Thankfully someone had determined that slow songs were the way to go. The music transitioned into another ballad and they kept dancing. Simon smiled into Patrick’s shoulder—if this swaying against Patrick’s body was dancing, then he could keep dancing all night. His hands moved to Patrick’s hips, smoothing over the silken fabric of his too-tight pants. He could feel the muscles of Patrick’s ass flexing under his palms, and feel the rumble of Patrick’s chuckle where their chests were pressed so tightly together. Pretty soon he could feel the hardness equaling his own as they brushed together. Yeah, this was definitely the kind of dancing he could get into.
The tap on his shoulder was brisk and sure. Surprised, Simon lifted his head and turned to see Dion’s smiling face. He was sure the shock was evident in his expression.
“Can I cut in?” Dion asked.
“I… uh….” Simon looked at Patrick, for what he wasn’t sure.Permission?Patrick shrugged slightly, but made no move to release him; in fact if anything, his grip on Simon tightened slightly before he looked to his friend.
“Just one dance, I promise.” Dion’s smile was wide. He looked so genuinely eager and happy that Simon found himself stepping back, and Patrick’s arms slipped from his shoulder and waist.
Patrick’s lips pressed together briefly, but the stony expression in his eyes disappeared when Simon nodded to him. Patrick looked at Dion and offered his friend a tentative smile. Dion sidled into Patrick’s arms, and spoke over his shoulder. “I’ll give him back to you in a little while, okay?” He obviously wasn’t expecting an answer from Simon, because he turned back to Patrick immediately and waltzed him away.
Simon found himself alone on the dance floor, standing awkwardly among the rest of the crowd, so he made his way back to the others.
“Had enough already, Fred?” Duncan teased.
“Actually, no. But Dion turned up and cut in.” Simon knew he sounded pissed off.
“Dion? Have we met him?” Antonio asked. “That name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“No. You guys haven’t met him, at least I don’t think so. He’s the guy Patrick used to live with before he moved into the house with me.”
“Lived with?” Antonio turned to look at the dance floor. “Patrick had a thing with the guy he’s dancing with? Must have been serious if they were living together, and they must have parted on good terms.”
“Oh, no, it was nothing like that. They shared an apartment, that’s all.”
Duncan peered at him. “So if they’re only friends, why do you look so pissed off?”
“Yes, if looks could kill,” Antonio added.
Simon glanced over to Patrick and Dion. Dion was saying something while they circled in amongst the crowd. They were much too close for Simon’s liking. He looked away before he was tempted to go and break them apart. He wasn’t sure if it was just jealousy or whether it was something more, but no one else got his blood thumping like Dion did. “There’s just something about him that doesn’t sit right with me. He’s… I don’t know…. He was an asshole to Patrick once, and now he seems to be sniffing around.”
“Do I hear a hint of jealousy?” There was laughter in Antonio’s tone, and Simon knew he was teasing.
“Maybe,” he admitted. “But I’ve got to follow my gut where Patrick’s concerned, and my gut says to take caution. Maybe it’s all the stuff with the stalker that’s got me on edge….”
Duncan’s eyes widened and he stopped with his beer halfway to his mouth. “That’s still going on?”
“He got another letter a month ago.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” Duncan’s tone was sharp, the policeman in him obviously coming to the forefront.
“Actually, we did report it to the local police. They took a statement and gathered the letter for evidence, and everything has been fine since then. Plus we’ve changed the locks and taken other precautions.”
Duncan visibly relaxed at Simon’s words. “But you’re still worried?”
Simon nodded. “There’s not much else we can do, but yeah.”
“That’s understandable,” Antonio said. “I’d be worried, too, if Duncan was dealing with something like that.”
Duncan humphed at his boyfriend. “I think I’m big enough and ugly enough to look after myself. Not to mention the fact I’m a cop.” He turned back to Simon. “But let me follow up on Monday and I’ll see if I can find anything out.”
“Find anything out about what?” Charlie asked as he joined them.
“Simon was just telling us that Patrick had got another letter,” Duncan said.
“And that he doesn’t particularly like Patrick’s friend Dion,” Antonio added.
“Ah, Dion,” Charlie said. “Not exactly my favorite person. Not after the way he treated Patrick when they were sharing a place.”
