Disclaimers:
Summary:
Warnings:
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by
With a deep sigh, Peter Dragon sank into the sofa and tipped back his third scotch in a row. He smiled as the sting subsided and the warmth of the alcohol suffused through his system.
He'd finally had it.
Had enough of the whiners and the hangers-on, not to mention the shameless gold-diggers. Yes, all the things that made Hollywood truly *great*.
Here in his secret hideaway retreat, no one knew where he was. Well... except that little shit who sold him the place, but he was just a *bug* and totally inconsequential.
Ah, the peace.
Casting a glance at the window he smiled, Christmas Eve and it was snowing. Big, soft white flakes drifted down outside, inside the logs were burning on the open fire, the Christmas tree was twinkling in the corner and his life was turning into a fucking Bing Crosby movie.
Ah, life.
A sudden knock at the door startled him, quickly followed by another, then another.
"Fuck off!" he yelled, settling down deeper into the cushions.
"Peter? It's me... Cole. Come on, let me in, it's freezing out here."
Eyes widening in horror, Peter bit his lip. What the hell was he to do? All that whirled through his head were the possible ramifications of pissing off a major movie star with a huge box office pull.
Who knows when the next turkey is coming along and someone like Cole Riccardi can drag it kicking and screaming from 'turkey' to 'piece of shit that grosses an extra two million in its opening weekend'.
Ah, hell.
"Just a minute, Cole. Gotta make myself decent."
"Not on my account, I can assure you," the sultry voice shot back.
Oh fuck!
Stumbling to the door, Peter fixed a smile and slipped the latch, "Cole? What are you doing here?"
The tall actor stepped inside, a wide smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. He held aloft two bottles of Dom Perignion Champagne. "I just thought I'd drop by and say 'Merry Christmas'," he purred.
"Well, that's so... nice. How did you find me?"
Making his way into the room, Cole placed the bottles on the table, and shook off his jacket, swatting the snowflakes from his hair. "A little bird named Roger told me," he chuckled, raking over Peter with his eyes, almost licking his lips in anticipation.
"Well, whaddya know!" Peter gritted his teeth, <That little fuck will never work in Hollywood again.>
Cole moved in close, sliding his hand down Peter's cheek, "You pleased to see me?"
Mouth opening and closing wordlessly, Peter satisfied himself with another fixed smile and a brief nod.
"I've missed you. Since 'that night', you're all I've thought about," Cole reached out and took the other man's hand.
"Why don't you sit down and I'll get you a drink? Are you hungry? How about a meal? A big meal? It would only take me.. oh.. a couple of hours to cook and prepare?"
With a deep, resounding laugh, Cole stroked Peter's hair, "I think you're nervous of me."
"No, no, no..on the contrary. I'm er.. no, no."
"You don't have to be nervous, Peter. I'll be gentle."
<Fuck! > "Cole, it's very kind of you and you're a great guy, but.."
"You have another guy?" Cole's face darkened.
"No, I can honestly say that I do *not* have another guy."
"Then what? Am I moving too fast for you?"
Peter thought for a moment, wild erratic thoughts racing through his brain refusing to stop and register. "Yeah. I guess I'm a little..."
"Shy?"
"Yeah."
"That's okay, I can do 'slow'," Cole moved his hand away and walked over to the fire, warming himself on the flames, "Nice place."
"Yeah, I just needed to get away from everything and everyone for a while."
"Why don't you sit down and we can talk? You can tell me why party animal Peter Dragon needed to escape for Christmas."
Swallowing hard, Peter made his way to the sofa and sat down, "Well, I guess I just needed some space, you know?"
Sitting down beside the smaller man, Cole turned and watched Peter struggling with the words. The firelight made shadows dance across the walls, but failed to hide the coloring of Peter's cheeks.
"You want a drink, Cole?"
"I'll open the Champagne."
<He'll open the Champagne... great! > Peter half smiled as Cole climbed to his feet, snatching a bottle and popping the cork, <I hope that's all he's planning to pop tonight. > He took two glasses from the table and poured the fizzy liquid into them.
"Merry Christmas," Cole smiled handing Peter a glass and sitting down close beside him.
"Yeah. Merry Christmas," the hapless exec swilled the Champagne back in one go.
"Oh, you really want to party, huh?" Laughing Cole poured out another drink. "I thought you were shy?"
Two empty bottles later, Peter stared at the swaying actor. Or was he swaying? Who cared?
"Peter?" Cole whispered, running his hands over Peter's slim face and into the shock of blonde hair.
"What, Cole?" Peter slurred.
"Are you okay?" Cole's face drew close to his and suddenly Peter placed his hands on either side of Cole's face.
"Perfectly fucking fine. Did you know I was straight?" Peter laughed. "But I want you to take me to bed."
"Straight?" Cole gasped. "But you - I - we...."
Peter stopped laughing and said, "Yeah, we did, didn't we?"
"You said you were -"
"I lied." Peter snickered, running his hand up Cole's leg.
"You based our relationship on lies?" Cole said, paling.
"What relationship?" Peter looked curious, watching as Cole stood.
"You - me.."
"Sorry, I only think of myself." Peter picked up the bottle and peered inside it. "You got anymore?" He waved the bottle in Cole's direction.
"I thought you... just forget it, Peter. I'll see you around." Cole headed towards the door.
"Wait, where you going? I thought you wanted - Cole! Wait!" Peter ran after the big man, gripping his arm.
"I did want, Peter. Trouble is, I thought you did too!" Cole jerked his arm away and placed his hand on the brass doorknob.
Peter grabbed Cole's hand. "I told you I did, that I wanted to go to bed with you!"
"Is that all you want? Us to *fuck*?" Cole spat the word.
With a drunken frown, Peter tried to focus on the bigger man. <What was his problem?> "Well...yeah!"
"Sorry Peter, I made a mistake here. A really *big* mistake in that I *trusted* you. If I just wanted to cruise for a piece of ass, I could have stayed in L.A. See you around Peter."
Swinging open the door, letting the snow blow in and the chill snatch the warmth away, Cole stepped out and closed the door behind him.
Unsteadily, Peter tried to follow, but his knees were shaking, "Cole? You can't drive you're drunk! COLE!" he yelled through the door. Fumbling with the catch, he eventually solved the riddle and managed to get the door open. "Cole? Please come back?"
Pulling his shirt tightly around him, he stepped out into the blizzard that was whipping up.
"Cole!"
Blackness...
*********
When Peter opened his eyes, the light felt like someone had pushed hat pins through his skull.
"Oh..God.." he grunted and looked around blearily. He was on the sofa in front of the fire, a comforter tucked in tightly around him.
"You okay?" a soft voice asked suddenly.
"Cole? What the fuck happened?"
Cole Riccardi came into view, kneeling down beside the sofa, "You followed me out into the snow, wearing just pants and a shirt with a couple of bottles of the best fizzy stuff in your system. You passed out and I had to carry you back inside, I put you here to warm you up. Are you okay?"
"Except for this bastard in my head playing drums, yeah. You okay?"
"Fine." Cole stood up and walked away.
All the gory details were coming back to Peter with alarming clarity. He'd told Cole he was straight!
"Cole, I'm really sorry about..about.."
"What? About the fact that you lied to me or about the fact that as a straight guy you were prepared to 'fuck a queer' to save your ratings?"
"Shit, Cole!" Peter tried to sit up, but the beating in his head stepped up a notch, "It wasn't like that!"
"Then how *was* it? Isn't that what you did?"
"Cole, I like you, I really do."
"Spare me, Peter."
"So now you won't believe me, no matter what I say?"
With a gasp, the bigger man broke into an amazed grin, "I really don't believe you. I thought I'd been fucked in every and all ways by Hollywood, but you manage to find endless new ways to humiliate me...then you ask me to trust you?"
"Don't!"
"No, the truth hurts, huh?"
"I'm sorry."
"I don't want your pity, Peter. I just wanted your friendship and maybe, God help me, your love. See what an idiot I am? I'm going to leave as soon as it's light. We can easily avoid each other if we try in the future."
Peter held his head as he watched Cole sit down in the chair and closed his eyes. It looked like the conversation was over for now and he wasn't sure if he could repair the damage he'd done by being such a jerk in the first place.
"You know, Cole... I may be straight -"
"So you've said," the other man said sarcastically.
"Cole...." Peter said, abashed. "Look, okay, I was an asshole."
"You know, Stuart told me not to get involved with you -"
"Stuart?" Peter gasped. "My assistant, Stuart?"
"He's a good guy," Cole said reprovingly. "Anyway, yes, him... he's a darling, actually."
Peter stared at the older man. "Have you... er... you know?"
"What?" A look of confusion marred Cole's face.
"You know?" Peter tried sitting up once again and this time made it partially upright. "Led Zeppelin in my head," he groaned. "Anyway, you and him - have you?"
"Have I?" Suddenly Cole smiled, realization dawning on his face. "No." A small smile quirked his lips and he shook his head slowly.
"Why?" Genuinely curious, Peter leaned forward, his headache forgotten for the moment.
"Because he's not interested in me. I'm not good looking enough, or young enough, or exciting enough," the older man laughed, reaching out to touch Peter before jerking back and standing up. He quickly moved to the window, peering out before saying conversationally, "I'm going to go now. I can't wait here any longer after all. Long drive ahead of me."
"But the weather's bad..." Peter protested weakly.
"So is staying here with you," Cole said softly.
"Look, please don't go yet. The snow's still coming down hard and I'll just sit here and worry that you're okay."
It was the derisive snort that made Peter look up in Cole's direction, "You are a *real* piece of work, Peter Dragon, you know that? Hell, you are wasted doing the job you do, you really should be in front of the camera."
"I'm serious, I don't want you to leave while you're angry and in this bad weather. Would it hurt your pride so much just to stay until the snow stops? Hey, you can take the bed I'll stay here on the sofa... not that I could *do* anything if I wanted to." With a another groan Peter managed to finally sit up, "Oh God, I'm sure drunks inhabit the realm of hell just above game show hosts!"
"You want some coffee?"
"Would you mind?"
"No."
"Thanks."
As Cole wandered into the kitchen, Peter tried to clear his mind enough to consider the safest course of action to take here.
He really didn't want to piss off a major movie star any more than he had to and....well... he really *did* like Cole Riccardi. He had way more depth than your average Hollywood hunk, who could make a parking lot attendant look smart and classy, and he seemed to be a genuinely 'nice' guy beneath the whole 'actor' thing.
A few minutes later, Cole returned with a cup and handed to Peter without a word.
"Thank you." Peter let the silence descend for a moment before trying again, "So, when did you talk to Stuart about me?"
"Why?"
"I'm just interested."
"A little while back, at a party. We have mutual acquaintances. I asked him if you and he were an item, he said 'No, worse luck.'"
A cough, splutter and choking fit later, Peter finally found his breath, "He *what*?"
"You're telling me that you don't string him along the way you did me? Keep him 'loyal', keep him *wanting* you?"
"No I fucking don't!"
"Yeah, sure...whatever. Anyway, he told me to be careful that you were a shark."
Peter had stopped hearing anything beyond what Cole had said about Stuart 'wanting' him, "He *said* that he 'wants' me?"
Cole began to laugh, it was so typically Peter, "Amazing how many idiots there are around, huh? I have to go Peter, I'll be seeing you."
With a final slam of the door, the older man walked out.
**********************
Peter sat at his desk, contemplating his latest action star. The kid was a drunk. He'd pawned him off on Rafkin, but that didn't work, and now the dazed young man sat across from him, his eyes half lidded. The 'star' had once again fallen down on the set, drunk. This had been happening more and more frequently as the shoot progressed.
"I told you, if you want to drink, you're off the picture, didn't I?" Peter yelled, his face flushed with rage. "Fuck!" The kid toppled over, unconscious. "Stuart!" Peter bellowed.
Stuart scurried in and stood nervously, staring at Peter with apprehension. "Yes, Peter?"
"I've had it. He's gone... get rid of him!" The other man spat, taking out a cigar.
"But -"
"Did I ask you? No! I told you! Now get your fucking ass in gear!" Stuart nodded then rushed out of the room. Soon he was back with two security guards. Peter watched impassively as they dragged the unconscious 'star' out.
Dialling a number, he waited, tapping his foot impatiently.
**********************
"So... this kid, he's no good."
"Nope."
"So we have to get someone else. What about Keanu?"
"Matrix Two, Man." Peter said simply, eyeing his backers calmly.
"Arnold?" The other man asked hopefully.
Peter just snorted.
"I guess we go with that old man Riccardi, then."
"Are you sure? Because I don't want Bobby G on my ass." Peter said calmly. "If you wanna go with Cole, that's fine with me, but you take care of Bobby G."
"I will. It's my money, I want Riccardi. He has to carry that newest weapon, the SR-93K, can we do that?"
Peter pasted a smile on his face, secretly elated. Getting Cole back was step one of his plan. "Of course. I'll tell the writer."
**********************
As they left the building, Peter turned to Stuart. "Call him."
"Who?" Stuart stared.
"Cole."
"Why *me*?"
"Because it's your fucking job and because I said so. Is this a problem? Is it too difficult for you? Should I be looking for someone who *can* pick up the phone and call?"
"No, Peter, I'm sorry. I'll do it right away!" Stuart stuttered the words, looking nervously around to see who was listening.
"Good!" With a smile, Peter Dragon strolled to his car.
Plan 'B' was now in action.
Once he'd got back to L.A and got *sober*, he'd been pissed that Cole rejected him, just because he was straight! How homophobic can you be? Or should that be heterophobic? Either way, it just meant that he'd begun to want Cole more and more.
He'd tried to call him at first, but Cole had refused to take his calls. Then his ego had kicked in, so he'd begun to formulate a plan to get the actor back on a movie and here, in *his* territory.
All it took was for him to get rid of that pitiful little drunk and he knew that Cole would be called in.
Yes, those six bottles of 'Jack Daniels' as a mystery gift were inspirational.
So what if the little jerk was just out of the Betty Ford clinic? He could afford another vacation there.
A thrill ran through Peter as he sat behind the wheel of the car and thought of Cole, back in front of *his* camera, doing what *he* told him to do.
He'd lay on the 'Dragon charm' and in no time Cole Riccardi would be eating out of his hand.
**************
Fidgeting nervously, Peter waited for the door to open. He'd been told that Cole was in the building and on his way and the excitement was *incredible*.
A tentative knock at the door brought only Stuart however.
"Er, Peter? Mr Riccardi is here."
"Show him in then!"
"Er...yes...right."
The moments it took for the door to open again were endless and Peter began to get edgy. Suddenly, he was there... Cole Riccardi standing in front of him.
"Cole, good to see you!" Peter almost trembled as he stood up and reached his hand across the desk.
"What do you want, Peter?"
Shocked at the coolness of the greeting, Peter fixed his smile and sat down, gesturing for the other man to do the same. "You, Cole...What else?"
"Really? Now there's a change."
"You never returned my calls."
"I had nothing to say."
"What happened Christmas Eve was a mistake."
The actor snorted derisively, "You're telling *me*?"
Just as Peter opened his mouth, Stuart knocked softly at the door and peeped his head around, "Peter, we have a situation..."
"I don't fucking care...*get out*, don't come back in here until I tell you to. Am I making myself clear?"
"But Peter?"
"Are you such a fucking moron that you don't understand?"
Eyes almost teary, Stuart shook his head and pulled the door closed.
"Now where was I?"
Cole sighed and climbed to his feet, "Treating people like shit as usual. I don't know why I came."
"Cole, please!"
"Why do you treat him that way?"
With a frown, Peter looked towards the door, "Who, Stuart?"
"Yes."
"Because...he's Stuart. He expects it!"
"No one *expects* to be treated that way. Call me when you remember how to be a human being, Peter."
"I'm offering you part in -"
"No thank you," Cole turned to go.
"Cole..." Peter whined.
"Look, Peter... you've got to get this into your head -" Cole was interrupted by the sounds of screaming.
Peter sat there and stared at the older man. "Go on, I'm listening."
Cole looked at him disgustedly and flung open the door to peer out. The very irate and drunken 'star' had Stuart bent over his desk, choking him. Striding forward, he pulled the dismissed actor off of Stuart and shook the boy. "What are you doing?"
"You! I've been replaced by you!" With a howl, the boy began to flail around in the big man's arms and Cole shook his head.
Watching as three security guards began to pull the boy out of his arms and down the hall Cole sighed. Turning to a gasping Stuart, he smiled, placing his arm around the smaller man's shoulders. "Are you okay?" As Peter started to open his mouth, Cole said silkily, "I'm sure Peter will give you the rest of the day off since he knows the trauma you just suffered. Besides... he and I have... private business to discuss." Fixing Peter with a steely glare, he murmured, "Isn't that right, Peter?"
Peter bit back what he was about to say and nodded vigorously. "Absolutely."
"Wonderful," Cole said, hugging Stuart. "Now, you go on home and I'll ring you later."
Stuart stared at Peter, who nodded, making shooing motions with his hands. "Go on, Stuart." <Oh my God, I have to pay him for an entire day spent lounging around at home>
"See, that didn't hurt, did it?" Cole smiled.
Fixing the ever-present pained grin, Peter shook his head and gestured back to his office, "Now, we were discussing you reading over this script, weren't we?"
"I guess we were."
"So," Peter said between gritted teeth as they settled back down in his office, "You're ringing Stuart now? What, has he got over his problem with older men?"
"Oh Peter," the laugh from the big actor was hearty, "We'll make a 'bitchy queen' out of you yet!"
"What?"
"I happen to like Stuart, he's a nice guy. You do understand that concept, don't you? Even if you don't subscribe to it yourself."
A look of uncertainty flashed across Peter's face, "I didn't mean..."
"Yes you did, don't apologize for being what you are, you can't help it." Cole crossed his arms across his chest in an almost defiant gesture, "Now, what kind of a proposition is it you have for me?"
"I thought maybe you'd like to read through this," Peter pushed the script across the desk, but left his hand resting on it, "Over dinner tonight."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Because it's a fantastic part, perfect for you, Cole."
"Cut the bullshit, it was written for that prepubescent out there, so what is it you *want* Peter?"
Completely thrown a loop by an actor failing to respond to flattery, Peter bit his lip, "To apologize?"
Cole's face softened slightly.
<Yes! Yes! I said the right thing,> Peter's mind whirled.
"Okay, where?" the actor asked.
"My place."
"I'll be there at eight." Cole promised, heading out of Peter's office, a smile on his face.
Staring after the actor, Peter swore, if he didn't know better, that Cole was smirking.
**************
Peter stared down at the dishes on the table. Calling out, "Maria, what is this crap?"
"Senor Dragon, it is good Mexican food -"
"Goddammit, I wanted elegant! Something nice to impress! Not some Mexican shit!"
"Senor Cole, he likes Mexican food!" Maria protested. "He used to date my nephew Jose!"
"Jose?" Peter echoed.
"Yes, he's a good boy. He cleans pools, remember? He cleans your pool?"
Peter gulped. "He's only sixteen!"
"So?" Maria shrugged. "He don't care none."
"Who doesn't? Cole?"
"No, he likes them, how do you say? Young and smooth?" Maria smiled. "Good dinner with Senor Cole." She smiled as she walked away.
The cook peered out at him. Peter stared at him. "What do you want?" The cook chattered at him in Mandarin Chinese and Peter grimaced. "Why don't I hire English speaking people?" <Because these peons work for pennies! >
The cook chattered again and Peter started to turn away when he heard the cook say, "Cole Riccardi! Cole Riccardi! Big Star!" Peter nodded, pasting a smile on his face, resisting the urge to slam the man's head in the door.
<Damn fucking illegal aliens, coming here - young and smooth? He's *fucked* my sixteen year old pool boy! > He hurried on to his room, intending to slip into something more comfortable, his thoughts scattered. <The damn Cook knows Cole Riccardi's name... man he's gonna make me millions! >
As he slipped out of his clothes, he jumped into the shower. Soap in hand, he began to lather up, thinking about Cole's hands on his body, his lips on his skin.
Rubbing the softly scented soap into his lightly haired body he stopped for a moment. <Smooth huh? > Eyeing his shaver he shook his head, <What *am* I thinking? Smooth I can do, *sixteen* I can't. My balls descended too long ago for me to get away with that particular lie. >
Turning his face up to the water, he let it flow down his chest, allowing his imagination to be swept up in the sensation.
<I wonder what he's like in bed? Does he play the 'action hero' or the 'romantic lead'? > Peter mused, <Or maybe he just likes to be 'Daddy'?>
Wandering from the shower, wrapped in a soft robe, Peter was still thinking over what Maria had said. "Maria?"
"Si Senor?"
"Has Cole Riccardi fucked any other members of my staff?"
"You mean other than my Jose and Chen's boy Sung?"
"Chen's boy? He's *had* the cook's vertically and intellectually challenged offspring?" Peter gasped.
"Si Senor. Senor Cole, he like short guys I guess."
Eyes wide with amazement at yet more revelations in the 'who's done whom' Cole Riccardi saga, Peter snagged himself a drink and sank down onto the sofa. "Has he met the cat?" he asked as Maria flitted through the room.
With a giggle, the woman waved her hand at him and ducked her head, "Oh Senor!"
"And he refused *me*! What a bastard." Peter muttered to himself as he sipped his drink. The more he thought about it, the madder he got. < Damn bastard! How could he resist me, Peter Dragon! Oh Shit! That little worm, Stuart... I bet he's been telling Cole how I really am. I'll fire his snivelling ass. Shit. Well, wait. If I do that, I'll never find anyone else to put up with the shit I pile on Stuart. Damn Damn Damn. >
"Senor Riccardi is here, Mr. Dragon." Maria called. "I'll see you tomorrow... have a nice time."
Cole walked through the door, looking like every wet dream Peter had over him since they were together. <What had it been like? God I wish I could remember!> "Cole, come on in."
"Peter." Cole's eyes swept the living area, stopping on a montage of photos. Walking over, he looked them over. "Ah, I see you know Bobby G."
"He's married to my ex-wife." Peter said shortly, downing his drink. Heading to get another one, he changed his mind. "Drink, Cole?"
"Perrier." Cole said absentmindedly.
"Here you are," Peter moved to stand next to the bigger man. "Why? What about Bobby G?"
"Just... looking." Cole said, sipping at the bottle. "Who's this?" He pointed.
"My daughter."
"Ah." Cole looked down at his feet. "Look, ah, Peter, I can't stay. I'm sorry that I got angry that you're straight, but...."
"You can't stay?" Peter's voice raised an octave.
"No, I... er..."
Seeing the other man tongue tied, Peter placed his hand on Cole's arm. "What's wrong? Why can't you stay?"
"Because I've got a date." Cole clutched the green bottle of water.
"Whoa, wait a minute. I thought you had a date with me," Peter protested. <He can't do this to me! I'm in love with - I'm *what*???? >
"No Peter, I mean a date where I stand a better than average chance of ending up horizontal," Cole grinned.
"But..." Biting his lip, Peter realized he was on the very brink of saying it. Anything to keep the guy here. "So, I'm not good enough for you?"
Allowing himself a wry smile, Cole shook his head, "Peter, we've been through this. You're *straight*, that's a tough obstacle to overcome for any gay man and I've just kind of lost the will to fight it anymore."
"But I'm... interested in you."
"No, you're interested in my box office success, which is very flattering but it won't keep me warm at night."
"Cole..."
"Peter, you wanted to talk about the movie, so talk. If not, I'll be on my way... I wouldn't want him going off the boil!"
<What a manipulative bastard! > Peter gaped as Cole sipped his water and watched the hapless exec squirm beneath his gaze, <My God what a *guy*.>
Suddenly in a fit of blind panic, madness or jealousy induced hysteria, Peter grabbed the bigger man's jacket and pulled him close, meeting his lips viciously, kissing him hard
Gently, Cole removed himself from Peter's grip. "I really have to go," he said gently.
"But... but I thought... you said... " Peter stammered. <Fuck! He's not going to do the movie! >
"Goodbye, Peter... oh... and by the way, if Rafkin can do a decent rewrite for me, I'll do it." Cole smirked, watching as Peter squirmed again. He turned the doorknob and started to step out of the house.
"Oh no, oh no, Cole Riccardi." Peter grinned at the star. "Get back in here."
Cole laughed. "What?"
As an answer, Peter, high on the fact that he had Cole back as the star, grabbed Cole once again, kicked the door shut, and advanced on the older man. "You're not getting away from me that easily."
"Look... I appreciate you're willing to sacrifice it all to get me back in the shoot, but I've said," Cole backed against the sofa, falling backwards on it.
"You've agreed," Peter nodded, advancing towards the prone man. "But you're not going to go out with any little Hispanic or Chinese boy - not when I want you."
"This is always about what Peter Dragon wants!" Cole shouted, getting off the sofa and pushing past the hapless exec. "What about what I want? Huh?" He turned angrily to face Peter. "Think about this, Peter... think about what it must be like to be *me*."
Peter ran through the possibilities. "Good looking, any wo - I mean, *man* you want in your bed, a different man every night, big star -"
Cole interrupted the other man wearily. "Peter, you've just said it." He ran this hand through his short hair. "Every night. Every fucking night I could have someone new. I don't want someone new. I want someone to love me... someone to come home to every night. Someone faithful, loving and caring. Someone who'll be there with me for the rest of my life. Good night, Peter Dragon. Have your people call my people when you've got those re-writes."
"I could do that!" Peter said suddenly, "I could be what you want."
"You could also dress in a tutu while whistling the National Anthem, but I might take *that* seriously," Cole smiled as he got to the door.
"I *am* being serious. Why won't you listen to me?"
"Because you've lied once, why should this time be any different? Peter, we're both products of Hollywood. Bullshit is our *profession*, which is why I try to never date actors. Okay, maybe the odd one or two and boy were *they* a mistake!" Cole shook his head at the painful memory.
"You mean you weren't screwing that cute little fluffy guy on the last movie?"
"Oh him, yeah. Didn't work out though."
"Why not?" Peter asked, genuinely interested.
"Ah, he became a 'born again heterosexual', it happens sometimes," the bigger man shrugged, "Won't last, he takes it in the ass way too willingly," with a laugh Cole shook himself and moved towards the door.
"Please?" Peter ground out the word, teeth clenched as though in pain, "Please don't leave yet, I just want to talk to you, please?"
"Peter?"
"Cole, I just said that word more times in one sentence to you than in the last fifteen years, gimme a break?"
Something in the actor seemed to snap and his shoulders slumped, "I don't know what we could possibly have to say, but okay...I'll listen."
"Have a bite to eat?" Peter asked, gesturing towards the table.
As they sat down across from each other, Cole beamed down at the Mexican food laid out appetizingly. "Oh, Mexican, I love it!"
"I've heard!" Peter retorted, looking down at the bowl of rice, his nose wrinkled.
Cole smirked, then sobered. "So what do you want out of life, Peter?" He asked as he began to eat.
"I want..." With a start of surprise, Peter realized he wanted the same thing as Cole. "Same thing as you."
Cole sat his tortilla down. "Right." He looked mildly amused. "I've heard tales about you."
"And I've heard them about you too," Peter retorted. "Doesn't mean I don't believe you."
"So... how would you handle being labeled as gay?" Cole asked. "You saw where I came out?"
"And dragged me with you, remember?" Peter said softly. "So what's the difference? You told the world I was gay. AND your lover."
"Er, excuse me? But *you're* the one who put out for the sake of a *movie*. You told me you were gay, like an idiot I believed you. Just because you got yourself tangled up in your own web of lies does *not* mean it was *my* fault."
"Cole, I'm not trying to blame you, I'm just saying that I'm already 'out'. I was 'out' while I was still 'in'!" Peter glanced up and set the puppy eyes, just in case this time, Cole was going for it.
"You don't know what you're setting yourself up for, Peter, really you don't. Hollywood is hard enough without being gay. Some days I wish to God I'd kept my mouth shut, but I know I couldn't go on living a lie. You sure you can do that? Sure you can stand there and smile while some studio guy tells you that he doesn't want to have dinner at the table next to yours in case he 'catches AIDS from some cock sucking faggot'?"
Wincing, Peter almost gasped at the pain in Cole's face. "Cole I..."
"It's not easy, trust me. You so badly want to cave his face in for him, but you stand there and you smile and you let the son-of-a-bitch have his say. Then of course, you hope that Filipino maid he's fucking behind his wife's back gives him syphilis!" Cole chuckled slightly and took another mouthful of spicy food.
"I'd like to give it a try," Peter replied, for the first time really considering what he was saying, "I'd like to give *us* a try. Won't you take just *one* more chance in your life, Cole?"
"Peter... I... I..." Cole sighed. "I want to, so badly. But you're like a -"
"Man you could love?" Peter said, his hands waving in the air. "I want you. You've been in my dreams - my fantasies! You say how hard it is being gay... look, think about how hard it is to be *straight* and having fantasies about a sexy, wonderful man that you're <mumble>."
"That what?" Cole said, puzzled.
"In love with! I'm in love with Cole Riccardi, okay?" Peter jumped up, throwing down his napkin. "The night after we were together, I woke up with *your* name on my lips! Anyone else I fucked, I've thought about making love to you!" He stood there, chest heaving, staring into Cole's blue eyes. "Go on, laugh!"
"Peter," Cole rose, moving to the other man and pulling him into his arms. "I'm in love with Peter Dragon, so this makes us even."
"What?" Peter's voice rose and he leaned against the bigger man.
"You heard me... I love you." Cole said quietly. "Even though you turned away from me that night, I was serious. I've kept the thoughts of us together in my mind always."
"You have?" Peter looked hopeful and smiled. "Then... wanna cancel your date and stay with me?"
"Yeah," Cole said, taking Peter's face in his hands, kissing the younger man. "I wanna stay with you."
"Shit! Really?" Peter gaped.
A gentle laugh rumbled in the bigger man's chest, "Yes, really. Unless you've changed your mind, in which case this would be a very good time to say so."
"No, I haven't changed my mind, I just...I just thought you were going to disappear out of the damned door again. I've spent weeks watching your ass disappear out of the door. Hell, it's a very nice ass, but I'm kind of tired of seeing it clothed and walking away from me...am I babbling?"
"Yeah, you are, but it's nice, go ahead."
"Jeezus, Cole, you are *gorgeous*! Did anyone ever tell you that?" Peter stood inches from the actor, studying every line of his face.
"Well yes actually they have, but they usually want something. Do *you* want something, Peter?" Cole's voice was low and sultry.
"Hell yes, I'm a Hollywood producer, I'd get kicked out of 'The Hollywood Bastards Club' if I didn't *want* something," Peter grinned and ran his finger across Cole's lips, almost mesmerized by the older man's dazzling blue eyes. "I want you."
"I think I like the sound of that," Cole slid his hand across Peter's skin slowly and began to nuzzle his neck. The thrill of having the power to render Peter Dragon speechless and boneless went beyond words.
"I think I like the sound of *that* - the feel of that," Peter gasped as Cole's mouth sucked gently on his throat. "I want... let's get... naked," Peter moaned, his hands kneading the other man's muscular shoulders. "Horizontal."
Making a low noise of agreement, Cole fastened his mouth on Peter's, sighing as their tongues moved together.
Kissing and humping against each other, pulling each other's clothes off, they made their way to Peter's big bedroom.
When the last article of clothing littered the floor, they gasped in pleasure as hands began to roam in earnest.
They both moved to lie on the bed, Cole's larger body blanketing Peter's slimmer one. "You feel so good Peter," Cole gasped as Peter began to kiss him and rub his erection against the older man's body.
"Then make love to me," Peter moaned, his fingers now digging into Cole's back.
Cole broke the kiss and looked down into Peter's eyes. "You'd better be sure about this, there's no turning back...not this time."
"I'm *sure*," Peter tried to pull Cole closer.
"This *is* your...."
"Yes, yes... I'm a virgin again," Peter sighed dramatically, "I admit I haven't said that since I was eleven years old."
With a wide smile, Cole resumed the caresses, planting kisses across Peter's chest, letting his fingers slide inexorably down to dust the sensitive skin of the smaller man's thighs.
Almost breathless with anticipation, Peter groaned, "Hurry!"
"Patience has its rewards," Cole teased and gently nudged Peter's cock with his nose, taking a swipe with his tongue, which caused a jolt of pleasure to cascade through Peter's nervous system.
"Oh my God! Women *never* know how to do that properly!"
The rumbling laugh vibrated through Peter's body as Cole let his lips softly enfold the straining erection.
Peter rose up to look down at the man fastened onto his body and stared, fascinated as Cole swallowed him to the root. The man's tongue and throat were sending him to heaven, and with a groan, his head hit the pillow as he exploded inside Cole's mouth. With a grin that rivaled the Cheshire Cat's Cole crouched between his legs. The older man's blue eyes raked his body and he licked his lips.
"S-sorry I was so quick," Peter slurred, watching bemused as Cole reached over to dig through the nightstand. "Whatcha doing?"
"Looking for lube! And condoms!" Cole said with another smile as he began tossing things on the floor in his search. "And don't apologize, I'm glad I make you feel good."
"Oh you make me feel things I've never felt before, Cole!" Peter smiled.
"I'm going to *try* to make you feel something else you've never felt before," Cole quipped, peering into the drawer. Before he realized it, Peter had moved to lie facing his erection and began to lick at it delicately, swiping his tongue from the compact balls to the head.
Cole groaned and ran his hands through Peter's hair. "That's so beautiful," he whispered and closed his eyes as the sensation began to build, "Not too far, Peter, please? I want to make love to you."
A sly grin spread across Peter's face and he pulled away, "You really close?"
"Yes!" the bigger man hissed, "Too close."
There was something about making another *man* that way that was an incredible feeling, Peter decided. It was like having... power over him.
"Peter, where can I find condoms and lube?"
"Oh, er...condoms in there, but what kind of lube?"
Cole smiled lovingly, "You really hadn't given the mechanics of this much thought, had you?"
"Yes! Well... I'd thought about it. In fact, I've thought about nothing else in weeks, but the actual... erm... 'messy reality'? No, I guess not, it's not usually my problem." Peter smiled a slightly embarrassed smile and closed in on Cole again, kissing him hard on the mouth and curiously tasting the new flavor on his tongue before realizing what it was.
"It's okay, that hand cream will do... this time. It's not oil based is it?"
"How the fuck do *I* know? All I know is that it's two hundred bucks a shot."
Laughing, Cole took the bottle from the nightstand and flipped the top, "Two hundred buck a shot and look where it'll end up."
"Oh Cole, come on...let's get to this, I'm dying here."
"Face to face or on your stomach? Let me warn you, it's easier for you the first time if you're on your stomach, but it means we can't kiss..."
"I wanna kiss you... want to see you..." Peter gasped, gripping Cole's head as the older man bent to suck at his nipples. He whimpered and jerked as the other man's finger touched him and pressed inside. He tensed up and tightened his grip on Cole's head.
"Peter... let go... come on, babe... let go," Cole said tightly, kissing his chest. "Come on..."
Slowly, as Cole rotated his finger inside his passage, Peter relaxed and loosened his hold, his fingers stroking through his lover's hair. He spread his legs a little wider and closed his eyes, whispering, "Cole."
"Yeah, that's me...." the older man whispered as he inserted another finger inside Peter's tight passage. He continued to kiss and lick the other man as he stretched and prepared him, finally all three of his fingers sliding in and out of the other man easily.
Finally he rolled a condom over his shaft and looked down at Peter, lying spread open on his bed, his arms and legs akimbo, and grinned. "Ready?" His hand pumped the other man's cock twice and was rewarded with a long groan that seemed to come from deep inside his younger lover. "Liked that?"
"Mmm... Cole." Peter said breathlessly. His eyes snapped open and he muttered, "God I hope no one is taking pictures!" As soon as he said the words, he looked mortified.
Cole began to laugh and shook his head. "It never stops with you, does it?"
"I'm sorry!" Peter's voice was tight and strained and his cheeks flushed.
"It's okay, Peter," Cole purred, "I accepted the fact that you are a tactless, selfish bastard when I made the decision that I wanted you."
"You sweet talker you...arrgh!"
Cole grinned as he gently pushed inside Peter, watching the other man's eyes fly open and his finger tighten when the pressure began to build.
"Relax Peter," the whisper hung in the air.
Peter held his breath and tried not to fight the feeling.
"Just think of a box office success, grossing millions with Peter Dragon the hero of the hour, his name on everyone's lips." Cole spoke the words softly and soon felt the body beneath him relax and allow him in. "Oh that's good....that's *so* good."
"Oh. My. God."
"That's it, just surrender. For once in your life let someone else take the lead," Cole ran his hands across Peter's ass as he let the feeling settle and his lover become accustomed to the sensation.
"I'm so... full." Peter grunted, shifting against the older man.
"I know... I'll make it so good for you...." Cole whispered, leaning forward to kiss the other man.
Willingly, Peter surrendered to the kiss, Cole's lips and tongue taking his mind off the other man's cock being inside him. Finally, Cole broke away and gently began to rock his hips back and forth, sliding in and out of the younger man.
"Oh God!" Peter moaned, clutching at Cole's arms. "I never realized!"
Cole grinned and shifted, sliding his cock across the other man's prostate. Peter screamed. As Cole sped up, sliding across it over and over, Peter's head thrashed side to side. His fingers dug into Cole's arms, and he gasped out his lover's name as he came.
Cole panted, trying to continue, but Peter's ass was too good. With a groan, he came. Gently he pulled out and cleaned them both up before settling back and pulling Peter into his arms.
The mere fact that Peter Dragon, motor mouth, was silent the whole time made Cole smile, "You okay?"
"Ye...I...sure."
"Peter? I didn't hurt you did I?" Cole asked with concern.
"No! I just never realized it could be that way. God! No wonder so many men are gay!"
With a soft laugh, Cole hugged Peter closer, "As long as you're not disappointed?"
Looking up sharply, Peter gasped, "Fuck no! A little stunned and my ass hurts like a bitch, but definitely not disappointed. So, what if I'll walk like John Wayne for a month?"
A pleasant silence settled but it was plain that Peter still had questions. Eventually he spoke in a quiet, unsure tone.
"Was...was I really...really..er...'inexperienced'. You know, I mean...was I shit?"
"No Peter, you were fine," Cole replied in a sleepy voice.
"Fine? What exactly does 'fine' mean?" Peter pushed himself up onto his elbow and peered down at the bigger man.
"It means that it was great. Stop being so Hollywood."
"I know, but I've fired people after telling them they were 'fine'."
"Peter!"
"Okay, I'm s..."
"That's a tough word for you, isn't it? 'Sorry'."
"Yeah, but I am, I didn't mean to...hell I'm not used to 'taking it in the ass' from anyone I guess," Peter smiled and leaned down to kiss his lover.
"No, you're just used to *being* a pain in the ass, big difference."
"Yeah. But this is just as much fun!"
Cole smiled and pulled Peter back into his embrace, "Let's take a nap then we can try for round two!"
Settling into the bigger man's side, Peter felt sleep creeping upon him, but there was still one question burning in his mind. "Cole?"
"Mmm?"
"Did Stuart *really* say he 'wanted' me?"
"Peter!"
***************
Cole watched Peter dress as he did the same. "Are you sure, Peter?"
"Of course!" Peter smiled. "I'm not going to hide you, you know. If people don't like it, fuck them!"
"I guess it's a bit too late for that isn't it?" Cole smiled, reaching forward to straighten Peter's lapels.
"I believe so," Peter said, kissing Cole before slipping on his sunglasses and starting out the door. "Hurry up, I'm pretty damn hungry."
"I'll be right out." Watching as Peter made his way out to where his car sat in the drive, Cole flipped open his cell phone. He punched in a number, watching to make sure that Peter didn't come back in. "Hey, it's me... Cole." He laughed softly. "Guess." Shaking his head, he replied, "Nope - Peter's - yeah, 'Peter Fucking Dragon'!" He laughed again and grinned. "Thanks for the tip, Stuart. You were right... a little flattery, a lot of pretending I wasn't interested, and well... let's just say he did the chasing but I think I caught a good one." He nodded. "Sure, lunch next week. Bye."
He cut the connection, slipped the phone into his pocket, ran his hands through his hair and wandered out to where Peter was honking the horn and yelling for him to hurry.
"I'm coming, Peter," Cole said with a smile as he got into the small car.
"About goddamn time!" Peter muttered as he pulled out onto the street.
They rode in silence for almost ten minutes when Cole smiled. "You'll never change, will you? You're a heartless bastard, but I still love you," Cole said, amused, running his hand lazily through the other man's hair.
"Yeah, well, this heartless bastard is 15 minutes late for a lunch meeting with Wendy and -" Peter glanced at his new lover who was still smiling at him. "Fuck! Let's go back home!" Abruptly, ignoring the squealing of tires and the curses directed at them, Peter turned the car back around. "I think it's my turn on top."
"Whatever you want, Peter!" Cole laughed, holding on for dear life as Peter sped back towards the house. <Yep... he never even realized what hit him! With a self-satisfied smile, Cole leaned back to enjoy the ride.
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