Page 54 of Black and Brown

“We shouldn’t be… Fuck, what are we doing?”

Mirage glided his other hand up the center of Grace’s back until he was at the base of his neck.

He pressed the tips of his fingers against the Jianjing muscles to release the tension that’d been lingering there for days.

Grace’s growl melted into a sexy groan as Mirage dug deeper.

Grace bowed his head with a soft sigh.

Mirage caressed Grace’s spine and asked, “How do you win every battle you fight but can’t win the war within yourself?”

“I don’t know, Mirage.”

“I think you do. Turn around and face me.”

When Grace hesitated, Mirage held the back of Grace’s neck and turned him.

“Look at me and tell me what you see.”

Grace was a man of no words. But every now and then, Mirage needed him to speak.

Grace stared at his face, his forehead, his eyes, his lips.

It made Mirage’s blood flow south.

“Tell me,” he demanded.

“I see you, Mirage.”

Grace gazed down on him through soulful, vulnerable eyes, exposing himself with silent expressions Mirage read like his favorite mystery book.

You have all the answers you need, love.

Grace

Mirage’s words, his focus on him, slowed Grace’s pulse and softened the killer that lurked inside.

Grace honored the rule of the Ravens—to put his country over all personal gratification—but they were alone inside his sanctuary. No one could discipline him for his insubordination if they never saw it.

Only the city lights and the sprinkling of stars were witnesses to their passion, silent observers that would never tell of their forbidden touches.

Grace’s thoughts went to the ecstasy he’d witnessed through those dusty skylights on Valentine’s Day.

He wanted to feel that, and so did Mirage because it was written all over his face.

But first, Grace had to know where those feelings arose from. When had the switch turned back on for Mirage? Most importantly, how was it so strong?

He uttered one word that required an extensive answer. “Explain?”

Mirage seemed to know exactly what he was asking.

“I’m a scientist, Grace. In the beginning, I decided to alter and adjust the levels of my serums. Not the ones for enhanced strength and concentration…but the ones that would eliminate my parents or deny me my feelings for you.”

Grace frowned.

Mirage stared him down, challenging Grace to say it was wrong or deceitful.

But he didn’t say a word.