Hard Case (3 page)

“I’ve been an avid reader of thrillers my whole life,” Steven said in a low tone.

In the close confines of the room, it was impossible for privacy, but at that moment Troy felt as if it were just the two of them again, speaking in quiet words of personal matters and sharing pieces of themselves with each other.

“I’ve lived a thousand fictional lives of espionage and secretive conspiracy cases,” Steven continued. “It’s a different feeling when it’s real, though.”

Part of Troy had been ecstatic at this link between Steve and his case. His words, however, sobered him. As Emily’s bruised and tender flesh bore witness to, this wasn’t a game where they’d break for picnic lunches or bumble around together like the Famous Five on another thrilling adventure. This was real. People died and the good guys didn’t always win.

Troy suddenly didn’t want Steven any more involved than he already was. He felt slightly ashamed that his own selfish reasons had helped him forget how tenuous life could be. Troy had worked alone for years, only recently had he teamed up a few times with Fin when both their objectives lay in the same area.

Casting a glance toward Fin, Troy noticed his entire focus was on Emily. Fin pressed a kiss to her neck and his love was clear for Troy to see. Fin had other priorities now.

A shaft of icy loneliness stung Troy. He’d not thought about it, but he wasn’t sure he relished working alone anymore. Part of him had cheered at the thought of Steven joining him, but maybe that wasn’t to be. He still longed to know Steven better, intimately so. Mixing his work and play really mightn’t be the right move though, especially not when the consequences could be fatal.

Troy steeled himself to follow through the rest of this case alone. He’d worked hundreds of cases solo, but never before had he lacked enthusiasm at the prospect of solving the problems and putting the pieces together.

Steven cupped his hand under Troy’s, turning the phone so he could see the picture again. The touch spiked fire through his body, the heat from Steven’s fingers seeping into his. It was a gentle, innocent press of skin to skin, but Troy felt it rock him. Steven was riveted to the phone’s screen, but Troy felt certain the man was as aware of him as he was of Steve.

Electricity crackled in the air between them. Troy kept his hand frozen in place. He desperately wanted to move, to drop the damn mobile and turn so he could clasp Steven’s fingers. He knew, though, that at the faintest twitch, Steve would release him and the sensual grip would end.

Troy didn’t want that.

Steven moved his thumb, slid it over the screen to glide from this picture to the next—the close up view of James’ face. The action caused Steve to clench his other fingers. They tightened around Troy’s and the men were practically holding hands.

Troy reacted to the casual intimacy. His cock thickened and rose to half-mast in his shorts. He coughed, caught by surprise at the strength of his reaction. Steven caressed his fingers over Troy’s skin.

He realized Steven was using the gesture of moving his thumb to stroke delicately over the back of Troy’s hand. Troy’s blood heated. He wanted to feel Steve’s naked body beneath his, to take his dick deeply in his mouth. Troy was curious as to what the hard press of those former boxer’s muscles would be like against his own body.

For a decadent moment, Troy imagined what Steven’s cock would feel like as he rubbed it into Troy’s thigh. He pictured Steven as he glided his length slickly over Troy’s ass and between his cheeks.

Heart racing, Troy fought to keep his composure. Something must have given him away though, the speed of his breathing or perhaps Steve had just watched closely, hoping or anticipating such a reaction. Their gazes clashed and melded together.

Neither needed to say a word. They knew
exactly
what Steve’s touch did. Wicked laughter glinted in Steve’s blue eyes. When Steve stroked his fingers over his hand again, Troy’s whole body seemed to burst into flames.

His control snapped and for the first time ever, he lost himself to everything. Lifting his free hand, Troy then cupped Steven’s face. He bent his dark head and kissed Steve passionately. They pressed closely together and Troy ate hungrily at him. Steve had thin but astonishingly soft lips. Immediately Steve opened his mouth and Troy took advantage. He thrust his tongue inside to possess that wet heat.

Someone moaned, but Troy didn’t know or care who it was. Steve twined their fingers, grasping him and that damn phone so tightly, Troy thought it’d leave a mark.

They kissed fiercely, Steve wrestling for control but Troy unwilling to give up without a fight. Heat exploded and Troy found his cock hardening further. They pressed together—he had no idea who moved into whom—and through the denim of his jeans, Troy could feel Steve’s erection grow and thicken.

All too soon Steve released his mouth and they both panted. Troy opened his eyes and studied Steven. The man’s gaze was hot and dark. Troy could well believe there were many possibilities laid before them both. Passion crackled in the air between them. Troy’s heart raced, beating fast from the explosive intimacy of their first kiss.

“I don’t know that man,” Steve finally spoke, his tone husky.

Troy had difficulty swallowing and dragging his mind back to what the hell they were doing. Recalling the phone clenched in his hand, Troy cleared his throat, to at least pretend his mind was on the task at hand. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder to where Emily and Fin studiously avoided watching them.

“Well.” Troy took a breath to steady his rapidly pounding heart. He reminded himself there were larger things to be focusing on. The thick shaft pulsing with need had other ideas. Troy struggled to get control of himself.

Troy zoomed in on the face on the screen.

“Does this make it better?” he asked.

Deeply tanned in a city full of pale-skinned people, the man in the photo looked exotically foreign—shoulder length brown hair, thick eyebrows and eyes so dark they appeared black on the screen.

Steve peered intently at the photo and shook his head. Troy slid the picture back to the full body shot the man. James was of average height and wore a knee-length, black Burberry coat and neatly pressed slacks. Swarthy and handsome, he seemed like he should be in a jungle—possibly playing Tarzan and in a loincloth—not living in such cool climate as London.

“I’m sorry, Troy, but I don’t recognize him,” Steve frowned.

Troy opened his mouth, about to ask if he was sure, but Troy knew his friend wouldn’t lead him astray. He was surprised his guess had been incorrect.

At any other time, Steven’s words would have deflated Troy. But the power of their kiss still hummed against his lips. His cock was still at half-mast and only a good wank in the shower would fix that—unless he could somehow talk Steve into joining him while they washed and jerked each other off.

And thoughts like
that
were not going to help his erection fade anytime soon.

Steve glanced at him expectantly. Troy realized he’d been staring in silence. The faint warmth of a blush crept up his neck.

“No worries. It was worth a try.” He sighed. Idly Troy flicked from one picture to the other as if Steve would magically change his mind.

“You need to keep in mind we were at school almost twenty years ago,” Steve reminded him. “And that I was a few years behind both Marshall and the PM. It’s likely I don’t know every boy in their class, and even more possible this man James looks completely different now to how he did back then.”

Troy clasped Steven’s shoulder, squeezing a little to convey his appreciation. He forwarded the two pictures to his own mobile, then held out Fin’s phone to him. He kept his gaze steady on Steven’s.

“If something jogs your memory or you can think of anything, you’ll let me know?” he checked.

Steven nodded. He narrowed his gaze as he seemed to think hard about something.

Troy turned to face Fin and Emily properly. “I think I should talk to Marshall, pick his brain again for any connection we can find between James, these rumors and what’s going on. Hell, maybe he can recognize him and solve this in five minutes. I think it’s important you stay with Emily.”

“I wish we could help more—” Emily started, but Fin cut her off.

“We can clean up the mess when it’s all over,” Fin insisted. “Besides, a fresh set of eyes will be good.”

“I really want to help though,” Emily repeated. When she sighed, Troy realized she was capitulating, just under mild protest.

“As do I,” insisted Steven in a soft but firm tone.

Troy watched as Steve handed both the tub of ointment and the small glass bottle full of more pills to Emily, then moved resolutely to Troy.

“I know what these people are like,” Steven started. “I spent my formative years surrounded by them in school. I might not come from a rich, snobby and ancient line like many of them, but I know their world and how to get across to them.”

“You’re not involved in this,” Troy insisted. A cold fist clenched around his stomach at the thought of Steve getting hurt, particularly because of him. “And I don’t want you dragged into my messes. James has proven himself willing to kill. I couldn’t live with something happening to you on my conscience.”

“I’m not some child to be coddled or protected,” Steve replied, his eyes narrowing. “Besides, if I can recall Keyton Marshall, perhaps he will recognize and remember me, too. I could well smooth the path between you.”

Troy hesitated, torn. Part of him craved to keep Steven close, to explore the depths of what could lie between them. But he also didn’t want to let him get in over his head. Situations like this could turn sour in an instant. It was the nature of the game and one of the things Troy loved—that knife edge of danger and the unknown.

Steven wasn’t like him in that respect though. He was a fighter, yes, and hard-headed to boot. But he was solid, reliable…far more stable than Troy could ever lay claim to.

“I’m really not sure—”

“I’m coming with you, mate,” Steven interjected with a stubborn tilt to his jaw. “And that’s all there is to it.”

Troy nodded, felt the pressure ease in his chest. He could see when he was beaten.

“Okay. Your connection with Marshall could well prove useful. You’re right there,” he admitted. “I just… If the place gets shot up or a bomb goes off or something, promise me you’ll duck and run, not stay and play the hero.”

Steven grinned and started to pack the bandages and paraphernalia back up onto the metal tray. Troy marveled how Steve replaced the items he’d used and made indecipherable notes on paper for what would need replacing without even seeming to pay attention to the matter. It was obviously something he did so regularly it required little concentration.

“I’ll leave that to you,” Steve teased. “I’m happy just to tag along. I’ve no desire to prove myself brave and true, or any of that rot.”

“Well, you know how to contact us,” Fin said, seeming cheery.

Troy glanced at his friend, surprised by just how upbeat his tone was. Fin draped Emily’s coat over one arm, and assisted her off the bed with his other hand. Troy caught a sly wink that Fin sent him and grinned. He realized Fin was pleased he’d finally found a man interested not just in him, but also accepting of the work he did. Troy had to hide his smile.

“I’ll check in when we have something to report,” he promised Fin. Seeming satisfied, Fin nodded, then shook hands with Steven. Fin led Emily out of the room and the door closed behind them.

Almost instantly Troy felt the spark reignite between himself and Steve.

This time there was no reason to stop.

Chapter Two

“I’ve been off shift for about ten minutes,” Steven said. “I’m glad you caught up with me, as I was planning on hanging around hoping we might be able to meet on a social basis now.”

“I didn’t expect to get you embroiled in a mess like this,” Troy confessed. “But I can’t say with even a measure of honesty that I didn’t want to spend more time with you. I haven’t been imagining the connection between us, have I?”

“Certainly not,” Steven replied with a grin. “I’ve wanted to taste you since we first met.”

“I want to fuck you,” Troy closed the distance between them. He lowered his voice in case someone walked past and might overhear. “I want to feel the strength of your muscles. I want your body above me, below me—any way I can get you. Then I’ll thrust my cock between your hands, your thighs. Everywhere.”

They came together in a clash of hard bodies. Troy marveled at how they could be so different physically, but still so similar. Steven was all compact, fit muscles—a fighting man with strength and solid bulk—whereas he was taller and leaner, but still lithe and well-toned. There was no gentleness, no tender care needed between them. They could simply be themselves and relish the strength inherent in them both.

Troy lowered his hands to cup Steven’s ass. He squeezed the tight globes and lifted him so their hips pressed against each other. Troy’s cock strained against the seam of his pants and heat leaked from Steve’s crotch. Troy thrust his shaft and could feel the answering hardness of Steve’s erection push against him.

“I’ve wanted to feel you like this all week,” Troy panted.

Steve groaned and grabbed his shoulders. Troy was captured by his hot look, the lust in his gaze burning brightly.

“The door,” Steve moaned.

Troy stepped them both toward it, then thrust out a hand to lock it. He pressed his weight against Steve, shoving him back into the wood. Steve gasped, but it was a good sound, one filled with passion. Troy lowered his hands to the waistband of Steven’s pants. The rasp of zippers filled the air and Troy felt the cool breeze touch his ass when Steve shoved his jeans down to his thighs, quickly following with his boxers.

The feel of Steve’s warm hand closing around his rock hard dick had Troy groaning in approval. Seconds later he’d freed Steve’s cock and could mimic the motion. He clenched his fist around the thick, long shaft he’d fantasized about.

Their heads were bent so closely together that Troy could feel warmth radiate from Steve’s forehead. Troy watched, entranced as they stroked each other. Steve held him in a tight grip, one that had Troy’s legs wobbling with lust. He closed his fist tighter around Steve’s shaft and pulled his hand from root to tip in a smooth motion.