Chapter 8

Aaron heard noises coming from inside the house. He sat up on the bed and tried to focus. Fear gripped him and his first reaction was to hide. But… he then saw Garrett look into the bedroom where he had been trying to nap and keep calm.

“Oh, thank God.” Aaron leapt out of the bed and raced to him, holding him. “I’ve been a wreck all day worrying about you.”

“Okay.” Garrett patted his shoulder to comfort him.

“What happened? I was afraid to watch the news.” Aaron kept touching him. He could smell the scent of Garrett’s sweat, as if he were stressed or physically taxed. Was it any wonder?

“I need a shower.” Garrett took off his clothing, his suit jacket, and tie, tossing them on a chair and then he looked around the room. “Did you clean?”

“I did.”

“Thanks.” Garrett seemed shocked. He hung up the suit and tie and dropped the shirt, briefs, and socks he wore into a laundry basket. He placed his pistol on the dresser with his wallet and ID.

Aaron followed him around nervously. “Can you talk about it?”

Garrett rubbed his face as if he were exhausted. “Some of it.” He entered the bathroom and raised the lid on the toilet, standing in front of it.

While Garrett relieved himself, Aaron leaned on the doorframe of the bathroom and admired him. Every sinewy muscle on Garrett’s back showed through his satiny skin.

“Uh.” Garrett finished and flushed, then reached in to start the water running in the tub. “The director thinks you’re dead.”

Aaron winced and definitely did not want details of the deed. “Okay.”

“He was so thrilled, he invited me over for dinner.” Garrett climbed into the tub and wetted down.

Aaron expressed his distaste and moved closer to the sliding frosted doors. “Okay.”

“His offer to have me over is his first mistake. Man, these men of power are so cocky. They think they’re above the law, and nothing can touch them. They make me sick.”

Aaron didn’t understand but nodded anyway as Garrett washed under his pits, showing off a sexy tuft of hair.

“And I spoke to a former military woman in the Office of Accountability. She also gave me some advice.”

“Okay.”

Garrett finished washing his body, including his groin, and shut the taps. Aaron handed him a freshly laundered towel.

Sniffing it, Garrett asked, “You did the wash too?”

“I’m domesticated.” Aaron laughed. “Yes. I did.”

“That’s great. I appreciate it.” Garrett stepped out of the tub onto the bathmat. “I went food shopping on the way home. So, there’s food in the house.”

“Good.” Aaron watched Garrett as he dried his legs, feet, back, hair… man, you are gorgeous .

“So? I’m dead?” Aaron asked, but not amused.

“Yes.” Garrett draped the towel over the shower door and rolled on deodorant. “I suggest you change your look if you want to go out of the house.”

“Change how?” Aaron touched his designer stubble.

“Hair? Beard? The works.” Garrett ran a comb through his short brown hair.

Aaron rubbed his heavy jaw stubble with his palm. “Okay.”

“I bought hair dye. Blond.” Garrett smiled at him wryly.

Just as Garrett was going to leave the bathroom to dress, Aaron stood in front of him, eyeing him hungrily.

Garrett gave him a knowing smile.

Aaron kissed his lips, then ran kisses down Garrett’s neck, chest, and abdomen, and then knelt in front of him.

~

Garrett held the doorframe over Aaron’s head as his cock was enveloped into his mouth. Having a partner to have regular sex with was a perk he never expected. Not only that, but Aaron also didn’t sit on his thumbs all day like a spoiled debutant. He cleaned, did the laundry, and appeared to have even washed and vacuumed the floors.

While Aaron hummed and gave him a blowjob, Garrett stared at this handsome man and the attraction began once more. He and Aaron had amazing sexual chemistry. There was no denying it.

Aaron massaged under Garrett’s balls and pushed a wet finger into his ass. Garrett wasn’t used to ass-play, so he came instantly. Garrett closed his eyes, feeling the intensity of pleasure rush over him.

Aaron moaned in delight as he swallowed.

Garrett caught his breath while he recovered and looked into Aaron’s dark brown eyes, his dick still inside his mouth. The love coming from Aaron was unmistakable.

Garrett appreciated it, but didn’t know if he could return it. His whole life he’d avoided attachments. But the sex was nice.

“Thanks.” Garrett cupped Aaron’s coarse jaw.

Aaron stood, looking shy. Maybe he wanted to hear three magic words. But Garrett wouldn’t say them unless he felt it.

So far, he was very fond of Aaron.

He pecked his lips and bypassed him, getting to his clean clothing, happy to see the laundry had indeed been done and he had fresh items to wear.

~

Aaron’s adoration of Garrett had blossomed into a full-blown crush. No. More than that. Love. Man, he loved this guy.

He watched as Garrett dressed in shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt, and then they relocated to the kitchen.

The larder was stocked, including more beer. Garrett removed two bottles from the fridge and uncapped them, handing one to him.

As Garrett prepared dinner, Aaron had a feeling he wasn’t going to get too much information from him. Maybe it was better this way. Did he want to know how Garrett had staged his death?

Um. No?

Did he want to know the details about top secret missions and personnel?

Um. No?

All he wanted was to lead a happy life. To be Mrs Garrett Finnigan and wait on this man hand and foot.

But happy endings… they were the stuff of fantasies. Hell, even the gay films that were produced now had all the gay men dead in the end.

Maybe that’s what the world secretly wanted.

Aaron tried not to overwhelm himself with sadness at the hatred of society, the right of marriage being denied, and the shame being cast on same sex couples.

But who knows? Maybe one day they would legalize gay marriage. Hell, we may even have a gay or black man, or even a woman president someday.

One could only hope.

~

Garrett made dinner. He grilled burgers on the barbecue on the back patio. The summer evening was muggy and had very little wind. Rain was predicted, and overnight there would be thundershowers.

His yard needed tending, mowing, weeding… He did what he could on weekends and after hours.

Drinking a cold beer while he flipped burgers on the grill, Garrett heard the back slider open and close. Aaron brought a plate out for the cooked meat.

“Man, it’s still so hot out.” Aaron winced at the humidity.

The small backyard had a high privacy fence so unless his neighbors were on their roofs, they couldn’t see in. He removed the four burgers from the hot grill and placed them on the plate Aaron held for him.

Garrett shut the barbecue lid and smoke rose out of it from the burning fat. The aroma was nice. Appetizing.

Garrett opened the slider, and they reentered the kitchen, where the A/C kept the house cool. Aaron had made a garden salad and there were crinkle cut french-fries from the oven. Bagged, frozen, but decent when baked.

Once they had everything on the table, both men took warmed sliced buns and made their burgers. Lettuce, onions, pickles, the works.

They devoured the food quietly, and Garrett watched Aaron eat, wondering what to do about him. Now that he was supposedly dead, he certainly couldn’t go back to his apartment. He’d spoken to Ms Ginsberg about relocating him, like in the witness protection program, but that wasn’t her department. She gave him a referral but didn’t guarantee Aaron qualified. He wasn’t a witness in a grand jury case, testifying… yet.

Aaron seemed attuned to his inner thoughts. He peeked at him from over his food. “You want me out of here.”

Swallowing his mouthful, Garrett said, “There’s no urgency.”

“But… I know. I need to go.”

“You can safely leave the state. I’ll help you buy a new car.”

“And go where?”

After reading Aaron’s file, Garrett knew he was an orphan with no relatives. He didn’t answer Aaron’s question because he had no answer to give him.

“Am I getting on your nerves?” Aaron asked as he ate the fries.

“No.” Garrett shook his head, because Aaron wasn’t. Not at all.

“You just prefer the space.”

“No. Aaron?” Garrett peered at him. “I can’t have a man live here. If anyone finds out I’m gay, I’ll most likely lose my job, or worse.”

Aaron winced.

“Look. I keep to myself because anyone I like can be used as a pawn against me. If I have a spouse or kids, even a dog, how easy is it for someone to take them to use to torture me?”

Aaron set his food down on the plate and gawked at him. “What the hell do you do for a living?”

“I told you. I’m a professional.” Garrett finished one burger and worked on the second.

“A professional what?”

“I’m like a cleanup crew. A fixer of sorts. I do government contract work, mostly.”

“Maybe you can be something else. Like normal people.”

Garrett laughed and ate more fries. “Maybe.”

“I don’t want to leave you.”

Garrett stared into Aaron’s brown eyes. “Don’t fall for me. Don’t.”

“Too late.”

Sitting back on the kitchen chair, Garrett sighed loudly. “Aaron. Come on. You and me? It can’t work.”

“I kinda think it’s been working.” Aaron shrugged innocently. “You need a little domestic help? Someone to clean? Do stuff? And the sex isn’t bad.”

Garrett wiped his mouth on a paper napkin and stared at Aaron as he shyly avoided direct eye contact and ate only one burger.

Aaron meekly glanced at him. “Just sayin’.”

Staring around the clean kitchen, trying not to think about how lonely he’d been, Garrett picked up his second burger and took another bite.

He had no idea what to do. Huh? Change your name, Aaron? Huh? Say what? That you’re my cousin? Huh?

~

Aaron knew he was overstepping his bounds. After what Garrett had already done for him, it was tough to ask for more.

But they had something, didn’t they?

Or was all this love and affection just projecting? Just wishful thinking?

Where am I going to go?

Aaron lost his appetite and slouched in the chair, staring at the food left on his plate.

Unloved. Unwanted.

Story of my life.

~

After dinner, Garrett worked on the computer while Aaron cleaned up the kitchen, washing dishes.

He had a list of work assignments to choose from but until he’d laid the job he was on to rest, he didn’t take anymore.

Payment from the director had reached his bank account. It was very generous. Over his usual earnings. Since Garrett was frugal, he had quite the tidy sum in his bank account.

The pricy payment only intensified Garrett’s need to expose the corruption. Why does the director have two-hundred grand to fund his illegal schemes? That’s more than the man should earn in a year.

Wow. You are one cocky SOB.

These men of power assumed money and clout made them above the law. Perhaps it did.

In his career, Garrett had not seen many white-collar criminals serve time.

The lowly street drug peddlers got life in prison, but the corrupt senators and operators that funded illegal activity abroad served none. Barely a day behind bars.

It made him sick.

Now that he had the director’s home address, Garrett used the computer to do research. He located old real estate sales files to inspect the layout.

A mansion. Huge. Eight bedrooms, a pool, four-car garage… this man was into something big. Something that made him a very wealthy man.

And no one thinks this is odd? Trips on yachts with supreme court judges? Elaborate gifts of art and artifacts from around the globe? Hello? Corruption! Anyone care?

Garrett shook his head at how rampant government graft was. As long as everyone got a piece of the pie, they shut up and turned a blind eye.

Shouldn’t he? Huh? He got two years’ salary for killing a man. Any other stooge would take the money and move on, smirking at the easy cash and eager for more dirty jobs.

After nearly two hours of research, Garrett shut down the computer and made notes for himself. The dinner visit with the director was this coming weekend and so was the funeral for Henderson.

Since he didn’t hear anything from Aaron, not even the sound of the TV, Garrett left the study and looked for him before he did his evening exercise routine. The light was on in the master bedroom bathroom. Garrett had purchased disposable enemas, since he and Aaron were having regular sex.

Garrett left him alone and changed into gym-shorts, then was about to head to his little workout room when the bathroom door opened. Garrett stopped short.

Aaron had dyed his hair bleach blond, shaven his designer stubble, and trimmed his hair short, like a buzzcut for a jarhead.

He’d even dyed his eyebrows blond.

“Holy shit.” Garrett would not recognize him if he saw him on the street.

Aaron held out his arms, as if asking for his opinion. “I look like a dork. A Ken doll, right?”

“You don’t look like a dork, but I have to tell ya, you don’t look like you, which is perfect.”

“This is insane.” Aaron ran his hand over his crewcut.

“Come here.” Garrett craned his index finger and smiled.

Aaron approached him and fell against him.

In his ear, Garrett whispered, “You can go out now. Go out of the house and not be followed or recognized. And, I may have a thing for blonds now.”

He felt Aaron laugh.

“We need a new name. Do you have any favorites?”

“Brad.”

Garrett leaned back to stare at him. “Pitt?”

“God, could ya die?” Aaron expressed his opinion of the twenty-seven-year-old actor.

“Brad, yes, Pitt, no. How about Brad Houston?”

“That sounds like a porn name! I like it!” Aaron giggled and held Garrett’s hips.

“I was given a contact in the witness protection program. But I know of a way to get you fake ID instead.”

Shaking his head, Aaron said, “You dudes sure know all the right people.”

“I don’t know about ‘right.’ But we know how to make people disappear.” Garrett thought of the fake death he’d staged.

“Okay. Brad Houston. Where am I from?”

“KISS.”

Aaron tilted his head and then shrugged and leaned in for a smooch.

Laughing, Garrett said, “Keep It Simple, Stupid. You’re from Texas.”

“Ah. I get it. Houston. Right. Good.”

“I’ll get you a fake Texas ID tomorrow.” Garrett kissed him, ran his hand over Aaron’s buzzcut, and laughed, then he entered the small workout room to exercise.

~

Aaron returned to the bathroom and inspected his appearance. He wished he had blue eyes. But, not bad. Not bad. He wouldn’t know him either.

He touched the dark hair on his chest and snapped his fingers. “Damn. Forgot the chest and pubes.” He used shaving gel and a razor and shaved off his chest hair in front of the bathroom sink.

~

Garrett did sit-ups, pullups, pushups, and shadow-boxed for a half hour after the calisthenics. He usually ran ten miles late in the evening, but let it go for now.

The weather report looked grim.

Finished with his workout, Garrett shut the lights and wandered to the living room. Aaron was watching TV wearing just gym shorts. With his new look, Garrett kept staring at him. He kind of liked it. Sort of Malibu-babe-ish.

While he cooled down from the exercise, he noticed the clouds had moved in, making the summer evening dark and ominous.

Aaron shut the TV and stood beside him. The interior of the living room grew dark without the television set on. Garrett drew Aaron closer as rain began to fall. White jagged light illuminated the street and then the crack of thunder rumbled.

“It’s gonna be a good one,” Aaron whispered, also holding Garrett around his waist.

“We have a generator.”

“Of course you do.” Aaron laughed and squeezed him close. “My boy scout.”

My? Garrett tried to see Aaron’s profile, but he was too close, and the interior of the room grew even darker.

Another light flashed and they both said softly, “One-one-thousand, two-two-thousand…” counting the distance of the storm. It was drawing closer.

Aaron rested his head on Garrett’s shoulder, and they watched the thunderstorm together.

~

Just standing with this man lit Aaron’s libido. In the safety of their home, Aaron kissed Garrett’s shoulder and neck, tasting the salt from his workout. His attraction to him was strong. Garrett let out a low purr, just audible over the crackling thunderclaps. It was enough to let Aaron know he was willing. Aaron had no doubt.

He cupped his palm over Garrett’s tight ass and slipped his fingers into the front of his gym shorts.

An erect cock was under the light fabric. “Make love to me.”

Garrett turned towards him, his light eyes gleaming in the lightning storm’s eerie glow.

A killer or a saint? A man couldn’t be both.

Aaron interlaced their fingers and led Garrett to the master bedroom. He yanked off his own shorts and relaxed on the bed, spread wide, knees bent. He had cleaned up after seeing Garrett had bought disposable enemas.

Garrett stripped off his shorts and touched himself as he admired him. Aaron couldn’t get over how perfect this man’s body was. That tat. So cool.

Garrett crawled over the bed to lie on top of him, and Aaron righted their dicks to rest side by side and kissed Garrett.

He wondered… if the sex was good enough, maybe Garrett would fall for him. Maybe he’d let him stay.

Maybe.

Shit. I mean, come on. They could be roommates. Other guys roomed together and were platonic. Being in the same house didn’t necessarily brand you gay, did it?

While their foreplay lit the fire in them both, Aaron ran his finger down Garrett’s ass crack to his rim and massaged it. Hot pulsating and stickiness pressed against him. “Fuck me,” Aaron hissed and raised his hips.

“Oh, Jesus.” Garrett knelt upright and grabbed a condom and the gel.

Aaron was so excited, a string of precum ran from his slit to his abdomen.

He pulled his knees back and craved penetration, yearned the physical union with this amazing man.

Garrett held the base of his dick and pushed inside him. Shivers raced up Aaron’s spine and his cock wagged and swelled even more.

Once Garrett had made deep penetration, he braced himself and watched the act as he thrust in. All Aaron had to do to come was touch himself, but he resisted, trying to make it last.

Garrett’s gaze swept up Aaron’s body until they were staring at each other. Aaron couldn’t get over the intensity of Garrett’s stare, his intelligence, his cunning and strength. It was true. The eyes were indeed the window of the soul, like Shakespeare had said. Deep inside Garrett’s blue orbs was everything you needed to know about him. His honesty, his integrity, his loyalty, and his fierceness.

The heart of a lion was inside this Special Forces man, and Aaron could not love him anymore than he did at that moment.

Garrett’s grimace of pleasure appeared, and his motions grew faster, deeper. With lightning and thunder creating a show inside the four walls of their room as well as outside in the night, Garrett came.

The internal stimulation was so perfect, Aaron spattered jizz all over his own chest while his ass clenched, and his body went into a power-rush of chills.

Garrett choked and grunted on his climax and his arms shook from the pleasure.

They enjoyed the sensation and aftershocks, and then panted for breath. Garrett pulled out and dropped down on top of Aaron.

Aaron felt their sweat and his semen sealing them together. He squeezed Garrett tight, tasting the sweat on his jaw and whispered, “I love you. More than you will ever know.”

Garrett’s body went limp after the comment, and they held each other tight as the storm raged over the area, shaking the very foundations of the home.