A Bid For Love

sometimes even his face. Never with someone he actually cared for. Not the way he cared for Scott. He'd always thought his friend was straight; Asher never allowed himself more than fleeting daydreams. Every one of them replayed now with expanded vigor. Remembered, unrequited want grabbed firm hold. It took but a moment to prepare himself before his fingers sank into Scott's heat.
    "God, yes!" Scott moved against his touch. "Honey, hurry. I'm not joking when I'm telling you I need you so bad I'm going pure crazy."
    Was it really possible? Deep covers were one thing, but this...abject pleading for something so alien to what Asher had been so sure was Scott's psyche? Something jerked in his heart as well. This wasn't just a fellow agent, a buddy. Asher didn't have "buddies" as such. He found his voice caught over the words this time. "Are you really telling me the truth?"
    Scott's breath panted in and out. "Every word. Every email. God! You have no idea how it felt to finally say a little bit of what I feel." A new tremor ran through his frame. "I...Asher, I'm not lying and I'm not playing. I want this to work so bad I don't honestly know what I'll do if I can't get you to believe me."
    Oh, what the hell. If this was being recorded somewhere, it wasn't only Asher's reputation on the line. At least he had a few rumors floating around the field office to ease the shock factor. Scott didn't. No one, as far as Asher knew, suspected the other agent was anything but wholly, happily straight. But things had progressed a little too far to stop now.
    Asher let his lips drift over Scott's shoulder, slipping his fingers around that lean hip to stroke again as he pressed tight. "All right. I believe you'll follow through with this at least. And if it's a game, we walk away friends and you destroy the media source. I won't let you screw up your standing in the Neanderthal club just to prove a stupid rumor. Anything else is going to take a bit more discussion. Fair enough?"
    "No cameras, darlin'. Promise." Scott couldn't seem to decide which he wanted more--to push hard need into Asher's hand or to rotate his firm ass against Asher. "Just you and me." His hand closed over Asher's, not stopping or guiding, just resting there. "This is what I want. You touching me, holding me." His breath caught. "Loving me. Oh God, please love me."
    Asher almost let himself go, to slip into the more-than-a-few fantasies he'd nursed over the years in the privacy of his own mind. Not quite. Just not enough trust. But maybe later he could. For now, just the feel of Scott undulating against him, those breathless pleas, left him aching for release. He eased into that rich heat, taking what had been so eagerly offered.
    The long sigh easing from Scott, the way that sculpted body relaxed for an instant, did more to convince Asher that whatever plot the man had concocted, Scott really did desire Asher and want this joining. And if photos did surface... Well, Scott was the one with his ass stuck out, not Asher.
    The movements of said ass felt glorious around Asher, all sugared hotness welcoming him without the least hint of hesitation or restraint.
    "Say something. Asher, say anything so I know this really is you and not one of my daydreams." Scott's fingers tightened.
    "Well, I highly doubt that in your daydreams you needed to convince me you were serious." He decided to see just how used to this his friend was, easing back a little before thrusting deep and hard into that tight heat. Then again. And again. Good Lord, it felt better than he'd ever imagined.
    "Dead serious." Scott met each thrust, taking Asher deep with a soft groan of pure bliss. "I fell hard for you, honey. Tried everything to get you out of my head and my heart. None of it worked. Dear God, I love you!"
    Asher's palm met that smooth spine and pushed himself clear to the other wall, his eyes so wide he thought they just might split open. "You w-what?"

    * * * *
    Scott fought for breath. Shit! That wasn't supposed to come out yet. Damn it! Had to get too deep into it, didn't you, Jamison? Fuck!
    He turned to face Asher, tiles cold against his back. Lord, those eyes were blue tonight. And huge, and fairly terrified. Scott swallowed. "I love you." In for a penny, might as well be in for the whole pound. "I didn't spend all my money and max out a credit card to get you to Italy for a one-night stand, Asher. I'm looking for the long-term here."
    "But...but...me?" That lovely fair complexion went