Nothing Special V, page 8
part #5 of Nothing Special Series
Tech feared what this man could do, but he was also turned on by him. Had he used that weapon on an enemy? A terrorist? Tech could almost see him in his mind. Moving masterfully around a man, punching and stabbing at vital organs with one hand. Jesus. Tech blinked out of his fascinated state. His cock was rising in his slim jeans, which could go very wrong if Steele looked down. He cleared his throat, but his voice was still husky. “I’ll get that put in.” He watched Steele slowly lift the hem of his shirt, a sneak peak of dark brown hair leading to his navel briefly came into view while he placed that dangerous blade somewhere near his armpit.
“It’s in a sheath that wraps around my bicep.” Steele smirked, answering Tech’s unspoken question.
“That’s very unique. What’s it called?” Tech coughed again and turned to get his audio kit.
“A knuckleduster dagger. Got it custom made in England. It’s saved my life a few times.”
Tech nodded as he came back to Steele’s side and placed the medium-sized plastic container on the table beside him. “I have to get you fitted for your earpiece. You can’t be in the field long without it. It’ll take twenty-four hours for the shell to harden but you’ll be with Ruxs and Green, so I’ll be able to reach you if I have to.”
“I don’t need that.” Steele looked quizzically at the kit that Tech was setting up. He was sure all the tools looked like he was about to perform a type of surgery on Steele’s ear, the long ear forceps lying next to his thigh.
“Unfortunately, this isn’t negotiable. Everyone has one and is required to keep it on them at all times. Even if you’re on a date, it should be in your pocket. You don’t have to put it in unless you need me… um… the team.” Tech caught the slight lift of Steele’s mouth but ducked his head back down, concentrating on unwrapping a piece of putty to mold to Steele’s ear canal.
“I can simply call you if I need you… or the team.” He grinned lazily.
Tech took a deep breath. “Cell phones have technical difficulties, interference, and dropped calls, whatever. What if there’s no signal and you need back up? You’re undercover, so you can’t carry a radio. We only use radios when we’re on a big bust so you guys can communicate. God doesn’t take those kinds of risks with his team. Sometimes, time is of the essence. You might not even have time to wait for a connection before you need me to get someone to you. My phones are to communicate within the precinct. Don’t worry. This will be molded to your ear; you’ll hardly notice it’s in.”
Steele blew an exasperated breath and Tech hoped earpieces weren’t another trigger or something. He lifted his left arm to show the large-faced watch on his arm. “It’s a smart watch. I press the icon of who I need to speak to. You’ll only hear me. I can sync them together so everyone can hear each other, but I haven’t had that type of emergency in a very long time. So, there won’t be seven men screaming in your ear, if that’s your concern. When you put it in, you only need to say my name and I’ll respond. No one else. When you need to speak to me, you’ll press the computer image on it and speak, press it again when you’re done.”
“I already have a watch,” Steele grumbled.
“Well, now you have a better one,” Tech quipped right back. “I can track you with that watch. Pull up a map for you to get to safety. Send you intel… almost anything.”
“Your earpiece is always in?” Steele squinted and leaned to the side, looking at his ear.
“Even in the shower.” Tech turned and showed the small ivory piece tucked deep in his ear.
“How do you even get that out?”
Tech pulled out a little rubber finger from his pants pocket and pushed it on his pinky. He put it in his ear and the magnetic back gripped the earpiece and slid it out like nothing. He was used to it and it was so comfortable he rarely realized it was in. “Has to be small so it’s not seen when you’re undercover. When I’m off, the guys will use their cells to call me. This is for work only. No one alerts me on the com just to ask for the Falcons’ score in Sunday’s game.”
“Fine. But I’ll do it myself,” Steele said when Tech went to reach for his ear.
“No. You don’t know what you’re doing. This stuff is too expensive to let you try it and mess it up. It doesn’t hurt at all. The whole thing takes twenty minutes, once the mold is set, the rest I can do without you.” Tech waited. When Steele finally conceded, he reached for his ear.
Steele
Steele looked at Tech’s profile while he set out all the tiny tools to make him an earpiece. His hands moved methodically over the delicate pieces, putting each item in its place. It was way outside of Steele’s scope of knowledge. The young man was a genius. As he looked around at all the sophisticated technology, he couldn’t help but marvel at the detective. This was something you’d see built by an engineer that worked for Bill Gates or something, making a six-figure salary, not in an Atlanta precinct, and he found himself wanting to know Tech’s story.
He looked sexy today in his fitted jeans and black, slim-fitted, ribbed turtleneck. The black, plastic framed glasses set off his entire “I’m a hot nerd” look, but the body didn’t quite match. He was fit and toned in a Peter Parker kind of way. Tech probably couldn’t get overly muscular, but it was clear he worked out. His biceps were probably the size of small apples when he flexed, and Steele hoped he’d get an opportunity to see them.
Tech finally moved to get to work, putting a piece of the gray putty on the end of the five-inch forceps. But as Tech’s hand got closer to the side of his face, Steele could see the slight tremor. Fuck. Steele slowly reached up and got a gentle grip of Tech’s narrow wrist, bringing his hand back down. He took his other hand and pushed back the long sleeve of Tech’s shirt, locating the spot on his wrist he could manipulate with a little pressure to help calm some of Tech’s anxiety over having to touch him – especially when they hadn’t yet approached the elephant in the room. He looked into Tech’s brown eyes behind those clear lenses while he rubbed his thumb in a small circle over the smooth skin. He lost himself in the movement; Tech’s skin was so pale and soft as he caressed him that he almost forgot why he was touching him in the first place. Maybe because of their first interaction, Steele felt an extremely strong pull towards Tech.
“Don’t be afraid of me, detective,” Steele whispered, watching closely as Tech’s long lashes fluttered over his intelligent eyes. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I truly am. I promise... I swear on my fallen brothers that I’ll never ever hurt you like that again. I wouldn’t’ve come back if I didn’t think I could control myself… especially around you. I’m ashamed of what I did.”
Tech’s breath came out in shallow gusts while he let Steele continue to touch him. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to offend you, either… or hurt you.”
“I know you didn’t.” Steele wanted to lean in closer, somehow get better acquainted in a different way, but he’d try to establish some trust between them first. He slid Tech’s sleeve up until it was bunched around his tight bicep. He stopped caressing the pressure point when he saw the dark purple bruise above Tech’s elbow. Oh no. He felt even shitter than last night. No words he’d thought of seemed good enough to speak, right now.
“I’m okay. Really. I’m stronger than you may think,” Tech said hoarsely, his eyes darting away. He looked upset, but for a different reason.
“I know you’re strong. I felt it. But I know the joint is swollen and aching in there.” Steele let Tech’s wrist go and reached for his backpack. “I brought something to help.”
Tech inched in a little closer and Steele took that as a good sign. Ignoring the delicious coolness of Tech’s cologne, he reached inside and took out the circular metal container. He didn’t take much with him as he moved from place to place but he did keep his array of natural remedies he’d acquired from doctors all over the world, from hypnotherapists to Ayurvedic physicians.
The can of presoaked bandages was the best he’d ever encountered for aching muscles and joints. It was made of so many herbs and oils; he’d never be able to recite them all, but he knew of the primary ones. He took off the tin lid and Tech’s neck jerked back at the potent smell that blasted their senses, even their eyes began to water. Tech put his hand up to his nose. “What the hell? Oh my god.”
Steele chuckled deeply, reaching out to cup Tech’s hand, pulling him back towards him until was standing between his legs. “I know. I know. It’s the Capsaicin. It’s an oil extracted from hot chili peppers. I think, mixed with the peppermint it’s a bit overpowering, but all the properties together do wonders in reducing inflammation.”
“There’s no way I can walk around the office with these on. God’ll kick my ass out of here so fast.”
“No, he won’t. Because after the bandages are on, I’m going to wrap it in plastic. It’ll contain the smell. Trust me.” He looked up at Tech’s eyes, realizing their close proximity. He’d done it on purpose, opening his legs a little wider. He wanted to show Tech he had a measure of gentility under all his strength.
Tech was quiet while Steele carefully wrapped both elbows. “It’s cold. Feels kind of good, despite the smell.” Tech’s smile was gorgeous and warm.
“It’s the Camphor cream. A lot of physicians say to use hot temperatures for aches, some say cold. I’ve found cool works best, especially for acute pain.” Steele began wrapping the Saran wrap. “Out in the field, we’ll try just about anything to eliminate pain. Of course, we had our corpsmen; but taking narcotics was a last resort, we needed to stay sharp.”
Steele pulled down one sleeve and then the other. He closed up his canister and tucked it back inside his bag. He wiped his hand on a small towel in his backpack and zipped it up. “So, what do you think?” Steele knew the medicine well. Knew it was already working its way into the layers of Tech’s skin, giving him some much-needed relief. At least Steele was able to fix a little of the damage he’d done.
“Much better, actually. Wow, it’s like a miracle serum,” Tech said, bending his arm, testing the mobility.
“Keep them on overnight, if you can. It’ll really feel a lot better by tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Tech agreed, almost wistfully. He stood rooted in place, just watching him for a moment and Steele saw his eyes drop to his mouth. Steele licked his lips.
Tech blinked, dropping his eyes down, moving back to the side, in front of his kit. “I better get this going. I’m sure your new partners will be ready for you soon.”
Steele tilted his head to the side when Tech reached for his earlobe again. He didn’t make a sound and he fought not to react, but the hot detective touching him on his spot was making it difficult. No words were spoken now, only silence and Steel’s shameless thoughts. He wanted to moan so badly when those agile fingers moved across the fleshy part of his ear, manipulating the soft substance to mold to his canal. Tech’s face was so close to his he could feel his exhale while he peered into the tunnel of his ear. His breath was a mix of coffee and something else sugary… like he’d had pancakes for breakfast. Steele turned inward, wanting to smell, wanting to taste.
“Hold still,” Tech whispered, close to him. “Won’t be long.”
Oh, damn. That erotic voice. A mild tenor, lighter than bass but far from feminine. Absolutely perfect. Steele would love to hear it right here in Tech’s sanctuary. Standing in the midst of all he’d engineered with his brilliant mind. In the darkness, illuminated with only the flashing red and green signal indicators on Tech’s monitors, not the harsh florescent lighting over his head right now. Ahh. He’d hold that taut body close to him while he caressed the petite round globes of his ass. Would Tech fit to his body the same way he was curving that malleable paste to fit his ear? Steele could feel his heart beating faster the more his fantasy played out in his mind. He closed his eyes and pictured himself coming back from a dangerous bust and Tech taking him into this room, keeping the lights off and bringing his adrenaline down with his lustful voice and feather light touches.
“Doing real good,” Tech breathed quietly, still so damn close. “This is going to be a little warm now, so I can fold it easier.”
“‘K,” Steele responded throatily, without knowing what he’d just consented to. He felt the slick piece of putty slide back into his ear; it was nice and toasty like it’d been dipped in warm honey. Still, Tech blew on his ear like it was too hot for him to take. Oh, he could take the heat. “Mmm.”
“You okay?” Tech paused.
Steele’s eyes popped open, the bright lighting jerking him to reality. Fuck, did I just moan? “Oh yeah. I’m good. Fine.”
“Alright. We’re all done,” Tech said, putting the intricately curved piece of goo in a plastic dish and closing it. “This’ll harden, then I’ll put the casing with the mechanism over it and you’re good to go.” Tech looked back and forth before his eyes landed back on him. “I’m real glad we’re square. This team… we’re a family ya know, a unit. Everyone is partnered up… in love. We don’t take risks with anyone’s lives. It’d be devastating.”
Tech was preparing to walk away but Steele wasn’t ready for him to. He stood and walked up behind the smaller man while he stood in front of a row of shelves and put his kit away. When Steele spoke, Tech jumped slightly but settled right back down. “And who are you in love with?”
“My job. I don’t have time for all that,” Tech answered. Steele had a feeling that even Tech didn’t believe that answer.
Steele’s chin was over Tech’s shoulder. He didn’t grab his narrow waist, but he wanted to. “How warm does this job keep you at night, detective?” Steele didn’t wait for an answer; instead, he turned and took the weapons Tech had placed out for him and left his space. But he made a mental note to revisit that topic real soon. As he made his way back across the office, he hoped that Ack would approve. It’d been a long time since any other man made Steele’s body react this way.
Steele
“You all situated, man?” Ruxs asked him when he walked over. He was tilted back in his chair with his boots propped up on his desk. Today he wore a King of Rock, Run DMC t-shirt, his leather coat hanging on the back of his chair. Classic rock t-shirts must be his thing. He’d yet to see Green in anything but a white Hanes t-shirt, jeans, and messy black hair.
“Looks like it.” Steele noticed there was now another desk pushed up to Ruxs’ and Green’s, forming a T. It was completely bare except for a phone and a desk calendar. Beside it was a huge box and once he got closer he noticed it was a new desktop computer.
“That’s you, bro.” Green nodded at the desk. “Tech will hook all that up for you. Get all the programs running… ya know. All the smart shit we can’t do.”
Steele shot his new partners a look. “I can do some smart stuff.”
“Compared to him… no, you can’t.” Green laughed.
Well, there were probably only ten people on the planet that could do what Tech could with a computer. Didn’t mean Steele couldn’t set up a standard desktop. But it wasn’t enough for him to concern himself with so he tucked his backpack inside the deep drawer of his desk and sat down.
“God went down to get your badge since you were in the cave so long.” Ruxs smirked. “You guys kiss and make up?”
Steele swiveled around and leveled a hard look at him and replied with a clipped, “Yep.”
Before either could retort, God walked back in with Day close behind him. He saw Steele and tossed the badge all the way across the room, and Steele shot his hand up at the last minute, swiping it out the air before it sailed over his head.
“Show off,” he heard Day mumble.
Steele smirked, flipping the gold badge over. He didn’t think he’d ever have one again. Not after leaving Oakland the way he did. He pulled out his wallet and clipped it to the first flap.
“Pick up your ID on the way out. I told them you’d be down in a bit.”
“On my way out?” Steele frowned.
God opened a file and stood just a few feet from their cluster of desks. “Need y’all to go to Peoplestown. Artist’s thug is still in the hospital but the DA was able to question him last night. He gave us the name of a dockworker that’s been helping with the smuggling. The addresses to his house and job are in here. The guy frequents a tavern off Pulliam in the evenings. I’ll have Tech sync the addresses to your GPS, Ruxs. Come back when you got something for me.”
Steele got up and pulled his jacket off the back of his chair, watching God watch him. “Just gonna toss me into the deep end, huh lieutenant.”
“Right in with the goddamn sharks,” Ruxs added, throwing Steele a “you’re screwed” look.
“Jumping in’s the best way to learn how to swim.” God shrugged.
“Do you make up this ass backwards logic off the top of your head, God?” Green shook his head, walking past them.
“God is all-knowing,” their lieutenant responded with pride, ignoring the combinations of “like hell,” and “bullshit” from his team. Throwing on his thigh-length leather coat, God yelled over his shoulder before walking out the door, “Sink or fight, Steele. Show me what you got.”
After Steele got his new Atlanta PD identification, he met his new partners at Ruxs’ truck and hopped up in the backseat. Ruxs stomped on the gas and sped out of the precinct’s parking lot. He looked between the seats to the front and saw that quite a bit of technology had been added that he was sure didn’t come with this vehicle – even fully loaded. Green was leaning over, tapping on the large display screen, pulling up a map and what he assumed was the route to where they were headed.
“That looks, pretty hi-tech, man. Who did that?” Steele asked, still looking at the screen.
“Put Tech and Furious together and there’s nothing they can’t put in a car.” Ruxs smiled at him in the rearview mirror.
