RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Gregory

Listen to the music again: Battlecry from Two Steps from Hell. Composer Thomas Bergensen. 

A week later Shane had recuperated fully and on his second trip to the cottage, the doc gave him a clean bill of health.

"So, I can return to Johannesburg?" Shane asked.

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't want our togetherness to end. I wanted it to go on and on and on. They say all good things must end. They don't tell you about the unhappiness that follows.

"You're free to travel as far as you want," the doctor said, packing his equipment into a black leather bag.

My heart sank into blackness again and I excused myself. Took a walk down to the pier and dangled my feet into the shimmering, hypnotizing water.

Everything returns to something.

We return to dust or ashes after death. Our souls return to the cosmos. Nothing is wasted. Nothing, except the love I felt for Shane.

I didn't hear him come up behind me. He placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled sadly.

"I've been looking for you."

"Hey," I said. It sounded so far away.

"May I join you?"

"Sure."

He sat close, hand resting on my thigh. "You have a remarkable body, but these thighs of yours, they're fucking amazing, you know that?"

I ignored him. Silently watched the geese on the water.

"What's going on in your mind, Colonel?" he asked.

I gazed into his eyes and swallowed hard.

"Are you feeling the same thing as me?" He traced a zigzag pattern along my thigh.

I nodded. Hot tears gathered on the surface of eyes.

"Are you also scared?" His fingers drew a circle on my skin.

I couldn't speak. My mind fogged up like a remote misty morning. I allowed my head to sink into the palm of his hand.

Then he said it and in that instant, my life changed.

"I didn't want to fall in love, Greg."

"What do you mean?" And the first tear fell.

"You! I didn't expect to fall in love with you. I know that's crazy, but it's true." Shane let out a long sigh, as if releasing all the pent up frustration in his entire body. "You're the finest man I have ever met. It's an honour being in your life, and I can't stop this feeling."

I stared into his eyes and found truth. How could I not say anything? Would it matter if I said nothing and simply sweep him into my arms? Actions speak louder than words; I drew him in and planted a long, wet kiss on his mouth. "I won't survive a day or night without you."

"What are we going to do?" He asked.

"Joe is waiting for you and I fear for your life. I don't want you to go back to him." The tears wouldn't stop coming. It was like my soul was crying. No sobbing, just a release of my soul's emotions.

"I don't want to go back to him, Greg. I've given you everything, it's you I need, and want and fucking crave, every minute of the day. But..."

"I knew there was a but in there somewhere."

"But we both have to leave this beautiful place. I need to face him and you need to get back to the air force and hopefully deal with your life. There is no other way."