The Carpenter and the Fairy

Something sparkled in the bright, moving club lights, catching his attention. A few feet away, on the edge of the dance floor, a slim young man danced in smooth, sinuous movements. The young man was shirtless, with wispy, dragonfly-like wings on his back. The only clothing he wore was a long green loincloth and a pair of sandals. His dark, curly hair was tousled and dusted with glitter. A vine wreath rested among the curls. Was he supposed to be a woodland fairy or something?

As if sensing Mason’s stare, the fairy turned around. His full lips turned up in a smile. To Mason’s shock, the fairy walked toward him.

Up close, the guy was stunning. He was about five-foot-eight, at least six inches shorter than Mason, and he had one of those lovely, androgynous faces fit for a runway model. His big eyes were outlined with dark eyeliner, and his eyelids sparkled with a hint of makeup. He was not at all Mason’s type. Mason went for men built more like himself: big, tall, muscular guys, not slim waifs who wore makeup.

Still, as the fairy came to a stop right in front of him, Mason felt an unexpected surge of desire. Something about the younger man’s pretty eyes, which Mason could now see were green, or maybe his soft mouth made Mason want him. His cock stirred in his worn jeans.

“Hi.” The young man brushed his unruly curls away from his face. “I’m Avery.” Avery’s voice was sweet and a little husky, a surprisingly sexy combination.

Although Mason told himself he should just walk away and find a guy that was more his speed, he found himself replying, “I’m Mason.”

Avery’s slender hand traced Mason’s bicep through his tight t-shirt. “Nice costume, Mason.”

Mason searched Avery’s face for any signs of mockery. Stan had certainly laughed his ass off when they met up earlier. He’d said Mason’s costume was too simple and made him look like one of the Village People. Mason knew it was lazy to wear work boots, worn jeans, a t-shirt, and a carpenter’s tool belt, but he hadn’t wanted to come to a stupid Halloween costume party anyway. It wouldn’t be Halloween for another week, which made the party even dumber. He gave Avery a wry grin. “I guess it’s not technically a costume. I’m really a carpenter.”

Avery laughed, making his wings shiver. “And I’m a fairy. Truth in advertising.”

Against his will, Mason laughed, too. He had to admit the man was clever. “So what brings you out tonight, Avery?”

“Other than the chance to wear these fabulous wings?” Avery grinned and peered up at Mason through his eyelashes. “Maybe I came to meet you.”

On anyone else, the coy expression would have looked ridiculous, but on Avery it was alluring. Mason shook his head, unable to believe his own thoughts. Avery was one of the prettiest men he had ever seen, and as far from Mason’s usual hook-up as was humanly possible without being a girl. What was he doing? He opened his mouth to give a polite brush-off, but what came out was, “You’ve met me. Now what?”

Those full, sexy lips curved up in a slow smile. “Now you carry me off into the sunset. Or your bedroom. Whatever.”