His eyebrow shot up, and I cursed under my breath before responding with a rueful smile. “Sorry. Declan.”
“Don’t give me that innocent little boy look. I know it’s a lie.”
I smirked.
“And yes, I do have a thing for a good-looking man in uniform.”
“Remind me to pull mine out…”
“You’re not pulling anything out anytime soon. My ass is outta commission after what you just did to me.”
“Don’t act like you didn’t like it. I’m pretty sure there’s cum on the ceiling.”
When he looked up, I cracked up. Full-on belly-rolling laughter that gave me a stitch in my side. I hadn’t laughed that hard in years.
“Asshole.”
I fell back on the couch, and he came and sat next to me. I wanted to pull him into me to cuddle, but I wasn’t sure he’d welcome it. So, when he moved my arm around his shoulders, tucking himself in next to me, I tried not to give away how much I loved that he sought that connection.
“Don’t read anything into this. I’m a cuddler after sex. That’s all.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I lied, but he didn’t call me on it. “But you know, there’s a perfectly comfortable king-size bed upstairs with primo linens.”
I was a cheapskate. I had to be to pay off the wedding that wasn’t, but I didn’t skimp on thread count. I spent so much of my life in the Corps sleeping in the dirt and in a rack meant for someone a foot shorter than me that when I was home, I wanted the good shit. The mattress and sheets cost a fortune but they were well worth it.
“I should probably head back to the house.”
“Since you were so adamant about me being free as a bird, I’m assuming I’ve not fucked someone’s husband or father.”
His head rolled back so he could look up at me. “No. I’m footloose and fancy-free, too.”
I nodded and asked again. “So… taxi or bed?”
He stood up without saying a word, stared at the door for a moment, then turned and held out his hand.
“Take me to bed, Papi. I need to see what a jar-headed leatherneck deems as primo bedsheets.”
I stood up, rushing him as if I was gonna tackle him. Instead of taking him to the ground, I tossed him over my shoulder and raced up the stairs to the sound of his protest-laced laughter.
8
DECLAN
Hayden
Got plans this weekend?
When I left Hayden’s several days ago, I gave him my number. I couldn’t explain why. I was a fuck ‘em and forget ‘em kinda guy, and yet, I didn’t leave like I usually did. I cracked open a door to something more. Maybe I did it because I didn’t think he’d use it.
Neither of us were relationship people. He was a self-proclaimed slut of the highest order as well, or so he said. Well, his exact words were “one and done,” but same difference. And we were both tops. It was a stupid, messed-up situation. So yeah, I gave him my number and walked away, not thinking he’d use it.
But he proved me wrong.
He used it.
Immediately.
The echo of the door closing behind me probably hadn’t faded before the text notification sounded in my pocket. I could’ve ghosted him, but I didn’t. Instead, I texted back, and he responded.
