Somebody to Love (Tyler Jamison #1) - April Wilson Page 0,15
off him. He’s a really good dancer. His movements are so crisp and precise, perfectly choreographed to the beat of the music. No wonder he likes coming here. He’s in his element on the dance floor.
He’s also the center of attention, surrounded by men, like he’s holding court, and he’s their prince.
I stand in the shadows, my pulse pounding in time with the loud music. I watch him move, feeling almost hypnotized by the way he gives himself over to the music. Right now, he’s lost in the music, his eyes closed, so he doesn’t see me watching him. And that means, at least for the moment, I can look my fill.
One of the men dancing with him puts his hands on Ian’s hips, clasping him tightly and drawing Ian back against his front. The two of them move together, perfectly synchronized, and their movements grow suggestive, blatantly sexual. And then the configuration changes, as someone else moves in between them, claiming Ian for a few moments until he too is supplanted by yet another man.
Ian isn’t the least bit self-conscious. He moves easily, confidently, as good as any professional dancer I’ve ever seen.
His ripped jeans hang low on his lean hips, exposing just the waistband of his black boxer-briefs. His t-shirt rides up, exposing his hip bones and the muscles narrowing down to his groin.
I stare, unable to look away.
Suddenly, he opens his eyes, and his gaze clashes with mine. His expression transforms instantly, from utter shock to surprise. And then he gives me this come-hither smile that throws my pulse into overdrive.
Ian breaks away from his friends and jogs over to me. “Tyler!” He’s winded from dancing, and there’s a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead.
“You shouldn’t be here!” I practically shout to be heard over the music. And neither should I.
Grinning, he throws his arms wide. “I’ve been cooped up for days, just like you asked. And this evening my house arrest finally ended. I’m a free man, detective. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
I shake my head. “Let me drive you home.”
He holds out his hand, beckoning me. “I have a better idea! Dance with me.”
I step back, trying not to look as horrified as I feel. “No!”
He frowns. “Your loss then.” With a parting wave, he returns to the dance floor, quickly swallowed up by the crowd once more. A blond guy clutches Ian’s hips and drags him close until they’re practically chest to chest.
I tamp down a sudden surge of anger. Not at Ian, but at those men who think nothing of manhandling him, grabbing him and pulling him this way and that, like he’s their plaything.
Another guy steps forward and says something to Ian. This guy’s clearly older than the others, black hair, broad chest. He pulls Ian close and whispers in his ear. Then he turns Ian in his arms and plasters himself to Ian’s backside. As the dancing continues, this guy practically grinds on Ian.
I force myself to look away. Not wanting to stand here gawking like an idiot, and not ready to simply leave him here to his own devices, and without protection, I head for the bar and take a seat at the far end where I can see most of the room. A bartender approaches me, a guy with sun-kissed blond hair and blue eyes, a blatant smile on his face. He looks so young I doubt he’s even old enough to work here. I’m tempted to card him.
“Hey, handsome,” he says, winking at me. “What can I get you?” He leans forward, resting his elbows on the bar. He acts like he has all the time in the world, and my drink order is the only one that matters.
“I’ll have a Guinness.” I’m not on duty, and one beer won’t kill me.
“You got it, sugar.”
He brings me a glass, and I sit at the bar sipping my beer. I’m trying not to be obvious as I keep Ian in my sights. I tell myself I’m just watching out for him, but the truth is, I can’t look away. I’m itching to grab him by the back of the neck and march him out of this place. I’ve done it before. I can do it again.
And then what?
I have no fucking clue.
I’ve accepted the fact that I feel no desire for women, but I also know I don’t fit in this world either. I’ve seen more glitz and glam and leather here in one