Page 80 of Syncopation
Ray did as told, and everything turned sublime. The rumble of the bus. Zavier’s warm hands. His own breath, in and out. No idea how long they sat there.
“Don’t open your eyes.” Another brush of Zavier’s thumb. “I want youto tell me the truth—are you fine with us not hiding this? Being—not obvious, but not concealing, either.”
“Yeah.” The answer was simple, and it startled Ray a little. “Doesn’t change much, does it?”
“For the people out there? No. For us? Maybe. It’s an acknowledgment, Dom and Mish knowing.”
“Just means they’ll give us space.”
Zavier’s chuckle was low. “Like now.”
Ray triedto nod. “Do you want—I mean—” He sighed. “I was trying not to be turned on by you. Took a cold shower and everything.”
“And here you are, all nice and hard for me again.” Zavier grinned. “I could get you off. Probably quicker than you’d like, but wearein a time crunch.”
Ray swayed as the bus slowed down and pulled around a curve.
“Or,” Zavier continued, “you can hold on to that needuntil later, and I can draw it out of you slowly and in ways you may not have experienced before.”
Ray shivered. “The second option sounds like it might kill me. I want that.”
Zavier stroked his thumb over Ray’s lips. “Give me your hand.”
He did, and Zavier brought it to his own thick erection, housed in his jeans. “You’re not the only one waiting for later.”
“Good.” Ray lickedhis lips and tasted traces of salt and Zavier. “If we’re gonna do this, I want you as invested.”
Zavier sat back and chuckled. “I am. Believe me.” He rose and pulled Ray up. “Come on, let’s go look bored and tired for Carl. I think we’re nearly there.”
Yeah, the bus was moving a lot slower now. Ray grabbed his shower gear while Zavier opened the curtain and headed up front. After Ray shovedhis shit into his bunk, he joined the others. “We didn’t figure out the set list.”
Mish pursed her lips. “Let’s talk it out over catered donuts and a shit-ton more coffee.”
Zavier lounged like he hadn’t a care in the world. “We should shake it up a bit.”
Yeah. And judging from Dom’s and Mish’s nods, they were all for that plan, too. He’d have to grab his notebook before they got offthe bus. But right now, there were too many stops and turns. He closed his eyes.
Mish and Dom were fine with him screwing Zavier—or rather Zavier screwinghim. The fans wanted it. They worked well on stage and provided speculation for the press. He grunted. “Carl’s gonna be so pissed.”
“Good.” Zavier’s voice, but it was echoed by Mish and Dom, and that warmed Ray’s heart. If nothing else,he had the band. His band. Hisfriends.
And one with some really amazing benefits.
* * *
There was nothing better than the anticipation of waiting. Or, Zavier mused, watching others wait. He enjoyed both thoroughly. Pleasure was always more intense when denied before. That explained why he was still reeling from his night with Ray—they had been dancing around each other for so long.And no, one night wasn’t enough for either of them. Not nearly.
Ray had knelt without hesitation. God, that alone played along Zavier’s nerves and sweetened what was to come. But there were pleasures he could indulge in sooner, too. Like a little touch of sadism, not from caring but from the exact opposite. This time, his target was Carl, the lying, scheming, utterly contemptible band manager.
All of the members of Twisted Wishes were dressed—Domino had made his reappearance—and mostly caffeinated by the time the bus pulled into their next venue, another outdoor amphitheater.
Unsurprisingly, Carl was waiting once the bus parked. He climbed into the bus and snarled, “What thefuckis this?” He was holding a tablet with that photo of Zavier and Ray from the previous night.
Enemies or lovers? Kill or fuck? Zavier knew the answer to that one. In his blood and written on the skin of Ray’s ass. He cocked his head at Carl. “Why, it’s a picture of me and Ray.” He turned to Ray. “Doesn’t that look like a picture of me and you?”
Ray leaned forward for a better look. “It does, yeah. Isn’t that when we were talking last night?”
“Think so. Damn, they’ve got a good lens.”Zavier shook his head. “Gotta give ’em credit for that.”
