Page 77 of Doubting Hearts

Chapter Twenty-One

TOBY

THE SESSION in the hut with Rain had been fun, as always. I was constantly surprised at both the desire I saw in Rain to be dominated and my own need to be in charge. I wasn’t kidding. It was definitely something we’d look at, and the riding crop I had put in the back of his car was going to be the start of something, but I wasn’t sure what yet.

My mood had improved since my father’s death and my drunken meltdown. I still felt a sense of loss over Vincent’s passing, but with everything going on, I’d had little time to mourn him. I had more important things to worry about now, like my boyfriend shedding his clothes in a few hours.

We managed to finish up at the hotel and left for the fair. Chris was manfully looking after the patrons and the hotel, as he said he’d no real interest in going to the Festival. He had asked me to video Rain’s dance, though, so he could watch it on my phone later. The fair was in full swing when Rain and I arrived, shortly before 1:00 p.m. The air was crisp and cold, and we shivered as we wrapped our coats around our bodies.

I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck. “Jesus, this is such crap weather for a Winter Festival,” I muttered as Rain and I walked into the warmer confines of the barn. It was a huge structure, built out of redwood. It was actually an old stable complex constructed into an L shape. We both stopped dead and stood spellbound at the sight that greeted us. I was used to the lively atmosphere of the stalls, the fairground attractions like the coconut shy, and the constant barrage of adults and children streaming through the huge barn. But Dave had outdone himself. The place was packed with fairy lights and baubles, looking like the inside of Santa’s grotto. The rafters were strung with tinsel and lights, and the whole place had a festive atmosphere like never before. It was like an early Christmas scene.

I gazed at it in awe. “Wow, this is fantastic!”

Dave barreled over toward us, Simon and Luis hot on his heels. Simon swept me into an expansive hug, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“Toby, you’re here. I’m so glad you made it. Rain, good to see you. Are you ready for your performance?”

I nodded to Luis in greeting, and he smiled, his dark eyes a little wary. I wondered how much he knew of Simon’s feelings for me. “Si, of course we made it. I’m not having him strip without me being there to see it.” I jerked a finger in Rain’s direction, who grinned. “This looks incredible, Dave. You’ve done a great job.”

Dave nodded, looking very pleased with himself. “I did that. Had a lot of help from a lot of good people, but I think we did okay.” He smiled slyly. “I have a mini haystack in the corner if you boys fancy giving it a test-drive later.”

My face heated up, and Simon looked at me curiously. “Test-drive a haystack? Intriguing idea. What does it mean?”

“It means nothing, Si,” I said quickly. “A private joke.” I scowled at Dave, who chuckled loudly. Rain shifted beside me, also looking a little embarrassed. I could see the bales of hay now in the far side of the barn, looking very much like the haystack Rain and I had made love on. Children clambered on this one with glee as parents watched them with indulgent affection. “Anyway, Rain needs to get ready. Where do we go?”

Dave waved to the far side of the barn where the L shape split into the shorter leg. “Go down there to the bottom. We’ve created a bit of a room at the end, with a curtain, a makeshift stage, and a pole, just the way Rain likes ’em.” His grin was wide and knowing. “That way we can keep the young’uns out so they don’t become exposed to his debauchery. And only let in the people who’ve bought tickets.” He scowled fiercely. “If they don’t have a ticket, they don’t get in. They’re not seeing your boyfriend’s booty for nowt.” The owner of said booty looked a little uncomfortable at being described thus.

Dave smiled. “Don’t worry, lad. I’ve seen it all before.”

And with those words and a blush that spread over Rain’s face like a rising sunset, he disappeared.

Simon was looking at me carefully. “Anything I should know about, Toby? Dave sounds as if he’s pretty familiar with the two of you.”

I shook my head frantically. “No. Nuh-huh. He’s just joshing. Come on, Rain. Let’s go get you dressed for the show.” I pulled Rain out of the orbit of a curious Simon and a patently amused Luis, and we made our way through the crowds, down to the enclosed area at the end of the barn.

“That Dave is a bloody menace,” Rain muttered as we approached the figures of Tammy and Lucas, who sat at the door of the “theater.”

I nodded. “He’ll never let us live that one down.”

Tammy smiled at me as she waved me over. “Hi, guys. If you want to go inside and check everything out, Rain, see that the theater meets your needs, feel free. I think Dave’s done a great job. He’s got some seating in there, but latecomers will have to stand.”

Lucas grinned at us. “It’s looking pretty spiffy, Rain. You’ll be able to put on a good show, I think.”

I followed Rain into the “stage” performing area. Dave had indeed done Rain proud. Thick sheets of timber had been laid over old wooden pallets to form a stage. In the center was a long, shiny pole, going through the floor and, from the looks of it, cemented in. It looked quite permanent, and I wondered worriedly whether Dave had any other intentions after this in blackmailing my lover to do more shows. I thought grimly it would be over my dead body. There were a couple of spotlights in the corner, which I imagined focused on the center when switched on. A couple of patio heaters gave off a warming glow. If Health and Safety saw that, they’d have a complete meltdown. All in all, it looked good. Rain bounced onto the stage, winding around the pole with practiced moves as he tried it out. My throat went dry, my cock grew hard, and I could only watch in sheer lust as my sexy lover twirled around the pole, hips swaying and booty definitely shaking. I was starting to have my doubts now about offering him up for this.

Christ, after he’s finished, every gay man in town will want a piece of him. He was enough to turn straight ones too. Even fully dressed and not even trying, the man was sex on legs.

I cleared my dry throat. “Uhm, shouldn’t you be getting dressed? The show’s in half an hour. What are you wearing, anyway? You’ve been very secret about the whole thing.”

He stopped what he was doing, which was making me horny, and bounced back over to me. His hand trailed down my cheek in a soft caress. “Wouldn’t you like to know? It’s a surprise, Toby. You don’t get to see it before the rest of the paying crowd.”

I was a bit put out. “Don’t I even get to know what music you’re dancing to?”

He shook his head firmly. “No.” His eyes grew tender. “But it’s not our song, Toby. That’s only for us. No Gotye.”

I was relieved at that. I didn’t want our special tune being played for everyone to see Rain dance to. I stared at him, and he stared at me, his eyes twinkling. I could see he wasn’t going to give in. I huffed. “Well, I suppose I’d better let you get to your ‘dressing room,’ then.”

I waved moodily at the corner, where a large makeshift screen covered in black silk had been erected to give Rain some privacy.