...The snort actually burned Asher’s sinuses. He took another step back, pushing away the thought of getting his sidearm from his luggage with speed born of desperation. If he lingered on the thought even a moment, he’d follow through. “Bullshit. Scott Jamison—ex-rodeo hero and God’s gift to women—bisexual. Right.” He turned and walked to the suite’s patio doors, needing some air not filled with lies and innuendo. “Get out. Just get your ass back on a plane. You can even use my return ticket if you need to. I’m seriously considering staying right here.”

Strong arms closed loosely over his waist. “I am God’s gift to women. I’m His gift to men, too.” Warm breath teased the back of Asher’s neck. “I want to be your gift, Asher. Nobody but our supervisor and the Deputy Director even knows I’m in Portofino, and not a lot more than that know I’m even out of the States. I’m not joking, I’m not lying, I’m not playing you. I want you. Bad. Bad enough to risk it all to get you somewhere we could be completely alone, where you could have the safety of no one knowing us. I have this crazy idea, you see, that we could make a go of it. And I had to find out for sure. Before I completely lose my mind, keeping how I feel hidden.”

“And you’re so sure I’m interested in men, why?” He was, but it was no one’s damned business but his own. He’d seen too many careers toppled and lives ruined to go through that hell. He held himself motionless, still not believing, no matter how much that last brush felt like a kiss. “What the hell makes you think I won’t turn around right now and plant my fist in your face for even suggesting such a thing?”

“That’s the chance I took. I’m a gambler. You know that. I’m willing to risk it all on the chance I’ll win big. So I risk you knowing the truth about me, risk a broken nose, and risk losing a good friend on the odds I could gain the person I want to spend my life with.” That definitely felt like the whisper of soft lips on the nape of Asher’s neck. “I’ve watched you. I don’t think it’s any one thing that let me know you share my preference. It’s sort of the whole package. That and the fact I’ve never been attracted to a straight guy yet.” The arms around Asher’s middle tightened. “I’ve known you for years. I see the way you understand way more than people give you credit for. You… Damn, I’m not good at this sort of explanation, Ash. I just know, all right?”

“Mm-hm.” Well, only one thing to do now. Asher eased out of that hold and turned to face his long-time teammate and supposed friend. “Come with me.”

Trepidation showed in those azure eyes. Still Scott followed easily enough. “Whatever you want, darlin’.”

“Good.” Asher led the way into the suite’s bathroom, pleased to see the large tiled shower with its frosted glass floor-to-ceiling door just as the brochure showed. “In. Clothed.”

“Well, that takes all the fun out of it.” But Scott stepped in without further protest.

“Yes, especially since there’s no way to set up a pin-cam in this space without incurring damage bills. So messy in international situations.” Asher stepped in behind him and closed the door. “Now, I believe you wanted me to confirm or refute a rather delicate assumption, yes?”

“Yeah. Though if I’m wrong I’d actually rather you didn’t dump me in a cold shower. I’ve tried them. They don’t really work when I’m thinking about you.” The joke didn’t make it to Scott’s eyes, but he didn’t look away either.

Time to see just how prepared the lying Neanderthal was to follow through on all his teasing. Really, the only thing more ludicrous would be to have Noah Wight standing here saying all this rubbish. Asher caught Scott’s wrists with one hand, pinning them behind the other agent’s back and pressing Scott against the cool tile. He pressed his shins against Scott’s in the well-learned maneuver to prohibit attack or escape, and let his free hand slip into dark chestnut waves, fisting there. “Well, then, by all means let me give you something new to think about.”