Phoenix Club 07(12)

“Don’t be volunteering my services.” Dane ground out tightly. “To anyone. Especially not—” His mouth clamped shut abruptly when Angel and Ricky appeared at the far end of the corridor that ran down in front of the dressing rooms. They were engaged in light conversation, laughing now and then. Dane’s hairline sizzled hotly when Ricky took hold of Angel’s hips and commenced to show him a sexy move that required their crotches to rub and grind.

Turning slowly, Cole followed his hard eyes.

His breath shoving forcefully through his nostrils, Dane muttered, “I think Ricky’s got it covered.” Before he could turn his back to them, Angel glanced past Ricky and caught Dane’s stare, sending his heart rate through the roof. What was it about this kid that seemed to turn his world upside down?

Cole was watching him, an amused quirk to his lips.

He tore his eyes from Angel. “What?” he asked sharply.

“Nothing.” Cole held up his hands defensively, grinning. “But it kind of looks to me that maybe Angel might be interested in some of your…moves.”

“Forget it.” Dane’s nerves were riding the surface of his skin, making him jumpy, shaky. Sudden images exploded through his head of him and Angel touching and rubbing, their bodies pressed close, rocking in perfect rhythm. A shuddered breath escaped him before he could suppress it and he cleared his throat, raking anxious fingers through his hair. “I’m not a dance instructor. Why is he even here if he can’t fucking dance?”

Losing a smidge of his humor, Cole looked at him more seriously. “And why are you being such a dick to the kid? He’s sweet, and beautiful, and amazing. You might see that if you weren’t so fucking determined not to fall for him. So get off your fucking high horse and help the boy out.”

At a loss for words, Dane just stared at him. It wasn’t often that Cole got truly serious with his friends, but when he did–it was wise to listen up. Still, Dane wasn’t ready for this. In truth, he was afraid to touch Angel the way Ricky was doing. He liked to tell himself he wasn’t out of his mind for the guy, but he was nevertheless aware that one intimate touch and he would be gone, falling fast and hard over that ledge with no idea how close the bottom lay. It isn’t the fall that’ll kill you, baby–it’s the sudden stop.

Shaking his head slowly, Dane whispered, “I can’t. Sorry.” His throat was closing and he didn’t know why. He only knew he had to get out of sight of Angel and the effect those pure eyes were having on him.





***





The stinky bastard that Cole and Trevor had kicked out of the club–was sitting in the small dank kitchen of Angel’s apartment when he got home sometime past midnight. He froze in place, the door half open. Wade and Axel sat around the table with him, drinking, their voices rising in laughter. It wasn’t even so much the unexpected presence of the filthy customer that made Angel want to puke–but Maddy in the midst of them. And that fucker’s hands on him.

“Hey!” Angel slammed the door loud and hard, demanding their attention in an instant. “Get your fucking hands off him!” He rushed into the kitchen and grabbed Maddy, pulling him away from the men. There was a tremor in the boy’s body though he said nothing. “Go to your room, Maddy.” He said anxiously, knowing exactly why this bastard was here. When the kid hurried away, Angel turned enraged eyes on Wade. “We had a deal. No one touches Maddy.” He choked. “No one.”

“Calm down.” Wade smirked and downed a gulp of beer. “We didn’t hurt the little fucker. Our friend here was just having a look-see.”

“Keep Maddy out of it.” Angel said thickly, fiercely. “Completely.”

“Or what?” Axel snorted. “You gonna blast us with fairy dust?” He looked at the other guy and they both laughed.

“You said you would leave Maddy alone.” Angel told Wade.

“We are.” Wade assured with a crooked grin. “The boy don’t go on the market unless you come off.”

Angel swallowed hard, flicking a quick look at the thick man sizing him up. “Why is he here?” he spoke low, unsteady. “How did you even meet…?”

“You think I don’t keep tabs on you?” Wade smiled dryly. “The front doors were wide open, I saw your faggot friends kick this poor guy out, when all he wanted was a little fun like everyone else.” He scooted up in his chair. “So I offered him a discount off your five hundred dollar ass.”

“Fuck.” Axel chuffed and shook his head. “Five hundred bucks. No one’s gonna pay that for your skinny ass.”