Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Mind made up, I jumped in the shower, then took forever deciding what to wear. I did own too many pairs of jeans—not that I’d ever admit that to Tad—and I did like to look neat and put together, so I didn’t have any with fashionable holes or anything like that. I was being ridiculous; it was only a bar. So I threw on my favorite dark-wash jeans and a light-gray T-shirt.
I got in the truck before I changed my mind again, and drove across town to the Playground. Holy shit, I was really doing this.
I found a parking space a couple of blocks down from the club because apparently, the place was hopping. I got in line, feeling self-conscious again as I listened to all the enthusiastic chatter around me, and was finally let inside. And damn, it was crowded and chaotic in there, which to my relief, helped me blend in better. As I made my way into the heart of the club, I noticed two fully stocked bars and men dancing on risers, wearing only tight, nylon shorts. And no doubt, they were gorgeous men. One with dark hair briefly caught my attention as he turned so his ass was facing the crowd, and his shorts, which barely covered his cheeks, read: Cum Dumpster.
My face flamed red. I had never been in this sort of environment where the sensuality of gay men was so in your face. Of course, I’d been to straight strip clubs and dance bars, but this place appealed to that other side of myself that I’d rarely catered to except in my own imagination, and it was…well, it was overwhelming.
When I got a few interested looks thrown my way, my blush deepened, and I figured I needed a drink, stat, to help me loosen up and take it all in. But first I wanted to find Seth and the speakeasy. I knew from the time frame he gave me that their set had already begun, so I didn’t want to miss much more if I could help it. I paused a moment against the wall and looked around, trying to get my bearings.
Two men beside me started kissing and grinding, and I thought my head was gonna explode. They were attractive and sexy, and I tried not to stare, but unfortunately, I must’ve given myself away because one of the guys grinned at me as he trailed his fingers down my arm. “Wanna join us?”
Holy shit, my pulse started going crazy. I had never been into threesomes—I’d prefer to watch, to be honest—but now I could feel my ears growing hot, and I undoubtedly looked all flustered and sweaty. Totally out of my element here.
“No, thanks,” I replied, finally finding my voice. “Can you tell me how to get to the Underground?”
He threw me a dazzling smile as he pointed toward a door painted black at the back of the club. Directions given, he pulled his partner into a steamy kiss as if we’d never had the conversation at all. Christ, I needed that drink.
I made my way through the crowd to the black door, pulled it open, then walked down the stairs behind another couple of guys, taking in the insular atmosphere after leaving the Playground behind.
“Password?” asked a large bouncer with a purple Mohawk.
“Huh?” Oh shit, now I remembered Seth telling us that they posted the password on their Instagram page. “I, uh…”
The guy behind me whispered in my ear, “Today’s password is Love is Love.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, then repeated the words to purple Mohawk dude, barely having enough time to consider it was a phrase heard all too often in the last few years, and here I was, in my first gay club, embracing the very meaning behind it.
“Don’t sweat it,” he replied with a smile, opening the door to let me inside.
As soon as I crossed over the threshold, it felt like a time warp dating back a hundred years. The sound was muted, the space darker and understated, the vibe more serene, and I instantly felt my shoulders unwind. Much more my speed.
Sliding sideways to let someone by, I perched my hip against the wall. My gaze darted around the room at the packed tables of couples or small groups of friends before snagging on the source of the music—and my jaw nearly hit the floor.
Holy shit, was that Seth? If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have recognized him. He was sitting at the piano, his fingers flying over the keys as Jesse sang a jazzy up-tempo song I didn’t recognize, but if I were to guess, I’d say it was from the roaring ’20s era. Jesse’s voice was a dream, and he was all glammed up, wearing a silver flapper-style dress, strappy heels, and headband to match, but my eyes kept drifting back to Seth.