36 Aubie
I REACH ACROSS THE SEAT and squeeze Cutter’s bouncing leg. Nerves? Ordinarily, I’d say he has no reason to be nervous with me, but today I would be lying.
We said it. The L word.
Both of us said it. Out loud. To each other.
And meant it.
Well, I meant it. I’m assuming he did too because after that he made love to me until we both passed out from exhaustion.
And I mean he made love to me. Not fucked. Not something to rush through. It was slow and tender and more intimate than anything I’ve ever felt with another person. He worshipped me in flesh, and if I wasn’t already head over heels in love with the man, that would have sealed the deal.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m still an avid fanboy of the heated, rough and tumble, fuck-me-against-the-wall passion play, but I like this softer, gentler side of lust too.
“You’re not freaking out on me again, are you?” I ask, half-teasingly. The other half…well, we know how he is.
He glances over at me. “I’m fine. Nervous energy.”
“You need to work out?”
He rolls his eyes. “I think we’ve had more than enough working out in the last twelve hours.”
I chuckle. “I didn’t hear you complaining last night.”
“No, you didn’t.” He reaches for my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “I meant it.”
I squeeze back. “Me, too. Now relax before Daryl thinks I’ve corrupted you completely.”
“He gave us his seal of approval.”
I quirk a brow at that. “He did, did he? Can I ask why?”
“He thinks you’re good for me.”
I squeeze his hand again. “He’s right. I’m good for everyone.”
“Brat.”
I stick my tongue out at him. “Dick.”
I let go of his hand and slide mine between his legs. “Good thing I’m in love with this dick.”
He pushes my hand back. “Okay, watch the road, kitty cat.”
I pout at him. “Aw. You miss my alter ego, don’t you?” I see the blush creep up his face.
“Sometimes,” he murmurs.
Music to my ears. “I’ll just have to stage more private shows for you. Maybe we can explore your fetish for boots and sweaters.”
“You’re not going to let that go, are you?”
“Baby, if you don’t know the answer to that by now I’m going to have to make you assume the position and spank you again.”
I smirk when I see his cock respond to that comment. Life is going to be so much fun with him.
I spot the restaurant Daryl asked us to meet him at and swing up to the valet stand. After I drop off the key, Cutter takes the lead going inside. I’m still curious why Daryl wanted to meet with both of us. Not that I have any secrets from Cutter.
Not anymore.
Cutter acted like he knew what Daryl wanted to talk about, but he didn’t volunteer anything and I didn’t think it was my place to ask.
Yeah, I know, since when do I let that stop me?
This caring about someone else thing is going to take some getting used to.
I should probably apologize in advance for all the times I’ll fuck it up.
The hostess leads us to Daryl’s table, which is actually a curved booth tucked into a private alcove in the back. My first thought is this would be a great place to fuck. I glance at Cutter to see if he’s having a similar thought, but he’s focused on his friend. Guess it’s just me.
Daryl slides over and I get in between them. Before we can even say hi, the cute server appears asking us what we’d like to drink.
“Ginger ale, if you have it,” Cutter says.
“Water with lemon,” I add.
He disappears as efficiently as he appeared. I turn to Daryl. “What’s up, boss man?”
He grimaces. “Don’t call me that.”
I chuckle. “Sorry. I’m in a good mood.” I turn and wink at Cutter, who blushes again.
He leans over and whispers in my ear. “Behave.”
I can’t help it, I laugh out loud. I mean, I feel happy, so why not?
The server brings our drinks and we all order food. Salmon something or other, maybe salad? Hey, I’m crammed in a booth between two delectable men, one of whom I’m madly in love with. Who cares about food?
Cutter’s thigh rubs against mine when I turn to Daryl and ask why he invited me. Seriously, how am I expected to conduct business this way? I slip my hand under the table and palm Cutter’s cock. His eyes widen and he sits up straighter. I stifle a grin and try to look innocent.
Daryl’s not buying it. “Okay, could you two keep your hands to yourselves for one hour?”
“Oh come on, Dad,” I whine. “What do you expect with us all crammed in here? Why did you pick this place anyway?”
He ignores the ‘Dad’ comment. “I wanted privacy.”
I waggle my brows. “What did you have in mind?”
“Aubie,” Cutter growls behind me.
I turn to him and bat my lashes. “Just want to be clear.”
“Your inner fuckboy is showing.”
“That’s fine, Cutter,” Daryl says. “This is exactly why I wanted to talk to Aubie.”
“Do tell,” I say, suddenly interested.
“Okay, you made an offer to back the club.” He looks at me like I’m going to rescind it.
“Yeah. And I was serious.”
“Good. And how serious would you be about putting in something more than just money?”
“Still listening.”
That’s when Daryl goes into a long and detailed explanation of how he wants to evolve Eros into an edgier, darker club.
I’ll admit, while at first I’m zoning out, I gradually become intrigued by what he’s proposing.
The truth is, I’m getting hard just thinking about it.
When he gets to the part about my role, I’m ready to say fuck it and jump Cutter right here in this booth.
Why does everything that excites me go straight to my dick? It’s like the wires got crossed in there somewhere. I mean, the night I was nearly assaulted in the parking lot of Eros, I got hard while the asshole was threatening me. That’s the main reason I blew Cutter.
That, and I just wanted to.
Do I have a fear kink? Hmm…might be something worth exploring.
“I want to hear your ideas,” Daryl says.
Huh? What was he talking about? “I like the idea of more kink,” I say, figuring that’s what he wants to hear. “So you really got off on my set with Dominic?”
I should know I’m not going to embarrass Daryl. He’s made of the same stuff I am when it comes to sex.
“I don’t know if any of our regular dancers would be interested in pursuing that further, which means we might need to find the right people outside the club.”
“And you think I would be a good scout for that?” I ask.
He smirks. “Tell me you don’t watch stripper porn. I know you don’t dream up all your routines on your own.”
“So you want me to watch stripper porn and recommend guys for Eros?” I thumb my lip. “Hmm…sounds like a hard job.”
Cutter snorts. “The mistake you’re making, Daryl, is expecting Aubie to be serious about sex.”
I smile at him. “Oh, baby, I’m always serious about sex. Like right now I’d seriously like to lay you out on this table and–”
“And that’s enough,” Cutter interrupts.
“To be honest,” Daryl says, “that’s exactly the energy I’m looking for. Sex should be fun, and watching it should reflect that. Like a quickie in the closet.”
I’m liking the sound of that. Kinky sex with a side of fun. Eros has always seemed like an adult playground to me. Upping the kink factor just makes it that much more addictive. Like Chuck E. Cheese with a side of whips and nipple clamps. “I’m in.”
Daryl sits back and regards me. “To be honest, I’m not a hundred percent sure how to go about this.”
“Leave it to me. Just tell me what you want and I’ll go find it. How’s that sound?”
“Great. Can you maybe assemble a few clips for me to look at so I can get a better idea of what’s out there?”
I roll my eyes. “Come on, Daryl. Tell me you don’t watch gay porn yourself. I’m sure you logged thousands of hours of spank material coming up with the concept for Eros.”
His eyes flick to Cutter and I sense they’re exchanging something they don’t want me to know.
“If you want him as a business partner, you’re going to have to be honest,” Cutter tells him. “Especially about this.”
I quirk a brow at Daryl. “Something you want to tell me?”
He sighs. “I’m gay.”
“No shit, Sherlock. I knew that the minute I met you. How you manage to fool anyone else is one of life’s great mysteries.”
“I thought my cover was good,” he insists.
“Please,” I say. “You own a gay strip club. What straight man would do that?”
“He’s got a point,” Cutter says. “Maybe it’s time you stop hiding behind women.”
“Listen to you. You’ve been gay for five minutes.”
“Which is longer than you have publicly,” he shoots back. Listen to my man being all bossy.
“Okay, as someone who’s been out for years,” I interrupt, “I think you’re both a fine addition to the queer army. Now can we get back to talking about me?”
“Maybe we should talk about finding someone for Daryl,” Cutter quips. “You know, so you can live your authentic self.”
“When I’m ready, I’ll find my own partner,” Daryl insists.
Cutter is apparently intent on ignoring Daryl’s warning tone. “I mean, I’m only returning the favor since you were so concerned about me.”
Is this like some bro bonding thing I’m not aware of since I didn’t have friends when I was growing up? The two of them stare at each other so long I feel like I’m intruding. “You guys want to get a room?”
The server shows up at that moment to bring our food. I wait till he’s almost done serving us, then point to Daryl and ask, “What do you think of him?”
“What are you doing?” Cutter whispers.
“Shh. He knows what I mean.” I eye the server. He’s a cute twink and not a bit put off by my question. He cocks his brow and gives Daryl an appraising look.
“He’s hot.”
“Would you fuck him?”
“Oh yeah. Definitely.”
I nudge Daryl in the ribs. “There you go. Say thank you, you know, since I did all the work for you.”
Cutter is hunched over against the table and it takes me a minute to realize he’s laughing.
I look back at the server. He is a cutie, and he’s got a sense of style and attitude for miles. Don’t think I didn’t spot that trace of eyeliner or the tats peeking out of his sleeves. “What’s your name?” I ask him.
“Cale.”
“Ever stripped?”
Daryl jerks his head up and refocuses on Cale like he’s reevaluating him.
“Not publicly.”
I can work with that. “How freaky are you?”