I craved a love like that. As cheesy as it sounds, I was looking for true love. Unconditional, can’t-live-without-each-other, all-consuming love. I wanted someone who would accept me for me. Someone who could love each side of me unconditionally, and that included the flamboyant feminine side of me who lived for music, fashion, makeup, and all things purple and glamorous.
Not everyone was lucky enough to find that kind of love, and I knew that I probably never would either. I mean, only a moron would toss a gem like me aside, but apparently the world was full of those morons. No man could handle me, I was too wild and flashy for their liking. Whatever. I didn’t need a man to make me happy. For now, my casual sexual encounters would just have to suffice.
I saw the waitress approach our table holding a large tray with our plates balanced on it and my stomach growled in anticipation. Once she set the plate down, I thanked her and then dug in, not even caring that the food was still hot and burnt my tongue. I ordered the Pad Thai noodles, minus the meat, and with extra vegetables. I was in Heaven as the spices hit my tongue with a burst of intoxicating flavor. Groaning, I scooped up another fork-full before washing it down with my tea. Now that I had a little food in me, my crankiness was appeased, which allowed for discussion.
“What about you, Zach? You tormenting any poor women with that charming personality of yours?”
His response was to flick a spoonful of rice at me. I squealed as I ducked my head, the rice barely missing my hair. I grabbed my napkin and held it up in a sign of surrender. Once food started to be thrown, I backed out. Flying food meant stains and I so wasn’t going there.
“I come in peace!” I exclaimed as I waved my napkin. “It was an honest question, even if it was worded for my sheer amusement.”
“Yeah, nice backtrack there, bro.” Zach smiled and then shrugged. “No one has caught my eye, either. Work takes up most of my free time anyway, so I don’t really want a relationship right now.” He looked down and then pushed the rice around on his plate.
I could tell that there was more to the story than what he was telling, but I knew not to push him. Zach was the type of person that wouldn’t talk unless he wanted to, and he got pissed if he was pushed about it. If anything, being pushed just made him retract further inside his shell. When the time was right, I knew he would tell me.
Discussion was great for the rest of dinner, and afterward, Zach and my dad dropped me back off at home. The night was still young and I wanted to celebrate my awesome performance, Gabriel style.
Which basically meant that I wanted to party and, hopefully, get laid.
Undoing my tie, I slung it off and then stripped out of my suit. My eyes lit up when I saw my favorite pair of pants, so I grabbed them and slipped them on. They were black with large frays starting above my thigh and going all the way down both legs. They were freaking fantastic and I loved them.
Shuffling through my shirts, I stopped when I found exactly what I was looking for. It was a black, leather, cropped belly shirt that had a zipper running down the front. There were no sleeves, just thick straps that totally complimented my toned arms. Playing the cello had its major benefits in the arm toning department.
The bottom of the shirt hit just above my belly button, showing off my studded belly ring and my tan, slim stomach. I then slipped on my spike-heeled boots and laced them up. Looking into my full-length mirror beside my closet, I admired my selection and pushed my hip out. Damn fabulous. Now all I needed was my black studded collar, and a few leather bracelets to finish the look.
After refreshing my makeup and fluffing my hair, I was ready to party.
The cab dropped me off outside the club, so I reached into my clutch purse to pay for the ride. I never drove my car when I went out because I never knew who I might be going home with or how much I was going to drink. I shivered slightly as the mid-October air hit my bare skin, temporarily making me regret my decision to not wear a jacket. I probably should have worn one, but that would have required me to carry the damn thing around with me all night once I got inside the warm club.
So, yeah, I had decided against it.
I was a little anxious as I made my way to the club entrance. I hadn’t been to Raw in a while because of my busy schedule, and I was so ready to tear up the dance floor again. It was the only gay club in the area, which wasn’t that surprising. However, what was surprising was the fact that there was even a gay club here at all. I guess it just goes to show that not everyone in this town hated gays. That information alone was enough to make living here bearable. Almost.
I handed the bouncer my ID and grinned when he gave me the once-over. Yes, I know I’m fucking hot. He had a bit too much muscle for my taste though, so I didn’t linger around to flirt. Once I was cleared, I entered the club. Excitement bubbled inside of me as I took in the atmosphere.
The dance floor was in the center of the room, surrounded by scattered tables and various smaller bar stations. The main bar was on the left side of the room, lining the majority of the wall, with bar stools set up in front of it. Not that many people were sitting there. Everyone was either shaking their ass on the dance floor or spread out in groups on the look-out for potential bed partners. The DJ’s booth was located in the center of the back wall, in front of the dance floor, with red lights streaming behind him.
Bodies moved from side to side as the song Murder Mitten by the band I See Stars blared through the speakers. I loved that song! Flashing green and blue neon lights swirled around and illuminated the room, in typical dance-club fashion. The deep base of the song vibrated through my chest and I smiled as I took a deep breath. I swayed my hips to the beat as I walked further in, looking for the closest bar station. I wanted to scope out my surroundings a bit before making any moves and the bar was the best place for that. Spotting one nearby, I realized that I’d have to enter the fray of dancing bodies to get there.
Walking through the sea of people on the dance floor toward the left side of the room, hands brushed and rubbed against me, and some of them squeezed my tight ass. I didn’t know whose hand belonged to whom, but I didn’t care. I loved the attention.
“Can I buy you a drink, sexy?”
I turned my head and looked at the man who basically had to shout to be heard over the blaring music. He looked to be in his late twenties, with dirty blond hair and an average build. He was cute, in a preppy guy way. I ran my hand down his chest as I leaned into him and gave him a flirty smile.
Right before I could respond, an arm came out of nowhere and wrapped firmly around my waist and pulled me back, as a deep, husky voice growled next to my ear, “Actually, he’s with me.”
What the hell? I glanced at the owner of the arm and the rich, sultry voice and almost fainted right then and there. Those intense eyes and masculine jaw were unmistakable. It was the man I saw at my show.
And he was glaring murderously at Mr. Preppy.
Chapter Seven
Michael
I don’t know what the fuck possessed me to do it. Right when I saw Gabriel enter the club, that unyielding, possessive urge to have him returned full-force and slammed into me like a brick wall. Mine.
The word had come out of nowhere. But once it started echoing through my head, it wouldn’t stop. I heard it every time I saw Gabriel and God have mercy on any man who thought he could waltz in and take what’s mine. I knew that what I was feeling was absurd and on the verge of psychotic. No one could have such intense feelings about someone that they didn’t know.
But I did.
I’m not saying that what I was feeling was love. I was incapable of love, or unworthy of it. But either way, I knew I couldn’t have it, no matter how much I craved it. I had no idea what the feeling was that stirred within me every time Gabriel was near. Sure, I had experienced lust before– strong lust– but this seemed more intense than I had ever felt. The only thing I knew for certain was my desire to throw his beautiful ass down on the bed and fuck him so hard he wouldn’t be able to w
alk right for a week.
And that preppy, blond asshole was standing in my way.
I cut my eyes at the man as I pulled Gabriel tighter against me. His skin was soft underneath my palm, which caused a low growl to rumble deep in my chest. This man was perfection in its purest form. His pale blue eyes flickered up to meet mine, and what I saw reflected in them almost caused me to bend him over and fuck him right there on the dance floor.
He didn’t look afraid or pissed off that I had interrupted him and the preppy asshole, he looked curious. And aroused.
“Whoa, man. Didn’t mean anything by it.” Preppy Asshole put up his hands and took a step back. Damn straight you didn’t mean anything by it. I gave him one last glare before he got the hint and took off.
Once the man stumbled away, I gazed down at Gabriel. My breath caught in my throat at how beautiful he was. What the fuck was I supposed to say to him? He broke the silence first.
“Umm... hi.” An uncertain smile formed on his full lips as he peered up at me. The flashing overhead lights caused shadows to dance along his face and emphasized his flawless bone structure. Fuck, he was striking. I used the arm that was wrapped around his waist to turn him more toward me, loving the way he felt against my body. Lifting my free arm, I caressed my hand down his warm cheek. Mine.
The world was continuing on around us, but all I could see was him.
I knew that I had no right to touch him, this angel, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“It’s too loud here,” I finally spoke. Without waiting for his reply, I grabbed his hand and began leading him off of the dance floor. He didn’t struggle against me and he followed my lead, which I took as a good sign. I led him to a more secluded spot in the club, at the end of the main bar. “Sit.” I nodded to the empty bar stool.
Instead of sitting like I told him, he put a hand on his cocked hip and scoffed. “You don’t order me around, Mr. All-Dark-and-Mysterious. I don’t care how hot you are.” He raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at me and pursed his lips.
He was so sassy… and fucking adorable.
“Well, pardon me, Princess. Would you please have a seat so I might buy your royal highness a drink?”
Gabriel blinked at me and then smiled. “That’s better. Yes, I will. And yes, you may.” He sat down and crossed his legs, drawing my eyes to his spiked heeled boots.
I furrowed my brow. “How the fuck do you walk in those things?”
“It’s a gift. What can I say?” His voice was melodically pleasing to my ears, even through all of his sass and attitude.
Normally, I didn’t talk much to the men I planned to screw. The only conversation I allowed was the basic “Hi, wanna go someplace private and fuck?” chit-chat and then get down to business and move on. If the guy I had my eye on started flirting with someone else, I shifted my focus to someone new. I never turned into a madman and approached them in a possessive manner like I had just done. Never.
So, what was it about Gabriel that had me breaking every one of my goddamn rules?
“What can I get you to drink, Princess?” I’m not sure where the nickname came from, but Gabriel seemed amused by it. As did I.
“Miller Lite, please.”
I arched my eyebrows at him. “Really? I had pegged you for a fruity drink kind of guy.”
“Well, you know what they say about people who assume. It makes an ass out of you.” He peered at me through long, fuck-me lashes.
I was more intrigued by him with every second that ticked by. “You’re a little firecracker, aren’t you?”
Without missing a beat, he fired back, “Only when I’m lit.”
I laughed– fucking laughed. Gabriel was bringing out a part of me that I didn’t know existed. I never so much as chuckled unless it was with sarcasm or at someone else’s expense. The idea of soulmates popped back into my head, but I shook it off. That shit wasn’t real, especially for a man like me. Waving over the bartender, I ordered two Miller Lites and then took the seat next to Gabriel.
“So, don’t you want to know my name? Or are you set on calling me ‘Princess’ for the rest of the night?”
Smirking, I reached my hand across his lap to his thigh and made small circles with my thumb through the large fray in his pants. I sensed him stiffen and my smirk widened. I didn’t want to freak him the fuck out by telling him that I already knew his name. That was a whole other level of stalker that I didn’t want to touch.
With that in mind, I answered, “I like ‘Princess’, but I would love to know your name.”
“It’s Gabriel.” The bartender then slid two beers across the bar after popping off the caps, and I grabbed one and handed it to Gabriel. “Thanks. What’s your name? Or should I just refer to you as ‘Mr. Big’?” I had no idea what he meant about “Mr. Big”, but he could call me whatever the hell he wanted, just as long as he kept talking.
He grabbed his beer and lifted the bottle to his lips, taking a long swig. The image of his full lips wrapped around the tip of the bottle caused me to painfully harden. Fuck. I wanted those gorgeous lips wrapped around my dick. Now. After swallowing his drink, his tongue flicked out briefly to lick the liquid from his lips and I almost came right then.
“Michael.” Was my voice deeper than usual?
Gabriel’s eyes flashed to mine and, for the second time that night, I found it difficult to breathe. His pale blue eyes were luminescent in the dim light.
My hand was still on his thigh and he reached down and grabbed it, moving it up toward the bulge in his pants. I pulled my hand back as I exhaled, not realizing that I had been holding my breath.
A confused and slightly hurt expression crossed his face as I moved my hand away, instantly causing a jab of pain to knock into my chest. I hated seeing that look on him. He thought I was rejecting him and that was the furthest thing from the truth.
Leaning in toward him, I brushed my lips across his earlobe and whispered, “I want to fuck you, Princess. And you are making it fucking hard for me to control myself.”
Gabriel sucked in a sharp breath, as a shiver went through his body. “Oh, I want you to fuck me, Michael.”
Hearing my name leave his perfect lips caused me to growl. I had never wanted someone so bad in my entire life. Standing up from my seat, I grabbed his hand and waited for him to stand.
“You haven’t even touched your beer.” His voice was a little shaky and it was reassuring to know that I was obviously having the same effect on him as he was on me.
“Fuck the beer,” I growled as I pulled him along with me toward the exit.
It was common for me to take the men I had sex with to the bathroom and screw them there. Or take them to any other semi-secluded area. But not with Gabriel. Not with this angel that had unexpectedly come into my life and made me feel more human within a few short hours than I had ever felt in my entire lifetime. No, he needed better than just a quick bathroom screw.
“I don’t live far from here,” Gabriel spoke once we left the roaring music of the club and were outside. The chill of the fall night air hit me, causing chills to form along my arms.
I cut my eyes at Gabriel. “Why aren’t you wearing a jacket?” My voice sounded a little harsh, even to me. But, really, why the fuck wasn’t he wearing one? He could catch a cold.
“Okay, Dad.” He dramatically rolled his eyes. “I didn’t wear one because I’m a grown ass man and can make my own decisions.”
“Bad decisions, I might add.”
There was that look again. That sassy, full of fire look that I had already grown to associate with him. I loved it.
“Whatevs. If you’re going to criticize me, you might as well just march your grumpy ass right on back into the club and find another man to screw around with, or have fun with your hand, bud.”
“You know, you’re sexy when you’re angry.” I smirked as I pulled him against my chest and ran my hands up and down his chilled arms to create friction. The closeness to him against my chest made me slightly
anxious and somewhat uncomfortable, but his delicate body was covered in chill bumps. “Fuck, you’re freezing. Let’s go.”
“And where exactly are we going?” Did he just stomp his foot? Really?
“First, we’re going to my car so you can warm up, Sassy Pants. Second, you said you lived around here, right?” I didn’t wait around for the feisty response that I had come to expect from him and began steering him toward the parking lot, keeping my arms around his shoulders in an attempt to keep him warm.
Finally at my car, I opened up the passenger side door and helped him inside. Although he was trying to give me attitude, I could see the excitement in his eyes. I sat down in the driver’s seat, started the car, and then turned my head to look at him. Gabriel was sitting in a proper fashion, with his long, lean body angled my way. If we didn’t get to his house soon– very soon– I was going to take him right here in this car.
“What direction am I heading?” I asked, trying to push away my lustful thoughts for the moment.
“Take a left at the light and go a few miles down. I’ll tell you when to turn.”
***
Gabriel’s apartment was just as I suspected it would be. The colors were bright and lively, just like his personality. The window in his small living room was framed with purple curtains, and colorful paintings lined the walls. The kitchen, dining room, and living room had no barrier or wall separating them except for where the floor changed from carpet to tile. A small, hardwood table sat by the kitchen with purple place settings and a vase with colorful flowers as a centerpiece. Two chairs were positioned around the table and each had purple seat pillows placed in them.
A smile curved my lips. He really was a princess.
Michael's Awakening Page 4