The Phoenix Club (written as CJ Bishop)

CH 22: "Touch Me, Turn Me On"

T H E cold, refreshing water rushed down Abel's throat, the plastic bottle tipped up, contents emptying in one long drink. He gasped when he came up for air then wiped the back of his hand across his slick brow as he leaned against the counter before the mirror. He laughed and shook his head as Gabe consumed two small bottles of water, one after the other. "Shit," he panted. "You were the bomb."

Gabe crunched the second empty water bottle in his fist and tossed it in a waste basket. "Fuck, baby." he laughed. "It was that sweet little ass of yours that had them in a frenzy." He smirked. "Not just them." He stepped over and grabbed the back of Abel's neck and pulled him into a hard kiss, then groaned against his lips, "Do you know how bad I wanted to take you right there – on stage?"

"I was...getting the feeling." Abel grinned. Gabe laughed and stepped back.

"We would have made a shit load more if we had." he winked.

Abel glanced up when Cole stepped in the door. "That was – Mmp!" Cole sucked air between his teeth and grinned. "You were both fucking on fire."

"Did we give you a woody?" Gabe snickered.

Walking over, Cole shoved himself against the man, grinding crotches. "You tell me." he groaned, his mouth touching Gabe's lips.

"You better watch it." Gabe warned low, a dangerous smirk on his lips. "I'm fucking horny right now."

"Yeah?" Cole cocked an eyebrow and ground his crotch harder against Gabe. "How horny?"

Shaking his head, Abel laughed softly and grabbed his jeans, stepping into them, zipping and fastening, then buckling the thin black belt. He pulled on his shirt and cleared his throat. "I'll leave you two to your..." he shrugged and laughed. "Whatever."

Cole chuckled and drew back from Gabe. "Hey. Not so fast." he said. "You got a special request, in the VIP room."

Was he serious? "So soon?" Abel groaned. "I'm fucking tired, man."

Cole shrugged. "Guess you impressed him tonight."

The first thought that leaped into Abel's mind was Kaplan. Was he looking for more of an appetizer before he was served the full meal? Fuck. "Can't someone else take my place?"

"Baby, no one can take your place." Cole winked. "And this was a special request...he wants you."

"Fine." he muttered and moved towards the door as Cole leaned in and whispered something in Gabe's ear. The man chuckled low but Abel didn't ask what he found so amusing.

He worked his way across the back side of the club, staying out of the main crowd, then slipped into the small alcove that led up a few steps to the VIP room. The lights were turned low when he entered. Some men liked bright glaring lights so as not to miss a single detail, whereas others like the soft, dim lighting that created a more romantic air.

A quick glance at the man's back as he stood in the dim light, studying the room, Abel felt a measure of relief that it wasn't Kaplan. He didn't have to see his face to know that much. Kaplan's very stance wreaked of sinful pride.

Abel went to the stereo. It had preset songs of different beats, depending on the customer's preference. "What would you like?" Abel asked without facing the man. "Upbeat and fast...slow and sensual...somewhere in between? You chose what you want."

Silence hung heavy over the room for a moment, then the man cleared his throat and Abel waited to punch in the desired song. "I want to talk."

Abel's mind went numb, his body quickly following. No...he imagined it. That voice...it wasn't... He couldn't breathe, his air gone from his lungs. He gripped the edge of the stereo stand. Turn around and see that it isn't him...just someone who sounds like him.