Page 133 of Syncopation
Dom—or rather Domino, since the makeup and hair were back, as was the leather and boots and collar—rubbed his chin. “Would also let them see you and know you’re fine.”
Getting fucked by Zavier was the absolute best thing in the world. Second best, though,was watching Zavier realize Ray was a step ahead of him. His face did all sorts of interesting contortions on the way to surprise and elation. “You’re playing the game!”
“Damn straight. I tried playing it their way. I’m gonna play it mine.”
Zavier’s grin was like a fall of a flogger, all warmth and light. “Come on. The concierge got us reservations—yes, on a deck, Ray—and a car, and theyshould be here in about five minutes.”
They headed out, and it was fucking glorious, like something out of a movie. The security called down to warn the hotel and security staff, so there were people flanking them as they strode through the lobby. Flashes from cameras went off. Mish laughed. Zavier looked like a fucking god, and Domino walked in front, like he would run everyone over withhis steel-toed boots.
Ray didn’t answer any of their shouted questions, just waved and smiled—until Zavier casually put his hand on the back of his neck. Then he laughed and locked gazes with Zav. His fiancé.
When they were all settled into the hired car—which was actually a freaking limo—he grinned at Dom and Mish. “Hey, Zavier asked me to marry him.”
Mish punched him in the arm,missing all of his welts, thank god. “You bastard! Good. About time you freaks worked it out.”
“Freaks?” Zavier was grinning. “Honestly, it’s for practical reasons.”
“Of course it is.” Dom leaned back and waved a hand. “Legal paperwork and all that. Not like you guys care about each other. At all.”
Zavier blushed. Honest-to-god blushed. Deeply. Enough that you could see it in the passingstreetlights. “It’s not—That’s not—” He sighed. “I’m not a romantic. At all. But this...” He gestured between Ray and him. “It seems right.”
“My mom always said to marry your best friend.” Dom was grinning.
Zavier’s eyebrows shot up. “Ray’syourbest friend.”
Dom made a sour face. “Ray’s like my brother. Ew. Did he tell you we kissed once?”
“Once.” Ray held up his hands. “And Idid, yeah. He asked why we weren’t fucking.”
“Because you are entirely not what Dominic is looking for in a partner.” Zavier had a knowing look. “Dominic is looking for someone tall and tweedy who can whisper about hidden queer nuances in old literature while jacking him off.”
“Fucking hell, Zav!” Dom choked out.
“Yeah, but is he right?” ’Cause Ray had to know. And yeah, he so couldsee Dom liking that.
Dom muttered “fucking hell” a few more times before sighing. “Yeah. Pretty close. Bastard.”
“Lord, you boys.” Mish sighed dramatically.
Dom punched her in the arm for a change. “Oh, don’t you start. You don’t have a leg to stand on. And half the time my room’s right next to yours.”
She smiled like a Cheshire cat and sank into the leather behind her. “I am notsayinganything.”
Ray laughed until he was in tears, then wiped them off before they stepped out of their limo. The air was cool and electrified with lights and people and the low thump of dancing somewhere. Zavier put his hand around the back of Ray’s neck again. His back and ass burned. His friends were here. His band. The man he loved. Ray couldn’t keep the happiness in his heart. Feltlike everything was cracking open and blooming. Reaching for the sky.
They had nowhere to go but up.
