Page 79 of Secret

"Hold on, let me finish, D. I was attracted to you from the get-go—I've told you that. But what I haven't told you is when IknewI was in love with you. It was that first day... in the Circle."

"When I got shot?"

"No. Before... when you were telling me about the fountain, the history. I thought—this guy is giving me something back... something I cherished that I lost a long time ago. And you didn't even know it... but you just kept giving it to me. And it felt so good—as good, if not better, than sex."

"Wow," Demarco said. "I'm amazing."

Jack chuckled. "Yes, you are."

"Well, my history is a little shallow. I know a lot about Hollywood and pop culture and just a little bit about DC... but I'll share it with you—all of it. And what we don't know, we'll learn together."

"I bet there are some other things you could teach me."

"If we're talking about the bedroom... you've taught me a thing or two."

Jack kissed him—and while their tongues did the tango, Demarco managed to get horizontal with him on the sofa. Jack removed his shirt, and then Demarco's.

"Babe?" Demarco said.

"Yeah?"

"When you were telling Ma about early retirement... would you really consider getting out?"

Jack sighed. "I don't know, D. Maybe. If you're still making Sheronda money. Otherwise, I don't see how we could afford it."

"How old would you be?"

"Uh... forty-three."

Demarco thought about Natalie Wood.

"You could go to school... maybe teach history."

"Wait a minute... I see what you're doing here," Jack said, wheels turning. He began singing softly, off-key,"He's a smooth operator."

"OK," Demarco chuckled. "Sade? I am officially rubbing off on you."

"And me you. You're using history the way I used social work with Rainbow Harbor. Same game, you just switched seats."

"I can't get nothing past you, Agent Keegan."

"That's Special Agent Keegan, to you."

"I'll say. Is that your baton I feel down there?"

"It is. Don't make me use it on you." Jack pressed his pelvis into Demarco's. "I see you have one as well. Would you like to use it on me?"

"NO," Demarco said, laughing. "I do not need to see that face tonight. It's Christmas Eve... only sugarplums, please. Besides, you know what Demarco wants most."

"I do," said Jack. "And I will give it to him... until the end of time."