Ice and Ash

Leo nodded, clinging to the anchor of Asher's touch. "I'm with you," he rasped. "I'm right here."

Asher gunned the engine, the SUV fishtailing as they plowed through the snowdrifts. The windshield wipers battled the falling snow, the world beyond the glass a blur of white. Leo's heart hammered against his ribs, his fingers clenched tight around Asher's hand. The killer's dead eyes seemed to follow him, boring into his back.

"Talk to me," Asher said, his voice cutting through the fog in Leo's head. "Tell me something real. Something good."

Leo scrambled for words, his mind blank. "I... I used to build snow forts with my dad," he blurted. "Every winter, in our backyard. We'd spend hours out there, until our fingers and toes went numb."

Asher glanced at him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Did you win?"

"Against my dad?" Leo's laugh was shaky, brittle. "Never. But I gave him a run for his money."

The corner of Asher's mouth twitched. "I bet you did." He squeezed Leo's hand, his thumb brushing over Leo's knuckles. "Hold that thought, okay? Keep it close."

Leo nodded, the memory a lifeline in the storm. He focused on the warmth of Asher's skin against his, the steady thrum of the engine beneath them. Mile by mile, the tension in his shoulders eased, his breathing slowing to match Asher's.

They drove for hours, the storm never letting up. When the ranger station finally emerged from the whiteout, Leo almost wept with relief. The building was small but sturdy, a beacon of safety in the swirling snow.

Asher pulled the SUV up to the door and killed the engine. "Stay here," he ordered. "I'll make sure it's clear."

Leo waited, his nerves frayed, as Asher circled the building. When the agent returned, his expression was grim but calm. "All clear," he said. "We'll bunker down here for the night."

Inside, the station was cold and dark, the air thick with dust. Asher found a battery-powered lantern and set it on the desk, casting long shadows across the room. He shed his coat, his sweater riding up to reveal a strip of skin above his waistband.

Leo looked away, his throat tight. "Now what?"

Asher ran a hand over his head, his hair sticking up in all directions. "Now we wait. The storm can't last forever. When it breaks, we'll make for the nearest town."

"And until then?" Leo's voice cracked. "We just sit here wondering if there are more of them out there? If they're coming for us?"

Asher closed the distance between them, his hands coming up to frame Leo's face. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said, his voice low and fierce. "I swear it."

Leo's breath hitched, his heart lurching. "Asher..."

"I mean it, Leo." Asher's thumb brushed over Leo's lower lip, his touch electric. "You're safe with me."

Leo's control snapped. He surged forward, crushing his mouth to Asher's. The kiss was desperate, hungry, all teeth and tongue and need. Asher groaned, his hands fisting in Leo's hair, pulling him closer.

They stumbled back, Leo's shoulders hitting the wall. Asher's body pressed against his, all hard planes and coiled strength. Leo hooked a leg around Asher's hip, grinding against him, his cock hard and aching behind his fly.

"Asher," he gasped, breaking the kiss. "Please."

Asher's eyes were dark, pupils blown. "Tell me what you need."

"You." Leo nipped at Asher's jaw, his stubble rasping against his lips. "I need you."

Asher shuddered, his hips bucking against Leo's. "Fuck." He sealed their mouths together again, the kiss deep and filthy.

They fumbled with each other's clothes, hands shaking with need. Asher's sweater hit the floor, followed by Leo's t-shirt. Leo moaned at the first touch of skin on skin, Asher's chest hair rasping against his nipples.

Asher's hands roamed Leo's back, his sides, his ass. He squeezed, his fingers digging into the muscle. "Fuck, Leo," he growled. "You feel so goddamn good."

Leo arched into his touch, his head thudding back against the wall. "More." He nipped at Asher's ear. "I need more."

Asher dropped to his knees, his hands going to Leo's fly. He wrenched the buttons open, shoving Leo's jeans and boxers down his thighs. Leo's cock sprang free, hard and leaking against his belly.

"So fucking pretty," Asher murmured, his breath ghosting over the head. He licked a broad stripe up the underside, his tongue hot and wet.

Leo's knees buckled, a curse tearing from his throat. "Asher!"

Asher chuckled, the sound low and dirty. He sucked the tip into his mouth, his tongue swirling around the sensitive flesh. Leo's hands flew to his hair, holding him close.

Asher took him deep, his throat working around Leo's cock. He bobbed his head, his lips stretched tight, his eyes blazing up at Leo. It was the filthiest, most gorgeous sight Leo had ever seen.

"Fuck, your mouth," Leo panted. He rocked his hips, fucking up into Asher's mouth. "You're gonna kill me."

Asher hummed, the vibration sending sparks up Leo's spine. He pulled off with a lewd pop, his lips swollen and shiny. "Not yet," he rasped. "I'm not done with you."

He stood, spinning Leo around and bending him over the desk. Leo's jeans trapped his thighs, leaving him open and exposed. Asher's big hands palmed his ass, spreading him open. "Look at you," he growled. "So fucking hungry for it."

Leo whimpered, his hips squirming. "Please, Asher. I need it."

Asher's zipper rasped, the sound loud in the quiet room. Leo heard the crinkle of a condom wrapper, the slick sound of lube. Then Asher was back, the blunt head of his cock nudging against Leo's hole.

"Relax," Asher murmured, his hand stroking down Leo's spine. "Let me in."

Leo took a deep breath, forcing himself to loosen. Asher pushed inside, slow and steady, not stopping until he was buried to the hilt. Leo groaned, his body struggling to adjust. "Fuck, you're big."

Asher's laugh was breathless. "You can take it." He pulled back, then thrust in again, harder this time. "You were made for this."

He set a punishing rhythm, his hips snapping against Leo's ass. The desk scraped across the floor, the lantern rattling. Leo moaned, his fingers scrabbling for purchase on the smooth wood.

Asher folded himself over Leo's back, his chest plastered to Leo's sweat-slicked skin. "You feel incredible," he panted, his breath hot against Leo's ear. "So tight. So perfect."

Leo keened, his cock leaking against his belly. "Asher, I'm close."

"Come for me," Asher growled, his thrusts losing their rhythm. "Come all over the desk."

He pegged Leo's prostate, lightning shooting up Leo's spine. Leo howled, his balls drawing up tight. "Fuck!"

His orgasm slammed into him, his cock pulsing as he shot all over the desk. Asher followed, his hips jerking as he emptied himself inside Leo's clenching channel. They collapsed together, boneless and spent, their chests heaving.

Asher pulled out gently, dealing with the condom. He turned Leo in his arms, claiming his mouth in a slow, filthy kiss. "Okay?" he murmured against Leo's lips.

Leo's laugh was shaky. "Better than okay." He kissed Asher back, savoring the taste of him. "That was..."

"Amazing," Asher finished. "Fucking incredible."

He gathered Leo into his arms, leading him to the narrow cot in the corner. They stretched out together, Asher's body curled around Leo's back. Leo sighed, his body limp and sated. "Stay with me?"

"Always," Asher murmured, his arm tightening around Leo's waist. "I'm not going anywhere."

Leo's eyes fluttered shut, his body sinking into the thin mattress. For the first time in days, he felt safe. Warm. Wanted. He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, for this moment, he had Asher. And that was enough.

The storm still raged outside, but inside the ranger station, wrapped in Asher's arms, Leo finally felt safe enough to sleep. He drifted off to the sound of Asher's heartbeat, slow and steady against his back.

He woke hours later to the crackle of the radio. Asher was already up, pacing the small room like a caged animal. The gray light of dawn filtered through the grimy windows, the storm passed but the world outside still blanketed in white.

Leo sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Anything new?"

Asher glanced at him, his expression grim. "Headquarters called. They ran the killer's prints."

Leo's stomach dropped. He knew that look. Whatever Asher had learned, it wasn't good. "And?"

Asher stopped pacing, his hands clenching at his sides. "His name was Marcus Doyle. Ex-military. Dishonorable discharge for conduct unbecoming."

Leo frowned. "Conduct unbecoming? What does that mean?"

"It means he was a fucking animal," Asher spat. He turned to face Leo fully, his eyes dark with rage. "He was kicked out for beating a civilian. A journalist."

Leo's blood ran cold. "A journalist? Why?"

"Because the journalist was digging into his unit's activities overseas. Illegal arms deals. Murder for hire." Asher's mouth twisted. "Sound familiar?"