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."Carhart nodded, unable to shake the discomfort he felt at the task.He couldn't denythat it wasn't even entirely due to the fact that he had to seduce the man.No matterwhat had soured between them, it didn't feel right to manipulate Emilio in this way.The man had often lamented the fact that Carhart was the only person he had everbeen so preoccupied with and now that information would be used against him.But he pushed all of that aside for now.He would save it for later when he was aloneand not under the scrutiny of Vivienne.For now he just shook his head and lookedover his shoulder at the woman.Despite the bitter pang that had spoiled the moodhe'd been in, he couldn't help asking the next question."So, did you want this to be one time only?"Her eyebrows drew down and she paused.She looked over her shoulder, her backtwisting and hair partially framing her face."You wish for there to be more?" Shesounded perplexed.He held her gaze."I told you, your work ethic doesn't ward me off.I don't like theassignment I've been given but it doesn't change what I felt toward you momentsbefore it was assigned."She stared at him, searching his eyes until her lips curled the faintest bit on theedges.It wasn't exactly a smile but it lent a bemused quality to her face.When shelooked away she let out a soft sound.She stood, pushing her hair back over hershoulder and turning to face him.The pale light cast her face in largely serene linesand sparked along the edges of her hair."It does not need to end."The music emanating from Emilio's door was already giving him a headache.Thedriving bass, snarling vocals and grinding synthetics sounded like some kind ofmetalcore band from hell that was likely made up of demons or aliens or both.Carhart couldn't even understand half of what the singer was saying but it soundedvaguely ominous.Lips turning down slightly at the side, he lifted his hand and knocked.The soundwas drowned out by a new onslaught of synthetic noise which somehow boomedout of the apartment even louder.Gritting his teeth disgustedly, Carhart kicked thedoor hard.This time, there wasn't much of a delay before a shadow appeared at thecrack beneath the door.A moment passed before he heard locks clicking and the door swung open.Emiliostood there as the music and an alarming amount of hot air poured out of theapartment behind him.He was wearing only ragged paint splattered jeans that hungoff of him dangerously, revealing jutting hipbones and a bit of dark pubic hair.Hewas barefoot and wore no shirt; his tattoo-stained chest and arms were slick withmoisture.Judging from the heat coming from inside, it was likely sweat."Hi," Carhart said simply, keeping his eyes locked with the piercing green ones thatblazed out from beneath messy black hair.Emilio just looked at him blankly with a cigarette dangling from the corner of his well-formed mouth.After a few seconds he turned away and walked back into theapartment without a word.At least he left the door open behind him.Carhart entered and nearly winced.The place was like a sauna.He shoved the doorclosed and tugged at the col ar of his t-shirt as he trailed further inside, slowlyfollowing his former partner.It was surprisingly easy to al ow his eyes to drop toEmilio's ass and the expanse of flesh that was visible beneath his loose jeans.Gaze sliding up slowly over the planes of a well-toned back and inky tattoos, Carhartcouldn't deny that Emilio was an exceptionally beautiful man.It had always drawnhis attention, sometimes almost against his own will.When they'd first met he'doften found himself studying those exotic eyes and high cheekbones-- the full lips,cocksucking lips as Doug had cal ed them, and wondered what it would have beenlike to have been born with such a perfect face.Now, years later, Carhart was just as intrigued by the other man's dark beauty.Healways found himself staring in the exact same way.But it had never been a sexualthing-- or he'd never thought it had been.Not until Brighton had those feelings comeabout.And not until this assignment from Vivienne had they made a reappearance.It was peculiar and he didn't think he'd ever understand what exactly he felt for theother man.Maybe he repressed it so deeply that it only came to the surface whenthere was a guise of a mission or cover.Mildly annoyed by the thought, Carhartforced himself to break the silence."What are you doing?" he asked finally, finding his voice.Emilio didn't respond.In fact it seemed like the other man had completely forgottenthat he was in the room.He stood in front of an expanse of exposed brick wal andstared at it contemplatively.Still idly sucking on his cigarette, he selected whatappeared to be a can of spray paint from a rather large selection.They were strewnal about the floor with crumpled bits of paper and various other paint-covered items.Sponges and what appeared to be dishes were included in the mess.Carhart made a face and looked at the wall again.It was obviously the beginnings ofsome kind of graffiti mural but he couldn't make out exactly what it was meant to beyet.There were various shapes in muted greys and dark blues but a blazing crimsonorb had been roughly shaded in on one side."I didn't know you still did that."For some reason, the comment earned him a scathing look before Emilio went backto ignoring his existence.Starting to get irritated and more than a little exasperated, Carhart moved closer.He'd expected a harsh reception after so many months of wintry silence but the factthat Emilio wasn't talking at al wasn't a good sign.Usually the man couldn't shut up.Sweat beaded on his forehead and Carhart looked around in irritation."Why is it so hot in here?"His only answer was the clicking of Emilio shaking the can of spray paint as heselected a portion of the wall to begin working on."Why in the hell did you let me in if this is the way it's going to be?" Carhartpractically yel ed over another booming song that exploded from the sound system.Between the loud music, the heat and the chemical smel of paint, this was turningout to be a really unfortunate visit.The irritation was building steadily now andCarhart strode over to the stereo with the intentions of turning it off.Before he couldeven touch it, something smacked against the back of his head.Turning, Carhart stared at the paint covered sponge that had assailed him."Whatthe hell?""Don't touch my shit," Emilio snapped, jerking his head at the stereo."It's loud and annoying and sounds ridiculous, anyway.""Build a bridge."Carhart glared at him."What?""Get over it," was the snarled response."Whining little bitch.Why'd you come overhere? To cry and complain over every fucking thing?"The General opened his mouth to reply as a flare of anger soared through him.Hewasn't given the chance."You've gone soft, bro.You're a climate controlled field agent.It's real pathetic."Flushing red, Carhart sneered [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]