I Spy a Dark Obsession sa-3

by Jo Davis

  His heart stuttered, joy and trepidation surging through him at once. With a dash of irritation joining the party. “Wait. I didn’t agree to this.”

  “Yes, you did, the second I saw you bleeding out and beaten half to death,” he said, voice catching with emotion. “When I realized I could lose you and I knew real, honest-to-God fear for the first time in my life. When I finally understood that you own part of my heart and if I did lose you, I’d never recover.”

  Stunned, Bastian stared at the man who meant more to him than any other and was so afraid he was misunderstanding. Making more out of Michael’s words than his friend intended. Strong fingers enclosed his own, and he looked down at them, wondering if the morphine was tripping him out.

  “I think… you’re going to have to spell it out.”

  Michael nodded, expression earnest. “Okay. First, I’m so sorry from the depths of my soul that I hurt you. But I was scared of the fact that I was capable not only of wanting a man sexually, but of having real feelings for him.”

  “Any man?”

  “No. Just you. I set out to prove what a big stud I am with the ladies, thinking my thing for you was a strange curiosity that would wear off. But that’s the thing about love — it won’t be denied and it doesn’t care about gender.”

  “I — You love me?” he croaked.

  “Yes, dammit! Shit, I suck at this.” He sighed.

  Bastian couldn’t help but smile a little. “You’re doing all right.”

  “There’s something else, though. Or someone else, I should say.”

  “Katrina.” Closing his eyes, he waited for the ax to drop. “Of course, if you two have feelings for each other, it would be the easier choice for you.”

  “What if I don’t have to choose? What if none of us did?”

  That got his attention again. Fired his imagination. He opened his eyes and studied Michael, wondering how many more surprises the man would bestow. “Meaning we all try to make it work together? Katrina mentioned the possibility, but I never thought you’d go for it.”

  “Me, either, but we were both wrong.” Enthusiasm lit his voice. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about the other day, when you all but threw me out. Not that I blamed you.”

  Well, hell. If he’d just heard the man out — but that was in the past. “And?”

  “I know Katrina has feelings for you, and that you two have been getting close. I know that you fucked her in her office.”

  He couldn’t help but flinch. “Should I apologize?”

  “No. She loves you, just as I do. She’s been here, right at your side, for most of the past twenty-four hours. I had to make her go home.”

  They both loved him. He tried to wrap his mind around it. Slowly, happiness began to bloom. “And where’s home for her?”

  “At the estate.” He held Bastian’s gaze.

  All at once, Bastian remembered. “She asked me not to give up on the three of us. But when I asked her who she’d pick if she had to decide between you and me, she couldn’t answer.”

  “Because she couldn’t choose. She told me after. It’s both of us or neither.”

  “I feel the same way,” he said. “Once, I could’ve chosen between you and her, but not anymore. Somehow, she worked her way into my heart and stayed there.”

  “Mine, too.” Michael paused. “What about Cory?”

  “What about him?”

  “You kept seeing that twink,” Michael pointed out, a little sad. “You fucked him even though it wasn’t necessary to go that far for the op, and you kept him around.”

  “I was still raw and I thought I needed to get over you. I figured Katrina was just wishing for a relationship between us all that couldn’t happen. Can you blame me?”

  “No. There’s no point in hashing over that. Just tell me you’re going to stop seeing him and I’ll be happy. And don’t forget the dumbass almost got you killed.”

  “I’m not going to see him anymore, but I did like him.” Michael curled his lip, and Bastian reveled in the man’s unguarded moment of sheer jealousy. Nothing on earth had ever made him feel higher than that single outward sign of possessiveness.

  Definitely not the morphine.

  “How is Cory?” he asked in sudden alarm. “He got away, right?”

  “Yeah. He’s staying in one of the extra living quarters until we get Dietz.”

  “Oh. Good.”

  “Enough about the twink.”

  “Okay.”

  In spite of all the happy revelations, he yawned. Damn, he was scared he’d wake up later and realize he’d dreamed this conversation.

  “Go to sleep, buddy. You’ve earned the rest.”

  “Michael?”

  “Hmm?”

  “I love you.”

  “I know,” he said gruffly. “Sleep.”

  Bastian smiled and let exhaustion pull him under.

  Katrina walked into Bastian’s hospital room on the third morning following his shooting. His face immediately brightened on seeing her, and her pulse did a funny tango. The man was a jade-eyed, golden-haired god sporting an engaging grin that never failed to make her feel cherished.

  “Hey, beautiful! Is McKay letting me out of here?”

  “Soon. Probably this afternoon.” Leaning over, she gave him a slow, lingering kiss and then took a seat by the bed. “And only because we promised to make you take it easy at home.”

  “I don’t care, as long as I’m out of here. I know I can’t get in yet, but I want to sit by the pool. And drink a beer,” he said, practically drooling.

  “Not until you’re off the pain meds.”

  “Okay, I’m officially off.”

  She laughed. “Doesn’t work that way, champ. If you don’t take your pill, you’ll be crying in that beer in a few hours.”

  “Damn,” he pouted. He squirmed a little, plucking at the sheet on his lap.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m just uncomfortable.”

  “Why, do you need to use the bathroom?” The catheter had come out yesterday, and he had to use crutches to go anywhere. He still needed help getting on his feet, and the action caused his leg a lot of pain.

  “No.” Two red spots appeared on his cheeks.

  “Are you going to make me play guessing games? What’s wrong with you?”

  “I’m having a slight problem if you must know. Jesus, is nothing sacred?”

  “What kind of — Oh.” Noting the rigid outline under the sheet, she smiled. “I can help you with that, you know.”

  “How? We’re in a hospital.”

  “A private one, owned by Michael. What’s McKay going to do — throw us out?”

  “Yeah, but… what if a nurse walks in?”

  “She’ll walk back out in a hurry, I suppose.” She made a face. “If it’s the same one from yesterday, it’ll be the most exciting thing that’s happened to her all year.”

  His eyes rounded, and she could tell he was getting on board with the idea. “You’re serious.”

  “Very. Here, let Nurse Brandt make an assessment of your condition.” Tugging the sheet from his grasp, she pulled it down and folded it over his knees. The thin gown did nothing to hide the erection making a tent at his groin. Lifting the material, she exposed his rosy cock, the tip weeping tiny pearls. He smelled manly but clean and soapy, and she knew he must’ve had a sponge bath.

  Grasping the base, she bent and licked the droplets, eliciting a swift groan from him. “You’re my captive, you know that?” Another lick. “You can’t go anywhere or do anything to stop me from taking what I want. And make no mistake, I’ve been wanting to taste you again, badly.”

  “Yes.” His eyes rolled in pleasure.

  “Does this turn you on? Knowing we could be caught?”

  “Fuck, yes! Suck me.” He tried to thrust his hips, but winced in pain.

  “No, let me do the work,” she scolded. “Can’t have you aggravating those injuries.”

  She suc
kled the bulbous head first, tonguing the sensitive slit, catching more drops. She began to take him deeper, making him wet and slippery. Pumped him some at the base as she sucked, driving him insane. Then she swallowed him to the root and manipulated his balls, relishing the velvety sac rolling in her fingers. Loving his moans of pleasure.

  She knew he was close when his balls tightened and his breath came in sharper bursts. He buried a hand in her hair and urged her on, moving his hips as much as he could despite her telling him to be still.

  “Close, baby,” he panted. “Christ, yes! So good.”

  Laving and sucking, she bobbed up and down on him faster, pulled harder. Apparently he liked it a shade rough, because he stiffened and gave a couple of seconds’ warning.

  “Coming!”

  His cock jerked in her mouth and she drank the hot, salty-sweet cum down, not wanting to miss a drop. She continued to work him, bringing him down. Then she licked him clean, released his softening shaft, and replaced his gown.

  “Better?” She grinned at him and licked her lips.

  “I think you sucked my brains out through my dick.” His head flopped back on the pillows. “Kinda disappointed we didn’t get caught, though.”

  “I knew it! You’re a thrill seeker.”

  “And maybe a bit of an exhibitionist.”

  “There’s always next time,” she suggested. “We can make certain we’re seen, if you want.”

  He looked intrigued. “And who would we let see us? Not Simon or Mrs. Beasley, because eeww.”

  “What about Michael’s head of security at the estate. What’s his name?”

  “John. Yeah, he’s hot — and kinky, I’ve heard.” He said the last on a teasing note.

  “Honestly, does Michael surround himself with any other type than hot and kinky? Besides Simon and Mrs. B.”

  Bastian closed his eyes, and a comfortable silence descended. He was prone to drop off to sleep and would until he regained his strength. She didn’t mind. In fact, she loved sitting with him, keeping him company. In a few minutes, however, he opened his eyes.

  “Can I ask you a question?” He did sound tired, but he was fighting it.

  “Sure.”

  “How is it that you show such a cool, classy exterior and secretly have the soul of a sensualist? Where does that come from?”

  “You mean the soul of a wanton slut?” she countered.

  His lips turned up. “Was trying to be nice.”

  “Don’t knock yourself out on my account.” This was good between them, she decided. There was something about Bastian that made her feel as though she’d known him much longer than she had. They’d been working together for a while now, but lots of people shared a work environment without getting close. But once she and Bastian had really begun to interact on a personal level, the connection had been there, ready and waiting to be nurtured.

  He was still looking at her, waiting for an answer. Watching his reaction, she said, “I have three parents.”

  “You mean your folks divorced and one is a stepparent?” His brows furrowed.

  It was always fun to see people figure out the truth. “No, I mean that I have three parents. One mother and two fathers. Really spiced up those PTA meetings, I can tell you.”

  “Oh, my God! No way,” he said, incredulous. “I’ve never actually known anybody who was raised by parents in a ménage relationship. Christ, I’ll bet you were teased unmercifully as a child.”

  “Kids can be cruel,” she agreed. Some of those memories were deeply painful. “That’s why they eventually decided to homeschool me. I guess that’s why I sort of hold myself apart from people until I get to know them. You and Michael were exceptions.”

  “I’m glad you trusted us enough to let us in,” he said with feeling. “So your parents are still together?”

  “Yes,” she said, smiling. “And so in love it’s nauseating. They are proof that it can work, despite the crappy odds and the stigma attached by society.”

  “You want what they have.”

  She looked down at their hands, which had somehow become entwined. “I thought I did have it, once. Things didn’t work out.”

  “From your voice, I’m guessing that’s an understatement,” he said quietly. “Want to talk about it?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t mind. We were in our early twenties, and when you’re pushing forty, that seems like a lifetime ago.”

  “No kidding,” he agreed. “You had two male partners?”

  “One man, but the other was a woman.” Surprise registered on Bastian’s face. “I loved them both and I thought they loved me, but the dynamic was doomed from the start. Our downfall began when Brenda wanted to get pregnant.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  She nodded. “You’d think I would’ve seen this one coming a mile off, wouldn’t you? But no, I was so excited. I thought I should get pregnant next so our children could be close in age. Joe thought it was a good idea to wait until after Brenda had her baby before we tried for another one. You can probably fill in the ending.”

  “Let me see.” He pretended to think hard. “Joe and Brenda bonded over the pregnancy and changed their minds about raising their child in a ménage relationship. They broke your heart.”

  “You get the prize.” God, she’d been devastated at the time. “Getting over it took years. But I’ve always believed I could have what my parents do and that someday I’d want to try again. Just not with another woman involved, ever.”

  “I can certainly understand that.” He grinned at her. “You won’t have to worry about me or Michael wanting to get pregnant.”

  “Idiot.” She leaned over and brushed his lips with hers, then deepened the kiss. He tasted sweet, minty, and the man knew how to use his tongue. She couldn’t wait to learn its other talents.

  Breaking the kiss, she laid her head on his shoulder, careful not to hurt his healing bruises. His arm came around her, held her close against his solid body, and she felt it.

  The tenuous thread winding between them was like a tender green shoot pushing through new soil. Growing stronger with each passing hour. A thought hit her: where the three of them were concerned, Bastian was their glue. Their quiet strength.

  One man was forged steel, and the other was the only fire hot enough to make him bend.

  Now she just had to make them hers, for keeps.

  Eleven

  “Are you comfortable?” “Yes, thanks.” “Need anything before I go?”

  “No, thanks.”

  “More coffee? A bagel?”

  “I’m good.”

  “I don’t think so. You’re not eating enough, and—”

  “Michael,” Bastian growled. “Go. To. Work! Because if you don’t, so help me, I won’t be held responsible for where I shove this crutch.”

  Michael eyed his grouchy friend. “I’ve been hovering too much, huh?”

  “For the entire past week since you brought me home! You’re both driving me crazy!”

  “Hey!” From her spot at the breakfast table, Katrina scowled at Bastian over the top of her newspaper. “Before lunch, you’ll be bored out of your mind and wanting us to come home.”

  “Fat lot of good it’ll do me when neither of you will touch me. And blow jobs don’t count,” he grumbled. “I even have to sleep by myself because you guys are afraid one of you will bump my thigh in the night.”

  Katrina’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean, they don’t count? The last time I checked, ‘Oh, God, suck harder. Take it all’ wasn’t a complaint.”

  Oh, boy. Time to make a tactful retreat. “Well, since you’re all set here, we’ll give you some peace and quiet. If you need anything—”

  “I know. Simon and Mrs. Beasley are here. Have a nice day.” Their lover went back to moping over his cold coffee.

  He raised his brows at Katrina in a signal to get moving. She folded her paper and followed him out through the living room. Simon met them in the foyer.

  “The car is waitin
g, sir.”

  “Great.”

  “Sir, if I may be so bold?”

  He stifled a sigh. “Go ahead.”

  “Sir, if you don’t take matters in hand, I shall be forced to seek other employment.” Simon sniffed, looking down his regal nose at Michael. “There’s nothing wrong with that lad that a sound buggering won’t remedy.”

  Michael choked, and beside him, Katrina giggled. “I’m sure your resignation won’t be necessary. Bastian will be better than new in no time.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  He beat a retreat out the front door and headed for the car. “Jesus.”

  As they climbed into the back, Katrina said, “Simon’s got the problem pegged, you know. Our guy is craving some attention that has nothing to do with his injury.”

  “I know. He’s like a grumpy porcupine.”

  “If this is the way he gets when he has to go without for a few days, it’s a good thing there’s two of us.”

  For some reason, he felt it necessary to defend his own libido. “I have just as many needs as he does. I’m just as sexually active.”

  She gave him a knowing grin. “Yes, honey. You’re a virile He-Man beyond compare.”

  “See that you don’t forget it.”

  They enjoyed the rest of the ride together, the mood lightened some. So what if they’d been forced to delay consummating their relationship? Bastian was alive and healing, and the three of them were together. His friend would be smiling soon, his grumpiness a thing of the past.

  And when Michael caught Dietz and sent him to hell, their lives would be perfect.

  At the compound’s gate, the day guard waved them through. When the car stopped, he got out first and gave a hand to Katrina, pointedly ignoring the stare of one curious agent who glanced back and forth between them. He didn’t give a rat’s ass what his employees were saying and knew Bastian would hold his own, but he worried about the effect on Katrina.

  “Does it bother you that they’re probably talking about us?” he asked as they disappeared inside.

  “No. Remember, I was raised in a nontraditional environment and I have a thick skin when it comes to those who don’t understand.”