Free The Gift by A.F. Henley Page A

was mumbling and dizzy, panting from the effort. Then, grinning wildly, she looked at the small red-haired woman who lay there naked and slipped back in beside her. There was a long night ahead and doing Anton's work always made her hungry for intimacy.

I Turn To
You
Doren
    He was sweating as he ran his knuckles under the tap. They were already swelling, and the water that rushed over his hand was tinted pink as it swirled and whirled its way down the drain and towards oblivion. He had no idea how long the knocking at his door had been going on when he finally turned off the tap and wrapped his hand in a towel. He rushed for it, hoping it was August, realizing at the last minute that August would probably not come to the hall door, would instead opt for the more private entry between their two spaces, and caught himself mid-word as he flung it open.
    "Oh! You are here." Ursula smiled at him with perfect teeth. "I was just thinking it best to leave. That perhaps you were already at the party." Her eyes swept down him and she lifted an eyebrow. "Or maybe you were … how to say … busy?"
    Doren's eyes flew wide. "Oh, shit, Ursula!" He pulled his naked body behind the door, blushing. "I'm so sorry. I'm not thinking right at the moment."
    "May I come in?" she asked, turning her eyes away from him casually. As if naked men presenting themselves at the door was an everyday occurrence.
    "Uh, I guess. If you want to. Just give me a minute. I'll be right back." He didn't bother to cover himself as he walked away. There wasn't much sense trying to be modest at that point. "Did you say you thought I was already at the party? What party?"
    "Oh yes!" Her voice drifted to him and Doren grinned at the accent. He had no idea what it was, but it was sexy as all hell. "That's why I am here. The boys playing the music," she popped her head into the bathroom, "what do you call them again?"
    He chuckled, dragging his shirt over his head at the same time. "The musicians?"
    "Yes," she laughed. "That's it! My English sometimes, it's not so good, yes? The musicians are having a party to celebrate the tour. They asked me to come by, but I didn't want to go alone. I thought perhaps you might like to come and get, how do you say … personal with everyone."
    He cast a quick glance at the mirror and shoved his fingers into his hair, raking it into a stylish disaster. "Why didn't they invite me themselves?"
    She waved the question away. "Oh, you know how it is. You are the big fancy star and they are just hired men. They probably did not think you would come. But I know better. You are just like everyone else, no? You are, after all," she touched his chest and smiled, "still a man."
    His body still wanted what it had been denied. He'd never said no before and damn it, he wasn't going to start now. If that little bug wasn't interested, then to hell with it; August didn't know what he was missing. Doren reached for Ursula's slim, long-fingered hand and brought it to his mouth. "I would be thrilled to go to your party with you. As a matter of fact," he said, still holding her hand and spinning her towards the door, "I can't even begin to tell you how thrilled I would be to spend some time with you tonight."
    Her eyes sparkled as he followed her into the hall. "Wonderful! I was hoping you would say that!"
    He stopped her at the elevator door and waved towards the stairwell. "Let's take the stairs."
    *~*~*
    Even though it was a basement space of some kind, Doren had no idea how the guys were getting away with having the music as loud as it was. It drowned out most of the conversation but didn't stop anyone from trying. The band had been thrilled to see him, surprised, even. And after he begged them to stop apologizing for not inviting him personally they all seemed to relax. It was funny how many guests were there, not because of the musicians who were hosting the party, but because they'd been hoping to see him. But Ursula stayed close, scaring off any