Retired secret agent Ben Smith will do anything for his husband. So when Simon's brother calls from London to say he's being blackmailed, Ben and Simon pack up and head to the glittering world of English aristocratic younger sons and parties and incriminating photographs. The mission itself isn't complicated -- but it's a reminder of the past, even as Ben's been trying to move on.<br><br>Simon Ashley adores his husband, and loathes most of his family ... except for the older brother who once gave him a home. He's here because Stephen needs help, but being back in the family house stirs up too many memories, none of them pleasant.<br><br>In London, Ben and Simon will confront a blackmailer, face the past, and find comfort in each other ... with some leather and tea, of course.

Leather and Tea in London

“What do you think I did, exactly?” Ben said. He couldn’t help grinning, though. Simon was adorable, and the thoroughly unrealistic description was flattering. “We can handle this. I’ll talk to some people tomorrow. Do you have her address?”


“I’ll send it to you.” Stephen poked at his phone. “Here. What else do you need?”


“The names of anyone she might’ve told?”


“I’ll get you a list. Thank you.”


“Still. You came all the way here.” Stephen glanced at his younger brother, framed by a burgundy sofa and antique bookshelves and the lineage of this family townhouse; he did not add on when I know he hates coming home, when I know he’s happy and loved an ocean away from here, when you both came because I asked. “I’ll owe you. The Foundation will owe you. Anything I can do, just name it.”


“Send us a couple bottles of your scotch and call it even?”


Stephen laughed. “Done. Though that’s not enough. Anything you need, anytime, anywhere.” His eyes rested on Simon again.


Chapter 7