Stripped Bare (8 page)

“Matty! God, fancy seeing you here. I didn’t think this was your kind of scene.” David was the only other person in the world that Matthew didn’t mind using the name. It had been David’s name for him ever since he could remember. The two men embraced and as they drew apart, the man David had been asphyxiating turned around.

Matthew’s eyes were riveted by the clear bright blue gaze as Shane faced him. The lawyer’s heart jumped and he felt his hands clench at his sides. Shane regarded him steadily. David waved a hand and leaned in to talk into Matthew’s ear. The music was fairly loud and he had to concentrate to hear what David was saying.

“You two know each other, don’t you? You met at the hospital, Shane tells me. Thanks for coming to that debacle, Matty. I’m so sorry you and Dad had a falling out. You know what he’s like. He can be a real bugger. I’m sorry you lost your job, Matty. But I’m fine now, all better.”

“Shane.” Matthew nodded at the other man. “Good to see you again.” His body was flushed with heat, desire and annoyance in equal parts.

“Matthew.” Shane shifted over on the bench and waved as he spoke loudly over the noise. “Sit down. I’m with David on this one. I never figured you for the club scene.”

Matthew sat down in the booth on Shane’s left and David sat on the other side of him. His temper was rising. He leaned over and spoke at full volume into Shane’s ear. “I was looking for David. I’ve been all over bloody London trying to find him.”

He scowled as he leaned over to speak to David. “I wanted to see how you were, DD, seeing as you haven’t been returning my calls this past week or so. I see you were both very busy.”

His pointed tone was directed at both the fact that David had ignored him and the fact that he was here with Matthew’s very own wet dream. Matthew couldn’t say why he felt so aggrieved or such a sense of possessiveness for a man he hardly knew. Shane had declared an interest but he’d fobbed him off.

He had no right to feel the sheer jealousy he’d had seeing them kissing. Shane looked incredible; his broad shoulders snug in a thin white tight-fitting polo neck jumper. His blond hair was tousled, probably from where David had been running his hands through it and his lips were swollen from kisses. He looked delectable and Matthew couldn’t stand it. He stood up abruptly, slamming his glass down on the table top. He shouted over the sound of the blaring music.

“Actually, I can see you’re both all right, so I’ll leave you two alone.”

David reached a hand out and started to speak as Shane eyed Matthew cautiously.

Matthew knew he sounded like a petulant child but he couldn’t help himself. He waved a hand airily, not caring if they could hear him or not, just wanting to get the words out.

“Get back to what you were doing, enjoying yourselves. Don’t choke on each other’s tongues.” He turned heel and hot-footed it through the club to the exit.

Outside, he stood in the cooling night air, trying to calm himself down. Matthew had a temper, but it didn’t often come to the fore. At the moment he really wanted to punch someone or something. The bouncer eyed him warily and shifted on his feet as if in warning. Matthew nodded at him in camaraderie. The last thing he wanted was to be manhandled by a man who looked as if he fought gorillas in his spare time.

“What the fuck was all that about? Poor David has no clue what the hell just happened. I said I’d come out and talk to you.” Shane’s angry tones jolted him out of his thoughts and he turned to see his glowering face behind him. Shane was tense, his body language aggressive as he stood close to Matthew, who glared back at him.

“Would it have killed you to call me and let me know he was okay? You’ve obviously been seeing him, and I haven’t even been able to get hold of him for ten bloody days. For all I knew his dad could have beaten him up again and he was back in hospital.”

Shane’s gaze was frosty. “Firstly, this is the first time I’ve seen him. He’s only been out of the hospital a few days. Secondly, he told me he
had
called you and given you an update. He said you were fine with it. He obviously lied. Thirdly, what the hell? You don’t bloody own me
or
him and you’ve no right to be so bloody rude to either of us.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Are you with him tonight as a paid escort, or a free date?”

He knew even as he said the words that he’d gone too far. To be honest, he was ashamed at the words even as they left his mouth.

Shane’s face went white as he stepped forward.

For a moment, Matthew thought he was about to be smacked across the jaw. Instead, he found himself being pushed against the wall, Shane’s greedy lips finding his in a kiss that made him rock hard. Matthew couldn’t help himself. His lips parted involuntarily as Shane’s hungry tongue crept into his mouth, meeting his own as his body pressed against Matthew’s in sheer carnality. Matthew tasted whisky, mint and pure sex.

The younger man knew how to kiss. His lips were demanding and warm and his tongue definitely knew what it wanted.

All sense of anything rational left him as the other man’s hips pushed against his. Matthew lost all breath in his body feeling Shane’s raging erection against his own. He groaned and gripped Shane’s blonde hair as he ground his mouth against the other man’s in a frenzy of sheer need and want.

Shane’s hands were on his backside, gripping him fiercely, pulling their two bodies together.

Christ, he’s a great kisser. He must be total dynamite in bed. God, I want this man.

The thoughts were fleeting. Matthew found himself being released and the incredible sensations in his body were relieved somewhat as Shane pulled away.

The other man’s face was dark, his eyes stormy. His lower face was reddened from the roughness of Matthew’s chin, from the stubble that grew around his mouth. Shane’s voice was fierce when he spoke. “Is that what you wanted, Matthew? It certainly felt like you did.” He reached down and brushed Matthew’s groin.

Matthew gasped.

“I’d say you want me. Why the hell are you so uptight about it? Be honest with yourself.”

Matthew couldn’t quite find his voice. He took a deep breath trying to calm down the emotions surging in his chest.

Shane watched him and then shrugged. His voice sounded disappointed when he next spoke. “Fine, then. You’ve had your chance. Twice. So don’t bloody well think I owe you anything.” He turned to walk back into the club.

“Shane, wait.” Matthew didn’t recognise his own voice. It was husky, needy, and not in control. “I’m sorry. That last comment was a cheap shot. You didn’t deserve it.”

Shane stood, his eyes watchful.

Matthew tried to formulate his words. “I’m not good at not being able to control situations. Sam used to tell me I was a control freak too.” He realised he’d invoked Sam’s name and saw Shane’s eyes narrow. One day he’d have to explain who Sam was. “Yes, I’m attracted to you, a lot. I’ve never had that experience before, so intense. I suppose I don’t really know what to do with it. And you’re younger than I’m used to.”

Shane raised his eyebrows. “Really? You don’t know what to do with it? How long did you say you’d been a gay man?” His eyes glinted but there was a trace of amusement in them now. “And I’m twenty-eight, Matthew. Only a couple of years younger than you, old timer.”

Matthew scowled. “You know what I mean. Don’t be such a bloody smart-alec.” But he was surprised and glad at the similarities in their ages. The man looked much younger.

“Tut tut. Language, Mr. Langer.”

The way Shane said his name sounded so dirty. Matthew swallowed. Shane moved away from the door, back to him. His hand reached out and he ran it through Matthew’s hair, his fingers gentle. Matthew closed his eyes at the sensation. It had been a long time since anyone had touched him with such tenderness.

“You are so bloody uptight and controlled,” Shane whispered into Matthew’s ear. His breath was warm, the fragrance of whiskey on his breath intoxicating.

Matthew was aware he was standing on a London street in front of a gay bar with a man seducing him but he couldn’t care less at this junction. His whole body was on fire, and his cock felt so huge in his jeans he was surprised he hadn’t burst the zipper.

Shane continued whispering. “I would love to break that control. See you beg, hear you say my name as you beg me to fuck you. Watch you let loose and just be yourself. Oops, sorry, I didn’t mean to swear. You can cane me later.”

Shane’s suggestive tone made Matthew’s legs wobbly. He managed to squeak out a few words. “I told you, there’s a time and a place for using words like those. In private, I have no problem. Christ, Shane, please kiss me again.” He felt Shane shiver at his words but he didn’t argue.

His mouth found Matthew’s again, softer this time, his tongue warm and probing. Matthew slid his hands around Shane’s waist, as Shane ran his hands behind Matthew’s head, his fingers entwined in his hair. Finally they pulled apart, both taking deep gulps of air to be able to breathe again.

“I’ve wanted to do this since I met you,” Shane whispered. “You taste and feel even better than I thought. God, we need to take this somewhere. I’m going to explode if we stand here. Have you got your car nearby?”

Matthew shook his head, his mouth trailing down Shane’s jaw line causing the other man to shudder in his arms. “No. I came by tube. We can go to a hotel if you like. But we need to get a taxi because I’m not bloody running anywhere.”

Shane grinned as his hands brushed the front of Matthew’s trousers. The lawyer groaned as the other man gave a wicked chuckle that made his skin tingle.

“My place is close. St. James’s. I’ll get us a taxi. But I don’t want to be responsible for making some poor taxi driver suffer unmentionable trauma, so you’ll have to behave yourself in the cab. Let me go inside and tell David.”

“Won’t he be upset? I mean, you were with him…”

Shane shook his head. “No, he’ll be fine. He had his sights set on some poor Asian lad inside who won’t know what’s hit him. The kiss you saw us in was just an opportunistic one on his part. He still owed me an apology for roofying me and tying me up. I made it clear it wasn’t something he should be doing to anyone. So he decided to make it a kiss. He knew I was waiting—” He cut his words off. “Stay here. Don’t go anywhere.” He gave Matthew one last fierce kiss and disappeared inside.

Matthew leant back against the wall for support.

The bouncer rolled his eyes and Matthew grinned. He felt like a teenager again, necking outside a nightclub. It felt good. Shane’s words about him losing control still echoed in his ears. He had no doubt that if any man could make him do that, it was Shane Templar. Shane, who wanted to fuck him until he begged for mercy. Matthew trembled at that thought. God, it had been a while. He was pretty versatile, not minding bottoming or topping but the thought of Shane inside him made him feel faint with sheer hunger. He wondered what Shane had been about to say when he’d stopped. Waiting for what? Waiting for him? The thought made him giddy. Shane appeared in front of him a wide smile on his face.

“Right, David says well done. The taxi should be here any minute.” He leaned back against the wall beside Matthew with an air of nonchalance. “You look incredible, by the way.” Shane’s soft voice breathed into his ear. “I love that shirt on you. Of course, I’d love that shirt off you more. I intend doing that myself though. Undressing you, I mean. I love opening presents.” His body was close to Matthew’s, his hip touching his as they stood.

“Hell, Shane, give it a rest unless you want me to come right here.” Matthew’s breathing was ragged. “I think we should stay apart until we get to your place. Or else I won’t be able to control myself.”

Shane’s eyes were black and his breathing uneven.

Matthew felt a sense of power at being able to turn the man on like this. He decided to turn the tables and assert some control himself. “I hope you have loads of condoms and lube at your place. I have the feeling we’re going to need it.”

He laughed as he saw Shane swallow and close his eyes. The taxi pulled up and the two men got into the back. Matthew was careful not to sit too close, remembering Shane’s words about not traumatising the taxi driver.

He’s probably seen it all anyway
, Matthew thought.
I doubt there’s much a London cabbie hasn’t seen, let alone two guys making out in the back of his cab
. But if he started now he wouldn’t be able to stop.

Getting to know him

The trip to St. James’s took less than ten minutes, which in Shane’s opinion was nine and a half minutes longer than he wanted to wait. He wanted to pounce on this man, rip those well-fitting clothes off and pound into him until both of them were completely spent.

When he’d seen Matthew standing there beside the table in the club, his first reaction had been visceral. His dick had leapt to attention and his stomach had clenched. He’d thought the lawyer had felt the same way from the hungry look in his eyes.

Then Matthew had got all hoity-toity and left and Shane had been left wondering what the hell had just happened.

David had looked at him. “Go after him,” he’d said with a wave of his hand.

So Shane had. And now they sat together in the back of the taxi, itching to launch themselves at each other but having to wait. He couldn’t bear it.

He needed something to take his mind off what he really wanted to do. “So,” Shane said. “What do you think of the weather?”

Matthew’s mouth twitched. “The weather?” He seemed to be controlling a laugh.

Shane flapped a hand in the air. “Well, they say all this global warming is causing havoc with the environment. Rainstorms, blizzards and shit like that. I wondered if you had an opinion.”

Matthew cocked an eyebrow in that sexy way he had and Shane nearly came. “Well, I’m no expert, but I think that shit like that happens and it’s just Mother Nature’s way of redressing the balance.”

The two men looked at each other then burst into gales of loud laughter that had the taxi driver shaking his head.

Matthew wiped tears from his eyes. “Hell, Shane, you say the damnedest things at the damnedest times.”