Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:08:23 EST
From: Draginacht@aol.com
Subject: bandini-affair-04

The Bandini Affair 04

Draginacht@aol.com (AKA Jeff)

* * * * * * *

Disclaimer: The following is a work of fiction and any resemblance to real
people or events is purely coincidental.  The story contains graphic
descriptions of sex between men. Anyone who is forbidden by law to read
such material must stop now.  This story is being posted to the Nifty
Archive solely for the enjoyment of its readers.

* * * * * * *

>From the end of Chapter 03

The interview continued well into the afternoon until the sound of a
grumbling stomach punctuated the conversation.

"Ha-ha, might that be the sound of hunger I hear?" Leo smiled. "Look, it's
almost 6:00 o'clock. I think we've covered everything I had on my
list... and a whole lot more," Leo emphasized the last part of his
statement. "Can I interest you in going to dinner?"

"Yes, I am hungry. You still want to try that restaurant across the way?"

"If that's all right with you," Leo replied.

The two men took turns in the bathroom and left for dinner.


Chapter 04

It's Thursday afternoon and Leo is, for all intents and purposes, finished
interviewing Rolf. The two men have just left the hotel and are waiting for
a break in traffic so they can cross the street.

"How long will you be here?" Rolf asked as both men braced against the
cold, stiff breeze and appreciated the warm jackets they were wearing. The
sun had set and the streetlights chased away the darkness.

"I'll be leaving late Sunday morning," Leo replied. He accepted Rolf's
question as usual inquisitiveness and did not pursue the issue.

"Oh, here we are - after this next car passes. Ready? Let's go!" Rolf ran
across the street with Leo close beside him. Safely on the other side, Rolf
wrapped his arm around Leo's shoulders - an apparent gesture of
friendship. "How much more do you have to do while you're here?" Rolf
asked.

"I uh..." Leo paused for a moment, not knowing how he should react to
Rolf's hand on his shoulder. And he wondered if he should be sharing that
information with his 'escort.' 'Funny, I guess he really is my escort... to
dinner.' Leo smiled; he decided he liked feeling Rolf's arm around his
back. "I've read about a 'Red Light District' and some gay bars. So, I was
thinking about visiting that part of the city tomorrow; I might find more
material for my story."

"Really!" Rolf exclaimed. They were walking more slowly now and the
restaurant wasn't far away. 'I can't let him go alone - he's so innocent,
so naive, he'd be red meat in a sea of sharks. I'd better convince Leo to
let me go with him.'

"I could give you some recommendations about where to go and which bars to
check out."

"Oh, that would be great!"

"You know, it might be even better if I went with you. If you could go this
evening I could show you the best places and introduce you to the right
people. And," this was the clincher, "I can get you into places I'm sure
you don't know about and wouldn't be able to go by yourself."

"Thanks, Rolf. You'd do that for me?" Leo appreciated Rolf's offer, even
found it a little unbelievable.

"Sure, Leo, I've enjoyed spending the day with you and think we could have
some fun. I have the time and I'd like to help." Rolf was being
honest. He'd grown to like the smaller man and felt a little protective.

"Here we are," Rolf announced and took the first of six steps leading up to
the restaurant door. Once inside, Rolf led the way to a table along the
sidewall then took their jackets and hung them on a nearby clothes
tree. They sat facing each other across the table.

"I've noticed that here in Amsterdam, the buildings aren't heated as much
as they are in the U.S." Leo said as he folded his arms across his chest
like he was trying to stay warm."

"I think Europeans may be more energy conscience than they are in America;
fuel is so expensive here. It must be something you get used to." Rolf
commented with another smile at Leo.

"May I help you?" Leo and Rolf hadn't noticed the waiter as he approached
and stood at the table's edge looking down at them. It was the same young
man who waited on Leo the previous evening. Leo noticed that Rolf appeared
surprised as he sat unmoving while looking up into the waiter's face.

"Jan?!" Rolf said hesitantly. He pronounced the name as 'Yawn' with the 'J'
becoming a 'Y' as it is in German.

"Hallo, Rolf, vie gehts Dir?" Jan asked in German. His question was
obviously sincere - at least Rolf thought so.

"Gut... und Dir?" Rolf continued in German as he sat motionless and looking
up at the young man. His initial instinct was to stand, take Jan into his
arms and squeeze him tightly.

Even though Leo couldn't understand German, he quickly detected that this
wasn't your normal waiter greeting - something else was going on. In a
surprise move, Rolf followed his instincts, rose from his chair and
embraced Jan. Leo didn't know what to make of that.

"Jan, I've missed you so much; how are you, my friend - really!" Rolf
asked, switching to Dutch, Jan's native language. Leo didn't pick up on the
switch - he couldn't have.

"And I've missed you too, Rolfy," Jan said quietly into the side of Rolf's
neck while inhaling his former lover's pheromones. Their embrace seemed to
continue a little longer than might be considered normal for a couple of
friends. Finally Rolf released his friend and stepped back.

"I'm sorry," Rolf said in English as he looked toward Leo. "I'm forgetting
my manners. Leo, I'd like you to meet my... old friend, Jan. And Jan, this
is Leo Carlsen."

Leo stood and extended his hand. "It's nice to see you again," he said.

"And you, sir." Jan replied.

"You two have met?" Rolf said.

"Yes, I remember from yesterday; he was here... dining.

"Of course! Leo, you told me. I just forgot." Yes, the happenstance of
seeing Jan again caused Rolf to forget a number of things - and remember a
few more.

"Is he one of your... clients?" Jan asked Rolf in Dutch.

"No... er, well, yes in a way. It's unusual. I can to explain later, if I
might?"

"I'm open to suggestions," Jan grinned. He was definitely interested in
catching up with his former lover and, perhaps, revisiting some good
memories.

"Yes, but..." Rolf replied in Dutch. Then he changed to English. "Jan, Leo
speaks only English and I think it's a impolite for us to have a
conversation and leave him out of it."

"Yes, you are right, but you know I not have strong English."

"You did just fine yesterday evening," Leo said, trying to give Jan some
encouragement. "And thank you, Rolf for thinking of me. I think I need to
learn more than one language, ha-ha." Leo laughed, trying to inject some
levity to the situation.

Rolf smiled as he sat back down in his chair.

"Your menu," Jan said as he handed one to each man. He realized he'd been
at the table for several minutes and needed to get a move on.

"Do you have a special this evening?" Rolf asked.

"Yes, we have - here, a roulade." Jan moved close beside Rolf, placed his
right arm behind Rolf's back and peered over his left shoulder so he could
point to an item on the menu.

Rolf could feel the heat from Jan's body and he leaned back slightly to
achieve more positive contact. He'd forgotten how much Jan meant to him and
now his memory cells were reconnecting the dots.

"Thank you," Rolf replied as he turned and smiled up into Jan's gentle
face. The light in the room was inadequate to highlight Jan's sky-blue eyes
but Rolf knew them well, had gotten lost in them many times in the
past. Jan returned the favor. And for a moment both men remained still. No
language was needed, not Dutch, not German, not even English. But
communication was happening.

"Uhm..." Jan said as he straightened up. "I leave for you to see the
menus. Perhaps you like some wine?" Jan asked. He was trying to get back
into his waiter mode.

"Can you find us a nice Riesling, mild, not too dry?" Rolf asked. "And
we'll look more closely at the menu."

Jan smiled. "Yes, I know something you will like." He turned and walked
away, Rolf's eyes following the movement of Jan's globes.

Leo sat quietly, watching, knowing something was going on between Rolf and
Jan, not understanding exactly what it was, but trying to absorb as much as
he could. He watched Rolf study his menu. But Rolf was thinking of other
things.

"I had some chicken here last night - it was very good," Leo offered as an
attempt to bring Rolf back from where he had gone.

"Uh... yes," Rolf replied as his eyes found the chicken on the menu. "It
does look good. I think I'd like to try this beef roulade that Jan
mentioned. It's the special and should be very good. What do you think?"

"Whatever you think, I'm willing to try it," Leo replied with a smile. He
always found it easier to go along with what others wanted and he was also
letting Rolf know that he trusted his judgment.

Jan brought the bottle of wine and a basket of bread. He seemed to be
having fun making a show of opening the bottle, pouring a small amount in
Rolf's glass and waiting for him to taste it. Rolf knew exactly what Jan
was doing and played along with the show. All the while, Leo observed.

They ordered the beef roulade and enjoyed the meal like two companions. Jan
checked on them so often it approached being humorous. When he finally
brought the check, Leo reached for it and Rolf let him. He was so
accustomed to having his 'client' pay for everything that it didn't occur
to him that he might pay his share. Jan left the table with Leo's American
Express Card and returned a few minutes later.

"Do you have plans for this evening? I get off at 2200," Jan asked Rolf in
Dutch while Leo signed the credit card receipt.

"Leo wants to see the District, (Jan knew Leo meant the 'Red Light
District') and visit a few gay bars. And then I thought we could go to our
neighborhood tavern for a nightcap. You know the one?" Rolf continued in
Dutch.

"Yes, I go there often but haven't seen you."

"I know," Rolf replied sadly. "I seldom get to go, but tonight Peter and
Juergen will be there. Can you join us?"

"Sure, I'll be there," Jan replied with a smile. He switched back to
English and looked at Leo, "It's nice to see you again, Leo."

"Yes, Jan, I'm glad to meet you. I don't leave Amsterdam until Sunday so
maybe I'll be back here again before then."

"I will look for you." As Jan and Leo were talking, Rolf lifted their
jackets from the hook and folded them over his right arm in front of him as
cover. Standing beside Jan, he slid his left hand tenderly into Jan's,
which was hanging by his side. They squeezed each other's hand and then
separated. Jan interpreted that simple gesture as a signal that Rolf was
truly glad to see him and the thought filled him with excitement.

* * * * * * *

The two men took the tram to Central Station and proceeded on foot. Rolf
conducted a guided tour of "The District" and Leo was amazed at what he
saw. He was sure such scenes would never exist in the USA, not even in San
Francisco. Next Rolf took him to several of the well-known gay bars,
especially the Amstel Tavern, perhaps the oldest. Rolf used his connections
to get Leo into some of the "play rooms" and Leo couldn't believe what he
saw. On the dance floor of one bar, some of the young men were practically
having sex. While Leo was engrossed with watching the action, Rolf was free
to study his client and observe the persistent bulge in the front of Leo's
pants. They purchased a beer upon entering each establishment but Leo,
being the consummate professional, took only a few sips so as to avoid
having the alcohol interfere with his job. Rolf noticed and did the same.

Shortly before 2200 (10:00 PM) the two men approached a small neighborhood
tavern. Rolf held the door for Leo to enter first. Looking around, Rolf saw
a couple of hands waving in the air to get their attention.

"There they are, c'mon," Rolf said as he took hold of Leo's arm and guided
him to the booth about half way back along the wall. "Peter," Rolf
exclaimed to his cousin. Peter had extracted himself from the booth and
stood to embrace his younger cousin; their lips touched briefly. "Und
Juergen," Rolf greeted his cousin's partner with a hug and a brief kiss.

"It's about time you got here," Peter exclaimed in German with a friendly
tone of voice. "We were about to give up on you."

"He's just saying that to pull your chain," Juergen added with a
chuckle. "Have a seat while I go get you a beer. What will you drink?"

Rolf began in English, "Guys, I'd like you to meet my friend, Leo. Leo,
this is Peter," Peter extended his hand, "and this is Juergen." Leo shook
Juergen's hand. "Leo is visiting from the USA and I've been showing him the
District and some of the hot bars." During this conversation, Rolf and Leo
had removed their jackets and hung them on a post at the end of the booth.

"Welcome, Leo," Peter said, picking up on Rolf's tip and switched to
English. "What do you think of our little town?"

"Oh my! It sure has some interesting attractions!" Leo was grinning, but
with a slightly embarrassed look. He slid into the booth and Rolf slid in
beside him facing the other two men.

"Where did you take him," Juergen asked Rolf.

"I seem to recall you offered to go get us a beer," Rolf chided. "Leo, what
would you like?"

"Well, this is Amsterdam so I must have a Heineken," Leo replied.

"Make that two," Rolf instructed.

"Okay, but don't say anything until I get back. I don't want to miss
anything," Juergen pleaded. The other three laughed as Juergen walked
swiftly toward the bar.

"Don't let him bother you, we can fill him in when he gets back," Peter
suggested with a chuckle. "So, Leo, are you gay?"

Leo was momentarily lost for a reply. He wasn't prepared for such a frontal
assault. Rolf picked up on Leo's hesitation and spoke up.

"Leo's straight, Peter." He took hold of Leo's left hand and held it out
over the table. "And he's married." Peter looked at the ring on Leo's left
ring finger and sank back against the booth.

"I'm sorry, Leo, I... I hope I didn't offend you." Peter had a very serious
look on his face.

"Oh no, that's okay, I'm not offended."

"You're not offended by what?" Juergen asked. "And look what I found!"
Standing beside him was Jan. "You guys been talking like I ordered you not
to?" He sat four mugs of Heineken on the table and slid in beside his mate.

"Leo, if you can squeeze a little more to your right, Jan can sit next to
me," Rolf suggested. Without comment, Leo scooted to his right and Jan sat
down.

"Leo's straight, and married, and I embarrassed myself by asking if he's
gay. Now you're caught up on everything that was said," Peter slid his arm
behind Juergen's back and gave him a squeeze to let him know everything was
good.

The conversation continued between the old friends, sliding back and forth
between English and German, with an occasional Dutch or French phrase
injected occasionally. The men made a special effort to pull Leo into the
discussion. Leo found watching the four men interact to be quite
interesting and picked up some very positive vibes that they were really
close with each other.

Because he was primarily observing, Leo was able to scan the
establishment. Music was playing and several male couples were on the dance
floor. The dancing was intimate, an occasional kiss, but not on the same
level he'd witnessed in some of the other clubs. The next thing Leo knew,
Rolf was sliding out of the booth.

"Jan and I are going to dance for a while. Do you mind?" Rolf asked as a
matter of courtesy. Leo hadn't been aware of the quite friendly action that
was happening under the table after Jan joined them. Jan asked Rolf to
dance so he could talk to his former lover with a little more privacy.

"Not at all, have a good time," Leo responded. He also noticed a bulge in
the front of Rolf's slacks. 'Maybe I'm learning something here - I don't
think I'd have noticed that before today,' Leo thought. He watched Rolf and
Jan walk to the dance floor and begin dancing.

"So, tell me about Leo." Jan was quick to ask his question.

"Oh, you remembered! Okay," Rolf smiled as he pulled Jan closer and kissed
the end of his nose. "Leo's a journalist and he's here doing research for a
story about gay life of Amsterdam. I spent the day in his hotel room being
interviewed. There was no sex involved, if that's what you're wondering."

"Well, that thought had crossed my mind - he's quite hot."

Meanwhile, back at the booth, "Leo, would you mind if Juergen and I left
you alone while we dance?" Peter asked.

"Please," Leo smiled and nodded toward the dance floor. "I'll be fine."
Actually, Leo welcomed a few minutes alone. For the entire day he'd been
struggling with his introverted personality and shyness almost to the point
of developing a headache. Juergen and Peter slid out of the booth and
joined Rolf and Jan on the dance floor. With a sigh, Leo leaned against the
seatback and closed his eyes.

'I can get through this,' he told himself. 'It's almost over. Rolf and
everyone have been very nice but I need some quiet time.

Meanwhile back on the dance floor. Rolf had explained about his
interview. "And I strongly suspect that Leo's gay."

"Really! But you said..."

"I know, but trust me, he's fighting it," Rolf confidently.

"So, he's a gay virgin and you're going to deflower him, right?" Jay seemed
excited about the possibility.

"No, too much responsibility." Rolf moved closed and nibbled on Jan's
earlobe. "He's leaving Sunday afternoon and it would be a bad move to do
that to such a nice man and then leave him hanging. He's so shy and
introverted and will need a lot of tender loving care after he's taken."

"That's what I love about you... well, at least one of the things," Jan
said as his hand found and caressed Rolf's package. "You care about
people."

"Yeah, I know, it's a weakness. That's why I'm thinking about quitting this
business."

"You serious?!" Jan seemed excited. "I mean... like when?"

"Soon, I still have Helmut to think about."

"Helmut?" Jan asked. "You're still with that old man?"

"Yes, and I wish you could find it in your heart to be more kind toward
him. After all, he's my ticket to my goal."

"Yeah, I know," Jan replied somewhat sadly. "I just wish I could have you
to myself."

"You're so sweet," Rolf said and he kissed the tip or Jan's nose. "Look, I
have to be with Helmut tomorrow for a couple of days and then I'll call
you. Will that be okay?"

"Okay," Jan agreed with a pouting face. Rolf kissed Jan's lips softly and
it brought a smile to his face. "So you haven't told me where you took Leo
tonight."

Well, we hit The Amstel Tavern, of course. Then there was Casa Maria,
Doll's Place, and Eagle."

"You took him to Eagle?" Jan asked in disbelief.

"And Argos, too."

"You are brave! You won't catch me going there."

"It was research, Jan; Leo was shocked but survived. And, he had a boner
the entire time."

"And that's why you think he's gay?"

"Yeah, and by listening to him as he interviewed me." The music
stopped. "Hey, I think I should go back to Leo or he'll think I'm a bad
escort." Rolf chuckled, hoping Jan would see the humor.

* * * * * * *

Leo sat alone in the booth and watched Rolf and Jan hold each other with
tender affection while they danced. They were obviously engaged in a
friendly discussion and Leo could see the bulges in the front of their
pants.

Peter and Juergen were also dancing but they just held each other and
didn't have much to say. Leo didn't observe any bulges in the front of
their pants, perhaps because they were a more satisfied couple.

'They certainly seem to be enjoying themselves,' Leo thought. 'I wonder
what it's like to dance with a man?' Then Rolf and Jan kissed. Leo watched
and wondered if kissing a man would be any different than kissing a
woman. Also, watching two men he knew kissing was causing him to becoming
aroused. That troubled Leo. Then he had another thought. 'I wonder if these
men are representative of the gay community as a whole? They seem so caring
- they've sure been nice to me. I haven't seen in them any of the evil
things my minister accuses them of. Oh, but then there's that crowd at the
gay bars, now that's some strange stuff. But is it right to condemn them
without really knowing them? I suspect they have their issues. Am I finding
a new perspective? Maybe I am. I guess that's good. There's enough hate in
this world; we don't have to search for reasons to hate people because of
their sexuality. Wow, did I just think that? Oh, here comes Peter and
Juergen.'

* * * * * * *

The Rolf and Jan returned to the booth and found Peter and Juergen in
conversation with Leo.

"You two were out there a long time," Peter said accusatively and
smiled. "I thought we were going to have to throw cold water on you two."
Everyone laughed.

"Yeah, you old folks have forgotten what it's like to have fun on the dance
floor," Rolf retorted. That drew another round of laughter. Then Rolf
looked at Leo. "Any chance you'd dance with me?"

"Ah... well..." Leo looked at the three other men and saw smiles of
encouragement. "I suppose it won't hurt. I mean, I've never done that
before..."

"I'll behave myself - promise," Rolf said as he held out his hand.

"Go ahead, Leo, it'll be good for your research," Peter suggested with a
smile.

"Well, okay," Leo agreed hesitantly as he slid out of the booth.


"Now, take my right hand in your left and you can pretend that I'm your
lady for the evening," Rolf instructed.

"Okay," Leo replied and took hold of Rolf's right hand. But then he looked
quite awkward trying to figure out what to do with his right hand.

"Here," Rolf said as he took hold of Leo's right hand. "That goes here," he
explained as he placed Leo's right hand at his waist. "And I'll put my
right hand up here on your shoulder," which he did. "You all set?"

"Uh... I guess, this feel really weird," Leo admitted as they began to move
like they were trying to dance. They began slowly and soon picked up the
rhythm. Leo was very self-conscience, he was sure every eye in the pub was
on him. He felt very strange holding hands with his escort and feeling the
muscles under his hand on Rolf's waist.

He was just getting used to dancing with a man when Rolf began to pull him
closer. Soon their bodies were touching like Rolf and Jan, and Leo was
beginning to get aroused. His dilemma: if he pulled away from Rolf,
everyone would be able to see the bulge in his pants. Further, if he
continued to dance close to his dance partner, Rolf would most certainly
detect his situation.

Fortunately the music ended just in time. Leo quickly stepped back,
extended his right arm, placed his left hand at his waist and bowed. He
took advantage of that action, which placed his hand near his midsection,
to adjust his boner so that it would be much less obvious.

Rolf smiled and returned Leo's bow. Then together they walked back to the
booth. Peter, Juergen, and Jan welcomed them with applause and told them
how well they had done. Leo felt like he was blushing as he slid into the
booth - now he was convinced that everyone was looking at him.

"Oh my!" Rolf said as he looked at his wristwatch. "Leo, we'd better be
leaving. If we don't leave now we'll miss the last tram to your hotel."

"Uh, really? What time do the tram stop running?" Leo asked.

"Midnight," Jan replied. "And you just have time."

"It'd be a long, cold walk if we want to stay any later," Rolf added.

"Okay then," Leo answered as he slid out of the booth behind Jan and
Rolf. He and Rolf donned their coats, said their 'goodbyes' and hurried out
of the pub. Before he left, Rolf told Jan he'd call in the morning.

The tram ride to the hotel was very quiet. Rolf was thinking about
reconnecting with Jan and his coming liaison with Helmut. His mind was
trying to play out how he could make things work out so that he and Jan
could get back together.

Leo's brain was in overdrive 'I need to get home. I'm totally
confused. I've never been attracted to men so why am I having erections all
the time? Why did that porno flick turn me on? Why was I erotically
stimulated by the activity I saw in the gay bars? And why did I get a boner
when I was dancing with Rolf? None of that's ever happened before. Oh Lord,
what am I gonna do?'

Leo kept playing variations of those questions over and over again as the
tram rambled down the street.

"We're here, Leo."

"Oh... yes." Leo followed Rolf as they stepped off the tram onto the
platform. They crossed the street and walked toward the hotel. At the front
entrance, Rolf stopped and turned to face Leo.

"Well, we're here," Rolf stated as he looked up and around as if surveying
the hotel's exterior. A moment of silence followed - it seemed like a
stall. Suddenly Leo wasn't sure what he should do. Did Rolf expect to be
invited to his room to spend the night? Or was this the end of their
contract? He remembered Rolf saying that he was paid for until 0900 hrs. in
the morning.

'Surely he doesn't expect me to invite him up to spend the night! On the
other hand, maybe... Don't even think about it, Leo Carlsen!'

"I guess I'd better be going," Rolf said as he held out his hand.

"Yes," Leo managed to say as he took Rolf's hand and shook it. For some
strange reason the situation seems very awkward. "Thank you for a really
great time, Rolf. I'm sure I wouldn't have seen nearly as much without your
help."

Rolf slipped his hands into his coat pockets and lifted his shoulders as if
trying to stay warm.

"Oh, here," Rolf removed his right hand from his pocket with a white card
in it. "I'd like you to have this - it has my e-mail address on it if you
ever have any more questions when you get home." He handed his business
card to Leo.

"Oh, thank you, Rolf, that's very nice of you." Leo took the card, looked
at it and placed it in his pocket. Then he looked up at Rolf again. Rolf
smiled, turned and began walking down the sidewalk.

'Where's he going?' Leo wondered. 'Oh, the trams have stopped and he has to
walk all the way home! The least I can do it let him spend the night in my
room so he won't have to walk home!'

"Rolf," Leo called out. Rolf stopped, turned around and looked at Leo.

Leo hesitated. "I'm... I'm happy I got to meet you; I think you're a really
nice person."

"Thanks, Leo, I'm happy I got to meet you, too. Bye." Rolf turned and
resumed walking away.

'You chicken! You lost your nerve! Darn!' Leo watched Rolf disappear around
the corner then turned, entered the hotel and went to his room.

* * * * * * *

About a half a block away, Rolf hailed a taxi and got in.

'You fooled me, Leo,' Rolf thought as he relaxed in the back seat of the
taxi. 'I was sure you were about to invite me up to spend the night. I did
my best to look cold but you didn't take it. Oh well, it's probably for the
better. I'll bet you didn't think I could feel your bone while we were
dancing, did you. And that was a pretty ingenious recovery you made to
disguise it before we left the dance floor. Yep Leo, I wish you well. And I
hope you find a good man to take care of you. Unfortunately I don't hold
much hope for your marriage.'

* * * * * * *

(To be continued.)