*****************************************************

Danny got his key out, thankful to be home at last. All he wanted was get into his room and close his sister out, hopefully without having to say another word to her for the rest of the night. Angel waited for him to unlock the door, tapping her foot on the floor, and her long nails on the wall in a counterpoint of impatience. She pushed past him the second he turned the doorknob, on her way to the kitchen for another drink. He paused, considered saying something, but then shrugged and let it pass. Hopefully she wouldn’t “push” him any further than that tonight. He wasn’t sure he could keep his temper much longer, not if she brought up calling Edward to come over again, he thought grimly.

“Danny, don’t we have any wine left from our party last weekend?”

He hesitated at the doorway to his bedroom and counted to ten before answering.

“No, Angel. You drank it all the next day with those people you brought home from that audition, remember? You sent me out to get some more but the store was closed by the time I got there.”

“Damn. Well, you must not have gotten enough the first time,” she giggled. “Call George and tell him we’re out of wine. He’ll bring some over.”

Danny leaned on the doorframe and stared over towards the kitchen. He could just see part of her rear since she was still bent over, foraging through their refrigerator for something to drink. Damn, she was skinny these days.

“I don’t think we should bother George. Drink some water if you’re thirsty, and how about eating something,” he suggested, managing to keep his voice calm.

She straightened up and looked at him incredulously, her hand on the open door of the appliance.  “Babyface, a person doesn’t drink wine because a person is thirsty, a person drinks wine because....”

“Because a person has a drinking problem? Because a person doesn’t know when to stop? Because a person has issues with her life and doesn’t know how to solve them? Tell me when I’m getting warm, Angelface.” Danny stormed over and slammed the refrigerator door. “We don’t need to air condition the apartment by way of the refrigerator and you don’t need a drink of wine or beer or anything else alcoholic. Drink water or maybe coffee...decaf coffee at this time of night. And God knows, some food wouldn’t be a bad idea. You look like shit.”

Her temper could explode as quickly as his. “How dare you talk to me like that, you arrogant little ass! So what if I’m looking a little tired? We can’t all look as perfect as you do all the time, can we?” Angel’s temper faded as quickly as it had flared and suddenly her eyes were filled with tears. She slumped down into a crouch on the floor, her hands resting between her knees and her hair hanging over her eyes as the tears fell.

Danny bit back the angry response he wanted to make, to tell her that she’d look a hell of a lot better if she tried exercising instead of sleeping all day and partying all night, and if she’d try eating healthy food instead of a steady diet of drugs and alcohol. Instead, he reached down and pulled her up into a close hug.

“Angel, please...why don’t you let me fix you something to eat? It’s not that late after all, let’s have dinner.” He patted her back as she rested her head on his shoulder. He sighed. He could feel her spine and ribs through her thin top. At five ten, she was almost as tall as he was, but she was so thin these days, she felt fragile in his arms. She must be down to a little over a hundred pounds, which might be fine for some high fashion models, personally, he didn’t think so, but it definitely didn’t suit her formerly voluptuous frame.

“Come on, sis, I’ll make you something. You love having me wait on you,” he coaxed as he stroked her tangled hair soothingly.

She laughed weakly. “Danny, you cook even worse than I do.”

He grinned sheepishly. “Well, that’s true, but how about I buy us something to eat. This is New York, someone will deliver food this time of night.”

“Yes, George will. And he’ll bring me something to drink too. George loves us. At least he loves me, you he tolerates,” she teased. Before he could protest, she looked up at him, her brilliant green eyes appearing far too large in her thin face. “I promise to eat a nice healthy dinner if you’ll agree to let me call George. And if you act nice when he comes over.” She kept her arms wrapped around his neck as she presented her deal, her voice low and soft. Angel never whined. It was one of her more pleasant characteristics he mused, that her nagging was never done in an annoying voice, but instead was delivered in a soft alto with a hint of their mother’s Irish accent.

Danny sighed. “You know it isn’t George I object to, Angel....”

She smiled impishly, the devilish light in her eye revealing how sure she was that she’d won.

“Maybe he’ll come alone. In fact, I’ll tell him just that when I call, okay? I’ll say that only he is wanted. I’ll tell him that I’m hungry for a late night snack and why doesn’t he come over and whip me up one of his great gnoshes? You could use something too, you know, after all that energetic singing you did tonight with that big French guy.” She smirked at him, completely happy now that she was so confident that she’d gotten her way.

Danny wasn’t much better at saying no to her than anyone else was. It would be better for Angel if he was, he thought guiltily. But a smile tugged at his lips against his will as he saw the light come back to her eyes when she let go of him to head for the phone.

“That should do the trick nicely. I’m sure that Edward wouldn’t dream of coming over where he wasn’t wanted.” Angel held the phone up and waited for Danny’s permission. As confident as she was of getting it, she still waited for his verbal consent. That was the O’Keefe way–a deal had to be nailed down clearly. The familiarity of the ritual was comforting even as it was annoying.

Danny tipped his head and considered his options as he stared at his waif-like sister. She needed to eat. She had the munchies, that was apparent, someone must have had some weed tonight and shared with her. If he didn’t stay up with her, she was just as likely to head back out alone the second he went to bed. Yet, much as he liked George, the last thing he felt like was entertaining George’s boss in their apartment at this time of night. He had no illusions about Angel– this was without a doubt a plan worked out by Edward to use her to win an invitation to Danny’s home. No doubt Edward hoped that the lateness of the hour would be to his benefit and the conscienceless man thought Danny’s defenses would be down. Edward and George were probably waiting around the corner with the fixings for a gourmet snack. The request for wine was a ruse from the start–oh, Angel wanted wine all right, but she knew that Danny wouldn’t get it for her. Danny felt disgusted with himself for falling for it right on cue– he may as well have had a damn script. If only he could be sure that Edward would feed Angel if Danny weren’t here as bait, he’d head out now and leave her to her own devices.

Actually...that thought gave him an idea for how to change their little script. Edward wouldn’t give a damn about what Angel needed, all he cared about was getting into Danny’s bed, but once here, George could be trusted to do the right thing. Danny smiled across at Angel as she waited impatiently to make her call.

“Okay, you win. But I’ll call and ask George to bring you some food. Edward can come over with him. But you have to eat. A full meal. That’s the deal.” He raised an eyebrow and she nodded. He smiled at her, satisfied. “You go change out of that outfit and get your comfy clothes on. No sense being all dolled up for a bunch of gay men. Not at almost two in the morning.”

She shot him a naughty look. “I can inspire some gay men to switch hit.”

“I have no doubt,” he answered dryly, even as he thought that he should be so lucky as to have Edward Simon switch his obsession from him to Angel. That would solve two problems. He’d be free him to pursue his dance career here in New York and he’d have someone else to watch over Angel. Edward could support her in the manner to which she felt entitled. God knew she needed a richer man than he was. Having a physician like George around would be handy too, given her addictive personality–to put it euphemistically, as Sam would say. Actually, Sam wouldn’t put it euphemistically at all, Danny thought, biting his lip as he walked into his bedroom with the cordless phone and listened as it rang. Arthur might shake his head and mouth comforting platitudes, and Roz would probably crack jokes, but Sam would come right out and say it: Angel was an addict and needed help.

“Hello?” George answered his cell before the second ring. Gee, still up, what a fucking surprise. Danny made a face at his mirror but his voice revealed no trace of his annoyance as he cheerfully spoke. 

“Hey, George! Sorry to bother you so late, did I wake you?”

“Not at all, Edward and I stopped off for a quiet drink with an old friend after leaving Angel with you at Diva’s so we’re still here in the Village. We just got the car from the parking garage attendant in fact. What can I do for you?”

Wow, Danny thought, Angel and Edward have their manipulations timed down to the second, practically. I wonder what she would have done if I ‘d agreed to get the wine when she first asked? Probably called him to come over while I was out and then pretended they just stopped by on the spur of the moment. Still...he forced himself to sound friendly. It wasn’t George’s fault that Angel collaborated with the enemy, he reminded himself. Really wasn’t her fault either. It was just her nature. If this were World War II and we were in France, Angel would never run out of silk stockings and chocolates.

“This is incredibly pushy of me, George, and feel free to tell me to pound sand,” like that’ll happen, Danny thought, “but wonder of wonders, Angel is actually willing to eat and is willing to either go out somewhere and eat or have something here at the apartment, but since most places close by are closed and neither of us can cook....”

Danny let his voice trail off hopefully. As expected, George laughed indulgently. Danny wondered uncomfortably whether his friend was in on the other two’s plotting or whether he was an innocent bystander as he always seemed to be. Not that the word “innocent” and George ever seemed to belong in the same sentence. Sam said only the O’Keefe siblings would treat that obvious killer as a pet. Danny told him that was merely because George was a pussycat compared to some of his sisters but in all seriousness, George, who’d been in the British military, reminded him of his brother Luke and his Green Beret buddies, especially one that Danny vaguely remembered meeting a long time ago. George wouldn’t ever talk about his military days but it was easy to see he’d been a soldier and Danny liked and instinctively trusted soldiers.

“Hmm, and who do you know who can cook and who likes the both of you well enough to feed you at this time of the morning?” The clipped British accent softened a bit with humor.

“That’s the thing, I can’t think of a damn person. I was wondering if you could recommend an all-night diner with decent veggie burgers for me and omelets for her?”

“I think we can manage something without you two having to go out foraging on the streets of New York for food.” George paused. “Why don’t Edward and I swing by the market and bring some fresh bread and I’ll whip up an omelet for each of us? That bakery Angel likes down near Hudson will be open....”

“George, no bakery is open this time of night,” Danny interrupted the smooth line of bull he was being handed.

“Trust me, Danny, this bakery will be.”

So, some poor bakery schmuck is being coerced into opening the shop late...or early is more like it,’ Danny thought guiltily. Then he realized that Edward was probably making it very worth the bakery person’s while to open his doors, so in the interests of capitalism and free enterprise, he shouldn’t feel so bad. Angel’s snack attack was no doubt making some guy’s whole week. It wasn’t every night that a crazy billionaire wants to come into your shop in the middle of the night and is willing to pay through the nose for the privilege of doing so.

“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind...we’ll just be lazing around in our jammies,” Danny kept his voice light and teasing. He considered whether he should feel bad about tricking George along with Edward, but a moment’s prodding of his internal guilt meter assured him that he felt nary a twinge from that overly sensitive system. George really shouldn’t go along with the rotten Edward so easily. Luke always said that they could trust George implicitly, but Danny worried sometimes that Edward had some kind of hold over George that would put his interests ahead of what was best for the O’Keefe siblings. Why would any decent person work for such a bastard?

George’s normally cool voice was warm with his amusement. “I think I can handle seeing you in pajamas, child, but such a sight may be too much for Edward’s heart. Perhaps you’d better throw on some sweatpants or something less...provocative.”

Danny smiled to himself. “Sweatpants are my pj’s, George. It’s Angel who goes the Victoria’s Secret route. But I’ll take your comments under advisement if I want to cause Edward to have a heart attack sometime. Thanks for agreeing to stop by. Angel has agreed to eat a full meal if you come over and I’m counting on you to hold her to that bargain, okay? Bring a lot as we’re both famished. But no wine. She wants some but I would prefer she not drink any more tonight.”

“Understood, Danny,” the cool voice agreed quickly. Danny suspected that George picked up on more than he was saying. Bright man, George.

“See you soon, then.” Danny hung up and then looked over his shoulder. Angel was staring at him from his bedroom doorway.

“You told him not to bring wine. That wasn’t very nice of you, baby brother.” Storm clouds gathered on the once-beautiful face that was now eerie in its resemblance to him; even sadder was its haunting resemblance to her younger, lovelier self.

He looked back at her steadily. “I think it was very nice of me. I called him, didn’t I? I’m letting Edward come over here just like the two of you planned, aren’t I? Two out of three’s not bad, Angel face. Don’t knock it, because if you push me, I’ll call back and cancel this rendezvous of yours with Edward. I mean it.”

She flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my rendez-vous....”

“Can it, Angel. I’m not stupid. You and Edward planned to meet back here all along. Why you bothered with this whole charade is beyond me.”

“Exactly. If I want to have friends back here, why would I have any charade? This is half my apartment! I can have anyone here I want, any time I want, with wine, if I want, whenever I want,” she announced in her low, intense voice.

Danny raised an eyebrow. “Really? Fine. There’s no problem then that I can see. I can just head out and sleep over at Arthur’s place. You can have your little late night party without me. But remember our deal. I agreed to invite them over and in exchange, you eat. The whole meal George makes for you.”

If he weren’t so tired and ticked off, he would find her dismayed expression pretty fucking funny, Danny thought, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against his dresser.

“You can’t just head out after inviting them over! It would be rude! They’re going to that bakery over on Hudson and George is making....”

Danny pounced.

“How did you know they were going to the bakery on Hudson, Ange? I just got off the phone with George and didn’t even tell you anything about the bakery yet! You’re so bad at this, I can’t believe Edward trusts you as his conspirator! Can’t he get someone else to backstab me besides my own fucking sister?”

She stared at him, chewing her lip. Danny had to give her credit. Angel always knew a lost cause. Some of his sisters, Mary Fran and Mary Pat came to mind, would try making a few excuses before throwing in the towel and it only served to piss him off even more when they did.

“Don’t worry, I told George I’d be here so I’ll be here to make sure you keep your part of the deal. At least for a little while. But I didn’t say I’d be alone. Your friends are coming over so I think I’ll have a few of my friends over. We’ll have a fucking party. What does it matter if I was working all week and would have liked to have gone to bed. Angel wants to have a party in the middle of the damn night so we’ll have a fucking party.”

“Oh poor Danny,” she mocked, her brief panic over now that she was assured that she wouldn’t be depriving her rich buddy of his promised prize. “You’re twenty-one years old. How tired could you be? When I was your age, I hardly ever went to bed before dawn.” She turned to saunter back to the kitchen.

“It shows,” he called after her cattily.

“Bitch,” she called back to him.

“Takes one to know one,” he yelled, feeling extremely childish but not caring. He was tired, damn her, and fed up with Edward Simon’s machinations. He’d really liked Etienne Lanier and had wanted to get to know him better tonight after they’d sung together so amazingly. But with Edward and Angel interfering, that had proved impossible. She’d pulled Etienne off to dance and Edward kept monopolizing him despite his best efforts to snub the man.

Still, he had gotten Lanier’s phone number. Danny smiled. Maybe his idea of calling several of his friends over wasn’t such a bad idea, as long as he included one particular guest. And as long as he chose the other guests properly, and things worked out right, perhaps he would be leaving his own party after all. He pulled out the small piece of paper from his back pocket where it had been placed after the tall Frenchman had given up on getting better acquainted and left the bar before the O’Keefes. On his way out, Lanier had stopped by Danny, his hand resting lightly at Danny’s waist. It was then that he’d slipped him his phone number.

“Perhaps we could see each other again? I know I would like to see you, my Marius, but perhaps without your charming sister?” he’d whispered in Danny’s ear, the blue eyes ruefully acknowledging Angel’s blatant attempts to keep them apart.

Closing the bedroom door and lying down on his bed, Danny dialed the number. He hoped he wasn’t misreading the situation and that Etienne would be glad to hear from him this soon.

“Hello?”

“Hi...it’s me, Danny...Danny O’Keefe, did I wake you up?” For a moment, uncertainty hit Danny.

Silence for all of five seconds followed. “Of course not...or at least, if I am dreaming I hope you don’t wake me up now, that would be completely unfair, don’t you think?” Teasing laughter filled the line. Danny relaxed. He felt the same connection he’d felt in the bar earlier, and even earlier than that, actually. He’d felt something click between him and this man when they met in the theater. His instincts told him that Etienne Lanier was different even as his practical inner voice – never went completely off-duty – mocked him for being such a romantic idealist.

“Totally unfair,” Danny agreed. “That’s why I was wondering if you’d be interested in coming over here for a late night snack? Angel’s hungry, which happens about as often as paisley with stripes is fashionable, so we have to take advantage of it when it does. She’s got some friends of hers bringing over some food and I feel in need of some companionship too. So, do you want to come to our pajama party?” Danny lowered his voice suggestively.

“A pajama party sounds promising. Do I need to bring pajamas?” The rich baritone held just the right amount of enthusiasm without being overly excited. Danny liked to feel that he was doing some of the chasing, something Edward Simon was too arrogant to appreciate. For the first time since his ill-fated trip back home to Pittsburgh, Danny realized that he was feeling truly intrigued by someone...someone who wasn’t hazel-eyed and auburn haired. For a second, the realization left him feeling somewhat unbalanced. Then, taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes and answered firmly. “Pajamas are definitely going to be optional at this pajama party, monsieur Lanier. Let me give you the address.”

Danny hung up and smiled. Now to consider who else to invite. Who did he know who would still be up, would be happy to come over and eat food but not expect booze or drugs, and would entertain Edward Simon with eye candy but not be scared to death by him or George? Damn he would owe some favors after this.

He started dialing.

 

*****************************************************

Etienne closed his cell phone with a delighted smile and jumped up from his bed. He’d just gotten out of the shower when the phone rang. A shower spent thinking of a certain green-eyed Apollo, if the truth were to be told, but he would not be telling it. He was a smart enough man to see, even if the shrewd Sam and kindly Arthur had not hinted as much, that young Daniel was tired to death of men who chased after him. The handsome young man was known to have sex in the clubs, yes, much sex, but he spent his time in that piano bar where the older gay men hung out and where he could relax among friends. If Etienne wanted to get close to him and be more than a one night stand, he would have to become acceptable to that group, he knew.

This invitation, now, was it an opportunity to become close, or was it a trick? As he dressed, Etienne considered the question. That woman, Danny’s sister, she was an odd one. She’d regaled him with tales of her brother’s wicked ways, of exploits in backrooms and clubs which would put a man several years older than Danny O’Keefe to blush. Or do him proud, Etienne wasn’t quite sure which way she intended it. If she thought to embarrass him, Etienne thought, she mistook her man. The New York club scene had a way to go before it could match Paris in decadence; there was something to be said for having a several hundred year head start after all. Etienne had listened to her prattle on, until the Englishman, George, had come over to pry her away, telling her that the other man wanted her.

That man, George, he too, was an enigma. Before he could turn away, Etienne had stopped him with a casual question. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

A slim man with silvery blond hair, he had stilled, and then looked levelly at Etienne. Not unfriendly, just very cold. He spoke in a cool, clipped voice, his accent barely noticeable, except to a fellow foreigner, perhaps. “I don’t believe so. My name is Main. We didn’t meet properly I’m afraid, as Angel has been monopolizing you.” The man had quite cold eyes but Etienne knew that distinctive shade of gray anywhere, especially coupled with that dimpled chin. He’d reached out his hand as he introduced himself.

“My name is Lanier, Etienne Lanier, and I could swear we’ve met before Lord Linton ... Mainwaring, isn’t it? Not Main?”

The gray eyes grew even frostier. “I assure you, you are mistaken. I am George Main. There is a distant branch of the family by the name of Mainwaring, perhaps that is the family of whom you are thinking. British genealogy is fraught with complications one finds, much like French.”

“Oh quite, shake the family tree on both sides in my case and a bastard or two will come tumbling out,” Etienne had cheerfully replied, more positive than ever that the man in front of him was the second son of the British Earl of Mainwaring. He’d heard that the younger son had been cut off from the family for being caught in some scandal in the service but how he’d ended up here, toadying up to this half-bred billionaire boor was a mystery. He’d resolved to check this out further as soon as possible.

In the meantime, he’d retired from the competition for the evening, but not without leaving his number with young Daniel. He hadn’t dared to hope that he’d actually hear from him, much less that the handsome young man would call that very night.

Now all he had to do was figure out the right way to act once he got there. There was no question in his mind that the other “friends” that Angel O’Keefe would have there would be Simon and Linton, aka, Main. He wondered if anyone else would be there or if it would be just the five of them. He grabbed his keys and wallet. It was definitely a situation that warranted the luxury of taking a cab. With any luck he would arrive there before the other guests.
 

*****************************************************
 

George almost dropped the bag of fresh baked rolls when the door to the apartment opened to reveal what seemed to be yards of bare muscular torso.

“God give me strength,” he murmured in a slightly strangled voice, unsure whether he would have to physically restrain Edward, who pressed against him from behind, eager to get a closer look at the vision in the doorway.

“God give me that,” his cousin murmured beneath his breath, before he whistled appreciatively. George turned and gave Edward an exasperated look as the older man pushed past him to walk into the apartment. Danny returned the look with his own cool-eyed gaze, then winked when he saw that George wasn’t buying the cool facade in the slightest.

“You are an idiot sometimes,” George hissed at the younger man, as Danny lifted the bags from his arms, taking advantage of Edward’s momentary distraction as he removed his coat.

“Good thing I have you around then, to protect me,” Danny replied in a similarly low tone, giving George a one-armed hug. With his other arm filled with the bags of groceries he’d taken from George, Danny wasn’t able to keep Edward from coming back from hanging up his coat to help himself to a hug and kiss as well. Danny let him grope for a second, then turned his head to keep Edward’s second kiss from landing on his lips. Freeing his arm from around George, he used it to grasp Edward’s elbow tightly, causing him to inhale sharply.

Danny smiled pleasantly, keeping his grip on Edward’s arm; Edward’s paling face revealing that he was experiencing more than moderate discomfort simply from Danny’s hand applying pressure. George stepped closer and clasped Danny’s wrist, applying pressure of his own to cause Danny to release immediately. The three men looked at each other but not a word was spoken about the incident–none were needed.

“Come on, let’s get these bags into the kitchen, Danny,” George said after a minute of silence during which Edward stood, rubbing his arm and staring at Danny who returned his gaze challengingly.

“Edward, why don’t you sit in the living room and admire the view they have of the skyline? I’ll bring you a drink in a moment.” George spoke briskly to ease them out of the difficult moment. He could tell from the young man’s stormy face that he was about to blow up over whatever liberties Edward might take within the ostensible purview of his welcome as Angel’s guest. But, if Danny was going to react like that to a simple hug and attempt at a kiss, why the almost nudity, which he had to have realized would get Edward started? George wondered what Danny was playing at, since it wasn’t like him to be a cocktease, certainly not with Edward. If Danny had thought he could control Edward, he had a rude awakening coming; no one controlled Edward. Certainly not George, who was beginning to regret being talked into coming here this late. Emotions were bound to be running high between the adrenalin and fatigue.

“I can admire the view from where I am,” Edward drawled, as he gave another wolf whistle, his gaze fixed on Danny’s crotch which was nicely outlined in the low slung sweatpants.

That’s what the brat gets for wearing that around Edward, George thought, irritated. What was it about O’Keefe males and their need to be exhibitionists? Of course, at that point Angel walked into the room, reminding George that exhibitionism was not an exclusively male O’Keefe trait. Her outfit would have gotten her sent to a convent if one of her older brothers had been around.

Feeling gallant, Edward tried to pass off his appreciative whistle as intended for Angel, who was wearing a Victoria’s Secret cami and shorts set–a very sheer outfit that left even less to the imagination than her brother’s sweats. But that subterfuge didn’t fooled any of them, Angel least of all. Danny watched his sister flirt with Edward while he posed in the kitchen doorway. After disposing of the groceries, he arranged himself against the doorframe, as his long legs stretched out across the opening, his arms high up above his head, his torso arched.....Even George swallowed twice looking at him.

The boy was too sexy for his own good, he thought. He looked like he was just waiting to be fucked into the wall.

The trouble with putting an image like that into Edward’s mind, George mused, was that giving the man any more reason to fixate on Danny was not in Danny’s best interests. Surely the boy wasn’t about to give in to Edward after all this time? The little power play by the door would indicate no, or it could merely have been Danny’s way of demonstrating his dominance, ruffling his tail feathers, so to speak. George frowned, trying to work it out as he unloaded the bags of bread and groceries onto the counter that doubled as a prep table for the kitchen. No sooner had he finished than the buzzer from the street sounded again.

“More company?” Edward asked, sending Angel a sharp look. She looked cornered. George narrowed his eyes and frowned. Angel knew that Edward had wanted time alone with Danny and would never have gone against him. That left...George looked to Danny for an answer.

Danny was smiling lazily as he straightened up and headed for the front door. “This is my company. I decided that since Angel was having friends over, I would have a little pajama party of my own.”

George’s frown cleared. His normally expressionless mask returned as he realized what Danny’s game was. The boy was playing with fire, he thought, watching Edward watch Danny walk gracefully to the door to buzz the newcomers up. Anger was mixed with the naked lust that shone on Edward’s face as he stared at the way the soft gray cotton clung to the firm curves of the dancer’s ass. George worried that Danny’s reliance on his being able to “protect” him might be misplaced. When Edward made up his mind about something or someone, no one could stop him.

George wondered if he’d be able to talk Edward into going back to England for awhile this summer. He knew one thing: it would be a lot easier to keep Edward distracted and away from Danny if Angel O’Keefe weren’t so eager to help Edward in his pursuit of her brother. George was tempted to bring Luke in on the matter to deal with his sister. The only trouble with that idea was that he couldn’t see any way of stopping Luke from also wanting to take care of Edward– on a permanent basis–while he was at it. As bad as Edward was, George owed him his loyalty. He’d been there for him when no one else was.

After that first buzzer, which brought two young male models who frequently worked with Danny, and who were very demonstrative with their affection for him, the front door became very busy for the next several minutes with young people arriving, both male and female, although predominantly male. George had to smile as Danny’s theme of a slumber party was certainly being taken literally by his guests, who came attired in their bedtime best. Some came in flannel pajamas, complete with coordinating teddy bears and pillows, others in satin and lace negligees, which did not necessarily suit their six foot four inch male frames but were fetching in an off-beat way, George decided. He was torn between amusement over Danny’s balls at thwarting Edward so totally, and concern at how Edward would react to being so completely cock-blocked by a room full of beautiful young people all more than twenty years younger than him and for the most part oblivious to his presence.

Soon pillows and blankets were being spread on the floor and the party really was turning into a slumber party. Edward and Angel were being pulled into a circle that was telling ghost stories in the corner. George hid a smile as he delivered a tray of snacks to the group. Edward shared a look of wry amusement with him. For the moment, as Edward fed Angel bits of fruit and cheese from the tray as she sat on his lap and he kept these normally jaded New York young people entranced with a ghost story from their home county, George felt the old fondness for him surface. Even Danny, talking to a couple of his friends on the other side of the room, had glanced over with surprised approval a few times. George was torn between wishing that Edward could be like this more often, and concerned that Danny would be fooled be this unusual mellowness into unwisely letting down his guard with Edward.

With these conflicting thoughts running through his head, George almost missed Danny getting up to let in someone who was clearly his “special” guest for the night. Watching the key players in the tableau in the living room, George decided this tipped the scale. He definitely wished he’d stayed home and missed this whole drama. As long as Danny had stuck to non-entities like the majority of these guests, at best, Edward might have been amused by Danny’s little slumber party and at worst, he would have been annoyed. None of them would have been taken seriously. Or, if Danny had to have some one guest to focus on, he might have invited over Sam Maxwell. Again, while Maxwell was a very attractive man, his relationship with Danny was completely that of mentor and protégé and Edward was too shrewd to consider him competition in a romantic sense. He was also too smart to take any action against someone Danny cared about in that way; it’s what kept Danny’s little cadre of friends and people like his agent off-limits for any serious retaliation. Edward had a very strict sense of sportsmanship when it came to his stalking and while his code of ethics, such as it was, permitted him to use the disloyal Angel to gain an unfair advantage, he wouldn’t harm Danny’s loyal friends, like Sam and Arthur. At least, not yet, George thought, knowing full well that Edward could not be relied upon to stick to any rules, even those he made up himself, the longer Danny kept him at arm’s length.

With that thought in mind, George was dismayed when Danny introduced his “particular sleep-over guest,” blandly noting to Edward that they’d all met earlier. The Frenchman, Lanier. This was not good, George thought. Not good at all. Seeing the murderous look in Edward’s eyes, he wondered if Luke would be able to get leave any time soon.
 

*****************************************************
 

Danny was having second thoughts about his plan by the time the door buzzer sounded the tenth time. He didn’t let any of his nervousness show, of course, but he found himself wishing he’d just stayed in his room, preferably under the covers, and left Angel to her own devices for the night. He’d never felt as naked as he did walking around in front of Edward Simon while wearing his old gray Penn State sweats. So much for safety in numbers. Maybe he should have gone for the flannel pajamas and teddy bear ensemble like some of the others had? Oh well, too late now to change. At least the party was going well. All of his friends had known not to bring booze nor to expect it, which was amazingly understanding of them, given that this crowd drank like fish and partied like there was no tomorrow, he thought.

The sleepover party was turning out to be a big hit with this bunch. Who would’ve thought? A bunch of sophisticated models and actors were getting a kick out of regressing to their childhood and eating fattening snacks and telling scary stories while bunking down on pillows and blankets on the floor. Amazing. Jenna and Jerri had gone into the kitchen when they arrived and pitched in to help George with the food. They were serving organic juice drinks with the cheeses and bread that Edward and George had brought. He almost laughed when he caught a glimpse of Edward’s face as he’d first looked at some of the guys lounging near him. He could almost like the old bastard. Almost. He was even getting into the spirit of things and he did have a great voice for telling stories. Angel had been munching steadily on cheese as she listened wide eyed to the stories. She looked happy enough, Danny thought with a faint smile as he opened the door. His smile widened as he saw who it was.

“Hey, you made it. I was about ready to give up on you. Did you have any trouble finding the place?” He smiled at Etienne. He did like this man’s looks, he thought, glancing appreciatively over the long lean figure. Lanier was wearing faded jeans, a white shirt and a battered leather jacket, with both the jacket and shirt open at the neck revealing a glimpse of hairy chest that was rather appealing. Danny couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen a gay man who didn’t shave or wax his chest hair, aside from those big burly bear types. That description certainly didn’t fit this lean man and the arousal he’d felt earlier returned as their arms brushed when he took the leather coat to hang it up. His smile deepened at his thoughts and Lanier bent his head closer, charmed by the sight of those boyish dimples.

“It was no trouble at all,” Lanier assured him, “since I took a cab, and of course, New York cab drivers are brilliant and know where every place is, most remarkable, I think. I could never do that job. When I am rich and famous, I will have to have a driver, I think. But here, I brought some wine to your sleep-over party since I wasn’t sure what you would want and you said you had food.” He handed over a couple of bottles of wine as he looked at the crowd in the apartment. So much for getting the chance to know his Adonis better, he thought, hiding his disappointment.

With that sixth sense she had for getting her own way, Angel looked up at just that moment and saw the bottles before Danny could do anything to get rid of them. She crowed with glee, and rushed over to relieve Danny of the wine...and Lanier. Danny flushed and muttered his thanks for the gift. Lanier raised an eyebrow quizzically, realizing that he’d erred but not quite sure how.

Danny watched as Angel dragged Lanier...Etienne... into the room. He wasn’t sure whether or not he wanted to intervene and try salvaging the situation. He felt stupid for being annoyed, but irrational or not, he was disappointed that Etienne had brought the wine. But then again, what had he expected? That the other man would read his mind and know that wine was a bad idea in this apartment? He’d told his other friends not to bring alcohol here, if not expressly tonight, on prior occasions so they knew. Etienne had no reason to know of Angel’s problems. It was Danny’s expectations that were unreasonable, he knew that, just as he knew that he expected too much of men. He didn’t need to hear Arthur and Roz giving him lectures on this every weekend to know he was too picky, that he found fault with every man he met. But why was it that it always seemed so easy to find something wrong with all the men he met, he wondered? None of them measured up to this ideal he held in his mind. Images of hazel eyes, full lips, and dark chestnut hair, long legs and a slim, muscular body filled his mind for a second but he forced them away–buried them where they belonged. Not forgotten, but certainly not for this time in his life, he thought regretfully.

Resolving to keep an open mind about Etienne, he squared his shoulders and followed his sister and the Frenchman into the crowded living room. He’d decided on a part he was going to play tonight and no matter what, he was going to stick to it. That part was Dark Angel incarnate, well, Dark Angel at a slumber party, he thought with an amused lift of his lips, which expression made more than one of his guests give an admiring sigh as he walked past. Danny resolved to keep to his plan, which meant that he would flirt with all of his guests, but that he make Edward particularly crazy by paying special attention to Etienne Lanier, the only person he thought Edward would take seriously. Quite frankly, he was the only one Danny would take seriously of the men present. But, as usual, Angel was doing her best to spike his guns. He frowned as he watched Angel lead Etienne to a corner of the room where the smaller of their two sofas was located. She was still gushing over the wine. She beckoned Edward over as well.
 
“Etienne, that was so incredibly thoughtful of you! Come, sit with me over here and we can get to know each other better. Never mind giving Danny any, he’s a prohibitionist, or teetotaler or something. But I love wine and it just so happens we were fresh out so you are a darling for bringing some. Imagine, having a party and not having any wine? Edward, come on over and join us. We spent enough time on the floor with the children. It’s adult playtime now. Wasn’t this nice of Etienne? To bring some wine? You remember each other, right? You met at Diva’s, and that was only an hour or two ago. Maybe three. George is out in the kitchen cooking food for all of us, he’s a sweetheart, is George. But not as much as you because you brought the wine. Is it French wine? Of course it is, because you’re French and you brought it, that makes it French wine, doesn’t it, Edward? Now, I’ll get some glasses and a corkscrew. Better yet, Danny, wiggle that little ass of yours out to the kitchen and get something to open the wine and some glasses. Toute de suite! Or however you say it, Francophile that you are. Does that mean ‘do it now, toots?’ Wasn’t it nice of Etienne to bring the wine? Just what this party needed!”

“Angel, darling, take a breath and sit down here next to me. You’re beginning to repeat yourself. We all agree it was nice of Lanier. Let Danny get the wine glasses while Mr. Lanier sits down without you hanging onto him, that’s a good girl.” Edward indicated for Angel to sit next to him and she obeyed like an obedient puppy. Etienne took a seat in the armchair opposite them.

Edward was a Class A jerk, Danny felt, but at least he was able to get Angel to stop rambling and behave sometimes. Maybe she listened to him so well because he reminded her of Dad, Danny mused. Giving up on avoiding the wine as a lost cause, he turned to Etienne and asked, “Would you like some wine? Or can I offer you something else?”

“I find that I’m not in the mood for wine right now,” Etienne declined the wine that he really would have preferred, having picked up from Angel’s candid comments and Danny’s expression that the wine had been a faux pas.

“Perhaps later?” Looking around the room, he saw that none of the dozen or so young people lounging around the floor were drinking anything stronger than what looked like fruit juice. He paused, not sure what to request.

Danny had mercy on him, obviously pleased with his decision to pass on the alcohol. Etienne was confused. He had a clear recollection of seeing Danny drink quite heavily with no apparent ill effect or distaste earlier in the evening, but he was quite willing to follow his lead here. While he wasn’t drooling like Simon, he was every bit as affected by the sight of his Adonis in the borderline obscene sweatpants as the older man was. While there were some good looking men in the room, none of them could hold a candle next to Danny.

“I was just going for some more juice, would you like some orange or papaya juice? Or even pomegranate?” Danny gave him one of his double dimpled smiles and leaned close, his long hair falling forward, brushing against Etienne’s face. Etienne took a deep breath.

“Orange juice would be delightful, thank you.” Blue eyes met green as Etienne reached up and gently brushed the lock of wavy hair black behind Danny’s ear.

“You aren’t a teetotaler too, are you, Lanier?” Simon’s mocking voice interrupted the moment.

Danny looked up from Lanier. His voice was cool as he addressed Simon. “You know I’m not a teetotaler, Edward. I simply prefer not to drink after midnight. It isn’t good for my voice or my dancing. For that matter, it isn’t all that beneficial for anyone to drink too much, is it? It can dehydrate a singer’s throat, for one thing, since it’s a diuretic.” He looked at his sister.

“Is it now? I always thought drinking made certain people look rather puffy....” Edward glanced at Angel who was looking at her nails.

“I can tell when you’re talking about me, Edward, I’m not stupid. Get the wine glasses and the corkscrew, Babyface, before I’m forced to behave in an unladylike manner.” Angel’s tone was bright but determined.

Danny sucked in his bottom lip and debated suggesting she have some more juice first.

George came up behind him with a tray. He whispered in his ear, “She’ll be worse if you confront her. Your whole goal tonight in engaging in this farce was to get her to eat so why fight the wrong battle and lose the war? Fill her glass and I’ll make sure she eats more.”

George continued on past Danny with the tray of snacks.

“Angel, I have glasses and a corkscrew here, as well as some more cheeses and breads to go with the wine since you enjoyed the others that you tried. Try some of these and tell me which you like best while Mr. Lanier opens the wine for us?”

“Please, call me Etienne.” The charming smile flashed again as Etienne willingly reached out and accepted the corkscrew from George.

Danny sat down on the arm of his chair, leaning close to him as he capably opened both the red and the white wines he’d brought. Etienne felt Danny’s fingers caressing his shoulders as he pulled the cork out of the final bottle and caught his breath. Mon dieu! He hoped his jeans were loose enough to accommodate his swelling cock or he was going to be very uncomfortable very soon.

“You should have worn your sleep-over clothes like the others did. You’d be much more comfortable now,” the deep voice whispered in his ear just before he leaned forward to pour Angel O’Keefe a glass of the long awaited wine.

Etienne bit his lip and concentrated on pouring with a steady hand. He braced his forearm on his thigh to aid his effort. After he handed Angel a glass, he leaned back and said to her brother under his breath, “But I did, mon petit. I sleep in the nude so my sleep-over clothes are always with me.”

Danny laughed, his breath warm in Etienne’s ear and straightened up. Etienne turned and smiled back at him, his eyes warm with his attraction.

“That is a convenient arrangement. I think if you look, you’ll find I am not quite the petit monsieur,” Danny teased, keeping his voice low and intimate.

“Is this a private conversation or may we all participate? And would it be possible to obtain a glass of wine some time tonight?” Edward inquired lightly. Only someone familiar with him would recognize the danger signs. While that didn’t include Etienne, he was a fairly astute man and could sense the danger emanating from the older man.

Simon was not pleased at the Frenchman interfering in what he’d hoped would be a very pleasant tete-a-tete between him and Danny. He discounted Angel. He knew he could ignore her at his whim and she wouldn’t dare take offense. Plus George could be counted on to entertain her for him. George was a very kind man. But this interloper from France–Danny was using him to make him jealous. Edward would almost be amused and take it as a sign that Danny was actually interested in him enough to want him to be jealous. But he didn’t feel the situation merited that sanguine a reading of Danny’s motives. Moreover, even if that was Danny’s intent, he wouldn’t put it past the young devil to go so far as to sleep with the man to prove whatever point he wished to make and Edward didn’t want to think of this man with his Danny. Not if he could prevent it.

And he could, he suspected. He’d already had the man investigated. He was quite ambitious, this Etienne Lanier, the bastard son of a high born Frenchman. His actress mother was dead and his wealthy father had never acknowledged him. He’d been raised by a great-aunt on his mother’s side, although educated with money the aunt had managed to finagle from the father’s family in exchange for keeping quiet about his parentage. As a consequence of this upbringing, Lanier had more than an ordinary amount of ambition for a young actor with a modicum of talent. To be fair, Edward conceded that his talent probably was more than the average young actor’s, but he wasn’t blessed with leading man looks and until he sang with Danny O’Keefe, Edward wouldn’t have thought he was blessed with an extraordinary voice. After hearing him at Diva’s, he was surprised, and somewhat perturbed by the apparent inaccuracy of the reports on Lanier. Either the man was far more talented than he’d been led to believe or singing with Danny had made him appear to be better than he really was. Edward was inclined to think it was the latter.

Edward waited awhile until Danny’s attention was required by his other guests and Angel had wandered away in search of more wine to engage Lanier in conversation. He hunted the man down in the kitchen where he was talking to George. Edward signaled for George to make himself scarce, smiling faintly at the concerned look he gave him. Sometimes it was easy to forget that George was his cousin; he was so efficient at his job as bodyguard and aide. A former officer in the British special forces, George was not a large man but he had the indefinable look of an efficient killer, and generally managed to intimidate Edward’s enemies without ever having to raise a hand, or even his voice. At the moment, he read Edward’s non-verbal command instantly. Picking up the fresh plate of refreshments that he’d just refilled, he made his excuses to Lanier and headed back out to the main room. He was quite a comfort to him, Edward reflected. Always so quick on the uptake and ready to do his bidding, he could always trust George. He wished he had two more just like him..

Lanier watched George leave the room, then his gaze returned to Simon, his expression wary. “Is there something I can get for you, Mr. Simon? I was just helping your Mr. Main with the food. He is very quick with the knife, isn’t he? It is amazing how fast he is, cutting the vegetables. Like a professional.”

Edward smiled coldly. “He should be. He’s Doctor Main, actually, and more than qualified to dissect a few cucumbers and carrots. A man of many talents and quite the professional, my George. But then, so are you, Etienne Lanier, a man of many talents. I was quite impressed by your performance in Diva’s earlier tonight.”

Etienne leaned back against the counter and folded his arms loosely across his chest. The mysterious “George” had left the kitchen door slightly ajar when he went through it, and Etienne had caught a glimpse of tanned skin above gray cotton through the crack. That was Danny just outside the door, he suspected, but for some reason he was not making his presence known. Ah, the curious young man wanted to find out what plotting was taking place in the kitchen by the devious Edward? Or did he want to find out how Etienne would respond to the devious Edward’s plotting? Forewarned was forearmed, yes? Not that he’d be tempted by anything that this one would offer, Etienne told himself, but it helped to know that one had an audience. He showed Simon a smile that was startlingly charming for a man who lacked “leading man” good looks. Danny and George could have told Edward that sometimes it was rugged attractiveness like Etienne’s that was far more appealing for being unexpected.

“I cannot take credit, monsieur Simon, for my earlier singing, for in truth, I have never sounded so well as I did tonight. It was all Danny, I think. Anyone would sound wonderful singing with such an angel as he, n’est-ce-pas?” Etienne waved his hands in the air, inviting Edward to agree with him.

Edward did agree with him, in fact, but it was his purpose at the moment to flatter the Frenchman. He made another attempt. “Please, call me Edward. And surely you deserve some of the credit. Danny is a talented boy, I’ll be the first to admit that, but don’t sell yourself short. You’re a very attractive man and you’ve a presence that one doesn’t find every day, a quality that I could use in some of my productions....”

Looking at the tall man as he let his voice trail off suggestively, Edward realized somewhat to his surprise that it was true. Lanier did have a presence. Admittedly, he wasn’t classically handsome as Danny was, but there was something about him that drew and held your attention. He was appealingly ugly...no, not quite ugly, but...something. Edward couldn’t put his finger on it. You would remember him and his rangy, rugged good looks long after you’d forgotten most of the pretty boys that filled the next room.

“I’m already engaged in a production, Edward, but I thank you for your interest,” Etienne replied politely. He was slightly amused.

Edward had expected the initial rebuff. He moved closer and stroked the taller man’s arm suggestively. It felt well-muscled beneath the thin white cotton shirt. Perhaps he might take a slightly more personal interest in Lanier. He pondered the idea, at least briefly while he waited for Danny to come to his senses.

“I can arrange for you to be released from your contract. How would you feel about a three play deal, with the chance to act and direct? I’ve checked out your credentials and know that you belong directing, not assisting in someone else’s production. I can make it happen for you, Lanier. No strings.”

Etienne raised an eyebrow. His heart beat slightly faster, but he told himself it wasn’t from the offer, which he would of course turn down, and certainly not from this man’s caresses, but from the fact that Simon so obviously saw him as competition for Danny O’Keefe’s interest, which must mean that he thought Danny was interested, yes? He forced himself to focus on how best to respond, a light answer would best serve. He must impress his audience after all. “But how quaint, Edward. However do you control your puppets if you do not use strings? You really must show me sometime. But not with me, personally, I am afraid, as I will be passing on your most generous offer. I have a desire to stay with this production of Les Miz, which I believe will be amazing.”

“You’re turning down the opportunity I am offering you? Why? Consider the money you’re passing up. And for what? For the chance of spending a night or two with Danny? That’s all it will be, you know. Are you that much a fool?”

Etienne laughed at the obviously frustrated man even though it served to anger him even more. He held out his hand in a placating gesture. “No, no, forgive me, I should not laugh, but you misunderstand my motives, Edward. And indeed, you do young Daniel a disservice. I do not turn you down because of my romantic interest in Daniel, real as that is...how could anyone not be interested in him? But more than that, I tell you the truth when I tell you that I have never sung so well as when I sing with him! I have never heard a voice like his and I rise to new levels when I sing with him. I know he will be a joy to work with in this play. And yet he tells me his true gift is in the dance? I cannot wait to see him in the dance then. He must fly like a true angel, yes? So if I am a fool, I am a fool for my art. I am at my best when I perform with him and it is that which I cannot get from you.”

Before Edward could answer, Danny came into the kitchen, pushing the door open forcefully so that it banged loudly against the wall, startling both men. He went directly to Etienne and pulled him close to his side.

“I’ll gladly dance for you any time you wish, my friend,” he told him in French before reaching up to bend Etienne’s head down to his so he could capture his mouth in a searching kiss. Etienne brought his hands up and wove his fingers in that thick dark hair, deepening the kiss, molding his long body to the hard, smooth-muscled one in his arms. He didn’t forget their audience for a second, tempting as it was to lose himself in the sensations coursing through him, but he knew that this was a performance for both of them and he wanted to be ready for any cues thrown his way. Right now he suspected his role was to be the perfect partner to Daniel, in every way, and certainly in all the ways that Edward Simon was not welcome to be.

After several long, deliriously exciting moments just kissing, Etienne felt the man in his arms pull back, so he lifted his head. He looked down into warm green fire and felt as though he could slay dragons... or perhaps he held the dragon, he thought whimsically. The full lips smiled and Etienne smiled back.

Danny O’Keefe looked triumphantly at Edward from his place in Etienne’s arms.

“Seems like you’ve met someone you can’t bribe, Edward. What a twist for you! Someone with a sense of honor? Shall we explain that you control your puppets without strings by sticking your cock so far up their asses they choke on it?”

Edward looked pained. “Really, Danny, listening at doors now? How unbecoming.”

“Really, Edward, trying to bribe my friends now? With plays? How pathetic.” Danny used his well trained voice like a weapon and the mocking tone in the deep resonant instrument was like a bludgeon to the head to the proud man. Edward paled and then flushed red. What he might have tolerated from Danny if they were alone became unforgivable when spoken in front of the stranger Lanier.

“You go too far sometimes, Danny.”

“Then cut me off your Christmas card list, Mr. Simon. There’s no need for you to continue to come around here.” Danny spoke flippantly, then, seeing the dangerous light in Edward’s eyes, straightened up and took a step forward, standing protectively in front of Etienne. He sensed that he had gone too far but was too proud, and young, to ever apologize to this man who’d made his life hell. If he’d finally offended him enough to make him stay away from him and Angel, good riddance. He’d cope with any fall-out to Angel’s career no matter what it took, and as far as his career, well, that couldn’t get any worse. Not from Edward’s interference at least.

Edward looked at the young man standing in front of him, bracing himself for whatever he was going to do, and he knew that he’d badly miscalculated...again. Danny saw him as the enemy. If he punished the boy now for his impudence as he deserved, he’d hate him even more. It was Lanier that he wanted to punish, not Danny, who looked more beautiful than ever in his defiance.

Damn it. George had been right. He never should have approached the Frenchman tonight, but he’d seen the way Danny had looked at him and he’d rushed into matters too soon. Lanier had somehow known Danny was listening, that had to have been it. Why else would a man who craved fame and success as he did pass on an opportunity such as he’d offered?

Edward swallowed his pride and reached out a hand. “Don’t be foolish, Danny. This has all been a misunderstanding. Your friend, Lanier, Etienne, has made it quite clear that he values the opportunity to perform with you more than a chance to further his career in what I thought was a better opportunity. There is no need to discuss it further. I can forgive your crude comments, can you both forgive my heavy-handed interference in Etienne’s career?”

Put that way, Etienne didn’t see how he could refuse the outstretched hand. It was one thing to be noble and turn down a golden opportunity for love, or lust, or idealism, take your pick, it was completely another to refuse a man’s hand, much less a billionaire’s hand. It was simply bad form and against everything the self-interest narcissist in Etienne believed in as far as manners. When in doubt, fall back on humor, he told himself.

Looking at Danny and raising an eyebrow in an exaggerated fashion, he asked, “I can shake hands now, can’t I? He is, after all, mon petit, a very rich man, and I make it a practice to stay on the good side of very rich men whenever I can. You do understand, yes?”

Danny laughed grudgingly. “Yes, something tells me that doing the right thing did not come easily to you, did it?”

“Not at all,” Etienne agreed fervently. Danny gave him a quick kiss then stood back as he made a production out of fervently shaking Edward’s hand.

Edward watched the two bantering as though they’d known each other for years, instead of the mere hours it had actually been. He resolved to get back at the man who’d taken his place with Danny. It should be him who received Danny’s smiles, his teasing, his kisses. Not this stranger. Still, he swallowed his bile and plastered a smile on his face, taking the hand that the Frenchman held out and shaking it firmly. He was pleased to see Danny relax the rigid stance he’d assumed after making his stand and which he’d kept even through his teasing comments with the Frenchman.

“Will you not take my hand, Danny?” he asked softly, once more extending his hand after releasing Lanier’s. Danny glanced at him through those impossibly long lashes, his thoughts impossible to read. “Whatever offense you hold against me, you must admit your words were harshest tonight.”

Danny considered the older man. Why did they keep up this pretense of civility? For Angel and George’s sakes? For the sake of the social fiction that Edward’s interest in him was proper and merely that of any producer for a young artist? Why pretend when the fact of the matter was, Danny could be dancing in a New York ballet company next week, or starring in a Broadway show next month–if he became Edward Simon’s kept boy. The reason Danny wasn’t doing those things had nothing to do with his talent–everyone knew he had talent pouring from his fingertips and tapshoes–no, the reason he had to depend on modeling gigs to pay the rent was because Edward was one vindictive bastard. Danny would either play the game his way or he wouldn’t get to play at all. Thus, he was blackballed because he wouldn’t put out like any casting couch victim of the bygone studio system days. It was all very civil, of course, and no one spoke of it openly...well, most people didn’t. Today at the audition was the exception. Alan was one of the few to actually mention it and he only did it out of frustration, saying what many were thinking. Why didn’t Danny just give in and get it over with. Let the guy fuck him and get it out of his system for fuck’s sake. Let the New York theater crowd move on to the next nine day wonder and stop talking about Simon’s obsession over the Dark Angel O’Keefe.

Over his dead body. His mama didn’t raise no whore.

He smiled at Edward, a proud smile. “Edward, I will shake your hand, and I will even apologize for my rude words. But get this through your head, Edward, I will never let you force me into your bed and I will never have sex with you in order to work at the career I want. I will play soccer instead. So give it up, Edward. You’ll never have me and if you want to have any kind of friendship with me, you’ll stop this farce now, stop your blackballing and let me dance and act wherever and whenever I want.”

Edward’s eyes were fixed on the sight of his hand in the young strong hand of his angel’s. He heard the words he spoke but his mind didn’t take them in fully. He changed the meaning to what he wanted them to be. He pulled the boy close, and wrapped his other arm around him.

“No, Danny, I’m afraid that I can’t do that...and you don’t really mean what you’re saying. I know you don’t. Perhaps you’d liked to discuss this more privately with me?” Edward whispered, looking up then, his eyes bright with an intense light. Danny moved backward, disturbed beyond measure for the first time in his dealings with Edward Simon. A cold dread went through him as it occurred to him that perhaps Edward wasn’t completely sane. George moved forward into the room and Danny looked to him, relieved to see his familiar face. He wanted to get away from Edward.

“George! Thank God.. I mean, it’s getting really late and I have an early call tomorrow. Etienne has been good enough to say I can sleep on his couch so I’m going to book. Do you think you can....”

“Help get all of your guests tucked in and settled down for the night? And clean up and help Angel with all the mess in the morning? Sure, what are friends for, brat. Get going...but put something warmer on, it’s still chilly for June. Talk to you tomorrow. Kiss your sister goodnight on your way out.” George gave him a reassuring look and Danny looked gratefully back at him.

Edward had really spooked him. For a moment there, he’d looked totally crazy.

George looked over to where Edward stood with his back to them, his arms resting on the counter. He closed the door on Danny and Lanier and waited a moment to make sure no one else was coming in.

“I told you not to try getting rid of Lanier. When we saw them in Diva’s earlier. There was no way you would separate him from Danny. Your best option was to wait for it to blow over. Now you’ve...”

“I know what I’ve done now. I don’t need you to tell me.” Edward’s tone was bitter. “I need you to get rid of him.”

“No.” George’s voice was flat, no room for discussion.

Edward turned around. George was shocked by how defeated he looked. “I can’t lose him, George, you have to get rid of the Frenchman. If Danny falls in love with him....”

George hesitated, loathe to betray Danny’s secrets but determined that he would not kill for Edward. The trouble was, he was not the only one Edward could use to arrange “an accident.” There really was no option, he decided. Danny must have said something tonight to really upset Edward. Not for the first time, George toyed with the idea of medicating him without his knowledge but his medical scruples would not permit such a step. If only Edward would agree to treatment for his mood swings. Before he could speak, the door to the kitchen came open.

“Danny left with his Frenchman...I feel kind of sorry for the big gangly guy...he was kind of nice and he’s going to get his heart broken by my cold hearted baby brother.” Angel O’Keefe wandered over to the counter next to Edward and hopped up onto it gracefully. She was an odd creature, George thought with fond exasperation. The more she drank, the more graceful she became. Sobriety didn’t become her. He wondered how much of their conversation she’d heard, if any. She seemed lost in her own world, which was her usual state. It was very late, but she was such a nocturnal creature, she never seemed to notice the time.

“Why do you say that, Angel darling? Danny seemed totally enamored with the ugly man. He’s probably off fucking him right now,” Edward complained.

She put her arm around him and rubbed his back soothingly. Her eyes met George’s and he was surprised by the hard look of total clarity he saw there.

Angel knew, he realized with a sickening feeling. She actually knew how dangerous Edward was and still she courted his attention and practically threw her young brother in his path. What kind of dangerous game was she playing?

“Oh, he may be fucking him, but you can bet he’ll never let him fuck him back,” she said airily. “Danny only has eyes for one man, and the rich part of that is that the guy doesn’t even know Danny’s alive!” She giggled. George watched, fascinated by what was probably the best performance Angel O’Keefe had given in years. “It’s the truth! Danny’s had this major crush on the boy back home since he was a little boy and it’s his deep dark secret because the guy is like the biggest backroom slut around. Danny is saving himself for marriage or something but the guy doesn’t believe in marriage and won’t give him more than a spin around the backroom so Danny is broken-hearted. Meanwhile, Mr. Tall Dark and French is nothing more than someone safe to pass time with. Danny won’t ever fall in love with any other man than this guy back home. So, he’s safe for you, Eddy love. He’ll break Frenchy’s heart and leave him devastated, and come back home to New York...when I call him home. N’est-ce-pas?”

“You’re telling me the truth?” Edward looked at her closely.

“Cross my heart and hope to cry.” She looked at him, her wide green eyes looking very much like another pair of pretty green eyes at that moment. Edward must have thought so too, as he suddenly pulled her close and kissed her rather forcefully. Angel submitted, but George noted that her knuckles were white where they gripped the kitchen counter. He wanted to intervene but waited–she’d gotten herself into this–if she were in over her head she had only herself to blame he told himself. He also told himself his inaction had nothing to do with her betrayal of Danny, but he didn’t really believe that. Trouble was, Luke had entrusted the care of both of his young siblings to him, he reminded himself, not just Danny.

“Edward,” he spoke up finally. Edward lifted his head, releasing Angel. Her lips were swollen.

“What? You really can leave, George. Unless you want to watch?” The blue eyes glittered.

“No, I think it would be a better idea if you let Angel get some sleep, Edward. She’s tired. And you’re still worked up over Danny.” He took a risk bringing up Danny’s name but he didn’t want Angel hurt by an angry Edward. He didn’t understand her game but he’d give her the benefit of a doubt.

Edward’s temper flared. “Angel’s fine where she is, George, and I’m not happy with you, so why don’t you go take care of the children in the next room, friend? You won’t do as I want, so at least she’s given me a reason to accept that Frenchman’s continued existence. Go....”

“No....Angel, go to the other room, please.” George spoke quietly. He grabbed Edward’s wrists quickly, before he could react. She raised frightened eyes to him. He smiled at her reassuringly as, before Edward could do more than start to threaten, he very quickly applied pressure to the exact spot that would cause him to lose consciousness. He caught him as he crumpled and lowered him onto a kitchen chair. Angel stood there, open-mouthed in amazement.

“Close your mouth, that is a very stupid look,” he told her tersely. "Go out to the hall closet and get my coat, you know it, don’t you?” She nodded at him, mutely. “Good. Bring me the black case from the inside pocket...no, bring me the coat. I need to get something from that case but no sense advertising what you’re doing. Go get it now.”

She nodded and then went to get the coat. The other room was darkened now and there were the sounds of couples pairing off. Danny had told him to use his room. Looking at Edward’s unconscious body, he decided he would place him in Angel’s room and take Danny up on the offer of his room. He wouldn’t dare put Edward in Danny’s room. No telling what mischief Edward would get up to upon waking. Of course, with the pill he was going to get down him, Edward wouldn’t be waking until late morning at the earliest. And he wouldn’t have any recollection of this night’s events.

George salved his conscience by reflecting that it was Edward’s fault that his personal physician even had such a thing as ruffies among his emergency medical supplies. He rubbed his aching head. He hoped he had a few aspirin as well; he certainly needed them after this night. He looked up at a sound and saw Angel standing in the doorway again.

“The coast is clear. Relatively. Everyone is either screwing or sleeping. I’ll help you get him to bed. We can put him in my room.” Well, that was convenient that she made the offer since he’d already planned on that, he thought, amused. She’d taken a moment to put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt and looked far more attractive, to his way of thinking.

Before moving Edward, George crushed up two of the small pills and got them down the man’s throat with some water.

As they settled him into the pink ruffled bed, having easily maneuvered him around the bodies on the living room floor between the two of them–Angel was surprisingly strong for all her fragile appearance and she was every bit as tall as he was– she looked at George cautiously. “Thank you, by the way.”

“For what” He finished placing Edward’s shoes and slacks– they’d left his underwear on–neatly by a chair near the bed. He straightened up and looked at Angel espressionlessly.

She fluttered her hands. “For stopping him...for not treating me like dirt after I did what I did...you know....”

He continued to look at her calmly. “I’m not sure why you’re thanking me, but you’re welcome. Good night then.”

She frowned. “You think I’m horrible, don’t you?”

He sighed and took her by the arm to pull her out of the room, turning off the light as they left. No sense risking waking up Edward, though the pills should keep him out until noon, he still didn’t want to take chances.

Pushing Angel into what he assumed was Danny’s room, George allowed himself to show some emotion. “What the hell were you playing at tonight, Angel? You planned this whole thing out with Edward, knowing that Danny doesn’t want Edward around. Fine, you can be around Edward all you want, but you know what he’s doing to your brother. So why are you helping him? Why bring him into your home? Why tell him personal details of your brother’s life, his love life and desires, for God’s sake! How can you do that?”

Tears filled the green eyes but she held them back. “I thought you understood! I thought....” She turned away. “Just go, okay? Or tell you what? I’ll go. I can sleep out with the others. I’m sure Mr. Anal Compulsive Perfect Everything left you clean sheets but just in case, there are fresh ones in his bathroom, under the vanity along with towels...good night.”

George felt crazed with frustration. There was something more here and she wasn’t telling him.

“Damn it. What am I missing? Tell me!”

She looked at him, hurt eyes looking huge. “Nothing. I’m the wicked witch of the west, east and north. But, maybe, just maybe, I thought that I was helping keep Etienne, the first man Danny has seemed to like for more than a quick fuck in years from being roadkill by telling Edward that he didn’t have a chance of being Danny’s true love? So, yeah, I tossed Danny’s boyhood crush to the wolf that is Edward Simon. Big deal if it preserved a real live person, I thought. The other is just a dream and I gave up on dreams long ago. Danny should too. And I didn’t want you to have to harm Etienne or to be harmed by Edward being angry at you.”

George looked at Angel, standing there in the too big sweatpants and t-shirt, with her too big eyes, and thought to himself, 'what a liar you are, little girl. You believe in dreams more than anyone. To still be trying in this city that’s eating you alive.'

“You tried to do the right thing, and maybe you did convince Edward he’s not a serious risk. But I wasn’t going to let him be harmed, Angel. Try to believe that. I’m not so lost to what’s right that I’ll let Edward kill people. But I appreciate that you thought you were doing what was best...for Danny and for Etienne and even for me. I can handle Edward.”

George saw that she was shaking, probably from reaction and plain old exhaustion. She reminded him so much of Luke at that moment. That had to explain George's actions. He reached out and took her in his arms in what was meant to be a comforting hug. She clung to him desperately, holding on tightly.

“Please, can I stay with you tonight...just this once is all I’m asking, to keep away the sad thoughts, as friends?” Her voice was low, a slight Irish cadence to it that tugged at George's memory, made him yearn for lost times.

“Yes,” he whispered.
 

*****************************************************

As soon as Etienne turned from relocking his apartment door, he was pressed back against the door by six feet of warm, eager male. Danny had changed into low-cut jeans and a light leather jacket for the cab ride to Etienne’s apartment. The sight of his muscular chest and abdomen in the open jacket as well as his continuous murmuring of salacious suggestions in French during the short ride, had ensured Etienne’s rock hard state.

He fell back against the door with a sigh of relief as Danny undid his pants. Green eyes looked up at him mischievously as long clever fingers worked on removing his jeans.

“You don’t mind if I take care of this, do you? I’ve been wanting to do this for hours and hours and I’ve been so patient....” The teasing tongue licked along the full lips slowly as he looked up through those long lashes and waited for an answer. As though he could form a coherent thought with this God on his knees before him? This had to be a trick question, Etienne thought, frantically. Answer wrong and I’ll wake up in a puddle in my own bed and this whole episode will be one incredible wet dream.....

And then that delicious tongue made contact with him cock and he knew what heaven felt like. He could not close his eyes to savor the feeling because it was too amazingly erotic to watch that face as it actually sucked his cock, the beautiful lips opening wide around his flesh, and the lovely tongue licking him, caressing him, stroking him, and oh my God, dipping in, just like that, as those lovely fingers fondled his balls and yes, stroked and pressed right there, where he loved it....

Etienne clutched at the door, his hands frantic as the sensations built and coiled inside him. That incredible mouth took him deeper as he watched and he bucked once. He really couldn’t help it, he was so lost in the joy of the hot wet mouth that held him in thrall, sucking and stroking and he had never felt anything like this in his entire twenty-seven years as the ecstasy of his cock being sucked by this god of a man,

Etienne felt the cool of a lubed finger probing his ass and his orgasm ripped through him. Strong arms supported him as he kicked off his pants and shoes, laughing a bit at the incongruity of not even getting fully undressed before having sex. He looked sheepishly at Danny.

“I am not usually so gauche,” he apologized, feeling more embarrassed about a sexual encounter than he had in ten years.

Danny smiled at him predatorily. “I attacked you, I think, so I should be the one apologizing, assuming either of us has to...and I enjoyed it...didn’t you?” Pulling him close for a kiss, Danny asked against his lips, “I have to work on my technique if I’ve left you wanting an apology...shall I try again?”

Etienne laughed somewhat breathlessly. “I don’t think your technique needs any improvement but please feel free to practice it on me anytime you wish. But first I think I must demonstrate my own skills, yes? Turnabout is fair play. But...in the bedroom, I think. You do intend to stay long enough to take your clothes off, don’t you, beautiful man?”

Danny’s face grew pensive. He glanced at a clock that was on the table. “I really do have to be at an early morning call. Perhaps I should go and....” Danny paused.

Etienne was smart enough to be concerned. He sensed that his relationship, if he was to have one, hung in the balance with this complicated young man. He reached out his hand and took the younger man’s.

“Come to bed, Danny. You need sleep, you can sleep. No need to show off techniques. But let me hold you. There will be more nights for making love, yes? And for getting to know each other. That will be good also, I think. But for right now, I think you could use something more immediate, how should I say it, maybe just a quickie for you too, before we go to sleep?”

Danny looked relieved. He was suddenly very tired but also horny. What he wanted, actually, was a quick fuck and then to sleep, but it wasn’t like he could say that to someone he wanted to have a relationship with, could he? He looked up at the taller man. Etienne was giving him a grin as he looked down at Danny’s bulging jeans.

“Come, let me show you my bedroom, mon petit, hmm, non, not such a petit,” he murmured under his breath making Danny laugh.

When they reached the bedroom, a matter of a few steps in the small apartment, Danny stood still and let Etienne strip the jacket and jeans from his toned body, appreciating his silent admiration. Danny tensed slightly as Etienne pressed him down onto the bed. He never bottomed and he wasn’t in the mood for an argument over sexual preferences. He’d rather thought it went without saying that he would top and he started to sit up but the other man smiled and shook his head gently.

“Don’t worry, I can tell what you want,” he was told. “Relax. You are tired and this will be less fatiguing for you. You’ve done all the work thus far, now it's my turn is all.”

Danny put his arms behind his head and stretched out, his nude body gloriously spread out on the double bed, his erect cock standing up from its nest of tight black curls. Etienne kneeled next to him on the bed, warming the lube in his hands and gazed at the beautiful sight, thinking again of how much the young man looked like a god, his golden skin so flawless, every muscle so perfectly formed, the long black hair spread out on the white sheets like his Celtic ancestors. He placed the condom on the hard thick cock, admiring it as he slid the latex sheath on it, then slicked the lube over it.

Danny closed his eyes, his breath quickening. “Anything I can do to help?” he asked, his deep voice teasing, relaxed now that he knew that he would be wearing the condom.

“You’ll be helping enough when the time comes but I’m sure I won’t need to give you any instructions,” Etienne told him, getting himself ready. He wasn’t all that fond of bottoming, felt rather silly at his size, all of six four, but for this man, he’d make an exception.

“Not a bossy bottom then?” Green eyes looked at him teasingly as the hands came from behind his head and reached for him to start stroking the hair on his chest. The teasing look was replaced by heat as Danny bent up to capture his lips.

“Let me fuck you now,” he whispered. “Climb on me.”

“Now who’s the bossy one,” he asked, but he did as he was told, straddling the narrow hips and lowering himself down slowly. His hips were grabbed firmly by the strong hands as Danny took control of their pace. Etienne bit back a moan at the pressure of the large cock impaling him and Danny held still until he adjusted. Then he nodded and pressed down to encourage him to move, until he was fully seated. Their eyes met and he grinned as he acknowledged the pleasure pain of being filled. That double dimpled smile looked back at him and then they started rocking together, tiredness forgotten as they fucked, their bodies moving in rhythm, finding the same harmony they’d enjoyed earlier...they grinned like maniacs at each other as they moved faster and faster, building to an incredible climax together until they shouted their explosive release.

Afterward, they collapsed side by side, staring at the ceiling, catching their breath.

“I am going to be so trashed in three hours when I have to be at a photo shoot, you know," Danny told Etienne.

“I’ll make sure you’re up in time and give you breakfast and take you there in a cab and comb your hair for you....”

Danny laughed. “Comb my hair for me? Why that of all things?”

Etienne looked wise. “Because with hair like yours, I can imagine that is what takes the most time in the morning,”

Danny smiled and closed his eyes. “That’s true. You’ve got a deal. Hair care and sex, what more could I ask for?”

Love. You could ask for love, Etienne thought. But he knew it was too early to mention that. For now, he stuck to two out of the three things he had to offer. Hair care and sex. He would keep the love his secret for now. There would be plenty of time when they were on the road for him to reveal the love.