Caelius slid the keycard into the door slot and was happy to see the green light blink back in welcome. Seven straight hours on the road and he was looking forward to a hot shower and a nap. He smiled when cool air bathed his face. He threw his duffel to the side and flopped onto the bed.
Everything was clicking into place. Despite Nikos and Chiron ditching him, Richard Jimenez, the producer of The Magnificent 7 Male Revue, was still interested in having him as a guest dancer. Thankfully, he’d sent more than one routine demo and Jimenez had approved the ‘lonely wanderer’ act as a replacement. It could be performed without assistance from others. That was his favorite anyway and seemed appropriate to what was happening to him right now.
The room seemed eerily quiet without Nikos and Chiron busting each other’s chops. He missed them, but was glad to have time to mentally prepare for the show. Glancing to the clock, he calculated he had two hours to kill before he needed to leave. Grabbing his toiletries, he headed to the shower. Sighing in relief as the steamy water soothed his stiff muscles, Caelius recalled the directions and information provided about the show.
The venue was at Club Sultry, a small rooftop lounge above the infamous Althalos Arena club. Snooping on the internet proved the place looked pretty classy. It was on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine, and directly across from Capitol Records. The place was a thousand times better than the stops he’d made along the way.
Caelius shook his head in wonder. As many times as he’d poured over the history of Hollywood while he’d studied Earth culture, he’d never imagined himself actually becoming a small part of the prolific nightlife. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Just the idea of being in a location that had crawled with starlets from the golden heyday of Tinseltown brought images of Rhia into his mind. And with that, a massive erection.
Fuck it. Instead of willing the damn thing down like he’d been doing for three weeks, Caelius leaned back against the ceramic wall and took himself in hand. He didn’t want to fight this normal reaction to someone he adored. She had that impact on him, and he wasn’t going to complain. A soapy fist and her mesmerizing eyes were going to be his preferred stress reliever.
The drum of the water against the tiled walls flung him back into their time in the shower together. Turning, he pressed his forearm against the wall and closed his eyes. He could feel her luscious ass bouncing and slapping against his groin as he drove hard inside her sweet pussy. The remembered sound brought chills across his flesh despite the heated water sluicing down his back. Caelius tightened the grip on his cock as he pumped the hardened shaft. She’d been so snug he could feel every throb and flutter of her inner muscles as she took him deeper.
Licking his lips between huffs of breath, Caelius could see the fragrant juices gleaming on his dick as he sawed in and out of her accepting heat. Each sweet moan coming from her lips had sent shots of pleasure shooting through his belly to instantly lift his balls. She’d allowed him to take her bare, and the skin-to-skin contact had been beyond exquisite. Twisting his fist against the engorged, leaking tip on every upstroke, Caelius groaned to the ceiling. He didn’t want this to end so quickly. If he couldn’t have her in reality, he’d force her to remain in his visions.
Slowing his strokes, Caelius willed his ethereal beauty to swivel in his arms and clasp his neck as he licked and nibbled his way to her ear. He was so lost in his fantasy, he couldn’t stop the words spilling from his lips.
“Hold on, sweetness. I’m going to pull you up. I want you to sit on my cock.”
Higher she moved until he could lower her onto his shaft. With a hard grip on his throbbing member, Caelius rolled his hips and stroked faster as their moans filled the enclosure. Her breasts smashed against his chest, and with each forward movement her beaded nipples drew erotic pictures across his flesh. He clenched his teeth when her husky, sensuous voice drifted next to his ear, and her nails scraped slowly across his back.
“Fuck me hard, Caelius. Bury yourself deep inside me. I want to feel your balls slapping against my ass as you take me. Yes, grind on me. Feel my clit? It’s hard and rubbing against you. I’m so wet for you. Yes, grip my ass like that, baby. Bite my neck. Sink your teeth in. Mark me. Make me yours. Faster, Caelius. Harder. Take me. Do it, Caelius. Come.”
Butt cheeks freezing into place, Caelius locked his knees and pumped furiously along his shaft. The clicking sound of wet flesh sliding against hard meat sent him tumbling over. Waves of mind-numbing pleasure shot through his groin and released a deep growl from his throat. Panting through the burst of liquid heat traveling his shaft, Caelius watched with hooded eyes as thick streams of cum patterned the wall, his belly, and eventually his hand.
Caelius’s mind screamed that it should be inside his love, not sliding down the wall and disappearing into the drain. He wanted to feel her muscles clamping hard around his cock as she shouted his name, dug her heels into his ass, and milked him of every last drop.
Gasping for air, he pressed his forehead against the tile. Slow continuous pulls on his shaft eventually released all he had to offer, and his hand dropped away. Despite the looseness of his muscles and sense of relief, Caelius felt the sadness he’d temporarily chased away find its home again. It reflected in his whispered words that only he could hear.
“I miss you, sweetness.”
Chapter 17
Caelius’s eyes widened as he slipped into the dressing room of Club Sultry. One area of the club had been blocked off to the patrons in order to allow The Magnificent 7 entertainers access to the low, provisional stage placed in front of a large ornate doorway. The platform was much smaller than the one at home, but his act didn’t require a large amount of space, so it would suffice. A thick, maroon curtain hung in the door’s archway to give them additional privacy. This room was really a portion of the mezzanine bar divided by temporary walls to block anyone from ogling the naked men preparing for their next set.
Despite the impermanence, it was relatively roomy and had sufficient seating for at least ten large males. Long metal racks were available to house their costumes and paraphernalia. He quickly noticed that half had already been filled with varying styles. The only thing missing were the entertainers. Setting his duffel on the nearest chair, he began pulling his costume out. Caelius swiveled around when he heard his name.
A very handsome male with short black hair and a brilliant, engaging smile stood in the doorway entrance. He wore a dark, tailored business suit, and his arm was extended in welcome. Caelius reached out, clasped the strong hand, and was immediately impressed with the decisive grip. He instantly liked him. There was something about his eyes that reminded him of the Trejani. This male was smart and knew his business. He had the bearing of a leader and the suit failed to hide that he had the build of a warrior as well.
“You must be Richard Jimenez. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“You as well. I’m glad you found your way here without any problems. We’ve been looking forward to having you join us, Caelius. The guys will be here any minute, so please continue with what you were doing. Your demo was excellent, and we want you to be the first out on stage tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”
Caelius smiled and shook his head. “No problem. Were you able to get permission to have your staff set the small fire in the cauldron? If not, I can improvise with any sort of direct lighting source.”
Richard nodded. “We’re good. As long as it doesn’t last longer than eight minutes, then we’re in the clear.”
“Six is all I need. Will I be joining the others for any of the combination sets? I’ve studied all of your routines, so anytime you want to insert me into any of them, I can blend in.”
Before he could get a response, the curtain opened, and Richard stepped aside as the group began filing into the room. If Caelius hadn’t known better, he would’ve thought the members of Magnificent 7 to be of the Insedi warrior class as well. Their well-honed physique spoke of dedication to their craft. Despite their intimi
dating size, all of them carried a wide grin and greeted him warmly as they introduced themselves. Richard motioned over the last one entering the room.
Caelius tried to keep his mouth from dropping open when he got a good look at the big male. If not for the shorter hair, he could have passed for Emperor Lucien’s twin. The similarities were uncanny. The only major difference he could see was the eye color. His were a brilliant blue instead of emerald. The bright smile spoke of his friendly nature.
“Caelius, this is Axel. He’ll let you know which combination acts you can join. Also, since Nikos and Chiron couldn’t make it, he and Anthony would like to assume their roles on the second half of your first song. They’ve seen your video and can easily perform the parts. Is this acceptable?”
“Definitely. I’ll not turn down that kind offer. Thank you.”
Richard smiled, clapped Axel on the back, and shook Caelius’s hand again. “Good then. I’ll leave you guys to do your thing. Have fun out there, and let’s give the ladies a night to remember. See you afterward.”
Caelius accepted Axel’s offer to study the lineup and found three acts he could join that didn’t require extensive training. All too soon, the air filled with a cacophony of voices. The females had arrived and were ready for a magnificent lineup of chests, abs, and sculpted butts. Dressed and ready, he took a deep breath and waited for his cue.
* * * *
Rhia’s heart thundered in anticipation as she navigated the stairs that would take her up to the Club Sultry lounge. She was already overwhelmed with walking through the huge auditorium of the Althalos. She’d heard about this place and couldn’t believe she was wandering its hallowed halls. It’d been in Hollywood since the 1920s and had a fantastic history. Many famous people had meandered in and out or performed here.
Mouth opening in wonder, she felt like she’d stepped back in time as she walked down a set of half-circular steps into the central room of the rooftop lounge. It boasted tall, muted-orange and gold walls, and fascinating decor. She felt as if she should be dressed in a costume from the roaring 20s instead of a T-shirt and jeans. Glancing around, she saw that there was a mixture of dress from casual to full-out glam. At least she wouldn’t stand out. The place was fabulous.
Rhia tried to keep from stumbling down the stairs as she gazed up to the ceiling. Well, if you could call it that. Strips of plush material draped down in precision waves high above her head, and the night sky peeked through the gaps. One pull of a strategically placed cord, and the stars and the top of the Capitol Records building would be joining the patrons for the show. The sight of the stage butting up against the far wall made her gut clench. Was Caelius already behind that thick curtain?
Not wanting to join the women quickly filling the chairs surrounding the stage and extending from wall to wall, Rhia looked for a spot that she could easily hide. Glancing to the left, she saw a set of stairs leading up to a long balcony with a huge open doorway behind it. Weaving through the bodies, she gave an appreciative nod to the expensive, gold-framed pictures liberally covering the thick wall, slipped around the edge of the gilded doorframe, gawked at the plush room for a few seconds, and then nodded in approval. Perfect. She’d be able to see the stage and could duck to the side if needed. This wasn’t the place to have a confrontation with him, but she hadn’t been able to keep away. She’d only seen him perform once, so this was going to be a treat.
Rhia looked up when the lights dimmed and a man moved to the front of the stage. He quickly set a bowl-shaped cauldron in the center of the platform, and then the room plunged into darkness. Her eyes widened when a small flame rose from the center of the bowl, and he disappeared into the shadows. The opening soulful guitar riff and single drumbeat of Puscifer’s “The Humbling River” filled the room. The crowd quietened in anticipation. The flame grew and bathed the stage in a warm, golden glow.
A black-robed and hooded body slipped through the curtain at the sound of the first lyric. The height and broad shoulders gave away that it was one of the entertainers, yet still forebode of something mysterious. Everything went into slow motion as the music caught her senses and held on tight.
A long staff was gripped vertically in his fist as he swayed sensuously to the music and slowly walked the edge of the stage. He would pause and stare out from the deep shadows of the hood, as if contemplating the direction of his future, before quietly moving on. He tapped the staff upon the stage in time with each intermittent drumbeat. Gradually, he circled the perimeter and approached the fire with reverence. Gracefully, he sank to his knees and lowered until the robe stretched tightly across his legs. He laid the staff to the side and passed each hand across the top of the fire. The haunting sound of violins drifted throughout the room and instantly brought chills to her skin.
Captivated, she watched as he pulled his palms toward his body, as if cleansing himself with smoke from the flames. Broad hands rose to wooden clasps holding the robe together, and gently flipped them open one by one. Rhia caught herself leaning forward. She was enthralled, and she wasn’t the only one. He had everyone’s attention. Even the waiters stood still as statues as the mesmerizing event unfolded.
The last clasp fell away, and his long fingers began to slowly peel the material from his shoulders. Rhia couldn’t fathom how it was possible to make clothes removal an art form. This man was a master of seduction. His chest and belly teased through the parting material before the robe slipped completely off and drifted to the floor. Rhia’s breath caught in her throat. It was Caelius.
He wore nothing but a black loincloth and animal-skin moccasins covering the lower half of his muscular calves. His hair was loose and falling sensually around his shoulders, emphasizing the predator tooth gleaming between his bunching pecs. He looked like an ancient warrior spiritually preparing for an upcoming battle. The nipple ring twinkled in the light of the fire, and her mouth instantly watered. The flames danced and painted wavering shadows across his body. Every muscle he owned became deeply defined and beautiful. He was truly magnificent.
Rhia felt faint as he rose to his knees. The large muscles in his thighs tightened and bunched as he held his body upright and slightly arched his spine. His head lolled back as thick arms extended out slowly from his sides and gradually lifted to the sky in supplication. She didn’t know where to settle her eyes. They skittered across his thick neck, the slabs of muscles running the length of his arms, the narrow waist, the well-defined abs, the wide back that flared out like wings along his sides, and his thick black hair flowing to his ass. He was sensual, thrilling, and bringing back vivid memories to flood the present. She could sense his hands moving over her body, the feel of his chest as it slid across her breasts, erotically accented words drifting down the side of her neck, and the taste of his mouth.
Rhia shivered, closed her eyes, and tried to control her shaking body. Heat flared in her core, and her clit throbbed hard against the seam of her jeans. Shit! This man could make her feel twenty-five in less than two seconds. He was lethal. The beat of the music increased, bringing her focus back to the stage and directly into his sensuous web. Caelius had dipped his head forward, and his palms were now resting on his thick thighs.
She could actually hear the collective intake of breaths as two more entertainers slipped through the curtains and joined Caelius as he rose from the floor. They wore brown loincloths and held a similar staff to the one Caelius carried. Each man was muscular, exceptionally handsome, and seamlessly blended into the sensuous dance. They weaved around each other and pounded their staffs upon the stage to the erotic beat of the music.
Soon, Caelius’s hair was sticking to the sweat on his gleaming flesh. The music was mesmerizing. With each movement of their big bodies, she felt drawn into a story of camaraderie and recognition that they may die this very day. It almost brought tears to her eyes. She swallowed on a hard lump when they eventually formed a tight circle, linked arms, and rested their foreheads on their comrade’s shoulder. The music faded, th
e lights went out, and the fire was doused. Soft, feminine gasps wafted across the crowd. She knew exactly what they were feeling. It was an instant thought of unbearable loss.
Just as quickly, the lights brightened and revealed Caelius alone on the stage. The fire, staff, and robe were gone. He wore nothing but a black G-string. He jumped high into the air just as Prodigy’s “The Firestarter” blasted the room. He landed effortlessly into a predatory crouch, lifted his arm, and swung his pointing finger from one side of the room to the other, seductively beckoning them to come to him. A lascivious smile graced his sculpted lips. Damn!
Every female in the room immediately woke from her stupor. Bodies leapt from chairs and rushed the stage. Rhia thought for sure they were going to pull Caelius into the crowd and devour him. Thankfully, they still had their senses and kept to the edge as they screamed and reached out for him. Perhaps it was the big guards eyeballing them from each side of the stage that had those women second-guessing any thoughts of absconding with the talent.
Caelius took his time swaying and undulating along the throng of women, close, yet just outside their reach. His eyes were hooded and sensual as he scanned the growing line vying for a chance to run their hands across his body, experience his strong fingers grazing their cheeks, and to stuff a wad of bills into his underwear. She watched in awe as he took command of the stage. He twisted his body, stood on his hands, did the splits, flipped backward, and basically threw himself into unbelievable contortions as the women screamed for more. Shit! The man could dance.
Heart thundering to the rhythm of the music, Rhia watched in dazed wonder as a thick skirt of money quickly formed around his waist when he dared to get close enough to the wild crowd. As the music began to fade, he dropped to his knees, leaned backward, and planted his palms onto the stage. His belly heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
Fueled by Lust: Caelius (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 15