Kyle snorted. "Let's hope he gets everything he deserves."
"Yeah. Anyway, I got your message. I'll meet you at the leather bar off Bourbon at 8:30 tonight, okay?"
"Do you want me to pick you up?"
"It's out of your way, and driving separately gives us flexibility for later."
"I like the way you think."
"Well, I have to work tomorrow so we can come and go as we need to tomorrow morning. Skeeps is already stroking out about me being gone next week."
"Riding with Whistler Wilson got to him, huh?"
"Big time." Drew unlocked his service vehicle. "I gotta go. I'll see you tonight." He disconnected the call and slid into the driver's seat. Kyle was a great guy. Eager in bed, adventurous, social, and very hot. Kyle had been hinting about making their relationship exclusive for some time now. Maybe it's time.
He started the ignition, then cracked open a window. The truck interior felt like a furnace. While Drew let the blast of AC cool off the truck a little, he thought about his upcoming trip to Montana. The locations Kevin chose sounded like a lot of fun. He laughed every time he thought about a group of gays staying at a dude ranch for a few days. But being with Teak and Kevin did crazy things to Drew's libido and his heart. He envied their love and commitment to each other, and damn if they weren't the hottest couple. They were careful not to be overly affectionate toward each other in front of the other models, but sometimes emotions got the best of Teak or Kevin in a shoot. Kevin might ask for a particular expression or act, and things would get intense. A session would abruptly end with those two leaving quickly. A few times, after things turned hot and heavy, Drew had excused himself to jack off somewhere in private, or he'd gone to bed with one of the other models. Other times, he'd drunk a cold beer and tried to put out of his mind what Teak and Kevin were doing in their room. Teak was a great guy and an amazing lover. Drew had no regrets about the time they'd shared, but memories of Luis always interfered with Drew's ability to let someone in, heart, body, and soul.
Six years of hungering after a guy who probably can't remember my name is long enough. Drew promised himself that he'd give Kyle the loving attention he yearned for and deserved tonight, or he'd end the relationship for good.
He logged onto his department's communications equipment and let the world know he was back on duty.
Chapter Four
Friday nights brought out the party crowds, so finding a parking spot near the Tanners bar proved to be a bit of a hide-and-seek game for Drew. He got out of his SUV, then locked the door with the remote. The heat and humidity were still oppressive, even at this time of the evening. He knew there'd be no chance the air conditioning could keep up with a big crowd in these temperatures. There wasn't any sense in getting worked up over it; sweat was a fact of life in this town.
He'd dressed in a pair of snug-fitting, black jeans, and a black leather belt studded with silver links and chain around the buckle. His white, V-neck Dolce & Gabbana T-shirt, a leftover from the summer shoot in Oregon, fit him like a second skin.
Drew loved the creamy-soft fabric. He'd never fork over almost two hundred dollars for a plain T-shirt, but if Kevin was buying, Drew would enjoy the comfort and cachet with a smile. And he looked so much sexier than he usually did in his ratty Jimmy Hendrix shirt.
The unassuming, gray-painted building, nestled among mostly mom-and-pop kinds of businesses, was well known as one of the places to meet men in New Orleans.
Drew forgot about being a cop when he walked through the door. Like many of the bars in the area, Tanners' operating hours were merely a suggestion, and some of the things that went on in the back room weren't exactly in keeping with civil laws or usual bar operating parameters. From Drew's perspective, Tanners' patrons knew they had a good thing going and kept themselves in check to prevent anyone from calling the cops.
He was down with that.
His hard-heeled, black, biker boots crunched on loose gravel as he crossed Bourbon toward Tanners. He spotted Kyle's Harley parked on the corner. Kyle is such a slut for tough bikes. A smile lifted the corner of Drew's lips. His day hadn't gone all that great, with the grand jury appearance as a start. Finally, he was shaking off all the bad vibes from that asshole Sandalio, and looking forward to his date.
The pungent scent of jambalaya floated on the thick-cut breeze. Drew turned his head in the direction from which the mouth-watering aroma came. Mambo's. The word open blinked on and off atop the pole-mounted, neon sign in front of the diner. Stopping at Mambo's for a late-night snack seemed like a great possibility.
Barroom beer-scented humidity washed over Drew when he opened the door of Tanners. Drew nodded to the bouncer and walked in, knowing he'd be sticky with sweat in no time. As he moved through the crowd to the wooden bar rail, the air became laden with the perfume of humanity—perspiration and cologne. The musky scent of sex would pervade the back room. The sex pheromones were impossible to ignore. Closer to the restroom, they'd be overpowering. The restrooms were never used for their designed purpose. If someone had to take a piss, they'd better find a real restroom somewhere else.
Drew's cock stirred as he gazed around the bar looking for Kyle. Some casual action going on in the corner caught his eye. He swallowed a growl, seeing one guy openly palm his partner's bulging, leather-covered crotch. He and Kyle couldn't have sex in this bar. Hanging out in Tanners was risky enough. If the place got raided, Drew knew he and Kyle would be hard-pressed to explain why a couple of cops who knew better got caught, literally, with their pants down.
If his shirt hadn't been so costly, Drew would have taken it off and gotten half-price drinks tonight. Drew sidled unnoticed behind Kyle, who had taken off his shirt and was nursing his usual Captain Coke. Drew winked at the guy Kyle was talking to, before leaning in and giving Kyle a series of light kisses on his shoulder.
Kyle's hand flew to Drew's head, as though vetting the person with such sexy intent.
Drew whispered into Kyle's ear before suckling his earring-studded lobe. "Hey, I'm ready for something special tonight."
Kyle's head fell backward against Drew's chest. He threaded his fingers through Drew's.
"'Bout time you got here. I was starting to think you were going to stand me up, and I was going to have to leave with a leather queen."
Drew gave him a throaty laugh. "Sorry I'm late. I'll make up for it. I promise."
Using his lips and tongue, Drew nuzzled the throbbing pulse below Kyle's ear, knowing how much Kyle loved having his neck kissed. If they hadn't been sitting at the bar, he'd have his hand jammed down the front of Kyle's pants, too. His cock pulsed at the very thought.
Having Kyle in his arms, and letting the guys sitting at the bar watch him greet his lover provocatively, was a huge turn-on for Drew. He used to be more conservative about his public displays of affection, but the past few years in front of Kevin's camera cured him of any shyness. In fact, modeling trained him how to turn up the heat to explosive proportions whenever he wanted. And tonight, Drew wanted Kyle.
The guy Kyle had been talking to earlier piped up. "You two need to get a room .
. . and maybe I'll join you."
Drew winked at the ginger. His zipper looked ready to burst. His crotch must hurt like a son of a bitch. After one more loving kiss on Kyle's beefy neck, Drew wrapped an arm across his boyfriend's chest.
"What do you say, Kyle? Want to share me with this beautiful ginger?"
"His name is Ross, and, sorry, but no, I don't want to share you tonight." His voice had a dreamy quality that hinted at utter relaxation. He twisted in Drew's arms and met his gaze. "I don't get enough of you as it is."
With a sly grin, Kyle stood and pulled Drew into an embrace. He ran his hands down Drew's back until they rested on his ass. He squeezed Drew's ass cheeks and spoke with devastating seriousness. "Kiss me like you missed me."
Drew's heart skipped a beat. The heat coming from Kyle's gaze told him everything about the state of Kyle's desire at
the moment. He'll do his level best to accommodate such a salacious request. He brought his lips so close to Kyle's that a whisper couldn't pass between them. He brushed the tip of his nose against Kyle's.
From behind them came Ross' frustrated question. "You gonna kiss him or fuck him with your eyes?"
Drew answered under his breath. "Both."
He pressed his lips against Kyle's. With a little upward movement, he nudged Kyle's mouth open.
Kyle needed no further encouragement. His tongue swept into Drew's mouth, urgent, hot, strong.
The erotic sensations Kyle created yanked an anxious groan from Drew's throat.
Kyle swallowed that passionate sound with another slow twist of his lips on Drew's.
The emotional intensity of this kiss surprised Drew. At this rate, they'd be leaving immediately and going straight to bed—or the living room couch. He couldn't figure out if he was over-the-top horny or experiencing a deeper connection. Perhaps emotions he'd been ignoring? The idea thrilled Drew. It had been years since he thought he might be falling in love.
"You two want to take it out back?" The bartender's halfhearted scolding broke up their kiss.
Drew wiped his lower lip with the pad of his thumb and winked at Kyle. He faced the bartender and took off his shirt. Grinning, he wedged a portion of the expensive tee in his back pocket while he ordered.
"Crown on the rocks. Double."
The bartender poured the pale amber whiskey, then slid it to Drew. "Good thing you took off your shirt before you ordered. That'll be four bucks."
Drew gave him a five. "Keep it."
Kyle picked up his drink and took Drew's hand. "Come on, let's go in back. I think we were just getting started."
Envy and anger played on Ross' face.
Drew noticed a decided hitch in Ross' gait as he walked ahead of them. Trying to suppress his smirk would have been a total waste of effort.
Behind the main bar area was a large room for playing pool, pinball, and fondling. Only newbies played pool, and usually they didn't finish a game before they were picked up by a more experienced man. The lights remained dim for privacy, and Drew thought, like an unending last call. The scent of sex hung in the air. Low voices comingled with the deep moans of aroused men. Drew glanced around, looking for a place to sit or a corner to lean into.
Kyle pointed while holding his drink. "Over there."
He led Drew to an empty barstool. Kyle slid onto the seat and spread his legs wide enough for Drew to stand between them.
Drew took a long drink of whiskey, then pressed the sweaty glass against his neck. The icy chill sent a shiver through him, making him wish the air conditioning did a better job.
Kyle worked his fingers up Drew's ribs. "I'm shocked you took off your shirt. I know it's one of your favorites."
"I never seem to leave here wearing what I arrived in, or without bring home something I didn't own going in." Drew gave him an easy smile. "I'm feeling extra horny tonight, and I figured losing the shirt was a small price to pay for making you happy."
Kyle's face lit up. He put his fingertips under Drew's chin. "Let me thank you properly, Senior Agent."
Drew wiggled his eyebrows and grinned. "Oh, so that's how we're gonna play it tonight?"
"Is it my turn to be cuffed or yours?" Seduction laced his voice.
"You're the one wearing the hot, leather ass chaps. I think I should arrest you.
After you take off those useless jeans, of course." Drew kissed him lightly.
"And then what?"
"I'm certain I'm going to fuck you, all trussed up and angry about being restrained. And when you magically break loose, I suppose turnabout's fair play."
Kyle grabbed Drew by the back of the neck and pulled him into a deep kiss. With his other hand, he twisted Drew's nipple to painful proportions.
Drew didn't mind. A little white-hot pain was part of their fun. His cock begged for release from his tight jeans. He couldn't think straight when Kyle became the aggressor. If Drew didn't stop now, he might lose control. He broke from their torrid kiss. His chest rose and fell with each gasping breath.
"Whoa. We need to slow things down here a little." Drew reached for his whiskey.
Kyle clamped onto his other nipple.
Drew reacted spontaneously, by holding Kyle's head right where it was. He guzzled the last of his drink and pressed the glass, wet with condensation, against his forehead.
"You're going to make me come if you don't let go, Kyle."
He looked up, and even in the dim lighting, Kyle's desire clearly smoldered in his eyes. "Can't have that."
Drew handed Kyle his drink. " Goddamn it's hot in here, in more ways than one."
Effeminate laughter carried over the murmurs in the room, making Drew turn to see who'd arrived. The low light conditions prevented him from clearly seeing the couple, one of whom was in drag.
Drew squinted as they came closer. One of the men was almost six feet tall. Dark-haired and barrel-chested, he had his arm around the tranny's waist. A mid-thigh length, tight skirt hugged the crossdresser's long, shapely legs. Drew had often wondered if tucking in his junk to wear a skirt like that would be worth the pain.
His date escorted the man in drag to a chair at an open table. "I'll get you a drink."
Drew's head nearly snapped off his neck. What the fuck?
"A white wine for your Ronnie, please. And hurry back, Daddy. I'll miss you."
The man Ronnie had called Daddy turned toward the bar to leave.
Drew's heart thundered in his chest. His mouth turned dry as cornstarch. Could it be him?
"Luis?" He could hardly choke out the man's name.
Kyle clasped his hand, preventing Drew from walking away. "Drew, do you know him?"
Luis stopped in mid-stride. He turned, as though in slow motion.
Drew covered the distance between himself and Luis in a few long strides.
Ronnie rose from his chair.
Drew held up his hand, signaling for him to stay put. "Luis?"
Luis cleared his throat, then inhaled, drawing himself to his full, intimidating height. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd holed up in Minnesota permanently."
Drew couldn't believe who he was seeing. He scoured every inch of Luis' face with his gaze, searching for the small changes that indicated Luis had gotten older and wiser.
"I live in New Orleans—Metairie, actually. I moved here two years ago."
Luis snorted.
Ronnie slipped an arm around Luis' waist and gave Drew a look.
"Do you know this guy?" Jealousy oozed from Ronnie's voice and posture.
Know him? Drew wanted to laugh. What an understatement.
Kyle showed up at the same moment and put an arm around Drew's shoulders.
"This is Luis?"
Drew gave Kyle a sidelong glance. "Yes." He hoped the wonderment he felt hadn't manifested itself in his voice.
Luis reached out and ran his index finger down Drew's chest. "You're even prettier than in your pictures."
Drew knew he was going either throw up or punch Luis. How dare you touch me?
Pictures? Had he seen the Woodlands photos? His brain sputtered out remarks that evaporated before they reached his tongue.
Ronnie clasped his upper arm. "Let's go, Luis. Obviously this guy has some issues." He turned his nose up at Drew in an arrogant huff, dismissing him.
Drew glared at Luis' date. "Since when do you go for the beauty queens?"
"Since when do you prance around in front of the camera for a living?"
The sneer in Luis' voice infuriated Drew. He glared back. "I think it's time for the old man to go to bed."
Ronnie shot Drew an eat-shit-and-die look.
Luis' eyebrows rose. "I seem to recall many nights you loved going to bed with the old man."
He turned his attention to Kyle, gazing at him like a turd on the sidewalk. "You look like a poor substitute."
Drew put his arm around Kyle'
s waist. "Let's get out of here. I had no idea this place had turned into a tourist trap."
Luis let out a deep chuckle as they walked past. "I'm no tourist, my dear. I live here, too."
A burst of heat flared in Drew's chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and let his brain absorb the information.
Kyle's voice was low and comforting. "Come on, let's go."
He nodded, letting Kyle steer him through the crowd, past the bouncer, then onto the sidewalk. That's not how I envisioned our reunion would go. Six years apart, and we take potshots at each other's dates? His brain percolated with a million questions, and he choked on his desire to go back inside, to have a do-over. Bent over and holding his knees, Drew took a few gulps of air to steady his emotions. To say he was in shock would have been a disservice to the word. Shredded was closer.
Kyle rubbed Drew's back. "You okay?"
His heart sank, knowing Kyle witnessed it all, was standing right there watching him fall apart. There wasn't anything Drew could do now.
"I don't know. I'm so sorry you saw that, Kyle."
"You couldn't have known."
"Obviously." Drew stood up. The pain and questions in Kyle's eyes made him feel worse.
"Why don't we go home like we planned?"
The question surprised Drew. "Together?"
"Yeah. The damage is done. We can talk or not. Whatever you need. Let me help you get through this night."
The compassion in his voice, on his face made Drew want to cry. "I don't know . .
. ."
Kyle appeared to study his silver-tipped boots. "I've always known he was the ghost in your heart."
"What can I say? Seeing Luis, after all these years . . . I can't believe how it affected me. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth." In a breathless whisper, Drew cursed. "Fuck you, Luis. Goddamn you to hell for making me feel this way."
When he looked into Kyle's eyes again, the uncertainty there was as plain as a taxi in a bike race.
Drew's vision shimmered through tears. "I don't want him to be in my heart. He doesn't deserve that spot. He used me, abused my trust and loyalty. I deserve better and tonight . . . tonight I thought you'd finally helped me scrub Luis out."
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