The Chimera Affair: Gay Romance

by Keira Andrews

  “Then one way or another it’ll be settled. Someone will have the Chimera, and anything I might have known will be moot.”

  “They’ll still want you dead. You’re too big of a loose end after what happened today. This is for the best. I should have taken you straight to my contact after I found you in Geneva.” You shouldn’t have gotten hurt today.

  “So you’ll just drop me off, and what? That’s it? I never see you again?”

  “Right.” Kyle kept his gaze averted from Sebastian. “They’ll do the surgery somewhere in Russia. Ukraine, maybe. Then you’ll have a new passport, and you can go anywhere.”

  “Surgery?”

  “Of course. You need a new face. Hair color. Everything. A fake name isn’t enough.”

  “I…” Sebastian’s face creased, and he laid back down, eyes on the ceiling. “I can’t believe this is my life.”

  “It’s the best way to keep you safe. You can start over again. You’ll be fine. I’ve made the arrangements.”

  “Why?”

  “To save your life, whether you like it or not.”

  “No, I mean…that can’t be cheap. You don’t need to do this.”

  Kyle could feel Sebastian’s intent gaze, and he took another chug of beer. “I said I would.” He’d told Sebastian what he’d needed to hear to ensure his cooperation, but now he couldn’t imagine not delivering on his promise.

  “Why don’t you just leave me by the side of the road? Why do you keep looking out for me?”

  Shrugging, Kyle got up and walked to a small table in the corner of the room. He started a weapons check. “You should eat. I’ll order something.”

  “This afternoon you were kissing me, and now you can’t even look at me.”

  “No more kissing.” Kyle opened the chamber of one of his guns, eyeing it before sliding it shut. His head was strangely light. He’d never felt this way about anyone. It was disorienting in the extreme. He concentrated on speaking with conviction. “We got off a few times. It’s not going to happen again.”

  “But you want it to.”

  Kyle picked up the next gun. “You could be anyone. It didn’t mean anything. You’ll understand.”

  “When? When I’m all grown up? Stop patronizing me.”

  “When you’re away from all this. When you have some perspective.”

  Sebastian scoffed. “Right. Then I’ll see there was nothing between us. That it was just sex.”

  Kyle kept his head down, focusing on his task. “Exactly.”

  “Liar.”

  Sebastian’s voice was suddenly closer, and Kyle turned in time to catch him as his knees wobbled. “I told you to stay off your feet.”

  His arms wrapped around Kyle, Sebastian wavered, but his tone was firm. “It is more, and you know it. You’re just too afraid to admit it.”

  Taking a few steps, Kyle gently pushed Sebastian down onto the end of the bed, where he sat looking up at Kyle with an unnerving gaze. Kyle exhaled slowly. “I’m not afraid. It’s just not practical. You’ve seen what I do.”

  “I don’t care. I want to be with you.”

  Kyle laughed incredulously. “Be with me? It’s impossible. Even if I wanted—”

  “But you do, don’t you? Admit it.”

  “It’s irrelevant.” Kyle turned back to his equipment. He checked the chamber of his pistol.

  “You did that already.”

  Jamming the gun into the back of his jeans, Kyle grabbed his coat. “I’m hungry. Don’t open the door for anyone. Don’t touch anything. Don’t…”

  Sebastian arched an eyebrow.

  “Just don’t.” Kyle slammed the door behind him.

  Sebastian swallowed his last spoonful of minestrone soup and sat back, exhausted. He hurt down to his bones, and he just wanted to go to sleep. He and Kyle had barely spoken since Kyle returned, and the awkward silence was taking its toll. But before he went to sleep, he needed a shower.

  However, when he tried to stand, he took a shaky step and then tumbled back onto the sagging mattress. Kyle was around the bed in a flash. “Careful.”

  Sebastian rubbed his face. “I need to get clean.” It was as if he could still feel the hands of the men pulling him down while his lungs filled with water.

  “Okay.” Without another word, Kyle wrapped a firm arm around Sebastian’s back, and they walked a few steps to the tiny bathroom.

  Sebastian eyed the ancient bathtub, and his chest tightened. Water all around, swallowing it, can’t breathe, can’t get up, can’t breathe—

  Kyle gently took Sebastian’s chin between his thumb and finger, turning his face. “You’re okay.”

  Focusing on Kyle, Sebastian nodded. Kyle turned on the water, and it sputtered from the rusted showerhead. Sebastian peeled off his underwear and, with Kyle’s grip firm on his arm, climbed into the bathtub. To his surprise, Kyle followed a moment later, his clothes in a pile on the floor.

  After pulling the ratty shower curtain, Kyle held Sebastian close. He unwrapped the cheap bar of soap and smoothed it over Sebastian’s body. Any remaining tension between them seemed to dissipate in the steam of the shower.

  Kyle shampooed Sebastian’s hair, his hands gentle. By the time they were both clean, Sebastian felt utterly boneless and wavered on his feet. He wanted so badly to touch Kyle, to drop to his knees and suck him. But he was a rag doll in Kyle’s hands as Kyle turned off the water and wrapped a towel around Sebastian’s waist and then his own.

  He laid Sebastian facedown on the bed and straddled his thighs, keeping his weight off. His right hand kneaded Sebastian’s shoulder, the left skimming lightly over Sebastian’s skin. “This’ll help your muscles.” Kyle’s earlier bad humor seemed to have dissipated in the shower.

  Sebastian nodded against his pillow. “How’s your thumb?”

  “A little sore.”

  Sebastian guessed that was an understatement. His body ached, but as Kyle rubbed him, he began to relax. The light touch of Kyle’s left hand sent shivers up Sebastian’s spine. Beneath him, his cock stirred. He rotated his hips, the friction sending pleasure to his sore muscles.

  Kyle said nothing as he worked his way down Sebastian’s back and arms. When he reached the towel at Sebastian’s waist, Sebastian arched up into his touch, wanting more. His exhaustion had been replaced by growing desire.

  But instead of giving Sebastian what he wanted, Kyle shifted down the bed to his feet. He was all business, and Sebastian couldn’t help but whine in protest. As Kyle massaged Sebastian’s calves, Sebastian spread his legs, moaning softly as he relaxed into the mattress. His cock grew harder with every caress, and Kyle’s hands moved upward, his fingers dipping to caress Sebastian’s sensitive inner thighs.

  When Kyle stopped touching him, Sebastian glanced back over his shoulder. Kyle’s hands were tight fists, and his eyes were closed. The towel couldn’t hide Kyle’s erection, and Sebastian felt a moment of triumph that Kyle was as turned on as he was. He spoke quietly. “I know it doesn’t mean anything.”

  Kyle’s eyelids popped open. “We shouldn’t. We never should have.”

  “But we did. We both want this. Don’t deny it.”

  With a quick movement, Kyle peeled off Sebastian’s towel. He kneaded Sebastian’s ass with strong hands, diving down to kiss the bared flesh. Sebastian groaned, the pleasure overtaking any remaining pain in his body. Kyle’s breath was warm against him, and he parted Sebastian’s cheeks, skimming his fingertips along Sebastian’s crack. “Feeling better?”

  Sebastian could only mutter yes, and then he gasped as Kyle’s tongue followed his fingers. He’d read about rimming and seen it on the Internet, but Peter had thought it was gross and refused to try it. Now Kyle was licking Sebastian’s ass from top to bottom, and Sebastian was on fire in a way he never wanted to end.

  Kyle spread him wider and circled Sebastian’s hole, licking and nibbling it, thrusting his tongue inside. The pleasure radiated outward, sweeping Sebastian’s body as he moaned. Kyle spit int
o him, his tongue going deeper.

  Sebastian rutted against the coarse towel, his cock almost unbearably hard as Kyle opened him up and did things with his mouth and tongue Sebastian had only dreamed of. As Kyle licked inside him even deeper, Sebastian came, mouth open in a silent cry as the ecstasy washed over him.

  Breathing in deeply, he rode the aftershocks and tried to speak. All he could do was murmur unintelligibly. Kyle rolled him onto his back, a smile playing on his lips as he smoothed his hand over Sebastian’s chest. His hard cock jutted out from his body, and Sebastian reached for it feebly. Still smiling in a way that made Sebastian’s heart swell, Kyle playfully batted his hand away. “You’re in no condition.”

  Kneeling over him, sitting back on his heels, Kyle was the most beautiful thing Sebastian had ever seen. Although he’d just spent, Sebastian’s dick twitched, and he licked his lips. Kyle’s voice was husky. “You want to watch?”

  Sebastian nodded, swallowing hard. “Come on me.”

  Kyle’s nostrils flared, and he took hold of his cock with his right hand. He tugged a few times before stroking roughly, eyes locked with Sebastian’s. He spit into his palm and jerked himself with sharp strokes from base to tip, his thighs flexing as he thrust up into his fist, his breath coming in a staccato rhythm.

  When he came, it splashed up onto Sebastian’s face and chest, and Kyle groaned loudly. Sebastian swiped at a salty dollop on his chin, savoring the taste before Kyle leaned over and kissed him, his tongue caressing Sebastian’s.

  Then he was gone, up off the mattress and into the bathroom. He returned with a damp washcloth and cleaned Sebastian, tossing the towel onto the floor. Sebastian waited for him to get dressed and go back to business as usual. But instead Kyle snapped off the light and climbed into bed, pulling the covers over them.

  He drew Sebastian close against his chest, fingers playing in his hair. “Just for tonight,” Kyle murmured.

  Sebastian nodded and held on.

  Kyle rolled over and peered at the bathroom door. Light shone around the edges, and he couldn’t hear any sounds of activity or illness. He checked his watch: 4:17. Creeping silently out of bed, he stepped into his underwear. At the door, he listened. For a moment all was still, but then he heard a scratching. He leaned in closer. A pencil on paper.

  He rapped his knuckles on the door sharply. “Sebastian?”

  “Um, yeah? I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been in there for twenty-three minutes. Are you sick?”

  “No. I’m just…I couldn’t sleep. I’m reading. I didn’t want to wake you.” The pitch of his voice was all wrong.

  “Open the door.”

  The scratching of the pencil intensified. “Just one minute.”

  “Why?” The hair on the back of Kyle’s neck stood up, and his fists curled. What’s he hiding? “Sebastian. Open it.”

  “Hold on, I’m almost done.”

  Kyle stepped back to kick the lock, but as the toilet flushed, Sebastian opened the door. Naked, he held a piece of paper and a pencil, his eyes bright. A grin bloomed on his face. “I cracked it.”

  Kyle realized which piece of paper Sebastian was holding, and couldn’t help but be impressed Sebastian had lifted the envelope without Kyle hearing. “What does it say? Where’s the meeting?” Kyle snatched the paper from Sebastian’s hand, pulse racing. But the sheet of numbers was unchanged. Kyle looked up, brow furrowing. “Where is it?” A pad of hotel paper sat on the counter, and he flipped through the sheets. Blank.

  Sebastian simply smiled and tapped his head.

  Realization set in. “You flushed it.”

  “Don’t worry. I have a really good memory. Take me with you, and I’ll tell you. I want to help you. I don’t want to run and hide.”

  “Goddamn it, tell me what it said.” Kyle menacingly stepped closer, dropping his voice to the level he used to deliver threats. “Tell me now.”

  Sebastian actually leaned in. “Or what?”

  Kyle exhaled sharply. “Or I’ll make you very fucking sorry.” He vibrated with tension. It’s for the best. Stop putting him in danger. Give him a new life.

  Sebastian shook his head slowly. “No, you won’t.”

  For a long moment they stared at each other, the dare hovering in the air between them.

  With a muttered curse, Kyle hauled Sebastian against him, kissing him long and hard. He plunged his tongue inside Sebastian’s mouth, and Sebastian moaned into him as they stumbled toward the bed. Kyle was on fire, his blood singing in his veins as they surged together.

  They fell onto the mattress, Sebastian on his back. He tugged at Kyle’s underwear. “God, hurry. Fuck me.”

  Kyle was already reaching for his bag as he kicked his briefs off. They rutted against each other, both growing hard, kissing each other desperately. Kyle had never wanted another man like this. Ever. Sure, Sebastian had a tight ass and pretty face, but so did countless other men. Yes, Kyle wanted to fuck Sebastian senseless, but he also wanted to make him smile. Hear him laugh. Keep him safe.

  Sebastian took hold of Kyle’s cock, rubbing him roughly. “Need you.”

  Kyle kissed him, thrusting his tongue inside Sebastian’s mouth. Maybe it was Sebastian’s resilience or sense of humor or that he had more nerve and grit than some of the spies Kyle knew. He had no idea if it was chemical or emotional; all he knew was that he never expected this. The job was his life, and Sebastian Brambani wasn’t in the training manual.

  They were both bruised and battered, but they urged each other on, Sebastian moving onto his hands and knees as Kyle tore open the condom. He slapped on some lube and thrust into Sebastian, who cried out. “Yes! More. More.”

  Gripping his hips, Kyle plowed Sebastian’s ass. He knew there must be pain mixed with the pleasure, but Sebastian never hesitated, urging him on with breathy moans and pleas as Kyle rammed into him. “God, Sebastian,” Kyle muttered.

  He was so hot and tight, but it wasn’t enough. Kyle wanted to see Sebastian’s face when he came. Needed to see him. He pulled out and turned Sebastian over, lifting his legs up. Their eyes locked as they moved together, and Kyle groaned as Sebastian squeezed around his cock. “So good, Sebastian. You’re so good.”

  He couldn’t remember a lover who’d ever felt as good as this. He’d been with plenty over the years, but this boy was inexplicably the best by far. Sebastian was rock hard between them, and Kyle wrapped his palm around him, stroking in time with the thrust of his hips. He slapped against him, and Sebastian panted, lips parted, clear green eyes focused on Kyle.

  Driving deep, Kyle reached up and brushed Sebastian’s hair from his bruised face. “You shouldn’t be here,” he muttered. Still pumping into him, Kyle kissed a mark marring Sebastian’s collarbone, soothing it with his lips and tongue. He should be safe somewhere far away from Kyle’s world of death and deception.

  Sebastian only clung to him harder, grasping Kyle’s hand and threading their fingers together as he met Kyle’s thrusts. Kyle rubbed against Sebastian’s prostate, making Sebastian gasp. “Again. Yes, yes.” Repeating the motion, Kyle flicked the head of Sebastian’s cock with his thumb as well, and Sebastian came, moaning. He shuddered as Kyle milked him, his head tipped back, eyes shut. Kyle slowed his pace, holding himself still as he watched Sebastian’s ecstasy.

  He clamped down on Kyle’s cock inside him, and Kyle groaned at the scorching heat. Kyle moved again, slamming in and out as his balls tightened. When he flew over the edge, the bliss radiated out to his fingers and toes as he emptied.

  Chest heaving, he pulled out carefully and tossed the condom in the direction of the bathroom. He lowered Sebastian’s legs, flopping down on top of him. They kissed softly, and Sebastian nipped Kyle’s lower lip. “If this is your method for making people talk, you must be the most popular superspy in the world. At this rate I’ll never tell you.”

  Kyle shook with laughter, slapping Sebastian’s ass playfully. He should be furious. He should be putting a gun to Sebastian’s head an
d demanding the information. He should be more than ready to say good-bye to Sebastian, do the job, and get his life in order. He should be worried about the Association turning on him and what that meant for his career. For his life expectancy.

  But the lure of spending one last day with him was too strong to resist. He kissed the hollow of Sebastian’s neck. “You win—for now.”

  He should be doing anything but falling in love.

  Chapter Eleven

  “What am I going to wear?”

  Sebastian was still naked and in no rush to get out of bed. To his delight, Kyle had woken him with his mouth wrapped around Sebastian’s cock, and as the room brightened, they laid with heads close together, the sheet tangled around their feet. “I think I’ll get a bit of attention running around shirtless.”

  Kyle caressed Sebastian’s chest. “Mmm. Definitely.” He pressed a kiss to one of Sebastian’s nipples and got out of bed. “Don’t worry; room service should have delivered by now.”

  “Room service? In this place?”

  Kyle picked up a gun and opened the door cautiously before bending out of view. When he straightened, he had a plastic bag. He locked the door and dumped out the bag on the bed. “Underwear, socks, shirts, jeans. Told the manager not to cheap out or his tip would be affected.”

  It was just past dawn, and the curtains were still drawn for safety. Kyle flipped on the light, and Sebastian gasped softly as the bruises and scrapes on Kyle’s body came into view. He kicked off the sheet and went to Kyle, skimming his back with his fingertips. “Aren’t you in pain? Why didn’t you say something?”

  Kyle glanced over his shoulder and stepped into his jeans. “It doesn’t tickle. But it’s fine.”

  “Years of experience?”

  Kyle’s smile was wry. “Exactly.” He turned and reached for Sebastian’s ass, stroking it lightly. “We went pretty hard last night.”

  Sebastian smiled just thinking about it. “Uh-huh. We’re not planning on any horseback riding today, right?”

  As Kyle laughed, Sebastian felt a little thrill. Kyle wasn’t simply smirking as usual—he was smiling and laughing with a new lightness, as though an invisible wall had come down. Sebastian’s heart skipped a beat.