Page 25 of Epidermis

“Jasper,” Konrad said, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk.

It was just a side street that cut through to the parking garage and not on the main strip, so they were all alone, bathed in the many colors of Las Vegas’s ever-present, artificial light.

Konrad held out his hand. “I have a proposition for you.”

Jasper’s eyebrows shot up. He didn’t take his hands out of his pockets, staring at Konrad’s open palm like it was going to bite him.

“There is an adage about this place. ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ yes?” Konrad took a step closer and seemed to find it promising that Jasper didn’t step back, as he continued, “Throw caution to the proverbial wind, Jasper. Live this weekend like you have no risk of regret. And if you wish, it can all stay here. We can return home and pretend none of it ever happened.”

Jasper stole a glance upward at Konrad’s face, and found no trace of deceit. He looked back down to his offered hand. It was as close to a perfect offer as it could be. A weekend to be someone else, someone who wasn’t terrified to get close. The ability to wipe it all clean as soon as they boarded the plane. No risk, all reward. Hardly a gamble. He almost snorted—first it was when in Rome, now it was what happens in Vegas.

He took Konrad’s hand. Konrad slotted their fingers together slowly, giving Jasper every chance to pull away. Jasper shuddered as their palms pressed together.

This didn’t mean anything was going to happen.

Just that it could.

“Okay,” Jasper said. He gave a quiet, shaky laugh. “Consider my caution thrown.”

eight

Jasper hadn’t been to a club since the one time he went and realized he hated clubs.

He left his collar chain in the car so he could undo the top buttons of his shirt, not particularly wanting to suffocate in a space packed with writhing body heat. Even Konrad had shed his suit jacket, leaving him in his shirt, vest and tie. Jasper rolled his sleeves up as they all made their way to the bar. The club was a dark, massive space full of flashing lights and pounding bass. Some people were dancing so close that he wasn’t convinced there was no penetration involved.

Hiyori ordered a round of shots and gave a toast that Jasper could barely hear over the music, but when she raised her glass, he drank to it just the same. He was sure it was very touching. The whiskey burned his throat and settled warmly in his stomach, a heat that only spread upwards when he noticed Konrad watching him.

“A table just opened up, let’s go,” Hiyori said, gathering the fresh round of shots she’d already ordered.

They piled into a booth right beyond the edge of the dance floor, with Jasper on one end so he didn’t feel trapped. Konrad was beside him, discussing cheese with James, debating their favorite ones to pair with certain wines. Jasper took his second shot, and somehow, a third materialized moments later. So he downed that one as well. The fuzziness it created was a welcome reprieve after the debilitating anxiety he’d felt earlier in the evening, like a little treat for surviving the awards ceremony.

The downside to drinking was that it seemed to open the gates for all the needs he ignored the rest of the time. He was an easygoing drunk, but also just… easy.

James slipped away to go dance, and Hiyori decided that sounded like a great idea. She followed him out of the booth and held out both her hands to Jasper. “Come on, I’m Shop Owner of the Year. You’re dancing with me.”

Jasper let himself be dragged out of the booth, following her to the dance floor. Hiyori was one of the few people he didn’t mind touching him. She was like a sister, and they both laughed as they danced, neither of them able to commit to the bit of dancing sexy with each other. Jasper was glad he had at least a bit of natural rhythm to help make up for his total lack of experience. Dancing entailed two things he usually hated: crowds and being touched. But he was three shots deep and didn’t hate anything.

River appeared with a tray full of shots, demanding a trip back to the table for another round. Almost everyone took to the dance floor once there was nothing left but empty glasses. Shariah stole Hiyori to dance with, and River went with James, leaving Jasper and Konrad in the booth.

“I don’t get drunk often,” Jasper said, and he must have been well on his way to it already, because he wasn’t even trying to suppress the Southern drawl coloring his words.

“Don’t care for the hangover?” Konrad asked.

“Don’t care for not knowin’ where I’m going to wake up.”

“I’ll make sure you wake up exactly where you did this morning. Allow yourself to celebrate tonight, you’ve earned it.” He rested his hand on Jasper’s knee. “I’ll take care of you.”

“Aren’t you drinking too?” Jasper asked, but the sentiment still made him smile.

“Yes, but unlike you, I’ve actually eaten today.”

Oh. Jasper forgot he hadn’t eaten anything. No wonder he already felt like he’d put down half a bottle.

Jasper’s eyes wandered over Konrad’s face. “Would you like to dance?” he murmured.

“I fear I have little experience with this type of dancing.”

Jasper grinned. Something he was better at than Konrad? He never thought he’d see the day. “Come on,” Jasper said decisively, getting out of the booth and dragging Konrad up by the hand.