Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Wyl and Rod strolled to their suite, their minds occupied with the bombshell Pentagon meeting. They entered, somber and quiet.
Rod closed the door. “C’mere.” He drew Wyl into a tight hug.
“What have we gotten ourselves into?” Wyl’s trembling whisper ghosted Rod’s ear.
“I hate to use a cliche, but literally, the world's weight rests on our shoulders,” Rod said. “We have been chosen for this mission partly because of our unique relationship.”
“I know, Roddy, but I wanted us to be us; ranchers; world travelers; the same happy gay couple that appeared on the cover of The Advocate.”
“We are all that, but we are much more.” Rod tightened his arms around his husband. “I never thought the simple act of falling in love with you would have worldwide implications, but here we stand, Colonels in the military.”
Wyl took a deep breath. “I feel like this is all my fault.”
Rod leaned back, grasped Wyl’s chin, and looked into his gorgeous green eyes. “Babe, you asked me to marry you, and I said yes. We are a we now. As you’ve emphasized numerous times, we are Sterlings. What we do, we do together as one. There is no fault here.”
Wyl bowed his head. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He looked into Rod’s eyes. “What do we do now?”
“Let’s dump our coats, ties, and shoes. Then look at the information Travers gave us.”
With their extra clothing gone, they propped themselves up on the bed and grabbed the packets.
The cover sheet included additional information about MacGowan and Knowlan.
Besides their six-year relationship, they frequently visited the gay bars in Galway.
They traveled to California three times in the past five years.
They owned a small home in the suburbs of Galway.
Knowlan taught computer graphics art at Galway University and loved betting on the horses.
MacGowan had become a full professor only two years prior and enjoyed all the perks that came with the title.
He had an affinity for opera and never missed a performance.
“Horses. Opera.” Rod summarized. “It should be fairly easy to get to know these two.”
“No wonder General Steinburg picked us,” Wyl said. “If we can figure out where they hang out, they’ll come to us.”
They read on, learning the details of their individual missions.
“I speak at a symposium on cybersecurity at GMIT,” Wyl said. “That should draw the attention of MacGowan. He’ll be stalking me once he hears me speak.”
“I’m giving a guest lecture at Galway University. I’ll highlight Don Giovanni,” Rod said. “That will also attract MacGowan since he’s an opera fan.”
“There is almost too much in common,” Wyl said. “What are we missing?”
“Knowlan,” Rod said. “Almost everything points to MacGowan. The only thing we have in common with Knowlan is our love of horses. Neither of us is particularly arty, although I come closer than you.”
“We know a lot about horses,” Wyl said, “or at least I do. That should give us an edge with Knowlan.”
“Part of the key to this is our relationship,” Rod said. “We need to show them we are as much in love as we actually are. That part should be easy.”
“You bet.” Wyl leaned to nibble Rod’s earlobe. His hot breath in Rod’s ear worked, and Rod melted into a passionate kiss.
Tossing the information packet aside, Wyl unbuttoned Rod’s shirt and stroked his warm hands over Rod’s chest.
“Oh god, your touch always drives me wild.” Rod tossed his packet to the floor.
Wyl’s cock was at full attention, and his buckle clinked as Rod unhooked the belt and unbuttoned Wyl’s slacks. He slowly lowered the zipper and reached inside Wyl’s boxers to tease the little rancher.
“Little rancher likes it when my husband plays with him,” Wyl panted, his cock pulsing with every beat of his heart.
“And I like playing with the little rancher,” Rod whispered in Wyl’s ear. Wyl groaned at Rod’s hot breath in his ear. He unbuckled Rod’s belt and unzipped his pants, reaching in and wrapping his hand around Rod’s throbbing manhood.
“Let’s get these clothes off,” Wyl said. Shirts, pants, and underwear came off in a flash before they both fell on the bed.
Wyl fingered Rod’s cock, stroking the head and the shaft as Rod squirmed. “God, Wyl, don’t ever stop.”
“Are you ready to enter the tunnel of love?” Wyl panted.
“Yes! I need to be inside you.” Rod reached for the lube. The cap snicked open, and Rod drizzled the slick liquid across Wyl’s cock and down his balls, lube running down between his cheeks.
Wyl spread his legs in an invitation for Rod to play.
Rod moistened his hand by spreading the lube over Wyl’s cock, watching Wyl gasp as he slid his grasp over the head and down the shaft to tease the slick ball sack slowly.
He teased Wyl’s pucker, which clenched with each throb of his cock.
Rod ran his slick finger around the tight hole, slowly stroking it and sending Wyl into paradise.
“Fuck, that feels good.” Wyl gasped.
Rod nudged inside and gradually finger-fucked deeper and deeper, finally tagging Wyl’s gland.
“More, babe.” Wyl’s half-closed eyes were evidence of his passion.
Rod added a second finger and slowly pushed in and pulled out, nudging Wyl’s gland each time. A pool of pre-cum in Wyl’s navel jiggled with each tag of Wyl’s gland as his stomach muscles reacted to the pleasure.
“I need you inside me,” Wyl gasped.
Rod positioned himself and slowly pushed inside, feeling the warmth of his husband as he leaned down to devour his mouth in a searing kiss.
Wyl reached between them and wet his hand in the pool of pre-cum before slowly stroking himself.
Rod felt Wyl tighten around his cock. “Are you about to cum, babe?” he whispered.
“Oh God, yes.” Wyl gasped, his breathing fast and shallow.
“Cum for me, babe.”
“Guh!” Wyl gasped, his anus throbbing with each shot of warm cum.
Rod went over the edge, filling Wyl with his man seed as he held his breath in ecstasy.
They collapsed in each other’s arms as the afterglow wrapped around them.
A few minutes later, Rod rolled off Wyl and glided his fingers through Wyl’s seed, caressing his stomach. “Let’s do lots of this while we’re in Ireland.”
“You got it, babe.” Wyl kissed his forehead, then rolled over and sat up. “Want a quick shower?” He started toward the bathroom.
“You bet.” Rod joined Wyl in the shower.
* * *
Clean and refreshed, they put on jeans and T-shirts.
“I brought a bottle of wine,” Rod said. “Want a glass?”
Wyl nodded. “Sure. Is it a Zin?”
“Of course.” Rod reached for the room service menu. “We skipped lunch. Should we order dinner in?”
Wyl opened the wine and let it breathe. “Fine with me. I’m up for a club sandwich or something.”
“Sounds good.” Rod picked up the phone and placed the order. “Two club sandwiches and two sparkling waters, please.” He waited for confirmation. “Nothing else, thanks. Twenty minutes? Fine.” He hung up.
Wyl poured two glasses and handed one to Rod. “To us.”
“To our successful mission,” Rod said.
They clinked glasses and took a sip.
“Mmmmmm…that is first rate,” Wyl said. “I’m glad you helped me understand wines. Excellent wine is truly a treat to the palate.”
“Fine wine is one of life's great pleasures,” Rod said. “And knowledge of superb wine may come in handy for our mission. An Irish opera buff with an artsy companion may be a wine connoisseur.”
“Do they have wineries in Ireland?”
“It’s a relatively new industry in Ireland,” Rod said. “But yes, there are a few wineries. I’ve not had any Irish wine, though.”
“We’ll have to see what Irish wine is like,” Wyl said.
Dinner arrived, and the waiter wheeled in the cart, setting the chairs for them and uncovering the meals.
Wyl tipped him.
“Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.” The door closed behind him.
They dug into the tasty sandwiches.
“We’re not to talk with anyone about this mission. I need to be careful not to let something slip accidentally,” Rod said.
Wyl grinned. “Fortunately, we won’t be around anyone much.
We have just under two weeks before we report for training.
If we stay on the ranch, we won’t interact with anyone except maybe the hands.
Once we are in Ireland, we won’t know anyone.
So we should be okay. Additionally, the honeymoon serves as a suitable cover. We can tell people about that.”
“You’re right. I’m being too cautious.”
“Rod, there is no such thing as being too cautious for this mission. We must remain on high alert at all times. Remember, we promised each other we would spend our second Christmas together on our ranch. I’m going to hold you to that.”
“As long as you hold me, I’ll be fine,” Rod said.
They spent the evening watching a movie and cuddling on the loveseat before bed.
* * *
Early the following day, Rod woke to find Wyl watching him.
“Morning.” Rod’s voice was deep and gravelly from sleep. A tear wet his thumb as he reached to stroke Wyl’s face. “What’s the matter, babe?”
“I’m scared I’ll lose you.”
“C’mere,” Rod pulled Wyl into his arms.
“I can handle the mission.” Wyl’s voice shook. “But you are all I have left. I have no other family.” His voice broke.
“Hey, now. Nothing is going to happen to me.” Rod cooed softly in Wyl’s ear.
“You don’t know that.” Wyl’s words turned into a whine, sobs shaking his shoulders as he hugged Rod with all his might.
“Wyl. You’ll be there with me. And I’ll be trained by the best before we go. I have no experience in espionage, but neither do you. We’re in this together, remember?”
Wyl took a deep breath, struggling to control his emotions. “I know…”
“And there are no guarantees, whether we’re on this mission or not. Look at Walt’s accident on the ranch.”
“You’re right,” Wyl pulled back and gazed into Rod’s eyes.
Rod reached up, wiped the tears from his cheeks, and tugged his chin into a brief, loving kiss. “We’re going to be fine, babe. Now stop worrying.”
“Okay. Keep telling me that, and be there to hug me.”
“Always.” Rod leaned in for another quick kiss. “Now, let’s grab a shower and have breakfast. If we don’t get up now, we’ll spend the morning in this bed.”
“I like spending time with you in bed, but we must get moving. We have a plane to catch this afternoon.”
“Yes, and almost two weeks at the ranch by ourselves.”
“Sounds heavenly.”
The two followed their usual morning routine. After breakfast, they packed and prepared to leave for the airport. The room phone rang.
Wyl picked up the phone. “Sterling.”
“Colonel Sterling, Agent Travers here. I’m taking you both to the airport. What time is your flight?”
“Our flight leaves at 1:30,” Wyl said.
“I’ll pick you up at 11:45.”
“Perfect, Travers. Thanks.”
“My pleasure, sir.” Travers disconnected.
“What did he want?” Rod asked.
“He’s taking us to the airport.”
“Wow. I’m beginning to like this. Fancy rooms. Chauffeurs. I didn’t realize being a Marine had all these perks.”
Wyl gave out a deep, hearty laugh. “It doesn’t, babe. Obviously, they need us.”
“If that’s the case, don’t you think they’ll do everything they can to protect us?”
“You’re right. I let myself get all worried.”
Rod walked over, cupped Wyl’s face, and gazed into his eyes. “It’s okay to worry about things that are real. Don’t worry about things that are not. Worries always seem overwhelming at night.”
* * *
Back on the ranch, the time vanished. They rode horses every day, enjoying the last vestiges of summer.
As their return to D.C. approached, they packed for their training and trip to Ireland. They hoped to be home by Christmas but had no guarantees. In fact, given the information about the mission, one or both might not come home at all.