The Final Act (8 page)

When Aaron still couldn’t give her the emotional commitment she needed, Kathleen left again, but ultimately returned to Aaron, who finally broke down and opened up to her.

In the final ensemble number, the group was magically intact; even dead Bill and imprisoned Zach were there to sing a reprise of “We Are All”.

They were at curtain call before Denny knew it. First the chorus then the primary cast members joined hands and bowed in unison. The audience rose to its feet, applauding and whistling. He glanced at Elena on his left, Gretchen on his right. The women shone with the same exhilaration he felt. He squeezed their hands.

The cast took a final bow before the curtain closed.

“I love this!” Gretchen squealed, throwing her arms around Denny’s neck. He lifted her in a bear hug, catching a strong whiff of Febreze emanating from her costume that didn’t quite mask the smell of sweat and stage make-up. It was the familiar, beloved scent of theater.

Everyone milled around the stage for a few moments, embracing and congratulating one another on their performances, then moved to a reception room off the lobby where refreshments were provided for them and their invited guests. When the cast entered the room, the friends and family members applauded.

The cast members were welcomed by their relatives. Gretchen’s family was the largest. She was the center of a group which included her elderly grandmother, parents, aunts and uncles and several young nephews and nieces. Elena hugged a petite, dark-haired woman, who looked like an older version of herself. Trinka, Bill, Logan and all the chorus members had someone there for them.

Denny’s searched the room for Tom. His heart lurched when he didn’t see him.

Michael came up beside him. “He’s not here?”

“Not yet.” Denny hid his disappointment. “Maybe he missed his flight.”

“Want to get something to eat? I’m fucking starving.”

Denny glanced at Michael, suddenly aware he had no guests waiting for him, either. “Sure. Me, too.”

They headed toward the buffet table, artistically laden with flowers, champagne, cheese, fruit and canapés.

“I could use something a little more substantial than this,” Michael said, loading up a little plate.

“Mr. Lucas?” A beautiful woman with upswept, honey-blonde hair and impeccable make-up approached Michael. She wore a short black dress and very high heels. “Hi. I’m Jennifer Sorenson from the
Trib
.” She extended her hand.

Michael set his plate down and took it.

“I just wanted to congratulate you on the fabulous performance. We were all part of something really special here tonight.”

“Uh. Thanks.”

She looked at Denny. “You, too, Mr. Reeves. It was simply a stellar production all around.”

Denny smiled and thanked her, then spoke to Michael quietly. “I’m going to call and make sure everything’s all right. I’ll be back.” Reaching into his pocket to pull out his cell phone, he turned to leave the crowded, noisy room, then froze in his tracks.

Tom’s stocky frame filled the doorway. He wore a blue suit and clenched a program in one of his big hands. His dark eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at Denny. He jammed the program in his jacket pocket, lifted his hands and clapped.

Denny remained frozen for a moment, taking in every detail of the image of Tom standing in the doorway. He would remember this moment, this feeling, for the rest of his life. He walked into Tom’s embrace, hugging his solid body and burying his face in his neck. He breathed in the smell of Tom’s skin and his sage-scented cologne.

“I missed you so much.”

“Don’t. I’m going to start bawling in front of these people.” Tom’s voice was thick.

Stepping back, Denny took his boyfriend’s face between his hands and kissed him. Tom’s mouth was warm and familiar. It tasted like home. After a long, deep kiss, Denny pulled away.

“Come on. We need some privacy for this.” He took the other man’s hand and led him out into the hall.

“Sorry, I’m late. I’ve had this flu thing, so after the show I ran across the street to a pharmacy to buy something to settle my stomach and—”

Denny pushed him against the wall, silencing him with a kiss. Their mouths clashed together, hot and wet, teeth clicking with the force of it. Denny plunged his tongue between Tom’s lips and took possession of his mouth, one hand curled around the back of his neck, holding him steady.

Tom splayed his hands over Denny’s back, pulling him even closer.

Denny pressed into him, his erection rubbing against the matching bulge in Tom’s pants. After a few more searing kisses, he pulled away panting. “Sorry. You were saying?”

Tom smiled and stroked his face. “I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier. My battery went dead and by the time we landed it was too close to curtain and I didn’t want to disturb your ‘process’.” He laughed. He always teased Denny about his acting exercises. “Anyway, the show was wonderful. A real hit. I’m so proud of you.” He pulled Denny to him for another kiss.

After a moment, Denny’s mouth moved from Tom’s lips to his rough cheek. He kissed his way down his lover’s jaw and neck and licked the hollow of his throat. Tom moaned softly and tilted his head back.

Once more Denny pulled away, breathing heavily. “Okay. Before we end up fucking right here in this hallway…” He straightened Tom’s shirt collar and tie before stepping away. “You’re not feeling well?”

“I’ve got the flu that’s been going around. Everyone I know has it. I shouldn’t be kissing you. The last thing you need is to catch it.”

Denny put his palm to Tom’s forehead, noticing for the first time how pale he was. “You flew all the way out here sick? You shouldn’t have.”

“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have missed your opening night for anything. Besides, I couldn’t stand one more day without you, let alone another week.”

Denny was thrilled to hear it after Tom’s recent distance. “Do you want to go to my room at the motel? Or did you want to have something to eat or drink?” He nodded toward the reception room.

“Please. Are you kidding?” Tom raised an eyebrow.

Denny laughed. “Let’s go home then, my poor, sick boy. I’ll put you to bed and make you feel better.”

In the grubby backseat of the taxi on the way to the hotel, he held Tom’s hand. He resisted the urge to stroke his erection, even though the cab driver had probably seen worse and could probably care less.

Tom rubbed his thumb in circles on Denny’s palm. He asked questions about the production, then told a few stories about corporate stupidity at his office.

Once inside the hotel room, Denny reached for Tom again, helping him out of his jacket and loosening his tie. “I’m sorry your work’s been so shitty lately.”

“Me, too. I’m seriously thinking of changing jobs. I’ve been updating my résumé.”

“Wow. That serious?” Denny unbuttoned Tom’s shirt.

“It’s time. I can see things sliding downhill and want to get out before it gets any worse.”

Tom mirrored his motion and tugged Denny’s shirt off his arms and his undershirt over his head. He spread his hands flat against his chest. How good it felt to have those broad, blunt hands splayed against his skin once more. Denny’s heart raced with joy. Could Tom feel it thumping against his hands?

Leaning, Tom kissed where his hands had been while he slid them down Denny’s torso and gripped his waist.

“I guess…” Denny’s breath caught as Tom’s lips drifted south toward his stomach, setting it twitching. “I guess I didn’t realize you were that unhappy with your job. You never really said.”

Tom looked up from under his thick, dark brows. He pulled his lips away from Denny’s stomach long enough to say, “I didn’t really feel like talking about work. It was more interesting to hear about your rehearsals and all the crazy cast members than talk about a job I hate.”

How could he have begun to doubt him? It was Tom. His Tom.

Tom traced his tongue along the trail of hair that led to the waistband of his jeans. Denny moaned and shifted. He ran a hand through Tom’s curly, black hair, and tugged on it lightly, stopping him from going farther.

“You don’t have to go down on me. You’re not feeling well. Let me take care of you, instead.”

He finished stripping Tom quickly, tearing his clothes off like a kid eagerly ripping the wrapping from a present.

Pulling his lover’s naked body into his arms, he kissed him hard and deep, while they shuffled backward toward the bed. They fell on it together in a tangle of arms and legs.

Denny pushed Tom flat and nudged his legs apart. Kneeling between them, he slid his hands up his inner thighs slowly until Tom was twitching in anticipation. At last he took his cock in hand.

“Missed you, buddy.” Denny sucked the swollen red head into his mouth, savoring the salty, musky taste and the feel of satiny skin against his palm. He pumped his fist forcefully the way Tom liked and his lover groaned.

Wetting his fingers, he slid them up the sensitive skin between balls and anus, scratching lightly. He probed the puckered opening with one finger then two, stretching the tight ring of muscle and delving inside. Tom pressed down onto his fingers, moaning and clutching the bedspread.

Denny’s erection grew even harder at the yearning sound. His cock ached and pushed against his fly as if trying to burst free. But there was satisfaction in denying his body’s needs while he brought Tom off. He enjoyed his man’s pleasure as much as if it was his own.

He kept up a steady pace while Tom thrust rhythmically into his mouth. Denny worked his fingers even deeper, reaching for the hot spot and finding it. With a cry, Tom froze and shuddered. His cock pulsed and warm jets of come hit the back of Denny’s tongue.

Swallowing, he released the depleted cock from his mouth and pulled his fingers from Tom’s ass. He rested his head against his lover’s thigh and looked up at his face, appreciating the blissful expression he’d put there. Tom gasped and his eyes were squeezed closed.

“Oh, man, that didn’t take long.” He opened them and smiled at Denny. “I think I really needed that.”

“You were wound a little tight.” Denny crawled up to lay beside him. “Here you’ve been under all this stress and I wasn’t there for you. I feel terrible.”

“Which is exactly why I didn’t mention anything. I know how worked up you get over things you can’t do anything about. I wanted you to enjoy your show and not worry about me and my shit.” He ruffled Denny’s hair.

“Well, at least this explains why you’ve been so quiet. It takes a load off my mind.”

“Why, what did you think was wrong?”

“I wasn’t sure.” Denny rested his head on his shoulder and closed his eyes.

Tom stroked a hand up and down his back. “Don’t tell me you thought I was messing around with someone. God, Denny, don’t you have any faith in me?”

Denny hugged him tighter, burying his face into his chest because he was ashamed to meet his eyes. “I know. I’m stupid. There’s too much time to think and wonder about shit like that living here in a strange city. When we’re not working, we have a lot of time on our hands. You sounded distant on the phone and I started imagining things.”

“Work problems. That’s all it is. I swear.” Tom’s voice was calm. His even temper was one of the things Denny loved most about him. More dramatic lovers he’d had in the past would’ve blown his lack of trust into a huge drama, but Tom was unruffled. Finding steady, reliable, lovable Tom had been like finding gold.

“How are you feeling? Stomach still upset?” Denny asked, rubbing his hand in circles on Tom’s hairy belly.

“A little, but I’m feeling better being here with you.” Tom’s hand slipped between their bodies, unfastened his fly and slipped inside to cup his erection. “As a matter of fact, I’m feeling good enough to repay the favor.”

“Oh really?” Denny rolled onto his back. Tom stripped him naked and crouched between his legs, hands moving slowly up his thighs. Denny’s cock throbbed in anticipation of his touch. His skin felt as sensitive as if he had a fever, and his breath caught as, at long last, Tom took him in hand.

Folding his arms behind his head, Denny watched his boyfriend’s lips stretch around his girth, the sight nearly as arousing as the feeling of his hot, wet mouth. Denny’s eyes half-closed in pleasure, but he continued to observe Tom’s hand steadily stroking him and the partial profile of his face. Dark hair curled on his forehead. His eyelashes made two perfect arcs against his cheeks, hollowed from the force of his sucking.

A pang of pure love for this man shot through Denny. There was no one he’d rather be with day or night, in bed or out of it, for the rest of their lives. Tom’s hard tugging sent waves of lust flowing through him. He groaned and closed his eyes as he submitted to sensation. The length of time apart, coupled with the heat and friction on his cock, soon brought him to the brink of orgasm. For eight weeks Denny had had no sexual release but his own hand. It felt wonderful simply to be touched again. And Tom knew just how he liked it.

Denny groaned and thrust into his lover’s hand and mouth, but before he could come, Tom released his shaft and moved lower. He tongued his balls, giving them a wet, warm bath that would’ve pushed Denny over the edge if Tom’s thumb and forefinger weren’t clamped around the base of his shaft like a cock ring.

Then he went lower still, nudging Denny to lift his hips off the bed. He ran his tongue in a teasing circle around the rim of his anus before dipping delicately inside. Denny squirmed with pleasure as Tom’s sinuous tongue played in and around the clenching ring of muscle. The tickling was torturous and the sensation exquisite. He gasped aloud and begged for Tom to finish him off.

With a chuckle, Tom abandoned his ass play and moved back to sucking Denny’s cock, first just the head, then swallowing all of it deeply. Denny gripped Tom’s head between his hands as he fucked his mouth. The heat, warmth and wetness were too much for him to withstand. The tension in his dick built to an unbearable pitch, and then an explosion rocked him. The muscles of his neck corded as his head fell back and his body arched. He came in great, shuddering waves.

Afterward, he subsided, breathing heavily while delicious aftershocks trembled through him. When he came back to awareness, Denny gazed at Tom, who lay beside him, head on the pillow once more.