I apologize for the delay. Thanks to the peeps, who subscribed to the story and to Rogue Fan Girl, Lady Jones, Mrs Dr Robert Chase and TMMM DeathWishRaven for reviewing chapter one.
Miami, FL
"Novak, you are fired." Alistair Kramer, the reptilian publisher/editor of Dark Moon Comics, an upcoming graphic novel company located in the Sunshine State said as he licked his pale lips and took pleasure in seeing one of his writers/artists squirm in an uncomfortable plastic orange chair.
Castiel perspired profusely as the words sunk in. These last couple of months had been the worst of his entire twenty six years on Earth. Four months ago, he encountered his ex-girlfriend, Meg using a strap-on on her best friend, Ruby, when he came home one night after a gig Balthazar had booked for him at a wedding. Meg dumped him shortly after explaining she was into chicks at the moment. He had not been able to pay his rent for the last two months and now he was being sacked.
"You can't pull the plug on After Dark now! The fans are not going to be able to find out whether Daniel survives the zombie attack." Castiel stood up and ran a shivering hand through his dark unruly hair. Oh how he hated the Geico Geko doppelganger sitting at the metal desk. Alistair had always had it in for him since he joined Dark Moon Comics.
Castiel pointed a finger at the corpse like man. "Why don't you yank Ash's graphic novel? It is nothing but filthy porn. After Dark has acquired a cult following in a short period of time."
Alistair rose on his feet and walked in front of his soon to be employee. Their noses practically touched. "As the saying goes kid, sex sells. I had to make the excruciating decision between a couple of comics and you came up with the short end of the stick."
"Excruciating my ass!" Castiel could no longer stand being in the presence of Alistair.
"Here is your last check." Alistair had the audacity to smirk.
Castiel yanked the enveloped from the man's smarmy hands and before exiting the small/cluttered office turned and said, "By the way have you ever heard of Listerine and breath mints?" With those words the seething blue eyed man slammed the door on his way out.
He had never felt like such a humungous loser ever! He was about to lose his apartment, Meg had dumped his ass for Ruby and now he was unemployed. The music gigs were sparse at the moment. What the hell was he going to do now? He had to wait for the bus to take him home. Things were so bad for him he had to sell his beloved Camaro, which had been a graduation present from his late paternal grandfather. Look where his double major in Writing/Art had led him.
His day was about to get a lot worst as the sunny sky turned dark and rain started pelting him. Castiel felt as if he was living in a French drama. He ran inside a Starbuck's, where he ordered a small caramel Frappuccino. He even asked the barista if they were hiring, which of course they weren't.
As he commiserated by drinking the sweet cool beverage, his cell phone rang. It reminded him that he needed to pay for the cell phone no later than tomorrow or the service would be discontinued. He inhaled and exhaled before answering. "Hey, Balthazar"
"Oh, sweetheart you sound as if someone ran over your puppy."
"Funny, Balthy. I just got fired from work." Castiel finished drinking the Frappuccino.
"Tell me where you are at and I shall pick you up and don't give me any excuses."
Castiel smirked. Balthazar was his closest friend and he would cheer him up. So he went on and told him he the Starbuck's location. "I'll be there in twenty. Don't go anywhere."
True to his word the blond Brit was at the café in exactly twenty minutes. He gave Cas a huge embrace as soon as he saw his downtrodden countenance. "My goodness that is all you had!" He said motioning to the small empty drink container.
A couple of patrons looked their way. Castiel sunk lower into his chair. "I'll be right back, strudel."
Five minutes later, Balthazar joined him at the corner table. He placed a venti sized caramel mocha iced coffee and blueberry muffin in front of Castiel. "Eat up, darling. Don't think I haven't noticed you have not been eating adequately the last couple of months."
"Thanks, Balthy" Castiel split the muffin in half and ate a piece. He noticed Balthazar returned with an iced tea for himself, as well as the hot red haired barista's number. "I am getting lucky tomorrow night, old boy."
Castiel chuckled. "Why not tonight; you have another hot date?"
"Darling, I wish. My Uncle Zachariah is hosting a Fight for Cancer Gala this evening and I have to make an appearance. That is why I called you. The lead guitar player from the band he hired was rushed to the hospital for appendicitis earlier this morning, and they are in desperate need for a replacement. Since I know you needed the extra money I volunteered you. Voila! Your problems will be solved one step at a time."
"Easy for you to say you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. When your uncle croaks, whenever that is; you will run Angel Enterprises. For crying out loud the reason you went to college and studied philosophy for fucks sake is because good old Zach blackmailed you. If you did not get an education then you would be disinherited."
"Jeez, Cassie, tell me how you really feel." Balthazar gazed at the floor.
Castiel felt like a piece of shit at the moment. "I'm so sorry, Balthy. I have no right in taking my frustrations out on you. You have been at my side all this time. It's just I don't know what the hell to do. By this time next month I might be living in a cardboard box under the freeway."
Balthazar's hand briefly covered one of Cas'. "If you weren't so damn proud, you would accept a loan from me."
"No, I refuse to mooch from my friends. I appreciate the offer though." He smiled at the Brit.
"Very well, notify me, when you move in to your penthouse in Skid Row. I shall bring the wine for the housewarming. You will be the hottest hobo there."
The two men laughed. "So can we count on you for tonight?"
Castiel nervously bit one of his cuticles. "Definitely; how much does it pay?"
"Three hundred for the entire night"
Cas whistled in appreciation. "I will be able to pay my cell phone bill, purchase a bus pass and see if I can at least give my landlord $150 until I get the rest. I'm going to apply for unemployment. That check will come in handy."
"Let's rock then! I will have to take you to get a tux and you will need a mask, as well."
"For what?"
"I forgot to mention it is a costumed ball at Vizcaya."
Castiel seemed hesitant for a moment. He could not afford the tux rental or much less a fancy mask. Balthazar must have read his mind. "Don't fret, old boy. You are my size so I will find something in my closet for you. I'll drive you to meet the band first."
"Thanks for everything, Balthy."
The English man winked at him. "What are friends for?"
"Thanks, Xander, I really needed to get the hell away from home. I can't believe my parents suckered me into doing that stupid reality show. Are they serious? For God's sake! How the hell am I supposed to find a wife amongst that litter in two weeks' time?"
"That insane asylum doesn't start for another two months. So take advantage of the warm Miami weather and the hot beach bodies for now." Alexander Northman told his best friend, Dean the Prince Regent of Lichtenstein as he draped an arm over the slightly shorter man's shoulder. The 6'4 blue eyed blond Swede met Dean at Oxford University during their freshman year. The two of them got into more trouble than anything else during their four years at the historic British University. Xander was a second cousin of the current King of Sweden so he had always been accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle; although Dean and he were the least materialistic amongst their so called friends.
The two European men drank tequila shots at a South Beach bar, which had a spectacular view of the beach. Fortunately, the rain had ceased and the sun had made its appearance once again. "Perhaps tonight we will get lucky at the Gala. You need to have sex with one or two beauties and your mood will be much improved tomorrow morning."
"I like the way you think, my friend." Dean loved being incognito in America. In certain parts of Europe he could not travel without a bodyguard. Here in the States no one knew who the hell he was so he and Xander could saunter around anywhere.
"I see two gorgeous ladies sunbathing topless all by their lonesome. Why don't we ask them to join us for lunch?" Xander suggested already heading towards the two beauties.
Dean walked several steps behind. His heart was no longer in this sort of lifestyle. Maybe his parents were right and it was time he settled down. He was already in his thirties and was next in line to the throne. John had not been in the best shape lately. It would be up to Dean to continue the line. He would have to marry a smart and independent young woman, who would bare him children. Something seemed to deflate within him. He followed his friend. Dean would have tons of fun before he started filming the stupid reality show.
The Renaissance style villa where the gala was being held was packed to the rim with luxury cars in the front parking lot. The young valet attendants were busy for quite some time as South Florida's elite society gathered to socialize and support an important cause. A champagne fountain situated underneath a behemoth chandelier greeted the invited guests.
Castiel wore a black suit with a tie and his favorite pair of Converse sneakers. Most of his face was covered by a panther mask. He wanted to don a regular black mask which would only cover his eyes but Balthazar insisted he looked mysterious with the mask he currently wore. He was adjusting his guitar to the amplifier. So far the band members seemed pretty down to earth. Balthazar scooted up on stage and wished him luck before scurrying into the mammoth group of guests, who were already assembled throughout the villa's ballroom.
Dean grabbed a champagne flute and gulped it all down. Xander was already searching across the crowded ballroom for his next conquest. "How long do we have to be here? I'm still suffering from jetlag and I haven't seen anyone that has caught my interest."
"Cheer up, sour puss. The night is still young. I will see you later."
Dean drank another glass of champagne and ate a few hors d'oeuvres. He headed for the bar, where he would get something stronger to drink. All of a sudden, the band started playing the intro to Santana's "Oye Como Va" garnering the royal's attention. Dean loved classic rock and so far the band was doing a pretty decent job playing the classic song. He sipped the martini and faced the band. Halfway through the song the lead guitarist played a kick ass solo. Dean could not take his gaze from the man's long and elegant fingers as they strummed the guitar strings.
The surrounding lights highlighted the guitar player's ebony hair and from what Dean could see from what the panther mask did not cover, the man's lips were pink and plump. Dean blinked for a moment. What the hell was wrong with him? He had never checked out another man in his entire life. After the guitar solo was over the musician received a large round of applause. He bowed, smiled and his eyes swiftly scanned the ballroom. They landed on Dean and the royal's breath was knocked out of him. The man's sapphire eyes shone through the mask's slits. A couple of seconds later he started playing the next song.
Meanwhile, Balthazar bumped into an old friend he had not seen in four years. Said man happened to be Xander. After they caught up on the latest on dit of their European friends, the two men ended up talking about Castiel and the rotten luck he had been experiencing lately. Xander had mentioned his best friend's plight in finding a wife in international television. A light dimmed in Balthazar's head.
"Xander, remember that huge favor you owe me for taking the heat for pissing on the Queen's rose garden at Windsor Castle?" Balthazar reminded his friend with a scary smirk on his face.
Alexander's light blue eyes widened. "Why am I frightened of what you are going to say next?"
"Wouldn't it be fantastic if my dear Cassie were to become a contestant in this reality show? He could use a distraction and who knows he might meet someone there. Perhaps one of the other contestants since I surmise Dean is straighter than one of Robin Hood's arrows."
Xander chuckled. "Dean is one of Europe's most well-known playboys. I have never known of him taking male lovers."
"So will you help my poor downtrodden friend in his time of need?"
"I will talk to one of the producers, who happens to be an intimate friend of mine. It will not be easy. I don't believe there has ever been a male contestant in one of those frivolous shows. Let's have lunch tomorrow and discuss this further."
Balthazar shook hands with his old friend. "Ciao, belo"
For the remainder of the evening Dean mingled a little with some of the female guests but his main focus remained on the band's lead guitarist. Time flew by and one of the band members stated they were playing the last song of the night. Dean gazed at the ornate wall clock. It was almost one am. He needed a breath of fresh air. The blond man ended up in a second floor balcony that had a panoramic view of the garden maze. The full moon illuminated the paths which led to the two maze entrances. A couple entered one of entrances, kissing passionately. All of a sudden, the guitar player's lips came to mind. He wondered how it would feel to run his thumb across them. Dean smashed the wine glass he had been drinking from to the ground below. The reason he kept on thinking about the damn musician was because he had imbibed too much alcohol.
The music ceased playing. Xander found him. He was accompanied by two Brazilian beauties. "Dean, I hope you don't mind but these lovely ladies have invited me to spend the night with them at the Delano. Will you be alright taking a taxi back to our hotel?"
"I was about to call it a night anyways; have fun."
Meanwhile, Balthazar caught up to Castiel, who had finally finished the evening's last musical set. He patted his friend on the back. "You killed tonight, my friend!"
"Thanks," Cas scanned the area for the man with the dark golden hair and emerald mask. He sensed the man's gaze on him throughout the entire evening. "Are we leaving now?"
"Give me half an hour. Uncle Zachie needs to lecture me about some board meeting I need to attend later this week."
Dean remained gazing at the lovers, who continued entering the garden's maze. A man, who remained wearing a mask, sat on his own on a stone bench. This immediately caught his attention. If he did not know any better it was the guitarist. His feet had a mind of their own and guided him down the stairs and to the garden, which was lit with torches throughout. He himself had not removed his mask. The musician felt his presence as soon as he heard approaching footsteps.
He stood up and the two of them remained staring at each other. Castiel panicked and ran into the maze. It was eerily silent as he made his way deeper. The only sounds he heard were the incessant chirpings of crickets and illicit moans from the other side of the tall verdant hedge. His heartbeat accelerated at the thought of the blond man following him. He must be losing his mind.
Dean's curiosity was piqued by the elusive musician. He swiftly followed him inside. Castiel instantly heard the footsteps on the dewy grass. He leaned against the hedge; his hands nervously holding on to the greenery. Never in his life had he felt such strong sexual desire for a stranger and a man none the less. In college he and his roommate made out and gave each other blow jobs one evening after getting majorly buzzed at a frat party. It had been a one-time deal. After that he dated women and had never been sexually attracted to another male.
The stranger finally appeared and stepped close to Castiel, reminding him of a lion stalking its prey. He found himself unable to speak and the blond man made no attempt to talk either. The man crept closer to him until they were standing toe to toe. His hand cupped Cas' jaw and tilted his head to the side. It seemed he was memorizing every minute detail of Castiel's face. The man licked his lips as his eyes landed on the shorter man's mouth. He pounced on him and their mouths savagely consumed each other. Castiel's hands dug into the man's hair at the back of his head. The man's tall and well-built form pushed him against the hedge.
The man's large hands cupped his face as his mouth continued devouring Cas'. The man's facial stubble tickled him at first but Castiel actually liked feeling the rough texture scrape against his skin. The stranger's mouth left his swollen lips and nibbled his throat. Cas surprised himself by trailing his hands down the man's torso and stopped when they reached his pants' buttons. The stranger was now nibbling and sucking his earlobe. So he took this as a yes. Castiel undid the buttons and could have sworn at least one of them fell on the grass.
The blond closed his eyes as Castiel knelt in front of him. In no time his cock sprang to life curving into his toned abdomen, which remained clothed. Cas gulped before inching closer. He blew over the red and swollen head. The man inched closer to him. Castiel tentatively licked the pre-cum. He did not find the tangy/salty taste disgusting at all. He stroked the base with his hand causing the man's knees to wobble.
Dean could not fathom how he ended up in this surreal moment. His hands held on to the guitarist's shoulders as the man took more of him inside the warm/moist confines of his mouth. He finally lost it as the dark haired man's teeth scraped lightly against his swollen member, while his tongue swirled around the base. He made to push the man away, when he was about to come. The man remained sucking him. Dean's vision turned white as he came inside the man's decadent mouth. The musician swallowed everything.
Dean leaned against the hedge, totally sated. His breathing started getting back to normal. He tidied his pants as the other man stood up. He lightly shoved him against the hedge and kissed him passionately; tasting his essence in the process. The man's hands clung to his biceps. All of a sudden, he remembered his royal duties and that he needed to produce an heir with whatever woman he married in the near future.
It took every ounce of will power in his body to remove himself from the other man. He was about to say something but decided on running away like a scared rabbit. Castiel felt cold after the stranger left. He still felt aroused. A few minutes later, Cas left the maze and went in search of Balthazar.
His friend was waiting for him at the villa's entrance. "Cassie, I was beginning to worry about you. Where the bloody hell have you been?" He noticed his friend's disheveled appearance right off the bat.
Castiel knew his hair was a bigger mess than usual and his lips must look bee stung. "I ended up falling asleep on a bench. I haven't been getting much sleep in the last couple of months."
"Yeah whatever; let's get the hell out of here. I'll take you home."
Castiel did not feel it was necessary to tell his friend about the stranger he had fooled around with in the garden maze. He knew he would never cross paths with him ever again.
Thanks for reading!
