...The loft set up as Alex and Shawn’s residence for the sting glowed with faint low lighting, comfortable and pleasing to eyes used to the darkness. Alex welcomed the dimness as the door closed with a snap against the cold D.C. night. He tossed his coat over a chair, not bothering to hang it up. He had greater things on his mind at the moment.

“Would you care to explain to me what just happened in that club?” The question had echoed repeatedly in his mind as Ronnecker’s limo drove them to their pretend home.

“Well, if you don’t know, I thoroughly screwed it up.” Shawn grinned and tossed himself onto the pale leather of the couch.

“Fine, allow me to rephrase my inquiry. Why did you do that when something far less… intimate would have sufficed?” Alex dropped down onto the broad modern design of the chair next to him.

“Two reasons.” Shawn locked his hands behind his head. “One, Ronnecker is completely satisfied now. He’s firmly convinced we’re a couple. So, our lives are in a lot less danger than they were a few hours ago. And two, I’ve wanted to taste you for years.”

“You what?” Alex stared at his friend slack-jawed.

Shawn sat up, grin in place. “All these years you’ve sat across from me, cute as any man I’ve ever seen, and sometimes all I could think of is how much I wanted to get you naked and suck you off. Among other things.”

Alex’s brain refused to send signals to his mouth, which worked without sound.

“Oh, come on, mate. You have to know how utterly hot you are. You can’t be too surprised I noticed.”

“But you’re not gay!” It came out in rush, his usual eloquence gone.

“No, I’m not. I’m bi. I love the sheilas, every last one of them. There is just something about women that can’t be explained. They don’t even have to be pretty or young; they’re still great. On the other hand, a man needs to be special to get my attention. And you got that attention a long time ago.” He rolled from the couch to kneel at Alex’s feet. “Come on, did you really think I didn’t see how you really are under all that snark and sarcasm? We’ve been teammates a long time.”

He rose up on his knees until his face was level with Alex’s. “You’ve saved my life more than once. You have my back whenever I need you to. Is it so remarkable I love you just a bit?” Broad hands settled on Alex’s thighs and squeezed. “There’s a lot about you that’s damned attractive, Alex.”

Strong lips claimed his for a deep kiss. A loving, gentle, soul-shaking kiss full of want. Shawn drew away, breathing hard. “God, you really do have the best mouth.” His thumb traced the line of Alex’s lips. “And the things that come out of it!” That boyish grin Shawn was famous for appeared. “Sometimes when you get on a rant, I want to back you up against that filing cabinet and kiss you blind.” His fingers worked at Alex’s buttons. “And when you talk about your roses, it’s adorable.” He pressed a kiss to the hollow of Alex’s throat. “I’d love to trail one of those roses over your skin just to watch you squirm.” He nipped at a sensitive nipple. “God, that would look so good.”

“What are you…?”

“Hush, I’m busy seducing you.” Shawn grinned up at him. “You didn’t really think that one little taste was enough, did you? Oh, you’re way more addictive than that, mate. Besides, that was all rushed and I didn’t really get to show you how I really feel about you.”

“But, but I’m not…”

“Shush! Let me have you, Alex. I promise you’ll enjoy it ten times more than you did at the club.”

Ten times more? That was another problem. Alex had enjoyed Shawn going down on him far too much for his comfort as it was. Ten times? Ten times would mean he really was… “But I’m not…”

“I adore the way you play devil’s advocate, finding all the flaws in a plan.”

“You what?” Alex’s train of thought completely derailed and had to be craned back up onto another track.

“I love watching you at work. You aren’t afraid of anything when you think you’re right or if you think one of us is wrong.” Shawn chuckled, the vibrations teasing Alex’s stomach. When had he started nibbling and licking there? “That core of pure stubbornness. God, when you get like, that all I can think of is how much passion’s locked inside you. And how much I want to set it free.”