Read Naked Hero - The Journey Away for Free Online Page A

a bit of titillation be in order. Through the wonders of the internet and social networking, he was known in Australia, although sadly his contacts were thinly spread - nothing like the coverage he enjoyed back home. But winter in England, once the Christmas and New Year parties were finished, was a bit of a slack period for Lee and his boys, whereas Australia was in full swing. ‘New meat to a new market,’ Lee had thought - and Sydney seemed a very attractive alternative to those cold and wet months back in London. Lots of sun, lots of fun, and make a few bob whilst they were down there - that was the plan. But Sydney was proving to be a tougher nut to crack than Lee had expected.
    They had arrived with a reasonable number of bookings already lined up, like the one here tonight at the SLAGSS reception - but not enough to cover his costs. He had been sure though, that once he and the lads had hit town, more would follow. They did, but still not enough. What he needed was more publicity. And there it stood right in front of him - all the publicity he could ever wish for, packaged in a single delicious looking scoop. His star might have faded since the glory of Wimbledon, but as luck would have it, Lewis Macleod was making the front pages again, and for reasons that Lee related to much better than the mysterious world of tennis.
    Lee looked at Lewis and tried to fathom him out. It wasn’t easy – he wasn’t the sort Lee normally encountered at the bars and the clubs and other gay events. Of course Lee knew who he was – the whole world knew Macleod. But other than the admission eighteen months ago, nothing of real interest had subsequently come out until his little escapade here in Sydney. He played tennis and played it pretty well – although never as well as he did on that day when he shocked the world with his stunning victory, and even more so with his jaw-dropping revelation!
    Now that had come as a surprise to Lee and his friends who had gathered at his flat to watch the game. He thought that his ‘gaydar’ was second to none, but not for one second had he suspected Lewis. So if Lee hadn’t guessed then no one would have, which then begged the question – why did he do it?
    Lee hadn’t thought about it at the time. Like everyone else who had been around him, he had roared his approval, chuffed to bits. It made Lewis one of them – part of the club, the unofficial gay mafia – a hero they could claim and respect. But with the benefit of hindsight Lee now had cause to wonder if it really had been such a smart move on Lewis’s part.
    Out and proud – that was Lee Porter – given how he made a living, he couldn’t be anything else. But Lee was more than just a good looking guy with a body to die for – he had a razor sharp brain to go with it and was a very canny businessman, driven by money and success, as well as great sex. He’d read with interest the speculation in the press prior to the final, about what it might be worth if Lewis was to win. A million pounds plus was the prize he’d definitely walk away with, but for a Brit winning Wimbledon, they reckoned he could add a couple of noughts to that figure through the sponsorship deals that would land in his lap. But that didn’t happen – at least not to the extent that it could have, because instead of the fortune, Lewis chose notoriety by coming out as the only queer in men’s tennis, which tarnished the image in corporate eyes. Then he hid himself away from the glare of publicity, and from what Lee could gather, turned his back on the gay world... which sort of defeated the point.
    Lee’s reverie was disturbed by Sebastian Collins . He had taken up a position at the front of the room and was shouting into a microphone. He got his desired effect as conversations were terminated and the room quickly hushed. Lee knew he was going to have a scene later with Collins when he would collect the balance on the night’s fee from him. The old queen