Men of London 05 - Cross to Bare (12 page)

Leslie blinked. “Promised him I’d get him the uncensored version of
Clockwork Orange
. What did you think, baby?”

He pursed his lips fiercely at his boyfriend who looked shame faced. “Anyway, Duffy hides me at the back because if Tracy knew I was there he’d pitch a hissy fit because he’d think I was there to steal his poxy suit secrets. Like I’d want
his
suit designs when I have Laverne’s.” He sniffed.

Laverne was looking a little concerned. “Leslie, are you sure? If so, it means someone at the office has access to my designs and is passing them onto him. I don’t even want to think about what that might mean.”

She looked ill and Brook reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Love, we’ll talk about this, and see what we need to do. There’s nothing you can do now and you have a show to put on.”

His lover nodded. “I just don’t want to believe someone I employed and trusted is ripping me off.” She sighed. “You’re right. I can’t do much now except kick Tracy in the knackers when I see him.”

Brook chuckled. “Let’s get the evidence first before you do that. I don’t want you arrested for knacker kicking.”

Oliver nodded and grasped Leslie’s hand. “I agree. Let me get Secret Agent Scott upstairs and get primo seats to observe the action.” Leslie looked smug at being described thus. “Come on, Peter Pan. Let’s fly upstairs. Max, come on. You’re going to have a blast watching this show, I promise.” He pulled his boyfriend towards the long, winding stairs at the end of the foyer. Maxwell nodded at Brook and followed them up the winding staircase.

Laverne smiled at him. “I suppose I should be off,” she said. “Leave the excitement of fashion espionage behind and focus on tonight.” She turned to leave then turned back again, a vulnerable look on her face. “Look, I know this is a bit difficult for you, and I don’t expect you to be a hundred percent with it. I know it’ll take time, but I wanted to say how much I appreciate you being here tonight. It means a lot to me.”

Brook’s heart ached at the look in those eyes.

This must be so damned difficult for her. For Lenny.

Affection flooded his chest as he reached out and cupped Laverne’s chin. That familiar curve brought back the memory of kissing it that morning in bed. They’d been long, languorous kisses down Lenny’s jawline, then down his eager body until Brook had taken him in his mouth and driven him crazy.

“Baby, it’s all right,” Brook whispered, something stirring inside that seemed like hope.

He could do this.

“You look fabulous, these people adore you and you’re going to be your amazingly talented self and go out on that catwalk and show them who you are. Laverne Debussy-Smith, designer extraordinaire. And the sexy man who shares my bed. Go and greet your fawning fans. I’ll be upstairs in a minute.”

The warm and loving look in Laverne’s eyes was one he’d remember for a long time. Brook wanted to see it again and again, and with a sense of wonder, he asked himself what the hell was happening here. In his wildest dreams he’d never have imagined having a lover like this one, let alone having the depth of feeling Brook currently felt. He cupped Laverne’s face in his hands and kissed her, his lips tasting flavoured lipstick. It was unfamiliar and Brook licked his lips after he’d finished his kiss. “Go be you, love. They’re waiting. You may have to refresh that lipstick though.”

Laverne flashed a radiant smile at him and turned. Brook watched him go and then she turned and winked at him. “Tonight,” she murmured softly, “I’m going to ride you like a stallion. Think of that when you’re sitting upstairs watching
this
.” With a sweep of her hand down her body, a wicked chuckle and a flounce of her wig, Laverne strode towards the stairs. Brook’s dick had gone from slumbering flag at rest to an upright semaphore in one second flat at the thought of those teasing words. He forced the dirty thoughts he had out of his head. It was time to see Laverne in action. Tonight was all about her night in the spotlight. There was time for crazy sex later.

*****

Half an hour later he was clutching his sides in laughter along with the other sixty-plus people in the huge room. He knew Lenny had a dry, sarcastic wit but up on the stage, as Laverne, the snark and cattiness was amplified. His lover might not be a drag queen but her delivery of sly innuendos, downright filth and observations of certain poor members of the audience was as electrifying and an entertaining one.

“And now, we get to the crux of the show,” Laverne’s husky voice, familiar but different, echoed over the crowded venue. The burbling of birds and occasional parrot squawks that emanated from the speakers set high on the wall ceased—something Brook was quite glad about.

In the corner, a waterfall bubbled gently, the ten-foot high water feature a startling backdrop to what was otherwise a lavishly decorated boardroom now decked out as a jungle. Twisting vines in hemp buckets were the centrepiece for every table and more vines and fronds hung above them from the beamed rafters. The servers, male and female alike, were all dressed as natives in super-short grass skirts, of various hues and designs. The men were bare-chested and the women wore soft suede bikini tops. Soft chiffon, pastel-coloured blue, green and lilac curtains floated down all the walls, from ceiling to floor, like flowing coloured water that shimmered and shivered lightly in the cool air-conditioned room.

“Ladies and gentleman and others of indiscriminate description, because if I had to go through the whole damn alphabet describing you all, I’d be here for fucking
ever
”—the room exploded in laughter and Brook marvelled at Laverne’s ability to get away with that comment—“this collection has been a while in the making. It’s been designed especially for Brilliantine, the sponsors of this event.” Laverne waved to a woman sitting in the front, wearing a large hat set with various tropical fruits. She had a silly grin on her face. “This lady here is the CEO of the company, Lydia Romano-Ruiz. Give her a hand, everyone, for giving us this fabulous room to stage this exclusive pre-peek event in.” Laverne gestured lavishly around her and the bracelets on her wrists sparkled in the glare of the lights. The room exploded in clapping and after a while Laverne raised fingers to her mouth and blew a piercing whistle. Brook chuckled. He’d been subject to that ear-splitting sound before, normally when Lenny was trying to catch the attention of a bartender.

“Thank you all for that warm applause. Now can we get on with the bloody show? My models are growing old back there and we all know how they feel about that…” Once again the audience roared with laughter. A wave of sheer pride washed over Brook at the way his lover worked the crowd with such ease.

“As I said, this collection was put together for Lydia, as Brilliantine wanted to branch out with its own custom-designed clothing range. Some of the items
do
have fur, ladies and gentlemen, I will warn you, but for all those wankers out there who want to throw paint and make a PETA statement, it’s Brilliantine’s own fake fur, my darlings. No animal was harmed in the making of this clothing. I support PETA myself and in fact we have a couple of their people in the audience. Not those rabid extremist types,” Laverne made a moue, her pick lips shining, “but the ones who work tirelessly to try and make a difference.”

She turned and waved towards the back of the stage where more long swathes of pale green and blue billowed, “I present the ‘
La Jungla’
range, which for those of you who are less educated means jungle in Spanish, the native language of our lovely Lydia.” Laverne waved a camp hand. “I class myself as one of those as I didn’t have a fucking clue what it was until Lydia told me.”

Brook chortled along with the rest of them at Laverne’s self-deprecating statement. The woman could certainly hold an audience’s attention. The lights dimmed to spotlights on the long catwalk that ran from one end of the boardroom to the other.

Brook watched open-mouthed as a parade of mostly scantily clad and beautiful models glided, strutted and crawled down the catwalk. He knew from post-coital conversations at home that Lenny disapproved of having too-thin models showing clothes. Laverne insisted that they all have enough meat on their bones to set an example. Apparently when Lenny had been at university, one of his best lady friends had starved herself to death desperately trying to stay slim to keep her modelling job, and Lenny had never forgiven himself for not being able to help her.

The rounded curves of women and taut arses of men vamped down the catwalk, clad in fur-trimmed bikinis and skimpy men’s swimsuits, tailored ladies’ suits, elegant coats and gilets and one man’s suit in particular, an eye-catching ensemble of grey fabric with a soft, sleek black fur waistcoat. There were men’s and ladies’ jerseys, fur-lined parkas in bright white with matching brightly coloured scarves and sparkly gym-wear with fur trim. While it wasn’t to Brook’s taste, it was an eclectic and captivating display of decadence, elegance and uniqueness. It blew his mind, and for the first time, he appreciated the magic that Lenny as Laverne Debussy-Smith unleashed upon the world.

His heart swelled as, after the show, he watched Laverne working the room, flirting with men and women alike, her deep laughter ringing in his ears, those aqua eyes always searching out Brook’s and meeting his gaze across the crowded floor. The smile on Laverne’s face was uncertain at times as she inclined her head at him and Brook smiled back, hoping that his face conveyed both his respect and his affection. Although affection was beginning to be a term Brook thought might be too tame. The feelings Lenny provoked ran deeper than that. Seeing him tonight, unrepentant, proud and regal, completely at home as Laverne and being respected and adored in turn, was an eye opener to Brook’s growing feelings.

It was close to eleven-thirty that night before Lenny appeared, in his jeans and a sweatshirt, looking tired, a little pale, yet wearing a grin on his face when he saw his lover that warmed Brook’s heart. What he didn’t enjoy seeing though, was Ryan Bishop holding Lenny’s elbow possessively as they chatted as they walked towards him. They looked
too
comfortable together. Ryan’s auburn hair against Lenny’s blond waves; his shorter, slimmer build against Lenny’s broader frame—they looked as if they
fit.
Brook shifted uncomfortably. Ryan understood his man better than Brook did. Ryan understood Lenny’s need to be someone else; they even went shopping for women’s fashion together.

“Thanks for waiting for me.” Lenny kissed Brook warmly on the lips. “Let me introduce you to Ryan. Or, as he’s better known, the gorgeous Delilah Delish.” He grinned quirkily, throwing a fond glance at his friend.

Brook shook hands with the one outstretched in greeting. “Nice to meet you,” he said, feeling insincerity washing off him like radio waves. Ryan grinned and Brook thought uncomfortably that those bright blue eyes saw right through him.

“So you’re the man who has my friend all aflutter,” Ryan teased gently. “Lenny doesn’t stop talking about you.”

Lenny huffed beside Brook, his warm hand stealing in to take hold of his. “Don’t be such an ass, Ryan. I don’t.” But he smiled at Brook, who felt the stirrings of something in his chest, something deep and warm.

Ryan huffed loudly. “Yes, you fucking do.” He fluttered his eyelashes dramatically. “Oh, my God, he’s so divine, he’s like, this big hunka man I have to throw down on my bed and have my way with. Ryan, my heart beats so much faster when I see him…” His falsetto voice rang out in the now mostly empty room.

Lenny growled. “Listen, you big queen, you’re embarrassing my boyfriend. Now give it a rest before I pop you one.” He made a mock fist and raised it at Ryan who chuckled even louder.

Brook watched the exchange with amusement and a sense of satisfaction that Lenny talked about him. “Well, I can see why you two are friends,” he said with a laugh.

Ryan leaned over and ran his soft hand down Brook’s jaw. Brook’s mouth dropped open a little at that gesture.

“That’s right,” Ryan murmured softly. “Just friends. Lenny has been there for me through some bad times, as I have I for him. The fact we used to fuck doesn’t matter anymore. He has you now. So take him home and do whatever it is that you two get up to, and enjoy, my darlings. I for one have some fruit to eat, so I need to get going before he finds someone else to do the dirty deed. My Mango isn’t a patient man.” He gave a low, sultry laugh.

Brook started at that name. There couldn’t be all that many people called Mango around. It had to be his neighbour. The ‘mutual acquaintance’ Mango had mentioned had to be Ryan.

Lenny shoved his friend towards the door. “Bugger off then. Go find your man so I can get mine home and have my way with him.”

Ryan chortled. “I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll give you a call, Lenny. We can be
ladies who lunch
. Cheers, Brook.”

He turned and walked towards the exit.

Brook stared at him. “Are Ryan and my neighbour Mango Munroe having it off then?” he asked Lenny curiously.

Lenny laughed. “Love, they’ve been having it off forever, but Mango won’t commit to him. It’s a whole ‘open-relationship’ crap from Mango’s side and they’re miserable without each other. It’s about time they got their act together.” He grinned. “I couldn’t believe it when Ryan mentioned Mango lives in your building. That’s such a weird coincidence.” He took a deep breath. “Anyway, enough about
them.
” He licked his lips. “I need to get you home to my place so I can have a little taster of my own.”

At Lenny’s lascivious look, Brook’s cock plumped up. He knew he
needed
Lenny.
Wanted
Lenny so badly his trousers were tight with his desire and he couldn’t wait to get home so he could have his lover to himself. His distinctly male, musk-scented, cock and balls–bearing lover who, with one look, could turn Brook’s world upside down.

“I can live with that,” Brook murmured as he pulled Lenny towards him. “I think we’ll get a taxi though so we can make out in the back.”

Lenny’s pupils expanded, and he gave his lips willingly to Brook, taking his mouth in a wet, open-mouthed kiss that made Brook’s groin ache.