Page 26 of Secret

"Exactly."

"So, you're saying that as a gigolo, you rule the world... but as Demarco, you're afraid."

Demarco laughed. "Yes, but we need to update your terminology."

"And that I do the same."

"We all do... some more than others."

"So, neither of us were brave enough to reveal our true selves to each other outside of our professional guise."

"Pretty much."

Surprisingly, Jack began to hum a soft tune in Demarco's ear... the melody of which he recognized from his school days in Tennessee.

"Can you see the real me... doctor?" Demarco sang lightly.

Jack was shocked. He sat up on his elbow. "You know classic rock too?"

Demarco shimmied to his back and gazed into Jack's eyes. "Some say Demarco Alford's musical lexicon is as vast as the sea."

"I believe it."

"Besides, The Who transcends that tired genre... like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones... they're iconic."

"I'm impressed."

"It also helps that Tina has covered songs by all of them."

"Tina?"

"Turner!"Demarco pointed. "Get outta my bed!"

"I'm kidding," Jack said, leaning closer.

"You better be," Demarco murmured before succumbing to Jack's kiss.

They stayed that way for a while, Demarco yielding to the titillating pressure of Jack's mouth mashed into his own... his scruff prickling... lips locking... tongue exploring.

When they separated, Demarco stared at Jack's face above him. He was overwhelmed with intense emotion and heat. He blushed—suddenly self-conscious, and rolled back on his side.

"I can't believe I'm falling for a classic rock guy," he said.

Jack, slipped back into the spooning position behind him. "Are you falling for me, Demarco?"

"No. It's not protocol."

"Come on... I'm dropping my agent-drag for you. How about you drop your hooker-drag for me?"

"I don't know, Jack. I've been here before. You think you can get past it... but they never do. It's too hard."

Something else was hard too. Demarco felt it pressing into his back.

"I'll try," Jack whispered, slipping his hand beneath Demarco's shirt and tracing the nipple there. "I promise."

"Yeah? I saw that glimmer in your eyes when you thought me being shot might mean early retirement."

"No," Jack said, suddenly tense. "I would never—"