Page 62 of Hidden Desires
The crew decided to hit a steak house for dinner—one that was conveniently located next to a casino. Brilliant planning? Or happy coincidence?
Marcus told the guys that they could hit the casino for a few hours, but couldn’t get drunk in case they had a break in the case.
Lucas and Cade opted to skip the casino and headed back to the motel, claiming they were tired and wanted to relax—code for they were horny and wanted to fuck like gorillas while no one was around to hear them.
The guys got the message.
Loud and clear.
“Where are you guys going?” Marcus asked when Blade and Ace began heading toward their bikes.
“There’s a gay bar I want to check out. Blade agreed to be my chaperone, just in case I get mauled by all the rich daddies.”
Marcus’s lips went thin as he weighed the truthfulness of Ace’s story. While Marcus loved his brother and fully supported his brother being gay, he didn’t like going to gay bars with his brother. He claimed that he didn’t want to get arrested forpunching guys in the face when they tried to hit on his little bro. Given Marcus’s protective nature, Blade could definitely see that happening.
“Fine.” Marcus pointed his finger at Blade. “You better make sure that he’s safe and doesn’t go home with any randos. We are here to work, not party, in Vegas. Anything happens to Ace, I’m coming for your ass.”
Blade nodded.
“Love you too, bro,” Ace called as Marcus turned and headed toward the casino with the guys.
Marcus flung his middle finger up over his shoulder in response to Ace’s declaration of love.
“So? Where are we going?” Ace asked, looking like an excited little chipmunk.
When they had finished dinner, Blade leaned over and asked Ace to go with him somewhere. The man refused to tell him where and seemed to revel in the fact that Ace was vibrating out of his skin with anticipation.
Ace had put on that show for his brother, knowing that he wouldn’t want to join if they were going to a gay bar.
“It’s a surprise. Follow me,” Blade said, hopping on his bike and giving him a smirk.
Fine. Late-night bike ride through the desert with a man who liked to play with knives. No, there was nothing strange or dangerous about that.
They rode their bikes down the Las Vegas Strip until they reached the area known as Fremont Street. It was where the original Las Vegas was first built, back when the mob ran Vegas, and the criminal underworld made the city fun.
“Wow, this place is awesome!” Ace gasped, taking in all the flashing lights and sounds of the pedestrian walkway.
Freemont Street was located toward the end of the Vegas Strip and was clear of auto traffic. It was a six-blockentertainment haven that allowed partiers to drink in the streets as they moved from bars to casinos. It was lively and filled with music and had this amazing barrel vault canopy covered in millions of LED lights that allowed video shows to play over partygoers’ heads.
“Yeah, this is probably my favorite part of Vegas. It’s not as commercial as the Strip, and it’s closer together, so you can really let loose and party. You’re always just steps away fromtemptation and debauchery. Oh! And tacos!” Blade shouted, his eyes lighting up when he spotted a flashy takeout that claimed to sell authentic Mexican tacos.
Ace wondered how authentic they really were, set up in the middle of the “booze and bad decisions” avenue.
“Oh, check this out,” Blade said, pointing up at the video light show taking place over their heads.
Just as they were watching images of jets soaring across the screens, two young women strapped to cords went flying by them overhead.
Ace gasped. “Is that?” He turned to face Blade with excitement beaming off his face.
“Yup! Want to go?”
“Fuck yes!” Ace shouted, jumping up and grabbing Blade by the shoulder.
“Come. This way,” Blade said, grabbing Ace’s hand and tugging him through the crowds of people.
For the first time in his life, Blade wasn’t concerned with what people might think seeing two guys holding hands. He was too excited to be sharing this experience with Ace that he wasn’t even thinking about the consequences of his actions. Only the love and excitement he was feeling in his chest.
They finally reached the queue for zip-lining.
