“True,” he says with a satisfied grin, “and now we have all night for you to do it again, but first,” he raises a finger, “there are stories to be made and good times to be relished. You and the band have worked hard to be here, and you deserve to have fun.” He tugs me in the direction of the bar. “Let’s get something to drink, and then we’ll find out where the rest of Fifth Circle has wandered off to.”
The drink options are limited, so Toni settles for a plastic flute of champagne in place of his usual cocktail. I’m happy to stick with a second beer. With the performance tomorrow, it will be my last for the evening.
We track down Oz and Gavin on the other side of the enormous tent, near a canvas wall that’s keeping out the chill of the night air. Gavin’s wife, Charmaine, gives me a big hug before proposing a toast to the success of the band. We all cheer as we drink deeply from our glasses.
Over the next hour, we enjoy the buzz of the festival atmosphere. A dance area springs up at the edge of the tent closest to the amphitheatre, where we can hear the headlining bands play.
Toni and I stick close to each other, as promised. We’re often within touching distance, but not crowding each other as we mix with my friends and chat with some of the other musicians performing at the festival. It’s nice, knowing I have someone close by who is here for me alone.
I’m finishing my drink when I catch myself staring at Toni. He and Oz are deep in a discussion about Fifth Circle’s Instagram account. Toni’s hands are gesticulating wildly as he speaks. He has Oz’s undivided attention, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the other man whipped out a pen to take notes.
I smile at the two of them, happy to see my ‘boyfriend’ getting along with the other important people in my life.
Charmaine nudges me with her elbow. “He seems like a real sweetheart,” she says. “A little flighty, perhaps, and ice cold to look at. But all heart and fire underneath. Am I right?”
My gut does a little backflip of agreement where only this morning it would have hesitated. “Yeah. He’s um, not quite what I expected.”
“The good one’s never are.” She slides her hand into Gavin’s with a tipsy giggle. “Come on, gorgeous,” she says to her husband. “Dance sexy with me.”
“I thought you’d never ask, milady,” he replies as she drags him away.
I take a moment to watch them having a good time before I turn back in Toni and Oz’s direction. Toni’s back is to me, and I can’t help but appreciate his well-shaped backside. I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into it later tonight.
One foot moves to take the first step towards him, but strong fingers wrap around my right wrist from behind, holding me in place.
“Caught you.” Zac’s breath is a warm rush against the shell of my ear. The heat of his body moves in close behind mine. I try to move, but his hold tightens. “Stay where you are.” Every muscle locks tight as he issues the soft command. “I want to get a good look at you.”
My heart is a wild thing in my chest as I stand there, enduring his inspection. I stare at Toni’s back. He’s so close, less than three metres away. I will him to turn around, but at the same time I don’t want him to see me like this. Weak and vulnerable at another man’s hand. “No.”
Zac’s chuckle is ripe with dark promises and condescension. “I think you mean yes, my boy.” Releasing my wrist, he circles around to stand in front of me, cutting off my view of Toni. “You were always so eager to say yes to anything.”
My hands curl into fists at my sides. “Not anything.”
“Ah, true.” A faint grimace mars his features. “That was a miscalculation on my part.”
“A miscalculation?” I hiss, my eyes narrowing. “You tried to give me to your friend like a party favour.”
“Hugh was not just a friend. He was a colleague, someone with clout. I told you I would provide you the opportunity to make an impression, and I did.”
“I thought I would be performing songs for him, not sucking his dick.”
“But you were so good at it,” he says with a knowing smile. “Your body truly was a playground, always ready to be filled.” He licks his lips as memories flood the space between us. My dick gives a pulse of betrayal. “Honestly, I thought you’d be into it. The thrill of giving it up for a well-connected stranger?” He shrugs. “You did it for me.”
“You were different.” My voice is rough, caught between the arousal of being near the man I once loved and disgust at the casual way he tried to pass me around. “I did it for you because I wanted to be with you.”
“You wanted to be with someone who could help further your career,” he snaps. “Let’s not pretend we met by chance, Ned. It wasn’t love at first sight.”
My head lowers. I can’t deny his accusations. Everything he says is true. At least, it was in the beginning.
“Let’s put all that unpleasantness behind us,” he continues in freshly honeyed tones. “I’ve missed you, Ned. You were special, your eagerness to please me unparalleled.” He shifts on his feet, inching closer. “It’s a shame you cut your hair, though.” He reaches for me with one hand.
I jerk away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Now, now, there’s no need to be like that.” His slow smile is cajoling, flirtatious. “You do remember, don’t you? How I used to pull on your hair as I fucked you?”
My scalp tingles, shooting tiny sparks down my body. “I remember. That’s why I cut it off.”
Zac laughs out loud, as if I’m flirting back, and he’s delighted by our game.
