10 days until the release of the #SurrenderBundle

Geek Bearing Gifts by Milly Taiden 9 Days until the release of the #Surr...

10 days until the release of the #SurrenderBundle

Arctic Fire

by Keira Andrews

Jack realized he was trembling, and wrapped his arms around himself. “The brass gave me the desk job, and I thought it would be a good change after the sand box. But I hate it. I’m no good at it. They know it and I know it. The colonel sent me here to give me another chance. He shouldn’t have bothered. Nothing works anymore. It’s all fucked. I’m fucked.”

The wind shrieked as if in agreement, and the tent shook. Jack squeezed his eyes shut against Kin’s sympathetic gaze. I’m pathetic. Did I just say all that out loud? Fuck me. Fucking fuck. He scrambled to his knees. “I need to get out of here. I need air. I need—“

Jack’s eyes popped open as Kin’s arms went around him. Rigid, his breath frozen in his lungs, Jack didn’t move. Through their bulky layers, Kin held him, his arms strong and secure. Jack sucked in a breath, pressing his face to Kin’s throat. It was warm and soft, and he gripped Kin’s sides, breathing hard.

For a long while, Kin held him and murmured something in Inuktitut, and Jack’s pulse slowed as he listened to the rumble of Kin’s voice and the rhythm of the words. They had turned the lantern off since the sun was up, but with the driving snow the tent was dim. He closed his eyes, and stranded on the barren tundra, countless miles from anything except deadly ice and polar bears, he felt safe.

Kin must have taken off his gloves, because Jack felt his long fingers against his head, stealing under his toque and rubbing through his short hair. Jack pulled off his hat, eager for more contact, turning into Kin’s touch like Neville when he wanted a tummy scratch. Stop before this goes too far. He’s only being kind. He doesn’t want this. Doesn’t want you.

Every instinct screamed at him to stay put, but Jack leaned back. He was an army captain—he couldn’t cross the line with a subordinate. He met Kin’s gaze, and a jolt blazed through him at the darkness in Kin’s eyes.

“I want to touch you,” Kin said. “If you—”

Jack lunged for Kin’s mouth, swallowing the rest of his words with a moan as their lips met and parted, tongues already seeking and exploring. Kin tasted like tea and the iron of the raw seal meat they’d eaten a few hours ago, and Jack reveled in it, his blood stirring as he stroked Kin’s tongue with his own. The stubble on their cheeks rasped together, and Jack yanked off his mitts and Kin’s hat so he could tangle his fingers in Kin’s short, thick hair.

They were wearing far too many clothes, and Jack tugged and struggled to touch flesh. He growled as he encountered another layer, and Kin broke the kiss, laughing. His eyes were alight, and he held Jack’s face in his hands to kiss him again soundly.

He whispered against Jack’s lips. “Best way to stay warm is skin to skin.”