Line of Fire Read Free Page A

Christian said suggestively, following Hayden across the bed.
    “As wonderful as that sounds if we take a shower together, we’ll be late,” Hayden laughed. “I’ll take a rain check though. Something to look forward to.”
    Christian pouted, pulling a new round of laughter from Hayden and kissed the other man quickly.
    “I’m glad you’re amused.”
    Hayden smiled, shook his head and stepped forward rubbing his hands over Christian’s body. “Slightly. However, while I wouldn’t mind going to hell and back still feeling your cock buried in my ass, what I doubt neither of is ready for is to explain to anyone why we’re late.”
    “No, I’m not.”
    “Okay, then. Go ahead and use the bathroom first. Do you have to go home first?”
    Christian shook his head. “Thanks and no, I have everything I need in my car.”
    Thirty-five minutes later they pulled into the parking lot outside of the array of buildings set aside as the SEALs base of operations. Hayden swallowed all trace of emotion when Christian parked several spots away from him, got out, grabbed his gear and headed inside. They were back to lying about who they slept with. Snarling, Hayden stepped out of his truck, slamming the door behind him. Unsure of why it bothered him this time. He was unwilling to look at the reasons too closely.
    “Hey, what the hell?”
    Hayden turned to find his best friend and dive buddy Brian O’Shaunessy walking up to him.
    “What do you mean?” Hayden asked, opening the back of his Dodge Durango.
    “The text message saying that you would be busy all weekend.”
    Hayden shrugged. “An opportunity arose and it was one I needed to take.” He’d sent the text while Christian had been in the shower. A weekend having some of the best sex of his life with his lover was better than beer and pool at the bar or playing video games with Brian for the rest of the weekend. Even if he’d already agreed to both.
    “I hope it was worth it.”
    Hayden smiled, allowing the memories of sex with Christian to surface momentarily before clamping down on them and turning his attention back to his friend. He’d known when he sent the message that Brian would rib him. But he still couldn’t find it in himself to feel guilty for canceling gaming plans to spend time in Christian’s arms.
    “I hope he was worth it,” Brian chuckled softly.
    Hayden shrugged and grinned. Christian was worth it, he just wasn’t willing to tell Brian that. He and Brian had met during BUDs and his dive buddy was one of the small group of people who knew he was gay. At first, he’d had to lie in order to avoid problems with the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. The repeal didn’t mean he was safe, however. He was a member of the SEALs, and he wasn’t sure other special ops personnel, let alone civilians or other military personnel, were completely ready for a gay SEAL.
    “Who the fuck did you spend the weekend with? Did you even leave the bedroom?” Brian asked, grinning.
    “What makes you think I spent the weekend with anyone?” Hayden asked opening the back of the truck.
    “Seriously? That’s your answer? First, I called several times over the weekend to see if you wanted to go to Hell’s Dune and you never answered or called me back. And second, you’ve got that half-dazed look Smitty had when Lisa said she’d marry him, and again when he found out he was going to be a father—you know, that pure-bliss higher-than-a-kite look.” Brian smirked. “So, who is he?”
    “I—I—” Hayden started before he shook his head. How was he supposed to answer that question? Even with the hell they’d been through together, he still wasn’t entirely comfortable talking about his sex life. Especially when the man of his desires and weekend fantasy was a fellow SEAL.
    “I’m going to take a wild guess it wasn’t a woman or even two.”
    “Ah, no.”
    “So, who is this guy?” Brian demanded, lifting his pack. “I’ll tell you about Alexa in