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

Besides, he did want to do this. For Stephen. For himself. For the sheer joy of the game, at least this part of it: no lives directly on the line, only the profound fun of considering probabilities, putting together a timetable, designing a mission for the best possible outcome. He’d been good at that; he liked knowing he still was. He liked the crackle of it, the cleverness, the edge.


He also had some thoughts about post-mission adrenaline and triumph and endorphins and his husband. That could be fun, too.


He said, “I’m in charge. Whatever I tell you to do, you do.”


Simon batted eyelashes at him. “Isn’t that generally the—”


“Yes. But also seriously yes. I want you to listen.”


“I promise. You know much more about this than I do. You said we’d be quick, though.”


“We will be. And then I’m planning to bring you back here and tie you up and make you scream. Sound good?”


Chapter 17