Thai... Troubled

By Heather Mar-Gerrison

"Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Q from James Bond?"
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I'd heard this about a million times over the last five years or so, since Ben Whishaw first played Q in Skyfall. I couldn't deny it. I did look quite a lot like him - I had glasses and dark unruly hair that never sat flat no matter what I did with it - and as nerdy as it sounds, I was kind of chuffed that my name could be shortened to Q...
I would never describe myself as handsome though - not like Ben Whishaw, who I thought was absolutely stunning. I looked up and sucked in a sharp breath. It was the tall, dark, exotic-looking dancer that I'd been crushing on for weeks. I was quite sure he was called Thai... And he was speaking to me! Was he actually hitting on me? Nah... probably not - but he thought I looked like Q! For once it wasn't annoying me to be compared to a super-geek.
I grinned at him. The music was pumping, the beat vibrating through my body and I was feeling really kind of mellow. I fucking loved coming to this nightclub and tonight was no exception. Raising my voice so I could be heard over the music, I replied, "Uh, yeah - I've heard that once or twice."
He chuckled, his deep, almost musical laugh making my insides feel a little mushy. "And are you a mad, gadget-creating genius on the quiet - or do your talents lie elsewhere?" He shouted.
Oh, my God - he really was flirting with me! Flirting! With me! Where were all my mates to witness this amazing event?
Oh, yes - Franz was snogging the face off his boyfriend in the foyer - and all the others were no doubt in the bathrooms getting their rocks off with unsuspecting punters...
"I'm more your artistic type." I said back as loudly as I could. I might be studying physics but I really did love to draw and paint. I had about twenty sketches of him that I'd done from memory. Looking into those incredible eyes now, though, with his super long and curly eyelashes - it was more than obvious that I hadn't done him justice. I'd have to have another go when I got home...
Thai... Troubled is number 8 in the Studs & Steel Series and focuses on Thai and Quentin's love story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Mar-Gerrison
• Release date: May 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463018330

Heather Mar-Gerrison

I love to write M/M romance and as a sucker for a HEA, you're guaranteed one in my books. #happyheatherafters

Book preview

Thai... Troubled

Studs & Steel #8

Heather Mar-Gerrison copyright 2018

Smashwords Edition

Beautiful front cover design courtesy of

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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work.

Prologue

Quentin

"Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Q from James Bond?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, even as a little thrill went through me that he’d said so. I’d heard this about a million times over the last five years or so. Ever since Ben Whishaw first played Q in Skyfall. I couldn’t deny it. I did look quite a lot like him. I had the glasses and the dark, unruly hair that never sat flat no matter what I did with it – and as nerdy as it sounds, I was kind of chuffed that my name could be shortened to Q...

I would never describe myself as handsome though – not like Ben Whishaw, who I thought was absolutely stunning. I looked up and sucked in a sharp breath. It was the tall, dark, exotic-looking dancer that I’d been crushing on for weeks. I was quite sure he was called Thai, which really suited him. Fuck. And he was speaking to me! Was he actually hitting on me? Nah… probably not – but he thought I looked like Q! For once it wasn’t annoying me to be compared to a super-geek.

I grinned at him. The music was pumping, the beat vibrating through my body and I was feeling really kind of mellow. I fucking loved coming to this nightclub and tonight was no exception. Raising my voice so I could be heard over the music, I replied, Uh, yeah – I’ve heard that once or twice.

He chuckled, his deep, almost musical laugh making my insides feel a little mushy. And are you a mad, gadget-creating genius on the quiet? He shouted, his beautiful mouth curving up in a blinding smile that took my breath away, or do your talents lie elsewhere?

Oh, my God – he really was flirting with me! Flirting! With me! Where were all my mates to witness this amazing event?

Oh, yes. That was right – they’d all sneaked off as soon as we arrived. Franz was snogging the face off his boyfriend in the foyer – and all the others were no doubt in the bathrooms getting their rocks off with unsuspecting punters... The bastards.

I’m more your artistic type. I said back as loudly as I could. I might be studying physics but I really did love to draw and paint. I had about twenty sketches of him that I’d done from memory. Looking into those incredible eyes now, though, with his super long and curly eyelashes – it was more than obvious that I hadn’t done him justice. I’d have to have another go when I got home...

It was Christmas Eve and in the blink of an eye, it had turned from a run-of-the-mill sort of night into a totally magical one.

I’d been in two minds whether to come out with Franz and the guys tonight. More for the fact that I’d undoubtedly have to find my own way home and getting a taxi on Christmas Eve wasn’t gonna be the easiest of tasks. Franz was pretty much living with Buzz these days – they weren’t officially living together but he spent shed-loads of time there and I was pretty sure it was just a matter of time before he did actually take the final step and move in.

I looked over to where Franz and Buzz were and smiled. They were so damned perfect together. Franz looked utterly hilarious tonight. He was dressed as Britney Spears – and actually rocked the look better than I thought he would when he told me what his costume was going to be.

Jaime, our other friend from uni, who was almost completely deaf, was dressed as Superman and looked absolutely awesome with his hair all gelled back. He always went all out to look the part for fancy dress – and it really didn’t hurt that he was rock star handsome either.

I’d gotten changed at Franz’s. Not that anyone at home would mind that I’d gone out dressed as a seventies rock star, but the atmosphere at the flat with Franz and the rest of the guys was more fun than it was at home. Arthur, the guy I lived with, (which sounds like we were in relationship with each other but that couldn’t be farther from the truth) hadn’t been feeling too well for a couple of weeks now and I felt like I was tiptoeing around all of the time as it was. Sometimes it was just nice to escape – as much as I loved him.

Thai’s eyes had drifted over to Buzz and Franz and he chuckled, Ah, he said, One of the most loved up couples here. He said, sounding mildly incredulous.

I looked up at him, And what’s wrong with that? I asked.

He snorted, Love? He said, Love is for saps.

I blinked. Really?’ I asked, And how did you come to that cynical conclusion?" Hell, he was only about twenty-five. Surely life hadn’t dealt him enough blows to have already given up on finding someone to share his life with?

He shrugged, I just don’t believe it really exists. He said, Someone always manages to cheat on the other – even when they take vows to always love one another. Better to just have fun. I really don’t believe in marriage – it’s just another form of control… he trailed off looking mildly embarrassed at his outburst, Anyway, enough of my cynical views, he added with a grin and raising his eyebrows at me hopefully, Would you, uh, like to come and dance with me?

My jaw almost hit the bar. He was one of the best dancers here and he wanted me to dance with him? Fuck! It was a Christmas miracle…

I nodded, Sure. I agreed, hopping down from my barstool before he could realise I was a super-geek and change his mind. I was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth…

We danced together for pretty much the rest of the night. Thai had done his stint of dancing in the first half of the evening so now he could relax and enjoy the rest of the fancy dress party.

Who did you come as? he asked, David Bowie?

I smiled and shook my head, I think I’m more of a Marc Bolan. I said, I’m not all that good with painting my own face the way Bowie did. I wasn’t all that sure I’d pulled off Marc Bolan all that well if I was honest. It didn’t occur to me to come as Q. I added, On reflection it would have been a whole lot easier. I smiled.

He chuckled, Next time, huh?

I nodded, Definitely. I agreed.

Will you be coming for New Year’s Eve? he asked.

I shook my head, Uh, no. I said, feeling a wave of disappointment, I have other plans for New Year.

Arthur always hosted a massive New Year’s party for his friends and colleagues, and I was always invited, too. To begin with, four years ago, when I was barely sixteen, Arthur’s friends had thought he’d lost his mind, allowing me to move in with him, but they all accepted me now and I usually looked forward to it. But this time, I had Thai asking me if I was coming here – and I’m not gonna lie. It was a far more appealing prospect…

Chapter 1 – New Year…

Quentin

Christmas came and went – as did New Year and I was back at university and Franz was bugging me to go back to Studs with him almost immediately. Thai’s been asking after you. He said, nudging my elbow and grinning at me.

I sighed even as my heart spiked, I’ll see. I said, Arthur hasn’t been too well recently. I was a bit worried about him. His health had been on a steady decline since the summer. I knew he had HIV – or at least I thought I knew. No one had ever come on out and told me straight but you get a vibe, don’t you?

Franz shrugged, Well, the offer’s open. He said, I’ll understand if you don’t come.

I sighed. The desire to go and to see Thai was actually pretty overwhelming, even if he did have some strange ideas about love and commitment. Count me in. I said, Arthur won’t mind.

And Arthur didn’t mind. Have fun, sweetheart. He said, beaming up at me from his easy-chair, You can tell me all about it in the morning.

I nodded, smiling back at him, Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?

He chuckled, My dear boy, he said, I spent the better part of thirty years on my own before you came into my life. Go. Have fun. I’ll still be here when you return.

I nodded, feeling happier that he was happy for me to go.

Will you be dressing up again? he asked, his eyes full of mischief and making him look at least ten years younger than his sixty-three years.

I shrugged, "Well, you’d probably call it dressing up. I said with a smile, But they’re just clubbing clothes – my skinny jeans and my cropped top."

Arthur grinned, You’ll knock them all dead. He said with a wink. Have fun.

Franz, of course, was delighted that I was going to be joining him and the boys on a night out and had invited me to get changed at his place again – the one he still had at the uni house, since that was where all the other guys lived. I hadn’t been wrong about him moving in with Buzz – and the pair of them were sporting promise rings that I was sure were really engagement rings – they were wearing them on their left hands but neither of them were admitting to anything.

Feeling really good about myself, I walked into the club and headed for the bar. I needed a drink…

*

"Oh, my God. I knew I’d see you tonight. I just had a feeling… Q, I believe?" A deep, melodic voice had all the hairs on my arms standing on end and my heart had gone into overdrive.

I looked up and had to concentrate on not totally losing my shit in his presence. I raised my eyebrows at him and smiled, Oh, hi. I said, trying to be totally cool.

It’s really nice to see you again.