anyway.”
Seth frowned. “What can he do?”
“Let’s just say he isn’t too concerned about abiding by the law,” Grid said.
The other two nodded. “Okay,” Seth laughed nervously. “We’ll just leave that alone and move on.”
“Hey.” Ricky danced to the edge of the stage then hopped down. He smiled playfully at Jamie. “Wanna dance with us? We’re just having fun, nothing serious.”
Jamie glanced at Seth, clearly wanting to go.
Seth laughed lightly. “Go on.” To Ricky, he accused, “You’ve totally corrupted my sweet, innocent boyfriend.”
Ricky grinned. “You’re welcome.” Levi came over and the two hoisted Jamie onstage. Those watching the stage whistled and clapped when Jamie joined them.
“You better hold onto him tight,” Grid smirked. “Or those boys might just steal him away.”
Seth shook his head. “If they take him, they have to take me, too.”
Grid chuckled. “I can see you’re totally opposed to that,” he teased.
“Oh, yeah,” Seth smiled wryly. “I mean, who in their right mind would want to be taken in by four hot, sexy gay boys who just wanted to lavish you with affection and sex?”
“Shit,” Grid laughed quietly. “What a nightmare.”
“Right?” Seth grinned and turned his attention to the stage where Jamie was snug between Ricky and Levi as he rocked to the rhythm of their sensual bodies. Seth shivered. “I mean…fuck…” he breathed a bit shakily. “Who would want that?”
Grid’s experience with Ricky and Levi that first time in the club was still strong with him. If he hadn’t met Nolan, he would’ve gladly been inducted into their little harem.
“You may have difficulty getting Jamie back to school,” Grid smiled.
“Hell,” Seth laughed. “I’m going to have difficulty getting me back to school.”
Jamie glanced their way and grinned. “Seth! Come up here.”
“Yes…” Tommy sashayed to the edge of the stage, a tantalizing pivot to his hips. “Come play with us.”
Seth groaned. “How the hell do I say no to that?”
“I don’t think you’re supposed to,” Grid laughed.
♦
“After the show we gave at your birthday party,” Caleb said. “It’s only fitting that those three get up and give something back.”
Angel and Abel nodded in agreement. “Absolutely,” Abel grinned. “After all the years they’ve been with the club, I can’t believe the three of them have never danced together.”
“We’ve seen each of them dance, and Cole and Gabe dance together,” Angel said. “All three of them in a single performance might burn down the stage.”
Caleb laughed. “Guess Max will just have to build a new one.”
“Shit, Horatio could build him a whole new club without it putting a dent in his bank account,” Angel chuckled.
Grid ventured their way from over by the stage and took a stool next to Caleb, his eyes on the dancers. “This trip has been quite the awakening for Jamie,” he grinned. “And Seth, too. But especially Jamie.”
“Why aren’t you up there?” Caleb nudged him teasingly.
Grid laughed lightly. “Those boys are too sexually intoxicating.”
“That’s the whole idea,” Caleb grinned.
“Normally, that would be a selling point,” Grid admitted as his eyes drifted down the bar to Nolan. “I guess I’m just distracted by things right now.”
“Where is Reuben now?” Angel asked.
“He and Jules and the twins are with Zoe, John, and Donald.” He sighed. “I really hope this doesn’t turn into a chaotic court battle. Nolan is already stressed out and worried.”
“That’s understandable,” Caleb murmured. “It’s his son hanging in the balance.”
Grid nodded. “He adores that little boy,” he whispered. “So, do I.”
“Ready to be a daddy, are ya?” Abel smiled.
Grid chuckled. “Surprisingly…yes.” He looked at Nolan again. “I know it hasn’t been very lo
ng since we met, but there’s just something about him. I want to be with him, and with Reuben, all the time.” He cleared his throat. “Before I came here to the city, I thought I just wanted to live it up for a while, you know? Not take on anything overly serious yet, make the most of my college years. But after meeting Nolan and Reuben…” he shrugged and smiled. “I like the thought of something serious…permanent.”
Abel nodded. “When you meet the one, all your priorities change. Before I met Devlin, I didn’t think I would ever be in a relationship because of…issues I had. But I couldn’t deny what I felt for him, even though I tried. In the end, though, true love can’t be denied.”
“Amen,” Angel and Caleb echoed.
♦
“I do believe those four have become our main attraction,” Max chuckled as he and Horatio watched the foursome on stage with Jamie and Seth.
“I’m starting to think that Seth and Jamie are going to join their harem,” Horatio laughed softly. “They sure seem to be right within their element.”
Max smiled. “Well, I sure wouldn’t say no to that. Those are two beautiful boys.”
Onstage, Tommy caught their eye, grinned and left the small group of sexy boys. He hopped off the stage and approached the two older men. “Enjoying the pre-show?”
Max nodded. “I have to say, after the bachelor party…I have a whole new appreciation for your boys’ talents.”
Tommy slowly rubbed his hands together, a sexy grin on his face. “Were you serious about that raise?”
“Oh, yeah,” Max chuckled. “You will definitely see the adjustment in your next paycheck.”
Sidling closer, Tommy’s slender body continued to match the beat of the music pouring out of the stage speakers. He rubbed his hands up both men’s chests. “If you come to our party,” he cooed, “we’ll give you more of what you got at the bachelor party…and anything else you want.”
“Any more of that,” Horatio smiled, “and you’d probably kill us.”
“Nah,” Tommy countered. “You two are in tip-top shape. You could…handle it.” He pressed a little closer. “You’d have loads of fun.”
Max and Horatio exchange an amused, albeit heated look.
“We’ll have to think about that,” Max chuckled.
“You do that.” Tommy planted a soft, unexpected kiss on each of their mouths and subtly squeezed their crotches. “Think about it long and hard.”
The two men just blinked and stared after him as he made his way back to the stage.
Horatio cleared his throat then swallowed hard. “Shit,” he whispered with a tremor.
Nodding slowly, Max released a shaky breath. “Yeah.”
♦
“Here’s your costume.” Gabe held up the shimmering white G-string and grinned at Dane. “Squeeze into it, baby.”
Dane took the skimpy garment and looked it over. “Squeeze is right.”
Cole pressed up against his back and slipped his hands inside Dane’s shirt. “I love that word—squeeze.” His hand dropped to Dane’s crotch and grabbed him. “Bet Angel feels the squeeze every night, huh?”
“Well…” Dane chuckled.
Coming in close from the front, Gabe unfastened Dane’s pants and dragged the zipper down. “How about we help you get suited up?”
“More like suited down,” Dane snorted.
“Even better.” Cole nuzzled his neck and helped Gabe work the jeans off Dane’s hips.
Dane shivered beneath their bold touch. Moments later, he was stripped naked with Gabe squatting before him, urging him to step into the G-String underwear. Behind him, Cole caressed his bare skin and wasn’t shy about feeling up his ass. He thought about their very first rehearsal in Max’s office a short while back and he shivered again as his member stiffened a bit.
Gabe slowly rose to his feet, bringing the G-String up Dane’s muscular legs. Dane adjusted his package inside the skimpy underwear and, indeed, it was a squeeze. Gabe gently massaged him and smiled.
“I guess it’s our turn,” Gabe said, his breath quick and uneven.
Cole and Gabe shed their clothes and Dane couldn’t help admiring their bodies; both men were incredibly fit and sculpted to perfection. Once they were “suited up”—Cole in a fiery red G-string and Gabe in shimmery blue—Dane had to admit that the three of them together might stop a few hearts…and burst a few balls.
“Damn, we’re some sexy motherfuckers,” Gabe grinned.
“Here, here,” Cole nodded.
“Think they can handle all this?” Dane queried.
Cole glided his fingertips along Dane’s flank. “We’ll do all the handling,” he murmured with dark intent. “They can just sit back and watch.”
Chapter Fourteen
“I guess I’ve become the designated speaker for these events,” Caleb smiled from up on stage. “But since you didn’t come here this evening to see my sexy ass or listen to me talk, I’ll keep it short and sweet.”
“No one’s going to complain if you show us your sexy ass,” Ricky hollered to the whistles and shouts of the audience.
“Well, thank you,” Caleb chuckled. “I’m flattered. But even I’m anxious to get this show started. I would like to take a moment, though, and say a few words about these three men who are about to come out and drive you wild.”
The crowd cheered.
“Here at the club,” Caleb said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the sexual atmosphere, as is the intent of a strip club, and to simply view the dancers on stage as sex objects.” He smiled. “Believe me, from personal experience I can tell you that the dancers expect it and certainly aren’t offended. It would be kind of silly for us to be so, all things considered.”
Soft laughter filtered through the onlookers.
“But I want to remind you who these men are off stage.” He licked his lips and blinked. “They are our protectors. Whether as friends…lovers…or big brothers—they are always right there watching over us, keeping us safe, coming to our rescue…whether physically or emotionally.”
Seated at the front table, both Abel and Angel stared up at him, tears shimmering. He also noted dampness in Devlin’s eyes, and Max’s.
“So, tonight…” Caleb smiled, his voice thick. “Let’s show them how much we love them.” He cleared his throat, his smile stretching as he turned around. “I give you the Guardians of the Phoenix.”
♦
Caleb was hardly off the stage before the club went dark—pitch black. Angel waited in anticipation, barely breathing. Since he and Dane had become an item, Dane hadn’t been on stage without him. He wasn’t worried; Dane had conquered his demons. But Angel had never been an “observer” of Dane’s performances, always part of the performance. His whole body tingled and sizzled with excitement.
He could feel Abel’s presence in the dark to his left, sensed his baited breath as well.
Angel flinched in start when one of the stage floor lights snapped on—then another and another—illuming the smoke rolling across the stage. Two figures appeared, standing on opposite sides of the pole, the dim floor lights illuminating their bodies up to their chests as their faces remained shadowed. Angel didn’t need to see their faces to know it was Cole and Gabe; he knew every sculpted hill and valley of Dane’s body and neither of them were him.
A low, heavy beat began to pump out of the speakers and the two men immediately caught the rhythm, swaying so smooth and natural as if they’d been born with music in their soul.
They performed their sensual dance in place, remaining on either side of the pole. Angel tensed, awaiting Dane’s appearance.
The music picked up tempo then suddenly exploded. Cole and Gabe’s arms shot upward, pointing to the top of the pole as the two front floor lights beamed brightly—spotlighting Dane as he came down the pole with a hypnotic spiraling descent.
The club exploded with cheers and whistles as the two men at the bottom caught him on a graceful turn and brought him down onto the stage with them. As soon
as his feet touched the floor, he became part of the music.
Angel trembled, his throat knotting a little as he could literally feel the movement of Dane’s body. When he and Dane danced, they were a part of one another, and even though Angel wasn’t on the stage with him now…he still experienced that connection as if he were up there.
He swallowed thickly as the love in his heart filled up his eyes. Angel didn’t realize he had grabbed onto Abel’s hand until the other boy squeezed gently. Angel looked at him and tears were thick in Abel’s eyes as well.
“They are glorious,” Abel whispered with a catch in his voice. He smiled at Angel. “Aren’t they?”
“God, yes,” Angel agreed softly, his heart pounding harder and faster.
Ricky leaned toward them from the next table over. “Check it out,” he grinned. “Red, white, and blue.”
Angel hadn’t taken notice, but he realized Ricky was right; the men’s G-strings were the colors of the flag.
Ricky chuckled and squeezed Angel’s shoulder. “Now that I can pledge allegiance to.”
♦
Cole and Gabe circled Dane, bodies grazing, muscles gleaming as Dane lifted his arms above his head and tilted his face up, eyes closed. His masculine form swayed and rocked with a sensual, erotic grace while the other two men caressed his damp, glistening flesh.
The beat of the music shifted, and the three dancers broke loose, rocking the stage, igniting the audience. Someone new to the club might find it hard to believe that the three men had never performed together before tonight as their perfectly in-sync bodies moved together as though they were natural extensions of one another.
Devlin watched Cole and Gabe lock Dane between them, asses and crotches gyrating, hands roaming freely and boldly. He remembered how it felt to be taken in hand by the two men and submerged in their love and passion. It was a safe place to be.
