~ ~ LEVI ~ ~

Tonight was the night.

And so far, operation Gage was going well.

We'd been flirting up a storm via messages and we'd jerked off listening to one another over the phone and yesterday I'd taken him a meatball sandwich and some peach cobbler whilst he was at work in the car repair shop.

He'd said I was playing dirty, and he wasn't wrong. I was out to win.

Derek, his best friend, had grabbed me on the way out. He'd ruffled my hair and told me not to give up on him. It was good to know he was on my side.

And now it was Friday night. No backing out as I climbed out of the Uber. The driver hadn't said a word once I'd given him my destination. As much as our town had grown over the last few years, some were still backward in their beliefs.

Barely closing the door, he shot off, leaving dust and curious glances behind.

I looked around now, trying to avoid those curious glances from the people standing on the edge of the sidewalk, smoking and laughing. They all kinda looked exactly how I'd expected them to. Dressed either in leather or in colourful clothes.

And all seemed very gay.

It was perfect, and I had to hide my stupid grin.

These were my people.

Well, at least I hoped they were. I'd spent enough of my life being the odd one out.

And seeing them relaxed and just being themselves helped me relax too, eased some of the pressure I'd been feeling since I suggested this place and somewhere I didn't have to pretend.

Not that I pretended. I just never denied or confirmed the rumours anymore. But if Gage gave us a shot, then I would want to shout it out that he and I were in love and screw the world if they didn't like it.

The bar looked exactly like the pictures I'd seen online and heading inside. I felt eyes on me as the heavy door closed behind me. Keeping my breaths slow and steady, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

It was a bouncer about twice my age, wearing a black tee and leather pants. I handed over my ID and he gave it the once over.

"First time?" he grunted.

Inclining my head, I met the man's eyes. "Yeah, that obvious, huh?"

He grinned. "Here," He pulled a large silver-like coin, "Give this to Mike behind the bar, first drink on us, and welcome."

He dropped it into my open palm. "Thanks, appreciate it."

"And anyone gives you trouble. You let me know."

My eyes went round. Trouble?

"Not that we usually have any," he chuckled.

"I'm meeting my friend here," I said a little too quickly.

He nodded. "Good. Well, enjoy your evening."

"Thanks. I will."

The place was already crowded as I scanned over faces and heads. No sign of Gage yet, but I was a little early.

As well as it being a bar, they had a stage, and I knew later on there would be dancers. Not that I wanted to be here for entertainment. I hoped me and Gage would be back at home by then.

Home.

Yeah, I saw it as a home for the both of us now. Just had to convince the stubborn man I was in love with.

Making my way to the end of the bar area as that seemed the quietest, I found a stool and sat down.

Only sat for a few minutes, before a tall looking bartender with more piercings that I thought was possible asked if I wanted anything. I remembered the coin. "I was told to give this to Mike?"

"That's me. What can I get you?"

"A beer would be great." I hardly ever drank. My mother put me off the stuff for life. But every once in a while I indulged, usually thanks to Jamie.

"Any preference?"

"No. Whatever you have. I'm easy."

Mike laughed. "You might want to keep that to yourself..." he winked. "Being easy."

I felt my cheek heat and Mike carried on grinning as he went off to grab my beer. Returning in less than a minute, I said my thanks and sat there waiting. Looking at the time on my phone, it was two minutes to half nine. Foot tapping on the leg rung, I had this sudden drop in my guts.

What if he didn't come?

No. He wouldn't do that.

I checked my phone again.

No messages.

Then I felt warm lips brush against my ear. "Don't look so nervous."

My whole body sagged and shuddered with his deep, low voice both soothing and arousing, confusing my body.

He took the stool next to me and I turned to face him to see a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You're here."

"You sound like you didn't think I'd come?"

"I was a little worried." I cleared my throat. "Okay, more than a little."

"Yee of little faith." His laugh was like a soothing balm and I relaxed.

He turned to grab the bartender's attention. "You want another?" he pointed to my beer but didn't look at me.

"No. I'm good with this." As well as not being too fond of alcohol, I was also a lightweight.

Mike didn't keep him waiting long and, just like me, Gage ordered a beer and when it arrived, he looked around. "There is a free table, let's grab it."

I nodded and picked up my drink and followed him. Sitting down, he looked over at what I was wearing. "Not gonna take off your jacket?"

Oh, I'd forgotten.

"Sitting with it on makes you look like fresh meat—or that you want to leave already?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Oh, yeah. Right." I started to take it off, barely getting it past my shoulder when Gage's eyes heated.

"Fuck, Wait." he said, looking over what I had on underneath.

Hell, did it look bad? Did he not like it?

My eyes glanced down, then up to his. "What?"

"Shit, you take that off and you'll be fighting everyone off."

I stilled, chewing on my lip. I pulled it back on but then felt bold. "Well, if what you're saying is right and people will notice me. Perhaps that's good, right? I mean, you want nothing more than one night with me?"

I hoped this paid off. The teasing.

His jaw clenched so tight I swore I heard a tooth crack as his nostrils flared. "Tonight you're mine Levi, and I don't share well, if you remember?"

I did. Back in high school, the one and only time a new boy in school lavished attention on me, Gage had threatened him. It was both unnerving and sexy because at the time I hadn't understood why he would do such a thing.

He then wrapped his hand around my wrist. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm being crazy. Guys are gonna check you out, it's inevitable."

My heart sank.

"But I'm not letting anyone near you," he added and his smirk from when he was younger appeared and my heart went from sinking to singing.

I didn't take off my jacket, and we got talking, avoiding topics like prison and murder and just got to know one another again.

"You want another?" he asked, but I still had half a beer to drink. He'd finished his. "Or..." he paused. Waited, brow arched.

Shaking my head. "I want nothing else..." Heat flooded my cheeks. "From here."

Very smooth, Levi.

Gage inclined his head. "You want to get out of here?"

Oh god, did I and I couldn't tear my eyes off him. "Yeah, I want you to take me home."

Gage held my stare and I couldn't read what was staring back. Did he regret making the offer? "And you remember our agreement. This is for one night only."

Like I needed the reminder.

But I felt bold. Bolder than ever as I leaned across the space between us and whispered into his ear. "I think you promised I could suck your dick and then you would fuck me hard."

"Fuck," I heard him mutter as he shifted, pulling me closer, his lips brushing my throat. He licked my neck and his hand shifted to my knee. "I'm not just going to fuck you once, Levi. I'll give you time to recover, then I'll fuck you again. And again."

My dick swelled to uncomfortable levels.

"And then tomorrow you'll wake up sore and maybe I'll get you off one last time with my mouth before I walk away."

Shivering. "I want that." Not the walking away part, but the rest of it. Holy fuck.

Gage's tongue flicked over my ear. "Let's get out of here then."

Wordlessly nodding when he offered out his hand, I took it and followed.