“No one will notice it if we’re dancing,” he pointed out helpfully but Grant shook his head.
“This is making it worse and I can’t dance with you if everyone’s watching,” he said and Royce’s lip pushed out. He was looking forward to dancing with Grant.
“I’ll have to see what I can do about that,” he mused then glanced at the clock. “We should be going or Walter will send someone to get us.” He spun Grant toward the door and released him.
“You’re probably right,” Grant sighed. “Who’s driving?” He asked and Royce flashed him a wolfish grin.
“You’re definitely drinking and I’m driving,” he said then leaned so he could admire Grant’s ass as he opened the door and headed down the porch steps. He felt a tickle of warmth in his groin and Royce’s wicked grin grew wider. “That’s very good for the front of my pants,” he noted then shut the door behind him. Royce parked behind Hair She Goes and he was spellbound as they crossed the street. Walter’s house and front lawn were draped in string lights and the porch was wrapped in flowering vines. Food trucks blocked off each end of the street so costumed revelers could dance as a jazz band played old standards on Walter’s porch. Quilts were scattered across the lawn and people laughed and waved as Royce and Grant looked for Walter. They found him in a golden toga and Royce was dazzled as he gathered Walter in his arms and pulled him into a waltz. “You look stunning, Lord Theseus,” he drawled as he admired Walter’s hair. It was sprayed gold and adorned with gems.
“And you look like you’re ready for mischief, Mr. Goodfellow,” Walter replied then gave Royce’s shoulder a swat. “But look at him!” He said with a flourish of his sheer gold scarf and Grant became adorably flustered. “My goodness, this is so much tastier than his usual attempt,” Walter declared as his eyes slid down Grant appreciatively. His gaze flicked over Grant’s shoulder and his eyes tightened. “I’m not the only one who’s noticed,” he warned them quietly and the humor drained from Royce as “Sam” made his way through the dancers in the street. He was intent and calculating as he headed straight for Grant.
“You look incredible,” “Sam” said as he took Grant’s hand. He pulled it to his lips and kissed it and Grant’s head pulled back.
“Thank you…” Grant murmured but his eyes were pleading when they darted to Royce’s.
“You have to dance with me,” “Sam” demanded as he gave Grant’s hand a gentle tug. Grant shook his head but “Sam” pouted loudly and towed Grant with him as he backed toward the dancers in the street. Royce was furious until he noticed “Sam’s” costume and a loud laugh burst from him as he wound his arm around Grant and reeled him back in.
“Go find someone else, he’s got better Pucks to play with,” he told “Sam” then snorted at his costume. “Sam” looked like a community theater Peter Pan in a pair of green velour leggings and a flimsy green vest. “Sam” sneered at Royce as he backed away.
“It’s what’s under the costume that counts,” he called and Royce’s head fell back as he laughed again.
“Still not worried.” He felt Grant relax and raised a brow at Walter in amused disbelief. Walter’s face pinched as he watched “Sam” go.
“He might learn a few things, if he wasn’t so full of himself,” he murmured then beamed at Royce. “You’re a much better Puck. I can tell by looking at you,” he added with a saucy wink and Royce winked back.
“It’s important to know one’s dance partner well and anticipate their needs, not your own,” he said then bowed his head. “I’m going to find someplace a little more private so we can dance. It’s far too magical of an evening to waste it worrying about that weak Puck,” Royce declared and Walter chortled as he waved them off.
“You’re welcome to use my garden. The house isn’t open to guests but you two can make yourself at home. There’s champagne in the ice bucket,” he said and Royce blew him a kiss then led Grant past the picnic blankets and around the side of the house.
“I really want to dance but I can’t out there,” Grant confided and Royce hummed as he got the gate for him.
“I’d much rather have you to myself,” he said then found Grant’s hand and his eyes swept up as the song changed. “Perfect,” Royce announced as he pulled Grant into his arms and danced him down the path to the daybed and the pond. “Give me a kiss to build a dream on and my imagination…” He sang with the band then caught Grant’s cheek and kissed him.
“This feels like a dream,” Grant whispered. His eyes were shut as they swayed and Royce wanted desperately to promise it was real but he didn’t want to disturb the dream-like moment so he kissed Grant again and guided them closer to the champagne. Once he could reach the table, Royce leaned away and quickly pried off the cork.
“And when I’m alone with my fancies, I’ll be with you weaving romances…” He crooned softly as he filled two glasses. Royce handed one to Grant then slowly turned him as they sipped. Grant’s arm slid around Royce’s shoulders as he hummed along and he made a very sensual king of the forest fairies. He enchanted Royce as they danced in the soft glow of the garden’s torches and the tiny string lights. “If this was a dream, and not Walter’s garden, I’d be able to make better use of the bed,” Royce sighed as he reached for the bottle so he could top off Grant’s glass. A small, sly smile pulled at Grant’s lips as his eyelashes fell coyly.
“Follow me,” he whispered as he tangled his fingers with Royce’s and pulled him around the pond and past the daybed. “I like to wander while Walter’s napping,” he explained as he glanced over his shoulder. There was another sly smile and Royce stifled a groan as Grant took a path through the jungle of potted palms and banana trees. Once again, Royce tingled with arousal and anticipation as he sensed another one of Grant’s naughty surprises. “There’s a bench back here and I like to bring a book and hang out until Walter wakes up,” Grant said as he held back the leaves of a giant Bird of Paradise and Royce gasped as he ducked his head and passed. Grant followed and they were swallowed by thick, wide waxy leaves and bright potted orchids and hibiscuses pouted lushly.
“This is…unbelievable,” Royce said as he turned and Grant laughed softly as he dropped onto the bench and reached for Royce’s champagne flute.
“Now, it feels like a dream,” Grant murmured as his hands glided up Royce’s thighs and found the fly of his breeches.
“Grant, I…” Royce’s voice broke and crumbled as he cradled Grant’s face in his hands. Oh, he needed to tell him so badly but Grant shushed him as he pulled Royce’s lips to his and kissed him urgently.
“Don’t say it if you can’t promise me you’re staying. I don’t want to wake up yet,” Grant said as his fingers flicked and Royce groaned as the front of his trousers loosened.
“I want to…” Royce started but his jaw stretched as Grant’s hand reached inside and closed around his already throbbing erection.