Colorado Fire - Colorado Heart 2

by Sara York

  Grant never knew about his arrangements with a few of their targets. It hadn't taken Craig long to realize that Marshal didn't trust him, but that was just the way Marshal was. He hooked up with Grant soon after, making sure he could manipulate the man, which in turn meant he could manipulate Duff. Grant was the favorite, the leader. He might not have been there as long as the other guys, but he was the one Duff counted on the most. That had ticked Craig off. He'd wanted to be the one to count on, but maybe Duff knew even back then that though Craig seemed solid, he didn't give a shit. He'd worked to hide the truth, and he had for the most part, but something had made Duff not trust him.

  Craig worked with purpose to get food into his belly. He ate a cold can of beans and hung the trash in a tree a few hundred yards away. Sleeping in the wilds of Colorado was dangerous, but he'd slept in much more dangerous places and survived. His food was hung in a tree, and he wasn't eating near his tent. If a bear came around, he'd not be drawn to Craig's tent.

  The sleeping bag he'd chosen was rated down to thirty below freezing. Before it got that cold up here, he'd make his move, showing Grant, Duff, and the rest of the guys, especially Marshal, just how dangerous he could be. The world didn't know about Wild Bluff, but once he took them down, a lot of people would thank him for making the playing field even again.

  *~*~*

  Roger settled in his room, wishing that Grant would stop by. Of course, Grant didn't owe him anything. They'd come together so quickly, and with few words, he wondered if Grant regretted it. He pulled off his clothes and stepped into the shower, feeling the need to rinse the dirt away.

  The heat of the water relaxed his shoulders, and he sighed as he closed his eyes, relaxing with one hand against the shower wall. The door to the shower opened and he snapped open his eyes, taking in Grant's naked body and hard dick.

  No words were exchanged as Grant stepped in and pulled Roger into a kiss. He allowed Grant to touch, lick, and kiss him. Then Grant's soaped up finger was at his ass, sliding along his crease, relaxing his opening. The digit slipped in and he clenched a bit. This was the first time anyone had breached him since Hayden.

  He rested his forehead on Grant's shoulder, letting the emotions roll over him. During his time with Hayden, he really thought no one else would ever do this to him. It was his and Hayden's to share. But now Grant's finger was inside him, searching for his prostate. He arched into Grant, making his search easier.

  Long fingers stroked his channel, finally hitting the spot. He groaned and pulled Grant tighter, digging his fingers into Grant's shoulder. They rocked together, Roger's balls riding high, his dick sensitive as it moved between them.

  "You like?" Grant asked.

  "Yes," Roger breathed out, pressing as close to Grant as he could.

  Grant spun him around and pushed him against the side of the shower. His dick slid between Roger's cheeks, riding his crease hard. Roger wanted more. He wanted to feel the sting of being fucked hard.

  Grant pushed Roger's cheeks together, trapping his dick as he thrust forward. It was almost enough. The brush of cock against his hole had him gasping. He reached down and grabbed his dick, stroking in rhythm to Grant's movements.

  "Grant, fuck, I'm gonna come."

  "Do it...gonna...fuck."

  Grant's hot come hit the small of his back, and he couldn’t hold it in. Roger came hard, shooting against the wall as Grant spread his come over Roger's crease and down to his pucker.

  "You know I'm safe, right?"

  "Yeah, frequent medical tests and all."

  Grant pressed his come coated finger into Roger, then another. He ground back against Grant's hand, forcing his fingers deeper.

  "When you get back, I'm going to fuck you hard." Grant's words came out in a growl, racing through Roger like hot lava.

  Roger closed his eyes, trying not to think of Hayden and the times they'd been together, but he couldn’t stop the memories from flooding through him. Tears burned the back of his eyes. Grant pulled his fingers out and spun him around.

  "Hey, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing. Everything."

  Grant placed one hand on the back Roger's neck and the other at his waist. "Tell me. Trust me."

  Roger didn't want to tell, he didn't want to have to trust. Because they worked together, he felt that he had no option. They were brothers in arms and they needed nothing between them, no secrets left unshared. Other guys told him to go fuck some stranger after Hayden passed away. Told him it would make it easier once he found someone he actually wanted to be with, but he hadn't listened. With Hayden, everything had been special. They were the type of couple who made others jealous, now they were nothing, but he still had feelings. But where did that leave Grant?

  "Babe, please don't shut me out."

  "I'm afraid of what I'm feeling. Hayden was it for me. I didn't think I'd ever be with another man. And now I'm with you. I like that, but I'm torn. I feel guilty, but I know I shouldn't. He's dead and yet, I don't know what he'd say about us being together."

  Grant pulled him closer and kissed his forehead. They stayed like that for a moment then Grant grabbed the soap and washed Roger's body, shampooing his hair before cleaning himself. When Grant shut off the water, Roger still didn't know what to do. Grant dried him and led him to the bed where they snuggled under the covers.

  He drifted off quickly in Grant's arms and when he woke, he knew exactly who held him. Hayden hadn't come to him in his dreams, and he hadn't woken up feeling guilty. His flight was later in the afternoon, but he'd have to drive to Denver so staying in bed wasn't an option.

  While he puled on his clothes, he watched Grant, studying the slope of his brow and the rough stubble on his cheeks. How he'd found a man so good was a miracle. He hadn't thrown a fit about the Hayden thing. Grant had been through hell and yet he was still nice.

  Grant's eyelashes fluttered before he opened his eyes. They stared at each other for a moment before Grant sat up. "Give me a moment to brush my teeth. Don't go anywhere."

  Roger stood in the doorway to the bathroom, watching Grant as rinsed out his mouth. The flex of Grant's muscles was turning Roger on but they had things that had to be done before he left on his trip.

  "Thanks."

  "You're welcome, but what are you thanking me for?"

  "Not freaking out when I mentioned Hayden. He was a huge part of my life, my first real lover. I mean, I'd fucked other guys and a few girls before him, but there was no one in my life like Hayden."

  Grant turned and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked totally relaxed though he was naked. Roger didn't know if he'd be so relaxed standing nude while talking about his new lover's old flame.

  "I know you wouldn't have even looked twice at me if Hayden were still alive, and I'm fine with that. Hell, you wouldn't even be here. I get that he was your world and one day soon, I want you to tell me all about him. I'm not jealous, how could I be? I would wonder about you a bit if you weren't still in love with him."

  "You mean that?"

  "Yeah. He's a part of you and I can't expect you to forget about him or the things you shared just because I'm here. He didn't mean to leave and you shouldn't have to stop loving him just because he's gone."

  "Thanks, really, it means a lot that you don't want me to forget him."

  "Come here." Grant opened his arms and they stayed together for a long moment, holding and comforting each other. They'd both been through a lot in the last year. When he left the Marines, he didn't think he'd ever find anyone whom he'd want a relationship with, but with Grant, he could see them lasting.

  They parted, and Grant pulled on his clothes before they headed to the kitchen for food. Roger was leaving within the hour and Duff had a lot of information to deliver to him. He would be studying on his way to South Africa. It was a bit ridiculous to fly into South Africa then up to England, but he was entering the country under the name of a current government official. They were risking a lot, hopin
g the real official didn't want to leave the country, but the subterfuge was necessary to make their plan work.

  He said bye to everyone, wishing he had an extra moment with Grant, but they had no privacy, and he wasn't going to make it known to everyone that they were in a relationship. Last night had been amazing, giving him hope that he could be happy again. It may take them a while, but he and Grant could have something.

  Anticipation filled him. This was his first trip and he wasn't going to fuck it up. Once he landed in Cape Town, he'd only have eight hours to obtain his new identification, gather the supplies needed for his next mission, and become Patrick Smit, an inspector in the South African police system.

  Chapter Ten

  Marshal didn't like falling asleep again, but he couldn’t help it. He'd been tired and Zander had been keeping him up late. Duff had given him six months to rest. None of the guys said anything about it, but he still felt guilty at times.

  Close to nine, he woke and rolled out of bed, refusing to sleep anymore. He'd kept his body in shape by working out. Pumping iron in their gym helped, but the farm work he'd taken on, that made all the difference.

  He grabbed a quick bite before heading out. About thirty minutes after he started working, James found him in the barn shoveling out the stalls.

  "Marshal, haven't seen you much."

  "Yeah, I've been keeping busy."

  James pulled out a stool and watched Marshal work. His brows were bunched together and it looked like he had something to say. Marshal kept working, deciding not to push the man.

  "You ever think about leaving?" James finally asked.

  Marshal stopped shoveling shit and leaned against the stall's doorframe. "I don't know. On the one hand, yes. Before Duff let me take this break, I thought about just walking away."

  "I would have missed you."

  He leaned the shovel up against the wall, and took his gloves off slowly. "So you don't think it's weird that I'm here but not working?"

  "No, man. We all need a break. After you're done with yours, I think I'm going to ask for one."

  "Don't wait." Marshal grabbed a bottle of water, cracking the lid open. "If you need a break, take it now. I was kidding myself sticking it out, thinking that I could handle things when it got to be too much. I probably could have taken a month off and worked backup for the next three and been fine. It was a mistake to wait. When I finally agreed to take time off, I was at the breaking point. Zander helps, but I'm snowed under with emotions that drive me crazy at times."

  "Wait, you and Zander?"

  His face heated and he shrugged. "Yeah, we aren't being overly open. I guess it's time everyone knew. We're just going slow I guess."

  "Okay, I guess I should have known. Really, it's not a huge surprise. So how is that going—you and Zander?"

  Marshal smiled, wiping his face with his hand as he tried to hide his ridiculously huge grin. "James, he's the best thing that has ever happened to me."

  "I wish I had someone like him."

  "He's great, I wouldn’t trade him for the world. I love him so much. He's good for me. I wish you could find someone like him. He really is great. So, is there anyone you're interested in here at Wild Bluff?"

  "Nope. Not one of these guys makes me hot. And I've tried to be attracted to them, but none of them turns me on."

  Marshal nodded and took another sip of his water. "Zander has always interested me. I just never thought we'd be together."

  "So you think you've been gay all along?" James asked.

  "No, I'm bi. Women are still attractive."

  "You think you'd ever leave Zander for a woman?"

  "No, I'll never leave Zander. I can't explain it. He's the only thing that matters to me. Really, I don't think I could breathe without him. He's wonderful."

  James laughed. "You've got it bad."

  "Yeah, I do. Now, why don't you help me finish this work and then we can go grab a beer and catch the game on TV. I want to relax tonight, and with Roger gone, I know everyone else will be on duty making sure he's safe."

  James stood and stretched, moving to the tack room to grab a shovel. He called over his shoulder, "Sure thing, I could use the company."

  "So are you my official babysitter?"

  "No, you don't have one. I just want to spend some time with you, and Duff asked me to help you with the ranch duties. So my responsibilities are out here on the farm."

  "Cool." Marshal followed him and placed a hand on James's shoulder. "About England, you know, we never talked about it."

  "What?" James looked down at the ground, not meeting Marshal's gaze.

  "You know. You can't keep fucking people when we're out on missions."

  James stiffened. "I do what I have to."

  "No James, you go above what you have to, taking an option that isn't good for you."

  "I'm fine."

  "Don't give me that bullshit. I spent time on that mission. I saw you change. You weren't fine with it. So don't lie and tell me you were. I was there and saw how not fine you were with it."

  "Fuck, do you really have to bring this up now?" James' face was red, his teeth gritted. "I'm fine. There is nothing wrong."

  "You know, you're being awfully defensive and I don't like it. If you would have replied calmly, you know, just said that you were okay and you were taking care of it, I wouldn’t be worried. You bit my head off and that's very telling."

  James dropped on the bench next to the tack room, resting his head in his hands. Marshal moved to him, wrapping his arm around his shoulders. James leaned against him and sighed.

  "I hate doing it. I feel so used. Okay, so I'm not an angel, I've met guys at clubs, fucked them in the alley and said good night after a sweet hug, but what I'm doing for missions, it's different. Or I feel like it's different."

  Marshal let out a huge breath. "I'm glad you're admitting it."

  "I don't know what to do. Everyone knows I'll fuck anything. Need a mission where someone needs to get fucked, James will do it."

  "That can change."

  "But won't I be a hypocrite then? I mean really, if I'm willing to go out and fuck random guys I like at clubs, shouldn't I be willing to fuck guys or girls for that matter, on missions?"

  Marshal saw the point James was making, but he didn't have to continue to be that guy on the team. "We can figure out other ways to make things happen. You don't have to be the guy who fucks people."

  "I feel like such a fraud. Seriously, I don't know how to change." James didn't move for a long moment then he turned to face Marshal, the pain clear in his eyes. "Really, I don't want to fuck random guys at clubs any longer either. I want to be in a relationship like you and Zander."

  Anything he said would be a platitude. James deserved to be happy. He sighed and shrugged his shoulder. "I'm not trying to blow smoke up your ass, but there's someone out there for you."

  "Marshal, you're a very good-looking guy. I don't think I told you that earlier."

  "Thanks, and when I told you that you were very good-looking, I meant it."

  "I kind of feel a little weird now." James stood up and stretched, moving away from the bench.

  "Yeah, we probably don't want or need to go down that path."

  James glanced back at him, his emotions shuttered. "You know, before you got with Zander, had you been serious about fucking me, I would have." James ducked his head but Marshal could see his skin flush.

  Marshal's heart beat wildly and his whole body heated. "I'm really in love with Zander."

  "I know, big boy. I'm not hitting on you. Just saying, that if you were single and I actually knew you were gay, I would have wanted to be with you. Which is my problem. I fuck too much and don't look for love."

  "Hey, you'll find someone to love you. Don't doubt that. There's a guy out there somewhere who wants a relationship with you."

  "But being here, at Wild Bluff, I'll never find him."

  "You could, you never know what will happen."

  Ma
rshal knew how James felt. It was difficult finding someone to be in a relationship with when your life revolved around eradicating the filth from the streets. He was lucky. Zander was amazing and kept him grounded. Had he not hooked up with his best friend, he feared what would have happened. Life as an assassin was tough, living at Wild Bluff made it easier, but by no means was this life easy.

  *~*~*

  Billy stared at the monitor, checking the information one more time. Craig had disappeared. Six weeks ago, they'd been looking at the same information. It hadn't changed. Craig was lost to them.

  "Hey, hon, do you want a beer?" Tucker rubbed his shoulders and he sat back, leaning his head against his lover's abs.

  "How about a Coke instead."

  "Sure thing."

  Billy stared after Tucker, glad that they were still a couple. Not that he doubted they'd be together, but working close, already living together, having to deal with their baby stallion, things could have gone wrong. He turned back to the computer and threw his hands up in the air.

  "This is insane."

  Duff grumbled and nodded his head. "You're telling me, kid."

  Billy stretched his hand over his head. "I need a break."

  "Take one." Duff glanced around, frowning at the rest of the guys. "In fact, let's all take a break. We aren't finding anything and Roger doesn't land in Africa until early morning for us. Once he hits the ground, he's going to need our support."

  Zander stood and stretched. "I'm going to go find Marshal."

  James entered the control room carrying a mug. "Marshal's in the theater watching a movie. I'm headed back in there. We just started Skyfall."

  Grant groaned, Mike jumped up, and Billy let out a whoop. Duff chuckled and pulled out his phone. He punched the screen and Billy wondered whom he was calling.