Chapter 5

Aaron stirred after what felt like a deep sleep. He rolled over and looked at the digital clock. It was five. Aaron sat up and rubbed his face, scratching over the stiff hairs on his jaw. He listened but didn’t hear any movement in the house. Once he’d freshened up in the bathroom, he left the guestroom and headed down the stairs. The radio had been shut off.

Aaron felt a pang of nerves and tiptoed to the study. Garrett obviously had superhero hearing because when Aaron peeked in, Garrett was watching the open doorway.

“Hey.” Aaron crossed his arms and leaned on the doorframe.

Garrett gave Aaron’s body a quick onceover and then stood from the swivel chair.

Aaron saw he was still armed. “Did you just get here?”

“Yes.” Garrett brushed by him and made his way to the staircase.

Aaron followed. “And? What did you find out?”

Once inside his bedroom, Garrett removed his shoulder holster, ankle holster, bowie knife… geez, dude. Aaron saw sweat stains on Garrett’s shirt, as if he had worked out or been overheated.

After Garrett had shed his armor, he took off his shoes. “It ain’t good, pal.”

A pit of terror washed over Aaron. He sat next to Garrett on the bed. “Are you going to turn me in?”

“No.” Garrett shook his head and rubbed his face as if he were exhausted.

“What happened?” Aaron liked this man. Yeah, sure, he was hot for him. But Garrett seemed genuine. In a world of phonies, this military man was a straight shooter. (pun intended)

“I don’t even know what information I can tell you.” Garrett yawned and ran his hand over his brown hair. “It’s seriously fucked up.”

Aaron rubbed Garrett’s shoulder over his cotton shirt. The size of this man’s deltoids and how solid it was surprised him.

“Man, are you tense.” Aaron shook his head, then knelt behind Garrett and massaged his neck and shoulders.

Garrett stiffened up at the touch, then slumped, letting his head fall forward.

Aaron tried to dig his thumbs into the knots in Garrett’s upper back. Yeah, yeah, maybe he was perving on the guy a little, touching him, but he felt badly too. The crap Garrett was enduring was because of him.

~

Garrett closed his eyes at the soothing touch. He tried to remember the last time a man had his hands on him and they weren’t punching each other.

He knew Aaron was gay.

Then, a thought hit him. While he was out, did Aaron snoop? If so, then he knew…

Okay . Garrett assumed this was why Aaron felt comfortable doing what he was doing right now. You snooped.

Taking a deep breath, Garrett appreciated the care. He was a loner by choice. Like he’d thought earlier, if you don’t have loved ones, you can’t be tortured by their torture.

So? He’d kept his distance.

But he was attracted to Aaron. And liked his hands on him.

Yes, he’d learned about the money laundering scheme, and about the crooks stealing government secrets, but he’d also learned a lot about Aaron Zefron.

And he got it.

He too, was a loner. Orphaned. Foster homes. Arrested.

When Aaron’s hand squeezed his shoulder again, Garrett grabbed his wrist. He was so quick, Aaron let out a gasp.

Garrett held that hand and slowly scooted around on the foot of the bed. Aaron’s brown eyes widened in apprehension, as if he expected a rebuking or worse. A punch.

Garrett’s skin broke out in sweat, but this time not from nerves. From lust.

~

Aaron wondered if he’d crossed a line, touching Garrett. But the second the macho man met his gaze, Aaron read the sensual desire. There was no mistake.

Oh, fuck yes.

Aaron cupped Garrett’s coarse jaw affectionately. “You are so fucking gorgeous.”

Garrett’s light eyes seemed to glow as he slowly inched up Aaron’s body, making Aaron drop to his back on the bed.

Take it. Oh, hell, yes. Take anything you want, babe .

Aaron’s cock pulsated under his clothing and his breathing heightened.

Garrett rested his considerable weight on top of him and they stared into each other’s eyes. Then, Garrett seemed to look at his lips.

Aaron cupped the back of Garrett’s head through his soft short, brown hair and drew him into that desired kiss.

The act seemed to set Garrett on fire. He squeezed Aaron’s upper arms, and the kissing was passionate as well as aggressive. Aaron’s body covered in chills. He spread his legs, bent his knees, and would beg Garrett for it.

Garrett knelt up and tore his own shirt off.

At the sight of that wall of muscled chest, Aaron nearly came in his pants. A small tattoo was on his pectoral muscle. It was the same insignia Aaron had seen framed on the wall.

Aaron yanked at his own clothing, wanting skin to skin.

While Garrett undressed hastily, Aaron threw his items on the floor and touched himself, ready to blow.

Naked, Garrett paused to take him in, his chest heaving as his excitement grew. A second later, Garrett opened the nightstand drawer, slipped on a condom, and used lube.

Aaron grabbed his own knees and pulled them back, exposing his ass.

“Oh, geez.” Garrett closed his eyes and then opened them, aimed his big dick between Aaron’s legs and thrusting in.

Aaron gasped and gripped the bedding. His own cock was crimson, and the veins showed along its length. Precum began to drip from the slit.

Garrett banged him hard, the bed making creaking noises, and the headboard hitting the wall.

“Fuck!” Garrett closed his eyes, threw back his head, and came.

Aaron gawked at the vision of this man in climax. He touched his own cock and sprayed cum all over his own chest as his ass clenched and the hot pulsating coming from both of them rocked him to the core.

Aaron continued jerking himself off as the waves washed over him. Garrett kept a slow in-out rhythm, as if he too, was still experiencing the pleasure.

Then, Garrett braced himself on the bed with both hands, panting, sweat running down his muscular arms and chest.

Aaron released his hold on himself and touched his sticky skin. He felt as if he’d just run a marathon. He panted, gasped, and held his heart over his ribs feeling it pound.

Garrett pulled out slowly and sat on his heels, staring at him.

I fucking love you . Aaron was hooked.

He got a sweet pat on the thigh and then Garrett stood and offered to haul him up.

Aaron clasped that big paw and stood beside this amazing man. Garrett entered the bathroom and worked the tight rubber off while Aaron recovered, a little woozy from the intense climax.

Garrett threw out the used rubber and turned on the water in the shower. Once he was in the tub, he grabbed Aaron by his forearm and drew him in with him.

As they rinsed under the cool spray, Aaron couldn’t believe how intense his feelings were for this man. He didn’t love anyone. There was no one in his life to love.

He wasn’t even sure he could feel a strong tie to anyone.

How wrong could he be?

He pressed his wet body against this military hero and kissed him.

~

Garrett loved the mind-blowing sex. Yeah. No kidding! What he didn’t expect was affection. Aaron really liked him.

There was no denying that.

When you learn how to read people, you know the signs.

Garrett accepted the grateful kisses. Yes, he was this man’s savior. His guardian. He knew how that worked. Hero worship.

He wasn’t sure he could return the emotional affection as easily. But, hell, the sex is nice.

Parting from their kisses, Garrett smiled at him.

Aaron looked like he’d had an emotional awakening.

“Let’s finish up and have dinner,” Garrett said softly.

“Okay.”

He rinsed off after washing himself and stepped out of the tub, rubbing a towel over his hair. As Aaron shut the taps and rolled back the frosted door, Garrett watched him in the mirror’s reflection. He liked what he saw. Liked it a lot.

~

“The local police have called it a mugging and are following a cold trail.”

“Good.”

“What’s Colorado’s status?”

“He contacted me today. He stated the suspect fled, as we suspected he would. That he’d located his car at the airport.”

“Is he in pursuit?”

“I assume he’s preparing to follow.”

“Why did you pick that man for the job?”

“Because. He’s a trained killer. He obeys orders.”

“A professional.”

“Yes. Special forces. He’s like a robot. He has no emotions. He’ll get the job done.”

“Should we tail him? Bug his phones?”

“What for?”

“To be sure?”

“Colorado is a ruthless killer. I’m already sure.”

“You’re the boss.”

“Yes. Don’t forget it.” Click .

~

Aaron dressed in clean clothing from his suitcase. Garrett went back to his stoic silence. After he rummaged through the freezer and refrigerator, Garrett leafed through food delivery menu options.

“I ate the Chinese food. Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Aaron stood close to Garrett but didn’t feel the ‘warm and fuzzies’ from him even after sex.

“Pizza?” Garrett asked, holding up a paper menu.

“Delivered?”

“It’s fine if I’m the one opening the door.”

Shrugging, Aaron said, “Pizza works.”

“Anything you don’t like?”

“Anchovies.”

Garrett picked up the landline phone and dialed. “Yeah. I’d like two large pizzas delivered…”

Aaron avoided the front windows even with the blinds and curtains covering them.

“… can ya add two six packs of beer to that order? Thanks.” Garrett hung up and rubbed his face as if he were weary.

Aaron didn’t know what to do or say to help. But he did have one idea. “Um.”

Garrett headed to his liquor cabinet and poured amber liquid into a tumbler glass with ice.

“I was wondering. You know my contact? Steinmetz?”

Garrett raised the decanter, offering.

“Yes. Thanks.”

He was poured a glass. Bourbon on the rocks. Nice.

Garrett put the stopper back on the glass decanter and entered the living room, sitting on the sofa with his drink.

Aaron followed and sat across from him on a matching beige fabric-covered chair. He held the glass in both hands, near his knees. “I wonder if he can help. He seemed to know a lot.”

“Can’t risk it.” Garrett took a deep drink of the booze.

“Then, how can I help?”

“You can’t.” Garrett finished the drink down to the ice and rested the glass on his wide thigh in one of his big paws. “Ya wanna stay alive?”

“It’d be nice.”

“Then, do as I say.”

Aaron gave him a playful salute, but Garrett didn’t even crack a smile. “Um. How long are you going to let me hide here?”

“As long as you need it. I’m not letting you out of my sight. You know something. Either that, or they want you arrested for that murder so the police no longer investigate it.”

“So, I was used as a scapegoat? That’s it?” Aaron sipped the strong liquor.

“I’m not sure the end game.”

Aaron studied Garrett’s light eyes. “You found out something.”

Garrett stood and poured himself another drink.

“You found out something!” Aaron watched him cross the room and sit back down. “What? What did you find out?”

“Aaron.” Garrett shook his head in admonishment. “First of all, the less you know, the better. Secondly, I’m not sure what I found out. Seriously. I have to sort it out first.”

“Holy shit. Is it big?”

“Yes.”

“Big like in national security big, or big like corruption big?”

“Aaron.” Garrett shook his head again.

“Look…” Aaron relocated to sit beside Garrett on the couch. “I was a messenger for some kind of government operator. They had me informing spies, or whatever the fuck they were, on how much the fees were for secrets. Spy shit on microfilm. I was the monkey in the middle for their deals, so they didn’t get their hands dirty. They paid me in cash. Steinmetz. Paid me cash. In hundreds. Under the table. Do you think I don’t know something shitty was going on?”

~

Garrett finished the second glass of bourbon, staring into Aaron’s deep brown eyes. “I know exactly what you did. Your involvement made it easy for them to stay anonymous. You were their patsy. An easy target for when something went wrong. Well? Something went wrong and look where you are.”

“And you don’t trust me?”

“I do trust you. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here, in my home.”

When Aaron appeared frustrated, Garrett set the empty glass of ice on the side table and pulled him into his arms. He nuzzled his neck. “Look… I need to figure out what the fuck is going on and why I was hired to hunt you.”

Aaron tried to sit up to gape at him, but Garrett held him tighter. “Yes. I was asked to bring you back to the director or to neutralize you.”

“Nu… nu… neutralize me?”

“Yes.” Garrett pressed his lips against Aaron’s cheek. He purred, “You’re lucky they chose me, or you’d be dead.”

“They… they wanted me dead?” He felt Aaron tense.

“Yes. They would have preferred that to having you in custody, where you could talk, ask for a lawyer…”

“You… you… you’ve done that?”

“Stop talking.” Garrett felt a nice headiness from the booze and nibbled Aaron’s ear.

When someone rang the doorbell, Aaron nearly leapt out of his skin. Garrett whispered, “Pizza.”

“Oh.”

Garrett tasted Aaron’s neck with a little nip and then stood, taking his wallet out of his pocket. “Stay there.”

Aaron held up his hands and nodded, looking pale.

Garrett opened the door after looking through the spyhole. The pizza boy held two flat boxes and a bag with the six-packs of beer. “Fifteen dollars and seventy-five cents, please.”

Garrett handed him a twenty. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you, sir!” He was given a big smile.

Holding the bag in one arm, and the two pizzas balanced on his free hand, Garrett used his foot to close the door and carried the aromatic pies into the kitchen.

Aaron leapt off the couch to help.

Once he unloaded his arms, Garrett returned to the front door, opened it, studied his surroundings, and then shut it, bolting it.

When he entered the kitchen, Aaron seemed to take the news about his assassination to heart. Why wouldn’t he? He didn’t sign onto that.

Garrett set two plates on the table and then removed the beer from the brown paper bag, took two bottles out, placed the rest in the fridge, and then put one of the two pies into the oven to keep warm.

He sat down on the chair and opened the cardboard top, removing a slice. “Sit down. Stop overthinking it.” He moved a chair out with his foot.

Aaron dropped down on it and appeared to still be in shock.

Garrett folded the thin slice in half and took a big bite. “Tastes great.” He then twisted off the bottle caps and drank his beer from the pony-neck brown bottle. “Eat, will ya?”

~

Aaron took a slice of the cheese pizza to his plate but knowing he was supposed to be ‘neutralized’ by a trained killer? What the hell did I do to deserve that?

What if it hadn’t been Garrett? Huh? What if some other goon was hired? Huh? I’d be dead, that’s what if.

“Don’t ask me to tell you things if you can’t handle it.” Garrett devoured the first slice and was on his second.

Snapping back to the present, Aaron took a bite of the pizza and chewed while staring at the man across the table. One he’d made love to. “You kill people?”

Garrett’s gaze was unnerving as he chewed, and he did not answer.

“Wow.” Aaron sipped the beer. “Wow.”