Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 51803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“Like that -- just like that!” O’Brian gasped, and Valenti watched in the mirrored wall as his partner orgasmed again. Coming so hard, he thought distractedly as the sea-green eyes squeezed shut with the intense mixture of pain and pleasure. O’Brian’s body gripped his cock in a spasm of pure emotion.
And then Valenti was coming, too, was ramming himself hilt-deep in his partner, as though trying to reach the other man’s heart with his cock, as he cried out his wordless pain and shame and pleasure at the release he found in O’Brian’s body.
Never had sex been this intense, this agonizingly pleasurable. And never had Valenti hated himself more. Gasping, he pulled out abruptly, feeling O’Brian’s body contract around him and hearing the other man’s hiss of pain at the too-quick departure. Feeling ragged, emotionally and physically spent, he turned away from the pale golden flesh and slid wearily under the covers.
He knew he ought to stay awake and alert for Conrad and his goons, but he couldn’t make himself care. That’s it, Nicholas, he thought tiredly. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope what you just did was pleasurable enough to justify ending the most important relationship in your life. Burying his head under a pillow, he let exhaustion take him. Just before he drifted off, he thought he felt a gentle hand on the back of his neck.
“’S Okay, babe,” whispered a voice. “You rest now, take it easy.”
“Sean,” he tried to say. “I’m so sorry ... so Goddamn sorry.” But his vocal chords were already paralyzed by sleep, and then the blackness took him.
Chapter Fifteen
A hand shaking him woke him up, but not completely. “Jus’ a minute, Sean,” he muttered, not wanting to leave the warm confines of the bed. “Almos’ awake. Harris doesn’t expect us in till nine anyway ...
“Wake up, Valenti.” The voice wasn’t his partner’s, but rather that of the man he had been speaking of. Valenti’s eyes flew open, blinded at first by the light but adjusting quickly to see his captain standing at the side of the bed.
“Where’s O’Brian?” he asked at once, and then remembering what had happened between them, he said quickly, “Never mind.” Harris, who was leaning over the bed, gave him a questioning look, but answered the question anyway.
“Your partner is already on his way back to the Metro to give a statement. He said to tell you he’ll see you later on. You could have gone with him, but you wouldn’t wake up. I’ve been shaking you for the last ten minutes. Was beginning to think I’d have to find some cold water to pour on your face.” He shook his head, frowning disapprovingly.
“But ...” Valenti sat up in bed, aware that he was still stark naked and glad for the coverlet bunched in his lap. “What about Conrad? What about the guards?”
“Taken care of,” Harris said dismissively. “We found out just this morning there was a mole in the Frisco PD -- one of Conrad’s men -- and we knew your cover was blown. Sure am glad we got to you before anything happened.”
Oh, Captain, you have no idea how much has happened. You’re late -- much, much too late. Valenti only shook his head. Then he remembered something else. “There was a film ... Conrad said ...” He couldn’t finish, but he didn’t have to.
Harris gave him a penetrating look and answered, “That was O’Brian’s first concern, as well. We found a room with some equipment, and I allowed him to take what he wanted with the understanding that he would view it and let me know if any of it should be considered evidence.”
Valenti sagged in relief at his captain’s words. O’Brian would be able to destroy the evidence of their shame. No matter how badly it might affect their partnership, the film at least wouldn’t end their careers. Then he wondered how much his career was worth to him now that his friendship with O’Brian was surely over anyway.
“Get dressed; we’re leaving in five.” Harris threw him a bundle of clothes and walked out of the room, leaving Valenti with his thoughts.
* * * * *
“Valenti, my office, now.” Captain Harris’s voice was angry, and Valenti winced as he rose from his desk, avoiding his partner’s worried eyes, and walked into the office. “What is the meaning of this?” Harris barked. Valenti barely had a chance to close the door and sit down. Harris was waving a white piece of paper that Valenti recognized immediately.
“Request for transfer, Captain,” he said quietly.
“You want to tell me why, Detective Valenti?” Harris demanded, his voice gone dangerously soft and low.
“Not really,” Valenti answered coolly. Then, before Harris could explode, he asked, “How much has O’Brian told you about our last day at the RamJack?”
Harris blushed suddenly, his cheeks going a dull brick red. “He ... uh, did say some things were done -- unavoidable things. Completely unavoidable, given the nature of your assignment. Detective Valenti.” The captain looked up, embarrassment suddenly forgotten, and stared Valenti straight in the eye. “Detective O’Brian told me that you both did what you had to do. I can assure you that none of it is getting anywhere near your permanent record.”