Whistling in the Dark

Jack's expression of surprise lasted only an instant before a wicked leer took its place. As he sauntered over, Sutton's heart seemed to quicken to 2/2 time. He didn't know if Jack felt the same attraction, the one coursing with sudden heat through his blood. He wanted to think so—but Jack seemed to play to the crowd as he dropped onto Sutton’s lap and, draping both arms around his shoulders, drew closer for a kiss. Jack's breath warm in his face reminded him to breathe and he did so, audibly. But at the last second, Jack brushed his forehead with a brotherly buss and everyone exclaimed in good-natured protest.

Jack was unrepentant. "That's how they kiss in Kansas," he said and turned laughing eyes back to Sutton. "Tell 'em, Mabel."

Deciding to correct that misapprehension, Sutton took him by the lapels and kissed him. He could feel Jack's initial shock in the lack of response. Then Jack kissed back, sparking something neither of them could blame on the champagne. His momentum dropped them backward to the pillows, Jack still kissing him as if he never wanted to stop, and Sutton didn’t mind in the least if it went on forever. He ignored the whoops and whistles from their audience and Jack did too, until Theo stuck his nose in. "Would you gentlemen care for the key to my apartment?"

Jack broke from the kiss, meeting Sutton's gaze for barely an instant before turning to smirk at Theo. "Satisfied?"

Theo looked only more amused. "Just what I was about to ask you."

Disentangling themselves, they sat up and Jack made a show of straightening Sutton's coat and tie before rising to swagger back to his spot.

Sutton avoided all the laughing faces and wondered if he'd gone too far. No one else seemed to think so or care, so he tried not to care, either. But he couldn't bring himself to look Jack’s way until the game had broken up and the others had returned to dancing. By then, Jack had vanished in the crowd and before Sutton could look for him, Theo pounced to ask without pretense this time if he would play the piano again.



It was after midnight when Sutton wandered to the edge of the roof for a little fresh air and a sumptuous view. A welcome breeze blew in his face along the shadowed walk behind the palms. He found Jack leaning on the parapet, his features in unusually quiet repose as he took in the view. Unbidden came the thought that Jack was terribly handsome and rather dear, besides.

Jack looked around at his approach and smiled easily. "You ready to go home?"

"No, I just wanted to—well, I hope I didn't embarrass you earlier. In the game," he added, at Jack's puzzled look.

"Oh, that?" Jack laughed. "Nothing to worry about. Unless Topeka law says we're engaged."

"Not even promised. In our case, anyway." He felt foolish. The kiss had been part of a silly game. He shouldn't have brought it up.

"Champagne?" Jack picked up the bottle on the ledge and filled his empty glass.

"No, thank you. I think I'm done with that or I'll be sick."

Jack downed the glassful. "You've been to fancier parties than this. Your folks must throw some real hummers."

"Yes, just—decidedly different." He shuddered to imagine what his parents would think of the goings-on at Theo's.

"No kissing? Or dancing?"

"Dancing, of course. But of the proper sort."

Jack rolled his eyes. "A party's no place to be proper. Your folks don't know you dance with boys?"

"I never have," Sutton said, then realized Jack meant more than dancing.

"You always blush that easily?" Jack grabbed his hands and whirled him around in an unsteady circle.

"Jack, for heaven’s sake." But he couldn't keep from laughing.

"You can't fox-trot worth a damn, Mabel."

"Is that what you're trying to do?"

"Smug bastard." Jack grinned and pushed him. "You don't even know how to get good and drunk. I think you met me just in time."