The Chimera Affair: Gay Romance

by Keira Andrews

“Hello, Sebastian.” A smile played at Marie’s lips, and her eyes twinkled.

  “All right, all right. Back to business.” Kyle held out his hand.

  Still smiling, Marie pulled a folder from her satchel and handed it to him. “As you wish.”

  Sebastian fidgeted. “Do you want me to go? I can wait outside if you want to talk about…secret stuff or whatever.”

  Kyle and Marie shared a glance, and Kyle sat down on the end of the bunk, keeping a few feet between him and Sebastian. “No, you can stay.” He opened the folder and read silently.

  Folding her legs gracefully under herself, Marie sat across from them, leaning against the wall. Sebastian stood. “Would you like to sit here?” He indicated the bunk with his hand.

  “Ah, a gentleman! What a pleasant change of pace.” She arched an eyebrow at Kyle, who ignored her. “Merci, but I’m fine here.” She watched Sebastian with a curious gaze. “You really are good with numbers, hmm?”

  Before Sebastian could answer, Kyle snapped, “We’re here to talk about tonight. That’s all. Focus.”

  “Yes, of course. So sorry to interrupt your…focusing earlier.”

  “Marie.”

  “Well, get the map and blueprints out then, Mr. Grant.”

  As Kyle unfolded the documents, Sebastian attempted to will the blood from his cheeks. The fact that Marie knew what they’d been doing and probably heard them was mortifying. She clearly delighted in teasing Kyle, and Sebastian found himself fascinated by watching their interaction as they studied the map on the floor. They communicated with a kind of shorthand that came from time and trust. Sebastian hoped she was worthy of that trust.

  Lifting his hand below his T-shirt, Sebastian ran his fingertips over a bit of dried semen he’d missed during their hasty cleanup. This remnant on his skin made him tingle, and he thought again of the barn and being there with Kyle. Being mounted as he’d fantasized about so many times.

  Shaking his head slightly, he focused his attention on the villa blueprints Kyle now pored over. Enough daydreaming. Even if they made it through the night, there’d be no excursions to the countryside in their future. Kyle would be off on a new mission, and Sebastian would be God knows where.

  His new life.

  He shivered. Where would he go? What would he look like? Who would he be?

  “Sebastian?”

  He looked up to find Kyle and Marie gazing at him as if awaiting a response. “Pardon?”

  Kyle asked, “Did you ever meet this associate of your father’s?”

  “Sorry, what was the name again?”

  “Bruno.”

  “As in the mobster?”

  Marie answered. “That’s him. Do you know him?”

  “No. But my brother knows his daughter.”

  She nodded. “Not surprised. All the better to keep control over your father. They’ve been in business together for years, but a connection by marriage would be extremely beneficial to Bruno.”

  Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. Oh, Ben. What are you mixed up in? He tried to put his brother from his mind. As Kyle and Marie began discussing someone called the director, Sebastian’s thoughts returned to what tomorrow—and the days and months after—would bring.

  All he knew was that he’d be alone.

  Chapter Twelve

  The sun gleamed off the water as they neared Positano. On one side, buildings hugged the cliffs, the sea spreading out on the other. In the backseat of Marie’s rental, Sebastian listened as she and Kyle mulled over strategy.

  “It would help if I knew what the director looked like. He could jump in this car at the next stoplight, and I wouldn’t know it,” Kyle said.

  Marie laughed. “Well, you’d shoot him either way, so what does it matter?”

  Kyle wasn’t laughing. “It matters.”

  “I haven’t met him either. But the section chief is sending a team to locate him tonight. It’s believed he won’t be at the actual rendezvous, but he’ll be close by in Positano. The team leader is contacting me at seventeen-hundred.”

  Sebastian couldn’t see Kyle’s face but knew he was clenching his jaw. “How do you know the section chief isn’t in on it? What if they’re setting us both up?”

  “I don’t. We can never be certain of anything in life, can we?”

  “Marie.” Kyle huffed, exasperated.

  Marie reached over and pinched his cheek affectionately. “We do what we can in our line of work. If the section chief wanted to take us out, there are much easier ways than leading us on this merry chase.”

  “True,” Kyle admitted.

  A siren wailed behind them, and Marie glanced in the mirror. “Merde.” To Kyle she added, “Carabinieri.”

  “You weren’t speeding.” Kyle sounded grim. He glanced back at Sebastian. “Don’t say anything. Follow our lead.”

  Sebastian nodded as Marie pulled over on the narrow shoulder. She lowered her window. “Hello, Officer,” she said, speaking flawless Italian. “I must apologize if I was speeding.”

  The officer regarded her silently for a moment. Finally he asked for her license and papers. Kyle handed her the rental agreement as she slid her license from her wallet. Sebastian wondered what name appeared there.

  From his vantage point in the backseat, he could see only the policeman’s nose and mouth, the lips slack and conveying no emotion. Sebastian shifted, his pulse increasing as the cop silently surveyed the rental papers. What if the carabinieri were in his father’s pocket? Or the director’s? He felt strangely guilty although they hadn’t technically done anything wrong. At least not on the drive.

  Crossing his legs restlessly, he kicked a cup holder and sent a soda can spinning with a metallic clang. The officer bent down and observed Sebastian, his eyes hidden behind mirrored sunglasses.

  “Careful!” Marie laughed, shaking her head. “My clumsy brother. My husband and I are stuck with him for a week. A whole week! Can you imagine?”

  Sebastian smiled weakly. “Shut up.” It was a lame retort, but all he could think of and the type of thing he would say to Ben. At any moment he expected the cop to pull his gun and arrest them. Or maybe shoot them dead on the side of the road.

  Fortunately he did neither. He handed Marie back her license and intoned, “This is a construction zone. Slow down.”

  “Yes, of course. My sincere apologies.” Marie did sound genuine. Sebastian wondered how Kyle knew when she was telling the truth.

  No one spoke until they were back under way, Marie driving at a sedate pace. They passed a bright sign declaring the construction zone, and she sighed. “Possible he really was enforcing regulations.”

  “Possibly,” Kyle replied. “Possibly they know we’re coming.”

  “They who? My father? Or the director?” Sebastian asked.

  Kyle shrugged. “Take your pick.”

  “Plan stays the same.” Marie checked the rearview mirror. “The director was already expecting you anyway, and this might be nothing. No way to know.”

  Sebastian spoke up. “Isn’t that kind of like going into a trap?”

  “Oui.” Marie met his gaze in the mirror. “Welcome to the wonderful world of espionage.”

  Outside Positano, Marie pulled into a gas station. Kyle leaned over and checked the gas gauge. “You’ve only used a quarter tank.”

  “Correct, Mr. Grant. But I like to keep a full tank on a mission. Always be prepared.” She nodded her head toward the pumps. “I’ll let you do the honors.”

  “So generous.” Kyle shook his head, but Sebastian could see his small smile as he got out of the car.

  As Kyle filled the gas tank, Sebastian said, “So you’ve known Kyle a long time.”

  Marie caught his gaze in the mirror. “I have. And what do you make of our Mr. Grant?”

  “I…” Sebastian floundered, searching for something to say. “I don’t know if I can sum it up in a sentence.”

  Marie laughed gaily. “You can use two if you like. Three, even.”

/>   “He’s…” Sexy. Dangerous. Brave. Strong. Amazing. “Confusing.”

  “Ah. Well, you certainly have him confused.”

  “I do?”

  “Mais oui. He was supposed to leave Como the morning after the party. He certainly wasn’t supposed to rescue you and sweep you along on this mission. Especially after being told to eliminate you.”

  “By you.”

  “Nothing personal, Mr. Brambani.”

  Sebastian snorted. “Of course not. Can’t see why I would take my murder personally.”

  She laughed. “Well, lucky for you our plans have changed.”

  “I feel so fortunate.”

  “I see why he enjoys you. He doesn’t enjoy much. His work, of course, but you’re something altogether different.”

  “Thank you?”

  “Yes, it’s a compliment.” She glanced out the window, watching Kyle go inside the station to pay. “So tell me what he’s like in bed.”

  Sebastian choked on his soda. “I… He’s…”

  “A great lover?”

  Sebastian’s cheeks flamed. “Maybe.”

  “Oh, don’t be coy with me. He is.”

  “How would you know?” Sebastian felt a twinge of jealousy. Had Kyle and Marie…?

  “I wouldn’t, but I can imagine.” She turned and whispered over her shoulder. “My guess? Strong and passionate, but tender when the situation calls for it.”

  Sebastian blushed further as Kyle returned to the car. Kyle glanced between Sebastian and Marie. “What?”

  “Nothing!” Sebastian answered, cringing inwardly at how guilty he sounded.

  Marie simply laughed merrily as she pulled back onto the road, and Sebastian found himself smiling.

  Marie had already arranged for a hotel room for Kyle in a small, unassuming establishment. She coyly asked whether Sebastian would require a room of his own, garnering a glare from Kyle in response. Marie simply winked and handed him the key card while Sebastian examined his shoes.

  The room was surprisingly large, with tall windows overlooking the sea and a small sitting area along with the queen-size bed in the corner. The marble floors were worn but clearly polished daily. Sebastian flopped down on the bed. “I wish we could just stay here all night.”

  “You can.” Kyle removed his boots. “In fact, you will.”

  “With you, I mean.”

  Kyle began itemizing his equipment. He thought of spending the night with Sebastian in the soft bed, maybe letting Sebastian have him. It had been a long time since he’d let anyone take control, and he wondered what it would be like to have Sebastian inside him. His cock twitched, his breath hitching.

  “Kyle?”

  “Well, I can’t stay. You know that,” he added gruffly.

  Giving up on the equipment for the moment, Kyle went to the bathroom, leaving Sebastian alone. He’d barely shut the shower curtain when Sebastian was there, climbing into the tub. He smiled. “Thought you might need some help washing your back.”

  Kyle couldn’t hide his own smile as he pulled Sebastian close under the spray of water. “Very considerate.”

  Sebastian unwrapped the bar of soap and lathered it between his hands. He kissed Kyle once, softly. As he soaped Kyle’s body, Kyle closed his eyes and relaxed into his touch. He felt so comfortable with Sebastian. It was a strange but not unpleasant sensation.

  Turning, he captured Sebastian’s lips in another kiss. A voice in the back of his head reminded him that he had a mission in two hours and he should focus on it. Yet he couldn’t get enough of the sweetness of Sebastian’s mouth as he swept his tongue inside. Couldn’t get enough of Sebastian’s firm, lithe body pressing against his. Couldn’t get enough of the warmth that filled him—heat that was more than simple desire.

  Enjoy him while you can. Tomorrow it’s over.

  Sebastian soaped Kyle’s dick, lathering it thoroughly. “So you know what I used to watch while I jerked off. What about you?”

  Kyle bit back a moan as Sebastian caressed his balls. “No horses around where I grew up, sorry. A few cats. Neutered.”

  Laughing, Sebastian smacked Kyle’s thigh. “Okay. How about the last time you made yourself come? What were you thinking of?”

  The truth slipped out before Kyle could think to stop it. “You.”

  Sebastian froze, his eyes widening. “What?”

  “The night we met. Back in my room. Horny as hell.” He drew Sebastian even closer, hands on his ass. “Could only think of you.”

  Sebastian pulled Kyle’s head down for a kiss. When he broke away, his eyes were dark with lust. “How did you imagine it?”

  Kyle’s pulse increased, and he grew harder every second. “Like this.” With a firm hand, he pressed on Sebastian’s shoulder. Sebastian sank to his knees immediately, his hands on Kyle’s thighs, rubbing and touching. He looked up expectantly, and Kyle ran his right hand through Sebastian’s hair, his fingers tightening.

  Sebastian opened his mouth, and Kyle slid inside, groaning at the delicious heat. He rocked in and out, gently at first, but Sebastian urged him on, opening wider, his lips stretching over Kyle’s cock. Kyle increased his pace, remembering his fantasy that night in Como.

  But Sebastian never failed to surprise him, and as he pushed a soapy finger into Kyle’s hole, Kyle’s moan echoed off the wet tiles. Sebastian took him in deeply, relaxing his throat and humming. The wet heat was incredible, and Kyle rocked in, filling Sebastian’s mouth. Lips parted, he breathed deeply, the pleasure building as his balls tightened. Sebastian crooked his finger and found just the right spot, and Kyle exploded, shooting deep down Sebastian’s throat.

  As the pleasure receded, he braced a hand on the shower wall. Sebastian swallowed around Kyle’s cock, stroking with his hand to get every drop. When he finished, he released Kyle and stood, his cock rock hard. Kyle took him in hand, jerking him roughly as they kissed.

  Sebastian came quickly, and he leaned against Kyle as he shuddered with aftershocks. Kyle found himself holding Sebastian close. Eyes shut, he held him as they swayed gently under the water, skin to skin.

  With a sigh, Kyle stepped back. “Time to get ready.” He checked his watch. “Thirty-seven minutes until I rendezvous with Marie.” He turned off the water and pulled back the shower curtain. Before he stepped out, he turned back and kissed Sebastian one more time.

  Sebastian tugged on his jeans as Kyle finished dressing. “All black, huh? Isn’t it a little cliché?”

  Kyle smirked. “Well, at least they won’t see this cliché coming.”

  There was a knock, and Kyle ushered in Marie. Sebastian soon saw that Kyle had snapped into work mode. No more tender glances or touches—Kyle barely even looked at him as he conferred with Marie about another team of operatives who had arrived.

  “They brought this.” Marie unfolded a piece of paper from her small purse. While Kyle was dressed like a cat burglar, Marie looked as if she was headed out for a fine dinner—her dark curls cascading over one shoulder, a flowing red dress falling to her knees. The demure neckline was accented by a string of pearls.

  “Where do you keep your gun?” Sebastian asked. “That clutch looks too small.”

  A sly smile gracing her lips, Marie lifted one leg, planting her stiletto on a chair. She slid up the hem of her dress until Sebastian could see the gun holster strapped to her thigh.

  “Are we done with show-and-tell?” Kyle took the paper from Marie’s hand. He surveyed it silently. “They’re sure the director is here?”

  Marie nodded.

  “And you’re sure? Of them? Of the section chief?”

  “As sure as I can be.”

  “How come you’ve never seen the director, Marie?” Sebastian asked.

  “Few have. Only the eight section chiefs worldwide, and the director’s personal staff and assistants.”

  “So he’s the big boss. The leader of the Association?” At Marie’s nod, Sebastian went on. “Why would he risk coming here tonight? Just being in Posi
tano would be suspect, wouldn’t it? Even if he’s not personally at the rendezvous?”

  Kyle looked to Marie. “Good question.”

  “I’ve heard tales of the ever-growing size of his ego, and this seems to confirm it. He likely doesn’t dream for a moment that we’re on to him. He’s expecting Mr. Grant to work his magic and acquire the Chimera, at which time the director’s men can steal it from him and take him out, all while framing him for its theft. So when it’s used God knows when by God knows who, it will be thought that traitorous Kyle Grant sold it before his death.”

  Kyle stalked over to his duffel and began checking his weapons, the fury radiating off him. Sebastian wanted to go to him but stayed put. “Why did the director allow the formula for the Chimera to be destroyed?”

  “This way the value of the only Chimera known to be left in existence is astronomical. The process to make it was painstaking and complex. It could take scientists years to replicate it. But only such a small portion of the powder is needed for an attack that this vial could last years. Meanwhile the director will be retired on a private island in the Pacific.”

  Kyle slammed a box of bullets down, sending them skittering across the small table. “We’re supposed to be helping people. Saving lives. Not getting rich. If we can’t trust him…”

  Marie squeezed Kyle’s arm. “Let’s rain on his plans, shall we?”

  “Why me?” Kyle asked. “Of all the operatives in the world, why me?”

  “I wish I knew. As your handler, this certainly wouldn’t have ended any better for me. I’m sure he would have laid a trail to implicate me. Six months ago I was told I was being reassigned. I resisted, and the section chief backed me.”

  “They wanted me with a new handler. One in the director’s pocket.”

  “No doubt.”

  Kyle’s expression was unreadable. “Why didn’t you let them reassign you? You must get tired of me. I get tired of myself.”

  Smiling, she shook her head. “And get stuck with some know-nothing new recruit? No, no. Better the devil you know, as they say.” She clapped her hands. “All right, time to go.”

  Although he was just staying in the hotel room, Sebastian’s stomach flip-flopped. “Be careful.”