Page 77 of Syncopation
He leaned over and kissed Ray on the forehead. “It was my pleasure.”
Ray closed his eyes and murmured something Zavier didn’t catch—then fell asleep. He turned off the light in the bunk and carefully pulled the curtain the rest of the way shut.
A pleasureindeed, and an honor. He truly enjoyed Ray’s company and his friendship. Mish and Dom were good people, too, but Ray—he understood Ray. The drive and passion, and even the fear, too.
He hummed a few quiet bars from “White Hot Midnight,” found his own sweatpants to put on, and headed back into the lounge.
Cleaning up was easy. He wiped himself and the leather cushion, and shoved his clothesaway, along with the tape, the condoms, and the lube. Ray’s things he folded and left on the couch in the lounge. Wouldn’t be out of place, since Ray had a habit of forgetting to pick up bits of his clothing.
But rather than crawl into his berth, he grabbed his tablet and settled into the seating area up front. The bus would be stopping soon. Plus, he was still high from Ray and his moansand cries—that on top of the warmth of pouring a happy Ray into bed.
His mailbox was hell—why the hell had he signed up for so many mailing lists? He needed another account just for spam and ten-percent-off coupons. He kept deleting mail until he reached a familiar name.
Nadia. Zavier hovered his finger over the message box. The preview read:Darling, be careful. There was an attachment.
His good humor fled and apprehension took up its nest. No choice, really. He tapped the screen.
A photo, dark and a little grainy, but unmistakably him and Ray, on the path between the venue and the buses. Taken with a telephoto, if he had to guess—because no one had been that close to them.
They weren’t touching, but that didn’t matter, since both of their expressions were clear. Twomen, either about to fight or fuck.
Shit. He didn’t hide his sexuality, never had. Neither had Ray. But the press washorribleabout queer men who were having enjoyable sex lives—and this was exactly the kind of stress Ray didn’t need. Especially not after tonight. Especially not with Carl breathing down his neck.
Zavier turned off the tablet. There was nothing he could do. Tomorrow, he’dsee what the damage online was, then talk to Ray.
Tonight, he’d keep enjoying the time he’d spend giving Ray exactly what he’d needed.
