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  "I do quite often. Past the University grounds is a large park where I like to walk between classes sometimes, or I just take a bus to the edge of town and walk around the countryside."

  "It sounds nice," Bradley admitted.

  "Come with me this weekend," Kamil suggested. "I can show you some of the places I like to go. You might find it relaxing."

  Bradley smiled over at him. "All right! I'd like that."

  Leaving the movie, Bradley was debating if he should suggest going for a beer but Kamil saved him the trouble. "Do you want to come to my place? I've been working on a piece of music I'd like your opinion on."

  Bradley readily agreed. "I'd forgotten you said you wrote music. I'd love to hear it."

  It was earlier in the evening than it had been the last time Bradley was at Kamil's apartment so after he brought them both a beer from the refrigerator Kamil plugged in one of the electric guitars, turning it down and checking the tuning. He sat next to Bradley on the futon and began to play a rather complicated song, hard rock as all of Kamil's music seemed to be but with more of a power ballad feel to it. When he finished Bradley sat in something akin to amazement.

  "Whatever you do, Kamil, don't stop doing this. You're fucking magic!"

  Kamil laughed a little. "I don't know about that, but don't worry. I could no more stop playing music than I could stop breathing."

  "Please don't do either one!" Bradley grinned, and Kamil laughed again. He unplugged and put the guitar back on its stand, then rummaged around in one of the wooden crates he used as shelves, coming up with a tape.

  "Blue Banshee - that was my band - made a few demo tapes that we sent out to record companies. We had a little interest, too. We may have gotten somewhere if the band hadn't broken up, but the other guys just lost interest." He put the tape in the stereo that sat on the floor and sat down next to Bradley to listen. Bradley was very impressed. It was easy to pick out Kamil's guitar, he had a particular style and the music was solid. Bradley watched Kamil as they listened, watching as Kamil's eyes closed and he moved slightly to the beat, Bradley saw his long fingers move as though he were playing the guitar along with it and it made him smile. Without thinking, he moved closer to Kamil and leaned in, giving him a light kiss.

  Kamil's eyes flew open but he didn't jerk away, he gave a smile so Bradley, encouraged, kissed him again, a little longer this time. The scent of Kamil's hair filled him, the softness of it was against his fingers as he reached up to stroke Kamil's face, and after a brief hesitation, he felt Kamil kiss back.

  They broke apart, Kamil's eyes were a dark slate color now and his breathing had quickened. "Can you be patient with me, Bradley?" he said softly. "I have to get used to this."

  Bradley rested his forehead against the other man's. "I'll give you all the time you need, I would never rush you into anything. You're worth waiting for." He hadn't intended to say that last part aloud but Kamil smiled and leaned in again to place a soft kiss on Bradley's cheek. Bradley sighed and closed his eyes, his senses were overwhelmed with the closeness of him and he felt his heart pounding.

  "I should probably go now." he finally managed to say. It took every bit of his willpower not to seize Kamil and crush his lips against him and pull him so close he felt every breath the other man took.

  "Yeah," Kamil's voice was still soft. "I have an early class. But we're going to the country this weekend?"

  "Absolutely!"

  "Come by and get me around noon on Saturday?"

  "I'll be here. Umm, I'll be at the club Friday, too."

  Kamil smiled as they walked to the door. "I know."

  At the door, Bradley turned to say goodnight but before he could Kamil stepped in and gave him another soft kiss.

  Bradley's pulse didn't return to normal until well after he reached his own home.

  Chapter Three

  The remainder of the week passed quickly for Bradley. He had to take a couple of flights because Aaron had to take his mother to the physician and one of the planes needed an engine overhaul, but these things didn't stress him out as they may once have done. Fortunately there was no further contact from Harry Howell and as Bradley was riding to Rod's on Friday night he found himself almost hoping Howell would see him entering the club.

  Kamil's performance was mesmerizing, as always, and Bradley saw him look out to the tables a few times, spotting him and catching his eye. The second time he did this Bradley saw his dancing change subtly, there seemed to be an added energy and though he knew he may be imagining it, it seemed to Bradley that he had an extra snap to his hips, a little more shake to his arse. Near the end of Kamil's set, Bradley happened to glance at a nearby table and noticed the man sitting there unobtrusively pressing his hand against his groin, obviously aroused by Kamil's performance. Bradley felt a quick surge of jealousy and had to remind himself that this was Kamil's job. If these men were turned on it meant bigger tips and more money for Kamil, which he knew he needed. He was the one Kamil was dating.

  Bradley had a better time Saturday than he expected. Kamil directed him to drive to a wooded area a few miles from the edge of town and they walked, talking comfortably then falling into a companionable silence. Kamil was wearing cargo shorts and a tee shirt and Bradley admired his fit body, watching the lean muscles of his legs as he walked beside him.

  After walking for perhaps an hour Kamil stopped in a clear area beneath large trees and unslung the backpack he carried over his shoulder.

  "Let's sit here a while," he suggested, dropping to the ground by the trunk of a mature oak. Bradley sat too, and Kamil dug into the backpack, handing Bradley a bottle of water then pulling out some small plastic containers with fruits and cheese.

  "A picnic?" Bradley smiled.

  Kamil shrugged. "It's what I would do if I were with a girl, though it does seem kind of silly with you."

  "It's not silly at all," Bradley replied seriously. "It's very nice. Thank you."

  Kamil looked down but smiled and Bradley felt a warmth spread inside of himself. They sat and ate, listening to the birds and the light wind through the branches above them and Bradley thought he had never felt more at peace. He absently watched a rabbit poking around several yards away, trying to convince himself it was too soon for him to be falling for Kamil. He looked back at Kamil and found the blonde looking at him and he gave up the argument, knowing it was too late. He knew he had fallen for Kamil, had probably fallen for him the first night he saw him dance. Kamil smiled and Bradley wanted to kiss him so badly he nearly moaned out loud. He didn't, he had given his word he wouldn't push anything with the other man and he meant it. Kamil gathered the empty containers, put them back in the backpack, then he lay down on the grass, his hands behind his head. Bradley lay too, their heads close, and they talked idly, then Kamil fell silent.

  "Bradley?" he said after a moment.

  "Yeah?" Bradley turned his head to look at the other man, who was looking at him.

  "Will you kiss me again?" It was asked hesitantly, almost as if he was afraid Bradley would refuse. Bradley smiled and rolled toward the other man, raising himself on one elbow and leaning over Kamil, pressing his lips against his. He felt Kamil kiss back immediately and then, to his astonishment, he felt Kamil's tongue gently probing at his closed lips. He opened, eagerly letting him inside, feeling a surge of desire course through him that almost made him dizzy in its intensity. He felt Kamil's arms close around him and he couldn't hold back his moan this time.

  Bradley let the kiss deepen before he reluctantly drew back, looking down into Kamil's eyes. Emotions were chasing each other through those expressive eyes like clouds across a windy sky. "Wow." He breathed.

  Kamil smiled. "I feel as though I shouldn't like kissing you as much as I do."

  Bradley understood what he meant, he'd had those same feelings when he first began to explore his attraction to men. "But you do like it?"

  Kamil nodded. "Yeah. I like it a lot." Bradley kissed him again, careful not to be too aggressive. He knew Kamil needed to come to terms with his feelings at his own pace.

  After a few minutes, they continued their walk, following a marked trail looping back to the area where Bradley had parked. They took their time driving back to the city, stopping at a cafe for dinner in a village on the way, but Kamil had to dance that night so Bradley had to bring him home in time to get ready. As always, Bradley planned to watch Kamil perform so he volunteered to wait for Kamil then drive him to the club. Kamil agreed readily, not wanting his time with Bradley to end.

  Bradley sat on the futon thumbing through a pile of music magazines while Kamil showered and changed into his skinny jeans and a tight tank top. When he emerged from the bathroom Bradley let out a wolf whistle and Kamil laughed. He did look good though, very good indeed. The jeans clung to his long, lean legs and hugged his perfectly rounded ass and the sleeveless shirt showed his pale, creamy arms. Bradley felt the flare of desire he always felt when seeing Kamil dance, that outfit was like an aphrodisiac for him. Later, sitting at his usual table watching Kamil dance, he felt a strange kind of pride and possessiveness when he realized that he and Kamil were growing closer. That gorgeous man swaying so sensuously on stage had kissed him and would no doubt kiss him again, and perhaps more.

  Bradley and Kamil saw one another twice the upcoming week, meeting for drinks at the pub near Kamil's flat that he had introduced Bradley to on their first date. They couldn't stay out late, Kamil had classes in the mornings and Bradley had to be at work at 8:00 A.M. but Bradley always accompanied Kamil home and kissed him goodnight at the door. The kisses were getting longer and more heated each time and Bradley sensed that Kamil was becoming more comfortable with their situation. As for himself, it was cold showers every morning and every night. It still wasn't enough, Kamil invaded his dreams every night. The dreams weren't overly sexual, he would dream of kissing Kamil, of running his fingers through his silky hair, of looking into those gray-blue eyes, but he woke every morning with a raging erection and on the nights he saw Kamil he usually had to masturbate before he could go to sleep. He felt a little ashamed but he couldn't help it, he had never felt such all-consuming desire for anyone before in his life.

  Every Friday morning Bradley and Denny and the pilots would have a company meeting to go over any issues or concerns that may have come up through the week. They gathered informally in Bradley's office and there was no set agenda for the meetings, they sat around for an hour or so discussing various things, but this Friday Aaron and Denny were late.

  "Where are those guys?" Bradley asked Norm.

  Norm looked uncomfortable, which was very unusual for Norm. "I'm not sure, they left here together last night. They've been spending a lot of time together lately."

  "They have?" Bradley hadn't noticed, he had been too preoccupied with his own thoughts about Kamil.

  "Yeah, going out for drinks after work and the like. Been going on a couple of weeks now."

  "Well, good, I guess. I'm glad they're getting along so well."

  "Oh, they're getting along all right, for sure," Norm said with an odd smile.

  Bradley gave him a strange look but didn't comment. The other two men came in together a minute later and sat together on the sofa against the wall, both looking rather flushed. Bradley noticed but didn't give it more than a momentary thought and proceeded with the meeting as usual, anxious to get the workday underway as he was going to meet Kamil for drinks after his set at the club that night. Fridays always seemed to drag for him, looking forward as he did to seeing Kamil that night, but now it wasn't only that he was looking forward to seeing Kamil dance, he was looking forward to being with him, talking and laughing with him, even stealing a few kisses.

  It seemed to Bradley than Kamil's dancing was growing bolder, his moves more and more openly sexual, since he had started seeing Bradley. His tip chest at the edge of the stage was stuffed to the top these days and although Bradley couldn't completely ignore the jealousy he felt as the men at the tables around him ogled Kamil, he knew the money was needed. Kamil told Bradley to meet him by the employee's entrance a half hour after his set was finished and he felt himself break into a wide smile when Kamil emerged right on time. He wanted to rush over and give him a kiss but he restrained himself and merely greeted him. As the two started to walk to the nearby pub, however, a man Bradley recognized as another of Kamil's regulars called out.

  "Kamil!"

  Kamil instinctively turned and a man somewhat older than Bradley approached, ignoring Bradley completely.

  "You're the hottest thing I've ever seen, sexy! How about coming back to my place with me?"

  Kamil merely said "No, not interested" and was already turning away, but the man reached out and grabbed Kamil's arm roughly.

  "Come on! I can show you a really good time, and I'll make it worth your while."

  Bradley couldn't stay silent. "He said no. Now get your hands off him."

  The man turned to Bradley. "And just who are you, his pimp?"

  Bradley saw red and before he even thought about it he found himself hitting the man hard across the face with his fist. "No, I'm his boyfriend, you stupid fuck! Now get out of here!"

  The man put his hand up to his nose and it came away smeared with blood. "Look what you did! I should call the police!"

  "And tell them what, that you were looking to hire a prostitute? Get out of here or I'll break your nose next time!"

  The man hesitated, but blood was still running from his nose and he finally turned and stalked away.

  Kamil was standing to the side, and he wouldn't meet Bradley's eye. "Hey, are you okay, mate? He didn't hurt you, did he?"

  Kamil shook his head, still not looking up. "I think I've changed my mind about going out, Bradley. I just want to go home."

  "Don't let that jerk ruin our night, he isn't worth it."

  "I just don't feel like going out."

  "Well, let me take you home, then."

  "You don't have to do that, I'll catch the bus."

  "Kamil, I'm taking you home. No arguments, okay?"

  Bradley hailed a passing taxi but he was worried about Kamil. It had been an unpleasant incident but Kamil had told him that men had tried to pick him up before; he should have been able to brush the whole thing off. They were silent during the taxi ride to Kamil's flat and once they arrived Kamil muttered 'Goodnight' and quickly got out of the cab. Bradley quickly threw some money at the driver and ran after him.

  "Kamil, wait! Please." Kamil was already unlocking his door at the top of the stairs and he looked back at Bradley but didn't say anything. Bradley caught up with him as he entered the apartment. "Talk to me. What's wrong."

  Kamil sighed and threw his jacket down on the chair, sinking down on the futon. Bradley sat next to him, turning to him imploringly.

  After a minute Kamil spoke, looking at his hands clasped in his lap rather than at Bradley. "That man mistook me for a prostitute, Bradley. I'm a stripper, I work in a gay club, so why wouldn't he think that? But for him to say those things in front of you....it's humiliating."

  Bradley put his hand on Kamil's arm. "You have no reason to feel that way, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just a job."

  "It's a job I should be ashamed of having! It never really bothered me before, but now it's different."

  "Why is it different now?" Bradley didn't understand.

  Kamil looked up and the look in his eyes tore at Bradley. "Because I'm dating you, and you're a good man. An upstanding, respectable man. You shouldn't be seen with someone working at a place like Rod's."

  Bradley understood now and it wrenched at his heart. "Kamil," he leaned in closer, "Please don't say things like that. It doesn't matter to me that you work there, it wouldn't matter to me where you worked. I just want to be with you, I don't care about anything else."