Page 209 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Rod’s heartbeat quickened. What was coming next couldn’t be good. “What is it?” he asked.
“If Ailbe pursues me, I must allow his advances.”
“What?” Rod shouted, twisting to try and free himself from Wyl’s binding arm.
“Look at me!” Wyl maintained his hold on his husband.
Angry, Rod turned to glare into Wyl’s eyes. “This better fucking be good,” Rod spoke between gritted teeth, his breathing rapid and heavy.
Wyl noticed Rod’s pinpoint pupils, a clear sign of anger. “We are married. Husbands. Dedicated to each other. Nothing has changed. I do not want Ailbe’s advances, but we’re playing a game here. A life or death game.” Wyl kept his focus on his husband. “Death,” he repeated.
Rod blinked rapidly as the meaning of the repeated word hit him, anger and confusion contorting his expression.
“Ailbe needs to believe we are pawns in his game, to move about the board as he chooses. We must play the game to win.”
Rod paused for a few seconds while the message penetrated his warring emotions. Anger again boiled to the surface. “If you think I’m going to fucking sit idly by and watch you in the arms of another man, you have another thing coming.” Defiance stiffened every muscle in Rod’s body. “The sight of you and Stewy in a lip lock on the balcony in San Francisco is permanently burned on my retinas. Although I realize that was all Stewy, it hit me in the chest like a punch from Cassius Clay.”
“You mean Muhammad Ali?”
“You’re not helping by making me feel ancient.” Rod studied the clenched fists in his lap and avoided Wyl’s gaze.
Wyl tugged at Rod’s chin to look into Rod’s eyes. “Tell you what, let’s have a signal. A codeword, perhaps. Something we’ll say to each other that would be innocent to others, but communicate to each other that we were playing the game.”
“What do you mean?” A hint of anger still in his voice, Rod looked away. “I’m not happy about playing the fucking game.”
“Death,” Wyl said.
The word hit Rod in the chest like another blow from Cassius Clay.
“Have you ever heard me call youdarlin'?Wyl asked.
“No,” Rod groused, his chest still hurting from the phantom punch.
“I don’t use that word. It sounds a bit hillbilly to me.”
“I agree,darlin’.” Rod snarled out the word.
“Then that is our word. If you ever hear me say it, you’ll know I’m playing the game.”
“Like I said, you playing the game doesn’t sit well with me.”
Wyl tugged at Rod’s chin again and gazed into his eyes. “There is no way anyone will lure me away from you.” Wyl softened his voice. “I liked you when I first saw you walk into the classroom. Your confident swagger. Your firm handshake. Your captivating gaze.” Wyl kissed Rod lightly. “You didn’t know that, did you?”
“No.” Rod whimpered, his eyes closed as anger drained away and sensations of love crawled over him like ants.
“What did you think when you first saw me?” Wyl spoke in a calm and seductive tone.
Rod opened his eyes and gazed into Wyl’s. “My heart beat faster. My face felt hot. I thought you were the most handsome man I had ever seen. And when we shook hands, I felt the spark I still feel when we touch.”
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No.”
“Why would you think I could?” Wyl enveloped Rod’s mouth in a fiery kiss, tasting Rod's essence and pouring all his love into that moment. The kiss broke slowly, with a few quick pecks to Rod’s soft lips. “Babe, you are the only one for me. Please keep that in mind as we proceed through the next few weeks. No matter what develops or what you see or hear, always remember that you are my husband, and my love for you is endless.” Wyl pulled Rod to his chest, kissed Rod’s ear, and gently nibbled the lobe.
Rod shivered at Wyl’s actions. “I would die to save you, Wyl.”
“Babe, if you died, I would die. You’re all I have left in this world. I could not survive without you.” Wyl choked on the words.
