Joe was uninspired. “Thanks, professor. I’ll make sure to brush up on my history lesson before the next costume party.” He’d started to open his mouth when he heard a gaggle of laughter and titters erupt from the corner of the roof. Craning his neck around Ken, his jaw nearly unhinged at the sight of the Brooklyn Brats all over Tom. “When the hell did he become such a social butterfly?”
“Hmm?” Ken casually turned to see what Joe was scowling at. “Looks like he’s quite the catch. They’re practically throwing themselves at his feet.”
“Among other things,” Joe grunted, his eyes narrowing at the spectacle. “Those little hussies! Look at them. They’re shameless.” One blond Adonis was hanging on to Tom’s left bicep. Another was tugging at the hem of his tunic. A third was running his fingers through the helmet’s plumes and giggling. The fourth was wrapping himself in Tom’s cape, and the fifth wasn’t bothering with any subtlety at all as he ran his finger slowly down the faux sword attached to Tom’s belt. The man himself seemed to be completely unawares, standing there chatting away. My God, he couldn’t be that oblivious. Could he? “Someone should save him.”
“Maybe he doesn’t want saving,” Gordon mused. “Most men don’t when caught in their clutches. After all, they’re very picky about their prey. Everyone knows they only sink their teeth into the best meat.”
Joe shot him a glare. “Tom’s not meat, and he’s not interested in becoming their prey, either. Besides,” he purred, fluttering his lashes, “he’s crazy about me.”
“Maybe he’s tired of waiting for you to reciprocate?” Ken countered most nonchalantly, his eyes everywhere but on Joe.
“What do you mean?” Joe asked, feeling the blood drain from his face.
“Well, I mean, the man might not remember who he is, but surely you don’t expect him to wait around for you forever, do you? He might meet someone else who doesn’t find his lack of identity a problem and steal him from you.”
“Well, considering he’s not mine to begin with, they wouldn’t be stealing,” Joe said haughtily, though his heart was fighting him on that one. What if Tom really was waiting for him? He was always so sweet and affectionate, always the one to initiate things. Sometimes he thought maybe Tom did it because he was grateful to Joe, but the more he thought about it, the less he believed that. From the very beginning, Tom wore his heart on his sleeve, always being open and honest with Joe.
“So you’re just going to let the lions have him? If they don’t finish him off, I guarantee there are a few more vultures circling at the moment.”
Sure enough, when Joe scanned the rooftop, there were at least six or seven more men waiting for their chance at Tom. God, it was like a feeding frenzy. It wasn’t so much the thought of them ogling Tom—because frankly it was hard not to notice the man—but the thought of someone waltzing in and taking Joe’s place in Tom’s heart, all because he was too much of a coward to take a chance. Taking a deep breath, Joe tilted his top hat back and gave it a firm pat before making straight for the lions.
“All right, beat it,” he growled, shooing the disgruntled youths away and grabbing Tom by the waist, pulling him hard against him. Tom’s eyes widened and he flushed, sending a tingle up Joe’s spine. Joe crushed his mouth to Tom’s and kissed him hard, claiming him right there in front of everyone.
For a moment Tom appeared too stunned to move. He was probably wondering if Joe had done what he thought he’d done. Joe couldn’t believe what he was doing, but all further thought fled from his mind as he kissed Tom heatedly and thoroughly. It was only when they were forced to come up for air that Joe saw the look of raw desire in Tom’s eyes, and it sent a shudder through him.
“I thought you wouldn’t come for me.”
“You thought wrong,” Joe said, sounding breathless. An “oomph!” escaped him when Tom brought Joe up hard against him, kissing him deeply. It was only when Joe felt someone give his coat a gentle tug that he realized Ken and Gordon were trying to get their attention.
“As thrilled as we are, boys,” Ken said, beaming, “you’re making the natives restless. Not to mention, very, very jealous.”
Tom laughed shyly, and Joe, who’d only just realized what he’d done in front of everyone, wrapped his arms around Tom’s waist, and buried his face against his neck.
Ken’s eyes danced with amusement. “Well, it’s better than an oven.”
Joe glared at Ken, who cackled as he walked off, and the DJ began to play a soft romantic ballad.
Tom slipped his hands around Joe’s waist and started to sway, his voice laced with amusement when he said, “Since we’re already here, how about a dance?”
Joe put on his big boy pants and pulled back to meet Tom’s eyes. The man really was handsome. “I’d like that.”
“Thank you for coming to my rescue,” Tom said, taking Joe’s hand in his and placing the other on Joe’s waist. They swayed slowly in time to the music. Joe couldn’t remember the last time he’d slow danced with someone. Had it been prom?
“Well, you are my date. I could hardly leave you to become their dinner, though you didn’t look all that alarmed.” Joe narrowed his eyes, ignoring the way his lip twitched, clearly eager to smile.