“We’ll wait outside for you,” Thompson said as they approached the quarters, pulling Brett from his thoughts and reminding him they weren’t alone. Jackson went inside and searched, before letting them inside.
“Thank you.” Orion smiled and walked into the room.
“You need to sleep. You haven’t slept a full night in a week,” Brett said the door closing behind them.
“How…?”
“I always miss you when you leave the bed,” Brett said, pulling Orion into his arms.
“I didn’t—”
“If I was worried about me, I’d have said something. I’m not. You have responsibilities. Ones that come before everything else,” Brett said, interrupting him. Rubbing his hands up and down Orion’s arms, he bent and brushed his lips against Orion’s, gently asking to be let in. Relief flooded him as Orion opened for him, allowing him to deepen and control the kiss as he tasted and explored. He loved the way Orion felt in his arms. The way he fit perfectly with Brett. Reluctantly, Brett pulled back and laid his forehead against Orion’s.
“Rest now. Food later,” Brett said, breathing heavily.
“I’m too wired to rest.”
“Allow me to help you then.” Brett smiled, scooped Orion up and carried him into the bedroom.
“Don’t drop me!” Orion wrapped his arms around Brett’s neck.
“I won’t.”
“Sex isn’t the answer to everything you know.”
“No, I know. It is a good stress reliever though when it’s done right.”
“Is that what I need?” Orion asked as Brett deposited him carefully onto the bed.
“It is.” Brett kissed him, crawling onto the bed after him, until he was kneeling over the other man. “For a little while at least, you need to relax, so you can refocus and lead this group to victory. For now though, just feel.”
Orion bit his lip and nodded.
“If I do anything that scares you, makes you wig out, brings back any sort of bad memories, I want to you say stop.”
“Stop?”
Brett nodded. It was important to get Orion to relax, but it was just as important that the man enjoy what they did together and to know Brett could be trusted. “Yes. If you tell me to stop, I will.”
“Like with the wrist?”
“Yes.”
“You won’t get mad?”
“No, sweetheart, I won’t get mad,” Brett said, looking Orion in the eyes. He wanted the other man to see the truth of his words.
Biting his lip once again, Orion nodded. Brett smiled and lowered himself to his elbows. Stretching his body out, he kept the majority of his weight off the younger man. He bent his head forward and kissed Orion, tongue pushing in as soon Orion opened for him. Releasing Orion’s mouth, he kissed a trail along Orion’s jaw line and down his neck. He kept his movements slow and gentle, letting Orion know how much he appreciated Orion’s trust and how much the man turned him on. Pushing himself up, Brett returned to kissing Orion as he unbuttoned Orion’s shirt then slid it off his shoulders. Orion shrugged out of it and moved to pull up his T-shirt.
“Let me,” Brett said, stopping Orion’s hands.
Orion frowned but nodded.
“This is about you relaxing and feeling good.”
“But what about you?”
“Trust me, sweetheart, I’m enjoying myself. Making you feel good is making me happy. And I love exploring your body,” Brett said, sliding up the fabric and kissing the exposed skin on Orion’s abdomen. “Love uncovering you.”
Orion smiled and ran his hands over Brett’s shoulders, before folding them behind his head. Brett worked the shirt up higher, kissing his way over the muscular torso. Orion inhaled sharply. Brett lifted his gaze to his lover. Once satisfied everything was okay, he turned his attention to one of Orion’s nipples. Laving it, he caught the pebbled nub between his teeth. Orion arched his back, his hands tangling in Brett’s hair. Brett repeated the action a second time before releasing the nipple to pay tribute to the other one.
“Brett—”
Brett let Orion go then blew across the nipple gently before moving up to look in Orion’s eyes.
“Everything all right?” Brett asked between kisses.
Orion nodded, his hands never leaving Brett.
Sitting up, Brett pulled Orion’s T-shirt up and over the man’s head, stopping before Orion’s arms were free.
“Just for a minute,” Brett said quietly, punctuating the words with more kisses.
Brett ran a hand over Orion’s body while recapturing Orion’s mouth with his own. He delved into the warmth and tried to put everything he thought and felt into the kiss. With one hand still gripping the T-shirt, Brett used the other to undo the top button on Orion’s pants.
Orion struggled against the fabric and Brett. Releasing Orion’s mouth, Brett sat up and looked down into Orion’s brown eyes and the myriad emotions swirling in their depths.
“Want to feel you,” Orion said.
Brett smiled and nodded. He finished pulling off the T-shirt and tossed it onto the floor. Arms free, Orion immediately began to unbutton Brett’s shirt. Stripping out of his shirt and T-shirt, Brett searched Orion’s eyes before returning to the fastenings on Orion’s pants. Buttons undone, Brett fished out Orion’s cock, enjoying the weight of it in his hands.
“Gorgeous,” Brett murmured. He kissed the tip of Orion’s shaft before taking him into his mouth. He bobbed his head up and down, lapping at the pre-cum beginning to ooze as he drove his lover closer and closer to the edge. Orion’s fingers wound in his hair. Brett continued tugging at Orion’s pants, wanting them completely off for a change. When they were as far down as he could get them without releasing Orion, Brett reached for Orion’s hairless sac with one hand and rolled it gently. He’d never met a man as smooth as Orion and found he loved it. Inhaling the masculine scent that was pure Orion, Brett hummed around the other man’s cock.
“Please—” Orion begged.
Brett released Orion’s cock and looked up at the younger man. “More?”
“Yes.”
Brett moved off Orion and finished removing his pants and boots. Sitting back, Brett stared at the man laid out before him. Brett ran his hands up over Orion’s lean, muscular legs. The tie holding back the other man’s hair had loosened and the dark brown hair fell to his shoulders, feathering around him. Brett inhaled sharply. His man was exquisite. He’d seen plenty of men and had sex with several of them, many of whom he’d classify as gorgeous, but none, not even Taren called to him as Orion did. The strength and vulnerability in the younger man hidden beneath the disguise of a simple, throwaway man captivated him.
Quickly shedding his clothes, Brett crawled back onto the bed and between Orion’s legs. He ran his hands up the smooth skin. Orion shivered and arched into his touch.
“So beautiful,” Brett whispered.
Orion’s muscles twitched beneath Brett’s palms, and his legs spread wider. Brett trailed his fingers across Orion’s inner thighs, eliciting a gasp from the younger man.
“Pull your knees up to your chest,” Brett ordered, sliding his hands beneath Orion’s ass.
“Why?” Orion asked, pushing himself up onto his elbows.
“I want to taste you.”
“T-taste me?”
“It won’t hurt, I promise,” Brett replied, biting back a frown. How much did the other man not know? How much had he not experienced?
Brett forced the thoughts out of his head and turned his focus onto Orion. The younger man pulled his knees back, exposing his pretty hole. Kneeling, Brett kissed the sac before swiping his tongue across the small entrance. Orion whimpered and squirmed as Brett continued his assault on him. Withdrawing, Brett moved so he was once again positioned over Orion, their cocks brushing together as they moved. Brett leaned down and kissed Orion. Hands and legs wrapped around Brett’s body. He blindly reached over to the nightstand next to the bed and into the drawer where he’d seen a bottle of lube an
d a box of condoms. Reluctantly, he released Orion’s mouth in order to retrieve a condom before tossing the package on the bed beside Orion.
He kissed a trail down Orion’s body, silently mourning the loss when Orion dropped his legs away. Brett sat back and lubed his fingers, lapped at the pre-cum dripping from Orion’s cock then slid one finger into Orion’s tight hole. Looking at his lover, Brett smiled as Orion caught his lower lip between teeth, as though he wanted to hold back any sound. Fucking the younger man with one finger, he used his other hand to pinch Orion’s nipples. He added a second digit. Brett scissored his fingers, wanting Orion to be stretched before entering him with his cock. He wasn’t willing to hurt his man.
Orion whimpered, and Brett added a third finger, pushing in and out until Orion met each thrust. Pulling out, he tore open the condom wrapper and rolled it on, using more lube on the rubber. Brett reached around and grabbed a pillow then pushed it under Orion’s hips. He knelt, his cock kissing Orion’s hole.
“What is the pillow for?” Orion asked, his voice husky, his brown eyes filled with need and desire.
“For you,” Brett answered. “Do you still want this?”
“Yes.” Orion nodded.
Brett shifted his hips and slid forward until he breached Orion’s body. He paused for a moment before moving. Inch by inch, Brett entered Orion, tight warmth wrapped around him, pulling him in. Brett forced himself to go slow, watching his lover, wanting to give the man every opportunity to get used to him, to tell him to stop if he needed to. Once he was fully seated, Brett paused, giving Orion time to adjust to him. Leaning down, he kissed him deeply, letting his actions speak the words he wasn’t ready to say and Orion wasn’t ready to hear.
“Please,” Orion begged once Brett had released him.
Brett nodded and pulled almost all the way out before thrusting in again. Using words and actions to encourage Orion and to let him know how much the man meant to him. Draping Orion’s legs over his shoulders, Brett pistoned in and out, setting a comfortable rhythm for them both. The quiet sounds Orion made echoed through the room. It was music to Brett’s ears and heart. He felt his heart stammer and melt as he connected the dots and realization dawned. Orion trusted him.
“More. Please,” Orion pleaded.
“Always. For you.”
Repositioning his grip, he slammed into Orion, making sure to peg the man’s pleasure gland with every thrust. Lightning raced through his body. Pleasure-pain ripped through Orion as his orgasm grew near. Brett wrapped a hand around Orion’s shaft, stroking him in time with his thrusts.
“Come for me,” Brett urged, nailing Orion’s gland again.
Orion’s body clamped down around him. Arching his back, his scream silent, Orion’s essence covered Brett’s hand as Brett rode out Orion’s orgasm. He licked his hand tasting Orion as his own release tore through him.
Brett shouted Orion’s name before lowering himself to his forearms, not wanting to put weight on his lover but needing the closeness. Unspoken emotions crossed over Orion’s face and eyes before bliss returned and settled.
“Are you okay?” Brett asked, kissing Orion softly.
Orion nodded, his eyes closing.
“I’ll be right back,” Brett said, pulling out, careful to keep hold of the condom around his softening shaft. He climbed off the bed then cleaned himself in the bathroom before returning to wash up Orion.
Crawling back into the bed, he moved Orion until they were both under the covers and Orion lay with his head notched against Brett’s shoulder.
“Orion, sweetheart? Are you all right?”
“Yes. I…that…that was incredible,” Orion replied. “I-I never knew it could be like that.”
Brett’s stomach dropped. Exactly what kind of experience did his lover have? Brett flinched internally at the thought.
“I…I…” Orion started to squirm and move away.
Brett wrapped his arms around Orion instantly. “Hush, sweetheart. We don’t need to discuss anything now. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” he said and kissed Orion’s temple. “Don’t run away from me again.” The plea was soft, needy. Brett relaxed his grip and let go of the smaller man. He didn’t want Orion to hide in the bathroom again as he had before, but trust and communication were a two-way street they were both learning how to navigate.
Orion moved slightly, burying his head.
Nervous energy tinged with fear rolled off Orion in heavy waves. Brett clenched and unclenched his fists several times before trusting himself to speak.
“Has no one ever taken the time to show you how good and truly wonderful sex can be?” Brett asked.
“No…not really. Well, maybe…” Orion replied. “One person did, but I thought he didn’t know what he was doing. Everyone else—”
“I see,” Brett said, pulling Orion closer to him, anger flooding him. “Selfish bastards.” The words came out harsher than he’d intended. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, he began again. “Sweetheart, I do know what I’m doing, and sex between two people should be about mutual pleasure not one guy treating another simply as a hole, as a means to get off.”
Long moments passed as the tension slipped from Orion’s body.
“I guess I kind of always knew that,” Orion admitted.
“It’ll take time, but for now, just sleep.” Brett stroked Orion’s back as the man snuggled closer and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
“You can still back out if you want to,” Orion said softly. He sat on the edge of their bed, tying the laces of his boots, refusing to look at the Brett.
“And you can’t?”
“No, Brett, I can’t. This is my destiny, my job, my purpose.”
“To get killed?”
“No, love, to find a way to succeed,” Orion answered. He cared for Brett and wanted the man to be happy. He had to offer him a way out one last time. Branded a traitor by the government, if Brett stayed behind, his heart could stay true to whatever beliefs his lover held onto. If he went with them and was caught, he’d be tortured and killed. His family could pay the same price. Brett’s father and siblings were all relatively important figures—at least, on a regional level. His father was gaining importance nationally, as well. His son’s involvement with the Citizens for a Free Aelland would destroy everything. That could destroy Brett and turn his lover against him. “My life has always led to this, but if you back out now, eventually, you might be able to return to your family. Family is important.” Orion steeled himself against Brett’s answer. “I grew up on the legends and myths of this country. Of a country that was free, where everyone was equal. We were educated and traveled freely. I want that again. If not for me, then for the children who will come after me. This is my life. This is what my family died for. But you still have a chance. A chance with your family. With a husband.”
“Sweetheart, there’s no going back.” Brett sat down next to him, pulling him into his arms.
“You could—”
“Even if I could ignore the atrocities the government had committed, even if I could get my job back, even if I could ignore my family’s role in everything, I still don’t want to be away from you. I can’t ignore what I’ve learned,” Brett answered, hugging him tight.
“There are things you don’t know. The extent of what has happened before. You could still go back. Forget the little you know.”
“What do you mean? What don’t I know?”
Orion shook his head. “A lot.” He took a deep breath. One more secret. One more chance to convince Brett to find safety. “Do you know how much power a base commander has?”
Brett shrugged. “A lot. He’s responsible for everything that happens on a base.”
“Yes. They can make people disappear. Can have them arrested and interrogated for whatever they want. They don’t need to have reasons. Most commanders have a specially selected team of security personnel that carry out the interrogations that haven’t been officially authorized
. When people die, they can list the cause of death as anything from natural causes to being shot while running near a gun range.”
Brett swallowed and nodded. “You were part of this team.”
“No. But as the general’s special staff and the one person on base with no outside connection and whose life is spared on the general’s whim, I was responsible for taking care of the evidence.”
“You mean disposing of the bodies?”
Orion nodded. “Did you never wonder why some areas of the base are off limits to everyone, yet I could go everywhere.”
“There was a hole in the ground when I ran into you. I didn’t see anything at the time and didn’t think anything of it. I was only concerned about your safety.”
“I buried them and said a prayer for them that I had been taught as a kid,” Orion said quietly.
“Why did they die?”
“I never asked. The reasons changed nothing.”
“But you know. You’re intelligent. You know why they were killed.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.” Brett slid off the bed and knelt in front of Orion, holding both of his hands.
“The three of them were lovers, were seen everywhere together. The general’s niece had a crush on one of the men, who rejected her advances. He had evidence planted after their deaths to show that they were reading unauthorized literature, that they were connected to some sort of art underground.”
“His niece threw a temper tantrum and cost three people their lives? She was only on base for about two weeks,” Brett said, squeezing Orion’s harder. “Is that what the families were told?”
“No, love, it wasn’t,” Orion said, tugging so Brett would sit next to him again. He found himself drawing strength and comfort from his lover in a way he hadn’t thought possible before. “Sometimes families would be told they had died during a training accident. Usually though, they were declared missing.”
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