A Soldier’s Passion Read online

  “I would like to meet with you after we’ve spoken to the VIPs,” I said. “Thursday?”

  “Yes, sir,” she replied easily. “Rest well.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant,” I said.

  “Have a good one,” Vincent said.

  “I need a nap,” I said softly as we entered the house.

  “Suits me,” Vincent replied.

  He took my rucksack and coat into the bedroom while I went to the bathroom. He was barefoot when I came out, and his hair was free. I was surprised when he didn’t try to kiss me.

  “Patience,” he admonished playfully as he passed into the bathroom. “Get comfortable on the sofa.”

  I was puzzled, but I did as I was told. I removed my shoes, took off my belt and got comfortable on my back. Vincent came out a moment later. He was smiling at me.

  “I wanted to kiss without interruption,” he murmured easing on top of me.

  One of my hands sunk into that glorious mane as his lips took mine possessively. His tongue was sweet as it wound around mine lazily for long moments. His kiss was hungry but there was something tender in it as well. When he raised his lips from mine, his eyes were very warm.

  “You were searching for me,” he murmured.

  “I didn’t realize why, but I was searching since the moment you were torn away,” I replied softly.

  The kiss was more demanding this time. I held him closely as he claimed my willing mouth. After a few moments of being drugged by kisses, Vincent raised his head once again.

  “I think that will hold me until later,” he whispered. “How about you?”

  I smiled. “Maybe. If I want more, can I wake you?”

  “I think I can kiss you in my sleep.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I chuckled.

  He settled against me with a happy sigh.

  6

  I don’t know what motivated me to watch the news that night. It was doubtful that it wouldn’t make me frown. Curiosity got the best of us. We wanted to know how our little stunt was covered.

  So there we sat balancing our light supper of soup and sandwiches on our knees watching the news with wariness and foreboding. It seemed our day was part of a feature report on Altereds. The first surprise was Dr. Auerbach’s appearance.

  “Colonel Heron and Major Greven are recovering well from their injuries, but they still have a long way to go before they are fully healed,” he began.

  The doctor then gave a superficial overview of Altereds and how we function. Auerbach’s talk was accompanied by an image of our meditation and sketches in the Library courtyard.

  “Colonel Heron mentors all Altereds in his squad in different ways. Major Greven responded best to meditative techniques,” he continued, narrating over the images.

  I was fascinated with the images on the recording. Vincent and I were in perfect sync, utterly relaxed and completely focused. We also looked very human and vulnerable. There was something very shrewd in releasing that tape. The next image was of us after we left Remak. I was surprised to hear General Braun’s voice narrating over those images of us scanning the gates.

  “As you can see, trained Altereds go through a series of steps before initiating an attack. You see our men carefully scanning the street ahead. Then, they agree on a tactic so they can work in tandem and begin to gather power. These men are using a battle mantra. They build power and adrenalin through running and tumbling. Colonel Heron’s tactics are classic as are his attacks. Major Greven tends to be more free form; however, I am seeing more discipline in him here.

  “Windbag,” Vincent muttered.

  “What the press and the public must realize is these men are still recovering. Altereds take a lot of punishment in a real battle and it typically requires months to heal and regain full strength. Mind you, these men are still dangerous weapons to the general public and should never be confronted.”

  The final images were of us back to back defending each other from the battle bots and then my elegant buckle into Vincent’s arms. We both looked fairly wiped out as we left the field.

  “These two points are supported by our men’s behavior during the incidents at the Central Market,” Braun continued on camera. “During the first, they refused to be baited by thugs intent on causing destruction. During the second, they rescued a pair of young people from kidnapping and prevented considerable damage and injury at the market. Those actions put them back in bed for nearly a week.”

  The reported concluded the report. “Central Military Command reports and these tapes confirm that both men are well on the mend. They are expected to resume their duties in approximately six weeks. This report reflects a new openness from the military with regard to the lives and service of these extraordinary individuals who face the most extreme dangers to keep us safe. We wanted to talk to Colonel Heron and Major Greven but decided to respect their privacy as they re-cooperate. Stay tuned for more in-depth features on this exciting subject.”

  The report ended with a freeze-frame image of us back to back on the training field.

  “Wow...we’re hot,” Vincent murmured before attacking his sandwich.

  I laughed. “Yeah...we are. I think that’s the point.”

  “Huh?”

  “This was arranged by our new Benefactors. There is no way the brass would let Doc Auerbach do an interview like that,” I said. “Braun probably participated because it would look suspicious not to.”

  “General Mueller is probably having a fit in a little room,” Vincent muttered. “I’d like to see film of that.”

  “Yes, but my point is that we look very attractive and accessible and very human,” I said.

  “Instead of the unstable human time bombs we had lunch with,” Vincent offered.

  “Exactly,” I said. “We have become the public faces of Altereds.”

  “Why would our Benefactors want that? I thought most of what we do is secret.”

  “We’ll be stepping away from the military and away from the shadow of secrets,” I said. “It’s good for the Foundation if the public embraces us.”

  Vincent gave me a scowl. “Not too close.”

  “No. I’m sure that privacy while we recup’ is part of that strategy,” I said. “I don’t want to share you with your brother. You can imagine how I feel about the public anywhere near you.”

  Vincent leaned in to kiss me briefly.

  “Speaking of your brother, you should call him to have breakfast with us,” I said. “He might be worried over that news report.”

  “And he can carry groceries,” Vincent said bounding to the phone.

  “That too.”

  I left Vincent to his conversation while I washed the dishes. Then, I ran a hot bath. I felt my muscles tightening and needed to soak. I poured bath salts into the stream, and then placed a bottle of massage oil on the ledge of the tub. Finally, I lit candles around the bathroom and turned out the lights. I hadn’t used those candles since my last real date more than two years prior. Afterward, I quickly shuttered the windows and bolted the doors.

  Vincent finished up his call when I started stripping him. He rang off then turned to start on my clothing.

  “Not that I’m complaining, but aren’t you the one always preaching about restraint,” he laughed.

  “I don’t want the bath water to get cold,” I explained as I went after his pants.

  “Fine with me,” he replied as he pulled my shirt off. We were a flurry of limbs and clothes flying and some laughing before I eased into the steamy fragrant water. I guided Vincent in after me. He was surprised to fit easily between my legs.

  “I thought this tub seemed huge,” he murmured.

  “The last owner of this house was a large, tall man,” I replied. “I liked it for soaking. I love it now.”

  I gently eased us down until the water covered our shoulders. Vincent turned to kiss me on the cheek. “I never liked baths before.”

  “No? This can be very therapeutic.”

&nbs
p; “So I’m learning,” he sighed. “You always were a good teacher.”

  “You were always an excellent student.”

  “I thought I drove you crazy,” he asked as he stroked my leg absently.

  “You did,” I replied languidly. “But you always wanted to learn more, learn why, learn how.”

  “What will I learn tonight?”

  “Hmmm...let’s see how well you massage.”

  “Do I get a massage as well?”

  “And have the opportunity to touch your skin with warm oil? You couldn’t stop me,” I said. My own voice was husky.

  We were slippery, but somehow managed to knead the knots out of each other. Vincent was making the most amazing noises as I worked his shoulders and lower back. I made a lot of noises as well. Somehow, he found every inch of soreness or tightness and eased it away. By the time we showered and shampooed the oil and bath salts off, I was ready for sleep. My lover’s eyelids were at half-mast over those amber-gold eyes as I pulled him into the bedroom.

  “I wanted to fuck you,” Vincent yawned. “Or vice versa.”

  “I’d love to vice versa as well,” I said as I gathered him in my arms then pulled up the blankets. “But there’s always the morning.”

  I hadn’t thought Vincent heard me. His eyes were closed and his breathing was deep and even before I fell asleep. But come the gentle light of dawn, I awoke on the verge of orgasm with tight, wet heat pleasuring me and those hooded, golden eyes glittering at me. I only needed to look at that beloved face as he took me and I climaxed in that beautiful, hot mouth.

  Vincent smiled at me after licking his lips. Then, he pushed my thighs further apart.

  “We can vice-versa later,” he said softly as he stretched me. “We can do slowly later, too.”

  I had no thoughts of resisting as he pushed inside me. I wouldn’t have cared if the whole of Central Command barged into the bedroom. I would let Vincent take me any way he wanted. That morning, the preference was for hard and fast. I didn’t mind. Seeing that angelic face lose control because of me was enough to bring me off again.

  “Good morning,” he panted nuzzling my throat as he tried to catch his breath.

  I hugged him close then petted his wild hair. “It sure is.”

  “Hmmm...I love you.”

  “I can tell,” I laughed softly. “I love you, too.”

  He nuzzled me again before reluctantly pulling out of me. “We have to meet Bobby.”

  I stole a kiss before letting Vincent out of bed. He yielded sweetly for a long moment.

  “Will I ever get enough of you?” He whispered against my lips.

  “I hope not,” I smiled. “I’ll never get enough of you.”

  We showered quickly. While Vincent combed his hair – I wasn’t allowed to when we were pressed for time – I found the number for the Market Café. It occurred to me that our recent notoriety could cause mayhem there. The owner, Fritz Becker, was very happy to hear from me. He assured me that we could eat and shop in peace. Our neighbors and the shop owners would see to that. I was surprised. My lover was not.

  “You’ve always been good with people,” Vincent said as we strolled to the Market. “You’re an arrogant bastard, but you have people that are willing to follow you through hell. I always thought you had a mesmerizing manifest or something.”

  I smiled at that.

  “It wasn’t a manifestation. It’s a defense developed by some children who have no family,” I replied. “I learned how to read people to figure out who will protect or hurt me; who would help my career. Later, I used the skill to figure out who was good for my squad; who I could teach...”

  “Who you needed to protect,” Vincent added quietly.

  “Who would let me protect him...occasionally,” I returned.

  “I let you protect me...most of the time,” Vincent said with a sly smile.

  “You let me teach you,” I admitted.

  “I still do,” he grinned wickedly. “And it’s a lot of fun.”

  I glared at him, but he was unrepentant. We found Bobby a short while later. He hugged Vincent then smiled shyly at me.

  “You guys looked great on TV,” he said. “But I was a little worried toward the end.”

  “We’re fine,” Vincent said as we continued walking. “Just a little winded. It was the first real workout in a while.”

  “Okay,” Bobby said. “So, what are we doing today?”

  “Shopping and then breakfast,” Vincent said. “I’m going to teach you how to make some things.”

  “Aw, man...”

  “Then we can spar,” I added.

  “Alright!” Bobby exclaimed.

  Vincent rolled his eyes. I considered them both as we walked toward the Market. I realized that as much as I wanted to keep Vincent completely to myself, he might need to have Bobby closer – especially if our move from the military turned messy.

  “Where are you, Rik?” Vincent asked gently. I realized I had stopped walking. I smiled at both young men.

  “It’s nothing. Let’s get shopping.”

  We noticed that there was a larger than normal crowd in the Market. The new faces seemed more interested in us than the foods. But there were stern glances from the burly farm men and some farmwomen that kept them at bay. Vincent took out his list and started ordering us around. I was trusted enough to buy the garlic and herbs while Vincent taught Bobby about fruits and vegetables. We also picked up meats, pastas and bread. I made a special stop in the pastry shop for some house treats and for gallantry’s sake. Vincent picked up some flowers.

  Fritz had a table reserved at the Café. We took a moment to greet Mrs. Forrester and Mrs. Schmidt and gifted them each with a box of teacakes as a thank you for the soup, sandwiches and cake. We nearly got the stuffing hugged out of us. I knew we were being photographed, but I didn’t care. The sun was shining and Vincent was smiling.

  “Do you have a cheese grater?” Vincent asked suddenly as we finished breakfast.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You heard me.”

  “I did, I was wondering about what prompted the question,” I replied.

  “A recipe, you dope.”

  “Of course. Alas, I don’t.”

  “Let’s pick one up on the way out. And we need more basic cheese,” he mused.

  “Anything you want,” I said.

  I took a discreet look at the onlookers still milling about and grew a little concerned about our being followed home.

  “I’m going to call for a lift,” I said. “We bought a lot of stuff.”

  “Sure did,” Bobby agreed.

  “Whatever,” Vincent muttered. He wasn’t annoyed. His mind was on cheese.

  I called Remak to send our perimeter guards to pick up us. However, ten minutes later, it was Remak herself that met us at the entrance to the square.

  “I thought a driver experienced with evasive tactics would be in order,” she explained in the face of my befuddled expression.

  It seemed to me that most of the onlookers were lovesick women and hero worshippers – in other words, harmless. But my Lieutenant was always insightful, so I just nodded and put our packages and bags in the trunk. The normally ten minute drive took a half an hour. Remak insisted that we stay away from the road to our house until there were no vehicles visible in the area. I was surprised at how long that took on what were usually very solitary roads.

  I ignored the smug expression on Remak’s face as we climbed out of the car.

  “Thank you, Lieutenant,” I said.

  “Yeah, Vincent went a little crazy with the bags,” Bobby said.

  “Wuss,” Vincent muttered as he passed by. “Thanks, Lieutenant.”

  “We seem to be further and further in your debt,” I said with a wry smile.

  “I expect a big raise in your new company,” she quipped.

  “Corner office, too,” I said. “See you tomorrow.”

  The brothers were putting away groceries. I stayed
out of the way, opting to check out my long unused den. The room was actually a second bedroom that was almost as large as Vincent’s and mine. A big surplus metal desk occupied most of the space. On it was an ancient computer. I don’t think I’d used either since I was promoted to head my own squad. All of my computers since that one were laptops. At that moment, the reason for a home office eluded me. Perhaps I wanted to the house to seem less empty.