Just a Little Madness (The Brotherhood #7) - Merry Farmer Page 0,2

to join them even as he warned himself he should go home and stay safe. The impish voice at the back of his head whispered that there might be a likely fellow loitering in the crowd who could do him a favor in a dark corner and end the relentless throbbing in his groin. When was the last time he’d had anyone, other than himself, do something about that merciless need? Months at the very least. One harmless little fumble wouldn’t do him any harm. No one would have to know.

Edward glanced carefully at the men waiting for Jewel, keeping his eyes peeled for that particular look or a wink or any of the numerous signs their sort had to indicate they were game. He spotted a handsome young fellow with a wide mouth and teasing eyes leaning against the wall of the building beside the theater. The man’s smile widened when Edward met his eyes. He touched the back of his hand as a signal. A rush of bittersweet excitement pulsed through Edward, and his cock stirred to life. With a mouth like that, he might get exactly what he needed from the man. He inched closer.

The stage door opened, and there was a roar of applause and adoration as Everett stepped out to greet his admirers. Edward noted the ever-present form of Everett’s lover, Patrick Wrexham, with a smirk. Anyone who thought they could get a piece of Everett for the evening would be sorely disappointed. Everett and Patrick were devoted to each other—a fact that had Edward’s heart aching in his chest. What he wouldn’t give for a man to adore and protect him the way Patrick and Everett looked out for and loved each other. When Patrick spotted him in the back of the crowd and nodded, Edward nodded back with a wistful grin. They knew each other from The Brotherhood, of course, and Edward had secretly envied Patrick and what he had for months.

That only increased his mad determination to get at least a modicum of pleasure that evening. And who knew? Perhaps a wicked assignation in the dark could lead to a lifetime of happiness. Men had met in stranger ways. He focused forward again, turning his hopeful grin to the young man leaning against the wall.

The young man’s smile widened, and he stood straighter. He pushed away from the wall, walking with purpose toward the mouth of the ally and the street. Edward knew the signs well. The man probably had rooms nearby, or at least knew of a relatively private area, like a public toilet, where they could complete their transaction. Edward’s heart thumped against his ribs in anticipation as he followed the man, taking care to keep behind him enough to deflect any suspicion, but close enough so that the man would know he was following.

They walked halfway across Covent Garden that way. The young man was definitely heading toward one of the public toilets. Edward was tense with expectation and arousal, though a large part of him felt tainted and gross already over what he was about to do. He told himself that he was only human, that he had every right to steal a moment of pleasure if he wanted to, and that both parties would be willing and eager. There was nothing wrong with what he wanted or what he was doing.

“Got a match?” the young man said, stopping near the entrance to the public toilet.

Edward reached into his pocket for the coins the man likely wanted to see before heading into the toilet.

“Charlie! Thank God. There you are.”

Edward nearly jumped out of his skin at the shout from behind him. He whirled around, expecting to see someone who knew the young man. His heart dropped to his feet and his hands went numb at the sight of none other than Martin Piper striding toward him with a smile and something like determination in his eyes, as illuminated by the streetlights. For a fraction of a second, he was convinced Piper knew the young man, but a moment later, he realized Piper was marching straight toward him.

“You didn’t have to come all this way to use the toilet you know, Charlie,” Piper said, grabbing Edward’s elbow and steering him away from the young man. He barely nodded to the fellow, then dragged Edward off toward the main street. “You could have used the one at the theater.”

“Oh…I…sorry. Um, that is to say….” Edward stammered, no idea what was