The Professionals Circuit Archive - Bearding the Cow	     Bearding the
Cow

 

by Terence

  
 *(Story 2 in the Building to Last universe)*


My bum was freezing. As usual, Bodie had managed to half-inch the
bedcovers. He hadn't left me so much as a sheet. 

I scooted across the bed and wrapped myself around Bodie's warm body. He
was cocooned in rugs like an Egyptian mummy in its burial wrappings. All I
could see above the covers was a tangle of short, dark hair. His smell was
concentrated Bodie and male musk--not surprising, considering our sexual
antics last night. He smelled lovely and his body was beautifully warm; so
I snuggled closer and snuffled the smooth skin on the back of his neck,
trying to draw his essence deep into my lungs. 

"Pong a bit, do I? Or are you coming down with a virus?" 

I could feel Bodie's sleepy voice vibrate with amusement. 

"Nah," I replied. "Smell bloody marvellous, you do. Good enough to eat." 

Bodie chuckled and just managed to turn around to face me, though he had
to partially unwrap himself to do it. His arms emerged from the covers and
twined themselves around my body. 

"Morning, sunshine," Bodie breathed. His voice grew louder in surprise as
he continued, "Your skin feels like ice!" 

"Morning, lover," I replied. "Somebody nicked all the covers last night."
I tried to inject a pathetic note in my voice. 

Bodie pulled the blankets around me and buried his face in my neck.
"'M'sorry, Ray," came his chastened reply. 

"You daft sod," I said gruffly as I pulled his face up to where I could
kiss him. Don't like seeing a contrite Bodie. 'S'unnatural. "Not your
fault your blood's so thin. All those years in Africa, I 'spect." My mind
made an obvious connection. "Is that why you wear those polo-necks and
three layers of clothes?" 

Bodie relaxed in my arms and his sleepy eyes blinked as he replied,
"Partially. 'M also naturally modest." 

"Don't like revealing your masculine charms, then?" I said with a grin. 

"Only to a properly appreciative audience," Bodie replied with a smirk
that was softened by the love and the teasing humour in his beautiful
indigo eyes. 

"I'm very appreciative," I murmured as I lowered my eyelids so that I
could peer up at Bodie through my lashes. Know just how much that turns
him on, don't I? 

He gasped a bit and his pupils dilated. Bodie was so busy looking at me
that I don't think he noticed that I was peeling the bedclothes off his
shoulders and pushing them down toward his waist. At least, he didn't
notice until a cool draft of morning air sent shivers and goose-bumps
chasing each other across his pale skin. He grabbed the covers out of my
hands and disappeared beneath them. 

With a grin, I burrowed beneath the bed rugs in search of my partner. It
wasn't easy, as he had a near-stranglehold on them. It turned into an
impromptu wrestle with both of us applying holds that were downright
illegal, not to mention extremely obscene. It all worked to my advantage
as Bodie had to release his hold on the covers in order to lay lewd hands
upon me. By the time he realized what he had done, it was too late--he was
flat on his back on the mattress with me stretched out on top of him.
'Course, Bodie could have thrown me off if he'd wanted. C15 training and
refresher courses under Macklin, Towser and Company have given us
knowledge of all the best ways to fight dirty and win. Since he allowed me
to straddle his supine body, I knew he wanted me there. 

We were both relaxed, and I was practically giggling. Bodie knows I'm
ticklish about the ribs. To stop his knowing hands from making continual
forays toward my vulnerable bits, I had to grab his wrists and stretch his
arms above his head. That left me lying on top of Bodie, staring down into
his smirk of satisfaction. 

"Going to ravish me, are you?" he asked, amusement adding a lilt to the
voice. 

"Nah," I replied lugubriously. I let go his wrists, relaxed totally, and
tucked my head beneath his chin. "You've worn me out, you have." It felt
good lying there breathing Bodie's odour and feeling his hands cup my arse
in his favourite grip. 

"Poor little flower," Bodie practically crooned, but I could hear
repressed laughter in his voice. 

"Little flower!" I echoed with mock indignation as I raised my head so I
could frown directly into his mirthful blue eyes. 

"Poor little golliwog?" Bodie offered. 

"I may be poor--with a C15 salary, I can't be much else--but a bit less of
the *little*, if you please. 'M only a couple inches shorter than you.
Five-ten's a respectable height. And *flower* doesn't really apply. Never
could see where you got the golliwog bit, either," I grumbled. 

Bodie took an obvious sniff. "You're right. Flower is definitely not the
word." 

"You offended by my manly odour?" I asked. 

"*Our* manly odour," Bodie corrected. "This room and this bed positively
reek of sex." 

"We were a bit active last night," I agreed as I settled back down on
Bodie's torso. 

"Active?! We were like two cats in heat!" Bodie exclaimed. 

"Mmm," I agreed. "'S'been that way ever since we stopped pratting around
and got down to it. Beginning to think we're sex-mad. Worries me a bit.
What's Cowley going to think--his crack team having a feel-up in the
restroom?" 

"You ever know a honeymoon couple that wasn't sex-obsessed?" Bodie asked
as he continued to fondle my bum. "We'll do fine once we get back to work.
I promise I won't grope you in the halls of CI5 and I trust you'll keep
your greedy little hands to yourself until we're decently alone." 

"You keep me this knackered and I'll have no trouble keeping my hands off
your body." 

Bodie rolled us over until I lay on my back and he leaned above me. Worry
etched on his face as he asked, "Do you hurt anywhere, sweetheart? We were
a bit energetic last night..." 

I looped my arms around his neck and pulled his head down so that I could
kiss his pensive mouth. "I'm fine, love. Bit tired, but that's only to be
expected. We've been at it like rutting stags and I'm not as young as I
used to be." 

Bodie regained his smirk. "Tuckered you out, have I?" 

"Yeah," I said, just as he kissed me. 

When we finally came up for air, I felt a tingly warmth in my middle. If I
hadn't been completely tired out, I'd've been hard again. 

Bodie was still looking smug, but I noticed that his genitals were still
lax against my thigh. He couldn't raise a twitch of desire, either. 

"I'll have to remember this," Bodie said. 

I raised one eyebrow in silent enquiry. 

"Since I can't keep you barefoot and preggers, I'll just have to wear you
out each night," Bodie replied. "Keep you so exhausted, you won't be able
to look at anyone else." 

Despite his bantering tone, I detected a note of real insecurity in my
lover's voice. I reached up to cup the side of Bodie's face. When he
looked at me, I told him, "Don't want to look at anyone else. Don't love
anyone else." 

Bodie was a bit bright about the eyes as he leaned in to kiss me again.
When we'd finished, I used one finger to trace his pouting mouth as I told
him, "That works both ways. If you try and keep me exhausted, you won't
have the time or energy to be looking at anyone else, either." 

Bodie grinned as he agreed, "Insatiable, you are. I can see I have my
life's work cut out for me." Then, he turned serious. "I love you, Raymond
Doyle. I won't be looking at anyone else." 

"I know, Bodie-love," I replied. We both settled down for a cuddle and a
drowse. 

I had almost drifted back to sleep in the security of my lover's arms when
the alarum buzzed, signalling the start of another day; the day we had to
explain our new lifestyle to George Cowley. 

I showered, shaved and dressed while Bodie checked out-of-doors for Raven,
the wandering tomcat who used Bodie's flat as a bed-and- breakfast. When I
came into the kitchen, I found Bodie crouched on the floor, scratching
behind Raven's furry ears as the cat rapidly devoured some unidentifiable
substance marketed as pet food at the local Tesco. Bodie was dressed only
in a short towelling robe, so his position bared more than a little of his
muscular thighs. I couldn't resist a quick grope as I knelt behind him and
kissed the tip of one ear. Bodie almost landed on his nose in surprise at
the twin assaults on his modesty, but I steadied him just in time. 

"It's your turn, love," I said as I helped my indignant partner to his
feet. "I'll take care of breakfast." 

Diverted by my promise to cater to his tum, Bodie obediently departed to
bathe and dress for the day. By the time he returned, I had the morning
meal on the table. Orange juice, muesli with strawberries--to keep us
healthy and regular--and cinnamon raisin toast--because Bodie loves it.
His face lit up with pleasure as he entered the kitchen and caught sight
of the breakfast table. I collected a toothpaste- flavoured kiss before we
tucked into the meal. 

As we ate, Bodie and I swapped parts of the morning paper. Cowley's lads
were expected to keep posted on current events. I was part-way through an
article concerning a high-ranking Soviet officer's defection to the West
when Bodie brought up the subject we had both been avoiding for the last
few days. 

"You worried about telling the Cow about us?" he asked. 

"A bit," I admitted. "You?" 

Bodie grimaced. "I'm not looking forward to it." 

George Cowley was one of the few people whom Bodie gave a damn about and I
was worried about his reaction to our relationship, more for Bodie's sake
than mine. But we had to tell him about us. Homosexuality may no longer be
against the law, but it's still grounds for dismissal or blackmail in
security situations. 

We hadn't discussed how we were going to tell Cowley about us since we had
originally decided that it was necessary. We should have talked it over
last night. Instead, we'd indulged in an orgy of sex, trying to exhaust
our bodies and divert our minds. 

"How are we going to tell him?" I asked. 

"Thought we'd try the direct approach," Bodie said briskly, trying to
cover his nervousness. 

I almost smiled; it was so typical of my partner. 

"Beard the lion in his den?" I said. "Or should that be 'Beard the Cow'?" 

Bodie snorted. "God, what an image. But, yeah," he agreed. "Thought we'd
do it as soon as we get to HQ." 

"You want to see him yourself or should we do it together?" There were
certain attractions in the idea of leaving it all to Bodie, him being the
Cow's blue-eyed boy and all--not that you'd ever get Bodie to admit it.
Felt a bit mean at the thought of having him face it all on his own. Just
as well, considering Bodie's reply. 

"Thought we'd do it together." He looked a bit sheepish as he added,"
Safety in numbers and all that." 

I tried to put my love and reassurance into a smile as I reached out to
hold his hand. "Together, then," I said. 

Bodie held my hand in a painful grip. He wouldn't look at me. 

"Might try and soften the Old Man up first," I suggested. 

Bodie's head snapped up, his eyes puzzled. 

"There's that bottle of 20-year-old single malt scotch in the drinks
cupboard," I explained. 

Bodie started to snigger. "D'you really think a single malt'd influence
him?" he hiccupped. 

"Nah," I said gloomily. Then, I let my face brighten as I continued, "But
it might divert his attention a bit." 

Bodie stood and pulled me up into a bear hug. Was nice feeling him
sniggering into my neck, so I just stood there with my arms around him
until he finished. 

"Right nutter, you are," Bodie said affectionately. And then, he kissed
me. It was worth being laughed at if I managed to get him to relax a bit
and I could tell he wasn't feeling quite so gloomy about our interview
with Alpha One. 

******

Despite his laughing at my idea, I noticed that Bodie took the scotch with
us when we left for HQ. *And* he scrounged an old plaid ribbon from the
back of a drawer full of odds-and-ends and tied it around the neck of the
bottle. 

We were both quiet as we drove to HQ. After Bodie parked the silver Capri
in the car park, we both sat for a moment--(probably trying to get up our
nerve)--before he locked up the motor and we started for Cowley's office. 

As usual, the lift was on the third floor, so we took the stairs. Probably
would have taken them, anyway; we were both that nervous. 

Betty was at her desk. She puts in more time than anyone in CI5, except
Cowley. 

I hung back a bit, so it was Bodie who asked her, "Is Mr. Cowley busy,
luv? Four-five and I need to speak with him." 

Betty used the intercom to ask the Cow if he wished to see us, then told
us to go right in. 

I was still holding back a bit. Didn't want to let Bodie down, but I was
feeling very tentative about the whole situation. 

Bodie put on a pale ghost of his usual smirk and swept into the Cow's
office, holding the 20-year-old scotch behind his back. When he reached
the desk where our George sat, Bodie produced the bottle with an
extravagant flourish and set it down on the desk in front of Cowley. 

"Congratulations are in order, sir," Bodie said brashly. "Four-five and I
have decided to settle down together in domestic bliss." 

I'd managed to get the door shut before Bodie's flip announcement escaped
into the corridors of CI5. It was bad enough having to face Cowley without
also having to run the gauntlet of Betty and anyone else who might have
been loitering in the near vicinity. Subtlety is definitely not my lover's
strong suit. 

Cowley seemed to freeze for half-a-second. His hand went up to remove his
glasses, a manoeuvre he often uses to give himself an extra moment to
collect his thoughts. Then, his arctic blue eyes focused sharply, first on
Bodie, then myself. Bodie snapped to a parade rest position under the
frosty glare. 

"If this is your usual run of humour, you can take yourselves off. I've no
time for it," Cowley's voice rapped out. 

I moved up toward the desk and stood where I could touch Bodie's shoulder
with my own. "It's not a joke, sir," I said. "Bodie may not have put it in
the best way, but we've made a commitment to one another. We intend to
live together. We thought you should know." 

Cowley studied us for a few moments, his right hand idly setting his
glasses to swaying by one bow. Finally, he spoke. "I take it that
this...commitment...includes a sexual relationship?" 

"Yes, sir," Bodie answered, still standing before the Cow's desk in the
attitude of a soldier awaiting a reprimand from his superior officer. He
focused his eyes on Cowley's and said, "We discovered that we were in love
with one another." 

Cowley addressed himself solely to Bodie. "Have you thought this out? Are
you sure? You've neither of you evidenced a bisexual orientation before." 

"Yes, sir," Bodie repeated, and I could see the sure serenity on his face
even if Cowley couldn't. "We're sure, sir." 

Cowley was silent a moment longer as his eyes searched Bodie's face.
"Outside, Bodie," he ordered. "I want to speak to 4.5." 

"But, sir!" Bodie protested, his body expressing surprise and unease. 

"That's an order, 3.7! Now!" Cowley stood up and glared at my partner. 

I saw how Bodie was torn between obeying his master's voice and protecting
his lover's arse. I took pity on him. 

"Do as he says, mate." I took his arm and turned Bodie toward the door.
"I'll be fine, " I murmured as I practically pushed my partner out of the
office. "Wait for me in the rest room." I closed the door and turned back
to Cowley, who had not resumed his chair. His face had the blank look of
weathered stone. 

Cowley ignored me as he keyed the intercom. "Betty," he barked, "bring me
4.5's personnel file." 

The few moments it took for Betty to retrieve my file were among the
longest of my life. The Cow used them to resume his chair and to continue
with his paperwork. I was left standing, the better to contemplate my
sins. 

A discreet knock announced Betty's arrival with my file. She handed it to
the Cow, who told her, "That's all for now. Make sure 3.7 behaves himself.
If he doesn't, 6.2's in the rest room. Have him handle any problems." 

After Betty left, Cowley began to go through my records. A few minutes
later, he closed the manila cover and looked at me for the first time
since he'd ordered my lover out of his office. 

"Is this one of your experiments, Doyle? If so, I won't have it!" 

"You won't have it?!" My regrettable temper went nova. 

Cowley's voice cut right into whatever I might have said. "I'll not have
you break up my best team on a whim!" 

I was amazed at how much Cowley's comment hurt. "It's not a whim," I said
tightly. 

"No?" Cowley enquired. "How long do you expect your relationship with 3.7
to last? A week? A month? I believe your longest liaison to date lasted
eight months. Your usual affair is over within a week or two. What happens
to Bodie when you tire of your experiment and go back to chasing pretty
skirts? Who'll pick up the pieces then? Do you really think you can bed
and abandon your partner, then continue to work as a team?" 

"That's not fair!" I said hotly. "I wasn't serious about those
relationships." 

"You were serious enough about Ann Holly," Cowley countered. "Serious
enough to ask her to marry you. How long did that relationship last,
Doyle? And how soon afterwards did you start pursuing other young women?" 

I almost couldn't believe that the Cow had said that. He, better than
anyone except Bodie, knew why Ann had left me and how I'd reacted. But
then, our George doesn't always fight fair. 

"Ann was a mistake," I said. "This isn't." I felt like I was talking
through a shroud of grey fog. 

"Is it curiosity, Doyle?" Cowley demanded. "Experimenting with
homosexuality? I'd've thought you'd got that out of your system during
your art school days." 

"What are you talking about?" I asked, honestly confused by the new line
he was taking. 

Cowley opened my file. "Jeremy Landers, Terrence Rider," he named two of
my fellow students at the art school. 

"What about them?" 

"Both of them known homosexuals. Both of them living in your rooming
house, going to the same classes, moving in the same group as you." 

"Jer and Terry are gay?" I repeated in disbelief. 

"You didn't know?" Cowley asked sharply. 

"No," I replied before I shook myself out of my reverie and looked
directly into Cowley's pale-blue eyes. "Bodie is the *only* man I've
*ever* been with. It isn't curiosity. It's not an experiment. We've been
partners for five years. In some ways, I know Bodie better than I know
myself. I love him, but I can see his faults. Bodie loves me, too. God
knows why. And he's certainly aware of my faults. We're both walking into
this with our eyes wide open. We know that it's not going to be easy, that
there'll be problems. But we're going to work at it. If it were legal,
we'd get married. We couldn't be more committed to this relationship if we
had the license to prove it. We'd never've started this if we weren't. Our
partnership...our friendship...is too important to risk for anything
less." 

I could see I'd given Cowley a lot to think about. He absentmindedly waved
an arm in my direction and irritably commanded me to, "Sit down, mon." His
pale eyes scrutinized me as I found a chair. 

"A homosexual involvement is no easy relationship, even in these times,"
Cowley stated almost conversationally. "It may no longer be illegal, but
homosexuality is often grounds for dismissal from governmental positions,
the military or the police--mainly due to the potential for blackmail." 

"Do you intend to make us redundant?" I asked, appalled at the prospect of
my life changing drastically in yet another way. 

"I'd be a fool to cast off one of my best teams," Cowley said impatiently.
"Just make sure that your relationship doesn't affect your work." 

"Only for the better," I assured him. My spirits were on the rise. It
appeared as if the Cow had accepted our change in status. We weren't going
to be starting our new life together by going on the dole. 

"All of this will be added to your records," Cowley said. "That way, there
will be no chance of blackmail. If you are approached by foreign
operatives, criminals or agents of other departments, *tell them nothing*.
Contact me immediately. Knowing those who are involved in that sort of
coercion can be useful to CI5." 

"Yes, sir," I replied. Leave it to the Cow to turn a newly-gay
relationship into another tool against corruption. 

"And, Doyle...?" 

"Yes, sir?" I seemed to have picked up Bodie's habit of 'sir-ing' the Cow
every other sentence. 

"If you change your mind and Bodie ends up hurt, I'll have your ballocks,"
the controller said coldly. "No one breaks up a CI5 team except me!" 

I'd known that Bodie was Cowley's blue-eyed boy, but I hadn't realized how
much the old sod really cared for my partner. 

"It's not a mistake," I told him. "I love him. It's not like either of us
suddenly fell in lust with a total stranger; this relationship has been
building for a long time. The partnership and the friendship came first.
Sex is just the icing on the cake." 

"I hope you're right about that," Cowley replied. "I wish you luck, even
if you are causing me no end of trouble." Cowley put his reading glasses
back on his nose. 

One of my eyebrows rose in speculation about the kind of trouble we were
causing Alpha One--and Cowley replied to my unspoken question. 

"I'm going to have to revise the non-fraternization clause. As a result, I
expect that HQ will be treated to a Grand Mating Dance. You aren't the
only agents who have been eyeing one another." 

Even though I attempted to keep my face neutral, I must not have been very
successful. Cowley scowled and motioned me out of his office. 

"Get on with you," he said. "And send your partner in to see me." 

******

Bodie was pacing restlessly across one end of the rest room. I could tell
that it was only his respect for Cowley that had kept him there. Murphy
was sprawled in an armchair in the other half of the room, watching my
partner with sleep-heavy eyes. 

I ignored Murphy and walked over to my lover. His worried blue eyes
checked me for damage. I gripped his shoulder in an attempt to reassure
him. "'S'all right, Bodie. We had a nice chat. Now, Cowley'd like to see
you." 

Bodie gave me a jerky nod and left to face the Cow. I strolled over to a
chair near a suddenly-revived Murphy. 

"What was that about?" the brown-haired agent asked. "Cowley catch you
fiddling the expenses again?" 

"Nah," I said as I slouched down in the armchair. "I'm too good to get
caught at that." 

"Good looks and modest with it," Murphy said with affectionate mockery. 

"Don't let Bodie hear you calling me good-looking. He's the jealous type,"
I replied, finding it easier than I'd thought it would be to fall back
into the locker-room banter of the CI5 rest room. 

Murphy snorted, closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep. 

I closed my eyes for a short kip, as well. Bodie was in good hands. I
didn't expect the Cow to give him the grilling he'd given me. Besides, I
badly needed the rest. 

******

It was a good thing I'd got what kip I could, as Bodie returned from
Cowley's office with a slightly bemused expression and a new assignment.
We were to tail a man with suspected connections to an IRA bomber. 

We were on the hop for the next ten hours. One of us tailed the suspect on
foot, while the other followed, well back, in a dark-coloured Cortina we'd
checked out from the motor-pool. It was a fairly routine assignment, the
only dicey moment coming when Vahey unexpectedly doubled back and almost
bumped into Bodie. Fortunately, my partner kept his wits about him and
casually entered a small bookstall. It must've looked normal to our
quarry, because he didn't give Bodie a second glance. 

Finally, Jax and Whitney--(a man new to the Squad)--relieved us. After we
exchanged the Cortina for my silver Capri, we made a quick stop at an
Indian restaurant and bought takeaway curry. 

Raven was lurking in the pocket-handkerchief garden across the road from
our flat, but he came running when he heard us drive up. I still haven't
figured out how he can tell our motor from all the others on the street. I
fed him while Bodie dished up our nosh. The two of us took our plates out
to the settee. After supper, we had tea and Bodie watched the news as I
lay on the settee with my head in his lap and my mug balanced on my chest.
It was nice just being quiet together. It felt even better when Bodie
began to finger-comb my hair. 

"Ray?" he said quietly. 

"Mmm?" I murmured. I was getting sleepy, lulled by the soothing strokes
across my scalp. 

"What did Cowley say to you?" Bodie asked diffidently. 

My brain made one of those sudden, wild connections and I almost pissed
myself laughing. I would have spilled my tea if Bodie hadn't taken it out
of my hands and set it on the end table. 

Finally, the laughing fit reduced itself to vulgar sniggers in the
vicinity of Bodie's navel. My lover's hands held me in a loose grip as I
rode out the last of my near-hysteria. When I finally looked up into his
face, his puzzled expression nearly set me of f again. 

"Spend all that time telling one another dirty stories and singing rugby
songs?" Bodie asked indulgently. 

"Nah," I smiled sunnily. "Spent it acting out a Victorian melodrama, we
did." 

"Oh?" Bodie said in non-comprehension. 

"Yeah," I replied. "Cowley played the part of the Victorian Papa and I
acted the role of the Vile Seducer of his only child." I was finally
seeing the funny side of this morning's interview. 

"What are you nattering on about?" my partner demanded. 

"Cowley asked what my intentions were," I grinned. "Acted as if he
expected me to make you preggers, then throw you and the illegitimate
off-offspring out into the snow." 

"That, I'd like to see," Bodie snorted. I could tell he didn't believe a
word of it. 

"Yeah," I grinned again. Then, I sobered. "But he really was coming on the
heavy. Felt like I was being vetted by some bird's father." 

Bodie sniggered. I scowled at him. 

"S'not funny," I said plaintively. "Was like I was being weighed up and
found wanting. He practically asked me if I could keep you in the manner
to which you've been accustomed." 

"Should hope we can do better than that, now we're pulling in two
salaries," Bodie replied, only semi-seriously. 

"Think Cowley's decided you're the son he's never had," I said. 

Bodie snorted. "More like the son he never wanted." 

"I'm serious," I said indignantly. "He almost accused me of trifling with
your affections." 

"Never thought of the Cow as a father figure," Bodie grinned. "But *you*
can trifle with my affections all you like," he almost whispered in my
ear. Then, his voice grew louder as he finished, "Just as long as you come
across." 

"Sex-mad, you are," I said reprovingly and sniffed loudly. 

"Good thing," Bodie replied. "Couldn't keep up with a randy animal like
you, if I weren't." 

"Randy?" I echoed in disbelief. "Who's calling who what?" I brushed my
cheek against the suspicious bulge in the front of Bodie's trousers. 

"The pot calling the kettle black?" Bodie offered as his hand explored my
own budding erection. 

I sighed dolefully. "Can't get away with anything, can I?" 

Bodie pulled me into his arms. "I dunno," he murmured. "Given the right
incentive, I can be persuaded to let you get away with a lot." Then his
lips began to nibble mine. 

Was a lovely kiss, full of affection and love. It soon heated up. 

I arched my body like a shameless tomcat, rubbing against Bodie's warm
body. His eyes were bright with affection and a growing need that matched
my own. He lay back in the corner of the settee and pulled me partially on
top of his body. 

"Fast sex on the settee?" he asked. His voice was too breathless to
properly express the mockery he was attempting. 

I brushed my hips against his groin and gave him a predatory grin as I
replied, "Unless you can think of something more interesting?" 

Bodie pulled my head down and we began a slow, open-mouthed exploration. I
began to fumble at Bodie's belt. He tried to reach mine. All we did was
get in each other's way. 

My lover gave up on removing my clothes. Instead, Bodie wrapped his arms
around me and tried to roll me over on the settee. 

I tried to cooperate. Unfortunately, one of us wiggled or pushed at just
the wrong moment and Bodie ended up flat on his arse on the carpet. His
look of shocked surprise set me off. Couldn't help it--I had hysterics.
Even the sight of a glowering Bodie reaching for me with intent to do GBH
couldn't make me stop. Knew it was all a put-on, you see. Bodie wouldn't
thump me unless I really deserved it. Was just camouflage for his real
intentions. Instead of going for my throat, the evil-minded sod went for
my ribs. He knows how ticklish I am. 

Have you ever heard a tough CI5 agent giggle? When Bodie has finished with
me, I was limp as a used tissue. 

Bodie was a bit knackered as well. I'd tried hard to protect my virtue
--and it's not easy manhandling my ten-and-a-half-stone body. He lay
panting on the floor by my head as I lay hiccupping on the settee. 

At last, I managed to calm down and Bodie got his second wind. He stood up
and reached down to help lever me off the tweed cushions. 

"Let's go to bed, Ray," he whispered in my ear as I stood within his arms.


I agreed heartily, and it almost turned into a footrace up the stairs. I
still think Bodie let me win because he likes to watch my bum. 

In the bedroom, we separated briefly so that we could strip ourselves. It
was much faster than trying to fumble with each other's clothes.
Sometimes, I like to take it slow, strip Bodie bare and put on a bit of a
show removing my own clothes. Tonight, though, I needed it too much and so
did Bodie. I could tell he was hot for it when he left his clothes in a
muddle on the floor. He usually folds everything neatly and stows it away.
Before we started living together, I even had visions of Bodie pressing
his pants and flannel vest. Now, I know better--he has someone else do it.


Bodie finished before I did. He lay in the centre of the bed with his arms
behind his head and watched me as I finished removing my pants. 

I crawled into the bed beside my lover. As we met in the middle of the
mattress, our arms went round each other and our legs became intimately
entwined. 

Bodie sighed softly and said, "Now, where were we?" 

I grinned at him. "Seems to me, you were flat on your arse on the floor.
D'you want to resume where we left off?" I gave his sturdy frame a bit of
a nudge toward the edge of the bed. 

Bodie grabbed me and wrapped himself around my body like a bloody amorous
octopus. He used his weight to turn me on my back. "Before that," he
replied with a grin. 

"Seems to me, our positions were reversed," I said. "Seems to me that I
was on top." 

"Can't give you too much of an advantage," Bodie smirked. He easily rode
out my squirming attempt to turn the tables on him. I could feel him
turning on, goaded by the press and rub of our bodies. 

Was beginning to turn myself on. I turned my squirms into an erotic thrust
and glide. My arms reached up to bring Bodie's head down to where I could
reach his lips. 

Bodie licked the corners of my mouth. I opened my lips to my lover's
tongue and we kissed so deeply that I almost turned inside out. My body
trembled. My cock engorged with blood. I parted my knees and coaxed Bodie
until his legs dropped between my thighs. That brought his groin closer to
mine. I moved my hips in an involuntary undulation that pressed my rampant
prick against Bodie's stomach and groin. 

Bodie pressed me deeper into the mattress as he arched his back and thrust
his hips down against mine. As his mouth left my lips, all I could do was
pant for breath. I felt my lover's hands worm themselves beneath my body
to take up their favourite grip. Clutching my bum for better leverage,
Bodie pulled my hips up off the mattress. 

I was out of control, caught up in the sensations of body pressing body.
When Bodie released me and rolled off me and on to his side, I cried out
in frustration. 

Bodie gently stroked my chest until I spiralled down from my near orgasm.
"Ray?" he murmured. 

"Yeah?" I grunted as I cracked my eyes open to look into his hesitant
blues. 

"Ray," he said breathlessly, "I want you. Please?" he nearly begged.
Strong hands rolled me onto my side, facing him, and one of his fingers
slowly stroked down the crack in my arse to graze the tight bud of muscle
guarding my anus. With the one gesture, Bodie made it perfectly clear
exactly how he wanted me. 

I was scared. I suppose that all virgins are, the first time. Not that I
was lily-pure. Bodie and I had been lovers for almost two weeks and we'd
tried a lot of things during that time. But we'd never tried this. At
least...we hadn't tried it yet. Didn't know if I was ready for it. Didn't
know if I'd I ever be ready for it. 

That was a lie. I'd had dark fantasies of being possessed by my dark
lover. Every time he touched that ring of muscle, I nearly went up in
flames. I knew that I'd eventually want to try it. Just didn't know if I
could let him have me that way tonight. 

Fear, lust and adrenaline were making me dizzy. Heard myself telling him,
"Yes...! Bodie! Love me!" I was almost incoherent. Whether or not I was I
ready, it was going to happen. 

Don't know what I expected. What Bodie did was continue his exploration of
my body. He licked and kissed his way down my chest and stomach to my
groin. I was turned onto my back and my legs were parted. Bodie bent my
knees and spread my thighs wide so that my genitals were completely
exposed. 

I always did have a bit of the exhibitionist in me. Being put on display
that way turned me on something chronic. Part of it was because it was
Bodie--best friend, partner, lover, other half--touching me. Controlling
me. That was the other part. I'd never been with someone who was larger,
stronger than I was. Made me feel almost fragile... almost scared. That
turned me on more than ever. Made me feel almost shocked at my own
reactions. 

When Bodie brushed his cheek against my rigid cock, it nearly finished me.
A warm, rough tongue lapped at my balls and I almost convulsed at the
exquisite sensations when Bodie took my prick into his warm, wet mouth. At
first he sucked gently at the swollen head. Then his lips began to swallow
me a scant millimetre at a time. The suction increased. The pressure...
the heat... the incredible sensations... all combined to send me higher
than I'd ever been before. Then, a hard, lubricated finger began to rim
the anal muscle, relaxing it. Slowly, it slipped inside and pushed inward
toward my centre. 

I think I screamed. Later, my throat had the sore, scratchy feeling you
get after abusing your voice. 

I know that I came. My body melted, contracted, became one overstimulated
nerve, vibrating with sensation. 

Perhaps I fainted, I'm not really sure. When my body finally recovered
enough to communicate something other than the incredibly erotic
experience of pouring myself down my lover' throat, the first thing I felt
was Bodie cradling me in his arms. He was cuddling me. I could feel his
hard rod pressing against my hip, but he was ignoring it to take care of
me. 

I wanted to make Bodie feel at least half as good as he'd just made me
feel. But all my muscles seemed to have been replaced by limp spaghetti. I
did manage to open my eyes. Bodie's face was so close that I couldn't
resist licking the corner of his mouth. 

"That was fantastic," I whispered. "But I thought you wanted to take me?" 

"I do," Bodie groaned. 

"I won't be much help," I admitted ruefully. "You've worn me out." 

"That's the idea," Bodie said as he rolled me onto my stomach. My legs
were parted and I could feel a slippery finger gently dilate my anus.
"Wanted you relaxed the first time," he continued as a second finger
joined the first in relaxing my muscles. "The book said this was a good
way to do it." 

I wondered briefly what book he was talking about. The sensation of yet a
third finger being added to the other two knocked any other thought clean
out of my head. 

I gasped. It was bloody incredible. I felt stretched. Didn't hurt. In
fact, it felt good. Too good. When Bodie found my prostate and began to
stroke it, I almost screamed again. 

"Am I hurting you?" Bodie asked anxiously. 

"No," I panted. "Don't stop...feels so good..." 

I could hear him chuckle as I tried to thrust my hips backwards. I needed
to increase the sensations. 

Bodie planted a butterfly kiss in the small of my back. Then, he began a
slow oral exploration as his fingers continued the inner caress. 

The fingers stroked against my prostate a second time. I moaned like a
rutting tomcat and thrust backwards again. Bodie's free arm burrowed under
my hips to help draw me up to my knees. His hands discovered something
that shocked the both of us--my cock was hard again. 

Bodie chuckled and murmured, "Randy little animal." He kissed my ear. 

I started to turn my head over my shoulder. Wanted to kiss him. But I
froze in shock at the sensation of Bodie slowly impaling me upon his
rampant cock. 

His fingers had stretched me; his cock stretched me further still. My
muscles rebelled. The anal ring started to contract. 

Bodie froze and I could feel him panting against my back. He moaned
sharply. "Am I hurting you?" he asked again. "If I am...I'll pull out." 

"No," I said. I reached back around and clamped one hand on his hip.
"Don't. Just give me a moment." I concentrated on relaxing; a yoga
breathing exercise helped. 

Bodie also helped. He cupped my balls in one hand and began to massage
them. 

My cock, which had wilted slightly during my bout of near-cramps, began to
come to life under Bodie's expert manipulations. My internal muscles
relaxed a bit at a time. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Bodie's cock sank
deeper into my arse, helped by the slippery lubricant. 

Bodie was holding back, afraid of causing me pain. His twice asking if he
was hurting me told me that he believed our first attempt at sodomy would
be a dismal failure. 

I wanted this to be a success. If it weren't, I might not be able to
convince Bodie to make a second try. Fear and inexperience would not be
allowed to spoil it. 

Besides, I was feeling bloody marvellous. My internal muscles had adjusted
to Bodie's bulk and the sensations were incredible. My lover's cock was a
hot and slippery rod deep within my guts. It stretched me with its bulk
and branded me with its blood heat. I spread my legs as far apart as they
would go and arched my hips as I slowly pushed backwards. 

Bodie groaned and buried his face against my back. It was wet with sweat
and I felt his body being wracked with fine tremors. 

The slippery cock buried itself in my body. I felt it brush against my
prostrate as it slowly filled me. Pleasure curled tightly in my guts. I
threw my head back and yelled. 

Bodie froze again. Within me, his cock began to detumesce. 

I panted, "Do that again, lover. "S'wonderful!" I twisted my hips slightly
and tightened, then loosened, my internal muscles in a caress around
Bodie's cock. 

Bodie moaned in pleasure. I could feel his prick harden and lengthen
within me. His hips arched forward as he initiated a series of gliding
thrusts and withdrawals. My body urged me to meet and match his thrusts.
We were awkward at first, but we soon picked up each other's rhythms. 

Sounds clinical. 

It wasn't. 

It was an orgiastic grappling. We were sticky and sweaty and on heat. Our
movements were frantic and almost out of control. It seemed to last
forever; it was over much too soon. Bodie cried out softly. His back
arched as he thrust his hips forward, driving his organ deep within me.
His body froze and his hands tightened on my hips. Deep within me, his
cock jerked and spilled Bodie's seed in warm spurts. My channel tightened
around his prick in my excitement. I heard Bodie murmur in incoherent
pleasure. 

Bodie's body went lax against my back, his weight pressing me into the
mattress. I squirmed, trying desperately to rub my taut cock against the
sheets. Trapped beneath Bodie, I couldn't apply enough pressure for the
last few strokes necessary to make me come. I sobbed in frustration and
need as I felt Bodie's prick soften and slip from my arse. 

Bodie crooned a soft litany of love as he turned me onto my back. I
shivered in thwarted need and my cock bobbed above my stomach with each
breath I took. Gentle hands framed my hips as a hot mouth engulfed my
aching prick. I whimpered and cursed as my hands sought Bodie's head. I
used my grip on his hair to help me coordinate my thrust into his mouth.
Once. Twice. Three times. 

My coming was almost painful. I'd had to wait too long. The contractions
continued even after I'd emptied myself into Bodie's mouth. My lover's
tongue and lips gentled my erection until it slowly softened and subsided.


I could feel Bodie leave the bed. My eyelids were too heavy to open, so I
lay there until he returned. He turned me onto my side and a warm flannel
was applied to my sticky bum. 

Bodie was very careful with me. Even though my arse was sore, he didn't
hurt me. But it did seem as though he was taking an inordinately long time
for a simple wipe and dry. 

"Find something interesting down there?" I asked sleepily. 

"I'm always interested in you, sweetheart," Bodie murmured. "Besides, the
book says it's a good idea to check for damage, especially the first
time." 

I felt my interest revive at the second mention of this mysterious ?book'.


"What book are you talking about, mate?" I asked. 

"The Joy of Gay Sex," Bodie replied. I could detect a hint of
defensiveness in his voice. 

"*You* have been holding out on me," I said emphatically. "When did you
have time to find such a book and why haven't I seen it?" 

Bodie moved up the bed and took me into his arms, turning me so that I lay
facing him. He kissed the corner of my mouth. 

"Sorry, Ray. Just found it today, in that odd little bookstall I had to
duck into when Vahey almost ran into me. Was supposed to be a surprise for
our two-week anniversary, but I couldn't resist peeking at the pictures,
then reading bits of it in the motor this afternoon." 

"Likely story," I snorted into Bodie's neck. 

I could hear the laugh in Bodie's voice as he said, "Besides, I figured I
needed a bit of an edge to keep up with a naturally-talented, sexual
athlete such as yourself." 

I looked up into Bodie's blue eyes as I indignantly retorted, "Sexual
athlete! Feel like a rank beginner. You've been making all the running
tonight." 

Bodie's face became almost expressionless, a sure sign of the importance
of his next words. "Does that bother you, Ray?" 

"Nah," I drawled. Then, I gave him a thorough and leisurely kiss before I
continued, "Was beautiful. You were marvellous," I added huskily. Then, I
made my voice a bit severe. "But the next time, we start even. Can't allow
you to get too far ahead of me or I'll never catch up. Tomorrow, you show
me the book." 

"Anything you say, dear," Bodie replied cheekily. 

I kissed him in retaliation. "Was a good idea," I said thoughtfully. 

One of his eyebrows rose in silent question. 

"The book," I explained. "'Spect there're a lot of things we haven't tried
yet. Could be very educational." Bodie grinned and gave me a hug. 

We lay there on the bed and cuddled in the afterglow. I couldn't relax
quite enough to go to sleep and Bodie seemed determined to out-wait me.
Something was niggling in the back of my mind. 

Then, I realized that I'd never asked Bodie about his conversation with
the Cow. We'd gotten sidetracked. "Bodie?" I said softly. 

"Yeah?" he murmured. 

"What'd Cowley have to say to you this morning?" 

"'Bout the same as he said to you, I imagine," Bodie replied as he
snuggled closer. "Only without the overtones of Victorian melodrama.
Wanted to make sure we were serious. Didn't want to have to change
departmental policy if it was only a one off." 

"Yeah," I said. "He mentioned changing the non-fraternization policy. Said
something about setting off a Grand Mating Dance and about other agents
eyeing each other." 

Bodie chuckled. "Wonder who he was talking about?" he said idly. 

"Mmm," I answered sleepily, "And whether they're same-sex couples or not."


Bodie's heavy-lidded eyes popped open in surprise. "You mean, there are
other teams considering it?" 

"Well, there're mostly male agents in CI5. We can't be the only ones with
impeccable taste." 

"Wonder who?" 

I snuggled sleepily and fitted my head under Bodie's chin. "Go to sleep,
love. Tomorrow's a work day. Besides, we'll find out soon enough after the
Cow posts the new regs." 

"Yeah," Bodie agreed. His body squirmed until he found a comfortable
position. Then, I felt him cup my arse in the palms of his hands and drop
a kiss on the top of my head. The last thing I heard before I fell asleep
was my lover whispering, "G'night, love." 

-- THE END --

*Originally published in *Chalk and Cheese 3*, Whatever You Do, Don't
Press!, 1989*

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