Clean Slate

  “You don’t have to. Jesus.” John moved forward to touch him, maybe hug him, and was completely surprised when the Russian took his face in both hands and kissed him on the lips.

  The kiss was tentative at first, soon drifting into something more hungry. He pulled back, let his large hands settle on John’s shoulders, then looked to Chris. “I’m not sure of this. You two….”

  “Don’t worry,” Chris said with an easy smile, his eyes glinting with the same sparks of desire John had seen last night. “It’s all good.” He stepped toward them, slid his hand along John’s back, then touched Andrei’s neck, and coaxed him in for a kiss.

  Chris was the first to break free. He’d already taken off his shoes and socks and removed his jacket and shirt, and now he poured the wine while the other men did the same. He handed them the wine glasses and proposed a toast. “To our separate pasts, and a shared beginning.”

  Andrei took a big mouthful of the wine, not restrained at all. He clearly loved wine and food and very likely sex, if that natural sensuality and hunger extended that far, and John thought it might, suddenly finding his mouth dry. He liked the Russian, liked to have him around, and he’d tasted good. John took off his jacket and the gun holster under his shoulder, folding the holster up but keeping it within reach, just in case. He took a sip from the wine, wondering what next.

  “Since I… don’t remember… can you show me?” Andrei asked.

  “Sure.” Chris smiled.

  “No, I mean… you two. Both of you. Show… show me.”

  John felt his eyes widen and was thankful Chris stepped on his foot.

  “Sorry, dude.” Chris touched John’s shoulder. “How about you lead, I follow?”

  “Great.” John took a big sip of his wine, then finished undressing. His cock was ready and close to aching as he watched Andrei and Chris follow suit. “You’re both gorgeous.” He stepped forward, grabbed a handful of Chris’s hair, and gave him a hungry kiss and a slap on the ass before turning to Andrei.

  “No pressure, okay?” He tentatively touched one of the fading bruises on the Russian’s chest, then pulled back to caress Andrei’s cheek before turning back to Chris, who settled himself in the center of the bed, a bottle of lube and a condom from the nightstand in his hands.

  It felt strange, not just seeing another man settle himself on the edge of the bed to watch, but to see Chris Gibson not being the forceful manslut he’d always thought him to be. They kissed again, hands roaming across chests, and John thought all this felt pretty natural. Good they’d “rehearsed” last night, so he had a rough idea of Chris’s responses, knew how he liked his blowjobs, knew how to touch him right.

  He rolled on top, pressing their cocks together, teasing and grinding; Chris’s head came up to kiss and suck on his nipples, and John glanced at Andrei, who was staring at them with wide, blue-green eyes. But he was hard. That proved Chris’s theory about him. If he was turned on by men, he wasn’t completely straight.

  “Turn,” John told Chris in a husky whisper, and Chris turned, pulling his knees under him, legs spread far, completely, shamelessly exposing himself. He fell into it naturally, but there was more to it, a certain playfulness, like he had no pride to lose, no inhibitions, and laughed at anybody who had. John pulled back, shifted enough that his cock only rested against Chris’s thigh.

  “Andrei, do you… want to do anything?”

  The Russian came closer, running his hand down Chris’s back. “I don’t know how.”

  “It feels amazing.” John grinned to overplay the faux pas. “You’ll remember. You’ve done it before.”

  “All right.”

  John shifted and took the lube, showing Andrei how to do it. And while he’d have loved to touch that cock, Andrei rolled his condom on by himself while John pushed two lubed fingers into Chris, who groaned. Judging from that sound, Chris was more than fine with it.

  The Russian positioned himself, looking a little awkward, but he pushed inside, his face suddenly blanking with pleasure. He immediately began to thrust and withdraw, giving Chris no time to adjust, but Chris didn’t even seem to mind, and John swallowed dryly as he watched the Russian’s cock slide in and out hard and fast.

  “Hell yeah.” Chris’s words dissolved into a groan, and he turned his head on the plump pillow to look at John.

  John didn’t need to be asked or told. Leisurely stroking his cock, he moved to kneel closer to Chris, who hungrily opened his mouth. His tongue flicked out, daring John to jerk off and shoot it all into his mouth.

  It would have been impossible not to, with the sight of Chris open wide, his tight hole gripping every inch of Andrei’s thick cock as the Russian rode him hard. John’s own ass prickled, wanting the chance to feel the same. He gasped when Chris reached out to tug his balls, his experienced tongue flicking over John’s cock head to lap up the drops of precum.

  It was next to impossible to deny the pleasure spiraling higher when Chris began jerking his own cock as Andrei pounded into him more quickly, their breathing in sync becoming faster and more labored as they neared climax. Chris’s eyes gleamed, face flushed, teeth bared in a sexy, challenging grin, pushing back against the Russian to drive him over the edge. Chris and passive didn’t mix. The Russian came first with a groan; John, pumping himself, finally came once Chris began to suck him like his life depended on it.

  “Touch… touch him,” John gasped, and saw Andrei take Chris’s cock in his good hand, stroking him just as fast and demanding as he fucked. Chris lost it, very nearly shouting his release.

  John sat back on the bed, watched Andrei pull out, hand covered in cum, condom hanging from his semi-hard dick, like he still didn’t quite know what to make of it, and the image was damn near comical. And more than a bit sad.

  John grabbed the edge of the sheet and wiped Andrei’s hand clean, then took the used condom and threw it away when Andrei pulled it off.

  Chris sat up, took hold of Andrei’s hand. “I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we did.”

  The Russian nodded but didn’t say anything for a few moments. He did manage a weak smile. “Sleepy.”

  John scattered three of the pillows across the top of the bed. “Sleep with us. You can be in the middle.”

  Andrei took the offer, feeling very nearly boneless after the sex, tired, like he was falling into a deep, deep abyss and would keep falling forever. He brushed their bodies when he moved, felt their warmth radiate toward him, and that was very nice. He felt safe, taken care of, comfortable. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, listening to the pain in his temple.

  The last thing he remembered before he drifted off to sleep was the sound of a pistol firing, the muzzle flash, and an impact and terrible burn at his temple

  Chapter 5

  It was still dark when Chris woke. Andrei was lying close, his head resting against Chris’s shoulder, but the other side of the bed was empty. The bathroom was quiet; still, Chris stayed in bed a few minutes more to see if John reappeared. He didn’t.

  Chris eased out of bed and grabbed his pants off the chair where he’d tossed them. John’s pants were gone, too, and so was his gun. Chris grabbed his own Beretta 90two, then slipped from the room, weapon drawn and ready. He checked the other bedroom, the bathroom, then inched down the stairs, following the dim light coming from the kitchen area. He holstered his gun when John looked up from the kitchen counter where he sat.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Couldn’t sleep.” John sipped from his cup of tea. “You snore.”

  “Your ass.” Chris sat at the counter opposite him. “Something’s up. I can tell. What is it?”

  John shrugged. “Nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Soong.”

  John looked up, gave his head a little shake. “It’s nothing important. It’s weird, you know. All this.” He gestured with his hand.

  Chris poured himself some tap water. “The job is like that sometimes. This time is
a bit weirder than most.” He finished the water, then set the glass in the sink. Walking behind John, he began to reach out but pulled his hand back. “I’m heading back up. You coming?”

  “Soon. When I finish this.”

  Chris padded from the kitchen, pausing once to glance back. He wondered very much what was going through John Soong’s mind. Somehow, he thought, this might be one of those make-or-break jobs. Some teams got that; things like one partner getting shot or stress setting one against the other, something that was more strenuous and tricky than anything they’d done before. Once the crisis was over, either the team stuck together better, or they handed in their requests for reassignment.

  He hoped the sex didn’t ruin it; there really was no reason for that. There were no relationships outside; it wasn’t wrong to be teammates with benefits, was it? No, he didn’t think so.

  He came back upstairs and saw the Russian sprawled out almost in an X-shape, head dug into the pillow like he’d been in pain and tried to ease it with pressure.

  If this had been an advertising shot, the sheets would have covered his legs and ass, but it didn’t, and it wasn’t. The sheet covered most of one leg, and Chris caught another good view of the man’s shape. The first time, crumpled and covered in blood, didn’t count. Toned, fit, gym-shaped body, healthy skin tone, fine blond hair. Andrei wasn’t a Narcissus, but as far as men went, he was at the top of the league of who Chris could get into bed. Too natural for a model; just a guy who looked after himself and worked out a lot. Judging from what Chris now knew about the man’s natural character, it was likely to get rid of all that energy he had.

  No wonder he felt unnatural to himself right now. The real Andrei Voronin was pushy, full of energy and initiative. What a great CEO he’d have made if he hadn’t turned to crime. A real alpha personality; the type that died at fifty from a heart attack. He’d have been such a challenge as a lover if he hadn’t been so messed up, and part of Chris hoped he’d come round fully.

  Chris climbed back into bed and pulled up the blanket, then pushed Andrei’s arm down. “You’re taking a lot of space there, bud.”

  Andrei turned his head and looked at him. He shifted and half-turned. “What’s wrong? An intruder?”

  “No.” Intruder? Shit, was his mind coming back? “Don’t worry. We have you covered.” He stroked the man’s back, a firm touch that traced the muscles, but no real massage.

  “Did I… do it right?” Andrei asked after a few moments.

  “Yeah.”

  “Any… different?” Andrei cleared his throat. “To how I was? I don’t remember.”

  “If you do it wrong, I’ll tell you.” The touch grew firmer, a little more suggestive.

  “Then how did we… what did we like to do?”

  “There’s no point sticking to the past, Andrei. Do whatever you enjoy. Chances are, John and me have done it before. You’re the new guy there… at least, in a manner of speaking.”

  Andrei fell silent, and Chris wondered if he was offended. But at least the Russian clearly trusted him, asking those questions. You poor fool, he thought. You poor, clever fool.

  “It’s just I don’t want to have a fight with you.”

  “Fight?” Now Chris was alarmed. “Whyever would we fight?”

  “John said we clashed. Why? What was it about? Jealousy?”

  “I’m glad you don’t remember. Let’s keep it to that, okay? I did something stupid, I’d rather not….”

  “Because you both were leaving?”

  “No.” Chris sat up. “What makes you say that?”

  “Just a feeling.” Andrei closed his eyes and pulled his legs closer, but he still faced Chris. “Just tell me the truth, whatever happens. I’d hate to be betrayed.”

  “You and me both, bro.” This conversation was going off on a totally wrong tangent, and Chris had to make him shut up and think about something else. Preferably not think at all. He trailed his hand down Andrei’s front and found an impressive erection. Andrei gave a soft sigh when he closed his hand around it and moved closer. Chris stroked it, still learning how Andrei liked it. Slow and intense seemed to do the trick, but he made Andrei wince when he touched the head. “Sorry.” Damned uncut guys, he should have remembered that.

  He kissed Andrei’s lips. “I’d like to fuck you.”

  Andrei paused, as if to consider it. “Did I like that?”

  “Why don’t you find out?”

  “Okay.”

  Chris fished for the lube and within moments had two fingers worked into Andrei’s tight ass. He’d bet a year’s salary Andrei’d never been fucked, and being the first guy to do that to him thrilled him. God, you’re a sick bastard, he thought, but he could rationalize it. It would make everything more believable, wouldn’t it? He wasn’t crossing any worse lines than they already had. He’d allowed Andrei to fuck him; it was only fair he did the same in return.

  He decided a little finesse was in order. No sense making the guy’s first time anything less than memorable. “Just relax,” he murmured, stroking his free hand over Andrei’s muscular chest, still slowly working his other fingers gently in and out of the Russian’s tight hole. “Damn, you’re hot, bruises and all,” he added with a grin as he gently stroked his fingertips across Andrei’s cheek. He leaned in for a kiss, glad to have it returned, then touched and kissed his way back down across those taut pecs. “I’ll take it easy,” he promised before shifting to settle himself between Andrei’s thighs.

  He realized there was a chance he wasn’t the first when Andrei bent his knees, spread his legs wide, and arched his hips up in open invitation. Grinning, Chris stroked Andrei’s cock long enough to elicit a low moan, then rolled on a condom and positioned himself.

  He pushed in just past the tip, withdrew, and pushed a little further. He did it again and once more, smiling when Andrei made a grab at him so he wouldn’t withdraw. “Oh yeah,” Chris said when he slid his entire length inside Andrei’s accepting body and quickly set up a steady rhythm.

  Andrei’s erection faltered, but Chris didn’t give it much thought. Some guys were like that when penetrated, but it didn’t mean they weren’t into it, and Andrei was definitely into it.

  For about a minute.

  “Chris, stop.”

  “You want me to go slower?”

  “No, I want to stop.” Andrei touched his temple. “My head….”

  Chris’s body protested and he hesitated.

  “Jesus Christ, leave the guy alone,” John growled from the door.

  Andrei stiffened beneath him, and Chris pulled free. He jerked off the slick condom and tossed it in the wastebasket. “What bug got up your ass, Johnny? Maybe you’re just pissed ’cause one didn’t?”

  Shooting him a menacing glare, John entered, hand extended to the Russian. “I’ll help you back to your room. You need to take your meds.”

  “Thank… thank you,” Andrei said when John handed him a glass of water and his pills. “My head is killing me.”

  “Take your time,” John murmured, finding it hard to concentrate on Andrei, because he was so shocked at what Chris had tried to do. And why did it shock him? Messing with this guy’s head and what was left of his life was just as bad. It was easy to think everything was justified if the other guy was evil, or just a criminal, but Andrei, right now, was none of those. The man he’d been had been wiped out.

  “He shouldn’t have done that, Andrei. That was wrong. I’m sorry.”

  “What was our relationship like?” Andrei lay back, pain tensing his features.

  “In what way?”

  “You… were together before me. Were we about to split up?”

  “No.” John swallowed and stroked Andrei’s face. “Chris just can be a selfish bastard at times. He doesn’t mean it. He shouldn’t have talked you into it. It’s way too early, especially if you don’t remember.” He wasn’t making a lot of sense to himself, there. “He didn’t do relationships before. Me, I’m a serial monogamist.”


  “I think I’m just a loner.” Andrei shrugged, fingers pressing against his forehead, knuckles white. “Paying the price now for ditching the painkillers too soon.” He groaned with pain and half-turned away. He was not a man who could bear being watched hurting. “Talk to me.”

  “I… don’t know what to say, Andrei.”

  “Anything. Doesn’t matter.” The strain in his voice made John wince. What kind of killer was he that he couldn’t watch this guy suffer? But it was one thing to put a bullet in somebody’s head and another to nurse one back to health. To usefulness.

  “Is it okay if I join you on the bed?”

  “Yeah.”

  John climbed onto the bed and leaned against the wall, and he offered Andrei the space he’d taken before. Andrei put his head on John’s stomach and placed an arm around him. Much like a hurt kid, seeking just contact and being held. How the fuck had Chris even managed to get hard when all Andrei wanted was closeness? He gently ran his fingers across Andrei’s skull, massaging a little to ease the headache, but without real pressure. They were strangers; they shared nothing.