I Spy a Dark Obsession Read Online Free Page B

making trails down his sculpted, lightly furred chest and abdomen. Two bronzed male nipples peaked immediately, no doubt due to the contrast of wetness and cool air. Three puckered bullet wounds—one too damned close to the man’s heart and the others on his side and stomach—didn’t detract from his perfection. Bastian tore his gaze from them with effort and covered his lapse with a counterattack.
    Cupping his hand, he swatted the water, dousing a smug-looking Michael right in the face—and the war was on.
    They battled like a couple of teenaged boys, yelling and chasing each other around the pool. Both grappling for the upper hand in an effort to be victorious in dishing out the most dunkings. Bastian couldn’t recall the last time he’d had such fun.
    Right up until Michael threw him face-first into the concrete edge of the pool.
    Pain exploded in his face and he struggled to his feet, draping an arm on the ledge and holding his mouth. “Ah, fuck.”
    “Jesus, I’m sorry! Shit! Are you okay?” Michael waded quickly to stand in front of him.
    “I think so.” Already, his lip was starting to throb. But a tentative check with his tongue reassured him there were no loose or broken teeth.
    “Move your hand and let me see.”
    He did, and Michael reached out, frowning. Gently he grasped Bastian’s chin and brushed a thumb over his puffy bottom lip. “It’s just a scrape, but I know it must hurt. I’m sorry. God, I’m an idiot.”
    At his touch, Bastian froze. Every cell in his body screamed out for more intimate contact, but he didn’t dare move, much less breathe. “Forget it.”
    “I should’ve paid more attention to what I was doing.” His voice softened. “You know I’d never hurt you for the world.”
    Michael’s eyes locked with his for several long moments, and Bastian couldn’t think. Because Michael still hadn’t dropped his hand, was still rubbing the pad of his thumb over Bastian’s lip. Because suddenly there was an unmistakable fire in Michael’s dark eyes as his friend’s gaze dropped to his mouth . . . and not in examination of his wound. Michael angled his body closer, throwing off enough heat to boil the water around them.
    The man appeared ready to devour Bastian whole.
    Please do it. Please, I’ve waited so long.
    “Sir? You have a phone call. I believe it’s important.”
    Michael jerked away as though he’d been electrocuted, and spun to face Simon. “I’ll be right there.”
    “Very good, sir.”
    “And find some medicine to put on Bastian’s mouth. We had an accident.”
    “Right away.”
    Michael couldn’t leave the pool fast enough, and didn’t look back as he grabbed a towel from the shelf against the wall, quickly ran it over his body, and walked out. Bastian faced the distinguished old butler, struggling to mask his bitter disappointment at the interruption. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought he saw a hint of sympathy in Simon’s usually placid expression. The look said that the butler hadn’t had any idea what he was interrupting until it was too late, and that he was sorry. The elderly gentleman had a big soft spot for both him and Michael.
    For a split second he considered asking Simon for his input on how to deal with Michael. The man had worked for Michael for years and wasn’t blind. But Simon was terribly proper and never ventured an opinion unless asked. And on this matter, probably not even then.
    “I don’t need any medicine, just a little ice for the swelling,” he said, proud of how he kept his voice steady.
    Simon nodded. “Do you wish to accompany me to the kitchen, or shall I bring it here?”
    “Here, please. I’d like to swim a bit longer.” And sit in the hot tub. Maybe then he’d be able to warm the chill that had overtaken him with Michael’s abrupt departure.
    Simon left and Bastian sagged against the side of the pool, letting the misery seep in now that he was alone. You know I’d never hurt you for the