Angel hugged the pole, his head tilting back over Ricky’s shoulder slowly, sensually, eyes half closed, a look of ecstasy on his beautiful, angelic face. It’s just part of the act, it turns the customers on. Even so, it caused a sudden tightness to squeeze his chest. From his standpoint, Ricky was going too far, affording much too much freedom to his hands.
“They’re only supposed to simulate sex.” Dane muttered stiffly and turned away from the stage. “Not actually fuck. Ricky’s a slut.”
“What do you care?” Cole smiled.
Dane shot him a hard look. “I don’t.”
“Sounds like you do.” Gabe chimed low, amused.
His nerves fraying, Dane hissed, “Fuck you both.” And walked away.
“When and where, baby?” Cole tossed after him, then chuckled, inciting Dane’s fists to clench tighter with the urge to punch him in the mouth.
***
Angel’s gaze followed the man discreetly as he weaved through the tables, walking stiffly towards the back of the club. Ricky’s skin was hot and damp against his own, and the way his body moved felt good, but as Dane disappeared into the back, Angel found himself wishing he were the one giving the lessons, pressed up tight against him with next to nothing covering his obviously well-endowed features.
Though he hadn’t wanted to like the guy, the moment he’d stepped into the club and saw him sitting at the bar, Cole’s arms around him–he had felt himself slip. For the past two weeks he’d been trying to tell himself to let it go, focus on his agenda, and not get caught up in those beautiful dark eyes that he was pretty sure only pretended not to want to look at him. From time to time, he’d caught Dane watching him, but as soon as their eyes met, the man was quick to turn away. He clearly wasn’t interested in pursuing any attraction he might be harboring for Angel.
It’s just as well, Angel thought, not without a measure of wistfulness in his heart. You’re not here to fall in love.
***
“Well, that was dumb.” Gabe sipped his drink as the dance lesson continued on stage.
“What?” Cole frowned.
“Getting Dane pissed.” He smiled. “You’ve seen what those fists can do. Not a bright idea poking at him that way.”
Cole raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t the only one taking jabs.” He picked up his beer. “I believe he said fuck you both.”
Shrugging, Gabe smirked, “Well you were the one instigating it. If he’d decided to hit anyone, it would’ve been you.”
“So what are you whining about?”
Gabe smiled. “Not whining. Just trying to protect my…investment.” His eyes swept over Cole’s body and his smile stretched into a sexy grin.
“And what have you invested in this?”
Licking his lips, Gabe set his drink on the table and leaned forward on his elbows, voice lowering. “A whole lot of bump and grind.”
“Fuck.” Cole laughed and shook his head. “Can’t argue there.” He took another drink, his eyes flicking to the club entrance as two young guys walked in, glanced around then took a seat at the bar. They each ordered beers then twisted around and watched Ricky and Angel.
Gabe followed his stare. “Know them?”
“Nope.” Cole downed the rest of his beer and wiped his mouth, then winked at Gabe. “Should we give them a proper welcome?”
Nodding, the two men stood up. The guys at the bar cast them a quick, disinterested glance and returned their attention to the stage. “They’re totally straight.” Gabe surmised about half way to the bar.
“What?” Cole murmured. “You can’t tell that so soon.”
“Did you see the way they looked right through me, without a shred of interest?”
“Yeah, so?” Cole smirked. “You’re not every man’s type.”
Gabe cocked a sharp eyebrow. “Even so, if a man is gay, he at least gives me a once over and considers what it would be like to fuck me.”
Chuckling low, Cole couldn’t deny the truth of those words. He had yet to see a customer look past Gabe without at least a momentary pause for admiration and a lustful thought or two. That man was just fucking gorgeous, there was no getting around it. And he was right–these two newcomers weren’t giving him the time of day. That wasn’t even feasible if they were true blue fags.
“I’ll prove it.” Gabe said low, though Cole didn’t need proof, now that he thought about it. But he simply nodded and let Gabe work his magic. Of course, Gabe was hot enough to turn a straight guy queer, so he wasn’t sure if this would prove anything or not. Still, it would be fun to watch.