Krewe Daddy (12 page)

Luis opened the door, smiling. "Come on in."

His dress shirt was half-open, and untucked. The sleeves were rolled up his forearms. Luis had become even more handsome and desirable. Wherever Drew looked, something made him damn near drool.

He walked into the spacious living room and let out a long, slow whistle. "Wow."

"You like it?"

He looked at Luis. "It's wonderful. Totally your style, and such a step up from your place in Florida."

Luis chuckled. "Yeah, that apartment pretty much sucked. Good memories, but bad decorating."

Drew couldn't disagree. "How long have you been here?"

"I moved in a couple years ago." He wagged his thumb toward the dining room.

"If you're hungry, dinner is ready."

"Sure." Seeing the formal table setting made Drew grin. "Some things never change."

He pulled out the upholstered chair and sat down.

Luis ladled steaming jambalaya into Drew's bone-white soup bowl. "What doesn't change?"

"The table setting. Even when you were serving those God-awful bologna and peanut butter sandwiches, you always set the table like we were having a holiday dinner."

Luis sat down before placing his linen napkin on his lap.

"Blame my grandmother for that. Old habits, like good table manners, are hard to kill." Luis crooked an eyebrow at Drew. "You're not still eating those sandwiches, are you?"

He pasted on an innocent expression. "Every now and then, but I stopped bringing them to work. The people there gave me too much shit."

Luis brought a spoonful of jambalaya to his lips. "Do you blame them? How did you end up down here, anyway?"

"I finished school in Wescott, and saw a job opening through the school's network. At that time, I didn't really care where I moved, as long as I got far away from Minnesota's winters."

"Sounds like a smart move." Luis rose. "Can I get you a beer?"

"Sure, whatever you're having."

Luis handed him a bottle of Abita and a glass. "Does Teak work at anything besides peddling his gorgeous smile?"

While pouring his nut-brown ale, Drew frowned. "Teak? Yeah, but he and I aren't together, if that's what you're wondering. He followed me to Wescott, but we didn't last long. He's older than I am—guess I like older guys, and the relationship wasn't right for either of us. The only good thing that came out of it was Teak met Kevin there."

"Marks?"

"Yeah, they're so much in love. In fact, they're getting married in mid-December, and I'm going to be their best man. I'll have to brave the elements one more time, but I wouldn't miss it. They have something really special."

Luis stopped chewing. "You used to say that about us."

Drew filled his spoon and put the spicy stew in his mouth. "Your cooking is good as ever."

"Why are you changing the subject?"

He let out a sigh while studying Luis. "I used to say that, but that was before."

"Before all the craziness?"

"Yes. And you're with Ronnie now. No offense, but I'm really surprised to see you with a tranny. I never pegged you for rolling that way."

Luis waved his hand, appearing to dismiss the remark. "It's mostly business. He's fun and very adventurous, but it's nothing serious."

"Does he know about your dominant side?"

His lips curled up in a half-smile. "No need. Ronnie is such a willing bottom, it doesn't matter." Luis sipped his beer. "What about Kyle? You seem pretty tight."

"He exaggerated. In fact, I broke things off with him when I got back from Whitefish."

"Really." Luis extended the word, sounding surprised. "He was fighting hard for you when I met up with him."

"I'm flattered, but truthfully, he hated knowing you were around. He always knew about you. But having you in the same town, and knowing I needed, I mean, I wanted to see you, pissed Kyle off." Drew pushed past his verbal misstep as if he hadn't said anything revealing. "Then he kept his meeting with you a secret. I don't need manipulators in my life."

He hoped Luis understood the underlying message.

After swallowing his beer, Luis cleared his throat. "So you're free."

Drew contemplated his answer. He wanted to be honest but goddamn, he had no intention of appearing needy. "More or less. There's a guy I've dated. I work with him."

"In town?"

"No, he's a model, too, and lives in California. We've had a thing off and on for the past year or so. Anyway, he'd like to firm things up. He knows you're back in my life, at least for now, and he's willing to wait for me to sort this out." Drew wagged his index finger between himself and Luis. "If I want to pursue something with him after that, he'd move here or I'd move there."

Drew enjoyed seeing Luis blanch. For a while, he thought he might be revealing too much, too fast, but after seeing Luis' reaction, Drew felt better. He had options. Now Luis knew he wasn't the only ticket in town.

Luis leaned back in his chair. "Where do we go from here, Drew?"

The honesty in his eyes took Drew by surprise. He grabbed his beer, walked to the patio door, and gestured to the handle. "May I?"

"That's what it's there for."

Drew opened the door and walked onto the balcony. Only a few stars punched through the light-polluted sky, but it was nice to see the city from this elevation. The door opened and slid shut again.

"Here's a fresh beer."

Drew accepted the bottle, and set his empty on the patio table. "Thanks. It's beautiful up here. I usually see the area from the ground or a boat, looking for people and things that don't belong, are lost, are dead."

Luis stood behind him. "Sounds dreadful."

"Sometimes, but I like the work. It's challenging and different every day."

"Dangerous, too."

Drew took a drink. "I could have been killed a few weeks ago. The asshole's going to jail. Ultimately, it was a good day."

Drew was stalling. He could almost feel Luis' body heat behind him, hear his soft breaths. His heart seemed to pause between beats, his lungs not to need as much oxygen. He waited for Luis to make a move, to say something to let him know what he was thinking, feeling.

He got his answer a few seconds later when Luis slid his hand under Drew's shirt. His hand was so warm, so strong, moving on Drew's body. Luis pulled him backward against his chest.

Drew's resistance was evaporating. Luis' allure and all those memories they shared were like anesthesia, numbing his rational mind and letting his body take over.

He threaded his fingers between Luis'.

Luis kissed Drew's temple. "You didn't answer my earlier question. Where do we go now?"

Drew turned around and looked into Luis' eyes. "I don't know. Are you saying that you forgive me, and I should forgive you?"

"It's in the past. It's done neither of us any damn good to keep dragging around this emotional baggage."

What he was about to say could be a deal-breaker. "I don't know if I've changed enough to try this again."

Luis bristled. "I don't understand."

The fog of lust cleared, and Drew stepped out of Luis' grip.

"Look at you." He gestured to the apartment. "Look at this beautiful place. This is you, how you are, what you love. It's big and bold and gorgeous, just like you. Judging from the way Ronnie was hanging on you, I'd wager you're still the most sought-after lover around." He shook his head. "I don't know if I'm strong enough to believe you can have just one man in your bed—me."

Anger flared in Luis' eyes. "You're saying you still don't trust me?"

The remark was patently absurd. "Do you trust me? One conversation over dinner and all is forgiven? We pick up where we left off? I'm sorry, but I can't go back to the old ways."

"Who said anything about that?" Luis let out a frustrating growl, and took a long drink of beer. He set his bottle down, and before Drew knew what was happening, Luis pulled him into his arms. Their lips met in a crushing kiss. Luis fisted Drew's hair, holding him tight, controlling the intense contact.

One groan after another slipped from Drew's throat, and he swallowed several of Luis' in return. Every twist of their tongues brought Drew closer to absolute submission. His dick ached and was probably oozing pre-cum, since his erection was pressed so hard against Luis'.

Drew's mind rebelled.
This is so fucking wrong. I gotta stop before I can't.
He tried to push Luis away, but couldn't get out of his tight grip.

With one hand, Luis grabbed Drew's crotch and rubbed his swollen dick. With his other, he kept a firm hold on Drew's neck.

Luis breathed the words against Drew's wet mouth. "I know you want me as much as I want you."

"I do." Drew pushed away, getting free of Luis' hold. "But not like this."

Breathing hard, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "It would be so easy to have sex with you tonight. I've fucked you in my dreams a million times."

"So have I. I've seen your face, remembered your tight ass beneath me when I've come. I want you. Tonight." The ache in Luis' voice was plain as the corn-yellow moon hanging overhead.

Drew lifted Luis' chin with his knuckle. "I have to take this slower. Trusting you will be easy, if I see you've changed. All I see right now is that the lust we had is still there. As hot as ever. I can't be your fuck buddy. I want more."

Luis didn't do a good job of almost hiding his disappointment and anger. "When did you decide it was okay to talk to me this way?"

"I'm not your subbie. We're just two people talking tonight."

"Our history is more complex than that."

Drew leaned against the railing. "We have to write some new history if we're going to be together."

"And how do you propose we do that? There's one thing about me that hasn't changed. I call the shots."

"I won't take that lying down."

Luis snorted. "You've become headstrong over the years."

"I don't think of it that way. Becoming a cop gave me a lot of self-confidence. I'm not afraid to say what I want and go after it, anymore. There's a difference between being a submissive in bed and being a doormat in life."

Luis rubbed his chin while eying Drew. "I can tell the negotiations are going to be a hell of a lot of fun." He drained his beer. "Since we're not going to get reacquainted in the bedroom tonight, how about a date?"

The invitation surprised and pleased Drew. He relaxed for the first time since they came onto the balcony. "I think that'd be a better place to start than being bent over the railing with your dick in my ass tonight."

Covering his mouth with the back of his hand, Luis coughed and sputtered. "I can't say I agree, but the waiting might be more fun. At least, for a little while."

Drew shook his head. "Patience was never your strongest suit. How about next Thursday or Friday night?"

"A whole damn week? Shit. It'll have to be Friday. I work regular hours."

"And I work Saturday, so don't think it's going to be an all-nighter."

Luis grinned.

Drew swore his eyes were sparkling with mischief, too. He decided Luis might as well see how the other half lives. "Why don't you pick me up at my apartment, and we'll go from there. Nothing fancy, okay?"

"I know just the place. What you're wearing will be fine."

Silence yawned. Drew took that as his cue to leave. "Tell the security guard not to shoot me on my way out."

"Maybe."

Drew stopped and turned to Luis. "Maybe?"

He pointed toward his crotch. "You did leave me in bad shape."

Drew snorted. "I'm sure you remember how to take care of business on your own. I'll see you Friday."

On his way back to the office the following Friday afternoon, Drew drove through a warehouse district. He saw two men walk into one of the buildings. One wore a suit, carried garment bags over one shoulder, and his briefcase in the other hand. The other man also wore a suit and carried what looked like two, large hatboxes.

Drew did a double take.
Luis?

With his interest piqued, Drew turned the corner and drove around the block. As he neared the building again, he saw two more men approach the entrance.

Drew found a parking place and turned off the ignition. He hadn't eaten, and called into the office to say he'd be out of reach for a lunch break, then walked to the building.

Inside the entrance were two doors. On his left was a nameplate that read
Flamin'

Dames Krewe
. Drew smiled, thinking it would be fun to see Luis at work. He tried the door. Finding it unlocked, he went inside.

Aphrodite's massive head loomed from its perch on the float. Even in the shadows, the wicked expression on half its face made Drew bust out in a grin. Voices came from farther back in the warehouse. Drew followed them, making no sound as he moved through the building. The closer he got, the more he could understand. He recognized Ronnie's voice immediately.

"Luis, you've outdone yourself. These samples are magnificent. I love the colors.

And the fabric." Ronnie shuddered for effect. "My skin is in absolute heaven!"

Drew heard a round of laughter as he reached the entry to the area where the men had gathered.

Luis and Ronnie were costumed as human-sized copies of Aphrodite. Luis wore flowing robes in magenta, aqua, cream, and gold. A large turban in matching colors, and adorned with jewels, made him appear quite regal. Ronnie wore a more form-fitting costume in emerald, burgundy, silver, and cream.

"I can't wait to see what we'll look like in full makeup."

Drew didn't recognize the voice. He stepped out of the shadows, about to announce his presence, when Ronnie reached for the hem of Luis' flowing tunic. His heart skipped a beat. He stayed out of sight, waiting to see how Luis would react.

Has Luis changed, or does this gay panther still purr the same way?

Ronnie moved closer until their chests touched. "The krewe wants to thank you for doing such spectacular work. I think we should christen the new float properly."

Luis chuckled and didn't raise a finger to stop Ronnie. He glanced toward Drew but obviously didn't see him flattened against the wall.