Page 24 of The Chameleon

Matteo couldn’t help but laugh. “When you’re as rich as I am, you don’t age. So keep making me money so that I can remain young and beautiful forever. Deal?”

“Deal.” Levi wrapped his arms around Matteo’s waist and gave him a hug.

“You guys coming? Jared’s getting hangry,” Isaac shouted before letting out a squeal. Lord only knows what Jared did to the poor boy.

“Let’s go before Jared starts cock-slapping Isaac again,” Matteo joked, waiting for Levi to step ahead.

With that, they left Matteo’s office. His reports could wait another day.

7

MATTEO

It was Saturday afternoon, andLa Maison de Mwas hosting a winter barbecue cookout. All the regulars were in attendance. High-powered lawyers, judges, politicians, CEOs, and anyone else who enjoyed alcohol, juicy steak, and miles of naked skin running around an indoor pool.

Given that it was early November, Matteo decided to use the indoor pool as the main party area where guests and companions could mingle and play together. They might not be able to use the spectacular outdoor pool and adjoining waterfall, but the indoor facilities that Matteo had available were just as breathtaking.

For this event, the crew decided to open the patio doors and install outdoor heaters and lanterns all around the surrounding area. At the far side of the deck, five massive grills were fired up and grilling some of the juiciest meats and vegetables known to man.

To top it all off, music blared while furry muscle bears roamed the poolside, serving drinks and appetizers to hungry guests.

“Another fantastic party, Mr. Sabarino,” one ofLa Maison’soldest members praised, stepping up next to Matteo. “I love how you paired sexy muscle bears with the whole outdoor, woodsy barbecue theme.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chow. I try to bring forth some fresh ideas. I don’t want long-standing members like yourself to get bored from experiencing the same old thing.” Matteo lifted two champagne glasses off a server’s tray and handed one to his friend.

“To old friends,” Mr. Chow cheered, raising his flute toward Matteo before taking a sip of the bubbly.

Watching the other patrons as they flirted with theMaisonguys, Matteo felt a sense of pride in all that he had built. Here was a place where powerful gay men could come to be themselves and have fun without the fear of judgment or persecution.

“This really is a magical place,” Mr. Chow noted, breaking Matteo’s train of thought.

“Speaking of magical,” Matteo said, grabbing José by the shoulder and guiding him into their conversation. “Have you met José?”

José smiled, showing off his sexy-as-sin smile and flexing his six-pack abs.

“No. No, I haven’t,” the CEO of China’s leading pharmaceutical company replied, giving them both a mischievous smile.

“José is one of our newest dancers. He is twenty-six, Brazilian, and let’s just say he carries a beer can-sized assault weapon that is guaranteed to dislocate your jaw and split your hips.” Matteo stepped to the side as José moved between them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” the young buck said with one of the sexiest Brazilian accents Matteo had ever heard.

The man may not be the most erotic dancer on stage, but with a body like his and an accent to match, Matteo was sure he could teach the boy the rest.

“I’ll let you two get better acquainted.” Matteo nodded his head toward Mr. Chow as he stepped away from the two love birds.

He made his way over to where Jared and Diesel were standing together, chuckling.

“What’s got you both laughing like a bunch of idiots?” Matteo asked, turning to face whatever it was that had the guys laughing.

“Nothing. We’re just admiring Isaac’s swimsuit,” Diesel explained, holding in a laugh as he took a swig of his beer.

“What? What’s he wearing?” Matteo asked, trying to figure out what was wrong with what the boy was wearing.

Isaac was in a tiny red Speedo with the word “Juicy” written across his ass. Nothing new. He had seen Isaac wearing that same swimsuit before.

“I don’t get it. What’s so funny about the suit?”

“Nothing,” Jared answered a little too quickly.