The General's Lover, page 9
part #7 of Assassin-Shifter Series
“Let’s go meet them,” Martin smiled.
The closer they got, the faster his pulse raced. Derek fought to keep from falling over as he looked into the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. He was vaguely aware of being introduced and then he shook the man’s hand. James Pruitt was his name and the man was breathtaking. He couldn’t stop looking at him and finally had to force himself to tear his eyes away. Derek tried to listen to the conversation; he wanted to be alone with James.
“Cynthia, why don’t you find a higher ranking official and cozy up?” Derek smiled; it couldn’t have worked any better. Not only did Cynthia leave, but she took Lucas with her. Derek unbuttoned his jacket and ordered a shot; he was going to need it. He loved talking to James. They talked for hours and by the end of the night James was drunk off his ass and Derek offered to take him back to his hotel. They stood in front of James’ room and Derek wanted so badly to lean in and kiss the man.
“Don’t freak out or anything, but I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you,” James slurred.
Derek rested his hand on the wall by James’ head. “Why would I freak out? You complimented me; thank you very much.” Derek wanted those lips. James was licking them slowly and Derek swallowed hard.
“So, um, thanks for bringing me back.”
“No problem, are you going to be okay?” Derek felt the front of his jacket being pulled and then he was inches from James’ mouth; he actually felt his breath on his face and right then he knew he would kiss the man. Voices floated down the hall and Derek stepped back quickly, righting his jacket and shirt. James looked like he wanted to crawl in a hole and die. After assuring James there would be no problems, Derek left and went back to his own hotel. He took the longest shower he’d ever taken and jacked off thinking of James Pruitt.
James Pruitt’s bathroom….
James laughed and closed his eyes. “Oh God, I can’t believe you wanted to kiss me!”
“If I hadn’t heard those people coming, I would have, James. I wanted you so badly that night.” Derek caressed James’ face. “From the moment I saw you James Pruitt, I wanted you.”
James sighed and smiled. “Thank God, I thought all this time what I was feeling was one sided.”
Derek shook his head. “No, I’ve always wanted you and then I fell in love with you. I can’t apologize enough for not telling you a
long time ago. When I heard you were with Lucas, I almost lost my mind.”
James sat up in the tub. “You heard us in Italy, didn’t you?”
Derek nodded. “I was scared to death, too. I thought I’d lose you for good. The fortuneteller told me, James. She told me if I
wasn’t careful I would lose you. I love you, so much.” Derek leaned in and their lips met in a soft kiss. James wrapped his arms around his neck and Derek picked him up out of the tub. Grabbing a towel on his way to the bedroom, Derek wrapped James up and lowered him onto the bed. They lay side by side, just kissing, feeling each other.
“I love your hands on my skin,” James breathed. Derek’s mouth was warm and insistent. “You taste as good as you look.” Derek chuckled and ran his hands up James’ back pulling him closer. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” James opened his eyes. “So, you’ve never?”
“Made love to a man?” Derek nuzzled James’ nose. “No, why? Did it show?” Derek pulled away slightly. “Oh God, did I suck?” James laughed softly. “Oh hell no, you were so damn good! I’ll be feeling it for weeks.” James saw the concerned look on Derek’s
face. “In a good way.”
Derek sighed and relaxed. “Okay, good. There’s something I have to tell you. I stopped in on Lucas on my way here.” James’ brow rose. “Is he okay? I know I hurt him.”
“He’s fine. This is going to flip your lid. General Blackthorn? The one who took over for me?” Derek smiled as James nodded.
“Guess who he used to date?”
“No way!”
“Yes, and I believe he’s still got it bad for our Agent Cain.”
James smiled and nestled into Derek’s chest. “Good, I hope they talk to each other.”
“Well I gave Lucas all his contact numbers, all he has to do is call.” Derek gripped James’ ass in his hands. “Now, how about you
and me kiss for a couple of hours?”
“I’m all yours, General.”
“Yes, yes you are.”
~~ Brody jumped out of the Hummer and looked at all the men standing at attention. He had to smile. Jessup was back and in full form. Connelly was still back in the States doing his rehab, but Jessup’s tour was almost done. He’d had a long talk with Jessup and assured him that his sexual preference was not an issue where he was concerned. Now he had to deal with a few men who had taken issue with the subject.
“If you feel you can’t work next to a gay man, please grab your rucksack and head out. I’ll move you to one of the other companies.”
“Sir?”
Brody turned towards the voice and saw Jessup shaking his head.
“I believe they heard me, Sergeant. I know some of you would be dead right now if it hadn’t been for Connelly. He ran back to get three of you who had been shot and was shot in the process. So you tell me how Connelly being gay has anything to do with his bravery, or his loyalty to you guys.” It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Brody eyed all the men. “Good, dismissed.”
Brody walked to his office and collapsed in the chair. The rumor had spread that Connelly was gay and Jessup had been put on the spot by the rest of the platoon. He knew most of the men couldn’t have cared less, but the newer ones had taken offense. As their superior officer, it was his job to make sure they worked together. Brody smiled and twirled his pencil; he had a few months left in the tour and then he could go home and…and what? Brody sighed and ran his hands over his face; the only man he loved didn’t want him. He heard chirping and looked around his office.
“Crap. Where the hell did I put my cell phone?” Brody searched his uniform and finally found his phone in his thigh pocket. “Hello?”
“Brody?”
Brody’s heart stopped in his chest. It couldn’t be…it just couldn’t. “This is Brody, who is this?”
“It’s me, Brody. It’s Lucas.”
“Lucas?” Brody whispered.
“How…how are you?” Lucas sat down on the kitchen stool, and brought a picture of Brody to mind. The russet hair, the slate gray eyes, the strong hands, the muscular biceps.
“I’m all right.” Brody fought to keep his voice in control; he’d loved Lucas from the moment they’d met. “How are you doing?” “I’m all right. I was kidnapped by Aasim Abur—”
“You were what?” Brody stood up.
“I’m all right now. James Pruitt and I were taken.” Lucas played with the table mat.
Brody collapsed back down in the chair. “Well, no wonder Derek lost his mind. Are you sure you’re okay?” “Yes, I mean I got shot and stabbed twice—”
“Oh God, please stop if there’s more.” Brody put his head down on the desk. “Where are you?”
“Home now, in Tampa. Derek came by to see me and imagine my surprise when he told me General Blackthorn had lectured him.” Lucas chuckled softly. “You put on general.”
“At a cost, Lucas.” Brody gripped the phone. “It wasn’t worth the cost of losing you.”
“So, you do still care for me?” Lucas held his breath.
“I never stopped, Lucas.” It got quiet and Brody looked at the phone. “Lucas? Are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m still here. How long before you leave Afghanistan?”
“Four more months, why?”
“I would really like to see you.”
“You would?” Brody asked.
“I would, so…will you?”
“I would love to see you, I’ve…missed you so much, Lucas.”
Lucas wiped his eyes. “I’m so sorry I hurt you. I was scared Brody, scared that you’d say anything to get me to stay and then go back. I couldn’t go through it again and I—”
“It’s okay, Lucas, I get it. I meant it though. I was ready to give it all up for you.”
“And now?”
Brody smiled. “I would walk away tomorrow, if it meant I could have you back.”
“Really?”
Brody smiled, even across the miles, he could hear the hope in Lucas’ voice. “Yes, Lucas Cain. Really.”
“Brody?”
“Yes?”
“I missed you, too.”
Chapter Six After countless hours of making out, James finally came up for air. If they were making up for lost time, they had one hell of a head start. His lips were raw and red. James smiled, kissing Derek’s nose. The man looked sexy in his bed, and James had every intention of keeping him there. Derek’s hands were behind his head, fingers laced together and James looked over the impressive muscular torso in front of him.
“Do you work out every day?” James licked a path across Derek’s stomach and saw the monster dick twitch. “Calm down there.” James looked up to see a mischievous smile on Derek’s lips.
“Stop putting your tongue on me then.”
“Can’t help it,” James ran his palm across Derek’s strong torso. “I’ve never seen so much muscle.”
Derek unlaced his fingers and ran his hand down James’ back. Muscles twitched under his fingers. “You have some of your own.” “So,” James looked at the time. “What do you want to do for what’s left of the day? We definitely need some kind of food.” James
sprawled out on the bed and smiled when Derek moved like a jungle cat, stalking its prey. “Now, now.”
“Mmm, yes, now.” Derek licked a path up James’ inner thigh.
James closed his eyes and lay back as Derek’s tongue massaged the scar from his gunshot wound. A large, warm hand traveled to
his ass. “Derek…”
“Mmmmhmm?”
“I’m hungry,” James pouted. It had its desired effect. Derek was up in an instant pulling his PT shorts on. Derek pulled his shorts up and smiled. “What do you want?”
“I don’t know, I’m just starving.”
“I can order something? Pizza maybe?”
They both looked toward the living room when the doorbell rang. Derek looked at James still on the bed. “Expecting someone?”
“No,” James sat up and pulled his sweats on. “Who is coming over at five in the afternoon?”
Derek closed his eyes and sighed loudly. “Gee, who lives in Arizona?”
James laughed. “No…”
The doorbell was ringing over and over again and Derek went to the door and threw it open. Riley and Mateo stood on the front
steps with a casserole dish.
“Well, hellooo,” Riley giggled.
“Oh for Christ’s sake, Derek,” Mateo walked past Derek into the living room. “Put a shirt on before Riley passes out from your
chest.”
“Don’t you guys know how to call?” Derek narrowed his eyes at Mateo.
“Hey, don’t look at me,” Mateo looked over at his husband. “This was Riley’s idea; we didn’t know you would be here. We
thought we were visiting a depressed and sexually frustrated James.”
James came out into the living room, eyeing the visitors as he sat down on the couch. “What did you bring, Riley?” Riley took the casserole dish to the kitchen. “Lasagna, I know you love it.”
Derek was smiling at James when he felt eyes on him. He looked up to see Mateo smirking at him. “What?” Mateo shrugged his shoulders and sat down in the La-Z-Boy. “It’s about time.”
“No shit,” Riley laughed from the kitchen.
James laughed. “Okay guys, stop picking on my man.”
Mateo looked at Derek and pointed at his face. “Oh my fucking God, you’re blushing!”
“I am not,” Derek mumbled and covered his face.
“Awww, that is just too damned adorable.” Riley came back in with plates of food. “Come on guys, eat up. If you’ve been doing
what I think you’ve been doing, you need food.”
“Jesus,” Derek sighed and grabbed a plate from Riley. “Is nothing sacred?”
Mateo shook his head and took a bite of food. “Nope.”
Riley sat back on the couch and tucked a foot under his leg. “So? When are you guys going fishing?”
“Tomorrow,” Derek blurted out. Mateo, Riley and James all looked at him. “What? I want out of here as soon as possible.” “You want to be alone with James,” Riley smiled and made kissy lips.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Derek sighed in frustration.
James chuckled and leaned into Derek. “It’s okay, Derek, these are our friends, remember?”
“Uh huh,” Derek narrowed his eyes at Mateo.
“Well, we were going to stay and hang out, maybe watch a movie but it seems like you two need to be alone,” Riley smiled,
winking at James.
“Oh come on, Riley, we can watch ‘Titanic.’” Mateo bit his bottom lip at the look of astonishment on Derek’s face. “I don’t even own that movie,” James laughed, lying back in Derek’s lap.
“We can rent it.” Mateo felt Riley smack his arm. “Ow! What?”
“Leave them alone,” Riley grabbed their plates and walked back into the kitchen. He covered the casserole dish and placed it in the
fridge. Grabbing his keys, he dragged Mateo to the door. “Okay, you crazy kids, have fun.”
“But I didn’t get to finish my food!” Mateo balked.
“Shush, I’ve got more at home.” Riley gave Mateo a quick kiss.
“Bye, Riley,” James stood up and hugged Riley tightly. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Now, go have lots and lots of sex,” Riley giggled, as Derek sighed again.
“You two have fun,” James opened the door. “We’ll call you as soon as we are back from Washington.” “We need to have a get-together, all of the guys,” Mateo shook Derek’s hand.
“You’re on.” Derek stood with James at the door as Riley and Mateo made their way out to the driveway. They both turned and
waved as they got into the car.
“So,” James closed the door and leaned against it. “What do you want to do?” He was swept off his feet in an instant, and Derek
growled in his ear.
“I want you.”
“Holy shit,” James whispered. The ease with which Derek carried him had him in awe of the man’s power. He tipped the scales at
about one eighty and Derek carried him as if he weighed one hundred. He was eased onto the bed and Derek pushed his shirt up, kissing
the soft flesh below his navel. “Derek…”
Derek inhaled James’ scent and looked up. “Yes?”
“I might need a day or two to recover,” James smiled impishly.
Derek backed away, looking down at James’ hard-on. “Your dick says something else.”
“My dick has a mind of its own; my ass is in charge right now.”
Derek smiled, kissing James’ belly button, licking a slow path around it. “All right, I can wait.” Derek crawled up James’ body and
hovered above him. “I still want to kiss you for hours.”
James grabbed the nape of Derek’s neck. “Come here.”
Their lips met and a gasp escaped him; he looked down to see James’ hand wrapped tightly around his cock. “You said—” “I said I couldn’t go another round, I didn’t say I couldn’t have fun with you.”
“Oh hell…”
~~ Derek hadn’t been joking. They were out the door at seven in the morning. James barely had time to finish his cup of coffee, much less shove a bagel in his mouth before Derek was dragging him out the door. He was moving on four hours of sleep; Derek had ravished him for most of the night and his lips were still tingling. After a drive that seemed to take seconds, they were standing in front of the terminal at Luke Air Force base. James swore he was barely conscious as Derek dragged him through the security line. Even though they’d taken a HOP from the Air Force base instead of flying commercial, the flight wasn’t so bad. James sat back in the rental car and closed his eyes. For once, Seattle was sunny and beautiful. He felt fingers lacing with his and opened his eyes. Derek was smiling at him.
“What?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
James sat up in the car and looked around. “We’re getting on a boat?”
“Yes, we have to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island.”
James chuckled. “I didn’t ask any questions about this trip did I?”
“Nope,” Derek smiled, maneuvering the car onto the ferry.
Once the car was parked and secured, Derek took James by the hand and they made their way up on deck. He felt resistance and
looked back at James.
“What?”
James looked around. “You’re holding my hand, Derek.”
“And?” Derek pulled James close to him and wrapped his arms around James’ waist. “I plan on kissing you, too.” “Don’t go all crazy on me,” James chuckled softly.
Once on deck, Derek stood behind James at the railing, arms wrapped around his waist. The sea air tickled at their senses with the
smell of salt and seaweed along with a warm breeze. James leaned back against Derek’s chest.
“I love this, you know? It feels good to be alive.”
Derek smiled and nuzzled James’ neck. “Look, the harbor seals are out. When we go fishing, you have to watch out for them. They
are notorious for stealing bait.” James smiled and leaned his head back. “You know I haven’t been fishing in forever. You’re going to have to re-teach me some things.”
“You’ll have to teach me some things as well, but not about fishing.”
James closed his eyes as Derek kissed him. He swore it was all a dream, this couldn’t be real. To finally have the one man he’d fantasized about for years kissing him? James sighed in Derek’s mouth. “That feels so good.”
“You like the way I kiss you?” Derek smiled, running his lips across James’.
“God, who wouldn’t?”
The rest of the ferry ride consisted of Derek pointing out everything to James. The ride was smooth and before long, they were docking at Bainbridge Island. Derek waited his turn, then drove out onto Olympic Drive. James looked out the window at all the stores lining the highway. Mostly gas stations and bait shops with the occasional realty and doctor’s offices. James looked over at Derek to see a small smile on his lips. He had to admit, despite knowing him for six years he didn’t know everything there was to know about the man.
