After the Final Encore E-Book

Scotty Cade

• Herausgeber: Dreamspinner Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 316

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Sequel to Final Encore Country superstar Billy Eagan's career is soaring. He's topping the charts and winning award after award. He and his manager and life partner, Ian Dillon, have been virtually inseparable for almost five years, solidifying their relationship as well as Billy's skyrocketing stardom. After a secret kiss between the two of them at an awards show is caught on camera, a tabloid newspaper outs Billy and Ian as lovers, which could sabotage Billy's career on the bigoted Nashville music scene. To make matter worse, an old adversary rears his ugly head and threatens to end everything Billy and Ian have worked for—including their lives.

Leseprobe

Readers love

“…an entertaining read. It’s quick and sweet, and sure to appeal to fans of country music and rags-to-riches tales.”

—Joyfully Reviewed

“If you are a fan of country music this would be a good book to read! If you are a Scotty Cade fan, you’ll probably like this one.”

—Love Bytes

“Final Encore is a great read that will be sure to bring author Scotty Cade many fans.”

—Literary Nymphs Reviews

“Mr. Cade certainly knows how to write an enchanting tale with a storyline and characters that are enjoyable to read.”

—Long and Short Reviews

By SCOTTY CADE

Acting Out

Forever for Now

The Mystery of Ruby Lode

The Royal Street Heist

Sunrise Over Savannah • Chasing the Horizon

An Unconventional Courtship • An Unconventional Union

FINALENCORE

Before the Final Encore

Final Encore

After the Final Encore

LOVESERIES

Wings of Love

Bounty of Love

Treasure of Love

With Z.B. Marshall:Foundation of Love

Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Copyright

Published by

DREAMSPINNERPRESS

5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886  USA

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

After the Final Encore

© 2015 Scotty Cade.

Cover Art

© 2015 Reese Dante.

http://www.reesedante.com

Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/.

ISBN: 978-1-63476-252-6

Digital ISBN: 978-1-63476-253-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015905042

First Edition July 2015

Printed in the United States of America

This paper meets the requirements of

ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).

To Kell, my husband of nineteen years. Not one of my books would ever see the light of day without your endless support and sacrifice. You pull double duty at our business so I can chase my literary dreams, and I can never thank you enough. I love you with all my heart.

This book also goes out to my late parents, Jean and Julius. They are the inspiration for Jean and Jules James, and I miss them every day. I love you both!

I would also like to thank my editor and friend Andi Byassee. You take my jumbled words and turn them into actual novels, and that is no small feat. You amaze me with every story. XOXO!

And lastly, I would like to thank Reese Dante. She is the spectacular artist who does all my cover designs. I’m always amazed at what she can do with the little guidance I offer her. And… trust me when I say I’m pretty picky when it comes to my covers. I’m proud to call her my friend.

Preface

WELLGANG, we’ve almost come full circle. Final Encore was my very first novel, and as most of you already know, it went through a recent rerelease. Additionally, I released a free read from Dreamspinner Press, called Before the Final Encore, to highlight a little of the journey that brought Ian to Nashville. And finally I’m proud to offer the last in the series, After the Final Encore. This book deals with the homophobia that is alive and well in Nashville and how Ian and Billy overcome the hurdles to live their lives as proud and open gay men. I hope you enjoy!

Scotty Cade

Chapter One

BRADPAISLEY and Carrie Underwood stood in the center of the stage, Carrie holding a white envelope with the Country Music Association logo printed on the outside.

“And last but certainly not least,” Brad said. “The nominees for CMA’s Entertainer of the Year are….” Brad paused and then read the first name, “Miranda Lambert.” The camera panned the crowd stopping on Miranda and her husband Blake Shelton, both smiling broadly, Blake holding Miranda’s hand.

“Luke Bryan.” Brad paused again as they repeated the process.

“Billy Eagan.” And suddenly Billy’s smiling face was on the JumboTron, with Ian sitting right next to him grinning proudly, and Jean and Jules right behind them, smiling as well.

“Chris Young.” Another pause while the picture changed.

“And Jennifer Nettles.”

Billy chuckled as Ian’s knee rapped his firmly. This sort of innocuous action was something they’d developed early in their relationship to say “I love you” while they were under the ever-watchful eye of the public.

The camera would be on Billy and Ian when they announced his name as a nominee, so he waited until all the nominees were announced before he returned the gesture and added a smile. His heart was pounding as hard as it ever had. It had been a long, hard year. He and Ian had been on tour for the last ten months, and they were both exhausted. They’d been in a different city every couple of days, and they both felt like the Capitol jet was more their home than the Westhaven townhouse they shared in Franklin, Tennessee, north of Nashville.

“And the winner is…,” Carrie Underwood said.

Billy’s heart stopped as the words left Carrie’s mouth.

“Billy Eagan!”

The crowd went wild as Billy and Ian both jumped to their feet. Ian threw his arms around Billy and held on tightly, and Billy returned the embrace. After all, he wouldn’t have a career or a life without Ian.

“Congratulations, Cowboy!” Ian whispered as he buried his face in Billy’s neck and kissed him quickly. “I love you.”

They separated, and Billy hugged Jean and Jules before walking up onstage to accept his award.

Billy made it up the fifteen or so stairs leading to the stage without stumbling, and when he arrived, Brad and Carrie hugged him, and Carrie handed him his third award of the night. He’d already won for Record of the Year and Album of the Year and now Entertainer of the Year. Billy stepped in front of the microphone. He scanned the crowd, but the only people he wanted to see were Ian and Jean and Jules. They were all still on their feet clapping and smiling broadly.

“Oh God,” Billy said holding his award over his head and pumping it in the air. “I’m so blessed, I don’t know where to start. First of all I’d like to thank all the fans.”

The audience roared again.

“You got me here, and I’d be nothing without you.” Billy took off his hat and bowed. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He squinted and looked into the first few rows, trying to find Josh. “Next I’d like to thank Capitol Records Nashville for always supporting me.” He spotted Josh and Suzie. “And you,” he said, pointing at Josh, “Josh Randal. For believing in me and always looking out for me. I love you, man. I want to thank all my family back in New Orleans.” Billy brought two fingers to his lips and held them out to Jules and Jean. “And my family here in Nashville, Jean and Jules James. I love you both. Thank you for giving me my big break. And… most of all I want to thank my manager and best friend, Ian Dillon. You found me. You groomed me. And you made me the man and the entertainer I am today. I love you, man.”

Ian was still on his feet, smiling so proudly Billy almost lost it.

“Thank you all,” Billy said one last time as he turned and exited the stage.

The moment Billy got backstage, a barrage of people surrounded him with congratulations. But the only person he wanted to see was Ian, and again Ian didn’t disappoint. Ian never disappointed. He was at Billy’s side within minutes, leading him through the crowd to the pressroom, where he had at least another half hour of interviews with all the major networks and some local stations. With the Capitol after-party still to come, they had a long night ahead of them. As they ducked into the private waiting area, Billy took a seat. Before Ian could sit beside him, he heard a soft voice. “Excuse me, Mr. Dillon?”

Ian turned to see a media assistant. “Hi,” he said.

“Can I bother you to go over the press list before Mr. Eagan gets started?”

“Sure,” Ian said, looking at Billy. “I’ll be right back.”

“And I’ll be right here.” Billy watched Ian walk away with the assistant.

While Billy waited, he looked down at the award he was still holding. The events of the night replayed in his head like a slow-motion video camera. The red carpet, his first two awards, Entertainer of the Year, and lastly his acceptance speech. What had stayed with him the longest was the red carpet.

When his limo had pulled up to the Bridgestone Arena, after a quick good luck kiss, he and Ian had quickly gone into public mode out of habit, Ian taking the seat across from him and them touching in no visible way. When the attendant had opened the door, they were immediately on display. People were yelling Billy’s name, and flashbulbs were going off from every direction before they exited the limo.

As usual Billy had stepped out of the limo before Ian. But as with all the events they attended together, Billy insisted he and Ian walk the red carpet side by side. After all, without Ian there would be no Billy, and he never forgot that.

Before he got out of the limo, Billy looked down the long red carpet, lined from end to end with representatives of various entertainment networks and radio stations, and he saw other artists strolling along with their husbands and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends, holding hands and showing public affection, stopping and posing arm in arm along the way to have their pictures taken. He wanted so badly to do the same with Ian, but this was Nashville and country music, where being gay was not accepted.

So, as usual, he sucked it up and followed in the footsteps of the other artists. He signed autographs and took selfies with fans until he reached the interviewers. Ian had always chosen to stay in the background until Billy forced him to step up and share the interviews with him. Occasionally they’d pose together for pictures, arms draped loosely over each other’s shoulders, but a friend taking a picture with a friend was the extent of their public displays of affection. He was starting to resent the fact they couldn’t be themselves, and it was getting harder and harder to pretend to be someone he was not. I think it’s time I talk to Ian about this.

When Ian returned, he sat down next to Billy and smiled.

“Congratulations, Cowboy,” he whispered in Billy’s ear again, looking around to make sure no one was in earshot.

“I can’t believe this,” Billy said, his hands still trembling from the adrenaline rushing through his veins.

“You earned this, Billy. No one in this business worked as hard as you did. Ten months on the road nonstop, and you never once missed a show. Seven number-one singles off your last album alone. Album of the year, I might add. Believe it! You earned it,” he repeated. “I’m so fucking proud of you and—” He leaned in close, again looking around for wandering eyes and ears. “—I want to kiss you so badly right now it’s killing me.”

“I know,” Billy agreed. “Me too. I’m sorry, Ian.”

“What are you sorry about? It’s not your fault Nashville is so damned homophobic.”

It’s now or never!

“I know it’s not my fault, but I—we could try and change it. I mean… all I could think about when we walked the red carpet was how much I wished I could hold your hand to let people know how I feel about you.”

“I know,” Ian said. “But not at the risk of your career.”

“My career won’t last forever, Ian. And besides, we have more money than we could ever spend. Why not come out and see if we can try and do our part to change the way Nashville views us? I’m not the only one, you know. There’s Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman who both came out recently. And what about Steve Grand? And don’t forget Chely Wright. Maybe we can form some type of coalition and all work together to change Nashville.”

“We’re ready for you, Mr. Eagan,” a press assistant said, sticking her head inside their cubicle and interrupting their conversation.

“Please, call me Billy,” Billy said, standing up.

“We’ll talk about this later,” Ian assured him. “Now go get ’em. We have a celebration to get to.”

WHILEBILLYdid his press interviews, Ian watched him move from network to network, radio station to radio station, talking about his album, the tours, his number-one singles, and his big wins of the night. Everyone shook his hand and patted him on the back like they were his best friends, but no one knew him. Really knew him. Who he was as a person, who Ian was to him, and more importantly, who he was to Ian.

Ian thought about their conversation. He would love to tell the world what Billy meant to him. What they meant to each other. But he couldn’t allow Billy to come out. Not now. Not unless he was ready to give up his career. Their relationship would destroy him professionally, a sad but true fact. Nashville was not ready to support homosexual artists. It was amazing how the entire country and world was evolving and standing up for gay rights while Nashville was stuck in the dark ages. Do the record execs not think they have gay country music fans?If Billy ever gets tired and ready to give up his career, then yes, maybe I’ll encourage him to come out. But then and only then.

“We’re done here, boss,” Billy said, touching Ian’s arm and giving it a quick squeeze. “What’s say we find Josh and Suzie and Jules and Jean and head over to the Capitol after-party?”

“Your carriage awaits, Cinderfella,” Ian said, bending at the waist and moving his hand in a sweeping motion. “After you.”

“You’re such a dork sometimes,” Billy said teasingly.

“But I’m your dork,” Ian whispered.

Billy winked. “And don’t you ever forget it.”

“Not a chance, Cowboy.”

ONTHE short ride from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to Sambuca, where the Capitol Records after-party was being held, Billy’s limousine was filled with an indescribable energy. He and Ian were sitting next to each other with Ian’s arm thrown casually over the back of Billy’s seat in a protective but nonintrusive way, their legs touching at the knee. Jean and Jules and Josh and Suzie sat across from them.

Josh was smiling broadly as he leaned over and slapped Billy on the knee. “Man, we kicked ass tonight.” In addition to Billy’s wins, Josh’s other artists—Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, and Lady Antebellum—had all scored big over the course of the three-hour awards show. “You guys did me proud.”

As the car filled with endless chatter about the evening, Ian looked around and realized that, apart from Billy’s family back in New Orleans, these were the people he loved most in this world, and they were all here supporting him and Billy. Ian’s mind drifted back to how he’d almost screwed it all up and lost Billy in the process.

Within the first year of his and Billy’s relationship, Ian had broken it off because of his own insecurities and the leftover pain and betrayal he carried around with him from his first and only other relationship. But Billy wouldn’t hear of it. After Ian had reluctantly explained what had happened, Billy had decided things didn’t add up, so he’d gone in search of Todd Slocum, Ian’s first love. After Billy found him, it didn’t take them long to realize Todd and Ian had been played by their parents because of their conservative Christian values. They’d led Ian and Todd to believe each had betrayed the other in order to keep them apart.

Ian looked over at Billy and a smile formed on his lips. Billy was very animated as his hands flew through the air, apparently describing something from earlier in the evening he thought was funny.

God I love that man! And to think I came so close to losing him. Not once, but twice.

The first time was when Ian’s own insecurities drove a wedge between him and Billy. The second was at the hands of Buck Stevens, a crazed and jealous ranch hand.

Late one evening, Buck had tricked Billy into driving out to the ranch by telling him Jules had been hurt. But when Billy had arrived, Buck had knocked him out with a baseball bat, dragged him to an old cabin on the ranch, tied him to a bed, and set the cabin on fire. Ian and Todd, as well as Jules and Jean, had gotten there barely in time to save him. But unfortunately Buck had already fled the scene and had never been apprehended. For a year after the attack Ian was always looking over his shoulder, expecting Buck to come back and finish the job. It all seems like eons ago.

The limo pulled up to Sambuca and came to a stop. Billy reached over, squeezed Ian’s knee, and grinned. Ian winked and straightened Billy’s tie as Billy’s bodyguard opened the limo door. “You ready, boss?” Butch asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, Butch. Let’s do this.”

Butch stepped aside and cameras again flashed from every direction. “Go,” Ian said. “Your fans are waiting. We’re right behind you.”

Billy stepped over him and exited the limo to hundreds of screaming fans. He patiently signed autographs and took selfies all the way up to the front door, stopping one last time and waving before they all disappeared into the restaurant.

The group was immediately led to their table, and Billy was bombarded with people congratulating him all along the way. Throughout the first part of the night, he posed for pictures with the other Capitol artists, as well as the label execs, and it was about midnight before he finally got to sit down and join his friends.

“MAN!” BILLY said, slipping into the large semicircular booth, joining Jules and Josh. “Where is everyone?” he asked.

Jules and Josh simultaneously pointed to the dance floor.

Billy turned in the direction they were pointing and burst into laughter. Ian, Jean, and Suzie were in the middle of a large crowd line dancing to Travis Tritt’s “I Smell T–R–O–U–B–L–E.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ian move so fast,” Billy said.

“I think he learned to dance like that when he worked at the saloon,” Jules said. “And he’s pretty good at it.”

“Damn straight,” Billy agreed. “And the girls aren’t too bad either.”

Jules shook his head and let out a chuckle. “All I know is I’ll bet my wife is going to need the heating pad tonight.”

Josh and Billy roared with laughter.

Jules winked. “The ole girl still has it, though.”

“She certainly does,” Josh agreed.

When the girls and Ian returned to the table, they slid into the booth out of breath and fanning themselves. “Jesus,” Jean said. “I’m too old for this.”

“Not a chance,” Suzie said. “And Ian? I can’t believe you’ve been holding out on me all these years.”

Ian smiled. “Not holding out. It’s called self-preservation.”

Suzie smacked him on the arm. “Since the cat is out of the bag and I know you’re a closet dancer, we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”

“Exactly what I was trying to avoid,” Ian said, rolling his eyes.

“You better save me a spot on your dance card for when we get home,” Billy whispered to Ian.

“Always,” Ian promised.

The DJ cranked up George Strait, and Suzie took Ian by the hand and led him to the dance floor, while Jean did the same to Jules, leaving Josh and Billy alone at the table.

“Shall we?” Billy asked, holding his hand out to Josh.

“Do you lead or follow?” Josh asked, then quickly covered his ears. “No! On second thought, I don’t think I want to know the answer.”

Billy laughed as Josh smacked his hand away.

Josh looked out at the dance floor and found Suzie and Ian. “I know Ian’s going to get me for this,” he said, “but as long as he’s dancing with Suzie, I’m off the hook.”

Billy laughed again.

“By the way,” Josh said, “you did really well tonight.”

“Thanks, man.”

“You know what this means, right?” Josh asked.

Billy wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “I’m not sure.”

“You can pretty much write your own ticket with the label now,” Josh explained. “You’ve been a great moneymaker. You’ve stayed out of trouble and delivered exactly what was expected of you and more.”

Billy thought about what Josh was saying. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Josh said.

Billy looked around and leaned in closer to Josh. “I’m tired of living in the closet, Josh. What do you think the label would say if I… we… came out?”

“Whoa, Nelly!” Josh whispered.

Billy raised an eyebrow. “Nelly? Is that a gay joke?”

Josh’s face turned red. “No! But you’re right, bad choice of words. Sorry. You know I’m new at all this gay stuff.”

“All this gay stuff?” Billy repeated.

“Oh, hell. You know what I’m talking about. But…,” Josh added, “that’s not what I meant about writing your own ticket with the label, Billy.”

“I know it’s not, but after everything Ian and I had to go through to finally be together, it sucks to have to constantly sneak around. I mean… we can never be ourselves when we’re in public, and it blows the big one sometimes.”

“‘Blows the big one’? What a lovely term,” Josh said. “Is that a gay term?”

Billy laughed. “Nope. Just another bad choice of words.”

“So I guess we’re even, then,” Josh teased.

“Yep.”

“So, back to coming out,” Josh said. “Nashville and country music are about as homophobic as it gets, so I don’t think the label would be happy about your coming out.”

“But what could they do?” Billy asked.

“I’m not quite sure, but I do know there is a little thing called a contract. And it has a behavioral clause in it, and I think your coming out, in their eyes, might be a behavioral issue and could be considered cause for termination.”

“Would they do that?”

“I don’t know, but I certainly don’t want to find out,” Josh whispered.

“Maybe it would be better to go ahead and do it and then beg forgiveness from the label afterwards?”

“I don’t think I would go that route,” Josh suggested. “Are you really serious about this, Billy?”

“Man, you sound like Ian,” Billy said. “He feels the same way.”

“Then if you won’t listen to me, Billy, listen to your partner—or manager, whichever hat you want him to wear at the time—and think long and hard before you make any decisions.”

“Enough with the innuendoes,” Billy teased. “Long and hard? Really?”

Josh blushed again. “I swear, you gays turn everything into innuendoes.”

Billy chuckled. “But seriously, Josh,” he said, “let me ask you a question. What was the first thing you did when you and Keith won your CMA for collaborating on his latest single?”

Josh didn’t answer and looked like he was reliving the moment. And then it all seemed to make sense. Josh hung his head and mumbled, “I kissed Suzie.”

“Exactly,” Billy said. “But I wasn’t able to kiss Ian.” Billy pointed to the dance floor. “Your wife is out there dancing with my partner, but if you wanted to dance with her, you could break in. But if I wanted to dance with Ian, and I sure as hell do, I can’t. Do you see my point now?”

Josh frowned. “I do, Billy, I get it. Look, I think everyone should be free to love whomever they choose. I don’t get what all the hoopla is about, but unless you’re willing to chance your career for your relationship, I’d give this a lot of thought.”

Billy nodded. “I have, and I will continue to until I find a way to make it work for all parties. But thanks for listening.”

Josh rested a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Any time. And I’ll tell you what I’ll do.”

Billy cocked his head to the side.

“I’ll do a little behind the scenes investigating to see if anything like this has ever happened at Capitol and see how they handled it. If they didn’t terminate a contract, then a precedent might be set, which could help if you did decide to make a move and it got ugly.”

“Thank you, Josh. I knew you’d understand.”

Before Josh could answer, Ian and Suzie bounced up, followed by Jean and Jules.

“You got yourself quite the little dancer,” Ian told Josh. “She’s all but worn me out.” Ian slid in next to Billy and leaned in close. “But don’t worry, I saved one more for you.”

Billy reached under the table and squeezed Ian’s knee.

“Me too,” Ian whispered.

ITWAS not quite 4:00 a.m. when the limo pulled up in front of their town house.

“Congratulations, Billy,” Buster said as he closed their limo door.

“Thanks, man,” Billy replied. “And thanks for all you do for me. I’m lucky to have you in my organization.”

“Happy to be here,” Buster said. “And hey? When are you gonna get a place of your own and stop mooching off Ian?”

“Hell, I don’t know,” Billy said. “I’m always on the road, so it’s one less thing I have to worry about. And besides… it seems like a waste of good money to pay for a house that’ll sit empty most of the time while I’m away. Maybe one day, though.”

Ian breathed a sigh of relief at Billy’s quick thinking. “Hey, Buster, what the fuck?” he said, looking back over his shoulder as he walked up the front steps. “What are trying to do? Break me? I rely on his rental income.”

“Oh shit! You guys are too funny,” Buster said, laughing. “Have a good night, guys.”

As Ian unlocked the front door, he heard Billy’s voice. “Drive safely.”

Ian laid his tuxedo coat and bow tie over the banister and pulled his boots off and dropped them in the foyer. He walked into the den, plugged his phone into his stereo, and opened iTunes. He queued up the song he’d downloaded in the limo and set his phone down on the hearth.

Billy turned the deadbolt with an audible click, and Ian sighed. Behind closed doors. Finally!

When Billy walked into the den, Ian took him by the hand and led him to the couch. He slid Billy’s tuxedo coat over his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. He pushed Billy down to the couch and sat in front of him on the ottoman. He untied Billy’s bow tie and let it hang around his neck as he released the top button of Billy’s shirt. One of Billy’s boots was next, and he cradled Billy’s foot in his lap and rubbed it for a few minutes before reaching for the other.

When Ian was done massaging Billy’s feet, he got up, walked over to his phone, and pressed the play button. The intro started for Rascal Flats singing “Bless the Broken Road.”

Billy grinned broadly. “You remembered our song.”

“You mean… the song you sang at Jean’s shortly after we started dating.”

“The song I sang to you,” Billy added. “It fit so perfectly.”

Ian nodded. “And still does. More so now, I think.”

He offered his hand to Billy, and when Billy took it, Ian pulled him up onto his socked feet and brought him in close. “I’ve been waiting for this moment all night.”

Five years hadn’t dampened his attraction to his cowboy. Every time they were this close, Ian’s heart still threatened to beat right out of his chest.

“Me too,” Billy said, leaning down and covering Ian’s lips with his own. When Billy’s tongue slipped into Ian’s opened mouth, Ian’s heart rate increased yet again. By the time the kiss finally ended, they were both breathless.

“I’m so proud of you, Cowboy,” Ian murmured. “And I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Ian. None of this would have been possible without you. I’ll never be able to find enough ways to thank you. But I swear I’ll die trying.”

“I’ll start making a list,” Ian teased. “Now, I promised I’d save you a dance. Dance with me, dammit.”

Ian put his left hand in Billy’s right and took the lead position. He slid his other hand around to the small of Billy’s back and brought him in closer.

“You’re gonna lead and everything?” Billy asked.

“It’s your night off, Billy Boy. I’m doing all the work.”

Billy pulled back and looked Ian in the eyes. “All the work?”

Ian nodded and drew Billy in again. “All the work,” he whispered. “Now move with me.”

And Billy did. They swayed slowly to the music, Billy following Ian’s lead. Eventually Ian dropped his left hand and slid it behind Billy’s back, resting it on Billy’s ass. Billy wrapped both arms around Ian’s neck, ran his fingers through Ian’s hair, his breath heavy on Ian’s neck. Damn if Billy’s gentle touch didn’t go straight to Ian’s crotch. The combination of Billy in his arms and Billy’s groin grinding against his had Ian’s erection pressing against the inside of his tuxedo pants.

When the song ended, Ian rose up on his tiptoes and kissed Billy gently. “Let’s go upstairs.”

Billy smiled down at him as Ian took him by the hand and led him through the hall and up the stairs. When they reached the bedroom, Billy started unbuttoning his own shirt, and Ian slapped his hands away. “Me” was all he said.

Ian finished undoing Billy’s shirt and slid the bow tie out from under his collar. He moved to Billy’s wrists and removed his cufflinks one at a time. Then he slipped Billy’s shirt over his shoulders. Next Ian released Billy’s pants. They fell to the floor, and Billy stepped out of them. Ian led him to the bed, eased him down, and knelt in front of him as he removed Billy’s socks.

Standing in front of Billy, Ian slowly and seductively undressed while Billy’s eyes bored into his. When he was down to his underwear, he maneuvered Billy onto his back and climbed on top of him. Ian crushed his lips against Billy’s desperately, needing to be as close as he could possibly get.

Ian slid down and straddled Billy’s knees. He ran his hands gently over Billy’s tight abs, needing to feel his warm skin. He pulled Billy’s underwear down and hooked them under Billy’s balls, exposing his erection. Ian then ran his tongue up and down Billy’s length several times and then moved lower, to his balls, taking them one by one into his mouth and sucking gently.

Billy trembled beneath him, letting the smallest of whimpers escape his lips. Ian pulled Billy’s underwear completely off, and Billy opened his legs, allowing Ian access to every part of him. Ian slid his hands under Billy’s ass and raised him off the bed a little as he took Billy’s length into his mouth.

Billy gasped as Ian swallowed him down to the back of his throat and then slid back up again. Ian fisted Billy’s erection and moved his hand up and down in unison with his mouth. Billy’s breathing increased, and Ian gripped the sheets under them. Suddenly Billy’s hands were running through Ian’s hair and guiding his head up and down. With each stroke of Ian’s mouth, Billy’s head and shoulders rose off the bed and then down again as he arched his back. Ian moved lower yet and ran his tongue over the little patch of skin between Billy’s balls and opening. Billy raised his knees, giving Ian more access, and Ian took advantage of the opportunity. He grabbed the back of Billy’s thighs and pushed his legs back, then ran his tongue over the area continuously until Billy was gyrating under him. Ian spread Billy’s cheeks apart and teased his opening with his tongue, getting it ready for what was coming next. When Billy was covered in saliva, Ian licked his finger and slipped it inside. Billy gasped again and pushed against the invasion.

Ian moved his finger around until Billy cried out in pleasure. He instinctively honed in on the spot that always brought Billy to the verge of sharing his load much too quickly. Ian leaned forward and licked the head of Billy’s leaking cock, tasting a sample of Billy’s juices that made him hungry for more. He took Billy into his mouth again and sucked in unison with his finger penetrating Billy’s opening.

“You,” Billy screamed. “Now!”

Ian pulled off and chuckled. “What a bossy bottom you are.”

“Now, Ian,” Billy cried out again.

Billy reached into the nightstand drawer and threw a bottle of lube at Ian, hitting him in the chest. “A dangerous and bossy bottom,” Ian teased.

He coated his length in lube and rubbed more over Billy’s opening. He positioned himself and pushed in gently. Billy cried out again, and Ian stopped.

“Don’t stop!” Billy said. “Move.”

Ian pushed all the way in until he was at Billy’s core. Warmth surrounded every inch of his length, and Billy tightened and pulsed around him as he took himself in hand and stroked. Ian slapped his hand away and repeated, “Me. All me.”

Billy put both hands behind his head and offered Ian a seductive smile, gazing at him with so much desire, Ian thought he might lose his load right then. He gave Billy a minute to adjust and then started moving, slowly at first. He slid almost all the way out, held there for a second, and then plunged all the way back in again.

“Jesus!” Billy hissed, fisting the sheets and arching his back.

Ian rode the waves of desire flowing through him with each and every thrust, and every time Billy cried out, Ian got closer and closer to his release.

Ian took Billy’s length in hand and pumped it in time with his thrusts, picking up the pace. They were now slapping against each other so hard Billy’s head was bent against the headboard. But he didn’t seem to care. He was obviously there for the ride, and Ian didn’t want to disappoint.

“Now, Ian, I’m—oh Jesus!” Billy screamed.

Billy tightened around Ian as he shot his load, the first spurt landing on his chin. Ian kept pumping, and Billy released the rest of his load on his chest and abs.

As Billy shuddered under him, Ian felt his release building. The first signs of orgasm started to course through him, and he instinctively picked up his pace again.

Billy was still taking it like a man, and when Ian’s balls tightened, he filled Billy with his release.

“Billy!” Ian called. “Oh God, Billy.”

Billy gripped the backs of Ian’s thighs and pulled Ian against him. Hard.

Ian’s orgasm seemed to last forever, and Billy was still holding his own. Ian finally slowed until he collapsed on top of Billy. They lay still. Ian didn’t want to move as they panted and attempted to catch their breath, and Billy made no objection until Ian finally began to pull out.

“No,” Billy whispered as Ian slipped from him. “Not. Ready.”

Ian slid off of Billy and lay on his back. Billy rested his head on Ian’s chest, and Ian took Billy into his arms and held him tightly as they lay in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

Sometime later Ian slipped from the bed and returned with a warm cloth. He cleaned Billy and himself and then tossed the cloth to the floor. When he crawled back in bed and snuggled up behind his sleepy lover, Billy took his arm and pulled it against his chest. “I love you, Ian. Thank you.”

“I love you too, Cowboy. And congratulations again.”

Chapter Two

IANWOKE to the sound of a cell phone ringing. He reached behind him and ran his hand over the surface of his bedside table. Where is the damn phone? Ian looked over his shoulder, but his phone wasn’t anywhere in sight. He sat up and realized the sound was coming from the floor, from Billy’s tuxedo pants to be exact. That’s Billy’s phone? He looked back at Billy, who was sleeping soundly, and didn’t have the heart to wake him. Shit!