Zhernakov trailed his fingertips down Sebastian’s arm. “Perhaps you can make it up to me.”
Gazing up under his lashes, Sebastian smiled. “Can I? How?”
Zhernakov’s hand was firm on Sebastian’s back as he pivoted him around. “Come, let us get you another drink where your father won’t see you.”
Sebastian nodded eagerly and let Zhernakov maneuver him to the elevators beyond the bar. His heart raced, but he knew Kyle wouldn’t be far behind.
The minutes ticked by like hours.
Kyle pressed his eye to the peephole. The door to Zhernakov’s room was visible in the periphery, and it remained closed with Sebastian inside. Kyle leaned back and paced a few steps, staying close to the door, listening carefully. Sebastian was unarmed in case Zhernakov’s men searched him, but Kyle’s pistol was snug and reassuring at his side. Not to mention the backup in his ankle holster and the serrated knife in his other boot. If he heard any sounds of distress from across the hall, he wouldn’t hesitate.
Stooping, he checked the peephole again. No movement, and no one had been in the hallway in sixteen minutes. Not surprising since it was past one o’clock in the morning. He paced three steps, then pivoted back. Then repeated the sequence, his mind racing.
It wasn’t that he didn’t think Sebastian was up to the job. Since they’d met on that sultry June night in Como, Sebastian had consistently surprised Kyle, proving to be strong, smart, and resilient. Of course Sebastian could do the job. He was a math genius and a natural code breaker. Once he incapacitated Zhernakov, cracking the safe would be child’s play.
It was what came before it that had Kyle on the verge of storming across the hall, kicking down the door, and beating Zhernakov senseless.
He shook his head, annoyed with his own foolishness. What did it matter that Zhernakov Jr. looked like a male model? It was a mission like any other. If Sebastian was going to be an operative for the Association, Kyle had to put their personal relationship aside when they were on a mission. He couldn’t worry or hover. And he definitely couldn’t play the images of Sebastian flirting with a gorgeous man in his mind on an endless loop.
Sighing, Kyle again checked the peephole and resumed pacing. In the world of espionage, seduction was only a game. Kyle had seduced dozens of women and men over the past decade or so. Sebastian himself had only been a game at first. An attractive target Kyle had enjoyed kissing and touching, a target he’d regretted having to take advantage of. A target he hadn’t been able to let die.
A target who changed all the rules.
Kyle had always known love was a complication he didn’t need. Or want. But until he met Sebastian, he hadn’t known love was like an out-of-control freight train, and once you were on the tracks, all you could do was barrel onward. He couldn’t bear to think of life without Sebastian now. Couldn’t bear to think of Sebastian being hurt.
Couldn’t bear to think of another man touching him.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Sebastian. He trusted him more than anyone he’d ever known, even Marie. He knew Sebastian was only acting. But Kyle still gritted his teeth, fists clenching at the idea of Zhernakov with his hands on him. Kyle was being foolish, but sometimes the game could get out of hand. Zhernakov was a strong man. Even the most experienced operatives found themselves in trouble sometimes.
Stretching his arm up gingerly, Kyle grimaced. His wound was a long, deep slash. He’d lucked out and would have been a dead man if the knife had gone in deeper. Kyle still prickled with annoyance that the target in Stockholm had bested him, even just for a moment, before Kyle put him down.
The truth was he should have taken a few days of rest. He’d lost too much blood and the wound itched and throbbed, but he’d been too eager to see Sebastian. The mission here was an easy bait and switch. The missile design Zhernakov was selling the North Koreans likely couldn’t work anyway, but just in case, Sebastian would swap the USB drive with another carrying designs that definitely wouldn’t work.
If the next few minutes went as planned, Kyle wouldn’t have to do anything more strenuous in the next twenty-four hours than taking Sebastian to bed. A thrill of need curled up his spine at the thought. Sebastian was so passionate and eager, so fierce. Kyle swallowed hard at the memory of fucking Sebastian for the first time. And the second, the third, the fourth…
With a shake of his head to focus, he checked the empty hallway. He knew Sebastian would only go as far as he had to, that he’d make sure Zhernakov was drugged quickly. Still, it had been—Kyle glanced at his watch—eighteen and a half minutes. What if something had gone wrong? What if Zhernakov had discovered Sebastian’s agenda? Overpowered him? As Kyle paced uselessly, Sebastian could be hurt, could be in danger, could be—
He heard a door open in the hallway, and he looked through the peephole. He exhaled as Sebastian emerged, appearing uninjured. Sebastian closed Zhernakov’s door quietly and disappeared from sight.
Slinging his duffel bag over his shoulder, Kyle slipped out to the balcony of his room. He didn’t know where Zhernakov’s minions were, and he couldn’t risk being seen on the heels of Sebastian’s exit.
With quick movements, he swung over the balcony ledge with a short rope. As he dropped down, his wound flared white-hot. For a moment it was agony, and his lungs froze. Suspended by the rope, he wavered, head spinning dangerously, eight stories above the ground. The pain seared from the wound all the way up his right arm to his fingers grasping the rope.
Then the dizziness passed and he forced his lungs to expand as he shimmied down to the balcony below. He stopped for a moment once he had his feet under him, panting as the intense burning subsided.
Yes, perhaps he should take a day or two off after all.
The room’s occupants were sleeping, and Kyle silently picked the lock on the sliding glass door. Once inside he stood motionless for thirty seconds, ensuring that the couple hadn’t heard anything in their sleep. Then he slipped out into the hallway and to the elevators.
The rain hadn’t come yet, but the warm air hung with moisture. Although he was eager to get to Sebastian, Kyle walked slowly. He knew Sebastian would follow protocol and wait for him a kilometer to the north. If north was impossible due to a body of water or another impediment, it would be the east, and so on in a clockwise motion. North of the hotel was a large park with flower gardens and decorative ponds—the perfect meeting spot at this time of night. Anyone else who happened to lurk in the shadows would be busy with their own pursuits.
By the time he reached the edge of the park, the raw throbbing from his wound had receded to a dull ache. He scanned the area for threats and found none. Ahead in the darkness he could make out a slim figure on a small bridge that arched over a pond. Kyle sped up, his pulse thrumming. It was madness, the way he craved Sebastian like oxygen. Not just his touch or his body, but his smile, his laughter. His…everything.
Atop the bridge he reached out, but Sebastian jerked away. Chest tightening, Kyle forced a breath out. “Are you hurt?” He couldn’t quite keep his voice even. “Did he hurt you?” Jesus, he was going to kill Zhernakov. Slowly.
“No. I’m fine, really.”
Sebastian’s body radiated tension, his hand twitching, shoulders bunched. He stared out at the pond. Kyle wanted to take Sebastian in his arms but reluctantly kept his distance. “Are you sure? Did something happen? It’s… You can tell me. Whatever it is. I won’t be angry.”
“I know you won’t. But I’m mad at myself.”
Heart sinking, Kyle kept his voice even. “It can be hard at first. Keeping perspective. Not getting…swept away. Being someone else can be powerful. Intoxicating. And Zhernakov’s obviously…” The words scraped his throat like sandpaper. “Attractive, and—”
Forehead creased, Sebastian turned. “Huh? What does it matter what he looks like? The USB drive wasn’t in there. Not in the safe, and not in the room. I failed, Kyle. My first mission on my own, and I blew it.”
Kyle had never been
so relieved to hear of a failed mission. He had to fight the urge to laugh.
“But wait, what were you talking about? Why does it matter what Zhernakov looks like?” Comprehension dawned on Sebastian’s face, and his jaw dropped. “You thought…with him? Like, for real? Are you out of your mind? This was a job!”
Feeling more foolish than ever, Kyle shrugged. “I know, but things happen. Seeing you flirting with him…” He ran a hand over his head. “It’s stupid. I was stupid.”
Sebastian laughed, clearly incredulous. “You were jealous? I was just acting. You know that.”
Kyle crossed his arms. “I know. But…”
Taking a step closer, Sebastian tugged on one of Kyle’s arms until he uncrossed them. Sebastian took his hand and threaded their fingers together. “But that’s how we met. So sometimes even though it’s acting, there’s more there.”
Kyle nodded.
“Well, for the record, there was nothing there with Zhernakov except impatience for the damn drug to kick in. With all those muscles it took forever. But I played coy and innocent. So hesitant and virginal, keeping him at arm’s length and making him seduce me.” He grinned. “I was pretty damn good, if I do say so myself.”
The tension finally leaving him, Kyle laughed and squeezed Sebastian’s hand. “I bet you were.”
Sebastian’s smile faded. “So what do I tell Marie?”
“The truth. You performed your mission as ordered. It’s not your fault the drive wasn’t there. You said you searched the entire room?”
“Top to bottom. His suitcase, everything. If he has it, it’s up his ass, and I’m not looking there.”
They shared a smirk. “We’ll leave that for plan Z. In the meantime, we’ll stick to plan B.”
Chapter Two
Leaning into Kyle’s warmth, Sebastian took a deep breath. He might have failed his first mission, but he knew Kyle would help him make it right. He nodded as Kyle went through the plan B checklist. “Yep. Bugged his briefcase and the room. There’s no way he’ll be awake before dawn, though.”
Kyle glanced at his watch. “Good. Gives us at least five hours.” He brushed back Sebastian’s hair. “It’s going to be fine. Believe me, this isn’t the first time a mission hasn’t worked out as planned. Sure as hell won’t be the last.”
“I know. I just wanted it to be perfect. Most of the time I’ll just be going along to break codes, but I wanted to show Marie that I could do it. That I’m not just the math guy.”
Kyle’s brow furrowed. “She knows that. You proved beyond a doubt in Positano that there’s more to you than numbers. A lot more.”
Sebastian wrapped his arms around Kyle’s waist. He knew he had to stand on his own feet as a spy, but for the moment he was just glad Kyle was with him. “You’re right.”
“I know. You should get used it.”
Sebastian chuckled. “A joke from Kyle Grant! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard right. I think that’s number three for your lifetime?”
Kyle ran his hands up and down Sebastian’s back, and Sebastian shivered, desire coiling in his belly as Kyle teased his spine. “Possibly even number four. Might be years before the next one.”
“Good thing you’re so hot.” Sebastian grew serious. “You’re the only man I want. We both have to play the game, but when it’s over, you’re the one. The only one.”
Kyle pressed their foreheads together. “Yes,” he whispered.
“I don’t want anyone’s hands on me but yours.” Sebastian kissed him slowly. “No one else’s lips.” He snuck one hand down between them. “Don’t want anyone else’s cock.”
Groaning, Kyle kissed him hard, his tongue powerful against Sebastian’s. Sebastian stumbled back against the bridge’s railing as fat drops of rain began to fall. He raked his nails up under Kyle’s linen shirt and nipped at Kyle’s neck. “Missed this so much, Kyle.”
Kyle grunted and dropped to his knees, yanking at the button and zipper on Sebastian’s jeans. He tugged the material down Sebastian’s hips until he could free his cock and stroke it with a rough palm. In the din of the growing rainstorm, Sebastian could cry out freely, and he tangled his fingers into Kyle’s wet hair as Kyle swallowed him.
Rain flowed down his body, warm even in the night. The air was sweet with flowers in bloom, and Sebastian inhaled deeply before he blinked the water from his eyes, not wanting to miss a moment. The sight of Kyle on his knees for him had Sebastian close to the edge already. He jerked his hips, fucking Kyle’s mouth, and Kyle took it, sucking deeply, his tongue working the ridge of Sebastian’s cock, fingers gripping Sebastian’s thighs.
It was so wet and good, and Sebastian moaned as the pleasure built. Every time he was with Kyle he thought it couldn’t get better, but it did. It was like they were made to fuck each other. To love each other.
His balls were trapped by the elastic of his underwear, tugging on them deliciously as he fucked into the heat of Kyle’s mouth. He cried out a warning as his orgasm rushed through him, but Kyle sucked him through it, milking every last drop as Sebastian moaned.
Kyle sat back on his heels and released Sebastian from his mouth before pressing a kiss to the tip of Sebastian’s twitching cock. They were both soaked now, and Kyle was beautiful, the rain gleaming on his face. His chest rose and fell, and Sebastian could just make out the scattering of dark hair there through the soaked linen. Kyle rubbed his own cock through his jeans.
On trembling legs, Sebastian turned and peeled his jeans and underwear down his thighs. “Fuck me.”
Although sheets of rain fell in the darkness, obscuring visibility, they were still in the middle of a public park. But Sebastian didn’t care, spreading himself wantonly and leaning over the railing, hands wide. He could hear Kyle rummaging in his duffel, the tear of foil reaching Sebastian’s ears over the rain drumming down.
Sebastian reached back with wet fingers, pushing one and then two into his hole, spreading his legs as best he could with his sodden jeans trapped around his knees. He glanced back over his shoulder. Kyle’s gaze was locked on Sebastian’s ass, his lips parted as he watched Sebastian finger himself.
Kyle’s eyes snapped up, and Sebastian felt his gaze like a bolt of lightning. Kyle had the condom on, and he plunged forward, covering Sebastian’s body and pushing at his hole, hands spreading Sebastian’s cheeks. He thrust inside with his thick cock, and Sebastian moaned. “Yes yes yes. More. Give me more.”
Swearing, Kyle did. He pummeled Sebastian, stretching him open farther on each thrust. Sebastian’s ass burned, but he pushed back, wanting more. They panted and grunted, the rain thundering down, seeming to block out the rest of the world. Mouth open, Sebastian bent lower, Kyle’s fingers digging into his hips as he rammed into him.
Kyle’s breath was hot on the back of Sebastian’s neck, his voice low. He pulled up Sebastian’s T-shirt, the buttons of his linen shirt rubbing against Sebastian’s slick skin. “Never been like this with anyone. Only you. Just you. Want you all the time. Need you.” He drew almost all the way out and plowed back in. “Fuck, Sebastian.”
“Yes. I’m yours.” He cried out as Kyle hit just the right spot. “Oh, fuck. There. Harder!”
“Touch yourself,” Kyle gritted out. “Come again.”
His dick was oversensitive, and Sebastian whimpered as he jerked himself. It was too much but not enough, and he groaned, sparks behind his eyes as he stroked his cock and Kyle filled him. Kyle’s motion stuttered, and he came with Sebastian’s name on his lips, his hips still driving, angled to hit Sebastian’s prostate.
Arm working furiously, Sebastian spurted over his hand, shuddering with his release and leaning on the railing, Kyle’s warm weight lodged against him, still inside him. With a gentle kiss to Sebastian’s sopping hair, Kyle pulled out and got rid of the condom with quick movements. Then he leaned heavily against Sebastian again, breathing hard—harder than normal even after their most acrobatic sex.
Sebastian frowned and glanced over his shoulder. �
��Are you okay?”
Kyle nodded against Sebastian’s back, but he grimaced as he straightened up. “Fine.” He smiled and smoothed his palm over Sebastian’s ass. “Spectacular.”
“If you’re sure.” Sebastian wanted nothing more than to find a dry place to curl up together, but he had a mission to finish. He sighed. “I guess we’d better figure out where those missile plans are.”
Kyle’s smile disappeared. He nodded again.
Sebastian hauled up his jeans. Time to get back to business.
“Yes, I bugged his briefcase and room. Nothing yet.” Sebastian glanced at Kyle, who confirmed by shaking his head.
As Sebastian briefed Marie on the phone, Kyle turned back to the window. Sebastian had rented a room at an adjacent hotel with a view of Zhernakov’s suite—a standard plan B spies hoped never to have to fall back on. The drapes in Zhernakov’s room remained shut, and the only sound on the bug was the drone of his snores.
Sebastian listened to whatever Marie was saying. “Right. Yes. Hold on a sec.” He held out the phone to Kyle.
“Bonjour.”
“Good morning, Mr. Grant. Are you up for this? I can get a local on standby now that the mission has expanded.”
“Of course.” Truthfully his wound hurt more than it had since he’d received it, but he’d be fine. He’d lost himself in the sex with Sebastian, but once they captured the USB drive, he’d rest.
“Don’t ‘of course’ me. A birdie told me that little cut you got in Stockholm was actually deeper than you mentioned. I only allowed you to go to Buenos Aires because you shouldn’t have needed to do anything more than sit on a stool and sip Quilmes while Mr. Brambani completed the mission. This was meant to be straightforward.” She sighed. “Story of our lives, Mr. Grant. So you’re okay, oui?”
The Chimera Affair: Gay Romance Page 21