Interlude: First Noel (The Executive Office #1.5)

by Tal Bauer

“Hey, let’s get a photo in front of the tree.” They went for the big tree next to the fireplace, and Daniels snapped pictures on his and Jack’s phones, first of everyone gathered together and then of just Jack and Ethan, arms wrapped around each other’s waists, smiling for the camera. The rest of the agents clustered behind Daniels, watching and grinning. “C’mon, Ethan. Act like you like the guy a little bit. Give him a kiss!” The agents whistled and cheered, laughing as Jack’s ears flushed a ruby red. But he turned to Ethan and smiled, a question in his eyes. It was all on Ethan. They tried to be circumspect everywhere, tried to nip the media frenzy in the bud, but this was their home. These were men who Ethan had served next to for years, men he considered friends, and who were cheering them on, literally and in every other way imaginable. Did he need to hold back in front of such support? He cupped Jack’s cheek, his thumb stroking Jack’s warm skin, and leaned in, capturing his lips in a slow, heated kiss. Jack smiled against him, moaned softly, and slid his fingers through Ethan’s hair as Daniels and the rest of the agents catcalled and clapped. “Whoa, whoa!” Daniels kept taking pictures, practically a hundred of them kissing in front of the tree. “Do we need to vacate? Give us a minute to give you the room, sir!” And then Jack was laughing, turning away from Ethan with crimson cheeks, but he gripped Ethan tight, clinging to his shoulders. Ethan held his waist, and they...