“Look,” he instructed as he took hold of Eli’s cock, stroking it. They took in their reflections together. Alec could see Eli’s eyes widen and a smile play at his lips, parting in a gasp. “Look how beautiful, how perfect you are. Look at me loving you,” Alec rasped, striking that sensitive spot within his boyfriend.
Eli shouted something inarticulately profane and went rigid in his arms as ribbons of come hit the mirror. His inner muscles undulated around Alec, bringing him along right behind him. When Eli’s leg gave out again, they both collapsed onto the carpet in a sweaty, breathless, laughing heap.
Chapter 33
ELI dropped his duffel by the door and walked over to Alec’s sleeping form. He quietly set the alarm to go off in ninety minutes, and then he pulled on a fresh shirt before finishing a quick towel-dry of his shorter hair. Alec stirred in his sleep, and Eli went quickly to the dresser, wiping away the evidence of their activities from last night with the damp towel. He smiled at the memory.
He carefully sat on the bed and watched Alec’s chest rise and fall peacefully; his dark hair had fallen over his eyes.
“You look exhausted,” he whispered as he reached out and brushed the hair off Alec’s face before kissing him goodbye. “See you at the party, love.” He slipped on his suit jacket and left the room, leaving a “do not disturb” sign on the door.
ALEC flipped through the in-flight magazine and considered watching the movie provided. Earlier, when he woke up alone, there had been a moment of panic and disorientation, but then he’d realized Eli had set the clock for him, leaving time for him to say his goodbyes and catch his flight to London. He glanced at his watch. He’d make it to the party later than he’d hoped, but he’d be there, back among his friends and—he smiled—back with Eli.
His mother had surprised him again by not raising a ruckus over his leaving. When he told her goodbye, she’d hugged him for a very long time and kissed his cheek. There was a softness in her eyes that he’d never seen before. It gave him pause.
“Mom? Are… are you okay?”
She’d smiled and nodded. “I’m fine, dear, but… call me more often, please.”
Alec had just blinked at her in disbelief. “Mom?”
She put a hand on his shoulder. “I saw the way you looked at each other.” She fell silent for a moment, then, “I’m not saying I’ve accepted your choice—”
“It’s not a choice, Mom.”
She raised a hand to silence him, her eyes closing as she struggled. “I… I hear you.” Her eyes opened again, and she looked into his. “Just… just call me more often, please. Tell me how you are. Okay?”
Alec had promised he would, and he hugged her again.
Levi was doing well, sitting up in bed and trying to argue with his wife. Deb had been thrilled to hear things were better between him and Eli, and after hugs and kisses for his niece and nephew, she’d shooed him on his way.
Alec gave up on the movie and put away the magazine, deciding instead to sleep as best he could during the direct flight from New York City. He closed his eyes and sighed. He wouldn’t be far behind Eli.
“WHAT’S left?” Eli asked as he and Tony looked over the living room.
“I don’t think Lyle’s left much for anyone to do.” He grabbed a pillow from the sofa and fluffed it. “He’s operating in crisis mode.”
Just then Lyle appeared carrying two stepladders in one arm and a roll of some type of paper in the other. “Gents, I need help with this banner.” They sprang into action, Tony and Lyle ascending the ladders in tandem while Eli eyed the positioning of the HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ILSA! banner. They taped it in place, then Lyle scrambled back up each ladder and stapled it to the arch leading into the dining room.
Tony grabbed the ladders and, without being instructed to do so, carried them back down into the cellar. Eli watched Lyle as he looked over the rooms, his friend absently tapping a thoughtful finger to his lips.
“What do you think?” he asked.
Lyle glanced at him as if he’d forgotten Eli was there. “Oh, it looks great… don’t you think?” Eli nodded. “I just don’t want to forget anything.”
“Lyle, the house is clean. You’ve cleared space in the kitchen for the food and drinks.” He turned to a corner of the living room and held his hands up like he was framing a scene in a movie. “You’ve designated a spot for the presents to accumulate. And the breakables are safely tucked away.” Lyle nodded and grinned, and Eli turned back to face him. “What else is there?”
“We need to shower and change before the guests start arriving.”
“Good call,” Eli said. “I’ll cover the door until you two are done.”
Lyle headed for the hallway, and just as he reached it, Tony reappeared from the cellar.
“Tony, follow me!” Lyle commanded, running up the stairs.
The artist looked lost and glanced at Eli. “What?”
“Shower.”
“Ah!” Tony dashed up the stairs behind Lyle, beaming from ear to ear. “Coming, dear!” Eli chuckled as he watched them go, and he wondered how long that shower would take.
THE taxi driver looked curiously out his window. “What’s going on here, mate?”
“Birthday party,” Alec said, paying him and exiting, dragging his suitcase behind him.
“Anyone need a safe ride home, tell ’em to give us a call, yeah?”
“You bet. Good night.”
“Cheers!”
Alec headed up the walk.
“Dr. Sumner?” a young man shouted, rushing up to him, Lincoln following in his wake.
“M-Mickey?” Alec looked the man up and down. He looked so different out of his waiter gear and… smiling. “How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks.” Mickey reached behind him and grasped Lincoln’s hand.
“We’re both doing fine,” Lincoln said softly. It was dark out, but Alec could swear he was blushing.
“What are you doing out here? The party’s inside.”
“We could ask you the same thing,” Mickey said.
“Just getting back from the States.”
Lincoln held up a cigarette. “Fags.”
Alec noticed Mickey glancing sideways at the house, taking in the lights and music and raised voices pouring out of it. “You been here long? There’s a deck out back and a big back yard where you could smoke.”
“Oh, yeah?” Mickey asked. He looked at Lincoln. “Sound good?”
“Let’s go.”
“Just go to the right and follow the path.”
“Thanks. See you later.”
Alec smiled, watching them disappear hand-in-hand around the house. He looked up and smiled at the multitude of shadows passing by the windows. When he opened the door, he was assaulted by the music and the living, breathing bodies casting those festive shadows.
“Alec!” they shouted. There were too many to take in, too many faces to match to too many names.
“Hi!” he shouted at everyone, his eyes searching for one particular face. He fought his way through the hall to the closet and dropped off his suitcase, then turned to fight his way into the kitchen. If he knew Ilsa, that’s where she’d be holding court, and perhaps Eli would be nearby.
He was partially right. He walked into the kitchen to find Ilsa at the island organizing the food and chatting with friends, some of whom Alec recognized, some of whom he didn’t.
Ilsa squealed and rushed into Alec’s arms, knocking shocked laughter out of him. “Were you surprised?”
“Completely.” She beamed up at him.
“Why are you working at your own party?” he asked.
“We asked her the same thing,” a young man with light brown hair said. “It’s her night, and she’s in here making sure the food is orderly.” He chuckled.
Alec turned to him and smiled. “Bishop, right?” They shook hands. “You’re with DI Albee?”
“Please, call me Keith,” Albee said, sweeping into the room, carrying two drinks. “I met
you at the planning stage for this spectacular event, right?” His powerful hand took Alec’s and shook it vigorously.
“That’s right.” Alec watched as Keith took his place at Bishop’s side and passed him his cocktail. “How did you two meet?”
“He handled Mum’s estate when she passed two years ago,” Keith explained.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, though something beautiful came out of losing her. She’d be happy for me. Always worried herself over me being alone once she’d gone, and now I’m not.” Bishop and Keith kissed, and Alec smiled as he watched them.
“I hear Eli met your family,” Ilsa said playfully as she tickled Alec’s ribs.
He grabbed her hands to still them. “Yes he did, as a matter of fact. We had a great time, and my mother became strangely….”
“Yes?” she asked as the others looked on.
“Strangely receptive.” Alec looked into her eyes. “If I had to guess, I’d say Eli truly charmed her.”
“He can do that.”
“Oh, happy birthday.”
“Thank you, Alec.” Ilsa hugged him tight. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Sorry I’m late, but it looks like the party all went off without a hitch.”
Keith nodded. “That it did.”
“Did I miss anything?”
“The Brandts were here earlier, but it’s past their bedtime, I think,” Ilsa said.
“Has anyone seen Eli?” Alec asked. “I haven’t spotted him yet.”
“Last time I saw him,” Bishop offered, “he was putting as much distance between him and Shana as possible.”
Alec chuckled at the image.
“She’s harmless,” Ilsa said dismissively. “But good luck finding him in this multitude.” Ilsa patted his tummy and went back to the island to fill a plate for him. “You should eat something.”
“I’m good, Ilsa, thanks. I ate on the plane.” He looked warily at the undulating mass of bodies. “I’ll talk to you all later. If you see him before I do, corner him for me.”
“You’ve got it,” Bishop said, wrapping his arm around Keith and pulling him closer. “You could shout, but he wouldn’t hear you over the music.”
“I could send up a flare,” Alec said, laughing.
ELI sat on the arm of the sofa in the living room, right next to the pile of gifts for Ilsa, chatting and drinking with several guests.
“Eli, right?”
“Yes.” Eli reached out to shake hands. “Conley?”
“You got me, mate. Good to see you.”
“How did the team do without Alec?”
“We squeaked by, squeaked by,” Conley said, laughing. “Speaking of your beau, I haven’t seen him tonight.”
“He was taking a later flight from the States, but,” Eli said, glancing at the clock on the table by the sofa, “he should be here by now.” His eyes searched the room and the dining room, and Conley looked around as well. Eli thought he looked a bit anxious. “Everything all right?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah. I just need to talk to him.” Eli cocked an eyebrow, and Conley laughed nervously. “It’s just team stuff. No worries.”
Eli watched him for a few moments, then reluctantly asked, “How’s Dray?”
“Huh?”
“Dray? You came together, didn’t you?”
Conley’s expression clouded briefly. “Yeah, we came together, but….”
“But?”
“I don’t think we’re long for it,” Conley said, shaking his head. “It’s been fun, but lately… it’s just been weird.”
“Sorry.”
Conley brightened suddenly. “I think I’ll go try to scare up your man.”
“If you find him, point him in my direction, will ya?”
“You got it.”
ALEC poked his head out the back door and did a quick inventory in search of Eli. He spotted Mirabell, Tony, Mickey, and Lincoln. Mirabell and Tony paused in their smoking and laughing to smile and wave at him. He returned the gesture but noticed that Mickey and Lincoln—their hands in each other’s back pockets—were too busy staring into each other’s eyes to acknowledge him. Alec understood.
“Anyone seen Eli?”
“I think he’s in the living room,” Mirabell said.
“Thanks. Tony, where’s Lyle?”
The artist took a gulp of his drink and said, “I’m sure he’s busy cleaning up behind people. The man is unstoppable. He’s been collecting empties and demanding coaster usage all evening.”
Alec laughed. “If I see him, I’ll try to get him to give it a rest and relax.”
“Much appreciated, sweetie,” Tony said, raising his glass in toast.
“I haven’t seen Casey,” Alec said.
“She got here about an hour before you,” Tony said.
“She’s in the shower,” Ilsa offered, coming up behind him and smacking his bottom hard. He yelped, and they all laughed.
Then Ilsa yelped as Casey smacked her on her ass. “Out of the shower, love.” They quickly wrapped their arms around each other and kissed long and deep. “Happy birthday, honey,” Casey said softly. “You having fun?”
“Tremendous fun.” Ilsa’s eyes twinkled.
Alec laughed. “I’m missing Eli.”
“Go and find him, then,” Mirabell instructed, shooing him away theatrically. “Go on, abandon us. Go find your luvah.” Alec snorted at his friend, then turned to head back into the house, the group chuckling in his wake.
He paused at the kitchen island and snagged a couple of hors d’oeuvres, then walked into the dining room. He saw Ilsa’s exes, Shana and Lori, chatting with several other women and men at the dining room table. They seemed to be engaged in a heated discussion about something, but there was occasional laughter as well, so he figured nothing was about to be broken. He glanced into the living room and spotted his target, Eli, sitting on the arm of the sofa.
They caught each other’s eye and smiled, holding the gaze. Alec made a beeline for him, but Conley waylaid him before him could even make it beyond the dining room.
“Can I speak to you?”
“Uh, actually, Conley, I’m heading for….” He spoke around the hors d’oeuvre in his mouth and pointed at Eli with the other one before popping that in his mouth as well.
Conley glanced over his shoulder and then back at Alec. “I understand, but I need to talk to you about Dray.”
After chewing and swallowing rather quickly, Alec asked, “What about him?”
Conley grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to the side so Eli couldn’t see them. “What happened between you two?”
“What? Me and Dray?”
“Look, you called me for Dray’s number, told me you needed to talk to him. The next time I see him, he’s… he’s—”
“What?”
“He’s not making sense and so… so quiet it’s… I don’t know… unnerving.”
“Well, he was upset when he left my place, but I—”
Conley wasn’t really listening. “For days he’s not himself, then he calls and invites himself along here as my date, like nothing’s happened.”
“Where is he?” Alec asked.
“No idea. I lost track of him after our first hour here.”
ELI saw Alec appear, and when their eyes met, he had to admit his pulse quickened. But their gratification was delayed by Conley and some silly football business. He felt himself swell a bit, remembering their last bit of time together. He tried to recall if Alec had a dresser at his flat like the one at the hotel. He smiled to himself; he certainly hoped so.
He sighed and tried to readjust himself subtly before deciding that maybe delaying gratification wasn’t such a bad idea. He could just make out Conley speaking urgently to Alec, who he had backed into the corner just beyond the arch leading into the next room. Eli couldn’t see anything but Alec’s hands. He loved those hands.
He glanced to his right, into the hallway. “Excuse me,” he said to the sm
all group around him. “If my boyfriend comes looking for me, tell him I said to find me.” He winked at the group, then watched Conley and Alec, making sure he wasn’t spotted leaving the room. His friends’ conspiratorial laughter followed him out of the room as he headed straight for his bedroom.
Eli rushed to close the door behind him, hoping as few people as possible saw him sneak into his room. He turned on the light and discovered Dray Jenkins sitting in the chair by the bed, sipping a drink, and holding a picture of Bennett in his lap.
Chapter 34
“WHAT the fuck are you doing in here?” Eli asked. Dray didn’t say anything, just looked him up and down and sipped his drink. “Oh. I see. Still after Alec, eh?”
Dray laughed, but there was no amusement in it. “I wasn’t looking for Alec.” He stood and crossed the room to return the photo to its proper spot on the shelf. He smiled at Eli. “He’s made his feelings perfectly clear.”
“Yes, months ago, but that hasn’t slowed you down any, has it?”
Dray made his way toward him, pausing at the closet and feeling the lapel of a suit jacket hanging on the back of the door.
“Ya know, Erby, I’ve been in here for the past hour, going through your things, trying to figure out just what it is about you.” Eli watched him, trying to pinpoint what was different about him. Something was, but he couldn’t name it. “Why Bennett and now Alec are so into you.” Dray smiled wickedly. “I have to say, I just don’t see it, and I thought when our handsome American friend found out we’d slept together, he’d surely break it off with you.”
“Why? Bennett didn’t.”
“True, but you’d been with him longer. You and Alec are just starting, and I’m sure you’ve already filled his head with all sorts of horror stories about me and my conquests,” he said, looming over him. “So if you were one of them, what would that say about you?” Dray reached out and curiously rubbed Eli’s new haircut. He seemed amused. “Cute.”
Eli pulled away from the contact. “Alec can see for himself who and what you are. He’s a big boy.”
Home Page 21