Mike’s eyes went wide and a flush flamed high on his cheekbones. “I meant a massage. He gave me a massage on my temples. Because of the pain. He also gave me Tylenol to help me feel better.”
As much as he was enjoying the adorableness that was Mike desperately trying to convince Caleb that nothing had happened between them, Aiden wanted those green eyes back on him. He stepped close, a little too close for two guys who were supposed to be nothing more than superhero work buddies, and lightly poked him in the stomach. It was an effort to drop his hand without spreading his palm over the hard abs beneath his fingertip. “I like it when you blush,” he whispered.
Mike blinked. Cleared his throat. Straightened his spine. All while his cheeks remained as red as strawberries. “I guess we’re finished here?”
A blushing six-foot-tall man. Aiden could just eat him up. He was going to—very soon. Right now, however, he’d have to let Mike off the hook. There’d be time later to make him blush again.
“You’re right. I’d better get going. I’ve got a shift at the Fox this evening before we patrol.”
He nodded politely at Caleb, who he was well aware was reading the excited and horny vibes rolling off of him. Turning back to Mike, he threw him one last glance full of promise.
“I’ll see you later, Mike.”
“You have a good night at work.”
∞ ∞ ∞
Aiden did have a good night at the Fox, his stack of tips bigger than usual thanks to a big-name celebrity’s bachelor party. But the moment his shift ended, Aiden immediately left the floor and made a beeline for the dressing room. Eager to leave the club and meet up with Mike, he hustled to change out of his last costume for the night. While braiding his hair, he decided to skip washing off his makeup, reasoning that he’d be wearing a mask so it didn’t matter if he left it on.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Suzie asked.
“Yeah, you should stay,” Cupcake chimed in. “Josephine put out word that everyone can work an hour overtime if they want since Mr. Big Shot out there has the place so packed.”
“Any other time I would stay but I have plans tonight,” Aiden said as he stuffed his feet into his shoes. “You all get those dollars for me.” He gave them both a kiss on the cheek then he was out the door.
After a quick stop at his vestibule to change into his gear, Stardust rode up to their pre-arranged meeting spot. As expected, Mike was already waiting for him. Stardust was on time. But to Mike fifteen minutes early was on time and on time was late. It was hard to believe, but Stardust found the habit endearing. He liked his always prepared and punctual soldier man.
Stardust shut off the rumbling bike, swinging a leg over to dismount. He strolled up to his partner, excitement that had more to do with the big, black-clad superhero in front of him than the upcoming patrol bubbling beneath his skin like sparkling champagne.
“Ready to get your patrol on?”
Mike nodded, the green lenses glinting in the light. “Let’s do it.”
They set off, Stardust giddily wanting to hold Mike’s hand or tug him into each alley they passed to make out. That brought back a memory that made him laugh.
“What’s funny? Mike asked.
“Remember when I accused you of assuming I wanted to fuck my partner in an alley during a patrol?” He trailed his fingers down Mike’s hard bicep and tilted his head toward the alley they were passing.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “We’ve already made out twice in an alley while on patrol. If that was what I’d been assuming, I’d have been right.”
Stardust laughed again at Mike’s smug response. But a panicked shout for help brought their teasing to a halt. Stardust instantly switched toDefend,Fight,Attackmode and ran with Mike in the direction of the shouts.
They came upon three white shirts playing keep away with a Player’s bag, while a fourth held back another Player. Both Players were in tears, one unable to get her bag or escape the ring of white shirts surrounding her, the other desperately calling for her friend and struggling to break free.
Stardust watched the scene for a moment, eyes narrowed with fury, but determined to control his emotions. “I want one for questioning,” he said to Mike.
“Which one?”
Stardust eyed the bullies. One of them, a short stocky man with tattoos, seemed to be taking particular glee in tormenting the woman they had trapped in their circle. “The one with the neck tattoo,” he answered Mike.
“He’s yours.”
They stepped into view at the same time. The white shirt holding the woman back on his own saw them first.
“We were wondering if you freaks would show up,” he snarled.
Stardust drew his sai from their holsters, holding them loose and ready. “Here we are.”
