And that did seem to be true. Several of the members had ended up in relationships with people they had met through the parties.
Maybe Tomas was just bitter because he wasn’t one of them.
He shrugged off the thought as he stepped out into the frigid evening air. The sun had set hours ago, and he cursed that county weasel all over again. He’d been dodging his calls for days until Tomas had finally cashed in a favor and gotten his personal number. Calling him at nine o’clock at night, while he was at home and unsuspecting, was probably the only reason he’d actually gotten him on the phone.
He jogged across the parking lot, making a note to thank their new prospect, Jem, for doing such a good job clearing and salting the space. Even with the subzero windchill, the blacktop was dry and free of any slush or ice. They were just about the only decent prospect the club had at the moment. The other two—both young men who’d already had a strike against them for the way they’d sneered and rolled their eyes when he’d introduced Jem to them and let the two of them know they were nonbinary—had been eager to sign on but were more interested in trying to attend the parties or hang out in the clubhouse than do what they were asked.
Like manning the fucking gate.
Considering how many people from the wider community were inside the clubhouse and would need to leave as the evening wore on, he’d assigned one of the prospects to sit by it and let people in and out as needed. He should have been chilling in his car next to it, but there was no sign of him or his shitty Camaro. Tomas had even told him the club would reimburse him for the gas he used to leave his car running since it was so cold.
After he got Mason settled, he’d be checking every inch of the clubhouse to find the guy and take his prospect cut from him. He didn’t believe in a three-strike system—you did what you were told, or you were out. One mistake he’d give someone grace for, but that was it.
There was a sleek, bright green Audi R8 waiting on the other side of the closed gate, its powerful engine idling at a quiet rumble. It was a flashy car. And an expensive one. Tomas tried to remember if Ollie had told him what Mason did for a living but came up with a blank. Maybe his family was rich as shit.
He unhooked the latch and rolled the metal gate out of the way.
The driver’s window lowered as Tomas approached, resting his forearm on the roof of the two-hundred-thousand-dollar car. He leaned down and came face-to-face with red-rimmed, dark brown eyes and the sexiest mouth he’d ever seen.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” Mason said quickly, glancing away and wiping at his cheeks and then fidgeting with his hair. His white skin looked completely flawless in the low lighting, nothing but dark circles and traces of tears detracting from his distracting beauty. And really, Tomas didn’t mind tears on a sub when the circumstances were right. “I didn’t know where else to go. I just really need to talk to Ollie.”
“Mason, right?”
That stunning face tipped up again, straight white teeth sinking into his plush bottom lip as he gave a short nod. “Yes, sir.”
Yes, sir.
Well, shit, this boy was going to be trouble. He could feel it in his bones.
He pointed to an area where there were some parking spaces available and then headed back to the front door, leaving thegate open until he could get somebody to man it for the rest of the evening.
Mason joined him at the door, wearing a thick parka and a backpack slung over one shoulder. Without thinking, Tomas reached over and grabbed it, easing it down his arm, before grabbing the door handle. He glanced back at Mason, wanting to give him a warning before they went in, even though they could already hear the music, the building practically vibrating with it.
Mason was watching him with wide eyes and parted lips, seemingly unsure of how to handle the small gesture of kindness. Had no one ever carried a bag for him? Tomas found that hard to believe, considering how gorgeous he was.
“It’s really loud in there,” he said, fingers flexing on the backpack’s strap. “That usually happens when Ollie’s put in charge of the sound system.”
Mason snorted and shook his head. “He’s always loved loud music that he can just get lost in.”
Tomas sighed. “I prefer to be able to hear my own thoughts.”
Those dark eyes held his gaze as Mason said softly, “Me too.”
The moment stretched out between them, stirring a feeling deep in his gut. The cold no longer touched his exposed skin, and the sounds of the party drifted away. He liked that Mason held his eyes. Bold, even as he appeared to be on the receiving end of a really shitty day.
He wasn’t sure what to do, frozen in his tracks in a way he hadn’t been in over a decade. A few soft words from this beautiful boy had put him on his heels, unsure of himself.
The door wrenched open under his hand, and one of the club members came strolling out, his arm around a middle-aged woman with mussed dark brown hair and swollen lips, effectively ending the strange moment.
Trey stopped when he saw Tomas standing there, his eyes darting from him to Mason. He raised his brows. “You good, Prez?”
He nodded him off, and Trey shrugged, hurrying his new friend across the parking lot as his hand slipped down and disappeared down the back of her skirt. Her gasp and laugh sliced through the cold, still air, and he realized the boy was watching them just like Tomas had been.
“Come on,” he said, grabbing the door handle once again. “I think I saw Six when I came through before.”
Mason nodded, dragging his eyes away from the couple as they paused next to Trey’s car. A low, feminine moan followed by Trey’s chuckle reached them, but Mason didn’t seem embarrassed by the display, just surprised.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Trey’s little bit of exhibitionism was nothing compared to what was behind the door. “You could always go back to the bar, and I can sit with you if you’d be more comfortable.”