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Riley and Mark find their lives start to entangle with that of Jacob's. The raccoon brings with him an intriguing proposal as his poises to sink his teeth deeper into Riley's affairs. Suspicions grow but so do prospects that may very well spell success and profit for Mark's business.
The stage is set for the downward spiral into depravity and lust.", "writing": "Chapter Four\n\nMark and Riley hung around their bedroom door as they watched Jacob buzz around their kitchen, still wearing only his boxers.\n\nMark tugged his bathrobe tight and whispered, ``Definitely isn't a shy guy, eh?'' Riley put his hands into the pockets of his sleep-pants and sighed, ``No, no he isn't.'' ``Think we should...say something?''\n\nRiley was all too ready to see the raccoon leave their home, the memories of his advances last night still lingered like an irritating scent he couldn't shake. More importantly, he knew that Dion had resurfaced as well because of a Jacob. Riley didn't want to think about what that could mean, what terrible implications might arise as a result.\n\nJacob had a pair of headphones in and was singing along to whatever he was listening to in unintelligible words. His phone was holstered in his boxer's waistband just beside his navel. He was totally unaware of Mark and Riley's presence as he shuffled around the kitchen, his ringed tail bobbing up and down as he broke a couple of eggs into their frying pan.\n\n``He's...cooking.'' Riley felt his temple throb.\n\nMark, however, laughed, ``Well, that's something, isn't it?''\n\nJacob clapped his hands, spun around and stared wide-eyed at the two of them, he pulled an ear-bud out and waved, ``Morning buds!''\n\nMark nudged Riley, whose foot was tapping rapidly against the floor in irritation, ``Morning, um, Jacob, was it?''\n\nThe raccoon snapped his fingers and pointed at Mark, ``You got it and you're...shit, I must have been hammered if I can't even remember your names.''\n\nThe Lab put his hand on his chest, ``Mark,'' he then pointed to Riley, ``This is Riley. Actually, I don't think I got the opportunity to introduce myself last night.''\n\nRiley glared at the raccoon, ``You look like you've recovered.''\n\n``Hold that thought, wolf-man,'' Jacob quickly returned to the frying pan, ``Just get comfortable, breakfast will be ready soon. Hope you don't mind me taking over your kitchen. Got coffee going already, it's in the pot.''\n\nFuck this guy, Riley thought. Telling us to get comfortable in our own home?\n\nWait, our home?\n\nRiley never thought of Mark's apartment as home before. The prospect made him happy but at the same time, he couldn't shake a feeling of guilt from deep within his being. He was getting too comfortable, not that being comfortable in Mark's apartment was a bad thing, far from it. Riley didn't know what the future would bring, how much longer would he be able to keep up life with Mark when he knew that Max was still out there.\n\nMark was all too happy to indulge the raccoon and poured out three mugs of coffee for them. ``Do you need any help?'' He offered.\n\n``No way, my canine friend,'' Jacob smirked, ``This is my way of thanking you guys for taking me in.''\n\n``Sure you don't want to put on some pants or something,'' Riley said taking a mug from\n\nMark.\n\n``Naw, I'm fine,'' Jacob chuckled as his stirred the eggs in the pan.\n\nRiley's hand tightened around the hot mug, Mark placed his hand calmingly on the wolf's shoulder and whispered, ``Is everything alright? You seem...on edge.''\n\n``You don't think this is a bit fucked up? We don't even know this guy,'' Riley muttered.\n\n\f``I'll admit, it's a bit strange but I really think he's harmless. Besides, it's like a compliment.''\n\n``You're going to have to explain that one to me.''\n\nMark shrugged, ``I think it says that our place is comfortable enough that people can just relax and just hang loose.''\n\nJacob's package bounced around uninhibitedly as he swayed his hips.\n\nRiley swallowed, ``He's hanging loose alright.''\n\nMark kissed the wolf, ``Riley Conner, I didn't take you for such a prude.'' Mark untied his robe and let it fall to the floor.\n\n``What the hell?'' Riley raised an eyebrow as Mark took a seat at their table in just a pair of argyle boxer-briefs.\n\nMark held up his arms, ``When in Rome, right?''\n\nJacob buckled over in laughter as he set the frying pan down on the center of the table, ``Nice, man!''\n\nIt was utterly absurd, but Riley could help but admire Mark's spirit in this moment. He was upset, he didn't like the idea of Jacob seeing Mark in such a vulnerable state but at the same time he knew Mark didn't mean anything by it.\n\nIf anything, Riley started to think of it as Mark's show of dominance in his own home.\n\nIt was actually...pretty hot.\n\nRiley was still leery of Jacob but if Mark was able to drop his guard, maybe he could try too? Besides, how much longer could he hold Jacob's actions against him?\n\nOkay, he could totally hold it against him but he could at least try to look past it.\n\nRiley grabbed three plates from the cupboard and set them on the table, ``Thanks for the food, Jacob.''\n\nThe raccoon took a seat and crossed his leg. Riley could see up his boxers and quickly averted his eyes after a glance of the raccoon's cock shyly looming at the edge of the garment, ``My pleasure, thanks for the looking out for me.''\n\nThey served themselves and started to eat, Mark asked between mouthfuls, ``So, what brings you to Aurora?\n\nJacob leaned back in his chair, ``I'm on a bit of a cross-country road trip. Taking in the sights and seeing what's out there.''\n\n``Sounds pretty fun,'' Mark put his hand over Riley's.\n\nJacob shrugged, ``It's something. Honestly didn't expect all the snow up here though.'' Mark laughed, ``Ya, it's an all-year kind of deal in these parts.'' ``Makes riding a bit of a challenge,'' Jacob sighed.\n\n``Oh, that reminds me, I hope you don't mind, but last night before I closed up I moved your bike between the buildings,'' Mark said.\n\nJacob dropped his fork, ``You fucking touched my bike?'' There was an uncomfortable silence, Riley's back arched as he prepared for the raccoon's next move, which turned out to be an uproarious fit of laughter. ``I'm just fucking with you, man. Oh, shit, the look on your guys' faces!''\n\nMark laughed nervously, ``Ya, you got me.''\n\nJacob grinned, ``I appreciate that, seriously. You guys have been way too kind.'' ``So,'' Riley stared at the raccoon, ``How long are you planning on staying then?'' Jacob leaned forward and scratched his ass, ``Haven't decided, I think I could stand to\n\nspend a few days in town. I think it's starting to grow on me.''\n\n\f``I can give you the number for a decent hotel,'' Mark offered. ``Well, it's the only hotel so it'd have to do.''\n\n``Hey, I'm not picky,'' Jacob said.\n\nRiley was relieved Mark didn't offer their place up for accommodations, ``Where do you come from anyways, how long you been on the road?''\n\nJacob hummed, ``Little less than four months, if I had to guess. I'm from Lexington originally, but the city life just didn't agree with me. Too crowded, not enough open road for my liking, not like this place. Before here, I worked my way along the east coast and started to head north.''\n\n``Must have seen a lot of interesting places along the way,'' Riley said.\n\n``A few, it's the little hidden gems you come across that really stand out. For instance, I was in a place a couple weeks back, what was it called again? Ah, right, Highland.''\n\nRiley could have sworn he saw Jacob's eyes flash towards him as if he anticipated the wolf's heartbeat spike for split second. Mark didn't know where Riley had come from, he didn't ask and Riley felt it was better that the Lab was oblivious to as much of Riley's past as he could conceal.\n\nMark leaned forward, ``What was so special about that place?''\n\nJacob smirked, ``The place felt like it had a lot going on. You ever get the feeling that something is more than it appears? That was Highland in a nutshell. It was beautiful and yet I couldn't shake this uneasiness about the place.''\n\n``And uneasiness appeals to you?'' Mark inquired. The raccoon scratched his chest, ``It intrigues me.''\n\nOkay, this was getting strange. Well, stranger than things already were. Riley felt flushed, was it just a coincidence? Was Jacob in some way connected to Max, how could he even confirm that without bringing Mark into his past?\n\n``You know,'' Riley said after a moment, ``There's a lot of other towns past here that you might like. I know you want to stick around but seriously there isn't that much going on.''\n\nJacob took a fork full of eggs, ``I don't know about that. Actually, I wanted to ask you, Mark, what was up with the pub last night?''\n\n``Oh, that. It's just a little experiment to bring in some new business. I think it went well, all things considered.''\n\nJacob swallowed his food, ``You know. I'm something of a promoter myself.'' ``Really?'' Mark's eye lit up.\n\n``See, I know what sells and what a tiny town like this sorely needs.'' Jacob's eyes darkened as he studied Mark's body.\n\n``And that is?''\n\n``Sex,'' Jacob said casually.\n\nMark held up his hand, ``Whoa, whoa, I'm not sure-''\n\n``Hear me out,'' Jacob cut in, ``I'm not saying you turn your pub into a bordello of anything like that, but I mean, when I look at you I see a rocking bod and it could bring in some serious cash.''\n\nMark, to Riley's bewilderment, indulged the raccoon, ``I'm not really following you.'' ``I saw the crowd last night and I'm getting the distinct impression there isn't anything\n\nremotely sexy happening in this town, am I right?'' ``Well, ya, you're right.''\n\n\f``So, let's give the people what they really want. Fuck, I could feel it, that raw untapped energy floating unanchored just waiting to be tapped. Think about it, give it one night, but make it all about what you have to offer.''\n\n``And that is?''\n\n``Male review night at the Northstar,'' Jacob flashed his teeth gleefully.\n\n``Beg your fucking pardon?'' Riley nearly dropped his mug.\n\n``I understand you're skeptical, I get it, but consider it,'' Jacob gave his attention to Mark solely. ``I asked around last night and this place, it's a pillar of the community and people fucking love you. So, you turn this place into a club once in a while, that's cute, I like it, but you need to give the people more. Nothing racy, just good old fashion striptease. From experience, I know sex sells. It's empowering, it's fun and it makes bank.''\n\nMark was seriously considering Jacob's proposal, ``Do you...really think so?''\n\n``Mark,'' Riley was even more suspicious of the raccoon now. ``I'm not so sure about it.'' ``I'll help you out with everything, hell, I'll even participate.'' Jacob offered. Mark put his hand to his chin, ``Why though?''\n\n``Why? Consider it my way of thanking you, and of course, I'll take a portion of the profits and let me tell you, you will make money off this.'' Jacob leaned forward.\n\n``Can I think about it?'' Mark sighed.\n\n``Mark?'' Riley couldn't believe he was falling for this.\n\n``Hey, that's all I can ask for,'' Jacob stood up and went over to his pile of clothing, rummaged in his pockets and then pulled out a small business card. He passed it to Mark.\n\nRiley glanced over at the black card, it read in neon letters, `Jacob Flynn: Promoter and consultant,' along with his number and email.\n\nMark nodded, ``Thanks.''\n\n``Alright,'' Jacob clapped his hands together, ``I'll handle clean up while you guys do whatever you need to. Then I'll get out of your fur.''\n\nRiley left the table, Mark followed and shut the door to their bedroom as Jacob started clearing the table.\n\n``You're pissed, aren't you?'' Mark said as he put his arms around the wolf.\n\nRiley sighed, ``You aren't actually considering this, right?''\n\nMark laughed, ``What? You don't want other people seeing my `rocking bod'?'' Mark wiggled his hips against Riley's ass, his cock pressing up against the back of Riley's pants.\n\n``It's not that, it's Jacob. Mark, we just met this guy and suddenly you're sitting around the table in your underwear with some complete stranger.''\n\n``Okay,'' Mark admitted. ``It was a little weird, but Riley, he might be on to something.'' ``Are you really hurting that badly for cash?''\n\nMark sighed, ``Riley, I want this place to thrive. My folks kept it running as best they could but in the end they barely managed to keep it from going under. When I took over, after... they passed, I promised that I'd keep their legacy, my family's legacy, alive.''\n\nMark barely spoke about his parents. All Riley knew they were involved in a collision outside of town. The details of their death were something Mark struggled to talk about and so Riley didn't press.\n\n``Can you do that, and not turn this place into a strip club?''\n\nMark turned Riley around and held him in his gaze, ``You don't want to see me strut my stuff for the entire town?''\n\n``Do you want to?''\n\n\fMark chuckled, ``Gotta admit, it sounds a little fun. I bet there's other guys in town wouldn't mind getting involved, if it's successful. Besides, burlesque is pretty popular these days.''\n\n``How would you know that?'' Riley teased.\n\n``I do my research,'' Mark smirked. ``Look, why don't we think on it but like seriously think about it. I think Jacob knows what he's doing.'' He glanced at the business card.\n\n``Alright, I can do that at least.''\n\nMark nuzzled his nose against Riley's forehead, ``Might be fun to try it out together?'' ``Oh, that's what it's all about, eh?''\n\nMark did his best announcer voice, ``Ladies and gentlemen, for one night and one night only the Northstar is proud to present: Randy Riley and Macho Mark take it all off for your pleasure!''\n\n``Randy Riley and Macho Mark?''\n\nMark scratched the back of his head, ``Okay, I'm not good with names but you get the\n\nidea.''\n\n``We'll have to work on that, together.''\n\n``Oh, have I convinced you?''\n\nRiley moved his hands onto Mark's butt and squeezed his cheeks, ``I'm warming up to\n\nit.''\n\nMark smiled. Riley would do anything for that smile. He wasn't completely sold on Jacob but Mark had done so much for him, Riley owed it to him to try anything.\n\nThey dressed and returned to the living room where Jacob had just finished pulling up his pants. They went down to the pub and Jacob retrieved his bike from the alleyway.\n\nRiley had to admit, the raccoon looked good on the motorcycle. The engine roared to life as he shook Mark's hand, ``I'll keep in touch then, till then, you know how to reach me.''\n\n``Sounds good, man,'' Mark said.\n\nJacob glanced back at Riley and smirked, ``Be seeing you.''\n\nThe bike sped away from the Northstar leaving Riley and Mark coughing in a puff of exhaust.\n\n``Well, that was something. Ok, let's get this place ready for the day.'' Mark stretched his arms into the air and turned back to go into the pub.\n\nRiley remained outside until he could no longer see or hear Jacob's bike. His eyes felt heavy and his discomfort was growing but he needed to put it out of his mind, for Mark's sake.\n\n``I really hope I'm wrong about this.''\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Chapter Four

Mark and Riley hung around their bedroom door as they watched Jacob buzz around their kitchen, still wearing only his boxers.

Mark tugged his bathrobe tight and whispered, ``Definitely isn't a shy guy, eh?'' Riley put his hands into the pockets of his sleep-pants and sighed, ``No, no he isn't.'' ``Think we should...say something?''

Riley was all too ready to see the raccoon leave their home, the memories of his advances last night still lingered like an irritating scent he couldn't shake. More importantly, he knew that Dion had resurfaced as well because of a Jacob. Riley didn't want to think about what that could mean, what terrible implications might arise as a result.

Jacob had a pair of headphones in and was singing along to whatever he was listening to in unintelligible words. His phone was holstered in his boxer's waistband just beside his navel. He was totally unaware of Mark and Riley's presence as he shuffled around the kitchen, his ringed tail bobbing up and down as he broke a couple of eggs into their frying pan.

``He's...cooking.'' Riley felt his temple throb.

Mark, however, laughed, ``Well, that's something, isn't it?''

Jacob clapped his hands, spun around and stared wide-eyed at the two of them, he pulled an ear-bud out and waved, ``Morning buds!''

Mark nudged Riley, whose foot was tapping rapidly against the floor in irritation, ``Morning, um, Jacob, was it?''

The raccoon snapped his fingers and pointed at Mark, ``You got it and you're...shit, I must have been hammered if I can't even remember your names.''

The Lab put his hand on his chest, ``Mark,'' he then pointed to Riley, ``This is Riley. Actually, I don't think I got the opportunity to introduce myself last night.''

Riley glared at the raccoon, ``You look like you've recovered.''

``Hold that thought, wolf-man,'' Jacob quickly returned to the frying pan, ``Just get comfortable, breakfast will be ready soon. Hope you don't mind me taking over your kitchen. Got coffee going already, it's in the pot.''

Fuck this guy, Riley thought. Telling us to get comfortable in our own home?

Wait, our home?

Riley never thought of Mark's apartment as home before. The prospect made him happy but at the same time, he couldn't shake a feeling of guilt from deep within his being. He was getting too comfortable, not that being comfortable in Mark's apartment was a bad thing, far from it. Riley didn't know what the future would bring, how much longer would he be able to keep up life with Mark when he knew that Max was still out there.

Mark was all too happy to indulge the raccoon and poured out three mugs of coffee for them. ``Do you need any help?'' He offered.

``No way, my canine friend,'' Jacob smirked, ``This is my way of thanking you guys for taking me in.''

``Sure you don't want to put on some pants or something,'' Riley said taking a mug from

Mark.

``Naw, I'm fine,'' Jacob chuckled as his stirred the eggs in the pan.

Riley's hand tightened around the hot mug, Mark placed his hand calmingly on the wolf's shoulder and whispered, ``Is everything alright? You seem...on edge.''

``You don't think this is a bit fucked up? We don't even know this guy,'' Riley muttered.

\f``I'll admit, it's a bit strange but I really think he's harmless. Besides, it's like a compliment.''

``You're going to have to explain that one to me.''

Mark shrugged, ``I think it says that our place is comfortable enough that people can just relax and just hang loose.''

Jacob's package bounced around uninhibitedly as he swayed his hips.

Riley swallowed, ``He's hanging loose alright.''

Mark kissed the wolf, ``Riley Conner, I didn't take you for such a prude.'' Mark untied his robe and let it fall to the floor.

``What the hell?'' Riley raised an eyebrow as Mark took a seat at their table in just a pair of argyle boxer-briefs.

Mark held up his arms, ``When in Rome, right?''

Jacob buckled over in laughter as he set the frying pan down on the center of the table, ``Nice, man!''

It was utterly absurd, but Riley could help but admire Mark's spirit in this moment. He was upset, he didn't like the idea of Jacob seeing Mark in such a vulnerable state but at the same time he knew Mark didn't mean anything by it.

If anything, Riley started to think of it as Mark's show of dominance in his own home.

It was actually...pretty hot.

Riley was still leery of Jacob but if Mark was able to drop his guard, maybe he could try too? Besides, how much longer could he hold Jacob's actions against him?

Okay, he could totally hold it against him but he could at least try to look past it.

Riley grabbed three plates from the cupboard and set them on the table, ``Thanks for the food, Jacob.''

The raccoon took a seat and crossed his leg. Riley could see up his boxers and quickly averted his eyes after a glance of the raccoon's cock shyly looming at the edge of the garment, ``My pleasure, thanks for the looking out for me.''

They served themselves and started to eat, Mark asked between mouthfuls, ``So, what brings you to Aurora?

Jacob leaned back in his chair, ``I'm on a bit of a cross-country road trip. Taking in the sights and seeing what's out there.''

``Sounds pretty fun,'' Mark put his hand over Riley's.

Jacob shrugged, ``It's something. Honestly didn't expect all the snow up here though.'' Mark laughed, ``Ya, it's an all-year kind of deal in these parts.'' ``Makes riding a bit of a challenge,'' Jacob sighed.

``Oh, that reminds me, I hope you don't mind, but last night before I closed up I moved your bike between the buildings,'' Mark said.

Jacob dropped his fork, ``You fucking touched my bike?'' There was an uncomfortable silence, Riley's back arched as he prepared for the raccoon's next move, which turned out to be an uproarious fit of laughter. ``I'm just fucking with you, man. Oh, shit, the look on your guys' faces!''

Mark laughed nervously, ``Ya, you got me.''

Jacob grinned, ``I appreciate that, seriously. You guys have been way too kind.'' ``So,'' Riley stared at the raccoon, ``How long are you planning on staying then?'' Jacob leaned forward and scratched his ass, ``Haven't decided, I think I could stand to

spend a few days in town. I think it's starting to grow on me.''

\f``I can give you the number for a decent hotel,'' Mark offered. ``Well, it's the only hotel so it'd have to do.''

``Hey, I'm not picky,'' Jacob said.

Riley was relieved Mark didn't offer their place up for accommodations, ``Where do you come from anyways, how long you been on the road?''

Jacob hummed, ``Little less than four months, if I had to guess. I'm from Lexington originally, but the city life just didn't agree with me. Too crowded, not enough open road for my liking, not like this place. Before here, I worked my way along the east coast and started to head north.''

``Must have seen a lot of interesting places along the way,'' Riley said.

``A few, it's the little hidden gems you come across that really stand out. For instance, I was in a place a couple weeks back, what was it called again? Ah, right, Highland.''

Riley could have sworn he saw Jacob's eyes flash towards him as if he anticipated the wolf's heartbeat spike for split second. Mark didn't know where Riley had come from, he didn't ask and Riley felt it was better that the Lab was oblivious to as much of Riley's past as he could conceal.

Mark leaned forward, ``What was so special about that place?''

Jacob smirked, ``The place felt like it had a lot going on. You ever get the feeling that something is more than it appears? That was Highland in a nutshell. It was beautiful and yet I couldn't shake this uneasiness about the place.''

``And uneasiness appeals to you?'' Mark inquired. The raccoon scratched his chest, ``It intrigues me.''

Okay, this was getting strange. Well, stranger than things already were. Riley felt flushed, was it just a coincidence? Was Jacob in some way connected to Max, how could he even confirm that without bringing Mark into his past?

``You know,'' Riley said after a moment, ``There's a lot of other towns past here that you might like. I know you want to stick around but seriously there isn't that much going on.''

Jacob took a fork full of eggs, ``I don't know about that. Actually, I wanted to ask you, Mark, what was up with the pub last night?''

``Oh, that. It's just a little experiment to bring in some new business. I think it went well, all things considered.''

Jacob swallowed his food, ``You know. I'm something of a promoter myself.'' ``Really?'' Mark's eye lit up.

``See, I know what sells and what a tiny town like this sorely needs.'' Jacob's eyes darkened as he studied Mark's body.

``And that is?''

``Sex,'' Jacob said casually.

Mark held up his hand, ``Whoa, whoa, I'm not sure-''

``Hear me out,'' Jacob cut in, ``I'm not saying you turn your pub into a bordello of anything like that, but I mean, when I look at you I see a rocking bod and it could bring in some serious cash.''

Mark, to Riley's bewilderment, indulged the raccoon, ``I'm not really following you.'' ``I saw the crowd last night and I'm getting the distinct impression there isn't anything

remotely sexy happening in this town, am I right?'' ``Well, ya, you're right.''

\f``So, let's give the people what they really want. Fuck, I could feel it, that raw untapped energy floating unanchored just waiting to be tapped. Think about it, give it one night, but make it all about what you have to offer.''

``And that is?''

``Male review night at the Northstar,'' Jacob flashed his teeth gleefully.

``Beg your fucking pardon?'' Riley nearly dropped his mug.

``I understand you're skeptical, I get it, but consider it,'' Jacob gave his attention to Mark solely. ``I asked around last night and this place, it's a pillar of the community and people fucking love you. So, you turn this place into a club once in a while, that's cute, I like it, but you need to give the people more. Nothing racy, just good old fashion striptease. From experience, I know sex sells. It's empowering, it's fun and it makes bank.''

Mark was seriously considering Jacob's proposal, ``Do you...really think so?''

``Mark,'' Riley was even more suspicious of the raccoon now. ``I'm not so sure about it.'' ``I'll help you out with everything, hell, I'll even participate.'' Jacob offered. Mark put his hand to his chin, ``Why though?''

``Why? Consider it my way of thanking you, and of course, I'll take a portion of the profits and let me tell you, you will make money off this.'' Jacob leaned forward.

``Can I think about it?'' Mark sighed.

``Mark?'' Riley couldn't believe he was falling for this.

``Hey, that's all I can ask for,'' Jacob stood up and went over to his pile of clothing, rummaged in his pockets and then pulled out a small business card. He passed it to Mark.

Riley glanced over at the black card, it read in neon letters, `Jacob Flynn: Promoter and consultant,' along with his number and email.

Mark nodded, ``Thanks.''

``Alright,'' Jacob clapped his hands together, ``I'll handle clean up while you guys do whatever you need to. Then I'll get out of your fur.''

Riley left the table, Mark followed and shut the door to their bedroom as Jacob started clearing the table.

``You're pissed, aren't you?'' Mark said as he put his arms around the wolf.

Riley sighed, ``You aren't actually considering this, right?''

Mark laughed, ``What? You don't want other people seeing my `rocking bod'?'' Mark wiggled his hips against Riley's ass, his cock pressing up against the back of Riley's pants.

``It's not that, it's Jacob. Mark, we just met this guy and suddenly you're sitting around the table in your underwear with some complete stranger.''

``Okay,'' Mark admitted. ``It was a little weird, but Riley, he might be on to something.'' ``Are you really hurting that badly for cash?''

Mark sighed, ``Riley, I want this place to thrive. My folks kept it running as best they could but in the end they barely managed to keep it from going under. When I took over, after... they passed, I promised that I'd keep their legacy, my family's legacy, alive.''

Mark barely spoke about his parents. All Riley knew they were involved in a collision outside of town. The details of their death were something Mark struggled to talk about and so Riley didn't press.

``Can you do that, and not turn this place into a strip club?''

Mark turned Riley around and held him in his gaze, ``You don't want to see me strut my stuff for the entire town?''

``Do you want to?''

\fMark chuckled, ``Gotta admit, it sounds a little fun. I bet there's other guys in town wouldn't mind getting involved, if it's successful. Besides, burlesque is pretty popular these days.''

``How would you know that?'' Riley teased.

``I do my research,'' Mark smirked. ``Look, why don't we think on it but like seriously think about it. I think Jacob knows what he's doing.'' He glanced at the business card.

``Alright, I can do that at least.''

Mark nuzzled his nose against Riley's forehead, ``Might be fun to try it out together?'' ``Oh, that's what it's all about, eh?''

Mark did his best announcer voice, ``Ladies and gentlemen, for one night and one night only the Northstar is proud to present: Randy Riley and Macho Mark take it all off for your pleasure!''

``Randy Riley and Macho Mark?''

Mark scratched the back of his head, ``Okay, I'm not good with names but you get the

idea.''

``We'll have to work on that, together.''

``Oh, have I convinced you?''

Riley moved his hands onto Mark's butt and squeezed his cheeks, ``I'm warming up to

it.''

Mark smiled. Riley would do anything for that smile. He wasn't completely sold on Jacob but Mark had done so much for him, Riley owed it to him to try anything.

They dressed and returned to the living room where Jacob had just finished pulling up his pants. They went down to the pub and Jacob retrieved his bike from the alleyway.

Riley had to admit, the raccoon looked good on the motorcycle. The engine roared to life as he shook Mark's hand, ``I'll keep in touch then, till then, you know how to reach me.''

``Sounds good, man,'' Mark said.

Jacob glanced back at Riley and smirked, ``Be seeing you.''

The bike sped away from the Northstar leaving Riley and Mark coughing in a puff of exhaust.

``Well, that was something. Ok, let's get this place ready for the day.'' Mark stretched his arms into the air and turned back to go into the pub.

Riley remained outside until he could no longer see or hear Jacob's bike. His eyes felt heavy and his discomfort was growing but he needed to put it out of his mind, for Mark's sake.

``I really hope I'm wrong about this.''

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