Extracting Mateo Read online

“Noah!” Rae gasped as she turned a bright shade of crimson. “There are things I don’t need to hear.”

  “It’s the truth, and we’re both cognizant of our general hygiene and take precautions against infection.” Noah grimaced. “Now I sound like one of those stupid fucking commercials.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I’d never do anything to put Mateo or myself at risk.”

  “Until today,” Mateo muttered.

  Noah nodded. “Until today.”

  Noah followed Mateo into his quarters, not on the family floor. It was basic. A bed. A locker for his uniform and a bathroom. He didn’t stay there to have fun. It was all about work. “Welcome to my humble abode away from home.”

  Mateo took in the dreary space then faced Noah. “You live like this... Here?”

  “I do,” Noah answered. “I’m not here to have fun. I’m barely here to sleep. This place is my space for when I need downtime.”

  Mateo bit his bottom lip, and the action sent a bolt of lust right to Noah’s groin. He willed the dick between his legs to stay flaccid, they still had a long-time conversation coming, and Mateo deserved the truth without distraction. Deep down, Noah knew they should have talked about this years ago, but it’d been easy to tell himself it’d all been for Mateo’s protection. In reality, he didn’t know if his husband could understand why he chose to be R.O.O.T’s sniper and why he still went on missions or why he’d continued to believe he needed to.

  “Go ahead,” Noah said. “Let me have it.”

  Mateo smacked him across the face then frowned when Noah’s lip began to bleed. “You’re a fucking asshole!”

  Noah touched his split lip and nodded as his dick throbbed, pressing painfully against the zipper. “I am.”

  “You lied to me. Your husband.”

  Noah nodded again. “I did.”

  “Why?” Mateo raked his fingers through his short, curly brown hair as he sat on Noah’s bed. “Have I ever given you a reason to lie to me?”

  “There’s no simple answer,” Noah said, promising himself he wouldn’t beg for forgiveness.

  “Yes, there is Noah!” He smacked his thighs before crossing his arms. “How long?”

  “Long enough,” he replied.

  “Fuck you. How long?” Mateo snarled.

  “I never got out,” Noah answered honestly. “I went from the SEALs to Asher’s team. This is all I know.”

  Mateo sighed. “And business trips?”

  “Missions. It’s where I was a couple of months ago,” Noah answered.

  “You went to Colombia. You were in that shit show, and you didn’t think then would have been the perfect time to tell me, especially since it involved a senator?”

  It hadn’t been as easy as Mateo made it sound. He had to keep quiet. If anyone found out their plans, Lincoln or anyone associated with him would have been in the wind. Or, worse, dead. As it stood, two more people associated with Lincoln turned up dead days after going missing. He couldn’t put Mateo in danger. Wouldn’t put him in harm’s way.

  Until today.

  “It’s complicated.”

  Mateo gave him a look of disapproval.

  “It's the truth. There are several people who died during our last mission. We have never had such a high kill ratio.” The ability to speak plainly with his husband relaxed him. He didn't feel as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulder anymore.

  “Well, here I am,” Mateo said. “We’ve got plenty of time.”

  “Shouldn’t you take the pills Rae gave you?” Noah asked.

  “Changing the subject now?”

  “No,” he answered. “If you’re in pain you don’t have to suffer.”

  “It’s only my heart and my head,” Mateo replied.

  Noah’s jaw clenched. “You are all I care about. You. I did everything for a reason. To keep you safe.”

  “But, you lied.”

  “If I told you the truth about me and what I did—do, you’d be wearing a permanent target on your back. I didn’t want you to end up getting hurt.” Yet, for everything Noah had done to keep Mateo safe and out of the life he chose, his husband had been shoved right into the middle of it because someone knew who Mateo was to him.

  “I am hurt, and you did it.” Mateo stood. “I need a shower.”

  Noah motioned to the bathroom with the small shower stall. “I’ll go grab you some clothes. Use my towels.” He took a step toward his husband, and Mateo put his hand up. “I’m sorry, Mattie.”

  “Yeah, I know you are, Noah.” He frowned. “I need time to digest this and wash the funk off.”

  “I understand.”

  When the water came on, Noah stepped out of his room and walked the short distance to the supply room. They kept one on every floor. Primarily, they held sheets and bullshit for their rooms, however a few years ago, but most recently with the arrival of Rae, the Franks family and the brothers, they started adding clothes just in case. Thank fuck, too. Noah went straight for the towels first then grabbed a couple of sets of clothing for Mateo. Rae might leave the base with Asher during the day, but Noah couldn’t risk taking his husband out yet. Not when they didn’t know who the fuck was behind Mateo’s abduction.

  He walked back into his room and heard the shower still going. Noah left the clothes on the bed along with the towels and strode toward the bathroom. He stood at the entryway staring at his husband's gloriously naked form. There were a few bruises, but for the most part, his brown flesh had been left unmarred. He groaned. Fuck, he shouldn't be thinking about sex. He shouldn't even consider getting naked and jumping into the water with his husband. However, the longer he stood there watching Mateo try to wash his hair while holding a washcloth to his forehead to keep the bandage from getting wet, the more he knew he had to join Mateo, even if it was only to help him.

  Noah unlaced his boots and stepped out of them while he began to pull his clothes off. With a quick, determined stride, he entered the bathroom and stepped into Mateo’s personal space. His husband hissed then cursed under his breath in Spanish. Mateo didn’t do so unless he’d been super pissed. Obviously, Noah understood why Mateo had been pissed. He caused it. “Here, let me.” He turned Mateo away from him before grabbing the shampoo bottle. “I should have had you shower before Rae did up your stitches. Would have hurt like a bitch, since the cut was open, but you wouldn’t be fucked like you are now.”

  Mateo snorted. “Somehow, I’d still be fucked.”

  Noah chuckled. “Maybe.” He pressed a kiss to the back of Mateo’s neck then squeezed a liberal amount of shampoo into his palm. “This may hurt, I won’t lie.”

  “Yet, you’re so good at it.” Mateo glanced over his shoulder at Noah.

  “Ouch. I deserve the snark.” Noah exhaled. “Hold still.” He worked the shampoo into Mateo’s scalp and frowned when bits of grit and dirt foamed out of his hair. The rusted-red color from his blood joined in with the gunk. Noah could kick himself. He’d left Mateo unprotected. He almost lost the love of his life. “Okay, rinse.” He turned Mateo to face him. “Don’t want the water on your forehead.”

  “Right,” Mateo said, gazing up at him.

  They didn’t have a large discrepancy in their height. Noah was six-three while Mateo had been six foot-even. But, standing there, in that shower, Noah towered over his husband. I almost lost him. Noah bent his head and pressed his lips to Mateo’s. Wrapping his arm around his husband, he deepened the kiss. Desperation and need burst through Noah’s system. He moaned against his husband’s mouth.

  “I could have lost you,” he whispered across Mateo’s mouth. “I fucked up so bad.”

  “I could have lost you because you decided to make decisions for me.” Mateo stared up at him. “You could have lost me because you were too stubborn.”

  Noah pressed his forehead to Mateo’s, careful not to hurt him. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  “I’m made of stern stuff, love,” Mateo replied. “You can’t keep me in bubble wrap all th
e time. I need to breathe.”

  “You’re right.” He sighed. “You’re right.” He kissed Mateo once more. “Tell me if I hurt you?”

  Mateo nodded. “Always.”

  Noah turned him to face the wall so as not to get the bandage wet. He reached out to the medicine cabinet above the sink and grabbed his bottle of lube. Mateo cocked a brow and Noah shrugged. “What? I get lonely when I'm not with you.”

  Mateo gave a soft chuckle. “Sure.”

  Noah grunted. “I’d never fuck around on you.” He smacked Mateo’s ass. “You know that.”

  “I don't really know what you do.” Mateo's mouth curled in a sardonic smirk. “For all, I know you have orgies here every time you go on a ‘mission.'“

  “Fuck that. Not when I know your sweet, tight ass is waiting for me at home.” He groaned palming Mateo’s rear. “And, I’ve missed you.”

  His husband gasped. “Noah...”

  “Uh huh,” he chuckled. “Keep your back to the water and don’t move.” Noah went to his knee in front of Mateo. “I see you’re excited to see me as much as I am. Let me apologize the best way I know how.”

  Noah ran his tongue along the tip of Mateo’s uncut cock. The spicy/sweet taste of his lover snapped on his taste buds. He groaned. He didn’t know if it was the fact he almost lost Mateo or if it was due to the adrenaline of the evening, but a dizzying amount of arousal coursed through him. He was horny as fuck. His dick dripped with precum. His balls were two knots, pushed taut to his groin.

  “Noah... Suck me. Stop playing.” Mateo sobbed, trembling under the tension Noah could feel building between them.

  “Well, since you asked so nicely.” Noah engulfed him, taking the thick length as far as he could. Mateo throbbed on his tongue, spilling more of that spicy goodness. He moaned and began to bob his head.

  Mateo threaded his fingers through Noah's short hair, guiding him over his cock. Watching his husband take his pleasure from Mateo, sent a bolt of pleasure through him. This man, fuck. The minute Noah met Mateo he could honestly say it'd been love at first sight. They had a commitment ceremony only six months into their relationship because he'd been so sure he'd never find anyone else. Then, after the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, he and Mateo had gotten married for real, before a justice of the peace.

  “Noah,” Mateo murmured. “Mi amor... I’m close...fuck me.”

  He didn't stop, instead, he continued to tease and torture his husband. While Mateo's eyes were closed, he grabbed the lube he put in the shower and added a bit to his fingers, before pressing them to Mateo's rear. Fuck, the sounds his husband made... The cock-sure sensation combined with his arousal and sent a thrill down his spine. Noah pumped his finger counter to sucking Mateo's cock, adding a second finger to his probing. His lover's ass fluttered around his intrusion. Mateo clamped down on him. He loved it when his lover lost control. Loved it when Mateo got aggressive. Noah gave one last suck then pulled off of Mateo and stood. His cock kicked, spilling more precum. He added some of the lube to his cock and slicked it up before pushing Mateo forward.

  They didn’t need to say a word.

  Noah placed the tip of his cock to Mateo's rear and pressed into his husband. The tight band of muscle quivered then gave way, allowing Noah to fill him inch by excruciating inch. It was pleasure and pain. Heaven and hell. The warm heat of his husband's rear encased Noah, and it was just like coming home. He stilled when he filled Mateo completely, falling into the rippling sensation of his lover relaxing around him. Noah reached around Mateo and took his husband’s erection into his hand and began to stroke him as Noah gave short lazy thrusts.

  Both men groaned.

  This is what he needed. This was the best way for Noah to express how sorry he'd been to get Mateo caught up in his life. In his missions and his bullshit. Fuck, he'd do better. He'd tell his husband everything. Any question Mateo might have, he'd answer. He couldn't lose the man he loved. The man he'd give everything up for. Noah's pace gradually picked up. The sensual drag of his cock along Mateo's rear made him shiver. Pleasure snapped across his flesh. The intimacy of their coupling threatened to undo him, but the need to make it good for Mateo pushed back the need to come.

  “I love you, Mattie. It fucking kills me to know I almost lost you.” Noah kissed the back of Mateo’s neck and between his shoulders then nipped the skin.

  Mateo whimpered, clamping down on Noah. He grunted, “Don't ever lie to me again.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” Noah’s eyes rolled up. He gripped Mateo’s hips and began thrusting with earnest. “Shit. So good. So perfect and tight.”

  Mateo began jerking himself off. His strokes were uneven and a bit anxious. Noah understood. He felt the same restlessness building within him. It churned in Noah’s gut, sending tingles of bliss through him. Add in the sounds Mateo was making—those deep throaty groans of pure pleasure... he’d never last.

  “So close.” Mateo panted. “Feels too good.”

  “Right there with you,” Noah replied. “Together.”

  Noah slammed into Mateo over and over, the ball of arousal built until he felt the tingle of his release intensify. He gave over to it, refusing to hold back any longer. He ground against Mateo’s ass then slowed his pace, relishing the drag of his dick across the snug muscles of his husband’s rear. The minute Mateo started coming, Noah let go. He shoved deep and grunted with the first burst of his release. Noah pressed his forehead to Mateo’s neck. It felt so good and hurt, too. It’d been a while since he came so hard, and if the sounds still rumbling from Mateo were any indication, he felt the same way.

  He didn’t know how long they stood there fused together. The water had long ago gone cold. Noah didn’t care. Mateo might. He hadn’t finished his shower, and if Noah knew his husband as well as he did, Mateo would want to get cleaned up, especially now. He slowly pulled from his husband, so as not to hurt him then turned Mateo to face him. Mateo’s dazed gaze found Noah’s, and he kissed his husband. It was sweet. Soft. Gentle after such an unhinged, dangerously frightening day.

  “Well, not the kind of shower I thought I’d be taking now,” Mateo teased.

  “I am here to please.” Noah chuckled. “Let’s get you cleaned up, so we can check your wound and get you into bed.”

  Mateo’s stomach growled, interrupting the moment. “Food first?”

  “Sure,” Noah said. “Should have thought about it before now.”

  “You were a little preoccupied.”

  Noah smirked. “I was. How about you finish up in here, and I’ll call down to the mess to get us something to eat.”

  Mateo nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Noah kissed him one more time before stepping out to grab his towel. He wrapped it around his trim hips then exited the room. “Bringing you a set of towels and clothes. If I’m not here when you get out, I’ll be back. Explore a little if you want.”

  “I just might do that.”

  Noah smiled. “Knew you’d want to. I’ll make sure you have a card and your hand scanned by the morning.”

  “Sounds fancy,” Mateo came up behind him.

  “You ain’t seen fancy yet, Mattie.”

  Chapter 4

  Using the indoor track to get in his daily run had its merits—like being able to run in air conditioning, instead of the stifling heat of a Virginia summer or the frigid winter temperatures that sometimes hit the region. The downside... it was as boring as hell. There was no scenery. Just the puke-green walls someone had decided to paint and the sound emulating from the earbuds tucked into his ears as he ran the mile indoor loop.

  Noah couldn’t even say the color was used to replicate nature because almost the entire base was painted the same damn color.

  It was a horrible color choice, for sure.

  Rae had already requested several changes for the hospital. Noah hadn’t been surprised, nor did he blame her. When she taped the color swatches on the wall, Noah was convinced it’d been the right choice. Asher, being pu
ssy whipped like all men when they find their soul mates, readily agreed, and the approved crews had begun to make the changes to the small unit Rae ran.

  Noah might just have to have a conversation with their Commander’s fiancé and see if she could influence him to repaint the gym and track. After completing his final cool down lap, Noah snagged his bottle of water before heading back to his quarters to grab a shower, check on Mateo, and get back to work.

  Since their half-assed makeup session in the shower, some of the tension between them had bled away. Sex didn’t fix messes like the one Noah created by lying to his husband. All of the trust he prided himself on when it came to Mateo had been destroyed, and their foundation for their relationship was crumbling. He wasn’t stupid enough to believe sex cured everything. It didn’t. Only time and hard work could save his marriage.

  A half an hour later, he strolled into Command & Control. It was quite literality the heart of every operation R.O.O.T ran. Noah always got a slight thrill every time he stepped into the room. No matter the day, or hell, the time, the lights were always dim, the room was always cool, and it hummed with activity.

  This morning was no different as several analysts sat in front of their screens, assisting teams out in the field. Those analysts could launch drones, pull up weather information around the world, re-route satellites to help provide bird-eye views of scenes, or even just provide a calm voice to a person in the field who might be experiencing stress or death.

  Asher, Scotty, and AJ sat in one of the two conference rooms that ran along the entire wall of the space. Each individual room was completely soundproof, allowing them to continue to keep an eye on any on-going mission while being off to the side. The walls were made of electrochromic glass, letting whoever was in the room to darken the windows with a single touch of a button.

  Ironically, the conference rooms were rarely used.

  One had been turned into a breakroom of sorts, housing a fridge, coffee machine, and a microwave. It allowed the analysts to stay at their post as long as needed. Sometimes it even served as a smoke room, so long as Asher wasn’t running C&C. Otherwise, the Commander of R.O.O.T would rip him a new asshole if he caught Noah smoking inside of the base and not at the designated locations.