I nodded. “Everything okay on your end?”
Marco twirled his hand in the air. “Never a moment’s rest for the beautiful,” he joked. “Anyway, it wasn’t anything serious. My boyfriend was just looking for me to check in.”
Disappointment sunk in my gut. Even though I couldn’t quite imagine Marco falling for me, I still liked the fantasy of him being a flirty, single guy, interested in me for all the exciting reasons.
And I still really wanted to bite down on his puffy pink lip and feel his breath on my neck.
“Did you find him?” I asked, straining a smile across my face.
“Demir is always in the same spot. Now come on. Let’s finish that tour. Maybe we can even make him one of the stops.”
Just as quickly as last time, Marco grabbed my hand. It was like his fingers cast a spell, and I was following him back through the bar and floating behind him with a silly grin on my face.
“The space used to be a giant open loft, and The Forty-Eight has been adding on additions for years.” Marco pulled me around a corner near the bar, and we were in a hallway, lit by soft pink bulbs. “There are a few little spots like this, where guys like to sneak off.” He gestured to the cushioned red booths in the back, where a few guys were currently sharing a very intimate cocktail. I darted my eyes back to Marco, and heat spread across my cheeks.
I knew that some gay clubs had rooms in the back for sex; I just had never pictured myself stepping into one of them.
“The crowd can be a little friendly,” he laughed, leading me back into the club. “But it’s easy to avoid if that’s not your thing.”
“Not really,” I said. “Or, at least, I don’t think so.”
Marco turned, glancing me over his shoulder and waiting for me to continue.
“I’m not really comfortable undressing where anyone can see me,” I said. “I like my privacy.”
Marco nodded. “Just for you and your lovers. I like it.”
Your lovers. Desire pinged my chest, and I wished he would say it again.
“For the more respectable among us,” Marco continued, steering me through the crowd, “there’s always the lounge area.” He gestured behind the circular bar, where tables and booths were spread with generous space. “Surprisingly quiet, always sophisticated.”
I chuckled. “I guess there’s a little something for everyone.”
“No excuse not to come back,” he said, winking. “Oh wait, there’s Demir!”
In a flash, I found myself cornered between the back wall and two of the most stylish men I had ever seen. Demir was dashingly handsome, with a dark gray suit that brought out the steel and black of his eyes. His hair was pushed back, a bit like he had just stepped out of the shower and casually ran his hand through it, and he sported a beard of black and silver. His confident pose against the wall would almost seem cocky, like his good looks had gone to his head, but then Marco planted a kiss on his cheek and draped against his side. Demir smiled to his boyfriend, just like how Marco had made me grin like a fool a minute earlier, and I suddenly felt relaxed.
If you love Marco, you can’t be all that scary.
“This is Grayson,” Marco said. “First time at the club, and first time going out in ages.”
“Grayson,” Demir said, taking my hand and gripping it firmly. “The men of this club are lucky to have you with us tonight.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Thank you,” I managed. “I’m glad to be here.”
“Do you have a minute, sweetheart?” Marco asked Demir. “Want to do a shot with us or have a dance?”
“I have more than a minute,” Demir answered. “Why not both? Sylvia is killing it tonight in the DJ booth.” He turned to me, holding a steady gaze. “Shot, Grayson?”
I considered it for a minute. I was already planning to take a taxi home, but for some reason, I was suddenly craving a clear mind.
Spending time with two men as sexy as Demir and Marco was enough to make me feel dizzy anyway.
“I’ll pass for now,” I said. “But you two go ahead!”
Marco pressed his cheek against Demir’s, kissing him softly, then grabbed each of our hands. “Dancing it is! I love this song. Let’s go.”
Marco was greeted with a cheer from some friends on the dance floor, and he immediately turned his entrance into a flowing dance. Demir was much more reserved, lingering off to the side and tapping his foot. His attention was always drawn to Marco, and he smiled at his boyfriend with a look of pleasant satisfaction.
