ExtremeCircumstances Page 9

  “Uneventful day?” His voice shook as he asked the question. That little quaver was a testament to his control in his opinion though. He wanted to run his fingertips over every inch of Julian’s body. That he managed to stand his ground was a victory.

  “Just another stroll through the woods.” Julian’s voice shook a little as well. And he clenched his hand into a fist as if he were trying to control some impulse of his own. “And you?”

  “Just another day.” He looked around at the other men busy setting up camp and grimaced. As nice as a dip in the stream sounded right about now, he was going to have to wait. “A hot, dusty day.”

  As he started to set up his tent he was surprised to find Julian at his side, ready to help. “I’ve already got my tent up,” he said when Gates threw him a questioning glance. “Might as well give you a hand.”

  He couldn’t really argue with that. Nor did he want to. Having Julian near him seemed to help settle his nerves. Plus it meant he could get to the river a little quicker. And with Julian’s help he managed to set up his shelter in record time. Then he made his way over to the cool waters of the stream. This time he wasn’t surprised at all to find Julian following him.

  “Joining me for a swim?”

  Julian laughed as he stripped out of what little clothing he was wearing. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Gates took a moment to appreciate the chiseled lines of Julian’s body before he stripped off his own clothing and stepped into the cool water.

  “So no problems with the hostages?”

  The water was deep and soon it was licking around his hips. “None. As long as the men steer clear of Twenty-Four. Otherwise Twelve might start tearing out throats.”

  “He’s the jealous kind, then?”

  “That’s an understatement.” He walked over to Julian and sighed. Finally. Everything felt right again. He froze at the thought. He was attracted to Julian and he respected the man but that was all there was between them. That was all there could be.

  But as Julian closed the distance and rubbed his naked body against Gates, he knew this was more than just attraction and respect. He refused to examine how much more though. Until they were off this planet more wasn’t an option.

  Chapter Seven

  Julian’s entire body was stiff with frustration as he closed his eyes and tried to force himself to relax for the millionth time that night. He had kissed Gates in the river. He probably shouldn’t have. Not with the other men so close by. But he’d spent the entire day worrying that the hostages would somehow get free and attack. Or worse, he would miss the signs of an ambush and the reptile people would kill the entire group. Not only would he be miles away and unable to help but the attack would also be his fault in that particular scenario.

  When he saw Gates emerge from the thick vegetation he’d been so relieved his entire body had melted. Watching Gates strip and walk into the river had been the last straw. Nothing could’ve convinced him not to kiss Gates after that. Unfortunately they were only able to steal a couple of brief kisses and touches before the other men came storming through the underbrush. And once their moment had been shattered they never got it back.

  So now Julian was in his tent, trying to go to sleep and wondering why the hell Gates hadn’t taken him up on his open invitation. He shouldn’t care. He should be asleep. But he did care. And it sucked. He hated every second of this.

  This was why he never gave open invitations. He never realized it before. But that didn’t change the truth of it. If the ball were still in his court, he’d have the power right now. He would decide when they saw each other next. Throwing the ball into the other guy’s court and then waiting was the worst.

  He rolled over and groaned as he felt a rock dig into his side. One more day and they’d be at the compound. Then he could sleep on a bunk. He moved again and tried to find a better position. He was so wrapped up in his own discomfort he almost didn’t hear the flap of his tent being pushed back. At the whisper of movement, though, his training kicked in. He was sitting up with his firearm drawn before the person made it all the way into his shelter.

  “At ease, soldier.” Gates’ warm voice drifted over him and made his stomach tighten with desire.

  “Sorry, didn’t realize it was you, sir.” He put the gun down before focusing on Gates. “Is everything okay?”

  “No, everything’s not okay.” Gates sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

  All of Julian’s earlier irritation and frustration was instantly replaced with concern. All the scenarios that’d haunted him that day swarmed his head. “Did the hostages escape? Has there been evidence of a plot? Are they conspiring with some other genetic freak on this planet?” He stopped suddenly when Gates chuckled.

  “No. Nothing like that. The hostages are all secure. There’s no plot. Hell, I’m even starting to believe they’re above the board. I’m not going to let Twelve go or anything, but they honestly seem to be helping so far.”

  Julian started to relax at the reassuring words. “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Just a rough day. And a crazy night.” He paused and took another deep breath. “I’d hoped to be here earlier.” The words came out in a rush.

  “I’m glad you’re here now.” It was the truth. Though he was a little nervous as well. But as Gates leaned forward to kiss him his nerves disappeared quickly. Raw desire replaced them and filled him until there wasn’t room for anything else.

  Gates’ hands skimmed down his shirt until he reached Julian’s waistband. With a tug his shirt was free. Warm air ran over his skin as Gates pulled the piece of clothing up and over his head. “I missed you today.” The words were so soft that Julian almost didn’t catch them.

  “I missed you too.” He had to bite his lip to keep from moaning as Gates nibbled on his neck. Damn, it felt so good. Everything felt good. The rocks and sticks hidden under his tent and sleeping bag didn’t even bother him when Gates guided him to lie back on the ground. All he was aware of was the weight of Gates’ body and the heat that rolled off the man. Feeling Gates’ skin against his would be even better however.

  Refusing to wait, Julian grabbed the hem of Gates’ shirt and pulled it off. Now he could run his fingers down Gates’ back and dig his nails into the corded muscles there. And with each touch he could relish in the fact that they both had survived yet another day on this damn planet.

  “I grabbed some supplies from the medic case.”

  Julian’s fingers stilled as he tried to make sense of the words. What supplies could Gates need? Did his injury need redressing?

  Gates nibbled gently on Julian’s earlobe and the hot steam of his breath on the sensitive skin made Julian break out in goose bumps. “A couple condoms and some lube. If you’re game.”

  Hell yeah he was game. Instead of voicing his answer, though, he started undoing his fatigues. He didn’t trust his voice right now. And the last thing he wanted was to sound like some lovesick boy in his first relationship. His hands paused as his stomach clenched with fear at the thought. Was he lovesick? Was that why he’d been sulking in his tent earlier?

  “If you don’t want to, no big deal.”

  The words didn’t make sense until Julian realized he hadn’t answered and he’d suddenly stopped making any moves to undress. Did he want to stop this right now? Gates’ kisses had trailed down to one of Julian’s nipples and as he ran his tongue over the sensitive skin Julian had his answer. He’d deal with the fallout later. Right now the only thing he wanted was Gates. And he wanted him desperately.

  “No, I want you.” Thankfully he managed to stop before adding exactly how much he wanted Gates. They got undressed as quickly as possible in the confined space. And as soon as they’d shed the last article of clothing Gates pressed Julian back to the ground. Now not only did he have Gates’ weight and heat on him but he also had the coarse texture of the man’s body hair brushing against his skin and Gates’ hard cock rubbing against his. It was amazing. Almost better th
an being sucked off.

  Gates kissed him roughly. His mouth demanded surrender to his dominance. And Julian happily complied. He was lovesick. There was no other explanation for it. He loved Gates’ forceful personality, loved his self-confidence and loved how he always had a solution. He loved Gates. Plain and simple. He craved the man and his strength. It scared the shit out of him but, for right now, it also turned him on.

  Gates’ hand wrapped around Julian’s hard cock and Julian almost came with the pleasure of being touched. “I’m going to fuck that tight ass of yours, but I want to taste you first.”

  Julian whimpered and fisted his bedding as Gates took his cock into his mouth. The pressure of his release built inside him as Gates sucked on his dick. He was on the edge, so close to coming that he hurt with the need when Gates finally released him. “Roll over.”

  There had never been any doubt who’d be on bottom. At least not in Julian’s mind. He rolled over and listened to the enticing sound of the condom package being torn open and the lube being squeezed out of the tube. By the time Gates spread the cool jelly over his anus Julian was shaking with anticipation.

  One finger penetrated him, stretching him pleasantly. “More.” He needed so much more. Another finger joined the first and the stretch burned a little. But it was a good burn. “Yeah.” Unable to resist, he bucked back against Gates’ fingers, taking them deeper inside him. “More, please, god. I need more.” If he needed to beg for it he would. Thankfully Gates’ fingers were gone a second later and the man’s cock was pressed up against his ass.

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes.” The word was whimpered into the night as he rubbed his ass against Gates’ dick. Gates put a hand on Julian’s hip to still him and then lined his dick up with Julian’s anus.

  “Relax.” As Gates’ cock started to penetrate him, though, relaxing was the last thing on his mind. He needed all of Gates. He rocked back and moaned as Gates slid farther into him. Before long, Gates was fully seated in Julian. “Feel okay?”

  Okay? Was Gates crazy? “Feels amazing.”

  Gates pulled out a few inches and then slid back into Julian. The sensation made Julian pant. He was so close to coming. And Gates was filling him, making him burn with hunger. “I’m not glass. Fuck me already.”

  “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” With that, Gates started thrusting into him without holding back. Julian’s hands gripped tightly to the bedding as he forced his body to relax so he could enjoy the sensations. Just as he was getting ready to finally orgasm, Gates’ hand found Julian’s cock and he started stroking Julian. Julian’s balls tightened and his whole body tensed in anticipation. Then, with the next pump of Gates’ hand, he climaxed. His body shuddered with the intensity of the release. And Gates kept milking his cock as he bucked under the man. His touch stretched the orgasm out and left him unable to do anything but savor the sensations bombarding his body.

  “Fuck, yeah.” Gates grunted as he thrust into Julian’s ass one last time before his thighs trembled against Julian’s hips and he fell on top of Julian’s back.

  Julian hummed with satisfaction and clenched his ass around the man’s dick. He was a little sore but liked the way it felt to have Gates buried deep inside him. And he knew that soon Gates would be sliding out of him. He wanted to enjoy it while he still could.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m good.” Now that the hormonal rush was passing he was able to tone down his answers. He couldn’t believe he’d told Gates that he felt amazing earlier.

  “Good.” Gates moaned as he pulled out of Julian. “I really needed that.”

  Needed him or the release? Julian clenched his jaw to keep from asking the question out loud. The last thing he needed was Gates thinking he was possessive or emotional. Until he heard otherwise he’d just go with the most simplistic answer. Gates needed release. And to be honest, he wasn’t the only one. “Me too. Rough day all around, I suppose.”

  Julian rolled over as Gates disposed of the condom and got cleaned up. “Yeah. Can’t wait for this mission to be done.”

  The words would’ve hurt but Julian was currently being honest with himself. As much as he enjoyed his time with Gates he couldn’t wait to get off this planet as well. “Just one more day of hiking. Then we can move the chambers.” No one had mentioned the hike back to the shuttle yet and Julian refused to be the first. Concentrate on one step at a time. That was how a person made it through hard missions.

  Gates laid his shirt over the spot where Julian had come before lying down next to him on the bedding. “I was thinking that when I radio in that the mission had been a success, I should clear the diplomatic channels for Twelve and Twenty-Four. That way they might help guide us back to the shuttle.”

  They did stand a better shot of surviving with the reptile people on their side. “They would be motivated to help us get back to the shuttle in one piece. If we died after helping them, it wouldn’t be a good start to negotiations.”

  “That’s kind of what I was thinking. We’ve already lost five men. I’d hate to lose any more.”

  Gates’ voice was thick and drowsy as he spoke and Julian was having a difficult time fending off sleep himself. But still, as Gates draped an arm over his side, Julian didn’t really want to remind Gates he should return to his own tent. Maybe if they just lay down for a bit it would be okay. The night was still long. There was plenty of time for Gates to make his way back to his shelter without raising suspicion.

  That was the last thing he remembered before he drifted off into a haze of contented dreaming. He fully suspected he’d be waking up alone the next morning. And he told himself that it really was for the best. He couldn’t quite make himself believe it but he did his best to heed the warning. So when he woke up to sunlight glowing through the canvas of his tent and the heavy arm of a man still wrapped around him, he was more than a little startled.

  “Um…yeah. I overslept.” Gates’ breath tickled him as it brushed against the back of his neck.

  “What are we going to do?” They couldn’t let the others know. Commanding officers slept with their subordinates more often than they probably should but it was one of those situations a person didn’t flaunt. Not if the commanding officer wanted to keep his rank. “I don’t want you to face a tribunal or anything.”

  Gates’ short bark of laughter helped to relax him. “They won’t put me in front of a tribunal. My men aren’t exactly the type to go complaining to the powers that be. They trust me and my decisions. And even if they did, I know enough to pretty much guarantee a plea bargain. Trust me. No one wants me to start talking.” He ran his fingertips over Julian’s side.

  He rolled over so he was facing Gates. “Then why the hell haven’t we been doing this from the start?”

  Gates smiled at the question. He looked so young when he smiled, so carefree. Julian wished he got to see him do it more often. “Just because I know I won’t get in trouble doesn’t mean I think it’s okay to exploit the situation. There are reasons officers shouldn’t sleep with their soldiers.”

  “But there are countless reasons they should too.” He ran his hand down Gates’ body until he came to Gates’ dick.

  “As I’m learning. Still, that doesn’t make it a good idea.”

  Julian cocked one eyebrow as he stroked Gates’ dick. This was a troubling development. Was Gates planning on making this a one-time only deal? “Then why do it?”

  “Honestly? Because I just can’t seem to stop myself. Damn if you aren’t irresistible.”

  “I like the way that sounds.”

  “And I like the way that feels.” Gates was already hard in his hand. “But I also like the way sleeping in a bunk feels.”

  He ran the pad of his thumb over the tip of Gates’ cock and smiled as Gates’ whole body shook. “You do make an excellent point.”

  “Doesn’t mean we can’t pick up where we left off once we reach the bunker.”

  Did Gates just put the
ball back in his court? He was fairly certain Gates had. He could string Gates along and tell him he’d think about it. Make the man sweat just a little. Suddenly, though, he wasn’t as interested in playing games. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

  Gates leaned in to kiss him. This one was more possessive and less dominant than his kisses had been in the past. Still, Julian liked it. Being possessed by Gates was every bit as pleasurable as being dominated by him. “Then I suggest you get that fine ass of yours up and moving.”

  “Is that an order?”

  “Better believe it.”

  They got a couple pointed stares as they went about their morning chores but Julian wasn’t about to let that ruin his afterglow. He’d had sex with Gates and it’d been amazing. The only thought he allowed himself to dwell on was that they were going to be doing it again that evening. All they had to do was make it to the bunker.

  The hike that day proved to be challenging and the men were starting to grumble about the prospect of turning around and hiking back to the shuttle but it took every ounce of willpower for Julian not to spend the day smiling stupidly. If they were worried about the return trip it just meant they were almost halfway done.

  When the bunker came into view in front of them, Julian almost laughed with relief. There’d been so much stress over the last week and a half. So many challenges. To see that building was to see their victory. The only thing that stood between them and their objective was a security field.

  “Kam, bring that damn field down.” Gates smiled as he gave the order.

  “Yes sir.” Kam took his reader out of his fatigue pants and plugged the access box into it. It only took a few minutes but then the field flickered and died.

  “Let’s go see what kind of moving operation is worth an entire team of manipulated soldiers, boys and girls.”