Cataclysmic Shift

by Tara Lain

  Alain actually clapped his hands. “Oh, I love to dance.”

  Luke frowned. “How do you know?”

  “I have no idea.”

  Which was funny since Aloysius loved music and was known to strut and roll to a good rock-and-roll tune.

  “Hey, baby boy, is that you?” A tall, powerful-looking man walked up next to Luke.

  Luke turned white and swallowed hard. “Hi, Ruben.”

  “What the hell did you do to your pretty hair?” The dark-haired guy picked up the end of Luke’s ponytail as if it were a snake.

  Hmm. Yes, Killian kind of wondered about the hair too. My, Luke looks uncomfortable.

  “I, uh, just darkened it.”

  “Well, change it back, baby. Otherwise, you look great. Gotta hug for your Ruben?”

  “Uh, sure.” He stood and gave a one-armed hug to the big man, then turned to the table. “Ruben, these are my friends. Dr. Blaine Genneau. Dr. Killian Barth. And this is Alain. Alain Bellarose.”

  The eyes of the man named Ruben slowly widened. “I gotta say, in a room full of beauty, you four lead the pack.” He gestured toward Killian and Blaine. “So, are you two vets like Luke?”

  Who was this man? Killian shook his head. “No, Blaine and I are PhDs, not DVMs. We teach at Manhattan University.”

  Ruben’s dark eyes settled on Alain. “And you’re our missing person.” He slipped a card from his pocket and handed it to Alain.

  Alain looked at the card and flashed those white teeth. Ruben smiled with him. It was tough to resist. “Yes. Thank you for trying to learn my identity. It was very kind.”

  So this man was police.

  “My pleasure. Sorry we didn’t have more success. How are you doing?”

  “Very well, thanks to Luke.” Dimples popped in those architectural cheeks.

  Ruben gazed at Luke. “Yes. Luke gives good care.”

  Oh dear. Alain’s expression cooled.

  Ruben stared at Alain for a moment too long, then tapped the table and looked up. “Good to meet you all. Hey, Luke, I need to talk to you for a minute before you leave, okay? I’ll be in the club.”

  Luke frowned. “I don’t know about the club—”

  Alain sat back in his chair. “I would like to go to the club. I want to dance.”

  Ruben grinned. “So there. The club it is. I’ll see you later. I’ll find you.”

  Luke nodded, but he looked sick. The big man waved a hand and threaded his way through the tables toward the door.

  Alain watched Ruben leave, then leveled his gaze on Luke. “So what color is your hair really?”

  Luke looked at his hands. “A little darker than Killian’s.” Alain stared at Killian’s dark golden hair, then at the dark brown ponytail Luke wore.

  “Why did you alter it?”

  “I, uh, needed a change.”

  Alain stared at Luke steadily. “And Ruben is your very good friend.”

  Luke looked even sicker. “Excuse me. I need the men’s room.”

  After Luke left, Blaine squeezed Killian’s knee. But how much to say? Blaine leaned forward. “Alain, if you ever need anything, or want to talk about your past or… anything. We’d love to talk to you. You know where we live now.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Blaine.” His gaze kept following Luke.

  Killian put a hand on Alain’s arm. That jolt of electricity that connected them tingled through his fingers. Alain looked straight at him. Good. I’ve got your attention. “This is important, Alain. You sense a connection with us. I believe that to be true.”

  “But you said—”

  “That I’ve never met you, and that is fact. But there is a connection. An important one. If you ever want to discuss it, feel compelled to learn about it, our door is open.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a phone. “This is for you. You should have a phone.”

  “I can’t accept this.”

  “We’re friends of Luke’s and of yours. We want to help you both. I’m quite wealthy, Alain. Please allow me to help.”

  “That’s very kind.” He grinned. “But who would I call?”

  Blaine tapped the phone sharply. “Us. The phone is programmed with both of our numbers as well as Luke’s. Call us anytime you feel like it, all right?”

  “Thank you.” He looked directly up into Blaine’s eyes. “I will.”

  Chapter Nine

  LUKE SKIRTED the crowd back to the table. This was exactly why he never went out in public. Fucking land mines. Ruben mines to be more exact.

  He looked toward the table and paused. Killian and Blaine seemed to be talking very intensely to Alain. Alain was smiling, but they looked more serious. Maybe they were warning him off Luke. Shit, he couldn’t blame them if they were. He didn’t deserve someone as good and pure as Alain, not given where he came from. But it was hard not to fight to keep him. Alain made him feel real. He made him care. Usually only dogs and cats did that. Luke hurried to the table. All three men looked up at him.

  Alain smiled that slice of sunshine. “Look, Luke. Killian and Blaine gave me a phone.”

  What the fuck? He must have frowned, because Killian held up a hand. “We wanted to do something to help take care of Alain until he recovers his memories. We thought he needed a phone, in case of emergency, you know? So we got him one.”

  Luke tried not to scowl. “That was awfully nice of you.”

  Alain grinned. “That’s what I said too.”

  “And you’re right. He does need a phone. I should have thought of it.”

  Blaine gave Luke a light punch on the arm. “Now you don’t have to worry.”

  Why were they worried about Alain?

  Blaine leaned over toward Alain. “Let me show you how to put in numbers.”

  Alain glanced at Luke and pulled Ruben’s card from his shirt pocket. “Here. Use this, please. It’s always nice to have ‘good friends’ at the police.”

  Blaine pushed in the numbers, but he was clearly trying to keep from busting a gut. Luke’s angel sure could be a devil when he wanted to.

  The food came and was as delicious as the decor, but all Luke could think about was the impending club visit and the talk with Ruben. His past was more checkered than a race flag, and he felt like he was speeding toward a crash.

  Finally, the moment came. Alain practically danced out of his chair as Luke tried to press money on Killian for the bill, but the man refused.

  “It’s not necessary, Luke. My treat.”

  “It’s too much. College professors aren’t notoriously well paid, any more than vets.”

  Killian touched his arm. “Yes, well, I’m a college professor with a family fortune to support me, so no problems.”

  Blaine nodded. “I’m a kept man, and I love it.”

  Luke forced himself to breathe. Little too close to home. Killian tossed an outrageous number of bills on the table and stood beside Blaine. Luke rose and glanced around to find all the men’s eyes in the club glued to Alain. Well worth looking at, but Alain didn’t know the meaning of discretion. Talk about standing out.

  They made their way out of the restaurant toward the noise and music of the club next door, connected by a partially closed portico. When they stepped outside, some camera flashes went off. Alain looked that much like a movie star. Killian too, for that matter. Alain played to the cameras, smiling and waving, which only increased the hysteria. Damn. Luke stepped behind Blaine, but he was taller. Hard to be inconspicuous with that little scene-stealer in tow.

  Killian walked to the front of their group and showed the doorman an invitation of some kind. The guy, who looked more like a bouncer, represented the best of bear leather style. He passed them right into a wall of noise, heat, and color. Whoa. Like a glimpse of the future and a blast from the past at the same time.

  Dancers performed in cages hung from the ceiling. All the performers were male, and each one more amazing than the last. Something for everyone. Over in the far corner, a barely legal twink gazed at t
he crowd with ridiculous innocence, while in another cage a fuzzy bear snapped the side of his G-string at the men beneath him. Two flamboyant queens waved their fingers as they undulated in feathers and not much else.

  Thump, thump, thump. The bass of the band beat out the universal tattoo of rock—and bodies everywhere. Mostly men danced with men but a few female couples peppered the crowd, and a handful of het pairs seemed to be enjoying the sexy ambience. Sexy it was.

  Alain was dancing. It didn’t matter that they were still barely past the entrance. He started bouncing and bobbing. That cute butt shook, and his body looked boneless, arms waving as he moved. Some cute Hispanic guy jumped up in front of him and started dancing with him. Alain giggled and went along.

  Not liking this.

  The dancer reached out and grabbed Alain’s arm, trying to pull him into the crowd. No way. Luke stepped forward, but he didn’t even get his fist raised before Alain yanked back his arm with force from the dancer, then raised a finger and waggled it in an “uh, uh, uh” kind of move. The guy shrugged and danced off.

  Funny. The kid looked graceful and delicate, but Luke knew how much strength he had in those arms that had clung to him at the clinic. Shitfire, better not think about that. Alain took Luke’s arm, but he didn’t stop bobbing.

  Killian led the way across one edge of the dance floor toward a small cocktail table a waiter was holding for them. The route was like trying to stay upright at a Roman orgy. Guys pressed their bodies together and looked at each other with the promise of what could happen in the men’s room. Or maybe this place was too upscale for a bathroom fuck. They probably had private rooms for their patrons.

  One gray-haired man shuffled uncomfortably to the throbbing music next to his very young, very pretty partner. Rent boy, probably. Just looking at them gave Luke a sick stomach.

  They made it to the table and ordered drinks. Hard not to stare around and look for people he knew. He was older. They might not recognize him.

  Killian laughed as Alain bounced in the chair next to Luke. “I think someone better dance with that boy before he jumps into one of the cages.”

  Okay, maybe he should—

  A hand clamped on his shoulder.

  Luke looked up. “Hi, Ruben.”

  “Can we have that chat now, baby boy?”

  “Sure.” He tried to hide the sigh. He looked at Killian and Blaine. “Will you excuse me for a few minutes?” He leaned over and kissed Alain’s cheek. What the fuck, a little PDA wouldn’t kill him. He got dimples in return, which made it immediately worth it. “I’ll be right back, and we’ll dance, okay?”

  Alain bobbed in and kissed his nose, then cast his gaze up at Ruben with a “so there” shrug. “Okay.”

  Luke got up and followed Ruben, who led the way toward the big bar that occupied one end of the room away from the dance floor. Luke stepped closer and raised his voice over the crowd. “Isn’t it too jammed at the bar?”

  Ruben stopped and said into his ear, “Quiet spaces make hearing too easy.”

  Luke nodded.

  Ruben pushed his way into a small opening at the bar on one end away from the stools. He body-blocked a space for Luke.

  A tough-looking female bartender came over. “What’cha have?”

  Ruben raised two fingers. “Beer. Tap.”

  When she walked away, Luke leaned in toward Ruben’s ear. “So what’s up?”

  “Nicky’s up. And he’s looking for you like some bird dog.”

  Well, shit. “Why now? God, it’s been over a year since I left. I haven’t seen a pimple on his ass since then.”

  “Word has it he’s lost a couple of his best guys, and he’s finally succumbed to the smack he started selling after you left. We know he’s got it, but no luck pinning it on him yet. Anyway, he’s decided you cheated him, and he’s looking for payback.”

  “Cheated him, shit. I made more money for that asshole than all his other boys combined.”

  “Yeah. I know, baby. I paid through the nose for your services and never spent a better dollar, but I got no reason not to put that son of a bitch behind bars now. I just need some evidence.” He ran a hand over Luke’s head. “I know you want to stay low-key, but get your hair back for old Ruben, okay?” He glanced back toward the dance floor. “And I gotta say, that kid you found is one of the prettiest things I ever saw. What about that other dude? Shit, baby. You four look like the cover of some magazine on angels fallen to earth.”

  Luke blew out his breath. “In my case, ‘fallen’ is the right word.”

  Ruben grabbed his chin hard. “Listen, baby boy. You’re as good a guy as lives. I hocked some personal capital to see you got a chance, and I don’t want you putting my baby down.”

  Well, hell. Luke smiled. “Thanks, Ruben. I’m not sure I’d be alive if it weren’t for you.”

  “Then that makes me responsible for you, right? So watch out for yourself.”

  “And I guess right now that means staying away from Nicky.”

  “Yeah. Big-time. Call me if you need me.” He grinned and winked, the old lech. “For anything.”

  He turned and walked into the crowd.

  Luke looked over his shoulder and felt the ice tiptoeing up his spine. Nicky wasn’t likely to be at such an upscale party, but the guy had connections. Luke should get the hell out of there and take Alain with him. Shitfire, wouldn’t Nicky love to get his hands on Alain.

  Battling through the crowd, he hurried back to the table. The three men were laughing when he walked up. Alain looked at him with a huge smile, and Luke’s heart slipped in an extra beat. Alain stood with a bounce.

  Luke put a hand on his shoulder. “We should go.”

  It was just a flash, but there was no missing that look of total disappointment. “Oh, very well.”

  Damn. He wanted to protect Alain, but he’d promised. “After a dance. We’ll go after that, okay?”

  The smile doubled. Luke glanced into the crowd, then extended his hand to Alain. After all, it wasn’t everywhere that two guys got to dance together. Alain grasped his hand, and the warmth oozed all the way to his heart. Luke found a spot in the crowd and pulled Alain into his arms. The slow, sexy rumba was right up his alley. He hadn’t danced in a year, but before that, baby, he’d been a regular Fred Astaire.

  For a moment, Alain hesitated. Luke gently led him in the slow, sinuous, hip-twisting movement. It didn’t take long. Alain caught the rhythm and fit his body against Luke’s. He’d rumbaed many times. This was new. Alain had natural rhythm and a boneless flexibility that pressed that hard body against Luke in more places than he knew he had. Chest. Yes. Thighs. Oh God. Hips. Holy shit.

  Instant hard-on. Apparently two. In the high boots, Alain managed to get his erection brushing very close to Luke’s. Hell, in this room he could probably pick the kid up and let him ride and no one would stop him, but actual sex on the dance floor didn’t sound like too much fun.

  That was a lie.

  Luke tightened his arms even more. Not the best for dancing, but very good for feeling. The soulful tenor sang something about amour, and amour was definitely on tap.

  He couldn’t think. If he had two brain cells, he’d have to wonder why a guy with no past popped every button on his feel-o-meter. He didn’t care about people much. Only animals. Animals and Alain.

  Hips to the side, forward, back. Alain followed perfectly. The movement of the rumba was designed to remind the dancer what those hips were really for, and he could sure use some of that right now. He leaned down and smelled the sweet scent of that midnight-black hair.

  Purrrrrrr. A vibration tickled through Luke’s chest. What?

  Purrrrrrr.

  He pressed his lips near Alain’s ear. “Baby, what are you doing?”

  Alain raised his head so his breath teased Luke’s ear. “Enjoying. I would like to do this forever if we could have sex here, but that might not be allowed by humans.”

  “Humans?”

  “People.”
>
  Oh. He did say the most amazing things.

  “Luke.”

  “Hmmm?”

  “Would you take me home and teach me more about gay?”

  Oh shit. “What would you like to learn?”

  “I want to know how gay men have sex.”

  “We’ve had some sex, haven’t we?” He swallowed hard.

  “But I went on your computer like you showed me.” His breath seemed to fill Luke’s head with heat. “And I saw pictures of men together, one with his member in the other’s backside.”

  “Uh, yes. That’s how some gay men have sex.” Holy crap, was he having this conversation?

  The whisper dived straight to Luke’s cock. “I think it looks very stimulating. I would like to try it.”

  God, yes. “Which part would you like?”

  “Both parts look very wonderful, and I would like to try each one.”

  “When?” He could barely breathe.

  “Now.”

  “Oh, baby. You don’t have to ask me twice.”

  “Luke?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not sure I want you to call me baby.”

  Luke pulled back and looked down at Alain. The guy’s beautiful eyes were downcast. “Okay. Why?”

  “Because that’s what your good friend Ruben calls you.”

  Had him there. No way he wanted Alain to feel in competition with Ruben or with any part of Luke’s old life. He tucked a finger under Alain’s chin and raised the kid’s head until he could look into those blue eyes. “So how about we find a pet name that’s just for you?”

  Alain cocked his head. “Pet?”

  “It’s just an expression. It means a special name just for you.”

  Dimples. “I like that.”

  “So what would you like me to call you?”

  The big grin flashed. “Cat.”

  Luke let out a laugh. “That’s perfect. But it’s not real endearing. How about kitten?”

  “I see. Like calling a grown man baby, you would call me kitten.”

  “Yes.”

  “That will be very nice.”