by Brandon Witt
“It is.” Pat paused, inspecting him. She was a killer nurse, one of the best. One of the ones who didn’t mind putting a doctor in his place, but Teegan still felt like a reprimanded child under her stare. “Okay, I’m going to let you stay, but there’s standing room only. You go to the back. He was a nervous wreck tonight, and the last thing he needs is to see you in the audience.” She pointed around the crowd. “Go that way.”
He nodded and followed her directions, walking past the bar and then finding a spot toward the back wall. He was tall enough he could see, but not so much that he’d stand out. The stage wasn’t a stage at all, nothing more than the cleared-out front of the dining room with differing shades of pink paint coming down in a circus tent pattern from the ceiling.
In the spotlight were two women. Well, one woman and one drag queen. The drag queen wore a long sapphire gown, a wig of piled maroon curls, and the tallest purple heels Teegan had ever seen. He couldn’t believe it was Zachary. He’d never have guessed. He looked so much bigger as a woman. Teegan didn’t realize heels made that much of a difference.
His confusion grew when she started to speak. “Now, I know some of you bitches won some big bucks during drag queen bingo last night.” She pulled a dollar out of her cleavage. “And I must say, the tips don’t reflect that, and, normally, I slay when doing Carol Burnett’s ‘Little Girls.’ Hershel’s going to beat me with a dildo tonight when I get home for not bringing in more cash, and not in the way I like.” She paused as the crowd let out hoots and hollers. “But I’m going to assume you’ve been saving it for Ariel Merman’s return number. At least you better have, you cheap little cunts, or heads will roll.” She tossed the dollar back into the cheering crowds.
Before Teegan could make sense of the words, music started playing, filling the restaurant, and the woman began to sway as she stepped into the crowd.
It only took a moment before the song solidified in his mind. He’d seen the movie often enough with Megan. It was the scene in the boat in The Little Mermaid. “Kiss the Girl.”
Teegan leaned forward, bumping into the person in front of him. He couldn’t help it. As the picture came into focus, it was like his world shifted into an alternate reality.
She wasn’t a woman. She was Ariel Merman, obviously. She was Zachary.
But she couldn’t be.
She was gorgeous. And much to Kelly’s warning, more beautiful than his ex-wife. Long chestnut-brown hair, huge eyes, full glistening lips. Slender yet curvy body in a slinky emerald-green gown. As she lip-synched to the song, she pulled at the fox fur over her shoulder and Teegan caught a glimpse of the blue sling holding Zachary’s arm in place.
He stared at her, letting it sink in that the man he’d gone on two dates with, the man he’d shared the most erotic kiss of his life with, was one and the same as this gorgeous woman. A woman who took all innocence from the Disney song. She slinked from table to table, running nails that sparkled like diamonds over the men’s cheeks and down their chests. Letting them stuff dollars into her cleavage.
Teegan felt his cock stir as he watched. No sooner did the erotic heat wash over him than a spike of jealousy joined in.
Ariel continued her path through the crowd, flirting seductively with every man and woman there, but mostly the men. Man after man after man.
The sensation surprised him, or would have, if he’d been able to consider it. Teegan had never been the jealous type. Ever. But with every touch on a man’s stubble or the stroke of a chest, or the squeeze of a thigh, Teegan came closer to lunging into the crowd and shoving his fists into the men’s faces.
The sensation grew the closer Ariel got.
Teegan actually had to stuff his fists into his pockets to keep from lashing out.
She was his.
Ariel was his.
Zachary.
Zachary was his.
And then she was only a foot away. Ariel’s green gaze flashed up, met his, and her glossy lips fell open, words forgotten.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Zachary Cooper
As nervous as Zachary had been about being in drag again, it was freeing. Even as ManDonna helped him with the makeup and eyelashes, Zachary sensed some of his power slipping back in place. The last time he’d looked at the dressing room mirror as Ariel Merman, he’d had no idea he was about to be beaten in front of his own home. He’d feared all those memories would come back and that he’d crumble. That Ariel wouldn’t be able exist any longer.
The memories arrived. The sensations of the punches and kicks. The sound of the pounding footsteps behind him as he ran. The yelled curses. The screams he hadn’t realized were his own. And with each pass of the eyeliner, brush of rouge, and swipe of lipstick, he reclaimed another ounce of his power. Now, if he could only feel that same sense of power when he wasn’t Ariel.
The defining moment was when ManDonna helped him push his remaining testicle inside his body and tape his cock between his legs. For once, she didn’t joke or tease. Only moved carefully and with love. And to his surprise it didn’t hurt. It felt different, a little, but even that was mostly okay.
And then the routine began. Her second favorite song from her second favorite movie. Every step farther into the crowd let the shackles of doubt and fear drop away, at least for those moments. Ariel Merman stood proud once more. The person she’d crafted herself to be. She was gorgeous and knew it.
Then it all came crashing down.
Teegan’s brown eyes met Ariel’s through the crowd. Only a foot or two away.
It was a bad dream. Almost as scary as being chased.
Maybe more so. Zachary was already mostly healed from the strangers’ wounds. If Teegan turned away, those wounds wouldn’t heal.
Ariel couldn’t read the look in Teegan’s eyes. They almost seemed angry. For a split second, shame fell over her, but Ariel shook it off. Wounded or not. Accepted or not. What the fuck ever. He was Zachary Cooper; he was Ariel Merman; she was whatever she wanted to be.
Ariel had started to reach out one sparkling-tipped hand in pleading toward Teegan, but paused and then drew it back. There would be no begging.
And then Teegan lunged forward.
Fear sliced through her, but she didn’t have time to dodge the blow she expected.
Teegan’s arms wrapped around Ariel’s neck, and he smashed his lips onto Ariel’s.
It took a few moments for her to realize she was being kissed. The cheering of the crowd as they went wild did more to clue her in than the actual kiss itself. Finally, her brain caught up with what her body already knew, and she kissed Teegan back, opening her mouth so Teegan’s tongue slipped inside.
Ariel was mildly aware of the discomfort of her wounded arm crushed between them and the growing pain as her cock battled with the tape between her legs, but all other senses were drowned out as she felt Teegan’s passion, felt his claiming over her.
Even as Teegan pulled away slightly, breaking the kiss, the crowd’s rumble didn’t fade.
Their gazes locked. Ariel sucked in a breath at what she saw there. Lust, love, promises. Maybe she was just reading into it all or seeing what she wanted to see, but she didn’t think so.
ManDonna’s voice cut through the crowd and music. “And that, bitches, is why the mermaid was willing to sell her soul to the sea witch. I know most of you would sell a hell of a lot more to get a kiss like that!”
Teegan blushed, seeming like he was suddenly remembering where they were. He leaned close to Ariel’s ear. “Sorry, I didn’t plan on interrupting your performance.”
ManDonna spoke before Ariel could reply. “Steven, put on Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin.’ I’m taking over, as it looks like Ariel Merman is going home to get her brains fucked out. At least, she’d better be, if she’s any daughter of mine.”
For a second, panic gripped Ariel, but then she looked into Teegan’s eyes once more. It was all still there. The lust, the love, the promises. But the lust seemed foremost at the moment. Feeling mo
re powerful than she had since she could remember, she turned and raised her voice. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Mamma!”
Within fifteen minutes they were nearing Zachary’s house, which was the closest to Hamburger Mary’s. There hadn’t been a discussion. It was as obvious to both of them as it had been to ManDonna and the crowd. There was no need to check and see if it was the right time or question if it would ruin things if it ended up being too fast after all.
And yet, as Teegan’s free hand rubbed over Zachary’s leg, occasionally catching on the sequins of the dress, doubts began to form.
He wanted to open the door of his home and have Teegan claim him instantly, again. To not wait. To give in to the passion that built even as they drove.
But then it wouldn’t be him—Zachary.
Teegan would be making love to Ariel. Not him. As much a part of him as Ariel was, she wasn’t him. And Zachary didn’t want to give this to her. It was his. He should have changed at Mary’s, not gotten so caught up in the moment.
Again some of the sequins caught at Teegan’s hand, pulling Zachary’s attention downward. He’d felt Teegan’s lust before. In the bathroom. On the porch. Even from the hospital bed. But none of it had been as strong as it was at the moment. As it was when he looked at Ariel.
Maybe….
God, he was going to fuck this up. “I, uhm, would like to get out of these clothes first.”
Teegan glanced away from the road and grinned at him. “Yeah. That’s the idea.”
He should just keep his mouth shut. He’d be naked either way, like it made a difference.
But it did.
“I mean, I’d like to turn back into…. I’d like to be fully Zachary when we do this. Not Ariel.”
He’d expected Teegan to either be confused by the difference or say that he’d actually like Zachary to keep the dress and wig on. Instead, when Teegan glanced at him again, he somehow seemed to understand perfectly. “I want that too. I want to have sex with Zachary Cooper, the man.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” Teegan squeezed Zachary’s thigh, and his voice grew firmer. “I want to be with you. The man who honors his parents’ memory by keeping their store alive, who is shy and funny, and who didn’t let violent bigots scare him away from doing what he wants and what he loves. That’s who I want to be with. Does that work for you?”
Zachary’s eyes stung, and he didn’t even attempt to speak through the constricting of his throat. He forced himself to nod.
Teegan wasn’t done. Though he kept his attention on the road, his hand sought out Zachary’s, and he wove their fingers together. “Ariel Merman is gorgeous, but when I looked into her eyes tonight, I saw Zachary’s courage. Your courage. You blew me away.”
When Teegan insisted on helping him transform back from Ariel Merman, Zachary feared the foreplay would begin then. Teegan kissing down Zachary’s back as he slid down the zipper. He was relieved when that wasn’t the case. Teegan’s hands were gentle, and though the lust seemed to grow with every part of Zachary that reemerged, Teegan never took the opportunity to show that physically.
The wig was put away, as was the jewelry. The gown hung on the back of the bathroom door, and makeup-smeared towelettes littered the countertop. Zachary had put off the moment he dreaded as long as he could, and there was only one thing left. He turned to Teegan, besides the arm sling, wearing only the hip pads and the pantyhose. “I don’t think you want to see this part.”
“Actually, I’m kinda curious how that all works down there. I know it’s called tucking, but I’m not really sure what that means.”
“It means testicles gets shoved up in the cavity and the dick gets taped between the legs.” Zachary wasn’t sure how he was going to do this one-handed. He really hadn’t thought this through.
Teegan winced. “That sounds painful. Are you sure you’re able to take the tape off with your hurt arm?”
Zachary took a second. “I’ll manage.”
He must have hesitated too long. “Zachary, it’s not going to freak me out. I’m not going to doubt your manhood because it’s tucked between your legs.”
Maybe Teegan couldn’t read minds after all. Man, he hated this. He’d felt so powerful the entire night, and now this. “Teegan. I only have one testicle.”
Teegan let out a little laugh. “I know. I’m the one who removed—” Then he stopped abruptly. He met Zachary’s gaze as he lifted a hand to cup Zachary’s cheek. “You think I can handle Ariel but am going to think you’re less of a man because you survived a hate crime?”
Zachary flinched.
Teegan slowly lowered his head a few inches and brushed his lips against Zachary’s, letting them linger before pulling back again. He stared into Zachary’s eyes as if asking for permission, and he must have found it. He knelt and tenderly helped Zachary step out of the hose and then the hip padding. Then all that was left was the tape.
Zachary started to protest again, started to explain that he stayed shaven to make the taping easier, to beg Teegan not to look at him. He forced himself to stay silent as Teegan gingerly began to peel back the tape. Zachary closed his eyes, afraid to glance down or see their reflection in the mirror. He just wanted it over.
When he felt the last of the tape peel off and his cock and testicle return to their natural state, he started to step away. Before he could, warmth enveloped his soft cock. He looked down. Teegan’s brown eyes gazed back up at him as his lips slowly slid off Zachary’s length and then sucked him back in.
He hardened instantly, and Teegan responded, groaning and bobbing his head a little faster.
Zachary stared down, watching as if it were happening to someone else. It had to be happening to someone else. Such a beautiful man wouldn’t be kneeling in front of Zachary Cooper.
But he was.
Teegan pulled off of Zachary’s erection, gave it a long lick up the underside of the shaft, and stood. His voice was raspy and quiet. “I’d like to suck you off, but really, I want to be inside of you. Do you feel up to that? Will it hurt you?”
“It won’t hurt me. And yes. I want that too.” Another thought hit him, and he glanced away. “Uhm, can I have a few moments alone? I want to make sure the makeup is completely gone, and stuff….”
Again Teegan needed no other explanation. “Of course. I noticed some candles in your bedroom. Do you have a lighter somewhere?”
“Yeah. Top drawer of the dresser. There’s lube and condoms in there too.”
Teegan kissed him again and then left the bathroom.
Zachary had pictured undressing Teegan countless times. As he stepped into the candlelit bedroom, though, there wasn’t an ounce of disappointment as he saw Teegan standing already naked in front of the bed. He was as beautiful as Zachary had figured he’d be. Lean, defined muscles. Smooth, glowing skin. Thick, long cock, already erect and throbbing slightly, even without Teegan stroking it.
Though there was no one else in the house, Zachary shooed Mrs. Madrigal out the door and shut it behind her, wanting them to have their own small candlelit world.
Teegan didn’t wait for Zachary to come to him. Zachary had expected Teegan to begin his blowjob over again, but he didn’t. He slid his hands over Zachary’s chest and down his stomach, causing him to shiver. For a quick moment, Teegan squeezed Zachary’s erection, then let go and kissed him.
They kissed. Zachary wasn’t sure how long. Long enough for their bodies to grow slick against each other with sweat and hands to roam over each other’s backs and hips without their lips breaking contact. Long enough that Teegan somehow managed to maneuver him toward the bed.
Their kiss broke as Zachary’s leg bumped against the bed’s sideboard.
Teegan reached between them and took Zachary’s dick in his hands again. “There’s a lot I want us to do, but I kinda want to just save them. I need to be inside of you. Now. Is that okay?”
“Holy fuck, yes.” Zachary surprised himself with the f
erocity in which he said those words. But he meant them. There was nothing else he wanted at the moment. Nothing at all.
Teegan’s lips curved into a wicked smile. “I like hearing you say that word.”
“Fuck?” Some of the timidity that had returned began to slide away. Zachary pushed his hips forward, forcing Teegan’s grip down his shaft, and he leaned toward Teegan’s ear. “I want you to fuck me. Right now.”
A guttural groan issued from Teegan, and he tightened his hold on Zachary’s cock as he began to push Zachary back onto the bed.
Though he tried not to, Zachary winced.
Teegan stopped instantly. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
He so wanted to lie but was afraid it would get worse if he did. “I’m just a little tender still. Probably overdid it tonight. Sorry.”
Teegan instantly let go of Zachary’s erection. “Oh God. I’m so sorry. We don’t have to—”
“Like hell we don’t.” It didn’t matter if it did hurt. The way he was feeling, it didn’t matter if he caused him to lose his other testicle. “Get on the bed. Is it all right if I ride you? That way I can control—”
He hadn’t even finished the thought before Teegan had hopped on the bed and flopped onto his back. In one smooth motion, he grabbed the lube and a condom that he must have already had placed on the bedspread and ripped open the foil. “And watch that body of yours move as you ride my cock? Uhm, yeah, boy, get up here.”
Zachary laughed and whatever nerves had been left faded away. As Teegan rolled the condom over his erection, Zachary straddled Teegan’s legs and squeezed lube into his hand. He spread it over Teegan’s cock, then reached between his legs and swiped it over his hole and dipped a finger inside.
At Teegan’s groan, their gazes met in the candlelight. “It’s so hot watching you get ready for me.”
He moved up Teegan’s thighs, situating himself over Teegan’s cock. “It’s been a while. It may take me a moment to get all of you in.”
Teegan gripped both of Zachary’s thighs and squeezed. “Take all the time you need. I’m going to enjoy the show.” He let go of Zachary’s right thigh, curled upward slightly, and slid his hand between Zachary’s legs, his fingers moving against the lube, then reemerging to grip Zachary’s erection.
