RAW Deception (Round 2 in the RAW Instinct Series)

Chapter 16

Listen to the music: Sade - Soldier.

Raw, Edward and Shane Flew British Airways to New York while Gregory was treated to the luxury of a 28 Squadron SAAF Lockheed Hercules medium transport aircraft. Just a skeleton of an aircraft; not even a cup of water on board. Luxurious by air force standards in the most vague terms.

New York offered a view of the world they had never experienced. They all dressed as warm as possible; and Gregory in his long overcoat pulled over his beloved polo-neck jersey and black to grey hair looked dapper and filled with life. New York did that to him. Shane pulled on his long, black woollen overcoat and went ice skating in at Lasker Rink in Central Park.

Here, in another country, Gregory's fears and inhibitions melted away. They laughed and kissed and held hands and fell all over, kicking up ice and scraping along. Tip-toeing on the points of their skates instead of skating.

Edward and Raw wore comfortable water resistant boots. They dressed in layers; Raw in a warm, windproof jacket and Edward in a pilot's leather jacket, gloves and a scarf around his neck.

December was peak travel time to the city and visitors flooded the most popular attractions. The four learned that if the top taxi number is illuminated, it's available, and the fare increased by fifty cents every fifth of a mile or every minute.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree blasted them with a sense of wonder. Fifty thousand lights in a dazzling array of colours with the "Swarovski Star" at it's apex.

Raw simply stared in awe, mouth wide open at the sight.

The next day, Raw and Edward remained indoors while Gregory and Shane took a walk down Fifth Avenue.

"There's nothing like this in South Africa," Gregory mentioned as they window-shopped outside almost every window.

"It's going to take us hours to walk one block," Edward said, laughing. They stopped at Sak's and enjoyed an emotional moment while they gazed upon the lighting display illuminating the store's façade, and the Radio City spectacle with Christmas trees and glittering, flashing lights everywhere.

Shane woke up at the crack of dawn on the morning of the awards and kissed Gregory lightly on his mouth. He climbed off the bed and checked every ironed out line of Gregory's Dress Blues. A slight kink in the starched stiffness brought a look of horror to his face. He dabbed a finger with spittle and pressed the kink straight.

Satisfied that the uniform was up to Gregory's high standards, Shane carefully brought each item into the main room and lay them out on the flat-topped dresser.

Gregory awoke to the sound of lips smacking his cheeks. He smiled and pulled Shane into a loving embrace.

"Come here, you beautiful angel," he said, voice morning-croaky.

Shane laughed. "No, No. You're my morning angel."

"Hmmm, I need this morning angel inside me."

"It's a big day, Colonel Hero. Maybe afterwards?"

"No, right now. I have such a hard on for you," Gregory whispered.

"And you know I like hard-ons, yes?"

Gregory smiled and nodded. "Yes. Especially mine."

Shane didn't waste a moment. He came down deep into Gregory's mouth and found heaven.

The United Nations assembly hall had been prepped to perfection for the awards ceremony. The South African delegation entered the hall and took their seats beside the Namibian delegation.