Page 4 of Beyond the Darkness (Basic Instincts #3)

“He Used to Be a Real Hottie”

Later that night, Hudson found himself outside The Viaduct, the sex bar close to his apartment building, wondering whether to go in.

Working with Luke close by all day had got him into a state of sexual frustration, the likes of which he hadn’t known in a long time.

He had caught Luke glancing in his direction more than once throughout the day, and hadn’t been imagining it—he recognised mutual attraction when it stared him in the face.

But it was out of the question. Mixing business with pleasure was a disastrous idea, even more so when it involved a dalliance with the enemy.

He knew he was being uncharitable to think of Luke as the bad guy, but if that’s what it took to maintain a distance and put a damper on the juvenile lust he felt for him, then that’s the way it would stay.

Despite that, he was horny.

Would the answer to his problem lie inside The Viaduct?

Since getting back to the apartment a little after seven, he’d been pacing the floor in a state of frustration.

He’d gone for a quick meal after work with Julian at the restaurant within the Concert Hall but had come home alone, unable to get the image of Luke Kamal out of his mind.

In the shower, he’d stroked his dick and teased his asshole as he imagined what Luke would look like naked.

He’d squirmed in frustration against his slippery fingers, needing to come but unable to finish.

In the end he’d turned the dial to cold to dampen his horniness.

After a shower, he’d gone online to see what The Viaduct was really about.

It seemed to be a club, set over several floors within the caverns of the ancient railway bridge that ran behind the apartment.

It sounded like a fun idea. They hosted various themed nights across the month and tonight’s premise was masquerade.

Customers were expected to strip fully naked except for a mask over their faces.

Masks were available at the door for those who didn’t own one of their own.

It sounded a little crazy, but it could be fun. Hot, maybe. Even better, no one would know who he was. Leading man visits local gay sex dungeon was not the kind of headline Rav would appreciate for the play. But with a mask covering his face, he could do as he pleased.

Having made up his mind, he’d pulled on jeans and T-shirt and headed out into the balmy summer night.

Only, standing outside The Viaduct, Hudson got cold feet.

Sex clubs had never been his scene. He’d visited a couple when he was younger and had found it a surreal experience. He’d spent more time watching what was going on than participating, usually going after the men who weren’t interested in him, while avoiding attention from the ones who were.

As he studied the poster beside the door, a couple of men approached and gave him a thorough looking over before going inside. They were around his age, with well-built, hyper-masculine bodies, but they were kind of intense—scary even—rather than sexy. He wondered if they were all like that inside.

Maybe a drink first, to bolster his courage.

Most of the bars in the area were LGBTQ+ establishments.

He’d done some research into the scene and had visited a couple of them last weekend.

They’d been packed and he’d only stayed for one drink, feeling out of it on his own.

There was a pub not far from The Viaduct that seemed more like a regular place. Hudson headed there first.

Damn Luke Kamal. How could one man have got him so worked up in such a short time?

Hudson heard music playing from outside The New Inn. It was typical upbeat gay bar stuff, and he went in. He was surprised at how busy it was for a Tuesday night, though the patrons were predominantly much younger than he was. Students, he figured.

He ordered a vodka with ice and found a place to stand against the far wall. It seemed like a nice enough bar. The Blue Pearl down by the river was more his kind of place, but he hadn’t come out tonight to listen to great music. He was looking for dick.

Unfortunately, none of the men here were to his taste.

They hung around in groups, few of them smiling or even talking, fixated on the screens in their hands.

There were a handful of more lively men through the open archway, in the other room, but even if Hudson had been their own age, they would not have attracted him.

They were too young, too into their phones. Too unlike Luke.

Would anyone satisfy him tonight apart from the hot reporter?

It seemed unlikely. What a strange situation to find himself in—lusting after the enemy.

Is Luke really the enemy? Yes. No. Hudson no longer knew what to think.

All that was certain was how much he wanted to kiss that mouth and ravish that superb body.

“Hi,” a man said. Hudson had been so lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t seen him approach.

He was a little more mature than the bulk of the people here. Early thirties, maybe? Fair hair, good build. Not too bad overall.

“Hi,” Hudson replied.

The man grinned and stepped nearer, a little too close for Hudson’s liking, considering they had just met. Some personal space would be appreciated. The man looked him up and down. “Do I know you? You seem familiar. Very.”

“I just have one of those faces,” Hudson said, slipping into his best English accent. It sounded quite posh, as the Blyham dialect was still beyond him, but his natural American accent would have given too much away. “This is my first time in here. I’m new to Blyham.”

There was a flicker of confusion before the man continued.

“You do stand out among all these kids.” He laughed, gesturing to the crowd behind them.

“I wouldn’t be in here myself tonight, but I have to work weekends.

If I don’t come out on my days off, I don’t get the fucking chance. What’s your name, by the way?”

“Luke,” came out of his mouth before he could stop it.

The man looked unconvinced. “Gaz,” he said.

It struck Hudson as being equally fake, but what the hell. They weren’t looking to make a lasting connection.

Gaz’s chest strained against his T-shirt, revealing erect nipples. He was much broader than Luke, thickset all over. Hudson wondered why he was even comparing them. Luke wasn’t here. Gaz was.

“I’m probably going to head to The Viaduct next.” Gaz’s eyes linked with Hudson’s as he spoke, making the intention of the words very clear. “You been?”

He shook his head. “Any good?”

“Some nights yes, some nights no. Though if you were there, it would be a lot more fucking hopeful than usual.” Gaz gave the bulge in the front of his jeans an enthusiastic grope, delineating the outline of what was inside—concealed but still proudly on display.

Hudson couldn’t decide how he felt about Gaz. He wasn’t unattractive, far from it, but he was more than a little needy. Hudson wasn’t sure how far he wanted to go with this, if he wanted to go anywhere at all. Gaz’s biggest problem at this moment was that he wasn’t Luke.

Fuck. Have I really got such a hard-on for him?

Gaz’s eyes narrowed. “I know where I think I’ve seen you before. You look like that actor. You know, the one who’s going to be doing that play here. Some guys from work have got tickets to see it. He used to be a real hottie.”

“Thank you.” Hudson laughed.

“You know the American. Oh, what’s his name?

Matt…Bomer, no, that’s not the one. You don’t look much like him.

” He snapped his fingers. “Hudson Rhodes.” Then he leaned in even closer.

“Actually, you look a lot like him. Older, but you could pass for brothers. I used to really fucking fancy him when I was young, you know.”

Any spark of interest Hudson might have had in Gaz was rapidly going out.

Undeterred, Gaz carried on. “Have you seen that horror film he was in? The one where he gets chased around in his underpants by the killer?”

Hudson took a strong drink. “I don’t watch horror films.”

“This is a good one. If only for that scene. There’s a bit where his pants get caught and he flashes his arse.

” Gaz cupped his hands in the air to demonstrate grabbing a feel.

“You only see it quickly, but I used to pause the DVD at that exact moment just to get a good look.” He pulled out his phone.

“I bet I can find it online. I’ll show you. ”

If Hudson had had a hard-on, that was the exact moment he’d have gone soft.

The sexual tension that had built up across the day finally dissipated. He checked his watch. It was almost eleven. If he got out of here soon, he could be in bed by twelve and get a decent night’s sleep ahead of tomorrow’s day in the studio. He threw back his drink.

“Gaz, it’s been really nice to meet, but I’m done in. I’m going to head off now. You have a good night.”

Gaz didn’t look up from his eager scrolling. “Just a minute. I’ve almost found it. The film is Red Hills Massacre. Wait until you see how hot this guy was.”

“Have fun at The Viaduct,” Hudson called as he walked away. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.