I Spy a Wicked Sin

by Jo Davis

  So, the younger man wasn’t going to make an issue of either the wound or his comment, thank Christ. Just as well, since Jude didn’t know what to say.

  Liam was quick and efficient, taking care of him, fingers gentle, the heat of his body so near. After he’d finished and washed his hands, he came to stand between Jude’s spread knees, placing his palms on Jude’s chest.

  Jude slid off the counter and cupped Liam’s ass, bringing their erections together, rubbing. The delicious friction had them both moaning, straining to get as close as possible. Liam claimed his mouth again, treating him to a long, passionate kiss, then broke away and dropped to his knees.

  “I want to taste your cock,” he said hoarsely.

  “Like I’m going to stop you?”

  His shorts were undone and pulled down his legs, and he stepped out of them, widening his stance, making certain the younger man had complete access.

  “You beautiful son of a bitch,” Liam whispered.

  And swallowed Jude’s cock down his throat. His hot mouth bathed Jude’s length, electrifying him, sending sparks of delight to every limb. Jude fisted his hands in Liam’s hair, fucking the sweet cavern slowly, imagining how great it would be to watch those sensual lips gliding along his dick. Feasting on his shaft, making his blood boil in his veins.

  The younger man manipulated Jude’s balls as he sucked, driving him too close to the edge, and he yanked on Liam’s hair. “Lube,” he rasped. “I want in you now.”

  “Fuck, yes.”

  Liam rummaged a bit more. “Got it.”

  “Make me ready.”

  Liam’s excited breaths, the snap of the tube, were the only sounds as he squirted gel onto Jude’s cock. A fist encircled his shaft, slicking it. God, he was so ready he wanted to throw Liam against the wall and rut like an animal.

  “Enough. Now prepare yourself for me,” Jude commanded, low and rough.

  Liam let go of him and, from the noisy sucking sounds, did as he was told. Spread his own ass, stretched the tight channel, making ready for his lover.

  “Done.”

  Jude reached out, found the other man’s hip. “Brace your hands on the counter, legs spread wide.” Liam complied, taking hold of Jude’s wrist to guide him into place. “Good. Now just relax and give yourself to me.”

  “I always have,” he said softly.

  Yes, he had. Without fail, his loyal friend had been there for him, had helped him weather every storm.

  Jude parted Liam’s firm ass and brought the head of his cock to the tight opening. Grasping Liam’s hips, he pushed into his lover’s body. All the way in, burying himself deep.

  “Ahh, fuck, yes!” He leaned over, kissed the younger man’s shoulder. Ground his balls into that delectable ass. “God, you feel so good. You hug my cock so fine.”

  “Move, please,” Liam begged, arching into him. “Take my ass.”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s yours.”

  “Mine.”

  “God, yes! Fuck me!”

  Moments like this, Jude was goddamned glad that he didn’t have to worry about taking Liam bareback. For convenience, since Liam lived on the estate and sex between them was spontaneous, they got tested regularly and used protection with their other playmates, without exception.

  He began to shaft his lover’s ass, savored each long thrust, not able to get enough of the scorching vise driving him insane. He pumped into that velvet glove, sure and hard, losing his mind a little. Hammered home, thrusting furiously.

  Reaching around, he fisted Liam’s cock, stroking in tempo to their movements. He wanted the other man to get off, wanted to feel him lose control.

  “Come with me,” Jude ordered. “Let me feel you.”

  “Oh! I-please, please!” He began to shake. “Harder!”

  Jude slammed deep several more times, and then his balls drew up tight, the hum gathering in the base of his spine.

  “Gonna come inside you… so deep.”

  “Ah, God!”

  Jude exploded, jetting his release inside the hot channel as Liam cried out, ass fluttering, milking his cock. They shuddered together for endless moments, floating down gradually, the sound of their harsh breathing echoing in the bathroom. Neither of them cared to part.

  Jude kissed his lover between the shoulder blades, liking the earthy, male essence of salt on his lips. The other man tilted his head back, nuzzled Jude’s neck.

  “I needed that, thanks,” Liam said.

  “Me, too.”

  “I’m glad I can be here for you when you need… you know.” His tone sounded wistful. A bit sad.

  Jude nipped his shoulder. “No, I don’t know.”

  “Well, s-sometimes a guy just needs a warm body.”

  “Is that all you believe you are to me? A good fuck?” he asked, frowning.

  Liam didn’t answer. Reluctantly, Jude pulled out and turned his friend to face him, hoping he could see the sincerity there. “Listen to me. It’s easy to use a carnal word such as fuck in the heat of passion, but make no mistake-I don’t fuck you. I make love to you. Always have.”

  His friend sniffed, sounded choked up. “If so, you’re the only one.”

  “That’s crazy.” Jude brushed that plump mouth with a soft kiss, then pulled the other man close. “Suppose you tell me what this is all about?”

  “Wh-what do you mean?”

  “Come on, my friend. This is me, remember? I know when you aren’t yourself.”

  Liam tried unsuccessfully to push away. “I’m all right.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  He tensed, then relaxed with a heavy sigh. “I don’t guess you’d have any advice for a guy who’s in the throes of unrequited love?”

  “Someone has hurt you?” He’d snap the neck of the unfortunate asshole who screwed with Liam’s head.

  “Relax, man. They don’t know how I feel,” he replied softly.

  “They? As in an established couple?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Damn.” He laid his hands on Liam’s shoulders. “Must you do everything the hard way, kid?”

  “Like you can talk.”

  “This isn’t about me. I-”

  “Oh, it sort of is,” he said, bitterness coloring his voice. Just as quickly, his tone changed to apologetic. “I’m sorry. Forget I said that. The crappy state of my love life isn’t your fault.”

  “I’m confused. How am I involved? Tell me what’s going on!”

  “Forget it. Things will either work out or they won’t, okay?” His tone begged Jude to drop the subject.

  “Just tell me one thing-am I involved because you’re in love with me?” he asked gently. “Because, Liam, I-”

  “No,” he interrupted, placing his fingers over Jude’s lips.

  “There are all types of love, and what we have is special, but it’s not romantic love. Not what I feel for…”

  “I understand that part at least. When you’re ready to talk about the rest, I’m here to listen.” It was all he could do, and he felt rather helpless.

  “Thanks.” Liam pushed away, and this time Jude let him. When Liam spoke again, his voice was quiet. Thoughtful. “Speaking of relationships, have you fu-made love to Lily?”

  The distinction in terms didn’t escape him. “Yes. Does that upset you?”

  “Of course not.”

  Jude smiled. “Seems our Lily was being straight about sharing our kinks. She-oh, crap.”

  “What?”

  “I sort of promised her that she could join us the next time you and I were together. Would you like that, all of us making love?”

  “Yeah, man. That’ll be freaking hot!” Liam poked his chest, good cheer restored. “Except we didn’t wait for her.”

  “A situation that can easily be remedied tonight. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

  “I’m cool, trust me. I like Lily. There’s something special about her. She fits in here.”

  Warmth spread through Jude’s middle
. “She does.”

  “Jude, I-I…”

  He waited.

  “I’d better get back to the kitchen before I ruin dinner.”

  Jude squashed his disappointment that, in the end, his friend opted not to share what was bothering him. “Nothing fancy. You’ll need lots of energy for later.”

  “Hey, you didn’t hire me to cook you boring food.”

  “No, I hired you because you were the kindest, most beautiful young man I’d ever met,” he said, letting the emotion in his words carry his message. “You had the soul of an angel and you steadied me, made this empty house a home. Don’t ever doubt your place as my dearest friend.”

  Liam grabbed Jude, gave him a brief, hard hug. “That’s all I need to hear,” he said, slapping him on the back.

  “You’ve got me, my friend, and I’m not going anywhere.” Liam turned loose of him and stepped back. “You need help getting dressed?”

  “No, but I do need my cane. It’s still in the studio.” Which he’d trashed. Not his brightest moment.

  “Wait here and I’ll find it.”

  Liam yanked on his clothes and left to fetch the cane, while Jude pulled on his shorts. More like fled. Too much honesty between two guys, he supposed.

  Despite his concern for Liam being put through hell by his mysterious lovers, Jude felt better than he had in days. Maybe it was selfish, but having his best friend and an intriguing woman to fill his home with light was just what he needed. Perhaps it would be enough to pull him back from the precipice, keep him from falling into whatever pit of doom awaited in his dreams.

  Maybe the horror would vanish altogether and he’d never worry again about what he might have forgotten in his past.

  Those secrets would simply vanish into the mists of time as though they’d never been.

  Whoever you were, you’re not that man anymore.

  No matter that his nightmares insisted differently.

  ***

  Lily pulled into a space near the park and glanced around furtively. Pretty sure nobody was paying attention, she flipped open her cell phone and speed-dialed her boss’s number-her real boss, not the arrogant shithead who’d taken over and made the protocol at SHADO nearly unrecognizable.

  “Ross residence,” a very British man said in greeting.

  “Simon? This is Lily Vale. Don’t hang up on me-I have to talk to Michael,” she said, more than a little desperate. “This is regarding one of his agents and he needs to know-”

  “Miss Vale, I’ll impart to you what I’ve said at least twice before. Michael has given me strict orders that he is not to be disturbed under any circumstances.”

  “But-”

  “That includes fire, flood, the next apocalypse, and wayward agents.”

  “He has to hear-”

  “The man is grieving and he has a full staff of educated personnel quite capable of handling whatever conundrum they’ve muddled their way into,” he said politely. But firmly. “I promise to have him phone you at his earliest convenience. Good-bye, love.”

  Click.

  “Fuck! Fuckity-fuck-fuck!”

  A knock on her window nearly sent her into cardiac arrest. Jumping in her seat, she whipped her head around to find Robert Dietz smiling at her in amusement. Jackass.

  Shouldering her purse, she shoved the cell phone and keys inside, got out, and punched the lock. Dietz stood back, waiting, and gestured toward her purse.

  “I think you beat your poor phone to death.”

  She shot the tall, sandy- haired man an annoyed look. “Crappy service. What can you do?”

  “I can relate,” he said, nodding. “Let’s walk.”

  They headed into the park, two nice professional- looking people out for a stroll. No one paid them any mind. “When you called, I told you I don’t have much.”

  She braced herself for his question.

  “Have you administered the first dose?”

  “I have it planned for tonight,” she answered truthfully. Her stomach rebelled.

  His piercing blue eyes pinned her with a searching look; then he seemed to relax. “Not as soon as I’d hoped, but it will do. What else do you have?”

  “What makes you think I have squat?”

  “Because you’re one of my best agents, that’s why.” He smirked.

  One of Michael’s best, needle dick.

  “As a matter of fact, I do. I’ve found St. Laurent’s war room.” The instant the words left her mouth, she felt as though she’d betrayed Jude. She hated the crawling, oily sensation on her skin. “Or at least I believe so.”

  “I don’t pay you to tell me what you believe. I want results.” He said it as calmly as if he’d remarked on the Yankees’ current stats.

  She restrained the sudden urge to break his nose. “The access is in his master closet. Behind a hidden panel there’s a ladder descending to what is, in my opinion, an underground room. I think it’s likely we’ll find one or both of the files secreted there.”

  “And were you planning on receiving an engraved invitation to visit it? Why the hell haven’t you been down there?”

  “I’m not exactly alone in the house,” she snapped. “The housekeeper only comes once a week, but his chef lives there full-time…”

  In horror, she trailed off, hoping to keep the bald emotion from her expression. Sweet Mother of God, she’d just thrown Liam to the wolves. Her pulse beat a mad tattoo in her chest. If Dietz suspected she had an ounce of feeling for her new friend, he wouldn’t hesitate to use it to his advantage.

  “Make an opportunity, slip St. Laurent and the chef both something if you have to, but get down there and see exactly what he’s got. I’ll expect a full report tomorrow.”

  She stopped walking and gaped at him. “You want me to go down there tonight?”

  “What better time? You’re giving our rogue agent the first dose, putting the chef out of commission. Hell, poison him, too. Who will know?”

  Lily felt the blood drain from her face. “No. Both sick at the same time? If they didn’t suspect foul play, someone else would, eventually. It’s too risky.”

  “Fine. I don’t give two shits how you corral the O’Neil kid, just do it.”

  Oh, God. “You know his name?”

  “Vale, I know everything.” Dietz gave her a wolfish grin. “I know, for example, when sweet Liam makes his trips into the city, and who he meets for a torrid tryst when he’s supposedly out buying groceries. I know he likes to jog along that isolated road out there in the mornings. Alone. Unprotected. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Crystal,” she said, choking down her rage.

  “Good. Don’t fail in your mission to kill St. Laurent, and pretty Liam lives to fuck you by the pool another day.” Reaching out, he touched her cheek. “Talk to you tomorrow, Miss Vale.”

  He left her there, rooted to the spot, staring at his retreating back. In the space of ten minutes, the motherfucker had redefined the meaning of hell.

  Dietz was everywhere, eyes and ears watching her every move. He knew things, personal stuff, he wasn’t supposed to-

  Like a cog clicking into place, she recalled what Dietz had said during their last phone conversation. The pesky detail that had escaped her.

  When your upbringing is as pathetic and hardscrabble as St. Laurent’s, it can damage a man.

  Dietz was referring to Jude’s past. His upbringing in the red-light district of New Orleans, son of a whore and her john.

  A past that was not noted anywhere in Jude’s file.

  How had Dietz learned that information? What the fuck was going on? No answers, and night would fall too soon.

  Then she’d have to begin killing Jude.

  One wicked sin at a time.

  Eight

  Lily’s nerves were frayed by the time she returned to the estate. Just so she didn’t show up empty- handed and risk arousing suspicion, she’d stopped at a trendy boutique and bought a blouse, hardly noticing what she’d chosen. She couldn’t br
ing herself to care.

  Shopping bag in hand, she parked in the massive garage and entered through the kitchen, halting in her tracks at the sight of Liam stirring something on the stove and singing. Happy as the proverbial clam, handsome face shining.

  Glancing over at her, his gray eyes lit up. “Hey! I see you found something. What did you buy?” His smile died. “Jesus, what’s wrong? You look like someone boiled your bunny.”

  She shook herself mentally and rolled her eyes. “Traffic. It’s not quite as bad here as in California, but I’d forgotten how insane the drivers are in Westchester. I think I need a Valium now.”

  “Hmm. How about a glass of Merlot instead? It’ll taste better, too.”

  “Sounds lovely.”

  Liam took a bottle from the wine rack in the corner of the kitchen and uncorked it. He fetched two glasses and poured the wine, then handed her one.

  “Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”

  “I get that a lot. Cheers.”

  They clinked glasses and Lily took a sip, moaning in bliss. “Oh, this is good.”

  “Yeah.” He stared out the window over the sink with a dreamy expression, a half smile curving those yummy lips.

  “What are you…?” She giggled. “He nailed you, didn’t he?”

  “So crude! I’m shocked, Miss Vale.”

  “Oh, you’d be surprised. Somehow, though, I doubt anything could shock you where Jude is concerned.” She studied him, wondering if there was more information she could pump from Liam, stuff he wasn’t even aware of.

  Liam sighed. “He’s an incredible man, unlike anyone I’ve ever known. Except maybe you. Being incredible, and so not a man.”

  “I hear a but in there. Is this where you fess up as to what’s got you turned inside out? Or who?”

  Belatedly, she recalled Dietz hinting at Liam’s secret liaisons with someone and cursed herself for not questioning it at the time. Though if she’d shown interest, the bastard probably wouldn’t have told her.

  “And ruin a perfectly nice afternoon? Of course not.”

  “All right. I can take a hint. Just remember, you’re pretty incredible yourself and nobody has the right to make you feel otherwise.”

  Sadness flashed in his eyes, there and gone. “Nah. I’m just the short-order cook, dishwasher, and onetime window repairman as of today.”