A Balance of Harmonies: Party, part 7
Jul. 27th, 2013 09:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warToday was supposed to be my last day of work before two weeks vacation, but a few days ago the floral manager was rear-ended so hard that the other car push her over two lanes an onto an exit. Yesterday she was diagnosed with a severe concussion and won’t be at work next week. No one can work next week (our third is also on vacation and the holiday helpers are all busy in other departments). So I volunteered.
But I’d been counting down the days (some of which have been awful). I’m back to eight days to freedom.
Title: Party, part 7
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred thirty of lots
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: a little guest, introductions, arrivals, compliments, teasing, ads, elevator, dancing, more guests, a brief introlude, relief, goodbyes, games
Length: about 3,200 words
Summary: Peregrine’s friends arrive. Kurt has his lap full. And Emil is surprised by pleasure.
Master list
Emil turned off the music. “Sorry, guys, but we have a little guest that doesn’t like loud noises.”
Janine stepped into the dining room. “I don’t want to intrude.”
Willow gasped for breath. “Break time.”
“Anyone want a drink?” Zan stepped up to the bar.
Dancers headed in her direction. Dakota tugged Tyler up to Janine. “What’s your dog’s name?”
Janine smiled. “Joyce Amadeus Monet van Eyck Schubert Kafka Hughes Alighieri Rossetti Tchaikovsky, so he’s James K Hart. I call him James.”
The kids, including Olivia, Hunter, and Tom, got on the floor to play with him. May talked Janine into a tour, but Emil couldn’t go on this one either because the doorbell rang again. Mike grinned. “The party can start now.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “That joke was never young, Uncle.”
He glared at her. “What did I say about ‘uncling’ me?”
“If you don’t remember, I’m afraid I can’t help you.” Hannah took Emil’s hand. “That’s for the invitation.”
“Anytime.” Hannah had always been nice to Emil, even when everyone else wasn’t. “I’m glad you made it. Peregrine was starting to worry that none of his friends would show up.”
Mike frowned. “Zan?”
“She could count as Kurt’s, but she actually counts as mine. Almost all my family came. Kurt has people from work, but although the guy Peregrine works with counts as his, that man’s husband counts as Kurt’s. So you guys make his fifth and sixth.” Peregrine hadn’t exactly complained about it, but he had asked Zan several times when Mike and Greg were coming.
“Out of how many?” Mike moved the shouji doors aside and looked at the paintings underneath. “I’ve got to have this one.”
“All these are sold.”
“No, really. I’ve got to have them.”
Hannah laughed. “Uncle, only you would ask a question and not wait for the answer. Emil, how many people are here?”
He thought for a second. “More than twenty, less than thirty. Some have already gone.”
And some wouldn’t take the hint and leave.
Mike wandered into the hallway and stopped at the opening to the kitchen. “I’m here.”
“Finally.” Peregrine got up from Kurt’s lap. “I’m not sure anyone here knows you.”
“I do.” Mr. Zawadzki lifted his drink.
Mike groaned. “Why is he here?”
Mr. Zawadzki smiled. “I am here to bask in the perfection that is Peregrine’s art.”
“You can do that at the gallery!”
“And pick which ones are mine before the public sees them.”
“No. Peregrine, tell me he’s lying.”
Autumn handed Mike a glass of orange liquid. “But only if he is, right?”
Mike took a drink and then looked at the glass. “Where’s the schnapps?”
Now Emil was in for it. He was the reason the bar was dry.
Zan grinned. “All ages party.”
The kids looked up.
Mike groaned.
Hannah nudged his elbow. “Buck up, Uncle. What a cute dog.”
She got down on her knees by the kids.
Kurt lifted his hand. Emil took it and was pulled down onto his lap. Veronica sat beside them on the couch. “You know, this party’s only missing one thing.”
How come everyone needed alcohol to have a good time?
Kurt rubbed Emil’s leg. “What would that be?”
“You have a great place, nice friends, the best storytellers I’ve heard in eons, good food, a great bartender. Kurt, what you are missing is single men.”
Kurt laughed. “Sorry. Do you regret coming?”
“No.” Veronica took a drink. “The men here can dance and no one gets gropey. And I’ve got stories to tell when other parties get awkward or boring.”
“But the party isn’t over.”
“No, but I’m glad it’s not. And that’s the difference.” She smiled and got up. Maybe headed to the bar where Ezra was telling yet another story that was impossibly clean for its subject matter.
“Hey, V.” When did Kurt start calling her a nickname?
She turned.
“We do have two single men here.” He looked pointedly at where Mr. Zawadzki was needling Mike.
Veronica’s jaw dropped and then she laughed, long and loud. People turned to look at her. She swatted Kurt’s shoulder. “That was a good one. I’ll leave them to each other.”
She went and stood by Beka, who leaned her head close. Veronica shook her head and turned to Ezra and his story. Emil laid his head on Kurt’s shoulder.
Kurt kissed Emil’s cheek. “She took that better than she would have a few months ago.”
“V?”
Kurt ran his hand down Emil’s side. “That’s what Beka calls her and we all kind of picked it up.”
Emil wasn’t really jealous. He buried his head against Kurt’s chest. “Maybe I’m a bit tired.”
“Only a few more hours.”
Yeah, but minutes with people Emil didn’t care for lasted longer than hours with those he liked.
--
Peregrine sketched the kids playing with little James. May and Thad walked by yet again explaining color and texture. These tours weren’t really bout the condo; they were ads for the young architects and their firm. Peregrine wasn’t one to stand in the way of a small business owner.
Janine stood up from the couch. “I think we better go.”
She walked over to James and bent down. He rose up on his hind legs and licked her cheek. She smiled. “James dear, say goodbye to your new friends.”
The kids waved goodbye. Peregrine got up. He was on door duty, at least until Emil got off Kurt’s lap and since he looked so adorable there, Peregrine hoped he never moved.
Peregrine walked Janine to the door.
She looked around the entry way. “I didn’t know you had paintings back there.”
She pointed at the shouji doors along the walls.
He walked her up and let her look them over. She smiled at the picture of Willow and Liam not looking at each other. “I see Emil and Kurt show up everywhere.”
“They are all I see.”
She patted his cheek. “You are so sweet. Thank you for the invitation. James enjoyed himself.”
“I’m glad.” He walked her to the elevator. “Thanks for coming.”
The elevator opened. Jess grinned at him from inside. “Ok, guys, we’re here.”
Stav and Greg’s liplock broke and Stav leaned back against Jess. “Four floors isn’t enough.”
“Are we interrupting?” They looked like they were having a good time.
Greg turned. “Peregrine.”
He stepped out of the elevator and hugged Peregrine. Jess and Stav followed. Peregrine introduced them to Janine and little James. Janine pressed her lips together and nodded to each, her hands at her sides. The three didn’t seem to notice. Greg’s hands were too busy anyway, sliding over Stav’s chest.
Peregrine got Janine and James on the elevator and put his arm around Greg. “It’s nice to see you, friend.”
Greg grinned back. “It’s nice to be wanted.”
They could forget all the times Greg had been annoying, now that he wasn’t. If he brought it up again, he would be.
“Aren’t they cute?” Jess took Stav’s hand. “They’ve been friends since they were wee little things.”
“But we have gotten along better since you entered our life.” Greg took Stav’s free hand.
“Maybe we should bring all that romance inside.” They needed a painting too.
Once inside the entryway, Stav explored like a puppy. “Oh.” He stepped back from Liam and Willow as mobster and moll. “Is all your stuff this good?”
Jess stepped up beside him. “He’s got the touch.”
“So, my friend,” Peregrine put an elbow on Greg’s shoulder, “would you like a portrait of your family?”
Stav turned, his eyes bright. “Like this?”
Jess frowned. “I’d rather be Bonny and Clyde or something. I don’t need a man to be me. I just want you two.”
She ran her hand down Stav’s arm.
Stav grinned at her.
“We can think of something. I’ve got other stuff in my studio.” But Jess and Greg as mobsters and Stav as the pretty boy they both wanted… Or maybe as a rich couple and Stav as their new footman. “I’ve got lots of ideas.”
As they walked by the entry to the dining room, the music started back up, but much quieter than before.
“Dancing?” Stav bit his lip.
Jess shrugged. “We promised him dancing.”
“They’ll start back up. They’ve been on a break due to the dog. You can go, if you want.”
Stav shook his head, but kept looking toward the rest of the guests until he was much too far down the hall to see them. Peregrine grinned. “My studio will stay here. You can stop by later tonight, or tomorrow even. Or wait to see everything at my show in January. I hate to think I was keeping you from fun.”
Stav took Greg’s hand. Jess rubbed Stav’s head. “Do you want someone to go out with you?”
Stav looked at his feet.
“So cute.” She kissed his forehead. “Come on.”
Greg sighed. “And that leaves me alone. I might as well look around while I’m here.”
May poked her head in. “Mr. Jones. We’re going now.”
Thad grinned. “We ran out of business cards.”
Of course they had. “I hope you get some business out of your evening’s work.”
“We did have a nice time.”
“And we got a few numbers.”
Zawadzki’s and Ezra’s mothers unless Peregrine missed his guess. As long as May and Thad remembered who would have to live in the house they designed.
“Look around. I’ll walk them out.” Peregrine clapped Greg’s back. He got to the front door just as it shut, but voices came from the hall. Who else had been invited?
The doorbell rang and Peregrine opened to Carly and Scott and his grasping little sister Heather. Peregrine was sure she hadn’t been invited. “Carly, it’s so good to see you. Mike and Greg are here, but you should have come earlier and brought your kids.”
Carly laughed. “We thought about it, but decided to make this an adult’s night out.”
“Kids are here, mostly teenagers.”
Scott put his hand on Carly’s back. “Then it’s good we didn’t. Our oldest worships teenagers.”
Maybe more exposure would cure the adoration, but then Peregrine wasn’t a parent. He shooed them inside and through to the living room. Emil took one look at the new guests and turned up the music. “Who wants to dance?”
Stav stepped forward and the two were in full swing before the dance floor was empty of people.
Dakota lifted a deck of cards. “Anyone not ready to sweat again, can come play with me.”
“Can lose to you?” Tyler stood up and took Dakota’s hand.
“I’ll go.” Kurt walked toward the plant room. “Maybe Ezra can finish that story.”
Ezra grinned. “What are we playing?”
“Whatever you want to play?” Dakota moved his hands across his jaw line like a femme fatale.
Ezra stopped. “I’m going to ignore that.”
Dakota laughed. Tyler rolled his eyes. “He’s just teasing.”
“I know.” Ezra rubbed Tyler’s head. “Does he really win everything?”
“You play against him and see.”
“Even against Peregrine?” Mike frowned. “Peregrine wins everything.”
Kurt took Peregrine’s hand. “Do you want to try your luck?”
Peregrine grinned. “Sure, but someone needs to let Greg know I’m not coming back for a while.”
“I’ll do that.” Jess dragged her eyes off Stav. “He’ll want to see this anyway.”
Once this hand was over, Peregrine should get back to sketching his guests. Or maybe he’s go back to his studio. Kurt sat at Peregrine’s left at the Jacuzzi turned card table and then ran his hand down Peregrine’s leg. Or maybe the two could take a brief interlude in Kurt’s office. If they could steal Emil from the dance floor to “dance” with them, even better.
--
Kurt followed Peregrine out of the conservatory. He had a need, an itch he had to scratch. Peregrine opened his office door and turned. “Get Emil. No one will notice.”
The dance floor was full. Someone had opened the door to the balcony and at least one couple was outside. Kurt waiting until Emil was on the near side of the moving throng and then he stepped up behind him where he danced with Stav and Beka. “Can I borrow you?”
Emil turned and tilted his head back. “Do you want to dance?”
Something like that. He wrapped his hands around Emil’s waist. “Come with me.”
Emil threw a glace to his dance partners and then walked with Kurt to the office door. “What is it?”
He didn’t look quite so ready for sex as he had a moment ago, but Kurt was pretty sure he could get him hot again. Kurt leaned down. “In here.”
The music in the office was muted. Peregrine had cleaned everything off Kurt’s desk except the bottle of lube Kurt kept in the bottom drawer for just such occasions.
Emil pushed his hair from his face. “What?”
Peregrine wrapped his arms around Emil and undid his pants.
Emil grasped Peregrine’s wrists. “We have guests.”
“Then the sooner we come, the sooner we’ll get back out there. Kurt, distract him.”
So Kurt did until Peregrine had all Emil’s attention. Emil screamed against Kurt’s chest and couldn’t have stood without Kurt’s assistance while Peregrine worked his way with him. Peregrine face was as intense as when he painted. He was creating a masterpiece. Emil gasped and panted and melted against Kurt. Kurt carried him to the desk and laid him down. Then he pulled Peregrine to him. “You are beautiful.”
Peregrine grinned and rubbed against him. “You seem to have a problem.”
“I do indeed.” He was harder than he’d been in a while. Peregrine had a way of working him up.
“I might have a solution.” Peregrine dropped to his knees.
Kurt didn’t last long. Peregrine zipped him up and patted his thigh. “Now go hold Emil for a bit.”
Kurt staggered to his chair and slid Emil into his lap. Emil moaned and snuggled closer. Peregrine blew a kiss from the door and turned the lock on the knob before he closed it behind him. Kurt took a deep breath and then another and sleep pulled him under.
--
Emil woke with a start. The party. He sat up. Kurt pulled him back down.
Kurt had a wet spot on the front of his now wrinkled shirt. Oops. Emil brushed at it. It got neither bigger nor smaller. He tugged it away from Kurt’s chest. Maybe it would dry faster if he blew on it.
Kurt ran his hand down Emil’s back. “Whatcha doin’?”
“I got you wet.”
Kurt pulled Emil closer. “You always do.”
Emil laughed. “Not now, sweetheart.” He kissed Kurt’s cheek. “We have guests.”
“Do we?”
Emil patted Kurt’s chest. “They aren’t as important as you are, but we shouldn’t ignore them.”
Kurt lifted Emil’s hand and kissed his fingers. “Let’s not do this again.”
“Do what?”
“Have our house filled with people for so long.” Kurt sighed. “I want all you attention.”
“And you’ll get it. Tomorrow. Afternoon.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t go to church. I can devote the morning to you.”
Emil licked his lips. “I’d like that, but how would Peregrine?”
“I’ll talk to him. Kiss me first.”
Emil leaned down and gently kissed him. Kurt moaned and pulled away. “You better go if you don’t want to still be here when the last guest leaves.”
Emil laughed and hopped to his feet. He threw Kurt a loving glance over his shoulder and went out to do his duty. Maybe Kurt was right. This party had gone on too long. What kind of guest showed up at eight anyway?
Mike turned the music down. Hardly anyone was dancing. “Who’s wants to wet their pallets? I need a little something to slick the night.”
As long as he didn’t try to bring any of it back.
“Where are you headed?” Greg pulled Stav against him.
“Crawling unless you have a preference.”
“I do.” V picked up her purse. “I just heard of a great new place.”
Mike looked her down. “I’m in.”
V rolled her eyes. “You wish. Beka?”
“Sure.” Beka turned to Greg. “but don’t try and tell me your little cupcake here is twenty-one.”
Stav grinned. “I have an ID to prove it.”
“Of course you do. Anyone else?”
Zawadzki shook his head. “We going to stay for a bit and go over what our moms bought. I don’t want full frontal hanging in my parents’ living room.”
“Is that likely?” Phil asked.
Ivory touched Phil’s cheek. “You met his mother.”
“But still…”
Ivory grinned. “Who can understand mothers?”
“Or my mother, at least.” Zawadzki leaned his chin on Ezra’s shoulder.
“Do you mind if we join you?” Aaron asked Greg.
Mike grinned. “The more the merrier.”
Hooray!
Coats were collected and Kurt walked the guests to the door.
“Ivory and I better head home. I’ve got a sermon to get ready for.”
Olivia raced out of the conservatory. “Pastor Phil, good night. We’re going to see you tomorrow. Kurt is taking me to church.”
That was right. Sleeping in wasn’t going to be an option. Olivia and Hunter were spending the night.
Mr. Zawadzki looked at his watch and sighed. “I didn’t expect to stay this long, but I couldn’t help staying around to irritate Mike.”
Emil understood the feeling. “You don’t have to go.”
“I’m an old man. I’ll be by to talk to Peregrine later. Thanks all.”
Carly looked toward the door and back at Zan. “I hate to leave so soon.”
Leave. She wasn’t one of the people Emil had wanted to see and she and her husband had brought his sister along and that girl definitely wasn’t one of Emil’s favorites.
“You could always call Mike and ask him where he is. He might even come back.”
He better not, all boozy smelling and vile.
Carly smiled. “I’ll do that. I don’t want to miss all the fun.”
If you don’t think the party was fun, leave.
Kit looked around. “Maybe we should go too. I hate to overstay.”
“No, no,” Emil grinned. “Now that we have fewer people, we’re pulling out the board games.”
Liam laughed. “We’ll have to encourage Tyler to distract Dakota if we want any variety in the winner.”
Casey sighed. “Doesn’t seem to me that he’ll need much encouragement.”
Groans rose up from the conservatory. Dakota must have won again.
Tables and chairs were brought back into the living room. Heather hovered and sat next to Emil at the give-away Monopoly table. She should go over to the Pictionary table with her brother. Or even the Clue table. Emil should have gone there; he could pretend Heather was the body.
The game felt like it lasted forever, but Dad lost his last dollar to the bank before an hour was up. He acted so surprised that he won. This was one game Dakota hadn’t gotten the knack of winning because to do that you had to lose. Emil stood up and put away the pieces. Heather hovered some more. Why couldn’t she leave him alone?
But I’d been counting down the days (some of which have been awful). I’m back to eight days to freedom.
Title: Party, part 7
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter one hundred thirty of lots
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: a little guest, introductions, arrivals, compliments, teasing, ads, elevator, dancing, more guests, a brief introlude, relief, goodbyes, games
Length: about 3,200 words
Summary: Peregrine’s friends arrive. Kurt has his lap full. And Emil is surprised by pleasure.
Master list
Emil turned off the music. “Sorry, guys, but we have a little guest that doesn’t like loud noises.”
Janine stepped into the dining room. “I don’t want to intrude.”
Willow gasped for breath. “Break time.”
“Anyone want a drink?” Zan stepped up to the bar.
Dancers headed in her direction. Dakota tugged Tyler up to Janine. “What’s your dog’s name?”
Janine smiled. “Joyce Amadeus Monet van Eyck Schubert Kafka Hughes Alighieri Rossetti Tchaikovsky, so he’s James K Hart. I call him James.”
The kids, including Olivia, Hunter, and Tom, got on the floor to play with him. May talked Janine into a tour, but Emil couldn’t go on this one either because the doorbell rang again. Mike grinned. “The party can start now.”
Hannah rolled her eyes. “That joke was never young, Uncle.”
He glared at her. “What did I say about ‘uncling’ me?”
“If you don’t remember, I’m afraid I can’t help you.” Hannah took Emil’s hand. “That’s for the invitation.”
“Anytime.” Hannah had always been nice to Emil, even when everyone else wasn’t. “I’m glad you made it. Peregrine was starting to worry that none of his friends would show up.”
Mike frowned. “Zan?”
“She could count as Kurt’s, but she actually counts as mine. Almost all my family came. Kurt has people from work, but although the guy Peregrine works with counts as his, that man’s husband counts as Kurt’s. So you guys make his fifth and sixth.” Peregrine hadn’t exactly complained about it, but he had asked Zan several times when Mike and Greg were coming.
“Out of how many?” Mike moved the shouji doors aside and looked at the paintings underneath. “I’ve got to have this one.”
“All these are sold.”
“No, really. I’ve got to have them.”
Hannah laughed. “Uncle, only you would ask a question and not wait for the answer. Emil, how many people are here?”
He thought for a second. “More than twenty, less than thirty. Some have already gone.”
And some wouldn’t take the hint and leave.
Mike wandered into the hallway and stopped at the opening to the kitchen. “I’m here.”
“Finally.” Peregrine got up from Kurt’s lap. “I’m not sure anyone here knows you.”
“I do.” Mr. Zawadzki lifted his drink.
Mike groaned. “Why is he here?”
Mr. Zawadzki smiled. “I am here to bask in the perfection that is Peregrine’s art.”
“You can do that at the gallery!”
“And pick which ones are mine before the public sees them.”
“No. Peregrine, tell me he’s lying.”
Autumn handed Mike a glass of orange liquid. “But only if he is, right?”
Mike took a drink and then looked at the glass. “Where’s the schnapps?”
Now Emil was in for it. He was the reason the bar was dry.
Zan grinned. “All ages party.”
The kids looked up.
Mike groaned.
Hannah nudged his elbow. “Buck up, Uncle. What a cute dog.”
She got down on her knees by the kids.
Kurt lifted his hand. Emil took it and was pulled down onto his lap. Veronica sat beside them on the couch. “You know, this party’s only missing one thing.”
How come everyone needed alcohol to have a good time?
Kurt rubbed Emil’s leg. “What would that be?”
“You have a great place, nice friends, the best storytellers I’ve heard in eons, good food, a great bartender. Kurt, what you are missing is single men.”
Kurt laughed. “Sorry. Do you regret coming?”
“No.” Veronica took a drink. “The men here can dance and no one gets gropey. And I’ve got stories to tell when other parties get awkward or boring.”
“But the party isn’t over.”
“No, but I’m glad it’s not. And that’s the difference.” She smiled and got up. Maybe headed to the bar where Ezra was telling yet another story that was impossibly clean for its subject matter.
“Hey, V.” When did Kurt start calling her a nickname?
She turned.
“We do have two single men here.” He looked pointedly at where Mr. Zawadzki was needling Mike.
Veronica’s jaw dropped and then she laughed, long and loud. People turned to look at her. She swatted Kurt’s shoulder. “That was a good one. I’ll leave them to each other.”
She went and stood by Beka, who leaned her head close. Veronica shook her head and turned to Ezra and his story. Emil laid his head on Kurt’s shoulder.
Kurt kissed Emil’s cheek. “She took that better than she would have a few months ago.”
“V?”
Kurt ran his hand down Emil’s side. “That’s what Beka calls her and we all kind of picked it up.”
Emil wasn’t really jealous. He buried his head against Kurt’s chest. “Maybe I’m a bit tired.”
“Only a few more hours.”
Yeah, but minutes with people Emil didn’t care for lasted longer than hours with those he liked.
--
Peregrine sketched the kids playing with little James. May and Thad walked by yet again explaining color and texture. These tours weren’t really bout the condo; they were ads for the young architects and their firm. Peregrine wasn’t one to stand in the way of a small business owner.
Janine stood up from the couch. “I think we better go.”
She walked over to James and bent down. He rose up on his hind legs and licked her cheek. She smiled. “James dear, say goodbye to your new friends.”
The kids waved goodbye. Peregrine got up. He was on door duty, at least until Emil got off Kurt’s lap and since he looked so adorable there, Peregrine hoped he never moved.
Peregrine walked Janine to the door.
She looked around the entry way. “I didn’t know you had paintings back there.”
She pointed at the shouji doors along the walls.
He walked her up and let her look them over. She smiled at the picture of Willow and Liam not looking at each other. “I see Emil and Kurt show up everywhere.”
“They are all I see.”
She patted his cheek. “You are so sweet. Thank you for the invitation. James enjoyed himself.”
“I’m glad.” He walked her to the elevator. “Thanks for coming.”
The elevator opened. Jess grinned at him from inside. “Ok, guys, we’re here.”
Stav and Greg’s liplock broke and Stav leaned back against Jess. “Four floors isn’t enough.”
“Are we interrupting?” They looked like they were having a good time.
Greg turned. “Peregrine.”
He stepped out of the elevator and hugged Peregrine. Jess and Stav followed. Peregrine introduced them to Janine and little James. Janine pressed her lips together and nodded to each, her hands at her sides. The three didn’t seem to notice. Greg’s hands were too busy anyway, sliding over Stav’s chest.
Peregrine got Janine and James on the elevator and put his arm around Greg. “It’s nice to see you, friend.”
Greg grinned back. “It’s nice to be wanted.”
They could forget all the times Greg had been annoying, now that he wasn’t. If he brought it up again, he would be.
“Aren’t they cute?” Jess took Stav’s hand. “They’ve been friends since they were wee little things.”
“But we have gotten along better since you entered our life.” Greg took Stav’s free hand.
“Maybe we should bring all that romance inside.” They needed a painting too.
Once inside the entryway, Stav explored like a puppy. “Oh.” He stepped back from Liam and Willow as mobster and moll. “Is all your stuff this good?”
Jess stepped up beside him. “He’s got the touch.”
“So, my friend,” Peregrine put an elbow on Greg’s shoulder, “would you like a portrait of your family?”
Stav turned, his eyes bright. “Like this?”
Jess frowned. “I’d rather be Bonny and Clyde or something. I don’t need a man to be me. I just want you two.”
She ran her hand down Stav’s arm.
Stav grinned at her.
“We can think of something. I’ve got other stuff in my studio.” But Jess and Greg as mobsters and Stav as the pretty boy they both wanted… Or maybe as a rich couple and Stav as their new footman. “I’ve got lots of ideas.”
As they walked by the entry to the dining room, the music started back up, but much quieter than before.
“Dancing?” Stav bit his lip.
Jess shrugged. “We promised him dancing.”
“They’ll start back up. They’ve been on a break due to the dog. You can go, if you want.”
Stav shook his head, but kept looking toward the rest of the guests until he was much too far down the hall to see them. Peregrine grinned. “My studio will stay here. You can stop by later tonight, or tomorrow even. Or wait to see everything at my show in January. I hate to think I was keeping you from fun.”
Stav took Greg’s hand. Jess rubbed Stav’s head. “Do you want someone to go out with you?”
Stav looked at his feet.
“So cute.” She kissed his forehead. “Come on.”
Greg sighed. “And that leaves me alone. I might as well look around while I’m here.”
May poked her head in. “Mr. Jones. We’re going now.”
Thad grinned. “We ran out of business cards.”
Of course they had. “I hope you get some business out of your evening’s work.”
“We did have a nice time.”
“And we got a few numbers.”
Zawadzki’s and Ezra’s mothers unless Peregrine missed his guess. As long as May and Thad remembered who would have to live in the house they designed.
“Look around. I’ll walk them out.” Peregrine clapped Greg’s back. He got to the front door just as it shut, but voices came from the hall. Who else had been invited?
The doorbell rang and Peregrine opened to Carly and Scott and his grasping little sister Heather. Peregrine was sure she hadn’t been invited. “Carly, it’s so good to see you. Mike and Greg are here, but you should have come earlier and brought your kids.”
Carly laughed. “We thought about it, but decided to make this an adult’s night out.”
“Kids are here, mostly teenagers.”
Scott put his hand on Carly’s back. “Then it’s good we didn’t. Our oldest worships teenagers.”
Maybe more exposure would cure the adoration, but then Peregrine wasn’t a parent. He shooed them inside and through to the living room. Emil took one look at the new guests and turned up the music. “Who wants to dance?”
Stav stepped forward and the two were in full swing before the dance floor was empty of people.
Dakota lifted a deck of cards. “Anyone not ready to sweat again, can come play with me.”
“Can lose to you?” Tyler stood up and took Dakota’s hand.
“I’ll go.” Kurt walked toward the plant room. “Maybe Ezra can finish that story.”
Ezra grinned. “What are we playing?”
“Whatever you want to play?” Dakota moved his hands across his jaw line like a femme fatale.
Ezra stopped. “I’m going to ignore that.”
Dakota laughed. Tyler rolled his eyes. “He’s just teasing.”
“I know.” Ezra rubbed Tyler’s head. “Does he really win everything?”
“You play against him and see.”
“Even against Peregrine?” Mike frowned. “Peregrine wins everything.”
Kurt took Peregrine’s hand. “Do you want to try your luck?”
Peregrine grinned. “Sure, but someone needs to let Greg know I’m not coming back for a while.”
“I’ll do that.” Jess dragged her eyes off Stav. “He’ll want to see this anyway.”
Once this hand was over, Peregrine should get back to sketching his guests. Or maybe he’s go back to his studio. Kurt sat at Peregrine’s left at the Jacuzzi turned card table and then ran his hand down Peregrine’s leg. Or maybe the two could take a brief interlude in Kurt’s office. If they could steal Emil from the dance floor to “dance” with them, even better.
--
Kurt followed Peregrine out of the conservatory. He had a need, an itch he had to scratch. Peregrine opened his office door and turned. “Get Emil. No one will notice.”
The dance floor was full. Someone had opened the door to the balcony and at least one couple was outside. Kurt waiting until Emil was on the near side of the moving throng and then he stepped up behind him where he danced with Stav and Beka. “Can I borrow you?”
Emil turned and tilted his head back. “Do you want to dance?”
Something like that. He wrapped his hands around Emil’s waist. “Come with me.”
Emil threw a glace to his dance partners and then walked with Kurt to the office door. “What is it?”
He didn’t look quite so ready for sex as he had a moment ago, but Kurt was pretty sure he could get him hot again. Kurt leaned down. “In here.”
The music in the office was muted. Peregrine had cleaned everything off Kurt’s desk except the bottle of lube Kurt kept in the bottom drawer for just such occasions.
Emil pushed his hair from his face. “What?”
Peregrine wrapped his arms around Emil and undid his pants.
Emil grasped Peregrine’s wrists. “We have guests.”
“Then the sooner we come, the sooner we’ll get back out there. Kurt, distract him.”
So Kurt did until Peregrine had all Emil’s attention. Emil screamed against Kurt’s chest and couldn’t have stood without Kurt’s assistance while Peregrine worked his way with him. Peregrine face was as intense as when he painted. He was creating a masterpiece. Emil gasped and panted and melted against Kurt. Kurt carried him to the desk and laid him down. Then he pulled Peregrine to him. “You are beautiful.”
Peregrine grinned and rubbed against him. “You seem to have a problem.”
“I do indeed.” He was harder than he’d been in a while. Peregrine had a way of working him up.
“I might have a solution.” Peregrine dropped to his knees.
Kurt didn’t last long. Peregrine zipped him up and patted his thigh. “Now go hold Emil for a bit.”
Kurt staggered to his chair and slid Emil into his lap. Emil moaned and snuggled closer. Peregrine blew a kiss from the door and turned the lock on the knob before he closed it behind him. Kurt took a deep breath and then another and sleep pulled him under.
--
Emil woke with a start. The party. He sat up. Kurt pulled him back down.
Kurt had a wet spot on the front of his now wrinkled shirt. Oops. Emil brushed at it. It got neither bigger nor smaller. He tugged it away from Kurt’s chest. Maybe it would dry faster if he blew on it.
Kurt ran his hand down Emil’s back. “Whatcha doin’?”
“I got you wet.”
Kurt pulled Emil closer. “You always do.”
Emil laughed. “Not now, sweetheart.” He kissed Kurt’s cheek. “We have guests.”
“Do we?”
Emil patted Kurt’s chest. “They aren’t as important as you are, but we shouldn’t ignore them.”
Kurt lifted Emil’s hand and kissed his fingers. “Let’s not do this again.”
“Do what?”
“Have our house filled with people for so long.” Kurt sighed. “I want all you attention.”
“And you’ll get it. Tomorrow. Afternoon.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t go to church. I can devote the morning to you.”
Emil licked his lips. “I’d like that, but how would Peregrine?”
“I’ll talk to him. Kiss me first.”
Emil leaned down and gently kissed him. Kurt moaned and pulled away. “You better go if you don’t want to still be here when the last guest leaves.”
Emil laughed and hopped to his feet. He threw Kurt a loving glance over his shoulder and went out to do his duty. Maybe Kurt was right. This party had gone on too long. What kind of guest showed up at eight anyway?
Mike turned the music down. Hardly anyone was dancing. “Who’s wants to wet their pallets? I need a little something to slick the night.”
As long as he didn’t try to bring any of it back.
“Where are you headed?” Greg pulled Stav against him.
“Crawling unless you have a preference.”
“I do.” V picked up her purse. “I just heard of a great new place.”
Mike looked her down. “I’m in.”
V rolled her eyes. “You wish. Beka?”
“Sure.” Beka turned to Greg. “but don’t try and tell me your little cupcake here is twenty-one.”
Stav grinned. “I have an ID to prove it.”
“Of course you do. Anyone else?”
Zawadzki shook his head. “We going to stay for a bit and go over what our moms bought. I don’t want full frontal hanging in my parents’ living room.”
“Is that likely?” Phil asked.
Ivory touched Phil’s cheek. “You met his mother.”
“But still…”
Ivory grinned. “Who can understand mothers?”
“Or my mother, at least.” Zawadzki leaned his chin on Ezra’s shoulder.
“Do you mind if we join you?” Aaron asked Greg.
Mike grinned. “The more the merrier.”
Hooray!
Coats were collected and Kurt walked the guests to the door.
“Ivory and I better head home. I’ve got a sermon to get ready for.”
Olivia raced out of the conservatory. “Pastor Phil, good night. We’re going to see you tomorrow. Kurt is taking me to church.”
That was right. Sleeping in wasn’t going to be an option. Olivia and Hunter were spending the night.
Mr. Zawadzki looked at his watch and sighed. “I didn’t expect to stay this long, but I couldn’t help staying around to irritate Mike.”
Emil understood the feeling. “You don’t have to go.”
“I’m an old man. I’ll be by to talk to Peregrine later. Thanks all.”
Carly looked toward the door and back at Zan. “I hate to leave so soon.”
Leave. She wasn’t one of the people Emil had wanted to see and she and her husband had brought his sister along and that girl definitely wasn’t one of Emil’s favorites.
“You could always call Mike and ask him where he is. He might even come back.”
He better not, all boozy smelling and vile.
Carly smiled. “I’ll do that. I don’t want to miss all the fun.”
If you don’t think the party was fun, leave.
Kit looked around. “Maybe we should go too. I hate to overstay.”
“No, no,” Emil grinned. “Now that we have fewer people, we’re pulling out the board games.”
Liam laughed. “We’ll have to encourage Tyler to distract Dakota if we want any variety in the winner.”
Casey sighed. “Doesn’t seem to me that he’ll need much encouragement.”
Groans rose up from the conservatory. Dakota must have won again.
Tables and chairs were brought back into the living room. Heather hovered and sat next to Emil at the give-away Monopoly table. She should go over to the Pictionary table with her brother. Or even the Clue table. Emil should have gone there; he could pretend Heather was the body.
The game felt like it lasted forever, but Dad lost his last dollar to the bank before an hour was up. He acted so surprised that he won. This was one game Dakota hadn’t gotten the knack of winning because to do that you had to lose. Emil stood up and put away the pieces. Heather hovered some more. Why couldn’t she leave him alone?
