A smile lit up Rogue's face, easing the lines, and making him appear relaxed and boyish. Ryan's breath caught at the transformation. So used to the permanent scowl, he never realized how a simple grin would turn handsome into something more.
After shutting off the engine, Ryan got out of the vehicle, shut the door and beeped the truck locked as he followed Rogue to the front door. As much as he tried to ignore the powerful legs that blended into a muscular ass, his gaze kept returning to the sight. In belated astonishment, he realized his actions but could no more stop himself than he could make the heavens open up with a soaking rain during a drought.
Following Rogue, Ryan stepped inside the living room. Clean and tidy came to mind. Light colored hardwood floors gleamed, reflecting the light's illumination. A deep brown fabric sofa sat along the back wall while a matching recliner angled at the side, both facing a large screen television. Along with a walnut stained coffee table, they made up all the furniture in the main area. Definitely a bachelor pad.
He shut and locked the door behind him.
"Have a seat. I'll get the beers." Rogue gestured to toward the couch.
Ambling over, Ryan sat down, sighing with relief and delight as the fluffy cushions settled around him. After the rough going, pampering and softness stood at the top of his priority list. Who knew how many bumps and bruises he would discover later on. It could be worse. He could be stuck in a hospital bed or dead.
Rogue reappeared, handing over a chilled can.
Accepting the beverage, Ryan popped the lid and took a deep swallow. "Damn, what a day." Leaning his head back on the couch, he tried to unwind tight muscles.
"Yeah. It sucked."
Ryan caught the rough tone and swiveled his head to look up at Rogue who stood next to the recliner. "We made it through. That's what counts."
"Yeah, with men down and the tango still out there with hired killers posed to take out the rest. Not really a success in my book." He walked closer before settling down at the opposite end of the couch from Ryan.
"I don't know anything about Ghost. But, Night believes in him. That's good enough for me." From the few encounters with the leader of the Wind Warriors, Ryan understood two things. Night never misjudged anyone and if he wanted you dead, you might as well pick up a shovel and start digging.
"He's an assassin." Rogue sipped his drink, his other hand resting on his thigh.
"I figured."
Rogue arched an eyebrow. "It doesn't bother you, being all FBI and such?"
Ryan rolled his eyes. "If he can keep my sister out of the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle, I'd kiss the devil incarnate."
For the first time since, Rogue grinned ruefully. "Speaking of a kiss…"
Ryan groaned loudly, slapping one hand over his face. He stepped right into the one topic he desperately wanted to avoid.
Rogue chuckled. "Thought I'd forget, huh?"
"Hoped, actually."
"No such luck, bro. That kiss you plastered on me was damn hot."
"What a convoluted mess." Ryan scrubbed his face. "I don't get it." The whole experience still dumbfounded him. Too many questions lay unanswered, all centering around the man just a few feet away.
"Get what?"
"I've never wanted a man before. Never looked at them twice. Until now."
"Denial?" Rogue tossed out.
"I have no clue. All I've ever wanted was women. Until that day. It just sort of happened. We were arguing and well…"
"And your inhibitions lowered with the fight, allowing your deeply buried feelings to finally express themselves?"
"Hell if I know." Ryan slugged another long swallow of beer. "We've argued before. More times than I can count. So, why this time?"
"The timing was right."
"Come again." Ryan sat up, twisting so he could watch Rogue's face, before resting his elbows on his knees.
Rogue's finger combed his hair with one hand, glancing away. "I've known I'm bi since I was a kid."
"Damn."
"Yeah." He took another drink and met Ryan's gaze. "All those arguments, bickering, and battling? Foreplay."
"Foreplay? You think all those years in the Army was foreplay? You're deluded."
"Possibly. But I know one thing. I wanted you. From the first day I saw you in desert camo standing in line at the mess hall."
Ryan blinked. "What?"
"It's true." Rogue sipped his beer and continued. "I wanted you, but couldn't do a damn thing about it. First of all, you were straight. Secondly, Don't Ask/ Don't Tell prevented me from doing more than looking, fantasizing, and wishing for something that would never be."
"Do you still want me?" Ryan asked hesitantly. He needed to know, to understand, realize he hadn't totally lost all his marbles. Anxious and off balance, he sought to sort through the confusion that had taken over his life.
"Yes." Rogue scooted over, settling on the cushion adjoining Ryan's. Reaching out, he cupped Ryan's cheek with strong, callused fingers. "I never forgot you. Never stopped wanting you. When you climbed on board that chopper, I thought maybe second chances did come true. Then you hit on Tempest…" He looked away.
Ryan placed his hand over Rogue's, giving a slight squeeze, needing to ease the hurt showing on the other man's face. "Can't I want you both?" He held his breath, waiting on the answer.
Rogue's gaze jerked back to Ryan's face, searching. Obviously finding something he liked, he leaned in, softly sealing his lips over Ryan's, his tongue flicking out to trace over the soft surface, asking for entrance.
Anger, angst, and pent-up frustration had spawned their first kiss. Hot. Hard. Demanding. A boiling cauldron of emotions. In contrast, this one captured gentleness, sensitivity, and a slow lazy coming together of two people learning one another truly for the first time, step by cautious step. Simply enjoying the gift of sharing a moment in time. Eking pleasure from a modest show of affection.
Ryan sighed and opened his mouth, eager to taste Rogue's essence once more, his tongue darting inside for a quick wrestling match. He reached out, cupping the back of Rogue's neck, holding him tight, pulling him closer, asking for more. For long moments, their lips remained fused, exploring a new passion, taking turns as the aggressor.
Kissing Rogue released pent-up needs, stoked his desire, and set fire to his hard and aching cock. In that moment, he understood so many things.
Rogue pulled back, breathing hard. Setting his beer on the coffee table, he held out his hand to Ryan. "I'm grimy, gritty, and in bad need of a shower. Join me?"
Just like earlier at the compound, Ryan accepted Rogue's hand after depositing his empty container on the same table, allowing Rogue to pull him to his feet and lead him down a hallway to the first door. Entering, he found what appeared to be the master bedroom, complete with California king-sized bed between two dressers. A large bay window allowed ribbons of sunlight to stream through the area, providing more than enough illumination to see by. The whole room, from neutral beige carpet to dark brown bed linens spoke of Rogue. Manly. No nonsense. The basics with a hint of luxury.
Rogue opened the bathroom door, ushering Ryan ahead of him. "Towels are under the sink."
Checking the cabinet, he found a couple, pulling them out to hang on a towel holder attached to a nearby wall. Completing the task, he swiveled to find Rogue already shirtless and working hard on the buttons of his jeans. Ryan's gaze locked onto the display of muscles as they stretched and retracted with each graceful movement. A robust chest with prominent pecs flowed into six pack abs. How he never noticed the remarkable build of the man before, he had no idea. His whole body shouted power, confidence, and sex appeal. Hell. Ryan nearly drooled on the spot.
Rogue looked up, meeting Ryan's gaze. The corner of his mouth tilted up. "Like?"
Licking his suddenly dry lips, Ryan pulled his scrambled senses together, not willing to let Rogue see his uncertainty and mild anxiety. With a casual shrug, Ryan smirked. "You've been in the weight room." He always faced chall
enges head on. This wasn't any different. And, by damn, he refused to cower to Rogue, to play the part of a lamb to Rogue's lion. Not in this lifetime. Submissive wasn't in his nature.
"Can't be outclassed by the competition." Rogue made it a bland statement, as if they were back in high school gym class, preparing to shower after a workout.
He shook his head at Rogue's arrogance, the challenge and swagger in his stance. Two could play at that game. Not to be outdone, Ryan shucked his shirt, tossing it to the floor. Without preamble, he unzipped his jeans, letting them pool at his feet before kicking them to join his shirt. Socks and boxers followed, leaving him standing in the buff.
With a new sense of confidence, he opted to let bygones be bygones. He certainly didn't understand everything, bewilderment and bafflement reigned supreme when it came to these newly uncovered feelings about Rogue, but he vowed to just go with the flow. Ignoring him hadn't worked. Trying to forget the kiss ever happened backfired. With no other suggestions, he tossed all rational thought out the window and went with his gut.
Glancing up, he found Rogue just as nude, staring at him as if he were a medium rare steak and he'd just returned from a stint on a deserted island, living on seaweed. Judging from the full cock with the bead of moisture at the end, Rogue liked what he saw.
Ignoring his own pounding erection, Ryan arched an eyebrow, crossed his arms over his chest, and shot the other man a haughty grin. "Like?" He tossed the word back.
"Hell, yeah."
The compliment went straight to his cock, the additional engorgement sending pulsating waves of primitive needs. The achy tightness demanded attention, clamored for a quick release.
Pulling open the shower door, Ryan stepped in, backing up in the oversized stall to allow room for Rogue who followed on his heels, his eyes never leaving the hills and valleys that composed Rogue's powerful build. His gaze lowered, focusing on the other man's erection, watching as the cock bobbed with each movement. Neither could be considered a slacker in the endowment department.
Rogue turned on the shower, testing the temperature with his fingers before stepping into the waterfall.
Ryan grabbed the shower gel, squeezing a healthy amount onto his palm and rubbing his hands together as he watched rivulets of water meander over the prominent chest, six pack abs, and downward, only adding to the beauty of Rogue.
Curious to the similarities and differences, he reached out, wrapping his fingers around the tempting piece, lightly squeezing before measuring Rogue. Once. Twice.
"Damn." Rogue stilled his hand. "More of that and you're going to make me come already."
Ryan grinned. "Hair trigger, huh?"
Rogue snorted. "Never"—he stepped closer, sealing his lips over Ryan's, pouring raw desire into the burning kiss—"except with you."
The admission only revved Ryan's engine all the hotter. Releasing the other man's engorged cock, he soaped his hands again, and explored the dark toned skin from face to neck, chest to stomach, all the way down to his feet. By the time he finished stroking and cleaning, Rogue's eyes sat at half mast, full of need, sparking with sexual longing.
"My turn."
Swiping the shower gel, Rogue lathered his hands, then returned the favor, setting off small cherry bombs of pleasure every small step of the way. Caressing and confident, he touched and rubbed, cleaning as he roamed over Ryan's body. Groaning with delight, Ryan clenched his hands at his sides, allowing the teasing quest as long as he could, unwilling to interrupt the delicious torture. Closing his eyes, he focused on the tactile stimulation.
The feel of Rogue's hand wrapping around his cock made his eyelids fly back open. Meeting his gaze, he watched as Rogue grasped snugly, moving his hand up and down Ryan's long shaft, sending waves of heat racing up his spine.
"Shit, that's good."
Rogue continued, increasing the pace just a hair, his gaze flicking from Ryan's face to his highly sensitive cock. His other hand cupped Ryan's testicles, weighing and massaging.
Ryan's mouth opened on a gasp. Rogue swooped in with another steamy kiss, pushing the edge of Ryan's control. Releasing his aching balls, Rogue trailed fingers up his torso, pausing a moment to lightly pinch each nipple, before roaming around to Ryan's back and finally patting his rear.
"Yes. Fuck, yes." Ryan's hips jerked, thrusting against Rogue's hold, begging for more. Tingles began at the base of his spine warning of his impending climax. Standing on the precipice, he held tightly. "So close…"
Rogue squeezed his ass. "You're so fucking hot, Ryan. I can't wait to lick your cock, take you in my mouth and suck you for all you're worth."
Those words sent Ryan tumbling over the edge. With a harsh cry, he threw his head back, and rode the waves of ecstasy, his cock spurting over Rogue's hand. The sharply timed sensations continued in rhythm with Rogue's hand until he could barely stand. Bracing himself against the walls of the shower, he panted for breath, dazed by the tremendous climax, one of the most intense he'd ever experienced.
Rogue nuzzled his cheek, soothing him with light rubs to his back.
Slowly, Ryan recovered, dazed and astounded at the reaction Rogue easily drew from him. From a hand job, no less. Damn amazing.
Speaking of amazing…
He watched as a pearl of moisture lazily appeared at the tip of Rogue's cock. Reaching out, he brushed his thumb over the top, smearing the fluid over the mushroom head, earning a low growl from Rogue as a reward.
Snatching the role of aggressor, Ryan grinned wickedly at his playmate. "Your turn." Without waiting for an answer, he wrapped one hand around Rogue's erection, using the water cascading over Rogue's body as lubricant as he slid up and down the long pole. After a few strokes, he reached up, worrying a flattened nipple into a pebbled peak. "My turn to watch you fly into pieces."
He pressed his lips against Rogue's, slipping his tongue inside to flick over the other man's teeth before nipping his bottom lip. "Watch you come from my touch, spew your load over my hand." The suggestive talk popped from his mouth as he learned the contours of Rogue's body, reveled in every groan, jerk, and hoarse moan. Driven by hunger and the need to give his lover as much pleasure as he received, Ryan pushed his limits, boldly cupping the other man's ass and giving him a light pat.
"God you're sexy." He rambled on, still maintaining an even pace with his hand strokes. "Too damn sexy and you know it."
Rogue barked out a laugh that sounded more like a croak. His chest heaved.
With a wicked grin, he reached out, grabbing onto Ryan's half aroused cock, pumping him into a quick burning arousal a few flicks of his wrist. "Just like that. Right there. Harder."
Ryan did as commanded, increasing the pressure and speed. Rogue mirrored his actions. Both grunted and panted, nudging the other closer and closer.
"Shit. I knew you would be good. So good," Rogue muttered between gasps.
Thoroughly enjoying watching Rogue respond to his touches, Ryan smiled widely, his teeth clenched against the need to tumble over the cliff once more. Not before Rogue. No way. If it killed him, he would hold off, stay the inevitable. Shifting a hair closer, he found his lover's ear, nipping it sharply before flicking his tongue over the small sting. Encouraged by the sheer rapture on Rogue's face, Ryan slid his fingers down the center line of Rogue's ass.
"Fuck." Rogue sucked in a breath before thrusting his hips in a desperate pace.
Seizing his waning control, Ryan tightened his fist around Rogue's cock, never slowing his pace. "That's it."
A mighty roar answered along with a stream of semen spurting from Rogue's swollen and pulsating cock. Only then did Ryan release his iron willed control, following Rogue into Nirvana.
A couple minutes later, enough blood returned to his brain to allow Ryan to speak. "Damn."
"Ditto," Rogue agreed.
Still leaning heavily on the shower door, Ryan managed to catch his breath. "I'm beat." The last round sapped all his remaining adrenaline, dragging his energy with it, leaving hi
m drained.
Rogue drew in a deep breath and stepped slowly forward. "This water's getting cold. I vote we rinse before it turns to ice."
Scrambling, they both managed to finish washing before they began to shiver in the lukewarm water.
* * * *
Half an hour later, Rogue kicked back on the couch, his sock covered feet propped up on the coffee table. Ryan sat a few feet away, wearing a borrowed pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Sated and tired, they sat for a few minutes in silence.
Rogue took the opportunity to study his long time crush. Ryan had changed little over the years, his physique as delectable as ever, blond hair covered his head, and his mind seemed to crank at a quick speed. The only differences were a couple of lines on his face, a signal of the stress their lives recently took on. For all he knew, Ryan bore the crags for the past few years, but he doubted it. With a laid-back attitude, the former Ranger didn't sweat the small stuff and took life in stride.
Six years ago when they'd parted ways, Rogue gave up on his dream of ever being with Ryan like this. Lazily lounging in sweats, hanging out at his house, relaxing after one of the most exciting showers he'd ever taken. The dream would be perfect if Ryan didn't sit so far away, absorbed in his own thoughts.
He also wasn't saying anything at the moment, which made Rogue's gut clench in concern. Sure, they were both done in, but he expected Ryan to say something after their shower experience, comment on his enjoyment, throw out hints for another date, ask to spend the night.
Impatient, he opted to toss out the first pitch. "You can crash here tonight if you want."
Ryan looked up. "Thanks, but I think I had better get home soon." He picked at his black shirt. "I'll wash these and return them to your office tomorrow."
Not the response he hoped for or expected. Rogue frowned as his heart stuttered.
Emotions flickered across Ryan's face, too many to read and understand.
"Keep them if you want. I have plenty." His flat voice reflected the tumultuous frustration racking his body at his lover's lackluster riposte and reaction.
Blue Blood's Trifecta Page 10
