Page 109 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“You never told me much about your stint in the Marines, babe.” Rod rinsed the plates. “You mentioned being a cryptographer. What does a cryptographer do?”
Wyl opened the dishwasher and added the plates Rod handed him. “There’s no easy answer to that question. Over the twenty years I spent in the Marines, my job underwent considerable changes. Years ago, cryptography protected military, political, financial, law enforcement, and other confidential printed data by encoding it using a code to decipher the information. By the time I entered the Marines, information was all digitized. Today, information is encrypted using algorithms that mask sensitive data, such as social security numbers and birthdates. Any personal information is protected. Corporations, military organizations, and government agencies also use encryption to protect computers and networks from hackers and cyber-terrorists.”
Rod handed Wyl the silverware. “I figured you did something with computer code, but you worked with computers and wrote programs to protect information?”
“Ultimately, yes,” Wyl said. He added the silverware to the dishwasher. “I underwent four weeks of training yearly to keep up with technological changes.”
“So, did you ever do anything exciting?” Rod handed Wyl the coffee mugs. “Sneaking around in a trench coat, magnifying glass in your hand, looking for clues? Undercover work and all that?”
Wyl chuckled. “If you mean, was I a spy? No, but I did tackle situations in several rather sensitive areas.” He added the mugs, then closed the dishwasher. “I’m not supposed to talk about it.”
“Not even with me?”
“Babe, some criminals would kill to get their hands on a guy with my skills and clearance. I have top secret clearance with the National Security Agency.”
“You worked for the NSA?” Rod rinsed the sink.
Wyl shook his head. “No. I was a Marine who received NSA clearance because of my work. And for your own protection and mine, tell no one.”
“Sometimes your past surprises me. Since we met, you’ve gone from student to Marine, to rancher, to millionaire, to covert spy. None of which I could have anticipated. Well…except for the student. You traveled the world and enjoyed such an exciting life, and I didn’t.”
Wyl circled his arms around Rod. “I can describe my life before Rod Bonner in one word: boring.” He pulled back and stroked Rod’s face. “Well, okay. Not totally boring. I got kidnapped, shot, held captive, and betrayed by a guy I thought was a soulmate. None of those things rank high on my list of experiences. Sure, I traveled the world, but the Marines kept me busy. I worked tirelessly, often in secret, with the threat of danger always looming around me. The life I led was not a life anyone enjoyed. I imagine your history was much more exciting and rewarding than mine.”
“I hated hearing your story of captivity and torture in Italy.”
Wyl tightened his arms around Rod. “What I said a minute ago about not telling anyone about my NSA clearance? My captivity in Italy is why. If the wrong individuals learn about my background and capabilities, they’ll be after me. And by your relationship with me, they’ll be after you, too. In fact, you’re a more likely abduction target because if they have you, I’ll do anything they want.”
Rod pulled back and cupped Wyl’s face in his palms. “I understand. In my mind, anything related to the NSA is significant. Learning of your NSA clearance surprised me, that’s all. I’ll never utter a word about your past. I can’t survive without you.”
“Me too, babe. My security clearance is one reason I didn’t venture out in the places I was stationed.”
“I never thought of it that way. I picture you as this world traveler who experienced much, and I’m a guy who experienced a few things but ended up in a small town in West Texas.”
Wyl tugged at Rod’s chin. “Think about your words, babe. I ended up in the same small town and was lonely too. How’d that work out?”
The expression on Rod’s face told Wyl everything he needed to know, and he leaned forward to plant a passionate kiss on the lips of the man he loved. The kiss broke. “I would never hurt you, Rod. I love you too much.”
Pools of moisture puddled in Rod’s eyes. “I love you too, Wyl Sterling. I promise not to envy your background. You are mine now.”
They stood for a few minutes enjoying the embrace.
Wyl planted another quick kiss on his husband’s lips. “I love you.”
Outside knowledge of his security clearance could pose a problem. Not only personal, but also a potential risk to the United States. One reason he retired was the stress and pressure that came with what he knew. Returning to Sterling Ranch was the best part of retirement until he met Rod. They’d endured their share of roadblocks, but each situation strengthened their relationship. Then there was Mitzi, who buzzed around them like an angry wasp ready to sting. So far, they had swatted her away. Still, a nagging suspicion of her possible involvement in the barn fire told Wyl that her efforts to get her hands on Sterling money weren’t over. What would she try next?
Chapter Thirteen
Monday morning, Rod stretched and grunted as he woke. “How’s my handsome rancher this morning?”
“Admiring his sexy cowboy.” Wyl leaned to kiss Rod’s forehead.
“Mmmmmm…I love waking up next to you.” Rod snuggled up to Wyl, put his hand on his chest, and gently stroked. His elbow nudged Wyl’s hard cock. “Oh…the little rancher is standing at attention.” Rod dragged his fingertips down Wyl’s chest and teased the stiff shaft.
“You keep that up, and the little rancher will fire his ammo,” Wyl moaned. His fingers drifted down Rod’s chest and stomach, ending at Rod’s taut sack. He knew Rod’s sensitive areas, and when he touched him…everything was sensitive.
Rod’s hard cock pressed against Wyl’s leg. Wyl loved how Rod felt in his hand and how his touch gave Rod pleasure. Rod moaned as he spread his legs and gave Wyl full access.
“Your fingers are the most magical in the world. You send me into orbit every time you touch me,” Rod whispered.
