AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Has it been two weeks? I might be late. I might be quite late. Sometimes two weeks feels like five minutes. Sometimes five minutes feels like two weeks.
The events depicted in this chapter coincide closely with events in Errors 60. Much of what is here was already written by my brilliant twinbrain little sister and this is just my take on it. And I thank her for her dusting.
On another note, I have it on good authority that we will be getting another chapter of Errors and Omissions very soon!
Big hugs to my girls, Maureen, Rebecca, Kate and Pauline. Miss Pauline, you remain especially in my thoughts.
The FF witch hunt appears to be over. I will continue to post here and move to AO3 as and when I have to. When/if I am forced to complete the relocation you can find me at - archiveofourown ~dot~ org. Then just do a search for Jtrue.
Anyone who has not read the incredible Equal & Opposite, or is not now reading the brilliance that is Errors & Omissions, or Enticements & Obstructions, all by OhJasperMyJasper, should go do so right now. Here is how you find them since the FF witch hunt removed Liz from this site - ohjaspermyjasper ~dot~ blogspot ~dot~ com.
WARNING:
This story is intended for an adult audience! There is crude speech, hate speech and adult sexual subject matter of a homosexual nature. If you are under 18 stop reading now!
AU/AH/OC
All characters from Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer. I just take them out and play with them.
Chapter 36: Expanding the Circle
They obtained bedding in an elegant green and gold with chocolate accents that came with so many pillows, the one stop filled the trunk of their chauffeur driven Town Car to capacity. Bags from additional stops for a wok and the beer and wine shop had to go up in the front seat with their driver.
"We're going out with friends tonight, Chaiyo. Will you be available later on, like nine or ten-ish?" Emmett asked.
"No, Sir. I'm off at eight today," Chaiyo answered as he pulled up to the curb in front of their building. "Hey, can I help you guys up with your bags? Maybe use your bathroom?"
"Certainly you may," Nasir did not hesitate.
"Oh, yeah," Emmett agreed. "You been trapped in this car all day, haven't you? You must have to piss like a racehorse."
"Yes, Sir," Chaiyo confirmed as they all got out of the car. Vlad held the door for them as all three shopping bag laden men made their way inside.
"Keep an eye on the car, please, Vlad. He'll be right back down," Emmett bid as Nasir led the way to the elevator.
"With pleasure, Mr. McCarty," Vlad smiled his agreement.
Nasir pressed the button for their floor with his elbow while the other men joined him in the elevator.
"I really appreciate this, Sirs," Chaiyo expressed as they began to ascend.
"Please, it's nothing," Emmett dismissed. "You're helping us out. You've been helping us out all day."
"It's a pleasure driving for you guys. Most people don't talk to me," Chaiyo revealed.
"I can't imagine why. You seem like a sweet kid to me," Emmett assessed.
"Thank you, Sir," Chaiyo smiled. They walked out into the small elevator lobby on the top floor and all three of them stepped out of their shoes as Nasir fished his keys out of his pocket.
"Just drop everything right here," Emmett instructed as they walked into the entry hall. "And the powder room is right there," he gestured with his chin toward a small door.
"Thank you," Chaiyo had his zipper down before he even opened the door and flipped on the light. He stepped quickly up to the toilet and hauled himself out of his pants and underwear. Nasir and Emmett couldn't help but notice as they heard his stream hit the water in the bowl and his most satisfied sigh, that the powder room door had been left wide open.
Emmett took the few steps to be able to look inside. "He doesn't even close the door."
"Sorry, Sir," Chaiyo smiled over his shoulder at Emmett as he continued to piss. He at least stood with his back to the door. "It's just us guys, right? I figure it's no different than a men's room."
Emmett just chuckled and shook his head. He stepped back to the pile of bags and began to sort them into a pile for the kitchen and a pile to go down to the bedroom.
"Besides," Chaiyo emerged, "I saw the wok. I know you meat eaters like Asian," he snickered.
"Alright, get outta here," Emmett gave him a playful shove toward the door.
"Thank you very much, Chaiyo," Nasir was ready and slipped a hundred dollar bill into his hand as they shook.
"Thank you very much, Mr. al Qasimi. You guys have a great rest of your day and have fun with your friends tonight," Chaiyo bid.
"We will, thanks," Emmett saw Chaiyo out and shut the door behind him. "I like that cheeky little shit."
"I do too. Sethy would love him," Nasir was sure.
"Oh, that kid would be sorry if Seth were here. He woulda walked right in there and leaned against the wall while Chaiyo took a piss," Emmett knew his best friend better than anyone. He looked at his sexy husband and lust filled his eyes. "You," Emmett took hold of Nasir's shirt and backed him up against the large round table set in the half moon of the railing over the stairs. He had just enough restraint to unbutton Nasir's shirt rather than rip it open. "I should hold you down on this table right now and suck you dry. And I would," he paused to bend down and run his tongue over Nasir's left nipple, "if I wasn't looking so forward to what you promised me tonight."
Nasir took fistfuls of Emmett's shirt and spoke right into his face. "I am going to fuck you until you do not know your own name."
"Shit," Emmett grabbed his own crotch. Once again his husband's words went straight to his cock. Nasir gave a smirk as he reached around Emmett to take two handfuls of very sexy McCarty glutes.
"I need to distract myself," Emmett stepped back out of his husband's clutches. "Please take that stuff down to the bedroom while I take the rest to the kitchen. Then I think I'll put some paint on the wall before I start dinner so we can see what we like best."
"What if I am naked when you come down?" Nasir enquired.
"Then expect me to flip you over and bite that hot, furry ass before I flip you back over and suck your dick till your head caves in," Emmett threatened as he picked up the kitchen pile of bags and headed into the dining room. Nasir smiled to himself as he headed down the stairs. He had to resist the urge to throw his clothes off as he walked into the master bedroom.
Emmett put the kitchen in order and joined his husband in the bedroom. He shook, stirred and painted large swaths on the blue walls of their paint choices. They knew the painters would prime the walls before painting them and every choice would come out more true and a little lighter than it appeared against the blue.
Nasir didn't know how to call down to the lobby and so rode down to make sure Jasper and Edward's names were on the permanent list of people who should just be sent right up. Otherwise he hung out in the kitchen while Emmett made their dinner. Both men enjoyed the easy domesticity of it. It was as it used to be in their Seattle condo. Emmett and Nasir found themselves smiling from a sense of happy togetherness every time they looked at each other.
Dinner was as delicious as Nasir knew it would be the moment Emmett proposed it that morning. They ate at the table in the breakfast room as it was the size of room and table they had at home. Neither man could imagine using the big formal dining room unless there was a houseful of people. Emmett gathered his husband's bare feet with his own and they sat that way while they ate.
Dinner was well over and everything cleaned up when the phone on the wall in the kitchen rang. It took Emmett by surprise. He had seen a wall phone in the water closet in the master bath too, but he didn't know the number. When he wanted to reach his husband, he called Nasir's cell.
"They are here," Nasir announced even as he reached for the receiver. "Qasimi," he spoke into it.
"Your guests are on their way up, Mr. al Qasimi," Vlad informed.
"Thank you very much, Vlad," Nasir said and hung up. "They are on their way up," he confirmed.
"How come I don't have that number?" Emmett asked as they headed for the front door.
"I do not even know what it is," Nasir confessed. "Vlad is the only one who has it. That is how I knew it was him."
"I'll have to call myself from it," Emmett concluded. They reached the front door and Nasir opened it only a moment before the elevator doors parted.
"Hey, guys," Jasper greeted first as he and Edward, hand in hand, stepped out of the elevator.
"Jasper and Edward, welcome to our home," Nasir reached for Jasper first.
"We're so glad you guys had the time to stop by," Emmett pulled Edward into a warm, full bodied hug. "C'mon in and see the place," he and Nasir traded. "You're not gonna believe it," Emmett enthused. He was so happy to see Edward and Jasper together that he had to work hard to keep himself from crushing their bones with too enthusiastic an embrace.
Edward and Jasper respectfully slipped off their shoes before they followed into the tuscan flavored entry hall.
"Wow, guys," Jasper walked into the middle eastern style living room. "This is really something. So spacious!"
"This is the main floor," Nasir explained. "The bedrooms and study are downstairs."
"What are you boys drinking tonight?" Emmett rubbed his hands together. "We're well stocked now. We even have some munchies."
"Let me guess," Edward began with a smirk. "The first time you flew out the only edible thing in the whole place was Laphroaig?"
"I had Emmett's favorite beer as well," Nasir protested weakly.
"You got it, Eddie," Emmett confirmed anyway. "Nasi was living on take out. He still pretty much does during the week, but the pantry is now well stocked and we did plenty of shopping today. So what'll it be, beer, wine, cocktails?"
"We were drinking white wine with dinner," Edward stated. "What do you think, Jas? Maybe we should stick with that for now?"
"That sounds wise," Jasper followed his top's lead. Without even thinking about it, Jasper stepped closer to Edward's side and Edward slipped his arm around Jasper's waist. That they completely belonged to each other and how happy that made them both, was plainly obvious and warmed Emmett and Nasir's souls.
"Oh, we have the riesling from Washington that Mutti liked so well, Habibi!" Nasir remembered a few of Emmett's many selections at the beer, wine and liquor store. "We should open that."
"Exactly what I was thinking, Babe," Emmett put a gentle hand to the back of Nasir's neck and gave him a soft kiss on his lips. "Show the guys around while I get everything ready."
"We will follow you to the kitchen," Nasir moved with his husband. "The dining room," he announced the obvious as they walked through the richly appointed room.
"Wow, does every room have a fireplace?" Jasper asked.
"Five rooms do. You will see," Nasir assured.
"Are they wood burning fireplaces?" Edward enquired. It seemed strange to find a proper fireplace in an apartment building, much less several of them.
"I will show you the wood closet," Nasir stated as they walked through the butler's pantry into the breakfast room and kitchen.
"Look at this kitchen," Jasper admired.
"Back here is the laundry room, a full bath and what would be the maid's room," Nasir led the way.
"You know, Nasir, that's not a bad idea," Edward teased. "You seem pretty lost here without Emmett during the week."
"No," Nasir shook his head. "I will learn to take care of the things I need to take care of. Emmett and I do not want live-in servants."
"Worried that a maid might cramp your style, stop you from lounging around naked and fucking whenever and wherever the mood strikes you?" Edward laughed.
"You know us well, my friend," Nasir patted Edward on the back as they walked out through the dining room again. "That is it exactly. Come," he gestured toward the stairs and led the way down. "First I will show you the master bedroom."
"Hoh! Check out the artwork!" Jasper could not help but notice the poster sized, framed shot of Seth and three other men, one of whom looked vaguely familiar and two he had never met, hanging on Emmett, all of them in just jocks.
"It is my favorite piece," Nasir smiled.
"We can almost see your favorite piece," Jasper snickered.
"Almost, but that is all mine," Nasir waved a finger as he walked on.
"Oh, where's the bed?" Jasper immediately noticed the mattresses on the floor as they walked into the master bedroom.
"I gave it to those neighbors I told you about," Nasir answered.
"Are these the ones that are a little too neighborly?" Edward had heard about them as well.
"They would like to be very neighborly," Nasir confirmed.
"I see the new paint," Jasper observed the three large patches. "Which one did you pick?"
"Emmett has not decided. He will choose and I am fine whichever way," Nasir was easy. Anything would be better for him than what it was. "The closets and master bath are through here."
"Edward, check this out! I love these tiles," Jasper enthused.
"Yeah, Em was right. This bathroom is really nice," Edward agreed.
"Garrett said that too," Nasir nodded.
"You don't sound convinced," Jasper observed.
"It is a little too over the top Moorish for me," Nasir shrugged, "but Emmett likes it and that is all that matters."
"This bathroom had to have cost a fortune," Jasper rightly concluded.
"Garrett also said that. The bedroom is what I hated. We purchased new furniture today and the painters come on Monday. Jasper, if you know anyone who wants any of the furniture in there, they can have it," Nasir offered.
"If I can think of anybody...," Jasper agreed.
"Let's go back through the bedroom," Nasir gestured. He led the way to the connecting door between the master and the study. "And if you know anyone who would like this desk and chair also," Nasir again offered as he led the way into the richly paneled, bookcased room.
"You guys gonna set this up like you have at home, with two desks together, facing each other?" Edward asked.
"Exactly. We purchased them today as well," Nasir stated.
"I've seen four fireplaces now," Jasper pointed. "Where's the last one?"
"Come, I will show you," Nasir led them out through the door that gave onto the hallway and turned right, away from the master. At the end of the hall was a second master bedroom, not quite as grand as the first.
"We call this the Thompson Clearwater suite," Nasir smiled.
"And here's the last fireplace. Wow," Jasper looked around. "Another big, nice bedroom."
"And since it is not in horrid taste, we are leaving it alone," Nasir added.
"Guess you guys'll have to move in here while your bedroom gets emptied and painted, and you wait for the new furniture," Edward concluded.
"Ah," Nasir nodded slowly. "I had not thought about that, but you are right."
"Did you say the painters are coming in two days?" Jasper picked up with the next natural thought. "Need any help moving the furniture you have out of the room? My man's pretty strong," he leaned into Edward and grabbed a bicep for emphasis.
"Loaning me out?" Edward smiled at his lover. He didn't mind at all. That Jasper displayed pride and confidence in him gave Edward the greatest joy.
"You are both so kind to offer," Nasir put a hand on each man's shoulder. "All I want for Edward's first trip to New York is for you to be together," he patted their shoulders. "And you may have noticed, my man is pretty strong too. We will manage. Come," Nasir led them back out into the hallway. "In here is the furnace and hot water heater and a nice, big wood closet," he patted a closed door. "Would you like to see it?"
"We believe you," Edward assured. Nasir led them back to the doorway of the study where the hallway took a jog to the right.
"On this side are closets and on this side is the bar and morning kitchen," Nasir pointed.
"So that's where all the coffee and Laphroaig went," Jasper teased.
"Exactly," Nasir confirmed. He led them around two more corners and back up the stairs. "Now you have seen everything except the outdoor space."
Back in the upper hall, as if Emmett had read his husband's mind, they could see that one set of French doors in the dining room that led outside stood wide open. Nasir led the way out onto the broad terrace where Emmett had a chilled bottle of Hogue Late Harvest, a generous tumbler of Laphroaig on the rocks and a beer for himself. There was also a platter of crackers, cheeses, fruit and salmon paté. Emmett stood at the head of the large glass topped wrought iron table and opened the wine as the others emerged. He smiled at his husband who joined him at the end of the table and gave him a loving kiss on his lips.
"This is simply stunning," Jasper assessed. "You could rent this place out for parties."
"We will host the parties," Nasir stated as Emmett poured their guests' wine. "We will host the east coast parties. Garrett and Sethy can host on the west coast. And we will hire your friends to cater our parties."
"Even better," Jasper liked the sound of that.
"Guys," Emmett handed Edward and Jasper their wine. "Babe," he picked up Nasir's tumbler and handed it to him. "Come see the other side," Emmett bid as he snatched up his Spaten.
"Other side?" Jasper asked.
"Yeah, c'mon," Emmett walked around the corner.
"Oh, shit, how far does this go?" Jasper could see the terrace went some ninety feet once they had all rounded the corner. They walked past two big windows into the dining room, one into the stairs, and three into the living room before they arrived at the far end that opened into a huge twenty by forty foot space.
"Holy crap," Jasper looked around. All the furniture here was teak.
"This double lounger is where Nasi and I slept my first night in New York," Emmett pointed.
"Until we froze to death," Nasir quipped.
"Yeah, it just got too cold or we woulda woke up right here," Emmett smiled.
"That's a great plan for next summer," Jasper nodded.
"I was gonna ask you what all you've done in New York, Em," Edward smiled.
"Let's go back and sit down, have some nibbles," Emmett led the way back. "And to answer your question, Eddie, let me think now. The first time I was here, we ran into this really hot guy at the Top of the Rock. He left us tickets you see."
"What a coincidence! A really hot guy took me up there too!" Edward feigned surprise.
"We had a drink with him, we walked around a little bit," Emmett relayed. "We cut through the park on our way back from his side of town to ours. I really like the park. It's bigger than I thought it would be."
"It is," Edward agreed. "We have a fantastic view of it from our hotel room. You were right, Nasir."
They returned to the glass and iron table and each couple sat on opposite benches.
"You know, the park is nice, the view from the top of Jasper's building is incredible, the restaurants are all great, the neighborhood is cute, but I didn't come here for any of that," Emmett looked ran a hand over Nasir's thigh as he looked to him. "I came here to be with the love of my life, because every minute I can be with him I want to be."
"You took the words right outta my mouth, Em," Edward held Jasper close. "This city is extremely impressive in a lot of ways, but I'm only here for one reason."
Each couple took a moment to share a soft, lingering kiss.
"This may not make sense to any of you, but one thing that helps me get through my week missing my zawji," Nasir began, "is having a drink with Jasper."
"It makes perfect sense and I totally agree," Jasper stated. "Other people are sympathetic, but only someone missing his other half can really understand what we're going though. I love meeting up with you 'cause you get it. You're living it just like I am. I don't have to reiterate why the long distance relationship is worth it despite the obvious drawbacks."
"It is also nice that Jasper knows you so well, and is willing to tell stories," Nasir teased his husband.
"Have you been spilling all my secrets, Sugar?" Emmett gave Jasper a grin.
"Oh, were all your high school and college escapades that you shared with me when we first met, supposed to be a secret?" Jasper joked. "Whoops!"
"Jasper, you know these things and you have not shared them?!" Nasir leaned forward expectantly, as if a particularly juicy story were forthcoming.
"He's teasing, Nasi," Emmett assured his husband. "There isn't much about my youth you don't already know."
"Nevertheless, I want to know everything!" Nasir stressed. He picked up his tumbler and pointed at Jasper. "We will speak of this when we meet for drinks this week. And remind me to show you the picture of my Emmett wearing only the shorts of his lacrosse uniform, from when he was a senior in high school. I stole it from his childhood room in his mother's house."
"That's quite alright, Nasir," Jasper laughed.
"Perhaps no one else can appreciate that picture the way I do," Nasir admitted to himself and took a sip of his scotch. "But I will learn everything," he pointed his index finger from the hand that held his tumbler.
"Sorry, Em," Jasper gave a resigned shrug. "Looks like he's determined to get all your stories out of me."
"Okay," Emmett gave in. "Tell him what a hot bottom I am. Oh, wait. He knows that. I know, tell him I give really good head. Oh, wait..."
"I can attest to both," Nasir gave a nod.
"Tell him I don't make a habit of sleeping with my clients," Emmett tried again.
"But the client's brother is a whole other story!" Edward laughed.
"Well, sometimes the little brothers are so hot," Emmett hunched his shoulders and made a face, "what are ya gonna do?"
"Marry them?" Jasper suggested.
"That's what I did," Emmett gave Nasir a quick kiss even as he held out his beer bottle to touch Jasper's wine glass.
"Jasper, what time are we to meet your friends?" Nasir asked as he rubbed his husband's broad, muscular back.
"Any time now," Jasper was casual. "I didn't give anyone a specific time."
"I will call for a limousine," Nasir fished his cell out of his pocket.
"I'm sure we can grab a cab easily here on Park," Jasper gestured.
"No," Nasir would not be deterred. "We will not be comfortable in a taxi," he rose to step away from the table to make the quick call.
"Yeah, 'cause my husband said so!" Emmett put his fist on the table and drained his bottle.
Jasper gave a weary sigh as he patted Edward's thigh. "You know how these Upper East Siders can be."
"Hey, do they have good beer at this place?" Emmett asked.
"Bud," Jasper tried to hide his smirk.
"No," Emmett turned up his nose.
"Bud light," Jasper gave the next option.
"No," Emmett shook his head.
"Coors," Jasper struggled to keep his composure. Edward turned fully toward Jasper and leaned on the table, wondering how far Jasper would be able to take this before he burst out laughing.
"No," Emmett repeated again.
"Coors light," Jasper took and squeezed Edward's hand.
"No," Emmett stuck out his tongue.
"MGD sixty four?" Jasper fought very hard to keep a straight face.
"Ug. Double no. Do they even call that beer?" Emmett complained.
And then Jasper lost it. He burst out laughing and Edward joined him.
"What?" Emmett gave his dimples. He knew they were teasing him.
"What did I miss?" Nasir seated himself beside his husband again.
"I can't do it!" Jasper held his stomach. "They have Beck's, Em. You're such a beer snob!"
"Oh, I am. I absolutely am," Emmett agreed. He spread his arms. "German."
"Discriminating, is what you are," Nasir rubbed Emmett's back. "The car will be here shortly."
"Let us help you put this away," Jasper picked up the plate and his wine glass as he rose.
The group moved indoors and Nasir paused to make sure the French doors were closed and locked. It took only a minute to put the leftover food away and they headed for the front door.
"Hey, Eddie, are those the pants Seth helped you pick out?" Emmett walked behind Edward and noticed the black cotton pants that fit his friend uncharacteristically well.
"They are," Edward confirmed. "I'm sure he told you all about it."
"That he insisted on driving so you were trapped like a caged animal," Emmett grinned.
"He treated me like a caged animal too," Edward confirmed. "He picked out a shitload of stuff for me to try on and then insisted that I do so without underwear."
"Now, Edward, let's be fair," Jasper had heard this story and was far more appreciative of Seth's efforts. "If I understand the situation correctly, Seth was trying to get you clothes that would signal your interest in me, and the best way to showcase that is without underwear. So, of course he had to make you try the clothes on that way. And I, for one, very much appreciate the results."
"Nasir," Edward reached out to the only other top as they walked out into the elevator lobby and stepped into their shoes, "are you at least on my side here?"
"Jasper, my good friend and groomsman from Seattle sometimes does not wear things that fit him well," Nasir touched the call button for the elevator. "Do you think you can do something about that?"
"Oh, that's handled," Jasper assured.
"Thanks, guys," Edward felt slightly ganged up on.
"I have had sessions like that with Sethy myself," Nasir nodded.
"Seth said your butt looked really hot in these pants, Eddie," Emmett relayed.
"And that's totally true," Jasper picked up. "My guy's hot all over and I want everyone to know it. As long as I'm beside you, anyway. When I'm here and you're in Seattle, feel free to wear all your other clothes, the stuff Seth didn't approve," he said with a chuckle
The elevator arrived and Edward pulled Jasper into his arms as they stepped inside. "My guy's hot all over," he whispered to Jasper and gave him a soft, lingering kiss as they descended. Emmett smiled at his husband as they observed the tender moment between their friends. Edward and Jasper only pulled apart when the elevator arrived at the lobby. Nasir took Emmett's hand and Edward took Jasper's as they led their men toward the door.
"Evening, Sirs," the doorman rushed to hold the door for them.
"Thank you," Nasir gave the man a nod as they passed out onto the sidewalk. It was a pleasant night and their car arrived in only moments. Nasir showed the driver he had never met before his ID and they made themselves comfortable in the back of the black, stretch Town Car limousine. Again Edward and Jasper sat on the rear facing seat, and Jasper gave the driver their destination. They looped around the boulevard to take Park Avenue south into Midtown. At 53rd Street they turned right to head across Midtown into Hell's Kitchen.
"We're almost at your work, Jas!" Edward recognized familiar buildings as they crossed 5th Avenue.
"Yes we are. You're right, Edward," Jasper smiled at his man. "Very good. I'll make a city boy of you yet," he teased. Edward just laughed and shook his head.
They continued across 53rd all the way to 9th Avenue where they turned left, only to go down to 52nd Street and turn left again, because of the one way streets.
"I see the rainbow flag," Emmett pointed. "That must be it."
"And that's not it, actually," Jasper corrected. "That's Therapy. That's a cool club too, not quite as high energy. We can check that place out too, if you guys like, later on," he offered as their limo rolled to a stop between a building of cobalt subway tiles with white grout, and a farmer's market.
"Is this it?" Nasir pointed toward the tiled building. His brow darkened as he noted the men outside were not smoking, but lined up behind a velvet rope. "There is a wait to get in?"
"Not for us," Jasper was confident. The driver hopped out and opened the rear door on his side. Emmett and Nasir were the first to emerge, followed by Jasper and Edward.
"That will be all for the night. Thank you," Nasir shook the driver's hand and tipped him.
"Follow me, guys," Jasper took charge.
The bouncer/doorman was Edward's height and Emmett's build. He wore tight jeans, a sleeveless muscle shirt and New York Yankees baseball cap over his serious and neatly bearded face. One enormous arm was covered with a tattoo from which he garnered the nickname everyone called him.
"Hi, Bulldog. Full house tonight?" Jasper asked as he walked up to this gruff looking man without hesitation.
"Hi, Blondie," Bulldog's face transformed as he pulled Jasper into a warm hug. Both the smile and hug were a little too warm for Edward and he instantly became wary. Edward was prepared to like any friend of Jasper's, so long as friend was all they wanted to be.
"Yeah, it's a crush inside," Bulldog let Jasper go. "Amanda's putting on a show later and you know she draws a big crowd. But there's always room for you," he amended and gave Jasper the same too friendly smile again.
"I brought friends with me tonight," Jasper gestured. "They're from Seattle, so treat 'em nice, okay? This is Nasir and Emmett. And this is my boyfriend, Edward," Jasper's pride in that fact was evident both in his voice, and the way he took and held Edward's hand.
"Hey, guys," Bulldog greeted and was then only momentarily distracted by the men in line who grumbled as the fact became obvious that these four fresh arrivals were going to get into the club ahead of them. Bulldog's pointed eyebrow was enough to settle them down. Without his good humor, they might never get in.
"Any friends of Jasper are always welcome here," Bulldog turned his attention back to them. "Even boyfriends," he amended with a wink to Edward. "Go right in. I think Felix and Francis grabbed one of the booths by the fireplace at the back bar for all of you."
"Thanks, Bulldog," Jasper gave the man a friendly pat on his arm with his free hand as he led Edward inside. Emmett and Nasir followed through a second set of double doors into the crowded front bar. The remarkably long main bar was to their right, the entire backdrop of which was rectangular lighted panels of muted earth tones, some of which matched the shades of the lamps on the corners of the bar. To the left, in the front was an ornate pool table with a counter and bar stools lining the front windows and wall. Frosted glass panels between the brick columns separated the crowded bar area from the more quiet private seating areas that lined the left wall of the deep space.
"This is a nice, popular place," Emmett evaluated. "Nice not to have to wait."
"Do you know people at every bar in Manhattan, Jasper?" Nasir asked. "We had this exact same VIP treatment at the absinthe bar."
"Or is it just the important places?" Emmett amended his husband's question.
"Not at all," Jasper laughed. "Apotheke was a connection from work. Here we're all regulars, plus Ross and Dimi know the owners. But, come on. We have to get through all these guys to get to my friends," he set off and weaved through the throng as he led Edward by the hand. Emmett took his husband's hand and followed close in their wake. It was slow going and took several minutes to make it to the far end of the long, narrow establishment. Jasper rounded the last frosted glass panel before the back bar to find an almost living room like arrangement of furniture. There was a U shaped leather sofa, two chairs and a leather bench surrounding an oblong coffee table, directly across from a subway tiled fireplace.
A huge man rose from the sofa to greet them and help part the sea of patrons. He stood head and shoulders above the crowd. It was so rare as to be virtually never that Emmett ran into a man taller than he was, but here was one of them. He wore form fitting jeans and a leather vest that fully revealed the thick mat of dark hair on his chest and abdomen, as he wore no shirt beneath. He had a mustache and beard that was fuller and heavier than Nasir ever allowed his to grow, but was still kept neatly trimmed, and did not connect along the back of his jaw to his sideburns. His hair was buzzed down military style.
"Felix!" Jasper reached for the giant. "Thanks for saving the best seats in the house!"
"No problem, TV Man," Felix pulled Jasper into a warm hug which Jasper returned with only one arm as he held fast to Edward's hand. "We like getting here early. Drinks are cheaper during happy hour and it's the only time we can hear Cam talk," he laughed at his inside joke. "Welcome to New York," Felix gave Edward, Emmett and Nasir a warm smile. His was a friendly face that instantly put them at ease. Felix, it was clear, was a gentle giant, until he needed not to be.
"Edward, this is Felix. Felix, my boyfriend, Edward," Jasper introduced formally.
"Good to meet you, Edward," Felix offered his hand.
"And these are my good friends, Emmett and Nasir," Jasper finished.
"Hi, Felix," Emmett offered his hand first. The two biggest and strongest men there made a point to have a friendly and warm handshake that was in no way competitive.
"Nice to meet you guys," Felix shook Nasir's hand last. The three men seated behind Felix stood as the big man shook hands with Emmett and Nasir. One of them noticeably moved close to Felix's side. He was not a short man by any means, but was shorter than all of them, and next to Felix looked smaller than he was. He was shirtless, but wore a thick leather harness and matching wrist cuffs, all of which had heavy duty D rings on them. The matching leather belt in his snug jeans had trigger hook clips dangling at his hips. He had far less hair on his face than Felix with only a very trim and thin chinstrap beard and mustache. He also had far less hair on his chest with only a small, dark patch between his pecs. Tribal tattoos adorned his biceps and a curious tattoo of an electrocardiogram went across his left pec over his heart.
"This is my boyfriend, Anton," Felix introduced. The decidedly unfriendly look on Anton's face vanished at Felix's words.
"Hi," Anton shook hands with Edward first and they seemed to share a connection.
The last two men stepped forward, the taller of which had olive skin not unlike Nasir, but appeared to be of Western Mediterranean descent rather than Arabic. He had dark hair like Nasir's and several days of scruff. The second was an especially cute, shy young man who didn't look a day over nineteen, with soft blonde hair that was natural. He seemed to want to hide behind the taller man.
"This is Francis and Cam," Jasper finished.
"Welcome," Francis was quick to offer his hand. Cam, however, had to be prompted by Francis to greet the other men. He seemed intimidated almost to the point of being afraid. Cam kept his head down and gave but a glance through his lashes as he shook their hands. He very much triggered Emmett's protective instinct and Emmett made a point to be as gentle as possible when he shook the younger man's hand. Francis said something quietly to Cam and leaned down to kiss him which made the smaller man melt into his side. It made Emmett smile. Both couples looked cute and happy together.
"Let's grab a seat," Jasper prompted. Emmett and Nasir joined Felix, Anton, Francis and Cam on the huge U sofa while Jasper pulled a second chair beside the first for him and Edward. A waiter swung by for drink orders and they spoke of the city, and what those new to it thought of it. They spoke of weddings and bi-coastal relationships. Drinks arrived as Felix admitted that he knew of their situation, but had forgotten about it in light of recent events.
"We are sorry about your friends," Nasir expressed. "It is a horrible thing that happened. Things like this should not happen in this country."
"They shouldn't, but sometimes they do. It wouldn't have happened if I'd been there," Felix didn't even notice that his big hands curled into powerful weapons, but Anton did. Anton put a calming and reassuring hand on Felix's shoulder.
"It wasn't your fault. You were sick," Anton spoke gently to his giant.
"It wouldn't have happened if I'd been there," Felix repeated with determination.
"You shouldn't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault," Emmett stated. "You can't be with your friends twentyfour seven. Even if you are, you can't always do anything. I had a boyfriend once who abused my best friend right there in our apartment while I slept," he decided to share something deeply personal, hoping it would help the kindred spirit he felt in Felix. "I put a stop to it as soon as I figured out what was going on, but it wasn't soon enough. Seth made sure I didn't blame myself though. I wasn't the one who hurt him and you're not the one who hurt your friends."
Nasir took his husband's hand and held it tightly. He recognized the generous thing Emmett had just done and they both knew Seth would have approved.
"Thank you, Emmett," Anton was especially grateful.
"Emmett's right, Felix," Jasper took up. "I wasn't there either. None of us were. It still wasn't our fault. We just have to be more careful in the future. All of us."
"Jazzy!" the shriek above the din caught their attention. Jasper clearly recognized the speaker as he stood and pulled Edward up with him before he even turned to look.
"Levi," Jasper gave the man a one armed hug as once again he held onto Edward's hand, "you know I hate that nickname. I was just about to ask where you were."
"Since I know they have the apartment to themselves, I forced Ross to take the night off and took charge of the party myself," Levi revealed. He was a shorter man than everyone save Cam, with dark hair and thick eyebrows. Levi was dressed for clubbing in black jeans and a black lycra shirt, both of which fit him like a second skin. "It took a little longer than I thought to wrap up, but we're all here now!"
Right on cue four men filtered out of the crowd to stand at his side, all of whom were a good bit taller than he was, but did not quite meet Felix and Emmett. By varying degrees, they were pretty, stunning or downright beautiful. All but one wore skin tight tank tops.
"I'm glad you're all here," Jasper waved them into their seating area. "Okay, let me do this all at once. Guys, these are my good friends, Nasir and Emmett. And this is my boyfriend, Edward," he put his arm around Edward's waist. "This is Levi, Thanos, Yanni, Lazzaro and Reynard. They all work for Ross and Dimi."
"So this is the infamous Edward?!" Levi dropped his jaw in amazement. It was like he was meeting an oft spoken of, but never seen superhero.
"I guess Eddie's a legend," Emmett commented.
"It seems so," Nasir agreed.
Levi slid up to Edward and brazenly looked him over from head to toe. "Honey, no wonder you were holding out. He is fine!"
"Yes, he is," Jasper confirmed.
"Mmm, Hmm," Reynard expressed his attraction as well. He was a reed thin, light skinned black man with his hair cut in a faux hawk. He wore low rise, skinny jeans and a shirt that didn't meet them that had such a wide neck it hung off one shoulder. Reynard leaned his head to one side and pursed his lips in a flirty smile. "Hi, Edward."
"I don't share, Rey-Rey," Jasper warned in as deep and commanding a voice as he was capable.
"Spoilsport," Reynard pouted. Then just as quickly turned toward Emmett and Nasir, and his flirty smile was back.
"They don't share either," Jasper added.
"Are you sure? Emmett? Did you say Emmett? It's Emmett, right?" Reynard fired his questions.
"That's me," Emmett smiled.
"You look like you could hold a boy like me right up off the ground and fuck him stupid," Reynard evaluated. "Ever done that?" he asked as he captured the straw of his fruity cocktail with his lips as provocatively as he could.
"I can't say I've ever done that," Emmett was already holding his husband's hand and moved their joined hands to rest on his leg. "And I'm married, so I'm not gonna start tonight."
"Fine," Reynard rolled his eyes and turned away. "Thani, come dance with me," he whined and held out his hand to Thanos. The Greek god turned his head and looked at his co-worker with a blank expression, and made no move to join him.
"Huh!" Reynard turned on his heel and marched away.
"Just ignore him," Levi put his hand on Edward's arm. "Rey-Rey is a fucking princess and is forever surprised when we all don't jump to do his bidding. He'll be back after he blows someone. Oops! Did I say that out loud?" he covered his mouth in false shock. "I'm such a bad boy. Oh, well, in the meantime, talk to us Edward. We want to know every little thing. Don't we boys?"
"What would you like to know first?" Edward was agreeable.
"The size of your dick, obviously," Levi put his hand on Edward's arm again. "But since I don't want Jazzy's claws to come out again, like they did with Rey-Rey, why don't you tell us how you two met instead."
"Okay," Edward gave a nod.
"Let's sit down, guys," Jasper gestured. Yanni and Lazzaro joined the other men on the big sofa and Thanos joined Levi on the leather bench.
"We met on my first day of school in Forks," Jasper told the story. "Edward rescued me from a couple of bullies who were trying to steal my lunch money. He always looked out for me after that."
"Ohhh! A hero," Levi gushed. "How romantic!"
"You know," Emmett furrowed his brow and turned to his husband. "I don't think I ever knew that."
The waiter swung by again and everyone ordered a fresh round.
"Open a tab for all of us," Nasir gestured to the gathered group and handed over his Centurion Card.
"Yes, Sir!" the waiter's eyes lit up at the presentation of the black metal card. "I'm Josh. Anything you need at all, you just let me know. I'll be right back with your drinks," Josh rushed to fill the order. Though the service had not been lacking, it was clear that it was about to get better.
"Thanks, Nasir," Felix was next to him and gave him a pat on the knee.
"We are happy to do it," Nasir smiled.
"You should let me get that," Edward protested. He knew they had only come to support him.
"You are not fast enough," Nasir pointed at Edward. "Garrett can trick me, but you do not. Besides, I did not take my Emmett out to dinner because he wanted to cook for me. We will not spend here the amount of money we have already saved."
"Thanks, guys," Yanni gestured with his beer.
"Our pleasure," Nasir took a sip of his scotch.
"On the subject of how we met," Edward pointed at Felix and Anton, "Jasper told me to ask you guys how you met."
Several of the New Yorkers laughed and while Felix beamed, Anton appeared slightly embarrassed.
"You want to tell him, Babe, or should I?" Felix asked. Nasir, Edward and Jasper noted another similarity between Emmett and Felix, aside from their stature, when Felix called Anton 'Babe.'
"I'll tell him," Anton was a bit hesitant, but wanted control of how this information was relayed. "I suppose it is kind of funny now. I'm a stockbroker and Felix is a security guard at the Chase Wall Street branch. I normally do all my banking online or at the ATM, but that day I forgot to put my debit card back in my wallet. I needed some cash, so at lunch I had to go into the branch to make a withdrawal. I saw him as soon as I walked in. If you think he's hot now, and, obviously, he is," Anton reached over to run his hand over Felix's hairy chest inside his vest, "you should see him in his uniform. I swear my jaw hit the floor. I mean, it was like all my fantasies came to life. Of course, he didn't even notice me."
"The hell I didn't!" Felix protested. "A hot guy like you? I like him like this better," he gently pinched one of Anton's nipples, "but he's damn cute all dolled up in a shirt and tie too. Besides, it's my job to notice everyone."
"Okay, you noticed me, but you didn't pay me any more attention than the retired couple in line in front of me," Anton countered.
"The bank pays me to watch over the bank and check out everyone, not just the hot brokers," Felix defended. "I can't scope out potential dates on the job."
"Right," Anton agreed. "And I can give your employers every assurance that you are not using your job to scope out dates. Unless the potential dates give you no choice."
"I think maybe I should tell the rest of this story," Felix attempted to take over.
"Oh, no," Anton put a hand on his man's huge thigh. "I started and I'm gonna finish. So anyway, seeing that this guy was not paying attention to me was disappointing, but not enough to make me give up. I mean, look at him. After that day, my debit card never left the house and the bank lobby became my lunchtime hangout. I noticed they had a lean staff at lunch and the place was always busy. Every day I said I needed to see a personal banker and while I had to wait, I could watch Felix."
"Think you're clever," Felix teased.
"I am clever, Bear. I didn't want to be too obvious, so I looked all around, not just at Felix, and when a personal banker finally became available, I'd pretend to run out of time and leave," Anton continued.
"How long did you do that?" Edward asked.
"About a week and a half," Anton answered. "And I was getting frustrated because even though I saw him every day, I had no idea how to start talking to him. The next day he was waiting for me as soon as I cleared the door. He told me he needed to talk to me and to follow him. Felix can be, if you can imagine it, a little intimidating when he's all gruff and stern and serious."
"Say it's not so!" Levi was dramatic.
"I'm a teddy bear," Felix dismissed.
"You can be a grizzly bear when you want to be," Anton assured with a pat to Felix's leg. "Anyway, he took me into a small conference room and told me that I had better give up whatever it was that I was planning, because there was no way a robbery was going down in his branch."
"Oh, no!" Edward spoke for all those who hadn't heard this story.
"I know how you broker types are. Too clever for your own good. Think you're going to take down my bank? You can think again," Felix boasted.
"It wasn't your bank I wanted to go down on," Anton was quick and drew the expected chuckle from his audience. "So he told me that if I ever showed my face in his bank again, he'd call the cops."
"It was your accomplices that worried me," Felix admitted. "It's never just one guy, but I could never spot anyone else."
"Because they didn't exist," Anton stated the obvious.
"I didn't know that at the time," Felix countered. "I figured the rest of your team was just better at not getting spotted than you were."
"What did you guys do?" Emmett brought them back on point.
"There I was, shut in that little room all alone with him," Anton took back up. "And he's this big, powerful, glowering presence. I instantly had this vision of attacking him and trying to rip his uniform off of him, and then he would obviously overpower me and fuck me mercilessly right there on the table. I got so hard! But I realized the reality would more likely be my getting arrested, so I blurted out that I was only there to watch him."
"Which I didn't believe for one second," Felix stated. "Many a stockbroker come into my bank and none of them would ever be interested in a security guard."
"This one was," Anton assured.
"I thought it was all a ruse. A pretty clever one at that," Felix conceded, "but broker types are clever."
"How did you change his mind?" Edward asked.
"I said I'd stay away from his bank, if he agreed to meet me, here actually, for a drink," Anton revealed.
"Did you?" Nasir asked.
"No!" Felix laughed.
"So the next day I went and stood on the sidewalk outside the bank," Anton picked up. "He couldn't stop me from standing on the public sidewalk."
"You were loitering in front of a bank," Felix pointed out. "But I realized that he must have meant it when he just stood there drinking an iced tea for thirty minutes. I went outside and agreed to meet him for that drink."
"And the rest is history!" Levi clapped his hands.
"I'm glad you took a chance and didn't give up when I was too stupid to realize that you were sincere," Felix wrapped his arm around Anton and gave him a forceful kiss which everyone could see, Anton was only too grateful to receive.
"That's a great story, guys," Edward expressed. "I'm glad things worked out for you."
"What about you guys?" Emmett gestured to Francis and Cam. Cam looked up at his man from where he was tucked under Francis' arm. Everyone expected that Francis would do the talking.
"Well," Francis began. "I teach Buddhist Studies at the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and one day, some months ago, went to meet a friend who teaches at Hunter College. I was running much too early and decided to stop into a nearby bookstore, see if they might have something that interested me."
"And did you find something that interested you?" Emmett asked with a smile.
"Did I ever," Francis looked down at the younger man under his arm again and pulled him closer. "There was this cute, sweet, shy, adorable guy working there. I asked him about a book and he led me to it. I managed to get him talking and he's remarkably well read. He had other customers to assist, but he kept coming back to me. I was so engrossed in talking with him that I forgot all about meeting my friend. I waited until Cam finished his shift and asked him to dinner. We had a long, beautiful dinner and after that I walked him home. We made plans to see each other again and spent the evening the same way, talking about books we've read or plan to. Months later we still spend nights that way," he looked down at Cam again. "Don't we?"
Cam just nodded and cuddled closer into Francis' side. He casually let his hand rest on Francis' upper, inner thigh.
"That's beautiful," Emmett nodded.
"What about you two?" Levi turned the tables on Emmett and Nasir. "I'll bet you have an interesting story, not just because he has a really cool name and, oh, just incidentally, a super sexy accent."
"Isn't it?" Emmett gave Levi his dimples.
"I arrived with my parents, my older brother, my little sister and her husband at our hotel in Las Vegas, and this incredibly beautiful American was just standing there," Nasir began. "I could not take my eyes off of him."
"Imagine just waiting for a co-worker to pick you up in front of your hotel, minding your own business, and these limos pull up, and a group of Arab sheikhs get out, one of whom was especially hot," Emmett took up. "I must have drooled all over myself."
"The company I worked for was building a hotel complex in Las Vegas," Nasir continued. "We had many construction issues to work out. We asked multiple contractors to meet with us on site. The next day we all went to the site. I found my brother, who is an insufferable asshole on the best of days, being terribly rude and unreasonable to the exceptionally attractive designer of the hotel kitchens. I immediately decided to step in and rescue the man from my brother."
"In case you haven't guessed, the firm I work for designs industrial kitchens," Emmett took his turn. "The lead designer on the project couldn't go to meet with the client, so as next most familiar with the project, I was sent in his place. So, I'm trying to explain the problems between the approved plans and the actual space to this giant dick, and I'm desperately trying not to punch him in the face, and then this vision from the day before just walks up and takes over."
"I was happy to do it," Nasir picked back up. "My brother was needed elsewhere. I took my sexy designer for coffee to go over the plans, and then to dinner that evening, and then he kept me all night."
"Wait a minute!" Levi jumped in. "So which was it? Did Nasir sexually harass an employee, or did Emmett sleep with the client to get the business?"
"Neither and both, I suppose," Emmett reasoned. "Dealing with Nasir was considerably more pleasant than dealing with his brother, for a host of reasons. And he did approve paying for a whole new set of plans, so I guess my firm and I benefited the most."
"No," Nasir disagreed with a shake of his head. "Construction issues caused the need for the plans to be redone. And Emmett was not like any other man I had ever been with. Where I am from..."
"Where are you from, by the way?" Levi interrupted.
"The United Arab Emirates," Nasir answered.
"Persian Gulf," Cam spoke without thinking. It was clear that he was immediately embarrassed, though absolutely correct and helpful to some of them who had never heard of that country.
"Thanks, Cam," Yanni sat on the other side of the younger man and rubbed his knee.
"So, all the men from there are this hot?" Levi brought them back on topic.
"I do not like Arab men," Nasir stated. "And in the Emirates, it is understood that unmarried men will sleep with other men. It is believed that there is no alternative. Women must be virgins on their wedding night and may only be with their husband. Adultery, for women, is punishable by death. So is homosexuality."
"Wait a minute. You just said..." Levi pointed.
"He'll explain," Edward assured.
"This may not make any sense to any of you," Nasir prefaced. "It makes less sense to me every day. In the Emirates, in all Gulf States really, you may not covet another man's wife, you have no business talking to, or even looking at her. In all likelihood, you would never even meet such a person."
"There is almost total separation of the genders there," Emmett added.
"Yes. So what is a man to do?" Nasir posited. "A man cannot be expected to abstain. A man can go abroad and dirty himself with a whore if he so chooses, but that is not something many would choose, and not practical on a regular basis. So men play amongst themselves. This is understood, though it is not spoken of. There are no such thing as gay people. Only there are, of course. I sit here before you. I am one with you. The distinction is in desire. Emmett and I spoke of this only this morning. If I, as an unmarried man, took Emmett with me to Sharjah, the Emirate I am from, and people discovered that we slept together, they would not speak of it and go on as if nothing was unusual. But if I were to tell anyone that I love him and will spend the rest of my life with him, they would be outraged. I certainly, and probably both of us, would be taken into the desert and never seen again."
"Fuck," Felix expressed.
"The point that I really want to make is that being with Emmett was so very different and wonderful for me. I did not get enough in Las Vegas. How could I? I followed him home to Seattle. He taught me what love is," Nasir squeezed Emmett's hand and looked into his husband's crystal blues. "And for that I will be eternally grateful."
"But you lost your job and your family in the process," Emmett pointed out.
"I lost my relatives, not my family. I lost people who do not know me and have no wish to. I gained my real family who love me as my husband does," Nasir stated. "I have a new job that I love. I could only wish that it did not keep me so far away from my habibi. But it is not forever. I will get to the point where I can work more from home. And eventually, now that I have a Green Card, I can become a citizen and not depend on a job. And on that day I will come home to my husband to stay," he looked into Emmett's eyes again. Nasir's words touched Emmett so deeply that he wanted to cry. The day Nasir came home to him for good would be one of the happiest days of his life. He put his free hand to the side of Nasir's face and gave him a gentle, loving kiss on his lips.
"What do you do now, Nasir?" Levi asked after they were done sharing their kiss.
"Much what I used to do. I build hotels. I am flying to Naples this week in fact," Nasir informed.
"Naples, Italy? You're building a hotel in Naples? Wow," Anton was impressed.
"I am building a hotel in Positano, actually, or really, converting an old palazzo into one. I hope. If all goes well," Nasir elaborated.
"You got your Visa then?" Jasper asked. He and Nasir had discussed his travel difficulties.
"It turned out to be much easier than anyone thought. My boss mentioned my Visa issue to the President of the company," Nasir explained. "And Mr. Tisch called his good friend, the Consul General of Italy. The Tischs own a home in Lake Como and vacation there with the Consul's family every year it seems. The Consulate sent over a courier for my passport and brought it back with my Visa an hour later."
"I love what I do, but fuck do I want your job," Levi expressed. "Italian boys are so cute! See? There's one now." he gestured to where Lazzaro lounged with one leg in Yanni's lap.
"Speaking of," Edward was curious. "How did you guys meet?"
Yanni looked to Lazarro as he held the wiry and slighter man's leg by his skinny jeaned inner thigh. Lazzaro just bumped his boyfriend's shoulder with his.
"Our story isn't quite as dramatic," Yanni began. "We met at work. I was living with someone else at the time and Laz was trying to keep up with Party Boy One over there," he gestured to Thanos. His fellow Greek gave a grin and raised his beer bottle to him in recognition and acceptance of the praise.
"When I broke up with the jerk I was with, we started hanging out. One thing led to another," Yanni smiled at Lazzaro. "Now he's mine."
"No," Lazzaro countered. He sat up and poked a finger into Yanni's chest. "You're mine!"
There was no question that Lazzaro was the bottom in their relationship, but it was clear that he was a spitfire.
"Not as dramatic, did you say?" Levi started. "I'd say there was plenty of drama when we found you two making out in the kitchen at the Abramovitz wedding. Dimi and Ross had just congratulated the happy couple and settled up with the parents. We walked into the kitchen and there they were. Laz's shirt was wide open and Yanni's tongue was down his throat. Oh! And do not let me forget to mention the time I walked into the back room at the shop and found Yanni's tongue up Laz's ass. I have to keep a very close eye on the kitchen and the back room."
"Shut up," Yanni threw a matchbook at Levi. "Like you never take anyone in the back room!"
"Please! I never take boys to the back room. I have a sense of decorum," Levi was haughty. He raised his drink. "And a key to the office."
"And the catering van," Yanni revealed another place Levi had been caught with a trick. "Several times."
"Another round, guys?" Josh swooped into their midst.
"Please," Nasir gestured.
"Be right back," Josh dashed for the back bar.
Reynard returned to the group with a fresh drink in hand and seated himself beside Lazzaro. They all watched him wipe his bottom lip and everyone burst out laughing.
"Uh, what is you bitches laughing at?" Reynard demanded.
In answer, Lazzaro leaned forward and brushed off the knees of Reynard's jeans as if they needed it. "There," he sat back again.
"So? Sometime a girl get hungry!" Reynard defended.
"Did he taste good?" Yanni asked.
Reynard gave a shrug. "You know what beer does."
"Was he cute at least?" Levi asked. "I mean, did you see his face?"
"Yes!" Reynard gave attitude. "New York's finest."
"A cop?!" Anton asked with raised eyebrows.
"Cops need love too," Reynard stated.
"All this cop needed was his balls drained evidently," Levi observed.
"Is a cop better than a security guard?" Felix asked Anton. The smile on his face let them know he was only teasing.
"Not my security guard!" Anton denied enthusiastically.
"Damn right," Felix put his arm around his man and pulled him in tightly.
"Here we go, guys," Josh returned to their midst. He set his tray down on the coffee table and proceeded to place and pass out drinks. "And this one is not on Mr. Qasimi's tab," he handed Thanos a fresh, frosty beer, "but compliments of the young man right over there."
Thanos turned to look, as did most of them, to see a cute twink in a skin tight lycra shirt and backwards baseball cap leaning on the wall close to the fireplace. Thanos gave a most disarming smile as he tipped his beer and inclined his head to the boy who sent him his beer.
"Someone has an admirer," Levi teased. Thanos paid him no mind. He and the twink watched each other for a long moment. Thanos finally stood up to his full six foot two sculpted height. He paused to let the twink drink in the sight of him, turned and walked away, deeper into the bar. Like a child following the Piper, the twink headed after him.
"Oh, there he go," Reynard gave voice to what they all observed.
"That twink is gonna get split in two," Levi shook his head and gave a sigh. "He's Greek. All over," he added for Emmett, Nasir and Edward.
"Big D said the owners installed a post just for Thanos to notch in the back room," Felix joked. "Except it's already out of space."
"Does he speak English?" Emmett asked. It occurred to him that in the short time they had known Thanos, they had not heard him utter a single word.
"He's been in this country since he was a kid. He speaks English like we do," Jasper confirmed.
"He just likes to let his dick do the talking!" Yianni joked.
"He can talk to me!" Reynard quipped. "I love suckin' white boy dick! Who wanna be next?" he leaned forward and looked expectantly between Edward, Emmett and Nasir.
"As I'm the only one left who's single...," Levi began.
"Boy, I been done had you," Reynard sat back.
"I been done had you too, girl," Levi shot back.
"I didn't know that," Jasper turned to Levi. "Have you slept with the whole crew?"
"No," Yanni immediately spoke up.
"No," Lazzaro was quick to add.
"When Ross hired him, the very first job I took him on, he said he wanted to suck my dick," Levi explained. "I'm gonna say no? Gives damn good head too, doncha, Rey-Rey."
"But don't nobody take anybody's word for it!" Reynard would much prefer to prove it.
"We should introduce him to Duane and Rodney," Emmett suggested.
"Who that?" Reynard asked.
"A couple who live in our building," Nasir answered.
"A couple who do not mind extramarital play time," Emmett elaborated.
"One's an attorney and I think you said the other one is a nurse?" Jasper added.
"Do they need a cute house boy?" Reynard enquired.
"Here we go," Levi rolled his eyes.
"I'll cook, I'll clean, I'll do it all naked, and I'll wrap my lips around them anytime they want," Reynard offered. "Wait a minute. They cute?"
"They're good looking guys, all over. You'll be pleased," Emmett confirmed. "We know because they were only too happy to show us pictures of each other naked."
"Oh, please take me home with you!" Reynard begged.
"Perhaps another night," Nasir deflected.
"Yeah," Emmett agreed. "We should get going anyway."
"Yes. I have something very important that I have been aching to do all day," Nasir added as they stood. The entire group stood with them to see them off.
"Thanks so much for coming out with us, guys," Edward moved into Emmett's arms first. "It really means a lot to me."
"We're family, Eddie," Emmett gave Edward a tight hug. "And it was great fun."
"Jasper, we will see our men off and meet up to talk about them," Nasir patted Jasper's back as they embraced.
"Damn right we will," Jasper confirmed.
"It was so great to meet your friends, Sugar," Emmett expressed when he and Nasir traded. "I really like all of them."
"I'm so glad everyone could come together," Jasper relished his big friend's warm hug. "I know they all like you too."
"Levi," Nasir gave him a quick hug. "When we get to the point where we can host parties at our place here in New York, how do we arrange for you to cater them?"
"Easy," Levi pulled out his wallet and extracted a business card for Hot Greek Dish Catering. "The owners' names are right there, but lately as often as not, I answer the phone anyway."
"Perfect. Thank you," Nasir stuck the card in his wallet.
"Are you boys leaving me?" Josh noticed what appeared to be good byes.
"We are," Nasir confirmed. "Cash us out, please."
"Be right back," Josh obeyed.
"Guys," Emmett turned to the rest of the group. He offered his hand to Felix.
"C'mere," Felix pulled Emmett into a hug. "Any friends of TV Man are friends of ours," he assured. Again, both men made a point to not be competitive and just gave each other a warm and friendly hug with claps on the back.
"Nasir," Felix let go of Emmett to embrace his husband. "Thanks for the drinks, man."
"It was our pleasure," Nasir assured. Anton's warm and friendly demeanor was the polar opposite of how he looked at them when they arrived, and was only too happy to hug them just as his boyfriend had. Francis hugged them as well, but Cam was entirely too reserved to do that on his own.
"Can I hug you, Cam?" Emmett opened his arms.
"It's okay," Francis urged. Cam slowly moved into Emmett's arms and tucked himself into Emmett's chest. It absolutely melted Emmett's heart and Nasir felt exactly the same way when Cam did it to him. They shared hugs with Yanni and Lazzaro as well, and saved Reynard for last.
"Nice to meet you, Rey-Rey," Emmett enfolded the thin man in his arms. "Ho!" he wasn't expecting the crotch grope that came with the black man's hug. "Okay," Emmett laughed as he let Reynard go. "You be sure and hug my husband too."
"Nasir," Reynard slinked with a smile to the tall Arab. Nasir had not seen and was not expecting it. Emmett watched with a wide grin as Reynard grabbed Nasir's dick.
"Oh! You are a bad boy," Nasir admonished with a chuckle as he let the man go. The waiter was standing by with the check and Nasir signed the receipt with a generous tip.
"Edward?" Reynard batted his eyes and held out his arms for a hug from him as well. Edward made no move to do so, but that didn't hold Jasper back.
"Edward is not leaving, and, say, how many broken fingers you got on that hand?" Jasper asked.
"Um, none," Reynard twiddled his fingers.
"You wanna up that number to five?" Jasper warned.
"Okay, alright," Reynard held his hands up and stepped back. "Don't gitcha panties twisted."
"It was really great meeting all of you guys. We'd love to do this again," Emmett expressed.
"Yes," Nasir agreed. "Perhaps when Emmett flies out next," he looked to Jasper.
"Done," Jasper gave a nod.
"Great to meet you guys too," Felix just naturally spoke for the group.
"Goodnight," Nasir bid.
"Night, guys," Emmett gave a wave and took his husband's hand as they turned to go.