Prelude to a Rumor, Part Two

Melissa Schroeder

Harmless Publishing

Contents

ABOUT PRELUDE TO A RUMOR, PART TWO

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

THANK YOU

A LITTLE HARMLESS RUMOR

TASK FORCE HAWAII

SEDUCTIVE REASONING

ABOUT MELISSA SCHROEDER

ALSO BY MELISSA SCHROEDER

ABOUT PRELUDE TO A RUMOR, PART TWO

Former SEAL Randy Young isn’t looking to settle down. He just got out of a bad relationship with his share of emotional scars. When he and Sean Kaheaku team up on a surveillance job, he isn’t opposed to a little fun while they work.

Sean learned the hard way that workplace romance doesn’t work out. Hell, hookups are always risky. But, when they find themselves on the run in a foreign country, lines get crossed, and both of them discover more about each other than they ever expected.

This is a prelude to the full-length book A Little Harmless Rumor and has a happy for now ending. It is NOT a serial and it is not required to read this book to understand the relationships in the final book.

CHAPTER ONE

Sean studied the overhead screen and fought the need to curse. This was going to be a shit job. Sure, it was going to bring in some much-needed capital, but he didn’t know if it was going to be worth it. Now that he knew the risks, he was starting to have second thoughts—especially with a new partner.

He glanced at Randy Young. When Lassiter had first told him whom he was working with, Sean wasn’t all that thrilled. The newest member of Lassiter’s motley band of contractors wasn’t Sean’s first pick, but he would do for this kind of job. As a former SEAL, Young had the experience. Young must have felt his study and gave Sean an understanding nod. He thought the job sucked too.

It was hard to get a handle on the newest member of Lassiter’s team. He was a fucking god built of muscles and California good looks, hot enough to make Sean drool. But there was a brain in there too. Knowing he swung both ways like Sean made him almost irresistible. Young had been working his way through just about all of the operatives, with the exception of Sean.

The man was long and lean, just about as tall as Sean, with laughing blue eyes. From the smooth, tanned flesh, he had been spending a lot of time on the California beaches, but for some reason, Sean was sure he was tan from the tips of his toes to the top of his head.

Fuck, he didn’t need to become preoccupied with another operative. He needed to focus on the job at hand, no matter how much of a FUBAR it was.

“I don’t like the idea,” Sean said. “We have to go in blind?”

Lassiter nodded. “Yeah, and I know it sucks.”

“It’s beyond sucking,” Randy said, his voice deadly calm and his usually jovial mood absent. “It could end up with both of us dead.”

Lassiter shook his head. “You military folk always look at everything in worst-case scenario.”

Lassiter had never been in the military. MI-6 was his only training and that’s why he had no problems cutting corners or taking chances—as long as other people were at risk. Sean was former Army and with Randy being a former SEAL, they both knew too well what could go wrong.

“It’s one way to make sure we arrive alive,” Sean said.

He didn’t mind taking chances, but he really did not like the idea of a suicide mission. This definitely had those markings and not for anything noble. Saving a life, that would have been worth it, but for money—no matter how much—he wasn’t sure this was worth it.

“I wouldn’t send you if I thought there was a chance you’d be attacked,” his boss said, his voice as cool as it had been over the last year. Sean had started working for him when he and Jaime had broken it off. Well, more like she had broken it off, and Sean had left MI-6 for a fresh start. Lassiter apparently blamed Sean, even though he was the one who had wanted more. At least Lassiter had hired him outright.

“What is actually the reason we are going?” Young asked. His new partner was definitely not sold on the mission.

“Missionaries.”

Sean paused. “We’re going after missionaries?”

“They need transportation out. I had one of their friends contact me. He is the one promising the money.”

“Who is after missionaries?” Young asked.

“They aren’t your average missionaries. Rich do-gooders who have caught the attention of an Islamic terrorist group. MILF.”

“MILF?” Sean asked.

“The Moro Islamic Liberation Front.”

“And I take it they want the young do-gooders’ money,” Young said.

Sean nodded. Kidnappings were on the rise in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, even if the kidnappers were paid on time, the chances their prey was still alive was slim to none. Still, most people would take that chance if it meant saving a loved one.

“But, no contact?” Young asked.

“Sean knows the area.”

Young glanced at him. It was the first time since they had been sitting side-by-side in front of Lassiter’s desk that he had. The full attention of those deep blues short-circuited his brain for a few seconds.

“Do you think it’s worth it?”

Sean shrugged then looked at Lassiter. “You said they are in hiding? No one has found them?”

Lassiter nodded. “Being rich does have its benefits, and they have paid people well to hide them.”

Young read over the report and nodded. “Yeah. Doesn’t mean I like it. The area we are going into is overwhelmed with terrorist groups. They use it as a training area. Hell, so did we.”

“Legally?” Sean asked.

Young’s lips twitched. “No comment.”

“The other problem is the coverage in the area. I know this area. Cell sucks and even satellite reception has issues. We get stuck, there might be no way to get out.”

Apparently, Lassiter had had enough. “I’m pretty sure I can find someone else to handle it for the money, but, you two are my best bets.”

Sean glanced at Young and nodded again. “I can handle the money and the situation.”

Young’s eyes twinkled as his lips curved. “Most definitely.”

Sean just hoped once they got to where they were going, they got out free and fast.

CHAPTER TWO

“Something’s fucked,” Randy Young said, his tone as dark as his scowl.

They’d arrived just moments before, both of them relieved on how easy it had been. Then, they had stepped inside. There was something very, very wrong. Sean could feel it in his bones.

Sean glanced at Young, then around the abandoned hut. He had to agree with the former SEAL. There was something really fucking wrong with the situation.

Dust covered the furnishings, and there were definitely signs of decay. The small wooden table looked like termites or something had been eating on it. Hell, the covers on the small cot were moving. The stench of rotting vegetation permeated the air. He really didn’t want to know what was living under there. The absence of any humans—along with any kind of food told him one thing.

“No one has been here in months,” he said. He rolled his shoulders as a dribble of sweat slid down his spine. Fuck, it was hot.

Young nodded. “So, did Lassiter set us up, or did someone set up Lassiter and we get caught up in it?”

“That’s a very good question.”

His gut clenched. Damn, he didn’t want to think badly of his old friend, but things weren’t adding up. Lassiter had never had a clusterfuck like this in the years Sean had been working for him. He’d trusted the man with his life more than once, but now he was having doubts.

Maybe Lassiter was more pissed about his breakup with Jaime than Sean had thought. Sean knew Lassiter had trained her, had guided her through her career, and he had taken it personally when Sean and Jaime split up. Still, Sean didn’t think Lassiter would set him up to be killed for it.

Sean glanced around again. There weren’t even any signs the missionaries had been there. It was a dead end. No one had been there for at least a month, probably more. Just as both he and Young had worried, there was something off about the mission.

“You’ve worked for him for awhile. Do you think he’d set us up like this?”

Sean glanced at Young. He was fucking smart, and it wasn’t as if Sean hadn’t just had the same thought.

“I haven’t given him reason to. Have you?”

A smile that had nothing to do with humor curled Young’s lips. Damn, it made him even more fuckable. Sean always liked his humor with a dark and sadistic edge, and especially appreciated it in his lovers.

Fuck. He needed to get his mind off that topic. They needed to formulate a plan that had to deal with getting the fuck out of there.

“So, you’re relationship with Lassiter is contingent on you not giving him a reason to kill you?”

He smiled. “That’s pretty much true in all of my relationships.”

Young chuckled at that. “Same here. What the fuck do you think it means?”

“I think he has bad info, or someone is setting us up.”

“Ya think?”

“Who have you pissed off lately?” Sean asked.

“My parents, my old commanding officer. Oh, and some woman on the 405 last week, but I don’t think I have pissed off anyone enough for this.”

“Then you aren’t living your life right.”

They shared another smile, then they both went back to inspecting the room. Instinct and experience told him with the small click he’d heard; they had tripped some kind of alarm. Thank Jesus it was only an alarm and not a tripwire to a bomb. His heartbeat jumped up a few thousand beats as he glanced at his companion. Young raised one eyebrow. The former SEAL had heard it too.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” he said, his voice eerily calm.

Sean nodded and followed him out of the hut they had found. They had no idea how long it would be before someone showed up, and there was no use sticking around to find out. He followed Randy out of the hut and down the path they had taken. He held up his fist, indicating to hold position. Sean did as told. He had no problem taking orders from the SEAL. They both had about the same amount of experience, and there was something about a man who knew how to give as good as he got—in more ways than one.

Thwap, thwap, thwap…footsteps hurried toward them. Again, instinct saved both of them. From the sound of it, they had too many people to go up against. There were at least ten of them heading in their direction. While Sean didn’t mind a good fight, he didn’t believe in suicide missions.

Young motioned with his head and Sean followed. He was the better of the two at tracking and finding his way out of a shit situation. This was definitely a shit situation. They had gone in under the cover of night, no support. It had been a bad situation all around, but it had paid good money. Now, he was starting to understand just why.

Shots rang out behind them, but neither of them stopped to answer the attack. They knew they were outnumbered. As their pursuers continued to shoot, Young and Sean put some space between them. When Young led them out to a road, Sean almost ran into the back of him.

“Hey,” Young said.

“Well, I didn’t know you were going to come to a stop like that.”

Then, Sean looked around. “I know this area.”

Young glanced at him. “You do?”

He heard the skepticism and shook his head. He noticed a cargo truck sitting on the side of the road. “We can’t stand here and discuss it. We need to get the fuck out of here, and I know a place we can stay.”

This time he took the lead, going across the road then back into the jungle. He knew if they got to the next road over, they were home free. They could definitely get a ride into Bulusan there and get the fuck off the island.

Then, another shot rang out from behind them. It flew past Sean and hit the tree by his head. A piece of bark from the trunk flew off and hit him in the forehead.

“Motherfuck.”

It wasn’t that big, but the sharp edge of it had connected with his head. His first instinct was to move forward, but he heard Young stumble. When Sean turned around, Young staggered to his feet. His partner looked down at his upper arm.

“Fucking hell.”

A basic flesh wound, but Sean knew it probably stung like a bitch.

“Come on.”

“Go, keep going. There’s only one.”

Sean shook his head and hurried back to him. “You go, I’ll watch your back.”

Young agreed and went on his way. Sean stood still watching the forest, then he saw the flash of movement. He raised his rifle and waited. Movement again, and Sean took a shot. There was a yell, then cursing in a language he didn’t know, but he was pretty sure it was Eastern European of some sort.

“Kaheaku, what the fuck?”

“Go,” he said turning back to Young. “I know a place up here we can stay, no questions, and we can dress that wound.”

“Who did you just shoot?”

“I have a feeling it was supposed to be their lookout.”

Young opened his mouth, but Sean wasn’t in the mood for it. “Just fucking go. I don’t want to wait for the others to catch up.”

Young did as Sean had ordered, and he followed his partner as he tried to figure out just what the hell had happened, and just how the hell they would get themselves out of the mess.

CHAPTER THREE

Randy had been in some horrible situations before this. There was the time he’d been pinned down outside of Kandahar, and they had lost three of the team members. He’d lost another one of his former SEAL team members to suicide when he couldn’t cope with the memories. None of that could compare to the clusterfuck this assignment had brought about.

“Up here,” Kaheaku said. He glanced at his partner and nodded. Randy’s pain was escalating with each step he took. Worse, he kept thinking about infection. He just wanted to get it cleaned out and dressed. Running around the jungle was probably not a good idea with an open wound.

They stepped into a clearing. There was a building there, which apparently operated as some sort of hotel. He glanced at Kaheaku, who shrugged.

“Not the greatest accommodations, but I figured a former SEAL could handle it.”

Randy nodded and followed him up. There was very little activity around it, but it was pretty evident he was one of the very few Caucasians in the area. Add in that most of the men refused to make eye contact. Uneasiness slipped down his spine.

“Aren’t you worried we’ll get noticed?”

Sean shook his head. “No. Most of these people don’t want anyone to know what they’re doing. Not here anyway.”

Randy studied the group again. Some were dressed in clothes similar to what he and Kaheaku wore. Cargo pants, t-shirts, boots. But, there were men in business suits, and almost everyone there was male. And the men were the only ones in couples. It hit him that this was probably secluded for a reason.

He glanced at his companion again. “Is there a reason you know about this place?”

His lips twitched before they curved into a cocky smile. “Other than the fact that I needed a place to stay after my car went out on me last year, no. I don’t hide my sexual preferences.”

Fuck, the man was sexy. Randy had noticed him from the first moment he’d started working for Lassiter. It was hard not to. Tall, muscled, green eyes—right up Randy’s alley. Knowing Kaheaku was bisexual added to the attraction, but worse, he was fucking sarcastic. It made him almost impossible not to fantasize about.

He’d taken time to fashion a bandage out of a bandana, but the blood was starting to seep through. And he needed to give the wound a good cleaning.

Sean apparently read his mind.

“Let’s get a room and get you set. Then we can figure out what to do.”

He nodded and followed Sean up the front steps. A small Filipino man stood behind a stained desk.

“Need a room,” Sean said.

Randy noticed he did not ask, just ordered. He liked that in a man…to a point. And in the situation, it was definitely nice. Randy was accustomed to taking charge, and he was good at it. But, his arm ached and he was starting to feel a little lightheaded. Having someone take over the little things at the moment made life a little easier.

The man behind the counter said nothing back to Sean. Apparently they knew each other well enough. He grabbed a key and flung it on the desk. Sean tossed out a few bills, grabbed the key.

“Let’s go,” he said, without turning around.

Randy wasn’t that great at taking orders. It was one of the reasons he had left the Navy. He’d loved his job, but he did better working with a two-person team. Share the work. He definitely didn’t like working for jackasses like his last commanding officer. But, right now, it was just best to go along.

He followed Kaheaku up two sets of stairs. Sweat trickled down his back and his arm throbbed. The thing hurt like a motherfucker. If Kaheaku hadn’t shot the bastard, Randy would have been tempted to hunt the bastard down and beat the shit out of him.

By the time they reached the room, Randy could barely catch his breath. It was embarrassing to admit, even to himself.

Kaheaku unlocked the door and stepped inside. They both surveyed the room. It wasn’t big. Hell, there wasn’t a lot of space in the room.

“We need to get that cut cleaned and dressed.”

Randy looked around the room again, then walked to the bathroom. “I might catch something else in here.”

Kaheaku shook his head as he took off his pack. “I got supplies, as I am sure you do as well.”

He did. “I can take care of it.”

Kaheaku let one brow rise but said nothing. Of course he didn’t. He wasn’t truly the leader of the partnership, but in a way he was. He’d known Lassiter longer than Randy had and he was uninjured.

“Okay.”

He stripped off his shirt and winced as a fission of pain shot down his arm.

“Fuck,” he said from behind gritted teeth. Shit, he didn’t want to look weak now. It was stupid, but it was like he was trying to impress Kaheaku. They both crowded into the bathroom.

“Ah, really just a flesh wound.”

He nodded. Kaheaku opened a bottle of antiseptic and poured it on Randy’s wound.

“Mother fuck.”

Kaheaku chuckled. “Yeah, I bet that hurts. I think I’m gonna have to sew it up. Butterfly sutures are not going to work.”

“And the day just keeps getting better,” Randy said as he watched Kaheaku pull out a needle and thread. “Listen, I know you’re former Special Forces, but do you know what you’re doing with that thing?”

A small smile curved his lips. “Yeah. I grew up on a ranch on the Big Island, so I know all about taking care of injuries.”

“Hawaii?”

He nodded. Randy should have known it from the cadence in Kaheaku’s voice, not to mention the last name.

“And, up in cattle country, it could be a long drive to the hospital. You learn how to fix things like this.”

He threaded the needle as if trained and Randy swallowed. He had hunted the Taliban, faced down more than one insurgent in Iraq, but fucking needles freaked him the fuck out.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”

The double entendre surprised a laugh out of him.

“I just have this thing with needles.”

“Yeah. My mom did too. She would freak out if there was even mention of a needle.”

“Was?”

“She died a few years ago.”

And it was a soft spot for the big Hawaiian. He heard it in Kaheaku’s voice that he still missed his mother. Dammit, it only made him even more attractive.

Over the next few minutes, they didn’t speak. Kaheaku worked the needle in and out of his skin as Randy did his best not to vomit or, worse, pass out. When Kaheaku finally finished, Randy released a breath he did not know he had been holding.

“Take the bed and catch a few minutes. I’ll survey the perimeter.”

He opened his mouth, but Sean shook his head. “You need to rest up and then you can take over. I want to make sure you don’t get an infection. I am not about to carry your ass out of here.”

He smiled and watched as Kaheaku packed away the medical supplies.

“I’ll hunt up some drinking water so you can take a couple of ibuprofen.”

He nodded and didn’t argue. Kaheaku left him alone. He sat down on the bed and looked around. Damn, he was getting old if one little flesh wound had him down for the count.

There was one thing that was for sure, once he got a hold of Royce Lassiter, he was going to beat the shit out of the man.

Three hours later, Sean kept watch by the window. Night had fallen quickly and though it seemed their tail had disappeared, something was wrong. There was something really off about this assignment from the start, and it was going downhill fast.

Young shifted on the mattress, drawing Sean’s attention. He walked over and looked down at his partner. He had checked under the bandage in the last hour, and there was no redness around the wound yet. That had eased some of his worries. Now, though, Young didn’t look so hot. Sweat beaded his brow and his skin was flush. Fever had set in, but Sean didn’t think it had to do with the wound. Dammit. Could anything else go wrong?

This assignment was definitely fucked.

CHAPTER FOUR

For a full two days, Sean was stuck at the hotel. Randy’s fever kept him in bed for twenty-four hours. He could have left him, and Randy had tried to get him to go, but it was too dangerous. Randy would be left with no way of defending himself. When the fever finally broke, he could barely get the energy to move. It took another twenty-four hours before Sean was able to leave so he could contact Lassiter.

“I should be back within a few hours. Hopefully, I can get a hold of Lassiter without too much trouble.”

Randy nodded. “Tell him I’m not all that thrilled working for him.”

“Will do.”

But he hesitated.

“Go. I can deal with the situation.”

He did as Randy ordered and started off to the nearest town. He needed to get somewhere with good cell reception. Sean knew he had limited time before he was recognized, and he also had limited time he could leave Randy. He had to admit; it hadn’t been as uncomfortable as he thought it would be. Caring for someone he wasn’t really familiar with should have been awkward, but it wasn’t. They seemed to have a connection. Most of it probably had to do with the situation. Desperate times and close quarters helped diminish any normal barriers. Sean figured they would sort out what it meant between them later.

He didn’t have to go into Bulusan, but he knew he needed to get as close as possible. And they needed to get the fuck away from there. They were very close to an active volcano and, going by the rest of the mission, Sean didn’t want to take any chances.

As soon as the satellite phone picked up a signal, he dialed Lassiter. They weren’t supposed to have support, but he knew his boss would want to hear from them. Lassiter picked up on the first ring.

“Where the fuck are you?” Lassiter growled into the phone.

“Well, hello to you too.”

“Sean, don’t fuck with me. We’ve had our hands full trying to find you. Is Young there?”

“No. He’s back in the room.”

“Injuries?”

“Young, but just a flesh wound. You want to tell me what the hell is going on?”

Lassiter sighed. “You were hit the same time Jaime was.”

Even after the year apart, his heart lodged somewhere in his throat. He didn’t think he would ever get over her. “Is she okay?”

“Yeah.” He sighed, sounding weary now. “She’s doing fine now.”

Sean wanted to ask more, but he knew Lassiter well enough to know that he wouldn’t tell Sean any more.

“So, you’re saying this was planned?”

“Yes, and it has to do with something you two must have worked on, but I have yet to figure out what it is. I have a transport I can set up on my command. How soon can the two of you get to Bulusan?”

“Slow down. Can’t travel for another day or two.”

“I thought you said Young was okay.”

“He is, but he had some kind of flu. It knocked him down. It will take at least another twenty-four hours. Also, he doesn’t trust you much right now.”

“Damn, and we need him. I’ll make sure to make it up to both of you. Be there on Thursday, midnight, your time. Chuck is going to pick you up.”

He knew the man well, and Lassiter knew that. Especially since they didn’t know who to trust at the moment.

“Gotcha. So, is Jaime going to be okay?”

“She’s fine. We should be back in the states by the time you two get back. Maybe we can put our heads together and figure something out.”

“Got it. See you in a few days.”

He turned off the phone and started on his way back. It wasn’t going to be an easy trip. While Randy had finally gotten some energy, a trek through the rainforest over mountainous areas was going to be hard. They could make it to Bulusan by Wednesday no problem. It gave them three days.

It took him less time to make it back, or at least it seemed like it did. He still tried his best to muddy up his trail just in case anyone was following him. They didn’t need any more problems on this mission.

When he arrived back at the room, Randy was sitting on the bed, ready to go. His pack was beside him, and he was dressed.

“Do we have a transport?”

Sean nodded.

“Let’s go.”

“Don’t you think you should take a little more time?”

The look Randy gave him told him exactly where he thought Sean could stick that idea.

“No. I have a bad feeling, and those usually pan out. We need to get out of here as fast as possible.”

“We have until Thursday at midnight.”

“Someone you trust is going to pick us up?”

Sean nodded. “I’ve worked with Chuck. Former SEAL like yourself, but he lost a leg, so he’s been doing transports.”

“Good. Let’s go. It seems there is a break in the weather, but I heard a couple of the guys talking, and they said they expect a bitch of a storm in about thirty-six hours. We have got to get there before the rain hits.”

“Fuck, this job has been shitty from the first moment we landed. I have to tell you something.” Randy stopped moving and looked at him. “This might have been a retaliatory hit for something I did with my old partner. She got hit around the same time we did.”

Randy sighed. “Well, shit. Is she okay?”

“Yeah. Lassiter is with her wherever she is.”

“Yeah. Let’s get to Bulusan. Last time I was there, I stayed at a nice little resort. They don’t ask questions, especially for the extra cash.

“I think we should lay low.”

Randy shrugged. “The bastards after us are probably long gone. But, if they aren’t, they won’t be looking for us at the resort. Plus, we can just hang out in the room.”

He wanted to say no, and his training told him he should, but instead, he studied Randy. He was a bit pale, and Sean knew he had also dropped a few pounds.

“Listen, I want to make sure that you don’t catch whatever I have. If we’re stuck out in the jungle hiding and you get sick, we’ll miss the transport. At least this way we have a better chance of making it.”

He couldn’t really argue with that and, at the moment, he wanted to just sleep for days. This would give them the option.

“Let’s go.”

Randy smiled. “Great. I’m sure we can come up with something to do with all that time.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Randy settled back on the clean bed and sighed. Sean had let him take the shower first, and he was glad of it. It had taken them about a day to get to the resort, and the only room left had a king bed and was way in the back away from most of the hustle and bustle. Perfect for them…in more ways than one.

The trip had not been easy, and if Sean hadn’t been so handy with hotwiring a car, they would still be making their way there.

Randy studied the door to the bathroom. The water was still running, and he could just imagine it sliding over all that gorgeous tanned skin. There was no doubt about it; Sean Kaheaku was a Hawaiian god. He had gotten a good look at him over the last few days, and the more and more Randy saw, the more he wanted. He knew enough about the man to know that Sean swung both ways, and since Randy did too, he figured it wouldn’t be a problem. He’d also done a damn good job taking care of him. Not a lot of guys were good in that situation, but Sean had stepped up to the plate.

The water turned off. Randy picked up a mango and started munching on it. He needed something to occupy his time while he came up with a plan. He really didn’t want to rock the boat. Things seemed to click for them from the moment they started the mission. If he came on to Sean, and he wasn’t interested, that was okay with Randy. But, they had two more days left in the room, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with the tension after that. Especially since there was no way for him to work through his frustration.

The door opened and all of his second thoughts faded away. Sean was standing in the doorway, a towel around his waist and his hair brushed back from his face. A little bit of scruff covered his jaw. Damn, the man was fucking sexy.

“What?” Sean said. Randy heard the deepening in his partner’s voice.

He tossed the rest of his mango in the nearby trash and rose from the bed. Without breaking his stride, he walked to Sean, then stopped, leaving less than an inch between them. They were about the same height, so their mouths were level. He cupped Sean’s face with both hands, rubbing his thumbs over his whiskers. He smelled of the soap they had both used and for some reason, Randy found that so damned erotic.

“This is probably a mistake,” Randy said.

Sean’s mouth curved. “Yeah.”

“Fuck it.”

Randy slammed his mouth against Sean’s, thrusting his tongue inside. Instantly, arousal spiked, his cock hardening almost immediately. The need had been simmering there since the moment he had been paired up with Sean. Now, it was time to enjoy it.

He pulled back, and yanked the towel free from Sean’s waist. Fuck, he was just as aroused as Randy, his cock curving up against his belly. He reached down, wrapped his hand around it, and gave it a long stroke. He continued as he looked up at Sean’s face.

His eyes slid closed, as he bent his head back against the wall.

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, sounds about right,” Randy said. He squeezed Sean’s cock and it jerked in his hand. “And you like it a little rough.”

Sean said nothing as Randy continued to stroke him. He knew he was close, but Randy wanted a taste. He dropped to his knees in front of Sean and took him in his mouth. The salty sweet flavor of his cum hit him first, his cock responding as it slid over his taste buds. Randy slipped his hand down to his sac and squeezed. Sean shuddered as he slid his fingers through Randy’s hair. He wanted to push the control freak over the edge, so Randy slipped his hands around to his ass, pulling his cheeks apart. As he slipped his finger between, Sean shouted and thrust deep into his Randy’s mouth.

Moments later, he fell back against the wall as Randy gave his cock one last lick.

He stood up and kissed him. His own body was begging for release. When he pulled back from the kiss, he waited for Sean to open his eyes. “Ready for round two?”

Sean nodded. “I definitely want a taste.”

“Yeah, I want that talented mouth on me, but not this time.”

He pulled away from Sean and tugged him over to the bed. They both worked to get his pants undone and off his body. When they were both standing naked, Sean stepped closer to press his body against Randy’s. Even though he had just had a release, his cock was hardening. It touched against Randy’s shaft, and he almost came right there and then. He couldn’t remember needing a release so badly.

Sean moved closer, but instead of kissing him on the lips, he leaned down and set his mouth against his neck. He licked Randy’s pulse point.

“Fuck.”

Sean chuckled and nipped at his jaw. “Such impatience. I’d think a SEAL would have better control.”

When Sean met his gaze, he saw the heat he was feeling reflected back.

“And, you think you want to teach me how to control myself?”

“Is that an invitation?”

He hesitated. He was used to being the aggressor, so he was in unfamiliar territory.

“I promise to be gentle,” Sean said, his voice filled with humor.

“Fuck that.”

Sean’s smile turned into a grin. In that moment, Randy knew he was in trouble. He barely knew the man, and making him happy caused Randy more joy than he wanted to admit. He wanted to see that smile all the time.

Sean gave him a long, wet kiss, then he turned to grab his pack. He pulled out a condom.

He blinked. “Damn, you do always come prepared.”

He didn’t put the condom on though. Instead, he dropped to a squat and took Randy’s cock into his mouth.

“Ah, fuck,” he said.

Sean definitely had a talented mouth, just as he had known he would. Sean pushed him to the edge several times, his tongue gliding over Randy’s rigid flesh. He knew just how to work his shaft over, teasing him enough to drive him crazy, but held back. Each time Randy thought he was going to come, Sean pulled back. The last time, he grabbed Randy’s cock and held it up to give him access to his sac. One long lick over his sac had Randy shaking.

“Fuck me.”

Sean rose to his feet. “Gladly.”

It wasn’t so much of an invitation, but he definitely didn’t give a fuck. He was in the mood to have a cock up his ass, anything to get Sean to let him come.

He slipped the condom on, as Randy got up on all fours on the bed. Sean joined him with a tube of lube he hadn’t seen before.

“Yeah, I always come prepared, but not that prepared. I picked it up when I bought the food.”

Randy turned around as Sean slipped a finger into his ass. He worked his second finger in, then he removed his fingers and pulled Randy’s ass cheeks apart and started to enter him. Slowly, almost as if he wanted to enjoy every inch, he sunk into Randy. He was fucking big, but he finally got to the small ring of muscles and pushed through. It had been a while since he had bottomed, and it left him a little tense. If Sean noticed, he said nothing. Slowly, he worked himself in and out of Randy’s ass, taking it slowly and not pushing too hard. Randy pushed back against him, needing it harder, wanting a bit of pain, but that earned him a slap on the ass.

“Don’t rush me.”

He kept the rhythm slow and easy, allowing their need to build steadily. But, soon, even Sean seemed to want to speed things up. Then, he was thrusting in and out of Randy’s ass, his strokes measured and deep. His fingers dug into his cheeks and Randy welcomed the pain. He needed something to keep him from coming. He wanted to let the pleasure stretch. Fuck, he never wanted it to end.

Soon, though, Sean reached around and tugged on Randy’s cock. He stroked him, over and over, his fingers gliding over him.

“Come on, Randy, let go.”

And then he was flying. He came as Sean continued to stroke him. He shuddered with his release, shouting Sean’s name as his orgasm moved through him. When he was coming down, Sean thrust into him one last time and came again, his long, loud groan one of the most erotic things Randy had ever heard.

Moments later, they collapsed on the bed. Sean moved away and went to the bathroom. When he came back, he surprised Randy by joining him back on the bed. He wrapped an arm around Randy’s chest and snuggled in closer behind him.

“I’m not good at relationships,” Sean said out of the blue.

He let that bit of information sink in. “I didn’t ask for one.”

“Yeah, but I want to get it out of the way. I made that mistake once, and it ruined a good partnership.”

Randy had heard. The moment he had been assigned to work with Sean, everyone had warned him away. Everyone had said that Sean was a man who didn’t know how to commit, but Randy didn’t give a fuck. He wasn’t any good at relationships either. He turned to face him.

“I don’t do relationships well either. Right now, let’s just see where it goes, but we are both free agents. You want more, you tell me.”

Sean nodded and again, the smile that curved his lips sunk into Randy’s soul. Sean leaned closer and brushed his mouth over Randy’s.

“I’d say I was ready for round three, but I feel like I need another shower.”

Randy smiled and slid from the bed. “Sounds like a plan.”

Sean followed him, and Randy thought it was a pretty good start. He’d worry about tomorrow when it got there. Right now, he’d just enjoy the ride.

THANK YOU

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about Sean and Randy! If you liked it, please leave a review at your favorite retailer or tell your friends about the book!

Mel

A LITTLE HARMLESS RUMOR

Loving someone doesn’t mean you can save him from himself.

Rumors are swirling about the fall of Sean Kaheaku, but he’s ignoring them. Six months earlier, he had his entire world turned upside down and he still doesn’t know what to do about it. He retreated to his home in Hawaii to recover and reassess what he wants to do now that he’s been burned as a security agent.

Now lovers, Randy and Jamie arrive in Honolulu to find the lover they once knew is now even more secretive and belligerent. He refuses their help, but they are both too stubborn to leave—especially since they sense something dangerous is stalking Sean.

As the three lovers spend more time together, old feelings float to the surface and the twosome becomes a threesome. Nights are even hotter than the Hawaiian sun, and all three lovers find the connection exciting and overwhelming. But, the trouble is still out there and arrives intent on destroying Sean and everything he loves—including Randy and Jaime.

»WARNING: This book contains three spies who like to play games in and out of the bedroom, hot m/m loving, more m/m/f loving, dangerous games, lies, a few misdemeanors, and love scenes so hot, even most Addicts will be shocked.  There is also a group of Alpha males with badges who will have their own series, a heroine who knows how to handle her two men, and two men who know exactly what she likes. As usual, ice and towels should be handy to help you through the book.

Sean Kaheaku padded barefoot down the hall, keeping his back against the wall. He made as little sound as possible. There was no reason to alert anyone in the penthouse that he had arrived. If the package he had been sent to steal wasn’t there, he could disappear without an issue.

When he reached the door to the room, he took hold of the door handle. A slight twist told him it was locked.

Dammit.

With deliberate moves, he pulled out his kit, picked his favorite tool. He squatted down and got to work. Why was he even doing this? He gets a message from a brother he didn’t know existed, telling him to get this package. It must have been important because his brother paid with it for his life.

He heard the click of the door unlocking. He slipped his tools back into his pants pocket. With a quick look down the hall in each direction, he twisted the doorknob and opened the door.

It opened slowly and he found a completely empty room.

He frowned. There was an open window with wind billowing the sheer white curtains. Other than trash and a few rodents, nothing remained. He stepped into the room making sure to keep his attention trained for any little sound. He walked over to the window and looked out. Nothing…just the quiet stillness of the night.

Fuck.

What now? He had been so sure that the package would be there. Lassiter had paid him to make sure. This is why he hated working alone. If Jaime and Randy had been with him, they could have used all their contacts to ensure the best results. But, for some reason, Lassiter had wanted only him on the job and when someone pays you ten thousand for a job, you just do it. At least in his business you did.

A creak sounded behind him. He turned to confront the threat, but he was too late. He saw nothing but a piece of wood that came rushing toward him. He had no time to prepare for the smack. A sharp brutal crack to his skull left him dizzy, the room spinning around him. He tried to walk, blinking to gain focus. He heard another whoosh before the wood made contact with the back of his head.Then, he was falling into a deep dark pit of nothingness.

TASK FORCE HAWAII

Working with local, state, and federal agencies, the men and women of TASK FORCE HAWAII work on cases ranging from bank heists to terrorism. A diverse team filled with ex-military, law enforcement, medical, and technical support, they are Hawaii’s last defense against the worst criminals.

Keep up with the Task Force at their own Page on FACEBOOK:

TASK FORCE HAWAII

SEDUCTIVE REASONING

Learn More at Mel’s Website

Resisting her might just kill him.

Former Army Special Forces Officer Martin “Del” Delano has enough on his hands chasing a serial killer and heading up TASK FORCE HAWAII. He definitely doesn’t need the distraction of Emma Mitchell. From the moment they meet, she knocks him off his feet, literally. Unfortunately, she’s the best person to have on the team to make the connections to help them catch their killer.

A temptation she can’t ignore.

For Emma, it’s hard to ignore the lure of a man like him. Tats, muscles and his Harley cause her to have more than a few fantasies about Del. He’d never be interested in a geek like her, but she can’t resist toying with him. When she pushes the teasing too far, she ends up in his bed. She convinces herself she can handle it until the moment he steals her heart.

A killer obsessed.

Del can’t help falling for the quirky genius. She’s smart, funny and there’s a sweet vulnerable side to her that only he can see. As Emma gets more involved with the investigation, she becomes the target of the psychopath. When the danger escalates,  Del promises to do anything to save the woman who not only captured his heart but also his soul.

ABOUT MELISSA SCHROEDER

From an early age, USA Today Bestselling author Melissa Schroeder loved to read. First, it was the books her mother read to her including her two favorites, Winnie the Pooh and the Beatrix Potter books. She cut her preteen teeth on Trixie Belden and read and reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird in middle school. It wasn’t until she was in college that she tried to write her first stories, which were full of angst and pain, and really not that fun to read or write. After trying several different genres, she found romance in a Linda Howard book.

Since the publication of her first book in 2004, Melissa has had close to fifty romances published. She writes in genres from historical suspense to modern day erotic romance to futuristics and paranormals. Included in those releases is the bestselling Harmless series. In 2011, Melissa branched out into self-publishing with A Little Harmless Submission and the popular military spinoff, Infatuation: A Little Harmless Military Romance. Along the way she has garnered an epic nomination, a multitude of reviewer’s recommended reads, over five Capa nods from TRS, twelve nominations for AAD Bookies and regularly tops the bestseller lists on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She made the USA Today Bestseller list for the first time with her anthology The Santinis.

Since she was a military brat, she vowed never to marry military. Alas, fate always has her way with mortals. Her husband just retired from the AF after 20 years, and together they have their own military brats, two girls, and two adopted dog daughters, and is happy she picks where they live now.

Keep up with Mel, her releases, and her appearances by subscribing to her NEWSLETTER or join in the fun with her Harmless Addicts!

Mel’s Facebook Series Pages

The Santinis

The Harmless Series

Task Force Hawaii

Semper Fi Marines

The Fitzpatricks

FOR MORE INFO:

Twitter: @MELSCHROEDER

Facebook: MELISSASCHROEDERFANPAGE

WWW.MELISSASCHROEDER.NET

MELISSA@MELISSASCHROEDER.NET

ALSO BY MELISSA SCHROEDER

HARMLESS

A Little Harmless Sex

A Little Harmless Pleasure

A Little Harmless Obsession

A Little Harmless Lie

A Little Harmless Addiction

A Little Harmless Submission

A Little Harmless Fascination

A Little Harmless Fantasy

A Little Harmless Ride

A Little Harmless Secret

THE HARMLESS PRELUDES

Prelude to a Fantasy

Prelude to a Secret

THE HARMLESS SHORTS

Max and Anna

A LITTLE HARMLESS MILITARY ROMANCE

Infatuation

Possession

Surrender

THE SANTINIS

Leonardo

Marco

Gianni

Vicente

A Santini Christmas

A Santini in Love

Falling for a Santini

One Night with a Santini

A Santini Takes the Fall

SEMPER FI MARINES

Tease Me

Tempt Me

Touch Me

ONCE UPON AN ACCIDENT

An Accidental Countess

Lessons in Seduction

The Spy Who Loved Her

THE CURSED CLAN

Callum

Angus

Logan

BY BLOOD

Desire by Blood

Seduction by Blood

TEXAS TEMPTATIONS

Conquering India

Delilah’s Downfall

HAWAIIAN HOLIDAYS

Mele Kalikimaka, Baby

Sex on the Beach

Getting Lei’d

BOUNTY HUNTER’S, INC

For Love or Honor

Sinner’s Delight

THE SWEET SHOPPE

Cowboy Up

Tempting Prudence

LONESTAR WOLF PACK

The Alpha’s Saving Grace (part of Romancing the Wolf Anthology)

CONNECTED BOOKS

The Hired Hand

Hands on Training

A Calculated Seduction

Going for Eight

SINGLE TITLES

Grace Under Pressure

Telepathic Cravings

Her Mother’s Killer

The Last Detail

Operation Love

Chasing Luck

The Seduction of Widow McEwan

COMING SOON

A Little Harmless Rumor

Seductive Reasoning

Aeden