Chapter Six
Luca wasn’t drunk enough yet. As the beat of techno trance music thumped out of massive speakers and colored lights lit up the slick bodies of oiled boys dancing in cages, he looked away, searching for his friends in the crowded bar. He needed someone to take his mind off… things, and he was pretty sure this was where Tony had told him to meet him. Meanwhile, watching men grind their bodies against each other just made him horny and even though he needed to get laid more than he ever had before, it wasn’t G-strings and go-go boys that had gotten him worked up. There had to be something wrong with him since he could not stop thinking about the massive angry detective who hated him.
Luca looked down, noticing the bulge in his skinny jeans. It was getting even larger as he thought of Detective Kane Delancey and the way he’d glared at him, looking like he’d wanted to rip his head off. Seeing him was something Luca had hoped to avoid when he went down to the police station to look at mug shot books. He’d even called ahead and asked if the detective was in the building. When he’d learned that he was expected to be gone all day, he’d raced to the station and sat down to go through mug books. Luca knew it was a cowardly thing to do but he really hated confrontation. Kane Delancey was probably the opposite. He no doubt looked for the opportunity to get in someone’s face.
Luca reached down and grabbed his dick, repositioning the thick bulge so that he could walk to the bar, thanking his lucky stars that it was dark where he was on the balcony. He walked toward the wide carpeted stairs and grabbed the brass railing, knowing he was just a little tipsy and not wanting to fall down the stairs as he’d seen so many drunks do in the past. He loved the club, but the stairs at Barcelona were legendary for just that reason. He’d seen guys take the stairs on their ass, on their face, and he’d even seen a cartwheel one time. That one had been fun. He gripped the railing hard, not wanting to be anyone’s entertainment for the evening—at least not that kind.
As he reached the main level, he heard a loud shout and turned his head to find Tony waving at him frantically. He grinned as the man pushed through the crowd toward him and stopped, waiting in place as Tony finally made it to him. His smaller friend flung himself into Luca’s open arms. Luca laughed and swept Tony up in a hug, squeezing him hard. It had been a long time since he’d seen Tony. If a man could be considered a twink, Tony fit the bill just right. He was about four inches shorter than Luca’s five nine frame and he barely weighed a hundred ten pounds. As he set Tony back on solid ground, Luca smiled at him.
“Hey, babe. How are you?” Luca leaned in and kissed him on both cheeks before Tony could kiss him on the mouth as he was known to do. Honestly, Luca didn’t like kissing anyone on the mouth, especially a man he considered to be just a friend. He didn’t even kiss lovers on the mouth most of the time. Kisses were for intimacy and Luca used them sparingly. Most of his friends knew it, but Tony seemed to have to be reminded as he turned his face and tried to land one on his lips. Luca instantly pulled back and immediately got a frown back from Tony. Then, almost as quickly as he’d given it, Tony’s frown morphed into a broad smile as he playfully punched Luca’s bicep.
“Where have you been, gurrrrrl? We’ve been waiting for you to show up!” he yelled over the trance music.
Luca smiled, holding up his empty glass. “I didn’t see you guys so I got a drink and went upstairs to see if I could spot you on the dance floor. Just came down from the balcony to get one more.”
“Well, go get one and then meet us. Corey is already here and so is Billy. He’s really upset that you were late and wants to know where the hell you’ve been. It’s time to open presents.”
Luca nodded. “Okay, let me get a drink. I’ll meet you back at the table.”
“We’re in the corner!” Tony singsonged, pointing to a table and then turning to skip away as quickly as he’d come.
Luca made a mental note of where their table was and then weaved his way through the crowd toward the bar to get that drink he’d spoken of. The bartenders at Barcelona were all beautiful, big gym bunnies who wore black pants that looked sprayed on, collars with bow ties, and no shirts. He approached one with pierced nipples and stared at the nipple bars for a second before looking up at the man’s face. He was watching Luca with interest and he deliberately flexed his pectorals, making the nipple bars jump up and down. When Luca gaped, he chuckled a deep throaty laugh. Luca looked into his eyes and noticed how dark they were, heavily lidded, and a deep rich brown. The man’s thick black hair had spiky blond tips that Luca was pretty sure could put out an eye if approached from the wrong angle. The way he was staring at Luca had his cock thickening all over again.
Down boy!
Luca leaned forward, setting his empty glass on the bar.
“What can I get for you, beautiful?” the man asked.
“Screwdriver, please.”
“You got some ID, baby?” the bartender asked.
Luca quickly and efficiently pulled out his wallet and fished for his California ID card since he didn’t possess a driver’s license. He slid it across the bar to the man who picked it up and checked it over. When he was satisfied, he handed back the ID and poured Luca’s drink. As Luca slid the money across the bar, the bartender’s hand covered it. Luca looked up with surprise.
“My name’s Jeff. Let me take you out after I get off in about twenty minutes,” the bartender said.
Luca smiled back as the man’s fingers curled around his. He wanted to say yes so badly. He liked the way the man looked and he had a kind smile. Most of all, he had a powerfully built frame, something Luca desperately wanted to press the length of his body against. He looked back over his shoulder and spotted Tony and his friends looking out over the crowd like a herd of meerkats. His plans for the bartender’s body vanished in a puff of smoke and he turned back, shaking his head reluctantly.
“I’m so sorry. I’m here with a bunch of friends. It’s a birthday so I have to take a rain check, even though I don’t want to.”
Jeff smiled and shrugged, letting go of Luca’s hand. “As long as you bring yourself back here soon.”
Luca smiled, picking up his drink and nodding. “That’s a promise.” He blew a kiss to the bartender and then wormed his way back to his friends. He set his drink on the table and then hugged everyone as Corey walked over to stand beside him.
“Where have you been? You were supposed to be here an hour and a half ago. Billy’s not happy.”
Luca looked over at the birthday boy, Billy. He was so drunk, Tony was holding him up as he laughed loudly in Tony’s face and slopped his drink over his hand. Luca smiled amusedly and turned back to Corey.
“He’s not happy, huh? He doesn’t even know where he is.”
Corey slung an arm around Luca and buried his face in his shirt, chuckling. It tickled and Luca laughed, kissing him on top of his head before pushing him away.
“Drink your drink, Corey,” Luca said, once again turning to check out the writhing bodies as the music thumped through him. No one caught his eye even though he looked hard.
I really need to get laid.
Unfortunately, he knew who and what he wanted and the harder he looked at the crowd, the more frustrated he got. He wondered if anyone would live up to his fantasy man and that’s all Kane Delancey was… an unreachable fantasy.
“Dave was in here looking for you earlier,” Corey said close to his ear. Luca turned and looked at him, leaning closer.
“What?”
“Dave. He was here earlier, looking for you,” Corey said. His eyes were dancing with mirth.
Luca frowned. “I told you I’m not going out with Dave Meadows ever again. The guy isn’t normal.”
Corey grinned. “Who’s ever normal, Luca? Seriously, you’re too picky.”
Luca laughed. “No. Seriously, this guy was into things that would make even you cringe.”
Corey laughed and nudged him. “He’s really dreamy. Maybe I should go out with Dave Meadows.”
Luca knew Corey was baiting him, pushing him to see how far he’d go and if he could make him jealous. He wasn’t taking the bait. Dave Meadows was the strangest guy he’d ever gone out with and Luca felt an obligation to be honest with his best friend. He leaned close to his ear so he wouldn’t have to yell over the beat of the music.
“Listen, baby. I’m serious. Unless you’re into squat cobbler, don’t go out with Dave. You’ll regret it.”
Corey laughed and took a drink from the glass in his hand as Luca smiled. “Okay, what the hell is squat cobbler? Do I want to know?”
Luca grinned wider and leaned close. “It’s not only squat cobbler, mind you. Dave is also into full moon pie, tapi-poke-ya pudding, Boston crème splat, apple brown butt fun, and Dutch apple ass.” As Corey roared with laughter, Luca explained further. “Dave likes you to strip down, sit in desserts, and wiggle while he jacks off.” Corey laughed harder. “I mean, once was enough for me, man.” Corey bent over, gasping for breath and Luca couldn’t do anything but rub his best friend between the shoulder blades until he caught his breath. He only hoped he wouldn’t break a rib from laughing so hard. It had happened to another one of their friends before.
Luca finally bent down and spoke close to Corey’s ear as he suddenly noticed Freddy’s ankle.
“Check out Freddy’s ankle, Corey.”
Corey looked over and as soon as he saw the pink lace thong hanging around Freddy’s ankle, he laughed even harder. They both straightened and Luca looked over at their friend Freddy’s face. He was talking animatedly with their other friend, Brian. Both of them were laughing, completely oblivious to the pink lace thong that could have only gotten where it was when Freddy stepped into his pants not noticing the undergarment which had fallen out of one leg, probably from the night before.
“What the hell man!” Corey laughed even harder if that was possible. He was gasping and turning red and Luca was enjoying watching him immensely.
“Excuse me.” Someone tapped on Luca’s shoulder and he turned around to find an extraordinarily gorgeous man standing behind him. He was tall and broad and he was staring at Luca with a twinkle in his stunning green eyes. His T-shirt was black as was his leather jacket. The black jeans he wore with lace-up Doc Marten boots made him look as though he’d just ridden in on a motorcycle. His shining black hair fell to his shoulders and Luca was, for once, speechless as he stared at him.
“Hi,” Luca managed to say, turning away from Corey.
The man smiled and Luca was reminded a bit of the detective he’d never seen smile in his life.
“I hope you don’t mind the interruption but I spotted you crossing the room and just had to come over and introduce myself.” He held out a hand. “I’m Slade.”
Luca took the hand and shook it, smiling back at the man. “Slade. That’s an interesting name.”
The man grinned even wider. “What’s yours?”
“My… name?” Luca tried to pull his hand free but the man’s long fingers curled around his, holding them in place.
“Yes. Your name. People must call you by something, right?”
Luca chuckled, liking the feel of the man’s large, warm hand and the way his much smaller one felt in it. Arousal pulsed through him as the man continued to hold his hand.
“My name is Luca. Luca Price.”
The man took a step closer, speaking close to Luca’s ear in a growly whisper as he lifted the palm of his hand to slide up the side of Luca’s neck. “I think you’re the best-looking man I’ve ever seen, Luca Price. Come and dance with me.”
Luca felt a shiver go through him as he felt the man’s warm breath against his ear. It made him feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He nodded slowly as the man straightened and he turned to set his drink on the high table where his friends were standing. When he noticed several of them staring openmouthed at Slade, Luca thought it was kind of funny. Freddy—of the pink lace thong—gave him a double thumbs-up and Corey nodded his approval with a big wide smile and a wink.
Luca thought they were all insane but he loved them. He took Slade’s hand and let him lead him out to the center of the dance floor where he pulled him tightly against his body. The man was big and Luca felt incredibly safe as he lay his head against Slade’s warm chest. They swayed in time to the thumping beat which had slowed down and Luca became lost in the feel of tight muscles and the man’s musky all-male scent. He smelled amazing and Luca felt himself growing hard inside his skinny jeans. He closed his eyes and let the music surround him right along with Slade’s powerful arms. Another pair of eyes suddenly swam in his imagination. These were of the lightest blue and the frown that accompanied them was fierce. He was jolted out of his fantasy and he jerked away from Slade.
Slade looked down at him, concern marring his handsome features. “What’s wrong, Luca? You’re okay, baby. Relax,” he purred beside Luca’s ear. Luca stared at him, cursing his thoughts and trying to purge them of Detective Kane Delancey. The straight detective wasn’t going to fuck up his night the same way he’d fucked up the last two days. Luca wasn’t going to let it. Ever since he’d first seen him, he’d not been able to get the man out of his mind and it was seriously working his last nerve.
“I’m sorry,” he said, moving back against Slade’s gorgeous body as he lay his cheek on his great smelling chest again. Slade held him close and moved him slowly around the dance floor as Luca began to relax. His eyelashes fluttered open and he glanced around the room, noting the other dancers on the floor. As he enjoyed being held against Slade’s body, he let his gaze drift upward to the balcony where he spotted a very angry detective glaring at him. He had both hands on the banister and he was frowning hard at Luca, boring holes into his head with eyes flaming with rage. What. The. Hell? Luca felt his whole body stiffen in Slade’s arms.
“What’s wrong with you, Luca?” Slade said, pulling him out and away from his gorgeous body as he held him by both shoulders.
Luca stared up into his face, not knowing what to say. Gone was the kind green gaze he’d seen in Slade’s eyes when he’d first met him. Luca had only seen that look on one face before… but it couldn’t be that. No way was Slade anything like Ross. Ross had left emotional, if not physical scars on him. No one would scare Luca like that again. Luca tore his gaze away from the frightening way his dance partner was glaring at him and glanced up at the balcony. Kane Delancey was long gone. Luca wasn’t even sure he’d been there at all. He was either really drunk or really tired. He had to go home.
Alone.
Fuck.
He turned back to Slade who was still glaring at him and offered the tiniest of smiles. It seemed to relax the man just a little because the hard grip on his shoulders lessened slightly. Luca hadn’t even realized how tightly the man had been holding him but once he let go, both his arms began to throb.
“Listen,” he began, “I’m—I’m really sorry but I think I should go home. I’m super tired. I had this really long day looking at mug shots and…”
Slade instantly let go of him and stepped back so fast, Luca almost lost his balance. He gave him another glare that was so angry it sent a shiver though him.
“Did you say mug shots?”
“Yeah, I…” Luca didn’t even get the words out of his mouth before the man spun on his heel and took off, losing himself in the sea of bodies on the dance floor. Luca stood there, watching the crowd swallow up his best chance of getting laid and wondering what the hell had just happened. His life was well and truly fucked up.
｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆
Kane felt his blood boiling. After putting Dorothy and Toto to bed, he’d decided to go out and blow off some steam. He hadn’t checked out many clubs in LA, but some friends told him about a club where there were some go-go boys that couldn’t be missed. Kane was as straight as a signpost, but meeting Luca Price and the reaction he’d had to him had him curious, if nothing else. Nothing he did could get his mind off the younger man and every
time he managed to put him out of his mind, he ended right back in his orbit. First at Marty’s, then at the jewelry store, and of course, now there was Barcelona, the club with go-go boys.
Kane had walked into the club, over to the bar, and gotten himself a drink. He climbed the stairs to see where they’d lead and get a look at the lithe guys with oiled skin who danced in cages. They did nothing at all for him. He’d taken up residence at the railing so that he could look down on the dance floor where he could watch guys dancing with each other. He couldn’t imagine being drunk enough to be caught dancing with another dude. It just wasn’t his thing at all. Now, give him a leggy blonde with big boobs… that Kane could imagine just fine.
He was getting ready to leave when he spotted Luca dancing with the massive form of a pimp he’d known from San Diego. Slade Ruiz. That made Kane see red but not for the reasons he would have thought. He’d been completely wrong about Luca Price. He’d actually taken the mild-mannered jewelry store manager at face value. He’d been completely wrong about who and what Luca really was and like a finished puzzle, the complete picture had finally come into focus. Luca Price was nothing but a high-priced fuck-for-hire.
After all, that’s the kind of men Slade Ruiz ran… young, pretty, and very talented high-priced rent boys who commanded the attention of sleazy old gay guys. They’d pay up the ass to get up the ass of someone they never had hopes of ever dating without hiring a slimeball like Slade Ruiz to supply just the right kind of boy.
Worse than any of it, Luca Price made Kane realize why he hadn’t been attracted to beautiful women lately. He’d dated Lacy three times and hadn’t managed to close the deal. Now he knew why. Ever since seeing Luca Price, he’d not wanted a woman. Then again, Price was no doubt trained to make men lose all focus. Kane flexed his fingers as he watched Ruiz take Luca in his arms and dance with him. He was rooted to the spot for agonizing minutes as he watched Luca rub his exceptional body against the man.
Finally they broke apart, spoke for a minute, and then Ruiz turned his back and stomped off the dance floor, leaving his boy standing there alone. He had the strongest urge to go down there and wrap both hands around Luca’s lying throat. Store manager? Bullshit! Kane suddenly felt so stupid. He hadn’t even seen it. He’d actually believed the guy was a victim. He’d probably set up the whole robbery to pay Ruiz off for a debt he owed or something just as nefarious. If Luca knew people like Ruiz, then he knew others who were just as slimy as his boss.
Stay with Me (The WITSEC series Book 1) Page 9