by Tara Lain
“Pay?” Bobby pressed his hands against Aaron’s chest and shoved. “Get your hands off me, you pervert.”
“What?”
Bobby turned his tail and flipped it back to the table—but his insides rolled with anger and nausea.
Robin saw his face and sprang up. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Nothing I don’t deserve. He saw you and realized we were Double Trouble. He said he’d like to pay us.” Robin clenched his fists, but Bobby put a hand on his arm. “You can’t blame him for getting the wrong idea.”
“Oh? Watch me.” Robin stared pugnaciously across the dance floor.
Jerry and Mick walked over, and since Mick made almost two of either him or Robin, he created a pretty impressive shield between Robin and his would-be victim. He put one big arm around each of them. “Come on, let’s go sit.”
Jerry, the most laid-back of humans, said, “Hey man, I heard what that dude said, and I figure people only pay a high price for shit that’s rare, and you two are. No worries. Come on.”
Robin still glowered, but Bobby sighed and walked back to the table where Rod, Hunter, and David all sat. As usual, David’s guys, Gareth and Edge, were off playing volleyball, so David got included as a solo. He pulled out the two chairs next to him. “Sit, darlings. Let’s order some champagne and figure out what to celebrate.”
That finally got a grin from Robin. “Well, I’ve almost finished the mural. By tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., I should be able to gather my paint brushes and quietly slip away.”
Rod leaned in. “So how did the twin strategy work? Come on, I’m dying to know. Could the asshole tell you apart?”
Bobby glanced at Robin. Wow, he really looked—distressed. If Bobby didn’t know better, he might say hurt. Bobby looked back at Rod. “It worked for a while. Well enough to get us almost through the contract. But finally he realized he’d been fooled.”
“How did he react?” Rod looked back and forth between Bobby and Robin.
Robin’s chest rose and fell, but Bobby didn’t hear the breath. He said, “Not well. He figured out we lied to him, and he’s pretty pissed, but we finished the contract—or soon will have—and he said he loves the mural.”
Bobby nodded. “He said that before he knew about our charade.”
“Was this really uncomfortable for you, Robin?” Hunter frowned.
Robin shrugged. “Oh, you know me. I love a good battle.”
Bobby stared at Robin’s face, the pretty lines drawn with some deep sadness. Why didn’t I think of that? That the fight with Paolo could have hurt Robin? Why do I always assume he can stand anything, take any torture?
Bobby wrapped his arms around Robin, who tensed. “What?”
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. I asked way too much of you. To go pretend to be me for some asshole who’s mean to you. And then have to take all the fallout alone. I truly am sorry, Robin.”
“Hey, it’s over.”
Bobby nodded.
But Rod had a funny expression on his face as he stared at Robin—then he looked up and his eyes widened. “Hel-lo!”
Bobby tensed and slowly looked over his shoulder. Wow, just wow.
Micah stood there grinning at him. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He glanced at Robin. “Who do you think I am?”
“You’re Bobby. I’d know you anywhere.” He looked a foot sideways. “Hi, Robin. Good to see you.”
“Hey, Micah. Did you just happen to show up at the Rose?”
“Nope. I remembered two of my patients saying they liked this club. I decided to try it out.”
“I seem to recall I’m not a patient anymore.” Robin grinned.
“True.” His eyes locked with Bobby’s. “And I came to ask Bobby if he’d be willing to resign as a patient also.”
Ker-thump. His heart leaped and fell at the same time. Did Micah want to get rid of them altogether? He pressed a hand against his chest. “Oh? Why?”
“So I can ask you to dance.”
Rodney said, “Awwww.”
Tears flashed to Bobby’s eyes. “Really? Me?”
“Of course.” He extended his hand.
“But—”
Robin reached over and pushed him out of the chair. Bobby flew forward, and Micah caught him and smiled. “You do like to dance, don’t you?”
“Better than anything—almost.” Bobby flashed the dimples.
“There’s my boy.” Taking Bobby’s hand, Micah led him the few feet to the dance floor and stopped. “Do you like to lead, or shall I?”
“You can—for now.” Nice to be asked.
Micah laughed as he swung into a spin, and Bobby squealed. Then he settled into a smooth-as-silk slow dance, snuggling Bobby against his chest.
Don’t want to spoil the mood, but—“Robin told me you two decided just to be friends.”
His voice was a smooth and syrupy as his dancing. “Yep. We seemed to like moving furniture together the most.”
Bobby snorted and leaned back so he could see Micah’s face. “That’s what he said, but he didn’t explain.”
“He redecorated my living room. I’ll show you.”
“I like the sound of that.” He smiled but stared at Micah’s collarbone. “I don’t mean to be critical, but who in their right mind would prefer me to Robin?”
“What?”
“Robin’s super talented and has that tortured soul that keeps him mysterious and sexy and just out of reach. I’m this stupid open book.”
Micah lifted his chin with a finger. “I really like to read.” He grinned. “Seriously, Robin is great, fabulous, but he’s just not for me. I like a big dose of romance with my sex. I like someone who reminds me of the sweetness of the world, not its angst and pain. God, Bobby, I’m a doctor. I get enough of that.”
“Honest?”
“I didn’t have to come here, but I couldn’t stay away. I really want to give this a chance.”
Bobby moved a finger back and forth between them and grinned. “This?”
“You bet.”
“Robin told me about your brother.”
Micah let out a long noisy breath. “Yeah. I love him and I love my family, but growing up gay in African American culture isn’t easy, my friend. I dodged and cringed and hid from what I wanted for a long time, but I’m done. I’ve worked hard to get to live my own life and be who I want to be. That’s why I admire you and Robin so much. That certainty and comfort with who you are is one of the first things that attracted me. I’d never ask you to compromise it.”
Bobby stared at Micah’s pulse throbbing in his throat. “But you asked Robin out, not me.”
“It was stupid and I’m ashamed of it. To tell the truth, I was afraid my brother or someone in my family might hurt you, and I couldn’t stand that idea.”
“It was okay to hurt Robin?” He peered up through his lashes. Asking these questions nauseated him, but if he wanted a real relationship, he had to know.
“Like I said, I’m ashamed, but I thought Robin would fight back and wouldn’t be so, you know, wounded.”
Bobby sighed. “This isn’t your fault, but sadly that’s what everyone thinks, and so Robin always gets to swallow the poison and try to convert it to milk.” He looked up into Micah’s big, hazel green eyes. “I’m as much a fighter as Robin. If you want me to meet your family, bring it on, baby. I’d be honored.”
“Hey, maybe we can have a date first. You know, dinner, dancing, making out on the couch.”
Bobby felt his nose wrinkle. “Sorry, I guess I was assuming you were going to love me and want to take me home to Mama.” He looked up and winked.
Micah started to laugh so loudly everyone in the club looked over, but he didn’t stop.
Finally Bobby said, “So when are we doing this date thing?”
“Well, truthfully, I have to go to a formal event for my service club this weekend. It would make it a lot l
ess onerous if you’d come with me.”
“Oooh, is it black tie?”
“Yep.”
“I own my own tux.”
“The man of my dreams.” He popped his dimples.
“Seriously, you want to take me to some big business thing?”
“Bobby, I want to take you everywhere and do everything you can imagine with you.”
Bobby swallowed hard but flashed his teeth. “Darling, you have no idea how many things I can imagine.”
Chapter Nineteen
BOBBY JOINED in the laughter as they walked back to the table hand in hand. All the guys sat chatting but mostly watching Bobby and Micah. Bobby stopped at the table. “Gentlemen, this is Micah Brown, my used-to-be doctor. Micah, this is Rodney Mansfield.”
Micah raised his brows. “I’m in awe. I own one of your paintings.”
Rod extended his graceful hand. “Then I’m in awe. Delighted to meet you, dear.” He turned to the gorgeous hunk beside him. “This is my husband, Hunter.”
They shook hands, sat in the open chairs, and Bobby introduced David, Jerry, and Mick. “This is just a preview of our happy band of gay Lagunatics. You have to meet David’s guys, Gareth and Edge, plus JJ and Ryan.”
Jerry said, “In case you need a decorator or have to call a cop. Plus there’s Sky and Adam.”
Mick smiled, “An environmentalist and a lawyer. And don’t forget Theodore and Snake.”
Micah’s eyes widened. “Snake?”
Hunter laughed. “Yes, he’s a romance writer.”
Micah nodded. “I look forward to all of it.”
“Yes, dear.” Rod gave Micah a level look. “You hook up with Bobby and you get all of us up in your business all the time.”
Micah accepted the glass of champagne offered by Hunter. “To tell you the truth, I’d welcome the chance to have some gay friends. I’ve been so busy with school, internship, residency, and family, I haven’t really had much time to, you know, fit in.”
“Oooh, does that mean even if Bobby throws you over, we get to keep you?” Rod leaned on his hand and fluttered his lashes. “Hmmm?”
Micah looked a little startled, but Bobby grabbed his arm. “I’m not throwing him over. He’s all mine—if he wants me.”
Micah turned to him. “Trust me. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I do. I really do.”
Jerry sipped his beer. “Uh-oh, guys. I think Double Trouble may be retired.”
Bobby looked up in time to see the flash of pain on Robin’s face. Oh no.
Robin gave that sardonic half smile of his. “Hey, single trouble is probably more than the world can stand anyway.”
Rod met Bobby’s gaze, and they shared a frown.
Bobby accepted some champagne and chatted idly, but the hurt he could feel radiating from his twin sat in his chest like a rock. As he sipped, his pocket buzzed and he jumped. Grabbing his phone, he wrinkled his forehead. “I don’t know this number.”
Rod said, “Probably a sales call.”
Bobby shrugged and clicked. “Hello?” Yes, he sounded suspicious.
“Uh, is this Bobby McMillan?”
“Yes, who’s this?”
“I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Howard Lonegin. We met at, uh, the Rose. You gave me your phone number.”
Bobby laughed. “Of course, Howard Roark.”
“Who?”
“The architect in The Fountainhead. Never mind.”
“Right, of course. I should have known. People called me that in school all the time.”
“So what can I do for you, Howard?”
“Well, I remember you and your brother with great affection.”
Bobby glanced at Micah. “That’s kind of you, Howard.” He stood and walked away from the table. “I should tell you that I’m now attached, so I’m officially retired from the three-way business.”
Howard laughed. “I’m sorry to hear that, but actually I was calling to see if you and or Robin might like to accompany me to an event.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. I know this is a little odd, but as I remember telling you, everyone in my business knows I’m gay, and I’d just love to show up at this event with a gorgeous McMillan on my arm. Or two.”
“Hmm. Do I discern an ulterior motive?”
Another laugh. “You’re too smart for me. Yes, I broke up with my boyfriend a while back, and I’d like the world to perceive me as a gay lothario who’s moved on, instead of a pathetic aging queer who’s pining over his lost love.”
“Are you? Pining, I mean, not aging?”
“Maybe a bit, but not enough to wreck the evening, I think.”
“Well, the fact is, I’m now a one-man man, but—”
“Robin? I mean, I’m not asking for sexual gymnastics or anything. Assure him of that. I just want a smart, beautiful, talented date.”
“There’s a chance. I’ll talk to him. What’s the event?”
“It’s a formal fundraiser for my service organization.”
Bobby laughed. “There might be a good chance. I’ll have him call you.”
“I can’t wait.”
Bobby walked back to the table and grinned at his brother’s glare.
SIGH. THE sea breeze wafted across Bobby’s face as he walked toward Micah’s car, fingers entwined with the man he’d dreamed of for weeks. God, this was so amazing he was almost scared to be happy. Plus—well, he took a breath.
Micah squeezed his hand. “Hey, is something wrong?”
“Not exactly.”
Micah looked at him, then gave him a tug. “Come on. Let’s go sit for a minute.”
“Sit?”
He tucked Bobby’s hand under his arm and walked to the intersection, then crossed with the light to the ocean side of the highway. From there he led Bobby down a short side street to an access point to the sea. A couple of benches sat on the verge of the sidewalk and the sand. Micah stepped aside so Bobby could sit, then snuggled next to him. The roar and hiss of the surf blocked out all noise from the traffic behind them, and the sand looked almost white in the moonlight. Micah kissed Bobby’s knuckles. “So what exactly?”
Bobby giggled, but some of his discomfort must have shown on his face because Micah said, “It’s okay. Tell me.”
“Well, you know that I have a pretty racy reputation, right? I mean, a lot of men know that I’ve had hookups with near strangers, and most of those were three-ways with Robin, right?” Bobby held up a hand. “I mean, Robin and I never—you know.”
“I never thought you would.”
“But if you ask someone about me, that’s what you’ll hear. And you’re a respected doctor and all.”
“May I ask if you felt badly about yourself while you were having those hookups?”
“What? No, of course not. They were fun.” He smiled.
“Then there’s your answer. If you’re not upset by your social life, why should I be?”
“You’re being honest?”
“Yes. That’s not to say I don’t hate the ass off every guy you thought was attractive, but that’s a different matter entirely. So is that what you were worried about?”
“Partly. You see, since I was busy having, uh, my social life, I never settled down much.”
“That part I do like.” He chuckled.
“But that means I don’t have a ton of experience being a boyfriend. I’m pretty bad at it, I imagine.”
“I don’t either. We’ll learn together.”
Bobby glanced up. The moon shone on Micah’s face. “You have the most beautiful eyes. How did you get green?”
“From my mom. She has green eyes too.”
“My, she did a good job.”
“See, now I think that’s first-class boyfriend stuff right there.” He leaned in and captured Bobby’s lips with his.
Wow. Sweet and soft and—oooh, sssssexy.
Micah cradled Bobby’s face with his big hands and kept kissing.
Half of Bobby wanted to climb
onto Micah’s lap and hump. That would be his bottom half. But his brain loved the kissing. In all his wild liaisons, he’d never gotten enough kisses, because Robin didn’t really like it that much. He was always more anxious to get on with the fucking.
Micah pulled his lips back but still held Bobby’s face. Gently he kissed Bobby’s nose. Oh man, was that sweet. “Here’re the choices. We can go to my apartment, have some drinks, and fuck all night.”
“Ummmm.” That did sound wonderful.
“But officially, we haven’t had our first date yet. So if you’d like to just kiss some more and make out a little, and save the heavy stuff for our first—or second, or third—date, I’m open to it.”
“Really?”
Micah pressed his lips against Bobby’s again—but briefly. “I think that’s boyfriend stuff, you know?”
Bobby pointed to the mounded denim straining against his fly. “What do I tell him?”
“Trust me, I’ll be happy to suck him, rub him, or take him up my ass out there on the sand if that’s what you’d like.”
“Seriously?”
He popped a finger on Bobby’s bottom lip. “Sweetheart, why do you have so much trouble believing me?”
“Boyfriend deficiency.”
“Hey, there’s a vitamin for that.” He wrapped strong arms around Bobby, slanted his mouth, and kissed to the center of the earth. Or at least to the center of Bobby’s heart.
When Micah pulled back, Bobby put a gentle hand against his chest. “I feel certain I’ll be even hornier Saturday night than I am now, so even though I’m going to regret this in the middle of the night, I think I’ll vote for no action until the first date.” What am I saying?
Micah gave him a lopsided smile. “I hate the decision already, but I’m glad you made it. Because the fact is, we have a long time to explore each other. We don’t have to rush.”
“We do?”
“Sure. I’m your boyfriend, remember?”
That did it. A huge wall of feeling crashed through Bobby’s chest and rained down in a flood of tears.
“Whoa. Are those happy?”
“So very happy.”
Micah held him tight while he cried. His mom had, Robin had, but this was the first time any other man had ever held him for comfort. Bobby never wanted it to end.