Phoenix Club 07(15)

“Fuu-uuck!!” Gabe yelled, choking on the wail spiraling up his throat. He fucked Cole harder, ass lifting off the bed as he burst inside him. His fingers pinched Cole’s hips fiercely and his thrusts turned erratic.

Cole’s mind squeezed and threatened to crack as cum began to squirt from his cock head, a little at first then his full load. “Fuuuck! Uuuhh!!” Gabe grabbed his dick and pumped him furiously, working out his orgasm. “Shit! Fuck, Gabe! Yes…oh my god…oh fuck…that feels so fucking good…” He gasped for air as his body remained locked, tense, as Gabe’s perfect hand slid up and down his shaft until he began to relax a little and soften in his fist. “Holy shit.” Cole fell onto the bed next to Gabe, hand plastered on his heaving chest, sucking for air.

“So…” Gabe panted hard, exhaustion weighing his eyelids. “About Dane…”

Cole chuckled and sucked in a deep breath, releasing it with force. “I think he’s afraid to admit he’s falling for Angel.” He released another hard breath and looked at Gabe. “I just don’t know why.”

Grinning, Gabe rubbed the back of his fingers down Cole’s damp, hot cheek. “Me neither.” He breathed hard. “Being in love is fucking great.”





***





The clock above the bar read 5:36 a.m.

The club was silent, most of the lights turned out, the front doors locked. Dane grabbed himself a beer and sat on a stool, his back to the bar as he stared distantly at the stage. Behind his eyes, he saw Ricky and Angel up there, going through the motions. In these quiet, dark hours of the morning, he was able to admit to himself that his animosity towards Ricky was misplaced. The guy could only teach Angel what he knew, but it twisted Dane’s guts with nausea to watch Angel dance that way. He didn’t know why–they all did to some degree. They were strippers, for fuck’s sake. Their dance wasn’t supposed to be clean.

So why–when Caleb had performed–had Dane merely found it exciting and hot? But when Angel began to dance with the same moves…he wanted to drag him off the stage and hide him away?

He thought about Cole’s words, his suggestion for Dane to teach Angel a more sensual style of dancing. He wanted to, he couldn’t deny that anymore. But that something was still there, holding him back. He didn’t understand what it was, but felt like he should know. Yet when he reached for it, tried to analyze it–it evaded his touch and hid in the shadows of his mind. Sometimes it felt ominous and filled his heart with an irrational fear. Other times, it formulated an ache so fierce and painful he wanted to cry and scream. And still, he didn’t understand it. Didn’t know from where it stemmed.

Or why it flared up each and every time Angel looked in his eyes.

It almost felt as if…he didn’t believe he deserved to be loved by the boy.

The back door clicked and opened, then closed again. Dane glanced towards the rear entryway. Quiet footsteps walked down the narrow hall then Max appeared in the doorway, clearly startled to see Dane at the bar.

“You’re here awful early.” Max came over to the bar.

Dane twisted back around and set the beer bottle on the bar top. “Actually,” he murmured. “I’m here awful late.”

Frowning, Max took the stool next to him. “You’ve been here all night?” Dane nodded. Max shook his head. “Why?”

“Didn’t feel like going home.” He licked his lips and let out a slow breath, then looked at the older man. “Ever feel that way? Like there’s nothing to go home to?”

Dragging his hand over his mouth, Max nodded slowly and whispered, “Every damn night.”

Dane twisted the bottle on the bar, eyes blank. “Do you think I should give Angel dance lessons?” he asked quietly, distantly.

Max sighed and stood up, slid his arm across Dane’s shoulder and kissed his cheek. “I think you should listen to your heart.” He murmured, then walked away towards his office.

Twisting his head around, Dane watched him go. Maybe you should take your own advice, boss.





Chapter Seven


In The Shadows of Hell





He couldn’t decide if the mild shock on Max’s face was a good shock or a bad one. “Horatio.”

Horatio closed the office door behind him. He had said he would try to comply with Max’s wishes, and stay away. But he’d also told him he wasn’t making any promises. And what Max truly wished for wasn’t the things he spoke aloud.

“I thought you were…overseas.” Max remained seated behind his desk as if it served as a barrier to keep Horatio at bay. His eyes were evasive and rarely met Horatio’s gaze for more than seconds at a time.