“Sex makes people do foolish things, James.”
Rhoades handed his brother a scotch. I hadn’t really had a chance to see the two men together up close. Austin didn’t give much detail about their background, but I gathered they’d only recently begun to be friends.
“Oh, he knows all about that. Don’t you, Jamie?”
A tall, extremely good-looking man joined our small group.
“Mal, what are you doing here?” Rhoades cast James a concerned glance before greeting the man. “Didn’t we have that talk?”
“We did. José? I’ll have what Rhoades is having.” He waited until he had a drink in hand before continuing. “And yet I chose to come anyway. You know I don’t like people telling me what to do.” He sipped his drink. “Or telling me no. My best friend is here with his boyfriend. Maybe I can find a boyfriend too. Right, James? This place is becoming a regular little love club.”
James’s lips thinned to a white line, and his eyes snapped fire. “Don’t you know when you aren’t wanted? Get out of my club already.”
Mal’s eyes twinkled. “Not wanted?Au contraire, my love. Many want me. Too many.” He licked his lips slowly. “Many who try to deny it, in fact.”
This was like watching a game of tennis, and it made my head hurt.
“I gotta get back to work. Austin, I’ll talk to you later?” I gave him a hug.
“Where’re you going, big fella?” Mal slipped his arm around me. “I bet you could give me a nice ride in the sheets. Tell me,” he whispered in my ear, “do you use those ropes just for show, or would you let me tie you up and fuck you until you screamed?”
“Get away from him.” James pulled me by my arm, and Mal easily let me go. “I’ve told you before to leave my dancers alone. I’m going to tell Hector to bar you from entering the club.”
“No, you won’t.”
I stood watching their face-off. I wondered if Mal had flirted with me to get a rise out of James.
“Try me. I told you before you aren’t wanted here. No one wants you here.”
“No, Jamie.” Mal took a step closer to James. “People want me. And you like when I show up. Don’t you? Does it turn you on a little bit to fight with me? I think secretly you want me.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “To come.”
“Jesus,” Austin muttered under his breath. “He’s playing a dangerous game.”
White-faced and breathing heavily, James leaned in close until their faces almost touched. “No. No, I don’t. Now get out and stay out.” He turned and stormed away.
“A pity. All that fiery passion in such an uptight man.” Mal downed his drink. “Rodeo, can you get me another?”
“Why, Mal? Why can’t you leave him alone? You did enough to him already.”
“You think?” Mal sipped the scotch Rhoades had given him, gazing around the room. “I think the opposite. I haven’t done nearly enough.”
Harlan had returned to the bar and kept his head down.
“I’m goin’. Talk to you later.” I wanted the chance to say hello to Harlan, to say something to know if we were speaking at all. I circled around the bar to a quieter spot. “Harlan.”
His back stiffened, and he took his sweet time, but he finally faced me. “Yes?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you ain’t. You can hardly look me in the face. I’m sorry about…before. If I let things get out of hand.”
The cocktail napkins drew his attention, and I waited while he took a moment to line them up evenly. He opened his mouth to answer when José hurried over.
“Andy’s tied up with two groups, and we have a big engagement party getting seated. I need you to help serve them.” He waved at Harlan. “Let’s go.”
“Okay.” Harlan followed José but glanced over his shoulder to meet my eyes. “Gotta run. I’ll talk to you later.” He rushed away.
