The man snorted with laughter. “You’re not exactly a clubveteran.” He flashed a gorgeous smile at Cole—the kind that could literally stop the heart. He thrust out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Cole accepted the handshake, a bit awestruck; the man looked like he stepped off the cover of GQ magazine. “You, too.” Cole swallowed, unable to hide hisawe.
“Gabe says you’re thinking of joining the club.”
“Uh…” Cole shifted, glancing at Gabe, who looked back with a grin. “Thinking about it,” he mumbled, suddenly caught again in Gabe’s baby blues. Cole wasn’t used to being surrounded by sexy gay men. Even without the club being in full swing, it was overwhelming.
“Have you talked to Max?” Dane asked Gabe.
“Not yet.” He smiled at Cole. “Figured I’d wait till he made up his mind.”
“Who’s Max?” Cole asked.
“Our boss,” Dane said. “He owns the club. Cool guy. Treats his boys like family.”
His boys.The dancers. Cole liked the idea of a “family” atmosphere.
“I mean, shit,” Dane chuffed. “He treats me better than my own family.”
Cole didn’t comment onfamilyand shifted the topic back to the club owner. “I don’t have any experience dancing. WouldMax even hire me? I mean,” he added quickly, “if I decide I want to…”
“Don’t worry about Max,” Gabe said, clapping him on the back. “He’s flexible. If you’re willing to learn, he’ll give you a chance.” Gabe’s hand lingered, drifting to Cole’s shoulder, where he gently squeezed the firm muscle. His touch sent warm shivers cascading down Cole’s spine and sprinkling into his loins.
“Well, that’s... nice of him.” Cole hesitated, unsure of what to say. His nerves were sharp as he left his apartment, but now they were fraying, his gut a tight knot as his eyes flicked to the stage. A slender young stripper performed for a sparse crowd. Well, sparse compared to last night.
Gabe grinned. “Max is nice.” He gave Cole’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before pulling his hand back. “And so is Dane here. He agreed to help with the lessons.”
“Oh.” Cole swallowed.
“Unless…” Dane tilted his head. “… you’d rather just practice with Gabe. It’s okay. You won’t offend me.” He smiled. “I swear. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“No, I…” He let out a shaky breath. “It’s not you. I’m just… I’m not sure I’m comfortable with any of it.”
“Everyone’s nervous the first time,” Gabe said. “But it’s fun andliberatingonce you get past the nerves. You’llloveit, I promise.”
He seemed genuinely convinced of Cole’s abilities, but Cole wasn’t. Still, the thought of dancing with Gabe again—and even Dane—made him willing to try.
Dane excused himself, and Gabe gestured toward a stool for Cole to sit. As he sat down, Cole quickly glanced at Dane’s retreating figure.
“Gorgeous, isn’t he?” Gabe chuckled, settling onto the stool beside Cole. “I think my jaw hit the floor the first time I saw him.” He leaned toward Cole, dropping his voice even though no one was nearby. “Wait till you see him in nothing but a G-string. Fair warning, your heart might explode. And…” He glanced quickly at Cole’s crotch and grinned. “… other parts, too.”
Cole might have thought he was exaggerating, but picturing Dane in a G-string nearly made his heart stop and caused his cock to twitch against his jeans' fly. Even though he was clothed, it was obvious that Dane was in top physical shape.
Then another thought hit him:if I take this job—I’ll have to wear a G-string.
Oh, fuck.
Cole was in shape, but stripped down to practically nothing, any flaws in his physique would be on stark display, with no clothes to hide them. Was hethatconfident about his body?
“You okay?” Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow seductively. His baby blues sparkled, drawing Cole into their warm depths. “Feeling flushed thinking of Dane in a G-string?” He chuckled; it was a soft, deep hum that tickled Cole’s eardrums. “Can’t blame you. There are no words to describe the vision of him on stage.”
Did Gabe have a thing for Dane? Cole pondered if he felt jealous. Maybe a little. But if it was true, he understood; Dane was hot as hell and charming as fuck. He seemed to be an all-around nice guy. Of course, Cole didn’t really know him, so maybe he wasn’t. But his first impression of the man was that he was a nice guy.
Cole smiled and shrugged. “Kind of hardnotto imagine it.” He looked at Gabe and laughed.
“Right?” Gabe grinned, then laughed.
“I’ve never seen a man that handsome, you know, up close…” As soon as the words were out, Cole wished he could suck them back.
