Chapter 38
November 23, 1982
19:00
Rufus Vaughn Estate
Outside Tulsa, Oklahoma
The party was held at Vaughn’s mansion on the outskirts of Tulsa. The home was sleek and modern, every inch of it stark white with curved, futuristic lines. To Hazard, the mansion appeared wildly incongruous to the rugged natural beauty of the forest surrounding it. Lights blazed from all the windows, sparkling in the still waters of the small reflecting pool centered in the front drive.
Ice pulled up to the valet station in the long black Cadillac that the requisitions department had obtained to further their ruse. A valet in a white jacket came over to open Ice’s door. Ice thanked him, then went around to the passenger side to assist Hazard exiting the vehicle. After handing Ice a claim ticket, the valet drove the car away to be parked.
Hazard walked up to the mansion at Ice’s side, the alpha’s hand lightly resting at the small of his back. Ice passed their counterfeit invitation over to the doorman and they were allowed to enter.
Inside, they were shown to the ballroom. It was as big as Hazard expected, with more white on the marble floors and patterned wall paper. The chandeliers were Avant Garde art pieces but to Hazard they looked like tortured hunks of junk.
Guests milled around, talking, laughing, all dressed in their finest expensive tuxedos and long, beaded evening gowns. Some sat conversing at round top dining tables, while others spun around on the dance floor. This crowd of shifters didn’t wear blockers so the room was clouded with scents. Although some wore perfumes or cologne to enhance their natural pheromones.
Hazard wrinkled his nose. After so much time in the military, he wasn’t used to being around this many unblocked shifter scents. He would need a few minutes to adjust. Realizing that Ice had probably never been in an environment like this, he quietly checked in on him. The multitude of scents and pheromones had to be bombarding his senses.
“Are you okay?”
A muscle flexed in the hard line of Ice’s jaw before he answered.
“I’ll be fine.”
Hazard took that to mean that the smells were indeed bothering him, but like a true solider, he was going to ignore it and push through. They moved deeper into the ballroom where a passing server offered them drinks. To keep up the image of a couple out enjoying a party, Ice took two flutes of champagne from the tray, offering one to Hazard.
“Thank you,” he said politely.
Hazard took a sip of the bubbly liquid. His eyes darted to look everywhere but at Ice. He had to keep reminding himself now wasn’t the time to put space between the two of them. As they walked, he was stiff even though he knew that he shouldn’t be. They needed to appear as relaxed as every other couple there. But he was still embarrassed over his heat and couldn’t loosen up. His howling for Ice echoed in his head on a repetitive loop, making his gut clench with mortification. Why couldn’t he have been satisfied riding a dildo for three days? If he had, he wouldn’t be here now, feeling awkward as hell.
He didn’t realize how deep he’d fallen into his thoughts until Ice snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention.
Abruptly jerked out of his daze, Hazard said the first thing that popped into his head. “Next time say abracadabra when you snap at me and I’ll do a little trick.”
At his quip, Ice’s eyes widened slightly behind his mask. Hazard instantly realized his mistake when he noticed the two alphas standing next to Ice. They must have come over while he was zoned out. They both had frowns on their faces as they looked at Hazard. An omega in this group of shifters would never smart off at their alpha the way he just had. Hazard immediately put on a contrite face and tone.
“I’m sorry, alpha.”
A displeased growl rumbled in Ice’s chest. Ice cupped his jaw, thumb roaming up to stroke the skin right beneath the edge of his mask. Hazard didn’t have to fake the little gasp he let out at the soft touch.
“Watch your mouth, sweetheart,” Ice said with a sharp hint of warning in his voice.
Hazard lowered his lashes. “Yes, alpha.”
One of the alphas grunted with satisfaction.
“Love seeing an omega put in his place.”
Ice threw the alpha a smug look. “He acts up some times but only because he knows I enjoy correcting him.”
Hazard offered his partner a sweet smile and batted his eyelashes in his best imitation of an obedient, lovesick omega.
“Anything to please my alpha.”
“That’s more like it.” Ice politely smiled at the two alphas. “Excuse us.”
He led Hazard onto the dance floor. A slow song began to play, a raspy voice crooning vocals accompanied by a mellow saxophone. Ice pulled Hazard into his arms. Hazard put his head on the alpha’s shoulder. Ice took one of Hazard’s hands in his own. He put the other low on his back, guiding him in the dance. To anyone watching them, they must look like any other couple who wanted to snuggle while they danced. But Ice took advantage of their closeness to whisper a question into Hazard’s ear.
“Do you want to get us taken out back and shot like a couple of rabid racoons?”
“No.”
“Then you need to loosen up before someone finds out we don’t belong here.”
Hazard inwardly cringed. He didn’t like being reprimanded for fucking up. “You’re right, sir. I’m sorry. I let personal shit fuck up my focus. It won’t happen again.”
Ice pulled back and looked at him for a long moment. He seemed as though he wanted to say something, but settled on a nod.
After that, Hazard became his usual chatty self as they moved from group to group in the ballroom and then room to room exploring the lower level of the mansion. People flocked to him as always. He held the conversations, which allowed Ice to listen and observe. It wasn’t time wasted. In the smoking room, they happened upon a small group engaged in a quiet conversation. The omegas stood there mute and pretty while the alphas talked.
“The man has some radical ideas,” said a stocky alpha with a thick salt and pepper beard. “But many of them are solid.”
The man they were referring to had to be Cortez. Ice and Hazard stopped, sipping on their champagne as they listened to the conversation.
A tall, lanky alpha woman in an orange mask decorated with owl feathers spoke next.
“It would be a hassle to relocate. But it could be worth it in the end.”
“And I hear that Minnesota has some beautiful landscapes. I could get used to lake views.”
Hazard and Ice shared a quick glance of silent communication. Minnesota. That had to be the place where Cortez planned to set up his new pack majora. That was valuable intel.
The conversation gradually changed to another topic so they didn’t pick up anything else important. They left the smoking room and followed another group heading to a section of the mansion where multiple paintings and sculptures were displayed. The group was chatty, expressing their thoughts on the art pieces with Hazard. Hazard was listening to a silver haired beta woman in a hot pink mask explain Neo-Expressionism when Ice leaned down, lips brushing Hazard’s ear as he spoke.
“Vaughn’s office is down that hall. We might find a copy of the guest list there.”
Hazard nodded.
Ice excused them from the conversation. They strolled off, walking slowly as if they were admiring the paintings and sculptures in the gallery. When they reached the hallway, they made their way down it, still moving at a nonchalant pace. The hall was quiet and dimly lit by wall sconces. There were no guards to keep anyone out, but it clearly wasn’t a part of the house they expected guests to congregate in.
Before they reached the office door, Hazard looked back over his shoulder. He saw a guard passing by at the end of the hall. She paused, curiously looking down at them. Thinking quickly, Hazard stopped and grabbed Ice’s hand. He smiled up at his partner, slow and sultry, and leaned back against the wall. At the question he saw in Ice’s gaze, he flicked his eyes toward the other end of the hall, letting him know without words that there was someone there.
Ice caught on quick. He braced one hand on the wall above Hazard’s head. Hazard lightly grasped the lapels of Ice’s suit jacket and tugged him in close. Standing there with their faces hovering close together, they looked like a couple who simply wanted to sneak away for a few minutes of privacy.
“Is she gone yet?” Ice asked, keeping his voice low.
“No,” Hazard whispered back after checking. “Either she’s waiting to make sure we’re really a horny couple looking for privacy or she’s waiting for a show.”
“Then let’s give her one.”
Ice moved in even closer, until their lips were barely an inch apart.
“Okay,” Hazard breathed out.
Ice kissed him. It was heart-achingly familiar after all the kisses they’d shared at the cabin. A part of Hazard wanted to stop it, knowing that this would only hurt him. Make it harder for him to get over his feelings for the captain. But he was a soldier. He’d agreed to the mission knowing they might have to do something like this while pretending to be a couple. So he gave in, letting himself sink into the kiss.
He followed Ice’s lead as the alpha’s lips moved over his, eagerly letting him lick into his mouth. His eyes closed and heart thumping, he slid his hands up the broad, muscled width of Ice’s back, feeling the fine nap of the jacket and the solid warmth of his body beneath it.
The kiss did hurt, but in the best, most exquisite way.
At a natural pause in their kiss, Hazard pulled back and turned his head slightly to look toward the end of the hall. The guard was no longer there.
“She’s gone,” he whispered.
“Mmmm... Good,” Ice whispered back as he trailed kisses down Hazard’s neck.
Hazard held back a moan at the touch of Ice’s lips on his skin. “We need to get back to the mission,” he softly reminded his partner.
“We will,” Ice said.
But he didn’t stop kissing the line of Hazard’s throat. His tongue darted out to lick over Hazard’s scent gland, then he closed his lips over it and sucked.
“Ah!” Hazard gasped. His body arched up to press against Ice’s, trying to get as close to the alpha as possible. Ice gripped his hips, tugging him up so that their groins nestled together.
The hard length of Ice’s cock pressed against him. Hazard shivered. Ice was hard for him. He wanted the alpha’s cock. Wanted his hands on it. His mouth on it. Wanted it inside him. But he couldn’t have it. Couldn’t have Ice. They weren’t lovers. And they were there to do a job.
“We...we have to stop,” he managed to get out.
Ice growled, the sound sending another shiver down Hazard’s spine. But he stopped. He pressed his forehead to Hazard’s and drew in a ragged breath.
“Fuck. I’m sorry,” he said roughly.
Hazard closed his eyes, breathing in the alpha’s scent. The combination of warm cedar and arousal had his senses buzzing and his body going languid with the expectation of sex. He stiffened his shoulders and fought back the feeling. “It’s okay. I got a little lost there too,” he admitted.
After taking a few seconds to gather themselves, they straightened and stepped apart. Moving quickly, they went the final few steps to Vaughn’s office and slipped inside. The room was dark. They left the lights off so as not to draw attention to their presence, relying on their natural shifter night vision to navigate the unfamiliar room. Hazard stood watch while Ice quietly rifled through the desk drawers.
“Found it.”
Hazard looked over his shoulder to see Ice holding a typed list of names. He folded the paper and tucked it into his shirt. “Good work, sir.” Hazard cracked open the office door and peered out into the hall. There was no one there. “Clear.”
“Let’s move.”
* * *
They had what they came for. But they didn’t immediately leave. Instead, they waited until a few guests began to trickle out first so that they didn’t raise suspicion for leaving too early. Once Ice felt it was safe, he led them outside.
A small group of guests were queued up on the gray slate steps. Hazard and Ice joined the line, waiting for the valet to bring their car around. Ice tipped the valet, receiving a grateful smile in return.
Once they were inside the luxury car and had driven off the property, Ice retrieved the radio they’d stored in the glove box.
“Ice to Ortiz. How copy?”
“Solid copy, Captain. What’s your status?”
“Mission complete. Guest list obtained. Leaving the premises now.”
“Good job, Captain. Head out and the team will join you to ride as escort once you’re three klicks out. We’ll debrief as soon as we’re back on base.”
“Roger that.”
Ice put the radio down in the center console.
Silence landed thick and heavy once Ice was finished reporting to Ortiz. Darkness surrounded the Cadillac, the car’s headlights and a sliver moon the only light in the heavily wooded area. Hazard stared straight ahead through the windshield, watching the gray road rush up before disappearing beneath them.
“You did good tonight.”
Hazard was surprised at the compliment. Surprised that Ice had spoken at all. He continued staring out the windshield when he responded. “Thank you, sir. We both did.”
Another round of silence fell, quiet but not at all comfortable.
“About that kiss.”
Hazard shifted once in his seat. He didn’t need to hear Ice say the kiss didn’t mean anything. He already knew that it didn’t. “It’s okay. You — we — did what we had to do for the mission.”
Ice huffed a short laugh. “For the mission,” he repeated.
That’s all it was, right? Hazard inwardly wondered.
“Hazard.”
“Yes?”
“I didn’t kiss you for the mission. In fact, the mission was the last thing I was thinking of in that moment.”
At Ice’s admission, a question rose to the tip of Hazard’s tongue. He shouldn’t ask it. It would only lead to topics that were off limits. But he had to know. If there was a chance for them... He had to know.
Before he asked his question, headlights arced over them. Three vehicles emerged from the trees on the side of the road and swung into place to form a small caravan, two behind them and one ahead. Ice adjusted his speed to stay three car lengths behind the vehicle in front.
Hazard’s throat was so dry with nerves that he only managed to get out one word. “Why?”
“Why what?”
Hazard swallowed. “Why did you request to work with me tonight instead of Jax?”
“I couldn’t stand by and let someone else be your lover. Not even for a single night of pretend. You do something to me, Dylan. I don’t want anyone else touching you. My hands are the only ones that should be allowed to touch you.”
“You want to touch me?”
“Yes. I want to do more than touch you.”
Hazard turned to look at Ice’s profile. “Tell me,” he demanded.
The alpha’s voice lowered until it was deliciously deep and rough, rasping over Hazard’s ears and making him shiver. “Getting to have my hands on you tonight was torture. Because touching you made me want to find somewhere we could be alone. When we were in that office, I imagined pulling you into my arms. Imagined fucking you right there in that room. I wouldn’t have wasted time taking that tuxedo all the way off of you. I would have opened your pants and pushed them down just far enough so I could fuck you on top of that nice, big desk.”
Hazard gripped his own thighs so hard it was a wonder he didn’t shred the pants that covered them into ribbons. “I would have let you,” he admitted.
Ice’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Dylan...”
“Yes. Royce, please.”
He didn’t know if he was asking Royce to stop or continue. But it didn’t matter. Royce voiced every filthy thought in his head until Hazard was trembling, leaking slick, and on the verge of orgasm from his voice and words alone.
“I can smell your slick. Smell so pretty. Want it on my tongue. Down my throat. If we weren’t being followed by the rest of the team I’d pull over and fuck you on the hood of this car.”
Hazard whined, desperate and needy. “ Royce .”
“Do you want me as much as I want you?”
“More.”
Ice laughed, low and husky. “Not possible. I’m going out of my mind with need for you.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Hazard boldly asked.
Ice went quiet for a moment as they drove onto base. He parked, shut off the ignition, and twisted in his seat to face Hazard.
Hazard turned to look at the alpha. He was caught by the intensity in his eyes, unable to look away.
“Once we’re released from this mission, I’m going to take you to my room, lay you down on my bed, and slide my cock so deep inside you, you won’t be able to feel anything but me. I’ll make you feel so good and come so hard, you’ll thank me before you pass out.”
Hazard raised a brow in playful doubt. “I’ll thank you?”
A cocky smile curved the alpha’s lips. “Damn right you will.”
With that cocksure promise hanging in the air, Ice opened his door and got out of the car.
Hazard took a moment to compose himself before he followed suit. He tried to look as normal as possible, but there was no hiding the unmistakable scents of slick and arousal that clung to him. Ice wasn’t in much better shape. Hazard let his eyes drop down to Ice’s groin as the alpha came around to the passenger side to join him. An erection clearly tented the front of his dress pants.
Seeing the proof of Ice’s desire for him set off a swoop of arousal low in Hazard’s belly. He wanted that man. And Ice wanted him too.
Ice adjusted himself just as one of the military vehicles pulled up next to them. He stepped closer to Hazard, close enough that their arms brushed together.
When the truck parked, Ortiz stepped out and slammed her door shut. She was about to approach. But she took one look at them and stopped, letting out a curse. “Damnit. Debrief is moved to oh-eight-hundred. Don’t be late.”
“Yes, Major.”
Ice grasped Hazard by the nape of his neck and led him away. They didn’t have any gear to turn in so they went directly to their barracks. Hazard kept his eyes forward as they passed the members of the team disembarking from their vehicles. Ice’s scent grew stronger, completely blanketing Hazard’s. He was grateful. With Ice’s scent covering him, he didn’t have to worry that the team would all know what he smelled like when he was turned on.
As they walked, Ice’s thumb slid down to graze over Hazard’s scent gland.
“Are you aching for it?” he asked softly.
Hazard’s answer was a husky whisper filled with want. “ Yes .”
“I’ll take care of that ache as soon as we’re inside,” Ice promised.
Hazard wanted to weep with relief the moment their barracks came into view. As soon as they reached the front door they rushed inside with barely controlled haste. Hazard wasn’t hungry for food and neither was Ice, so they skipped their usual post mission meal and went straight to Ice’s room. Ice opened the door and went inside first.
Hazard paused on the threshold. He looked up at Ice. They didn’t have the biological drive of his heat to blame this time. If they went through with this, it would be because they wanted each other. Plain and simple. No excuses.
At Hazard’s hesitation, Ice tilted his head to the side in question. “Change your mind?”
“No.”
“Then get in here.”
Ice grasped his hand and Hazard allowed him to pull him into his room. The door closed behind them with a quiet click. Hazard licked his lips in nervous anticipation. There was no going back now.