“I won’t be long,” Raoul assured him, returning the kiss.
Alexx briefly considered stepping inside the bathroom to make his call, before it hit him that the hallway was right there and probably had better acoustics. He watched as Raoul took a seat behind his desk and Paolo laid something in front of him. They quickly became engrossed in their figures, or whatever they were looking at. Alexx slipped out the door, pulling his phone from his
pocket. He punched in Miller’s number and waited for him to pick up.
“Hey! It’s about time you called back.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry, but things have been…a little bit crazy.”
“Yeah, I bet. I’m just kidding with you. So, are you ready to give me the scoop? Although I already know what you’ve been busy with, or should I say who, and I can’t really blame you for not calling. If I was lucky enough to hook up with Raoul Marchand, I wouldn’t waste time being on the phone either. Way to go, dude!”
“Where’d you hear I hooked up with Raoul?” Alexx frowned.
He shifted the phone from one hand to the other, began to pace the limited space in front of the elevator.
“Where do you think? It’s all over the office, courtesy of one Price Chancellor. What did you do to that guy? I’ve never seen him so bent out of shape.”
“Shit.” Alexx sighed. “I should have known. He’s just mad because I have the story he wants.”
“You do? That’s wonderful! I’m excited for you. This is your big chance, I know it. And to be sleeping with that big tall drink of sexy wolf? Well hell…I’m extra jealous. How’d you ever meet up with him? At the club or something?”
“Not exactly. I’ll tell you later. Actually, I’ll probably come in tomorrow and talk to Mr. Randolph. I’ve got to let him know I can’t cover the story and see what he wants—”
“What do you mean you can’t cover it?” Miller interrupted indignantly. “Isn’t this just the break you’ve been waiting for?
What about becoming a crime reporter? What about that, Alexx?”
“I still want to be one, but this story… I’m too close to it.
Miller, I can’t be objective anymore. I’m in love with him.”
A long low whistle greeted Alexx’s announcement. “Wow.
That’s…fast.”
“I know, but it doesn’t feel fast. I mean, I feel like I’ve known him for a lot longer—” Something else he didn’t want to get into on the phone. Not even sure if he could explain it in person. Not when he didn’t really understand it himself. “Yeah, I’ll probably come in tomorrow. Do me a favor, will you? Please try not to act weird around Raoul or anything?”
“You’re bringing him with you?” Alexx could imagine Miller’s eyes popping out at that bit of news, his tongue probably hanging out, too.
“Yeah, I pretty well have to.”
“
Have
to? What does that mean?”
“It’s a long story. I can’t go into it now. When Mr. Randolph comes in, will you please tell him we’ll be in tomorrow? Please?”
“Sure, I can do that.” There was a moment of silence before Miller asked, “Um, has he told you he loves you?”
“Yeah. He has.” Alexx couldn’t keep from smiling, a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
“Dude, you are
so
lucky. That’s jealousy you hear, you know that, right? But it’s also happiness. I’m very happy for you.”
“Thanks, Miller.”
“Be sure to invite me to the wedding, will you?”
“Oh hush.” Alexx snorted. He turned at the sound of the door opening. That was quick. “Hey, I gotta go. See you tomorrow, okay?”
He waited long enough to hear the other’s farewell and hung up, sliding his phone back in his pocket. Raoul and Paolo stepped from the office. Paolo headed straight to the elevator, with a nod for Alexx, while Raoul joined his lover.
“So, what would you like to do? We can order something in to eat, if you’re hungry? You must be starving, as late as it is. Or we can go down to the club and do a little dancing and eat after that?”
Alexx hadn’t done any dancing since he was in grade school, back when it had been a mandated part of the physical education curriculum. Basic dances, like slides and polkas and square dancing. The hokey pokey. Nothing overly complex. Alexx was one of the shorter guys in his class, while the girls were generally well ahead on the puberty trail. He usually found himself partnered with an Amazon, and spent most of the time trying not to tread on her toes.
He had a sudden urge to watch Raoul dance. He bet that man knew some moves. Besides, he felt guilty for keeping him away from his business. Technically speaking he knew that nothing that had happened was his fault, but still… It wouldn’t kill him to socialize with Raoul’s friends and clientele. This was Raoul’s world. He should get used to it. Hopefully, he’d fit in. It would be nice to fit in somewhere. He hadn’t realized until he met Raoul just how isolated and insular his life really was.
“I’m not really hungry,” he said. Food could always wait. This was more important. “But I don’t really dance, so why don’t I watch you?”
“You think I want to dance with anyone else?” Raoul affected a gruff tone, before adding, in a softer voice, “You’ll be fine.”
Alexx had his doubts about that, but he was willing to try anything Raoul wanted to do.
As they rode downstairs, Alexx mentioned his desire to go in to the
Chronicle
office the next day. He was unsure of the reception his idea would receive, considering Raoul was compelled to go with him whether he wanted to or not, but he was pleasantly
surprised when Raoul said that sounded good to him.
“We can stop in at the police station while we’re out. I need to find out how long Jon intends to hold my phone hostage. If he’s not turning loose of it any time soon, I might just pick up a new one. Scratch that. I’ll get a new phone. I can’t wait for the police to be done with mine.”
The club was still thrumming with energy, filled with a good number of happy patrons—an eclectic mix of people, all intent on having a good time. Alexx couldn’t help but notice the looks they garnered as they walked by. The ones aimed at Raoul were of the curious, interested, envious, and desirous variety, while the ones directed toward himself seemed to be more curious. Probably wondering who he was and why he was with Raoul. He’d have to get used to that, he realized. Develop a thick skin, if they were to stay together. And he wanted them to stay together well beyond the current situation. Most definitely.
When Raoul stopped at the bar, Alexx assumed he was ordering a drink, but he was just telling the bartender he was there.
Alexx recognized him. Conall. He’d waited on them last night, him and Miller, on the tab set up for them by Foster Levine. And speak of the devil, there was Foster himself, sitting a little ways down at the bar. He waved in their general direction, raising his glass as if to toast them. Alexx returned the wave perfunctorily. Raoul seemed not to notice.
Raoul turned back to Alexx. “Ready to trip the light fantastic?”
“They’re not going to throw a spotlight on us or anything, are they?” he asked apprehensively.
“I can ask for one, if you like?” Raoul teased.
“Thank you, no.”
Raoul laughed and took his hand, leading him toward the dance
floor. As if sensing Alexx’s reluctance to be the center of attention, he veered away from where the bulk of the dancers were wriggling together and found a spot on the periphery of the dance floor. It offered them the illusion of privacy, and Alexx grasped at it gratefully.
Alexx could not have named the music they danced to, or what dances they did together. He basically followed Raoul’s lead, mesmerized with his gorgeous lover. He’d never seen anyone in his life move with such innate grace and elegance. He was beautiful to behold. If anyone were watching them, it was surely Raoul they were focused on. Alexx could live with that. After all, he was the one who would be going home with Raoul, sharing his bed, not anyone else. He could allow this little bit of voyeuristic envy.
Alexx was relieved when the music slowed and they were able to dance in closer intimacy. Raoul wrapped his arms about him as soon as the beat changed. They swayed together in a simple two-step, as if they’d been doing this all of their lives. He nestled his head contently on Raoul’s shoulder. Alexx thought he could stay there forever, enveloped in Raoul’s loving embrace.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be.
They’d been joined by a third person. Alexx felt it when Raoul suddenly tensed. He glanced up in surprise. Foster stood there.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “Conall asked me to let you know there’s a call at the bar. For you.”
Raoul frowned, clearly not happy. He opened his mouth as if to argue, then seemed to think better of it. “I’ll be right back.” His words were for Alexx as he kissed him softly. “Save all your dances for me.” He looked between him and Foster, then turned and began to cut his way through the crowd between him and the
bar.
Alexx glanced uncertainly at Foster. The last time he’d seen him had been earlier tonight, at the restaurant. He hadn’t acted particularly friendly then. For a moment, he wondered if Foster was following them, then decided it was just a coincidence.
Besides, he and Raoul ran in the same circles, didn’t they? Not so surprising he’d show up at the hottest night spot in Crescent Bay.
He and Raoul probably grew up together, and Foster certainly knew the Marchands well enough to speak to them on a familiar basis. But on further reflection, Alexx decided that Raoul didn’t care for Foster near as much as Foster liked him, although he could be mistaken.
Foster was shaking his head at Alexx. Was that pity he saw in the blond’s eyes? What was his problem?
Suddenly the other man leaned down toward Alexx, one hand on his shoulder, his voice low. “You know he’ll chew you up and spit you out when he’s done, don’t you? It’s what he does. Fucks ’em and leaves ’em. You’re no different than the rest, trust me.”
Alexx was taken aback, both at Foster’s words and at his tone.
And something he saw in his eyes. Anger? Envy? Jealousy? But why? Suddenly he understood, as the knowledge of what he was seeing flooded through his brain. All of the above. The why was pretty damn obvious. He wanted Raoul. The question was when had this started? And what was Foster willing to do to get what he wanted?
Anger boiled through Alexx, replacing any fear he had of this being his publisher’s son. He didn’t have to explain himself to Foster. And he certainly wasn’t about to explain him and Raoul.
He thumped his finger into the center of Foster’s chest.
“You don’t know anything. And it’s none of your business.”
He gained more than a little satisfaction at the shocked expression in Foster’s eyes. He probably didn’t have too many people talk to him like that. Well, he better get used to it. At least from Alexx. He was fairly sure that Raoul wouldn’t put up with shit from this man either.
“So leave us the fuck alone,” he concluded just before he turned and walked away. His eyes raked over the crowd, spotting Raoul instantly. He was heading back toward him, an intent expression on his face. When they came abreast, Raoul gripped his arm, pulling him to the side of the bar, away from other people, where he could be better heard.
“You’ll never guess who that was on the phone.”
Alexx pushed his unpleasant encounter with Foster out of his mind, focusing on Raoul. “Who?”
“Remember that asshole who chased you into the woods last night?”
Alexx nodded.
“That was him. Apparently, he wants to meet us tomorrow. He has something he needs to tell us that he says we need to hear.”
“You mean…”
“Yes, he’s going to explain why he targeted you…and me.”
Alexx let out a long low whistle. “Are we meeting him?”
“You better believe it.”
“You know I think this might just tie into the murder.”
Raoul nodded, his lips set in a grim line. “That’s what I was thinking, too.”
Maybe this was the break they’d been looking for.
They spent what remained of the evening dancing, entwined in one another’s arms. Ignoring his protests of being not particularly well coordinated, Raoul showed Alexx a few of the less complicated steps he knew, pleased when he caught on quickly. In the process, they attracted a small group of interested onlookers from among the other dancers. Never one to be shy, Raoul bowed elegantly to the impromptu audience, and indicated his blushing partner with a wave of one hand. Applause greeted the couple before everyone dispersed to other parts of the dance floor. Raoul took advantage of having Alexx to himself once more to rumble his approbation of his performance into his lover’s ear as they caught their breath together, settling into the easy rhythm of a slower selection.
“You did good,” Raoul reassured him. He nuzzled Alexx’s neck, inhaling his scent with unabashed pleasure.
“I’m no Fred Astaire and I know it.” Alexx tilted his head, providing Raoul greater access. “Think maybe we can take classes or something?”
“You and me?”
“No, me and Paolo.” Raoul gave him a startled glance. Alexx laughed. “Of course you and me. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”
“I wouldn’t
want
you to do it with anyone else.” Raoul growled possessively as he pulled Alexx closer, fairly bristling with jealousy. “Only with me.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.” Alexx laid a gentle kiss upon his lips, and he relaxed.