“How is it going?”
“It’s going to the pub in about ten minutes, so you’re out of luck.”
“Do not make assumptions, and do not be…” Suddenly Ben straddled Nikolas, then Nik could hardly deny what he’d been anticipating would happen between them. It was pretty evident in the fierce erection that Ben now sat on.
“Shouldn’t I be giving you a homily about mixing business with pleasure, sir? You’re corrupting one of your agents. You do know that.”
“Benjamin, your sexual flexibility is one of your chief assets. I am merely developing my subordinates.”
“Do you visit all your operatives in the field and fuck them?”
Nikolas almost looked serious. “No, and that is something I have been meaning to remedy.”
Ben gave a disbelieving laugh. “Over my dead body. You’re all mine.”
“Do not say that.” Nikolas pushed Ben off and stood up, pulling down his waistcoat and smoothing his hair. “Actually, I have to go. I am meeting the minister and the PM for a briefing.”
“What’s wrong? What did I say?”
“Nothing. I…” Nikolas went to the window, his back to Ben. For the first time, Ben heard him swear quietly to himself in English. It was odd and unsettling. “This has got out of hand. I do notwantto think about you like this all the time. You are nothing to me, and I am nothing to you. That is how it has always been between us and how it must continue to be. If you have thought it could be more, then I am sorry.”
“You’re the one here tonight!”
After a long pause, Nikolas gave the tiniest of nods in acceptance of this truth. “Yes. Out of control, and that is intolerable.”
Ben came closer. “All right, whatever you say, boss. But now youarehere…”
Nikolas smiled. Ben could see it in the reflection in the window. “You argue like the very devil himself.”
Ben slid his arms around Nikolas’s waist and propped his chin on the other man’s shoulder. “If I’m the devil, do you see yourself as Jesus tempted in the wilderness?”
“I believe he was offered power, not sex.”
“Who said anything about sex? I reckon Jesus would have capitulated for love.”
Nikolas tipped his head back, allowing Ben’s face to come alongside his and for Ben to plant a kiss on his smooth cheek. “You have the wrong person, Benjamin, if you are looking for love. I learnt my English the hard way, and I did not learn that word in any context you would want. I am sorry.”
“I’ve never needed words, you know that. I don’t remember you saying two words to me that first weekend, and before I knew it, I was being fucked on green baize.”
“That was not love.”
“I know that. But this could be.” He turned Nikolas in his arms and kissed him deeply, keeping eye contact. The other man’s lips were cold and unresponsive. Ben bit lightly on the bottom one, easing his tongue against Nikolas’s lower teeth. He swore into the pleasure of the warmth of Nikolas’s mouth. He slid his hands into the short hair at the back of Nikolas’s neck, hitching him closer, but Nikolas pulled away and held him off with one hand, the other brushing over his own lips as if astonished at the intensity of Ben’s kiss.
“If this is love for you, then you are in love with a ghost, with the illusion of a man. Is that enough for you?”
“Would you let me have that? If you do, then I will find the man. I’ll breathe life back into the ghost.” Ben heard a soft expletive in Nikolas’s native language, and then he was being kissed back hungrily. Nikolas proved he could kiss just as well as Ben, his tongue finding welcome in Ben’s mouth. He spoke against Ben’s lips, something sensual sounding that Ben didn’t need translated. But then a small bleep sounded from Nikolas’s tailored suit pocket.
Nikolas swore once more in English, and very effectively. “I have to go. I cannot be late for the PM.”
“Yeah.” Ben allowed Nikolas to pull away slightly. “And I’ve got a date with two lesbians.”
As he moved towards the door, Nikolas hesitated, his back to Ben. “Be careful, Benjamin. I would hate to have to work on a eulogy to read at your funeral.”
“Shit, just say I was a dumb bastard with weird taste in men and leave it at that.”
Nik nodded seriously. “That would work.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
