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"Not at all. I'm really interested."

"Well, another time. What about you? What's your chosen profession?"

"Law, actually. I went to law school and I've been out for two years. I'm doing a research fellowship and then I'll probably specialize in nonprofit law." Alex stopped and demanded, "What?"

Julian was appraising him with a grin, his head tilted, his eyebrows lifted."Somehow I can't reconcile the scruffy hippie in torn jeans and sandals with an attorney at law! And a research fellow to boot. Very impressive."

"Stop it," Alex laughed, his cheeks pink. "It's just what I do, not who I am."

Julian reached out, unable to help himself. Gently he stroked Alex's cheek with the back of his fingers. "And who are you, Alex Williams? Besides the man of my dreams?"

A few minutes later found them back in Peter's living room. After a moment they spied Peter, still wearing his peacock feather mask, in animated conversation with a man wearing a bright blue Mardi Gras eye mask studded with rhinestones.

Peter turned toward the pair as they approached and smiled broadly. "John told me you two were getting, uh, reacquainted." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"That's right," Alex admitted with a smile. "It's been six years. We have a lotto catch up on."

"I bet you do," Peter retorted with a sly grin as he raked Julian with his eyes.

"Alex," a deep voice said just behind him, a voice Alex knew well but no longer welcomed. With a start he turned to see Richard standing just behind him, the bandana still wound rakishly around his head, though the eye patch was no longer in evidence.

"Richard," he said, unable to keep the coldness out of his voice.

"I was wondering if you'd be here," Richard said, ignoring everyone around them, his eyes focused intently on Alex. Edward was nowhere in sight. Alex glanced at Peter, who shrugged slightly, as if to say he had nothing to do with it.

"I've missed you," he added softly, stepping so close to Alex he could feel his breath on his cheek.

Alex stepped back, disconcerted. Julian, apparently sensing his discomfort, moved closer and put his arm around Alex. Richard stepped back as if he'd been slapped. "And who is this?" he said, his voice abrupt.

"This is Julian," Alex answered, happiness rising in him as he stood in the warmth of Julian's light embrace. He realized he was, finally, well and truly free of Richard's charismatic hold. "Julian Goddard. Julian, meet Richard Kramer, the man I mentioned earlier."

Without missing a beat, Julian extended his free hand and said, "A pleasure, Mr. Kramer." Richard took another step back and at that moment Edward approached, shaking back his long hair as he called in a grating singsong voice, "Richard darling, where did you disappear to?" Richard turned toward his lover, but not before Alex saw the scowl on his face.

Unable to control his own grin, Alex turned to Peter and said, "This is the best party you've ever thrown. I know you'll understand if Julian and I leave alittle early."

"Are you kidding?" Peter said, laughing. "If you didn't go, I'd throw you out myself! I hope I don't embarrass you when I say haven't seen such a glow on your face since... well, ever, Alex!"

Alex was embarrassed by the remark, but Julian only laughed and Alex saw his own joy reflected in Julian's beautiful eyes. Could this be another in aseries of endless dreams? Would he wake up alone in the dark, his cock flagging in his hand, his heart as empty and dry as a bone?

"Take me home," Julian whispered in his ear, and Alex knew it was no dream.