Fire for Effect (13 page)

Kellan adjusted his angle slightly, searching for the spot that would bring Jonah off the bed. It took him a few tries, some awkward movements and some affectionate laughter, but he found it. Tendrils of electricity snaked up Kellan’s spine as Jonah arched and writhed against him. Kellan reached between their bodies and took Jonah’s cock in his hand. He stroked it quickly, aching to feel Jonah come around him.

Jonah’s breathing sped up. His body tightened and shuddered. His hand fisted in Kellan’s hair again. This time, Kellan’s neck arched as his head was pulled back roughly. Jonah buried his face in Kellan’s throat, his breath hot against Kellan’s skin.

“Come on, baby, come for me,” Kellan urged softly, pumping his hips and stroking Jonah quickly.

“Fuck, you feel good inside me, Kel,” Jonah whispered harshly.

“Come on, let me feel you,” Kellan said. “Show me how alive you are.”

That sent Jonah over the edge. His cock pulsed in Kellan’s hand, hot come rolling down and over Kellan’s fingers. His body tightened around Kellan’s cock, gripping him tight. He vibrated violently as he shouted his climax against the skin of Kellan’s throat.

That was all Kellan needed. The tight heat and the feel of Jonah against and around him dragged Kellan’s climax from him. With a shout, he collapsed down onto Jonah, pulled him close and rode the waves.

“I feel you inside me,” Jonah said, arms coming around Kellan’s shoulders. “I can feel you coming inside me.”

Kellan groaned and swore against the side of Jonah’s neck. He trembled violently, his hips thrusting reflexively, sending sparks rocketing from his sensitive cock to scatter inside his skull. Jonah was firm and warm against him, Kellan heard each breath and felt the beat of his heart and knew he was alive.

When Kellan’s orgasm released him, he managed to fall just to the side of Jonah. He knew he should pull out and clean them up. He knew he should get them under the covers so they could sleep. He’d do that in just a minute.

EPILOGUE

The chamber doors were opened and Kellan led their group through into the Senate hearing chambers. There were electronic flashes all around them and a buzz filled the room. Television cameras swiveled to track their passage down the aisle.

Keystone Consulting’s General Counsel preceded Kellan to the first seat at the long table. Kellan was seated next. Jonah sat beside Kellan and on the far side, JAG lawyer Mirai Hirata.

Together, they rose to be sworn in before the Senate committee, chaired by Senator Gilchrist.

“For the record, Mr. Reynolds, let’s get some things out of the way,” Gilchrist said.

“That would be fine, Senator,” Kellan responded, prepared for full disclosure.

“This is your last duty as the CEO of Keystone Consulting, correct?” the Senator asked.

“That’s correct,” Kellan replied into the microphone.

“Why is that?” Gilchrist managed to appear curious despite already knowing the answer.

“I’ve accepted a position with the Department of Defense.”

The senator nodded and appeared to contemplate Kellan’s words. “So, as you give testimony today that implicates the DOD in some unpleasant things, it’s safe to say you do not have an ax to grind with them.”

“It’s very safe to say that, Senator.” Kellan laced his fingers together on the table in front of him. He found he was enjoying this little performance they were giving.

“And what position have you accepted?” Gilchrist picked up a pen as if prepared to jot down the title.

Kellan took a breath and leaned into the mic. “Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Combating Terrorism.”

“That’s a hell of a mouthful.” Quiet laughter echoed through the room.

“It is indeed, Senator. It barely fits on my business cards.” Kellan smiled when the laughter renewed.

“And is First Sergeant Carver joining you at the DOD?” Senator Gilchrist gestured at Jonah where he sat stiffly beside Kellan.

“Yes. He will be functioning as one of two military aides.” Kellan would also be taking on an officer of the rank of captain or higher, for when it was necessary to interact with the White House or the Joint Chiefs.

“Very well. Now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s get started.” With several bangs of his gavel, Senator Gilchrist got the hearings underway. “We’re here to investigate the matter of Marine Staff Sergeant Miguel Restrepo and the conspiracy to deny him the Medal of Honor, which he unquestionably earned. We will also take testimony regarding the disturbing pattern of veterans of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom being denied medals on the basis of gender, race and suspected sexual orientation…”

AUTHOR’S NOTE

This story is a work of fiction. While some things may appear to resemble certain current news headlines, all characters and events are the work of my imagination alone. All of Kellan’s suppositions and theories are mine, and mine alone.

While the characters, events and theories are fiction, the facts and figures of the awarding of the Medal of Honor to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are all true.

While discussing my research for this story with some of my readers, I was asked more than once what could be done to correct the under awarding of medals to the vets of the two most recent military conflicts. At the time, I really didn’t know.

Since then, I’ve learned a few things about the process. Medals can be awarded at nearly any time. It isn’t limited to the duration of the conflict(s). World War II vets are still being awarded medals. The most recent awarding of a Medal of Honor was to a Vietnam Veteran. Begin by writing your government representatives. Find out who your specific reps are and start with them. Next, contact representatives who are themselves veterans and could become emotionally invested in this issue. Finally, bring attention to the topic. Try to get journalists interested in this so that they can investigate and report publicly, raising awareness and support.

Together, perhaps we can correct what appears to yet another injustice being dealt to military personal who have served during the last decade.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kendall McKenna’s first work of fiction was written at the worldly age of nine, and was a transformative work that expanded on the story told in a popular song of the time.

She tried her hand at vampire and cowboy fiction, winning high school poetry and short story contests along the way. It wasn’t until she discovered the world of m/m erotic fiction and found her stride with cops, Marines and muscle cars, that she felt inspired to share her stories with readers who enjoy the same things.

Putting herself through college by working in a newly-created HIV testing clinic in her local Department of Health, introduced Kendall to the gay and lesbian community. Understanding and empathy has made her a lifetime advocate of GLBT issues.

A brief bout of unemployment gave Kendall the time and focus she needed to finally produce a novel worth submitting for publication. Her first novel, Brothers In Arms, introduced the world to her authentic military stories and characters.

Kendall was born and raised in Southern California, where she still lives and works. A non-conventional relationship has kept her happy for the last decade. Her four dogs enjoy it when she writes, as she sits still long enough for them to curl up around her.

You can find Kendall on the internet at:

Website/Blog: www.kendallmckenna.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kendallmckenna

Twitter: @kendallmckenna

Email: [email protected]

TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Berretta: Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A.

Carhartt: Carhartt, Inc.

Humvee: AM General

Ka-Bar: KA-BAR Knives, Inc.

Kevlar: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

Padres: Padres L.P. Padres Inc.

PowerPoint: Microsoft

QuikClot: Z-Medica Corporation

Under Armour: Under Armour, Inc.

Vans: A VF Company

Velcro: Velcro Industries

MLR PRESS AUTHORS

Featuring a roll call of some of the best writers of gay erotica and mysteries today!

Derek Adams

Z. Allora

Maura Anderson

Simone Anderson

Victor J. Banis

Laura Baumbach

Helen Beattie

Ally Blue

J.P. Bowie

Barry Brennessel

Nowell Briscoe

Jade Buchanan

James Buchanan

TA Chase

Charlie Cochrane

Karenna Colcroft

Michael G. Cornelius

Jamie Craig

Ethan Day

Diana DeRicci

Vivien Dean

Taylor V. Donovan

S.J. Frost

Kimberly Gardner

Kaje Harper

Alex Ironrod

Jambrea Jo Jones

DC Juris

AC Katt

Thomas Kearnes

Sasha Keegan

Kiernan Kelly

K-lee Klein

Geoffrey Knight

Christopher Koehler

Matthew Lang

J.L. Langley

Vincent Lardo

Cameron Lawton

Anna Lee

Elizabeth Lister

Clare London

William Maltese

Z.A. Maxfield

Timothy McGivney

Tere Michaels

AKM Miles

Robert Moore

Reiko Morgan

Jet Mykles

William Neale

N.J. Nielsen

Cherie Noel

Gregory L. Norris

Willa Okati

Erica Pike

Neil S. Plakcy

Rick R. Reed

A.M. Riley

AJ Rose

Rob Rosen

George Seaton

Riley Shane

Jardonn Smith

DH Starr

Richard Stevenson

Christopher Stone

Liz Strange

Marshall Thornton

Lex Valentine

Haley Walsh

Mia Watts

Lynley Wayne

Missy Welsh

Ryal Woods

Stevie Woods

Lance Zarimba

Mark Zubro

Check out titles, both available and forthcoming, at

www.mlrpress.com

GLBT RESOURCES

RAINBOW ROMANCE WRITERS

Raising the Bar for LGBT Romance

RRW offers support and advocacy to career-focused authors, expanding the horizons of romance. Changing minds, one heart at a time. www.rainbowromancewriters.com

THE TREVOR PROJECT

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves lives though its free and confidential helpline, its website and its educational services. If you or a friend are feeling lost, alone, confused or in crisis, please call The Trevor Helpline. You’ll be able to speak confidentially with a trained counselor 24/7.

The Trevor Helpline: 866-488-7386

On the Web: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

THE GAY MEN’S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT

Founded in 1994, The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization founded by a gay male survivor of domestic violence and developed through the strength, contributions and participation of the community. The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project supports victims and survivors through education, advocacy and direct services. Understanding that the serious public health issue of domestic violence is not gender specific, we serve men in relationships with men, regardless of how they identify, and stand ready to assist them in navigating through abusive relationships.

GMDVP Helpline: 800.832.1901

On the Web: http://gmdvp.org/

THE GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE AGAINST DEFAMATION/GLAAD EN ESPAÑOL

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

On the Web: http://www.glaad.org/

GLAAD en español: http://www.glaad.org/espanol/bienvenido.php

SERVICEMEMBERS LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).The SLDN provides free, confidential legal services to all those impacted by DADT and related discrimination. Since 1993, its inhouse legal team has responded to more than 9,000 requests for assistance. In Congress, it leads the fight to repeal DADT and replace it with a law that ensures equal treatment for every servicemember, regardless of sexual orientation. In the courts, it works to challenge the constitutionality of DADT.

SLDN Call: 800-538-7418

PO Box 65301 or (202) 328-FAIR

Washington DC 20035-5301 e-mail: [email protected]

On the Web: http://sldn.org/

THE GLBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER

The GLBT National Help Center is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is an outgrowth of the Gay & Lesbian National Hotline, which began in 1996 and now is a primary program of The GLBT National Help Center. It offers several different programs including two national hotlines that help members of the GLBT community talk about the important issues that they are facing in their lives. It helps end the isolation that many people feel, by providing a safe environment on the phone or via the internet to discuss issues that people can’t talk about anywhere else. The GLBT National Help Center also helps other organizations build the infrastructure they need to provide strong support to our community at the local level.

National Hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)

National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)