I rubbed the back of my neck with an open hand. The gesture created more tension instead of easing it. Sex with the same men more than once wasn't the experience I wanted. Not that night. Not any night. It was too expected, redundant, reliable, and complicated. I wanted none of it.
Except I did want them. I couldn't deny how much I wanted to feel them in my arms, to touch them, to kiss them again.
I forced a glance around the room and took note of several men in the thick crowd. I gestured for another glass of water and forced a languid drink.
Then I spotted him, seated at a table in the middle of the dining room. I set the glass on the bar and whirled around.
His face was hidden, but the dark waves were unmistakable. Matthew lifted his head. He didn't look at me. He focused his attention on two others. The tall, bulky, leather-clad men strolled across the room and straight for his table. His head and gaze lowered the closer they came to him. The men sat without a word.
I'd been with both of them. They were a longtime couple and were heavy into bondage and toys as their only means of sexual contact— but not to do to each other. They wanted to play with someone else.
Would Matthew like to be bound? He seemed to be an entirely sensual man who wouldn't want to be with someone whom he couldn't explore with his hands, his lips, his tongue.
But I didn't know him. Or did I? I envisioned him tied to the bed with the large men using all manner of objects to touch him, arouse him. Initially, I found the image erotic. Then it turned into a scene I didn't care for as Matthew's frustration built the more he tried to move his hands for a single touch of his lovers, desperate for a kiss, for contact.
“Hello.”
I lowered a foot and swiveled the barstool until I faced the voice's owner. The young man had been in the club a month before, but I hadn't been with him yet. I smiled. The expression required force. Damn, kid. Get out of my head.
“My friend and I are looking for someone tonight. Someone who might want to... take control. You interested?”
“Could be,” I said. “Where is he?”
“Restroom. He saw you before he left. He's quite taken with the idea of the three of us.”
I was too, until I caught sight of another man. He passed the bar and sat alone at a table. I wasn't aware I'd been staring until brilliant green eyes connected with mine.
I clutched at the bar.
Richard continued to stare until another man approached his table. The man had dark hair like Matthew's but was more my height and build. He was younger than I, though, and better looking, more fit. Why the hell did all the new guys at the club look like extras just off the set of Queer as Folk? The two talked, and Richard gestured to an empty chair. The other man dropped into the seat straight away. Of course, who wouldn't be anxious for a chance at Richard?
I forced my attention back to the man next to me. My prospect's tall friend joined us. He wrapped his arms around the seated man's shoulders. “Is this fine man interested?”
“I think he is.” The seated man closed his eyes and leaned into his friend. They entwined their hands over his chest.
A relationship.
I'd separate them. Tie one up. Make him watch from across the room while I claimed and inspired his lover's body.
“Should we head up?” the tall man asked.
Unable to stop myself, I glanced in Richard's direction. His eyes were on Matthew. The frown and furrowed brow illustrated his opinion of the other man's partners for the night. Without looking away from Matthew and his new friends, Richard spoke to the man at his table. The man gave a curt nod, stood, and returned to the lounge, already on the prowl for someone else.
Richard didn't falter. He ignored every other man in the place and proceeded to the bar, to me.
The tall man straightened. “Hey, we're talking here.”
Richard leaned an elbow on the bar. “Have you already found what you want tonight, Luke?”
I shook my head.
“Can I entice you again?”
“I think you already have.” The words flew out without regret. I wanted to feel his hands on me. I wanted to wrap my lips around his tongue, my thighs around his hips.
Richard gripped my arm, and with a tug, he encouraged me off the stool. “Let's go rescue the kid. Yeah?”
“Okay. He'll want us again?”
He hesitated with his next step. “Were we in the same room last time?”
“Right.”
We crossed the dining room, my arm in his hand, and with a slight slow of his gait, Richard spoke. “You coming, Matthew?”
Matthew's eyes widened, and he followed in a flash. Richard no longer held my arm. The decision to be with them for the second time in two days was under my own control— or lack of control, as the case may be.
More and more air left my body with each step. Breathing wouldn't come easily by the time we reached a room. I stopped at the base of the stairs. “Wait.”
Richard halted. Matthew kept going. He made it up four more steps before stopping.
They couldn't be what I wanted. I wouldn't allow myself to break that rule.
“I think Luke needs a minute to adjust his game plan,” Richard said. “Why don't we have a seat?”
Matthew barreled back down the stairs, and Richard pointed to a nearby table where they sat. I joined them, my lungs filling with air.
“What do you want tonight, Matthew?” Richard asked, his eyes still considering me.
Matthew smoothed out the linen tablecloth with his palms. “It was a great night last time. I think I'm already getting what I want— a second chance with both of you. I'm open for whatever
