After clinging to fruitless hope for months, Zach had finally decided it was time to put himself on the market. Which was how he found himself in Kevin and Erik’s apartment, looking at an outfit he never would have imagined himself in and preparing to go out looking for a man.
Drawing in a deep breath, he shook off his misgivings and picked up the tight pants.
“We’ll let you change. Give a shout if you need any help,” Kevin said, shooing Erik out of the room and following him.
Zach eyed the underwear in his hands, then tossed them onto the bed with the rest. He stripped, folded his clothes, and put them neatly aside. Then he shimmied into the silk boxer briefs, followed by the rest of the outfit. The jeans did indeed stretch, which was a blessing, because once they were on, they molded to Zach’s long legs. The shirt was silk as well, and it was cool and soft against his skin. After he shrugged into the leather jacket, he turned to face the mirrored closet doors, steeling himself to feel ridiculous.
Instead of the uncomfortable, gawky man he expected to see, he stared at himself in disbelief. He looked… good. Better than good, really. He lookedamazing, long and lean and dark and maybe a little dangerous. The jacket emphasized the width of his shoulders, and the snug jeans outlined his narrow hips. For the first time, he didn’t think he looked awkward. His height was now an asset rather than a drawback.
He straightened up and pulled his shoulders back. After all these years, this was a body he wasn’t ashamed to show off. He opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the living room. Kevin and Erik looked up from where they sat on the sofa, and Zach had to resist an uncharacteristic desire to preen when their mouths dropped open.
“Wow…,” Kevin breathed softly. “We’re going to have to keep a watch on you at the club tonight, or someone is going to try to drag you off to bed.”
Zach smiled hesitantly. “You really think so? It’s not too over-the-top?”
“God, no.” Erik rose to his feet, admiration clear in his gaze. “I think this deserves a drink. A double, even.”
“I could use one,” Zach admitted. He felt good but also nervous about going to a club. He hadn’t been out on the social scene in a long time, so a little liquid courage couldn’t hurt.
Erik poured each of them two fingers of bourbon in highball glasses. “How about a toast?” he suggested. “To Zach, to his fairy godfathers, and to none of us going to bed alone tonight.”
Kevin laughed as he stood up and joined Erik and Zach. “I’ll drink to that.”
They clinked their glasses together, and Zach downed the potent liquor quickly. He wasn’t much of a drinker, but the bourbon burned pleasantly in his throat, and he felt warmth spreading through his body. He wasn’t the type to go to bed with someone he’d just met, but getting an invitation would do wonders for his ego.
“Ready to go?” Kevin asked. “It’s not too early, and maybe we can get a table instead of having to stand near the bar.”
The three of them traded the warmth of the apartment for the chill of the November night, and they took a cab to the club Kevin and Erik had chosen. A blue neon sign out front identified the club as Nepenthe, and inside, the club was filled with colored shifting lights and throbbing music. Even though it was only eight, the place was already getting crowded, but Erik snagged a table at one side of the dance floor.
“What do you think?” Kevin asked, raising his voice to be heard over the music.
“Not bad.” Zach noted the attractive young men gathered in small groups at the tables, and a few loners at the bar who were obviously on the prowl. “Tonight is on me, you know. I owe both of you for your help.”
“We were glad to do it,” Erik replied, reaching out to hold Kevin’s hand on the tabletop.
“That means a lot to me.” Zach turned his attention to their server, a good-looking young man in a tight black T-shirt and heavy eyeliner.
After they’d ordered their drinks, Kevin nudged Zach’s knee under the table. “Hey! I think that guy by the bar is checking you out. He’s not bad!”
Zach tried not to be too obvious about peeking at the man. He found a powerfully built blond with piercing blue eyes looking at him, and when Zach met his gaze, the man gave a predatory smile that made Zach shiver.
“I don’t think he’s my type at all. He’s a bit scary-looking, don’t you think?”
Erik chuckled and shook his head. “I think that’s your nerves talking, dude. You need to relax.”
The waiter returned with their drinks, and Zach picked his up—a rum and Coke—and took a deep drink, then almost choked.
“Wow, that’s strong,” he said hoarsely, setting the glass down on the table.
“It’ll help loosen you up,” Kevin replied. He had ordered a margarita, and he licked salt from the rim of the glass before taking a sip. “Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We won’t let anyone kidnap you.”
Zach drew in a deep breath, then took another drink. If the blond decided to talk to him, he’d definitely need the fortification.
“He’s still watching you,” Erik reported. “He’s not so bad, if you like the toppy type. He probably has a room full of paddles and whips at home.”
Zach couldn’t bring himself to look at the blond again. “Do you think he’ll come over?”
“Maybe.” Kevin grinned. “Don’t panic.”
