“You’re hurting me.” Jeff couldn’t see clearly, tears of pain blurring his vision.
“Are you scared?” Derek wore a lopsided grin. “It looks hot on you.” Still gripping Jeff’s hair, holding him in place, Derek nipped hard at the pale neck.
“Ow! Don’t.” Jeff’s eyes widened as his fear escalated. Derek was out of control, and nothing Jeff said or did seemed to get him to see the reality of what he was doing.
“That’s just a little love bite souvenir. I wouldn’t want you to forget what might be our last night together.”
“Please, Derek. Please.” Jeff knew he was begging, but he didn’t care about pride or self-esteem. He wanted Derek to leave before he… raped him. Closing his eyes, Jeff offered up a silent prayer, hoping something, or someone, would change the course of the next few minutes.
“Please. I love hearing you beg. It’s damn hot!” Derek released Jeff’s hair but then took hold of his shirt, busting it apart. “Come on, let’s hear you plead for mercy in an empty apartment. It’s just you and me, baby. You can enjoy the ride or not, but I sure as shit plan to have a good one.”
“Derek,” Jeff whispered. “Don’t do this. You’ll regret it.” Jeff tried to push the man he’d once thought he loved away, but Derek grabbed his wrists.
“You try that again and I’ll break these pretty little bones. It’s my turn to get what I’m owed after putting up with you for so long.”
Shoving Jeff on the floor, face down, Derek unzipped his pants and then quickly yanked his victim’s sweatpants off in one swift motion. Jeff understood that, yes, he was about to become another statistic, another victim. Helpless and unable to throw off Derek’s hold, Jeff closed his eyes as a tear escaped and fell to the floor; hoping that whatever happened next would soon be over. He swallowed a cry, determined not to let it out, unwilling to give up everything, to give away to Derek how terrified he was.
CRAIG stomped into the Music Box. Running his hand through his hair, he scanned the crowd. He was more keyed up than usual, and the need to release some unwanted energy was all Craig cared about.
There had to be a willing ass waiting to be pounded. He could feel his half-hard cock twitching at the thought. Craig couldn’t believe his body’s reaction to Jeff. They’d kissed. They’d kissed before, but it never had an effect like the kisses they just shared. Not to the point that he wanted Jeff more than he wanted to breathe.
He couldn’t do that to Jeff. It would be some kind of betrayal of their friendship. Craig would be taking advantage, and it certainly wasn’t worth ruining all the years they had been buddies for one fuck.
Those lips. Those big, luscious, red lips. They were as eager as Craig’s. Had Jeff really kissed him back as aggressively as he’d gone after his best friend? It couldn’t be. Friends didn’t feel that way about each other. It had to be the excitement of the moment. Their business was truly ready to go. That had to be it, hadn’t it?
Trying to shake thoughts of Jeff from his mind, Craig started when someone whispered, “Hi,” in his ear.
“Not interested.” Craig responded automatically, despite knowing the only reason he came to the Music Box was to get a fast, hot fuck.
“Glad you’re not interested. I’m not particularly interested in you that way either.”
Craig turned around, the edges of his mouth turned upward. “Sam. Fancy meeting you here.”
Sam snickered. “Fancy that indeed. So why are you here? I thought you and Jeff were getting ready to launch The Male Room.”
“We are. We were.” Craig combed his fingers through his hair again.
“So what are you doing here?”
“I just… we… he and I….” Craig gave up and lowered his head.
“Holy hell, it finally hit you.” Sam winked.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the light bulb shining brightly over your thick skull. It appears you finally turned it on.”
“I have no idea—”
“Stop the bullshit!”
Craig’s eyes widened.
“I can say that to you here. We’re not in my office.” Sam placed a hand gently on Craig’s shoulder and squeezed. “Please tell me you’ve seen the light.”
“You’re talking about me and….” Craig’s voiced trailed off.
“Yes, you asshole. You and Jeff. I’ve never seen two guys who were meant for each other more than you two. I bet if you each filled out one of your applications, you’d come up with a one hundred percent match.” Sam looked directly at Craig. “So, why are you here?”
“Because I kissed him, really kissed him.”
“And?”
“And he kissed back, enthusiastically.”
Sam snickered. “I’m pretty smart, but even I can’t figure out what you’re doing here, rather than having an incredible night with someone who’s obviously in love with you.”
“Shit!”
Remaining silent, Sam continued to hold Craig’s attention.
“I should go back there. Damn, am I that fucking blind?”
“Sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of us.”
“Thanks, Sam. I’ll talk to you in a few days.” Craig turned to head home as fast as he could.
“Have a good time.”
Craig tossed back over his shoulder. “You know, I think I will. In fact, I’m sure of it.”
Ghosting his fingertips over his lips, Craig could still feel Jeff’s lips against his. It was right with Jeff. Right like it had never been before. What a fucking idiot he’d been! He wondered how fast he could jog home. He was about to find out.
Chapter 8
“THAT’S right, baby, you know you want this. I know you missed this as much as I did.”
Craig entered his apartment, shocked to hear Derek’s voice. Shit! The jerk was back in Jeff’s life, exactly as Craig had predicted. What an idiot he’d been, thinking Jeff wanted him, loved him. Obviously Sam had gotten it all wrong.
“Two fingers can’t be enough for you, beg for more. You know you want it. Here’s another. I’m gonna fill you until my
