Page 26 of Epidermis

The whiskey lessened the unease he felt as he bumped into a few people in the process of leading them to an empty spot on the dance floor. The song that was playing had a heavy, constant beat, easy to follow. Jasper stepped up so his chest nearly touched Konrad’s. “The nice thing about places like this, there’s really no wrong way to dance. You just… move.”

He guided Konrad’s hands to his waist and then draped his arms over Konrad’s shoulders. His shirt had come untucked when he danced with Hiyori, so one of Konrad’s hands ended up on his bare hip, just above his slacks. He made to move it and Jasper reached down to hold it in place. “It’s okay,” he whispered. It probably wasn’t audible over the music, but Konrad seemed to get the message just the same. Konrad’s fingers splayed out like he wanted to soak up all the heat from Jasper’s body, and Jasper pressed closer to him.

His face came to rest against Konrad’s neck as they moved together. Jasper was reveling in the euphoria of letting himself be close. Konrad welcomed him, but never pushed. It reminded Jasper of when he would put food out for a stray until they felt safe enough to let him pet them. He was Konrad’s stray.

One song turned into another, and by the third, Konrad’s vest was discarded at the booth. Jasper knew he was probably a human furnace at the moment, since he’d been drinking, but Konrad chose to shed his layers rather than put distance between them. Jasper wasn’t complaining; he liked being able to pull on Konrad’s tie when he wanted him closer as they danced, and he liked the look Konrad gave him whenever he did.

River called for more shots, and as soon as Jasper took his, he was right back on the dance floor with Konrad. He noticed Konrad had stopped drinking. It made sense, given that he was driving. Unlike Jasper, Konrad didn’t need alcohol to loosen up—Jasper was having fun and Konrad was having fun with him.

Sweat made his clothes cling to his body, but he barely noticed. His attention was commanded by feeling Konrad pressed against him. Contrary to how he’d tried to pretend otherwise, Jasper wasn’t oblivious to the fact that Konrad was fucking gorgeous. Nor was he immune to the effect of grinding against someone he was attracted to. The pulsing lights dyed Konad’s greying hair in shades of green, blue, purple, and more. Nightclubs were gritty and grimy by nature but Konrad looked nothing short of ethereal under the cycling colors.

Jasper pressed his back to Konrad’s chest, letting his head fall back against Konrad’s shoulder as they moved together. Jasper wasn’t a bad dancer once he had a few drinks in him—he flowed like water, bringing Konrad’s hand to his abdomen, letting him feel every fluid undulation of Jasper’s body. Alcohol made him loose and, admittedly, a bit of a slut. He was surprised when he let go of Konrad’s hand that it stayed in place and didn’t try to go any lower.

“I believe these two young ladies would like to borrow you,” Konrad said against his ear as the song ended, making Jasper shiver at the heat of his breath on his skin.

Shariah and Hiyori did, in fact, steal Jasper for a few songs, dancing on either side of him, both of them just as wasted as he was. It was probably a good thing they did or he might have come right out and asked Konrad if he wanted to find some dark place to be alone. It had been a long time since Jasper last had sex, and if what happened in Vegas was going to stay there… why not?

He was flushed and laughing when the girls relinquished him back to Konrad, who gazed at him fondly as he took Jasper back into his arms. The song playing was slow enough that Jasper could just lean against him and sway. He wasn’t especially coordinated at the moment, and his feet hurt. His boots were designed more for form than function.

Of course, Konrad noticed when fatigue began to set in. “Perhaps we should retire for the evening. You did say you anticipate a busy day tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to leave. This is nice.”

“Then we’ll go dancing again.”

Jasper smiled against his shoulder. He nodded, and Konrad waved to the others to let them know they were going. Konrad collected his vest from their table and paid the tab for their entire group on the way out. It was the least he could do to show his appreciation for being invited, Konrad claimed as they walked to the car.

Jasper dozed off in the car, grunting when Konrad came around and opened his door, rousing him from his brief but wonderful sleep. He held onto Konrad’s arm for balance all the way to the elevator. The alcohol had really caught up with him. He leaned against the back of the elevator, his hands on the railing, and the way Konrad was looking at him made warmth spread all through his body. He wished Konrad would make good on what his eyes threatened.

The doors opened and Konrad guided him to their room, holding him upright when he lost his balance, ushering him patiently through the door.

“Come, let’s get you ready for bed,” Konrad said as he urged Jasper toward the bathroom.

“Konrad Iversen.” Jasper feigned disbelief. “Are you trying to get me naked?”

“Not tonight, darling.”

How unfortunate. “Mm. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“Just stand right there,” Konrad said, leaving him in front of the counter.

Jasper leaned back heavily, finding it harder to remain vertical without Konrad to support him. His hand slid off the counter and he swayed.

“Alright, come here.”

Konrad grabbed the back of his thighs, and Jasper scrambled to hold on to Konrad as he was lifted up onto the counter. He would consider himself of average athletic build, but he was big enough that no one had ever been able to do that to him. Fuck. His cheeks were red as Konrad stood between his knees. If Konrad noticed Jasper liking that a little too much, he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he pushed Jasper’s curls back and cleaned his face with a makeup wipe.

“Hold still for me,” Konrad instructed, raising a new wipe to Jasper’s eyes. He took his eyeliner off in slow, gentle swipes, holding the back of Jasper’s neck to keep him in place.

Jasper closed his eyes to make it easier and found it very hard to open them again. The wipe vanished, and he let his forehead tip forward into Konrad’s chest. He wasn’t awake enough to protest when Konrad picked him up again. He wrapped his arms around Konrad’s neck as Konrad carried him to bed, holding Jasper up by his thighs, walking like it was easy to have Jasper’s full body weight clinging to him.

Konrad laid him on the bed and took his boots off. He took his socks off next, and Jasper stretched happily, scrunching his toes against the bed. He heard Konrad chuckle and the sound made him smile. “You comin’ to bed?” Jasper asked.

“I’m going to shower and change into something comfortable, then yes.”

Oh, so Konrad got to shower. That didn’t seem fair. Jasper grumbled as he turned onto his side, wishing he had the motor functions to change clothes, as he felt like he was running about a million degrees. Konrad asked if he needed anything and Jasper waved him off. He heard the shower and imagined joining Konrad there, his cock saluting the thought with a valiant twitch but unable to manage anything more. He was so fucking drunk.

Konrad turned all the lights off before getting into bed with him. “You’re sweating,” he remarked with concern.