The Heart of the Jungle, стр. 43

"If anyone betrayed their trust, Jason," Chris said with passion, "it was the messed-up system."

Perhaps because of the conviction in Chris's tone, Jason finally found the courage to look up. "So now you know. I probably should have told you in the first place---before I offered to help you."

Chris took hold of Jason's hand and held it fiercely. "I trust you more than ever. Whether you believe it or not, you can't crucify yourself for the rest of your life over a stupid mistake." He gave Jason's hand a small squeeze. "You have to get past the guilt. I know that's easier said than done. God knows I have my own demons." He looked away for a moment, trying to mask dark memories of his own. "You were doing good work for the world. You can't blame yourself for a totally screwed-up system of justice that lets the worst kind of killer free on a technicality. Yeah, you missed a step---but which is more important? An unchecked box, or the fact that all the other times it was checked, you were saving lives and making the world a safer place? If you ask me, the system is to blame anyway. Not you."

Jason smiled weakly. "I dream about it all the time. I've flogged myself repeatedly for that moment of carelessness. In the end, it doesn't bring any of them back."

Chris stared directly into his eyes. "No, it doesn't. But that's not the point. The point is saving the next child, and the next. You have the power to do that. Look what you've done for me."

"I wish it were that easy, but I don't have that kind of confidence in myself. Not anymore."

"Well, you should. I do. Jason, you are a brilliant investigator. You're smart, brave, much more capable than you realize. When everyone else let me down... you gave me hope. Look how far you've brought me in just a handful of days." His intent was to put Jason at ease, to soften the pain he carried. He didn't realize until after he'd spoken how intensely he believed what he'd just said. He'd known Jason for such a short time, but he'd seen directly into the man's soul tonight. He realized that he truly did care---more than he'd like to admit.

The arrogance and thoughtlessness were affectations. There were unbelievable depths to this man. At his core, Jason was the most compelling, most sensitive, most compassionate person he'd ever known.

Chris released Jason's hand and rose from his seat. He walked to the window and looked out over the city, caught up in so many emotions they threatened to overwhelm. Somewhere out there in that sea of lights, his baby girl was asleep. His little peanut whom he loved with his very soul was a heartbeat away from him. He placed his fingertips on the window and breathed her name.

He didn't attempt to move away when Jason came up behind him.

Strong arms wrapped around him. He could feel the beating of Jason's heart against his back. He breathed in the spicy scent of his skin. The embrace was meant to offer comfort, or perhaps to receive it. Whatever the purpose, Chris was grateful. After a time, though, the innocence gave way to something more. The thudding of Jason's heart grew in intensity.

There was a rising heat in his flesh. Jason's ardor from earlier, having been stifled and put aside, now returned in full force. Chris could feel it straining through the thin fabric that separated them. Though every shred of good sense was railing at him to pull away and to put a stop to this, he couldn't. He wanted it just as badly. He needed it as he had never needed anything in his life.

He allowed himself to be turned around, and he leaned his head against Jason's shoulder. He reveled anew in the softness of Jason's skin.

His lips brushed over Jason's collarbone, and his own hunger arose. His breath came quickly, and he pressed himself closer to Jason's body.

Jason's fingers traced along his neck, raising gooseflesh and shivers. Chris sighed and gave in to the pleasurable sensations.

Jason cupped a hand beneath his chin and tilted his face upward.

Chris surrendered completely to the passionate kiss that followed. He made no move to stop it, but instead committed himself body and soul to the moment.

He was so lost in need that he was on the bed, covered by Jason's body, before his mind could rally one last attempt at resistance. He was quickly losing himself to the intensity of the experience.

Strong hands pressed him into the mattress, and he yielded to the hard lips that sought out his earlobe, his chin, his neck, the hollow at the base of his throat. He did not protest when his shirt was lifted and painful yet pleasurable suction aroused first one and then the other nipple. And then lower, teeth and tongue teased the taut muscles of his stomach. He writhed and clenched with each nip of his sensitive flesh. He was alight with fire, rising and falling in crests of pleasure and torment and confusion and desire.

He rose up and pulled Jason close to his body, kissing him deeply.

He was now a willing participant, the animal part of himself having taken full control of his body.

They circled, first one taking the lead, then the other, exploring, tasting, giving, and taking. Clothing fell away and flesh molded to flesh.

It was as if their bodies had been made to be entwined. Their limbs locked together in perfect union. Heart to heart, they pulsed to the same rhythm, their cries of joy rising to a crescendo.

This was the way it was always meant to be.

Finally, although it seemed Chris had been consumed by an eternity of fire, it was done. They lay together, spent, still wrapped in the hot embrace of damp flesh, and Chris fell asleep.

SUNLIGHT spilling through the carelessly opened curtains awoke Chris.

He snuggled