Page 2 of Sin Deep
They got out of the car and walked up to a set of crazy tall doors that looked heavy but seemed to open by themselves anyway.
“Is this, like, a funhouse? It seems like something in an amusement park.” That would be cool. He was up for it.
“It can be. Tonight it’s just a party.” Oliver took his hand and pulled him inside. It took a second for his eyes to adjust to the sudden change in lighting and by the time he had, Oliver was taking off his jacket. “I’ll check your coat with mine, okay?”
Harley blinked, staring at Oliver, a little agog. “Dude! You are sparkly!”
And wearing, like a…a…tube top. A sequined Harlequin tube top where his nipples showed, which made sense, since Oliver didn’t have himself boobies. It was like nothing he’d ever seen, but it was so totally Oliver that he just grinned and applauded.
“Do you like it?” Oliver beamed and turned for him, showing off.
“Oliver!” A guy in a purple vest and a feathered mask gave Oliver a hug.
“Jesse! Oh, Jess—can you tighten me up?”
“Of course. Let me see.” Jesse moved around behind Oliver and tugged until the top Oliver was wearing went taut across his chest.”
“Ooh. Perfect. Jesse, this is Harley. He’s subletting while Jackson is in Rome.”
“Harley? Like the motorcycle? I’m Jesse. Like the outlaw.” Jesse offered a hand like he expected Harley to kiss it.
Harley shook, careful not to squeeze, because he wasn’t an asshole. He’d figured that out, and he wasn’t interested in seeming mean. “Pleased to meet you, sir. How goes?”
Jesse laughed. “He called me ‘Sir’, Oliver. Where are you from, honey?”
“Just west of Fort Worth, and I mean no offense.” He winked over. “Polite is part of my charm, I’m told.”
“Oh my god Ilovehim!” Jesse stepped between him and Oliver. “Welcome to the club, darling. Do you want to dance?”
“Jess—”
“You hush, Ollie. You brought me a handsome cowboy.” Jesse leaned a little closer to him, big blue eyes flashing, and he got a whiff of sweet cologne.
“Now, can I trust you to keep me safe? Because Oliver’s told me to stick to him…”
Jesse’s eyes went wide. “This is a very classy club, Mr. Harley. But don’t you worry, you’re safe with me.”
“He is; his virtue on the other hand…” Oliver laughed.
“I will be very, very careful with the cowboy, I promise.” Jesse took his arm. “It’s just a dance. You can dance, can’t you?”
“Believe it or not, I can, and I like it.” He could do everything from wild flailing to waltz. He wasn’t fancy, but he wasn’t going to embarrass himself or his dance partner.
“Charmer.” Jesse pulled him into the crowd. Oliver shouted after them that he’d be at the bar. “Is this your scene? How long have you been in town?”
“Three months, two weeks, and five days.” Harley winked, laughing at himself. “And I don’t know that I have a scene yet, but this is absolutely my first time here!”
And it was electric—sparkling and loud, exciting and overwhelming in the best way.
Jesse laughed as they wove through the crowd, finally finding the dance floor. The lighting was purple and green, shifting with the music. “I can tell. You’re not dressed like you expected to be here tonight. I’m not complaining though, that t-shirt fits you just right.” Jesse’s hands slid over his chest before finding his shoulders and staying there.
“Oliver didn’t need me upstaging him in his…top.” His hands landed on Jesse’s hips so he could find the man’s rhythm. “This okay?”
Jesse nodded, stepping closer. “So okay. Go on and lead, honey. I can follow.”
They started dancing, laughing as they figured out how not to murder one another’s toes. Three songs in, the DJ played a slow song, and he didn’t know Jesse that well, so he backed off. “Want to get a drink? I’m dry as a bone.”
“That sounds—”
