Cowboy Gangster 02 - Gunnin' for Love (CMS) (MM) (6 page)

“Ah come on, Gabe,” Cole snaked his arm around Gabriel’s neck and kissed his ear. “They probably
talk
things out like we do.” He winked at Clint. “And you know how long it takes us.” He grinned and nipped Gabriel’s lobe, adding quietly, “On a good night, anyway.”

“Shit,” Dane laughed.

Clint shook his head and took a drink. Could he expect any less from these
boys?

♦

“Clint gave you the puppy?” Gavin cuddled Jonah against him and laughed when the pup licked his face enthusiastically.

“Yeah,” Axel smiled. The kid’s innocent joy reminded Axel of Maddy when they’d had the first Jonah.

“That’s so cool,” Gavin said. “I was worried he wouldn’t be able to find him a home.”

Axel murmured, “I wasn’t expecting it.”

“So he just…showed up and gave him to you?” Angel asked. “Like, out of the blue?”

“Sort of,” Axel said quietly, unsure how to explain his and Clint’s relationship. Angel’s gaze darted repeatedly to Axel’s scuffed cheek, though he had yet to ask him what happened and Axel hoped he wouldn’t. He didn’t want to think about the men in the alley.

“You should have seen him,” Gavin grinned. “He totally kicked the piss out of that prick. Broke out some teeth and everything.” He laughed. “It was so awesome.”

Angel stared at him, eyebrow raised, and chuckled softly. “Awesome?”

“Yeah,” the kid nodded. “The fucker kicked the poor little pup and punched me in the ribs.” He snorted. “Yeah, it was awesome when he got the shit kicked out of him.”

“Understandable,” Angel smiled. “There’s something satisfying about the bad guys getting beaten down.”

Angel would know. His boyfriend had beaten Wade nearly to death that night at the apartment, though Axel didn’t think Angel had been conscious while it was happening. All four of the bastards had taken a severe beating that night.

“Are you okay?” Axel asked Gavin. “Did the guy hurt you very bad?”

“Still a little sore,” Gavin admitted. “But not too bad. I’m able to dance. It only hurts a little bit.” He handed the pup to Axel. “How long does he have to wear the bandage? Were any of his ribs broken?”

“No,” Axel took the pup gently in his arms. “He was just bruised up. I have to take him back to the vet for a checkup, probably Monday. Maybe they’ll take off the bandage then.”

“Cool. I hope so.”

Angel glanced past them across the club. “Hey. Tommy just came in,” he told Gavin. “Aren’t you guys working out a routine together?”

“Yeah.” Gavin waved to Tommy, beckoning him over.

“You know,” Angel smiled wryly. “I think he’s
sweet
on you.” He laughed softly. “I think Ricky and Levi kind of are, too, for that matter.”

A light flush warmed the kid’s face. “I’m straight,” he smiled. “They know that.”

“So you keep saying,” Angel smirked and winked at Axel.

“What’re you implying?” Gavin laughed.

“Nothing.” Angel shrugged innocently.

Gavin groaned and rolled his eyes, causing both Angel and Axel to grin.

“Hey, sexy.” Tommy approached and slung his arm around Gavin’s shoulders. Angel cast Axel a ‘knowing’ look and they both laughed. Tommy frowned and smiled uncertainly. “What?”

“Ignore them,” Gavin muttered, lips quirking.

Angel chuckled. “Hey, Tommy, I want you to meet my brother, Axel.”

Axel stared at Angel, his words hitting him hard. An instant knot tightened his throat.
My brother
. It slipped off his tongue so smooth and natural –without a hitch. Angel gazed back at him and smiled.

“Brother?” Tommy clasped Axel’s hand with a grin. “Right on. Nice to meet you.” The guy was cute with short, light auburn hair that set off his soft aqua eyes. He was Angel’s height, though slightly more athletic.

“Yeah,” Axel nodded and smiled. “You, too.”

“So, hey.” Tommy released Axel and tightened his arm around Gavin. “You ready to play?”

Gavin scowled at Angel and Axel when they both pursed their lips in a smile. “Yeah, I guess,” he mumbled, suppressing his own smile.

“What is this?” Tommy asked. “An inside joke?”

“No,” Gavin insisted. “Let’s go.” He rolled his eyes at Angel then shook his head and smiled at Axel. “It was good meeting you. Will you bring the pup around for regular visits?”

“I’ll try,” Axel nodded.

Tommy seemed to take notice of the pup for the first time and reached out, scratching its head. “Ah, hey, is this the famous pup we’ve been hearing about?”

“Yeah,” Gavin smiled.

“He could be the club mascot,” Tommy grinned.

“And what does a gay strip club mascot wear?” Angel mused. “A rainbow G-string? Forget it. Not this little guy.”

Axel laughed.

“Come on.” Gavin chuckled and dragged Tommy through a door into the back of the club.

Axel watched them go then looked at Angel. “Gavin really isn’t gay?”

Sighing, Angel pursed his lips. “That remains to be seen. I’m still doubtful.” He smiled. “Tommy’s determined to convince him otherwise.”

Axel felt suddenly self-conscious with the talk of sexual preference. He glanced across the room at Clint –and his heartbeat instantly quickened. It wasn’t that he felt ashamed to admit he was gay but rather…he looked at Angel –ashamed for the way he had treated Angel, the mean things he’d said about Angel being gay. Maybe this was Karma’s way of teaching him a lesson. Except…his gaze drifted to Clint again. Except it didn’t feel like a punishment. Rather, a reward.

He felt Angel looking at him and met the young man’s eyes. “Do, uh…” Axel cleared his throat and glanced around the club. “Do you…dance here?”

“No,” Angel said. “I’m an
assistant
bartender.” He smiled. “Max is letting me train with Carl and Riley.”

“Max,” Axel nodded. “Your boss?”

“Technically, yeah.” Angel shrugged, warmth seeping into his eyes. “But he’s much more than that. He took me and Maddy in after…” His words trailed off and he dropped his gaze to the floor, lips tight. “We didn’t have anywhere to go and he said we could stay with him for as long as we wanted.”

Axel had been picked up by Clint’s men when they caught him lingering around Angel and Maddy, at a distance. He had just wanted to make sure they were all right and with people who would look after them. He’d known they were staying with someone, but he hadn’t been aware it was the owner of the Phoenix.

“I’m glad you had friends to take you in,” Axel said quietly. “That’s why I was following you. I just wanted to know you guys were okay. I…I didn’t mean you any harm.”

“I know.” Angel raised his eyes, which glimmered with a thin layer of tears. “The instant you stood up for me at the apartment…I knew you would never hurt us again. I knew then that you had come back to us.”

Axel ducked his head and absently stroked the pup’s fur. His throat closed as a barrage of images assaulted his mind. Most of them were of him laying into Angel with his fists –usually because he was pissed off at Wade but too chicken shit to stand up to him. Angel was an easier target…and he wouldn’t fight back, because fighting back put Maddy at risk. Axel’s eyes burned with tears as he looked up slowly. “Angel…”

His chin trembling, tears thickening, Angel shook his head slowly. “It’s over, Axel.” He swallowed thickly. “You were a victim, too. Wade and Byrd, they’re gone. Locked up. We’re safe now.” He touched Axel’s arm. “All of us.”

Safe.
Axel was suddenly propelled back to the alley, pinned to the wall by his attacker. He trembled. Until that moment…he thought the same thing –that he was safe. Now the only thing that made him feel safe…was Clint.

♦

“So, how serious is this?” A mischievous glint sparkled in Gabe’s baby blue eyes. “You gave him your buckle
and
a puppy. That’s like some seriously romantic shit there. I mean…” he nudged Cole with his elbow. “…This guy never gave me a cool buckle and a puppy.”

Cole rubbed his ribs. “Well, you didn’t give me any of those things either.”

“Hey,” Gabe held up a finger. “I was the one who got down on one knee and proposed. I did my part.”

Clint stared at them. Proposed? He raised an eyebrow, quick to change the subject. “You’re getting married?”

“Yeah,” Gabe smiled. “I told you that, didn’t I?”

“No.” Clint chuckled. “Congratulations.” Without thinking, he stood and hugged Gabe. “To both of you.”

Gabe hugged him back then withdrew, a puzzled –although amused –look on his face. “This is a new development.”

Clint dropped down on his stool, eyes averted. He rubbed his mouth and downed the rest of his drink.

“I do believe the kid is having a positive effect on the rough and tough cowboy,” Cole grinned.

“Don’t push it,” Clint growled.

Dane stepped back and shook his head, laughing. “You two are cruising for a serious bruising.”

“Got that right,” Clint confirmed.

The veiled warning went unheeded as Gabe quipped, “Do you bring him wine and roses, too? ‘Cause I could totally see you doing that.” He grunted as Clint’s fist socked him in the gut. “What?” he coughed and laughed. “Who doesn’t love a man who brings them wine and roses? I brought wine the night I proposed, and Cole fucked my brains out.”

Clint chuckled and shook his head. But the thought of wine and roses pulled him away momentarily as he imagined the look on Axel’s face if he showed up at his door in such a romantic gesture. Surely even some gay men would balk at the idea, possibly even take offense at a gift of roses, especially. But not Axel. The boy craved intimacy and romance, that much was evident. And what
wouldn’t
Clint do to inspire that special smile? The smile that lit up Axel’s face when Clint handed him the pup.

“Earth to cowboy.” Gabe snapped his fingers in front of Clint’s face.

Clint blinked and looked at him.

Gabe grinned. “In case you’re feeling inspired,” he mused and winked. “I know a great flower shop.”

Incorrigible
, Clint scowled, suppressing a smile. He twisted around on the stool and watched Axel with Angel.

“All joking aside,” Gabe said, sobering. “What happened to Axel’s face?”

Heat instantly filled Clint’s veins and his face tightened. He looked at Gabe. “A couple nights ago…” he released a barely controlled breath. “He was assaulted on his way home from work.”

“What?” Gabe stared at him. “Shit. Was he…hurt?”

Clint shifted his eyes back to Axel, his chest squeezing with pressure at what could have happened that night. “No. frightened mostly,” he murmured. “But it could have been bad. Help came before they could…” He swallowed hard, his jaw clenching.

“Fuck,” Cole mumbled. “That’s all he needed. Especially after what happened to him at the apartment.”

Dane stood rigid. “Were they going to…
rape
him?” His voice strained and rage simmered behind his dark eyes. After busting in on Angel getting raped –clearly any mention of sexual assault was a trigger for the man.

“Yeah,” Clint whispered sharply.

“Did
you
deal with them?” Dane asked. A hard frown cinched his brow.

“Not yet,” Clint admitted. “But I have them in
custody
.”

“What’re you waiting for?” Gabe asked.

Clint looked at Axel again. His prime objective had been to make sure Axel was okay. “Just giving them a moment to anticipate their fate,” he murmured, his gaze lingering on Axel. “Let them stew in their own shit for a short while.” He twisted on the stool and looked at the three men. “That’s why I gave him the buckle. So the motherfuckers on the street would see it and know not to fuck with him. He…” Clint rubbed his mouth. “He needs to feel safe. And…” Clint shifted his eyes to Axel once more. “…I need to
know
he’s safe.”

“Damn,” Gabe murmured, a softness to his voice. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were in love for real.”

In love.
Spoken aloud, the words sent Clint’s heart reeling. He cleared his throat as a tremor rushed through him, and mumbled, “Good thing you know better.”

♦

Ricky was lounging in the dressing room when Tommy and Gavin entered. It hadn’t been two full days since Gavin had come to the club, yet he already felt like a part of the little clan made up of Tommy, Ricky and Levi –all three of which shared an apartment. He’d quickly learned that Ricky and Levi were official boyfriends, and Tommy…he was a fun third party that they were clearly quite fond of. Tommy hadn’t wasted any time letting Gavin know that he was free to date –or fuck –whomever he chose. Oddly, Gavin’s revelation that he was straight hadn’t done much, if anything, to defuse Tommy’s flirting –or Ricky and Levi’s either, for that matter.

It was strangely flattering to be such a conquest. And when the other guys –like Angel and Dane, and Cole and Gabe –teased him about being a gay boy at heart, it made him feel accepted and “embraced” by the club boys. Like he really belonged. Even Max had immediately made him feel welcome and didn’t care that he was straight. He actually dreaded going home after work, spending time alone in his apartment. He already missed the guys when he was away from the club.

Especially Tommy
. Gavin ignored the insinuation behind that thought. Sure, he missed Tommy the most, but that was because he had instantly bonded with the guy as a friend. He hadn’t had many friends in his life. Not real friends. This was the first time he actually felt close to anyone. He wasn’t “attracted” to Tommy in
that
way, he just liked hanging out with him –as typical, all-American heterosexual male friends liked to do.

“You’re getting good,” Ricky said as they entered the dressing room. There always seemed to be a bit of “flirt” in Ricky’s eyes when he looked at Gavin. But again, it was kind of flattering. Ricky was gorgeous and clearly had great taste in guys. Gavin took it as a compliment.

“You’re a good teacher,” Gavin smiled.

“And what about me?” Tommy asked and moved in close behind Gavin, hands on his hips. “Am I a good teacher, too?”

Gavin laughed softly. “Of course.”

“But,” Ricky piped up. “You’re only a good teacher because I taught you well.”

“True,” Tommy admitted and released Gavin to saunter over to Ricky. He rubbed up against the guy and curled his leg around Ricky’s thigh. “You’re a hell of a good teacher…” he nuzzled Ricky’s ear, tracing the tip of his tongue around the shell. “…On
and off
the stage.”

Gavin stared at them, lips pursed, denying the funny tingling sensation in his lower stomach.

“You better quit,” Ricky smirked. “You’re making Gavin uncomfortable.”

“What?” Gavin rolled his eyes and laughed. “No he isn’t. Come on, we rub all over each other on stage. And I did a lot more than just
rubbing
at the Blue Grotto. I’m kind of used to it by now.” He made light of his time at the Grotto, but the truth was –it turned his stomach to think about it. Not because of the “gay sex” he was expected to perform –that actually didn’t bother him –but the grossness of the customers and their crude, nasty ways. Even if the Phoenix was such a club where he was required to offer sexual favors, it wouldn’t be so bad. At least the Phoenix customers were clean and smelled good, and treated the dancers with respect. Max had a code of conduct that the customers were required to adhere to, as well as a moderate dress/cleanliness code. His boys were his first concern. Customers second. Gavin’s boss at the Grotto didn’t give a fuck about the boys he employed. Max was a breed apart and Gavin liked him a lot.

“So, uh,” Ricky looked at Tommy as the boy backed off him. “Did you talk to Gavin about…?” He cocked an eyebrow.

Tommy shook his head. “No, not yet. I just got here.”

“Talk to me about what?” Gavin looked at the two guys.

Clearing his throat, Ricky said, “Well, we were thinking, since your apartment is way downtown and you said yourself you’re struggling to keep up with the rent and utilities and such…” he glanced at Tommy and smiled.

“What would you think about moving in with us?” Tommy finished for him, eyes sparkling. “Rent and utilities split four ways is much easier to pay. And you’d be closer to the club, plus have a ride to work so you wouldn’t have to put out extra money on the bus or cabs.” He smiled and shrugged. “You win, all the way around.”

“Plus,” Ricky smiled and wrapped his arm around Tommy’s shoulders. “You get to bunk with three ultra-hot strippers. Hell of a bonus, wouldn’t you say?”

Gavin stared at them and licked his lips slowly, as a teasing smile formed. “Well, it might be more of a bonus if you were three hot
female
strippers.”

“Pft!” Ricky rolled his eyes and smirked. “Lady strippers ain’t got nothing on us.” He gazed at Gavin with heavy, lusty eyes. “And besides, I think you’re just yanking our chains –and you may, any time,” he snickered. “I think you’d much rather shack up with our hot, sexy asses than some girly strippers. Admit it.”

Truth was –Ricky was right. If Gavin had to make the choice, he would choose them over an apartment full of hot girl roommates. Not for “sexual” reasons, as Ricky was implying, but because he simply liked their company and enjoyed the banter. And so maybe he liked, too, that they were determined to convince him he was gay. It was amusing and gave him an ego boost. And who didn’t need an ego boost now and then? After dealing with rough, mean customers who got off on calling him a filthy whore and their “dirty little bitch” while they fucked him without care or any level of tenderness –it felt real good to have nice, sweet boys take an honest interest in him. Maybe one day, a nice girl would, too. But for now, he felt okay with the “boy” attention.

“So?” Tommy looked at him hopefully. “What do you say? You can move in today, if you want. We can take tomorrow off and help you pack up your apartment and move your stuff to our apartment. Max won’t mind if we miss a day of work.”

“Uh…” Gavin gave a short laugh. “Do you guys even have enough room? How big is your apartment?”

“Two bedroom,” Ricky smiled.

Gavin eyed them doubtfully. “That doesn’t sound big enough for four people.”

“Well, Levi and I share one room,” Ricky pointed out.

“Uh-huh…” Gavin looked at Tommy. “And the other room is yours?”

“I don’t mind sharing,” Tommy assured.

Sighing, Gavin pursed his lips and nodded. “Right,” he mumbled.

“What?” Tommy feigned offense. “You too good to bunk with me?” A slow grin stretched his lips. “You’ll have a whole half of the bed to yourself and I swear I won’t hog the covers.” He winked. “And just think…on really cold nights, we can cuddle and keep each other warm.”

Gavin shook his head slowly and chuckled. “Is this supposed to convince me to say yes?”

“I thought it sounded like a pretty sweet deal,” Tommy smiled.

“Sounds sweet to me,” Ricky agreed.

Clearing his throat, Gavin said, “Maybe I should take a few days and think about it.”

Tommy groaned. “Okay. Okay. You can have your own bed, if you insist. But we still have to share a bedroom.” He was clearly not budging on that one. “It’ll be like we’re at camp. We can stay up late, tell scary stories.” He smiled flirtatiously. “And if you get frightened, you can crawl into bed with me and I’ll protect you from the things that go bump in the night.”

“Fuck,” Ricky laughed. “
You
are one of the things that go
bump
in the night. Or should I say
hump?
”

Gavin busted up. Precisely what he was thinking.

“Shut up, you’re not helping,” Tommy scowled, grinning. He pulled away from Ricky’s arm and stepped up to Gavin, draping his arms around his neck. “Come on,” he cooed and slid his fingers through Gavin’s dark hair, twisting the strands around his fingers. “I promise, I’ll behave myself. I won’t get handsy in the dark.”

Gavin smirked. “Like you’re not getting handsy now?”

“Ha. Good one,” Ricky snorted and moved toward the door. He smacked Tommy’s butt on the way past. “I’ll leave you to
convince
him to move in.” He chuckled and walked out.

“By the way, we’re at work,” Tommy smiled. “Being handsy is part of our job.” He inched closer until he bumped crotches with Gavin. “It’s what makes work so much fun.”

Actually, Gavin had to agree. It was fun playing with the boys. He gripped Tommy’s waist. His skin was hot through his t-shirt. On stage, it would be even hotter, and slick with sweat. That funny tickle came back and Gavin warded off alternative thoughts, then fell into a mental argument with himself.

I’m not getting turned on.

‘Then why is your cock hard?’

It isn’t. That’s my natural bulge.

‘Don’t flatter yourself. It isn’t
that
natural.’

Shut up, it is, too.

‘Touch yourself. You’re hard as a rock.’

I’m not touching myself, you freak.

Tommy shifted and rubbed firmly against Gavin’s body. “You all right?” he spoke low. “You got all quiet.”

It wasn’t quiet in his head. “Yeah,” he chuckled softly. “I’m fine.”

“So, you wanna move in with us?” Tommy slid his arms more snug around Gavin’s neck and swayed against him. “We could practice our routines at home.” He sighed and smiled. “At our leisure. Perfect every…move.”

The gentle sway of Tommy’s hips caused Gavin’s fingers to slip under the hem of his shirt and graze his heated skin.
Is that the story you’re going with?
Gavin scowled inwardly and slid his hands deeper inside Tommy’s shirt. Like the guy said, they were at work and this is what their job consisted of. He was just doing what he was getting paid to do. That was all.

Gavin’s face brushed Tommy’s cheek. Was he wearing cologne?
Fuck, he smells good.

“Maybe I will move in,” he murmured, an odd, unexplained rasp to his suddenly hoarse voice.

♦

Chewing a few more aspirin and forcing himself to eat something helped bring the headache down to a distant pulsing thump in his temples. Definitely bearable in comparison to the war zone he woke up to.

Kane turned on the shower then stripped naked. He was disturbed by the unmistakable “stains” in the crotch of his briefs and quickly tossed them in the hamper.
You didn’t have phone sex with a damn mobster.
Surely not. Who’s to say the man even answered his phone. But then, why would he tell Kane to call him if he didn’t plan on answering?

“Why are you even thinking about it?” he grumbled and stepped in the shower, closing the door behind him. “Whatever happened –or didn’t happen –is over. You’re sober now and you’re not going to make any more damn
phone calls.”

He worked shampoo into his hair and closed his eyes as he took his time scrubbing his head. The Egyptian lurked behind his eyes –reminding him how intense and hot their backseat fuck had been…what a fucking incredible
kisser
the man was.

Kane swallowed hard and tried to ignore the sudden stiffness in his cock.

‘Yes! Fuck me! God! Don’t stop!’

“Fuck,” Kane groaned as their backseat fuck-fest exploded through his head and his member hardened a fraction more. He dropped a soapy hand to his stiff shaft and clutched it in his fist, his eyes squeezing tight.
Don’t give in. Unhand yourself and put the damn incident out of your mind.
But he was already stroking, his breath sticking and breaking, hips slowly rocking to the rhythm of his pumping hand. “Fuck…” he whimpered and shuddered. He stroked faster as the images consumed him and he was right back there in the SUV with the Egyptian, the man’s strong fist gripping Kane’s cock as Kane rode him hard and wild. “Uuh!” Kane fell forward, his free hand smacking the shower wall, slipping a little as he worked himself with added urgency. “Fuck!” he gasped hard, panting, his cock swelling thicker and harder in his fist. His head dropped, resting heavily against his outstretched arm, cheek pressed to his straining bicep. Shampoo drained down his face but he clamped his eyes tighter, hardly aware. “Fuck, yes…yes…” He tasted soap on his lips. “Uuh! God!”

The doorbell rang, echoing through the apartment and ripping him from his sexual haze.

“Fuck,” he hissed, panting, and ceased stroking, his hand gripping his shaft. “Go away.”

Another chime.

“Shit.” Kane hurriedly ran his head under the shower, washing away the majority of the shampoo, then shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist then snatched a second towel and began rubbing it over his head as he left the bathroom and walked swiftly toward the living room.

Knuckles rapped on the door this time. Kane scowled, irritable, as his erection remained prevalent beneath his towel and, to a degree, impaired his movement. He draped the second towel around his neck as he approached the door and jerked it open. “Yes-”

His throat closed and his head went light as he was seized in a cool gray stare.

The Egyptian leaned against the door frame, arms crossed over his thick chest. The t-shirt he was wearing hugged his torso, accentuating his wonderfully developed muscles and Kane’s fingertips tingled at the remembrance of how those muscles felt beneath his touch. How
hot
his skin had been in the backseat of the SUV. He swallowed unsteadily and felt movement –and growth –beneath his towel. The Egyptian remained silent as his intense gray eyes raked down Kane’s nearly naked body and lingered momentarily on his crotch. The towel was not an effective barrier to conceal the evidence of his uncontrolled thoughts.