A Bid For Love

forever. But Asher would save that invitation until Scott was ready for it.

    * * * *
    Scott jumped about a foot, finally clearing a bit of space in the master bathroom mirror so Asher could see to finish shaving. A blissful expression followed when Asher kept his hand in place, as beautiful as the glare on its heels. "What the hell are you doing?"
    Oh, too perfect to do anything but grin. "If you're going to hog the mirror, my dearest, I shall use any and all weapons at my disposal, including grabbing you by your exquisite ass, to get you to move."
    "If you keep your hand where it is, darlin', we won't have to worry about fighting for the mirror. The only place we'll be going is back to bed. And I don't mind if you're unshaven and rumpled there. In fact, I like you rumpled." Pure seduction deepened Scott's accent and brightened his eyes. "Especially if I'm the one rumpling you."
    "But you just spent ten minutes making sure every hair is in its proper place." Asher got the last path of stubble from his upper lip and rinsed the razor under the tap. "Heaven forbid I mess it up. At least now I understand why you're habitually late to work." He straightened and reached for a towel as he smiled at his lover. "Staying home does sound delightful. Far more so than facing...whatever we'll face."
    "Honey, they won't know anything until we tell them. And we'll do that when we're ready. I won't out you and I won't deliver any sort of ultimatum. I love you. I want you comfortable with loving me."
    Scott's fingers felt electric on Asher's newly shaved cheeks.
    "When you're ready, well... Like I said, Noah isn't going too far because I won't let him. Holly isn't malicious enough to keep anything going. And the others? Well, darlin', how would you tell the difference?" A smile appeared.
    Asher couldn't help but laugh. "You have a point." He pressed a kiss to Scott's lips, loving the simple fact of having someone to share the morning. "Come on. Let's finish up and find some coffee."

    * * * *
    Asher swept into the bullpen, face carefully blanked, even though the sight of Scott already at his desk tugged with near-irresistible force at the corners of his mouth. He'd dropped his lover off at the garage elevator before finding a place to park. Entering separately just seemed easier at the moment.
    "I see that spring in your step." Roxanne Brewer, called in to take up the slack of him and Scott both vacationing, nailed him with a grin that hit like an actual touch. "Someone had a very nice holiday. So...what was she like?"
    Asher paused in the act of removing his suit coat. "She?" He'd forgotten half the female population of the building had taken an intense interest in his tryst. "Anonymous was...perfection. I've never experienced anything like the last few days. It was truly heartbreak to leave Italy. I came within a hairsbreadth of just calling in my resignation and staying." He turned and allowed the full force of his grin on the other agent.
    "Did you at least get her name, or did she decide it best if you couldn't find her again?" Eva Kotai barely looked up from the reports she tossed into various in-boxes.
    "Oh, I know everything I need to know about my lover. But for that bit of nastiness on so beautiful a morning, Anonymous will remain...Anonymous to you." Asher found Scott's twinkling eyes gave him the courage to face even the resident Dragon Lady without qualms. He settled into his chair, fingers twined so his head could rest on them. Hoist on her own petard. How very appropriate. "Where's Holly? I have her souvenir."
    Scott leaned back in his chair. "Our resident cyber-goddess is currently interrogating a geek perp who thinks he has the right to hack his way into the IRS and change the tax laws. By the time she gets done, he'll probably have a hard drive shoved up his ass. Or he'll wish she'd just done that."
    "Thanks a lot, Eva. Now I'll have to wait until Holly drags it out of him over lunch." Roxanne moved to lean against the post by their desks. Never let it be said the FBI hired women who weren't relentless. "Did you at least remember my souvenir, or were you too blissed-out by your mystery lady?"
    Asher grinned. "You didn't ask for one. And I was completely, utterly, and am still blissed-out. We wandered about the city, hand in hand, exploring the shops." He lifted the little bag he'd brought in with him. "I trust Holly's coffee will taste exquisite when she drinks from that. Just as I remember the espresso I had each