“Chasing this stone. It’s a job.” He didn’t want to get into his relationship with Cam right now, because that was hellishly complicated. “More than that, okay? But I don’t want you to worry on the rest.”

  “Shee-it. Like I won’t worry about you. Tell me where you are.”

  “Nope.” No way. Max might not be susceptible to a curse, but Morgan was kind of a new agey type. They’d show up and he and Max would have two gibbering, hurty sweet thangs on their hands.

  “Poe…”

  “No. You look into it and I’ll call you back next time I have a signal, okay?”

  A heavy sigh came over the line. “I’ll look into it. You be careful and call if you need me, okay? I owe you one.”

  “You know it. I cooked a lot of bacon for you, man.”

  “Oh, fuck you, asshole.” Now Max was laughing, which was what he’d wanted. “I’ll get right on it.”

  “You rock. Or, er… not. No rocks. You’re great. How’s that?”

  “You already knew that. Anything else, man?”

  “Yeah, say hey to Morgan. Good talking to you, buddy.” And with that he hung up, before he blathered even more and worried his friend enough to come find him. Poe had no doubt with Max’s money and smarts, and Morgan’s connections, that they could triangulate his position or whatever given the choice.

  Besides, he could hear Cam thrashing. Moaning.

  Time to get back in there and do his job.

  Time to let Cam get lost in him.

  ***

  "I swear to God, honey, if that son of a bitch doesn't stop screaming soon, I'm going to shoot him and put him out of our misery." Simon was about ready to aim and fire, honestly.

  They'd been trailing the college kid for damn near three months now -- ever since Thom's computer did whatever the fuck it did and let Thom know someone was hunting Wang Jin. It'd been a cushy fucking job, too, up until the kid had hooked his wagon to the goofball with the Hawaiian shirts and got serious. Honestly, weren't academic types supposed to be all lazy and staying put and stuff? He could have hung in Austin forever, watching the little baby professor wannabe read books in the library.

  But no.

  No.

  His happy ass had to be in the motherfucking mountains watching a screaming lunatic.

  "We're supposed to be he-l-ping..." Okay, maybe he was gonna shoot Thom, instead, with his sing-songy taunting.

  "Don't make me be-ea-at you, asshole." He looked away from the binoculars, grinned. He'd do it, too, weird-assed familial karmic debt or not.

  "Oh, you know I love it when you threaten." Thom wiggled that fine little ass for him, bending over to check whatever the heck was cooking on the camp stove.

  They had stoves for crazy camping people...

  "You know, if you don't be good, I'll tell your granny you don't like her lo mein." Of course, there were dead men that would come to life to run from a bowl of that shit and he ended up eating it at least three times a year.

  "Yeah, like she would understand a word you said." Thom's granny did have a little trouble with English. 'Course, then there was the grand dame on the other side of the family, who always looked at Simon like he was some weird kind of bug.

  The screaming eased up and the tension in his shoulders faded a touch. "Oh, man. They're either fucking again or Mr. Bermuda Shorts smothered him with a pillow."

  "He's kinda cute, huh?" Thom winked over. "Not all pasty like your ass."

  "Bitch." It wasn't his fucking fault he was genetically incapable of tanning. He blamed Scotland.

  "Yeah, but I'm your bitch." Thom paused, then started laughing like a loon. "In more ways than one, baby."

  "You are a weird little fuck, honey. I swear." Weird and nuts and all his, balls to bones, damn it.

  "Yep. Tea's ready." That rangy body moved with the economy of motion only a fine martial artist could achieve, low slung hips swinging as Thom brought him a cup.

  "Thanks." He took a long look, catching himself licking his lips. Pretty, pretty.

  "You're supposed to be watching the camp down there, baby. Not me." Yeah, and that was why Thom was kinda... rubbing up on him.

  "I'm watching. Shit, he stopped screaming, didn't he?" He squeezed Thom's butt, then looked back down.

  "Uh-huh. Suuuure." Man, someone was cruising for a bruising. Begging for it.

  "Tell me again why we're out here. You sure I can't go dig that bitch out of the ground and smash it?"

  There had to be a better reason than 'family honor,' for fuck's sake. He was a MacGruder; they didn't have honor. Just money.

  "It won't make any difference if we break it up. That's the point, doofus." Thom liked to play like he was sort of a metro-geek or something, but he had that honor bone.

  "Yeah, yeah, yeah." His eyes narrowed as the wind started back up. Shit, that was gonna set the kid off again. "It's sure sunk its hooks into him, huh? Bone-deep."

  "You know it. You just never know, yeah?" The tea smelled good, spicy and warm. Thom smelled better.

  "He's smarter than the last ones, honey, and the other guy knows the land. It ain't good."

  Nodding, Thom sat close, sipping his tea, lashes dark and spiky against those high cheekbones. "Shirt guy is determined, too. Likes to help college boy. They have a good shot at it."

  "Well, I could shoot out their tires. That'd give us a couple hours." Hell, if Thom'd let him shoot both those boys in the ankle, they could all head back to civilization.

  "And leave the sicko without transport. Good idea." Okay, ow. Pinching was against the rules, wasn't it?

  "Well, he'd quit heading up then, wouldn't he?"

  "Maybe." Those dark eyes cut to the camp below. "The short one might carry him up the fucking mountain."

  "Oh, for fuck's sake. I could shoot Mr. Bermuda and then the Professor would go home."

  "You're gun happy, baby." Leaning, Thom nuzzled right up to him, distracting as hell. So much for watching...

  "Just want to spread you out on a set of clean sheets..." Spread Thom out, let Thom spread him. He was notoriously easy.

  "Well, we have a nice clean sleeping bag. We've only been using the one." They could both fit in the fancy double bags they'd bought.

  "Are you suggesting that it's safe to leave the hooligans down there unwatched?" Because he could so pounce those bones.

  "Yeah. They've gotten downright quiet." He got a wink. "Unless you're hungry..."

  "I could so do hungry. I could eat you up, honey." Starting at that shit-eating grin.

  "Yeah? Well, come on." Thom dumped the rest of the tea and stood, stretching, his hoodie riding up to show a nice little stretch of glory trail. Look at that. He packed the binocs away and followed, eyes on that little bit of belly.

  That man knew how to give him a show, because when he got to the tent, Thom was pulling off clothes, sprawling back on their little nest of sleeping bags and pillows. Lean, pale gold, and smooth as all hell, Thom looked like dinner and dessert.

  "Look at you." He dragged his shirt off, dropping it over Thom's belly.

  "Uh. Dude. How can you look if you're covering me up?" The tone was sarcastic, the look wasn't. Thom ate him right up with those deep brown eyes, grinning to beat the band.

  "Are you confusing the issue with logic again, Tommy-boy?" Fuck, he'd been looking at that same grin for years. He couldn't remember when he'd fallen in love with it.

  They'd known each other forever, had grown up knowing what they were supposed to be doing with their lives. Luckily, they could do it together. Thom held out a hand. "You know me. Me brains. You brawn. Come and get naked with me."

  "Fucker." He stripped down, not bothering to show off. There wasn't nothing he had that Thom hadn't seen.

  "Well, if you insist... but I thought you'd do me." Thom spread even more, thighs sweetly muscled, stretching and flexing.

  He rolled his eyes. "I ought to give you something to shut that smart mouth of yours."

  That had been how it all started after all -- one too many smart assed remarks and Simon'd felt the need to tell his best friend and biggest irritant that he had better things for those lips to do.

  After Thom'd pounced, it'd been all over but the crying. Or screaming. Or whatever.

  Thom nodded, licking his lips. "Bring it over here, baby."

  He moaned loud enough that they'd hear it in Salt Lake. He crawled right up that lean, strong body, cock pointing to his own personal true north.

  "Mmm." Thom tugged at his hips, getting him straddling that chest, and those lips closed around him, Thom flicking the head of his cock with a hot, hot tongue.

  "Yeah." He closed his eyes, butt sliding as he pushed the tip of his cock on Thom's tongue. He fucking loved that drag and slide, that burn that slid all the way up his prick. Even the hint of teeth made him happy, made him shudder and press up and in. Thom moaned around him, hands coming up, one on his ass, one on his balls. He started whispering, low, filthy words that he knew made Tommy nuts, made Tommy hot and needy. That skin felt so tight and hot, and Thom's mouth was like a furnace. The man moaned for him, moved under him, one finger pushing against his hole.

  "Yeah. Yeah, Tommy. Touch me." His head rolled on his shoulders, his body caught between mouth and fingers.

  "Mmmhmm." Look at those eyes. They blazed up at Simon when he managed to blink his open, staring right into his. Tommy gave him everything, heat, suction, friction.

  "Fuck." His belly went tight as a board, everything in him zooming to the finish line. "Gonna."

  Tommy's finger slid right on inside him, good and deep. That mouth sucked him in until he hit the back of Thom's throat, too, lips sealing around his base. Simon shook hard, toes curling so tight his calves threatened to cramp. It was the soft chuckle that had him shooting like there was no tomorrow, Thom knowing, the little bastard. Knowing exactly what he was doing. Once he was done being melted and shit, he'd kick the little fuck's ass.

  Yeah.

  That was it.

  ***

  Thom listened to Simon breathe, letting the even cadence drown out the wind and the sound of the college dude crying out again. At least if Simon slept through it, the man wouldn't threaten to shoot anyone.

  His left leg itched. Like a lot. And, of course, Simon was asleep on top of it. Rocking, he tried to scratch it, kind of like a bear backing up to a tree, but he couldn't get the itch to go away.

  It was like this whole damned mission-life-statement-cause thing. Was he allowed to spend his life like he wanted, fucking Simon and designing video games? Well, mostly. But then they got the call.

  "Damn it, Simon, wake up. My leg itches."

  Simon's hand dropped down, fingers scratching his thigh. "There?"

  "No. Lower. Damn it." Knowing his luck, he had some flesh eating virus brought on by the proximity of Jin Wang, and he was gonna die and Simon would have to bury him.

  "Skeeters think you're sweet." Simon wiggled south, scratching along the way.

  "Mmm." Oh, somebody loved him. He sank his hand into Simon's hair, petting him. "Man, my ass hurts. What, did we pitch the tent on a rock?"

  "Probably. Either that or your laptop or iPod."

  "Ha-ha." Asshole. His stuff was in the truck, locked securely away. He tugged at the hair in his hand, knowing it would sting.

  "Bitch." Oh. Ow. Biting.

  "Lower, baby." That damned leg still itched. Thom reached with his free hand and turned on the little battery operated lantern. "Am I rotting?"

  "God, I hope not. That would really derail fucking." Simon took the light and looked. "Looks like mosquitoes. You missed a spot with the Off. I told you, apply the stuff before you put your hiking books on."

  "Oh." Well, Simon was the brawn... he did know this shit, though. "Next time I promise to follow your instructions to the letter. Do we have uh... lotion?"

  "Yep. What're you gonna do to earn it?" Oh, the bastard.

  "I already sucked. That's more than I can say for you, Mr. Fall Asleep and Let Thom jack off." Okay, so it hadn't happened this time, but it did occasionally.

  "Pardon me?" Those sharp teeth were really, really close to his balls.

  Really, really.

  "No biting there. I grovel." Simon liked it when he groveled. Well, when he did it kinda playacting.

  Simon chuckled, nuzzling his nuts. "I like these. I wouldn't hurt them. Much."

  "O-okay." His breath hitched as his hips rose, his itch fading pretty damned fast.

  Oh, damn. Simon had a tongue that wouldn't quit and it tempted one of his balls right into that furnace of a mouth.

  Everything drew up, a low ache starting in his belly. "Oh. Baby. Yeah. That's... uhn."

  "Mmmhmm." The suction started, easy and slow, hinting at the ache Simon could cause if he wanted to.

  The leg itch was gone. All there was in his whole world was Simon. Thank God for that man. Like, really.

  Simon took his time -- like Simon'd hurried over anything, ever -- and worked his one nut until it ached. Then it was released and the other one got the same slow, sucking treatment.

  His cock was gonna explode. Boom. That might be amusing. Like if it looked like a plugged up cannon... Okay, ew. Think hottie thoughts.

  Simon's sharp, sharp chin dug into his thigh, bright green eyes laughing. "You stopped paying attention, Tommy."

  Oh, he hated being called Tommy.

  "I was going to explode. Now I'm going to wilt..." He traced that grin with his finger, loving the look of it. The feel of it.

  "You spend too much time having cybersex. Uh. I wanna L.O.L. on your B.F.D., you S.T.U.D."

  "You are a strange and bizarre thing." Spreading, he rolled onto his back more fully, letting Simon slide between his thighs to get more.

  "Yeah, but I'm yours and you wouldn't want anyone else." Now, that was an inarguable fact. Simon spread his legs wider, tongue flicking at the skin behind his balls.

  "Fucking love the way you do that." Simon's hands slid under his ass, tilted him. Yeah. Oh, hell yeah. He liked that even better. "Gonna get me all ready, baby? Gonna do me?" That would take his mind off everything, wouldn't it. The smooth glide and press?

  "You fucking know it." Simon's tongue circled his hole again, then pushed in deep, making his eyes roll, making all sorts of promises.

  "God." He rocked and rolled, humping up, his cock so hard again. Yeah, that was what they needed. That was everything.

  Simon's thumbs spread him wide, that tongue driving him higher and higher, his stubble rasping some seriously tender spots -- goddamn.

  Goosebumps rose on his skin, and they had nothing to do with the cool night air. "Trying to kill me, baby? I swear. Come on. Come on."

  "Yeah. Yeah, gotta, now." Simon pushed between his legs, spreading him so wide his thighs screamed.

  Then that long prick pressed inside him, pushing its way in.

  He almost screamed, too, but he figured it would echo all up and down the little valley below, so he bit his lip instead. Simon had him, inside and out, taking him to the moon. Simon groaned, fucking him harder, pale skin seeming to glow in the dark.

  Thom reared up to put his arms around Simon's shoulders, holding on while they moved together. He whispered love words, fucking words, knowing Simon loved it as much as he did.

  Simon watched him, stared at him like no one else had.

  Ever.

  Moaning, Thom took another kiss, licking at Simon's lips, his legs coming up to wrap tight and pull Simon in. Harder. More. Soon.

  "Now, honey. Gimme." Simon pounded into him, tongue pushing in to take his mouth.

  Thom never argued with that demand. Never. He gave it right up, coming hard between their bellies, letting that kiss send him flying. He held on tight, fingers digging into Simon's back and shoulders.

  They settled back, Simon's cock still throbbing in his ass, so hot, Simon sweating above him, even in the cool wind.

  Thom grinned. "Come on, baby. Before I fall asleep..."

  "Fuckhead. Good. Good thing I love you." Simon pushed deep, hips jerking in little motions as he rode out his orgasm.

  Holding on was the best fucking feeling. The best. "Love you, baby. Enough that I'm worried. Tell me I'm not rotting and shit again."

  "You're not rotting. Although I think I saw a mosquito on your balls a minute ago."

  "As long as you flicked it off..." He whapped Simon, then pulled the man close, settling in. "This way they can bite your ass."