The woman pressed up against me, the one who has my fingers gently wrapped around her neck, snickers slightly and I have to swallow back a groan of annoyance and frustration. I’m not entirely comfortable with the situation, but it’s my own fault.
When you’re rebuilding, you do what you need to do. The money is what I’m after right now. It’s why I keep putting in my time down at the convention center working security. It’s the least of what my skill set can do.
The military trained me to be a lot more than a rent-a-cop at the convention center. At least, that’s what the nasty voice in my head keeps reminding me. That voice isn’t wrong. I was trained to shoot to kill and maintain a semblance of stealth. I wasn’t trained by the government to observe and get involved only when absolutely necessary.
Not that those skills have helped me since I left the military and have been trying to integrate back into civilian life. Before going through all of this, I thought there would be resources waiting for me on the other side of my years of service. I thought it would feel like I have support behind me.
I realize now just how naïve I was. I should have known it would be a shit show where I have to fight for every bit of help and support. The best kind of support and advice I’ve gotten has come from other veterans, not from the people who say they dedicate their lives to helping us.
Honestly, I should have known it would be this way. If I had thought about it, I would have realized the truth of things.
Even though it has been tough, there are a lot of vets out there who have it way worse than me. I’m on my feet at least.
Things would be looking a lot better if my ex hadn’t stolen all my savings within a month of me being home again. Then she left town.
The money was supposed to be my cushion to get me back home and give me some time to get in with a job that would suit me. I was thinking about joining the police force, but I’ve also heard about some private security firms which are mostly made up of former military. I’d love to work somewhere like that.
Unfortunately, bills had to be paid after Dori left me high and fucking dry. So, I settled. Most of my jobs are at the convention center, but I’ve worked the overnight shift at warehouses. I don’t know what I’ll do if I find myself on rotation at the mall.
I don’t think I could do it.
One good thing about working conventions and other events is that I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people. Some of those people I would have rather not interacted with, including a lot of women and a few men who thought pawing at me was completely socially acceptable. I made sure they knew I did not agree.
There wasn’t even any bloodshed.
Meeting people is also how I got my second job, the one I’m at right now.
After taking a deep breath, I slide my hand down Vallie’s throat and along her collarbone. I keep my movements slow and measured, pausing at times. Thinking about how I’m being viewed isn’t something I’m used to doing.
Honestly, I fucking hate it.
ButI’ve learned if I put in a little effort, even if I would rather not get oiled up until I’m practically a fucking disco ball, it makes everything go a lot smoother. The photographers are happier and shoots don’t drag on.
Vallie is a beautiful woman, and a lot of men wouldn’t mind spending as much time as possible with her body pressed against theirs. I’m not one of those men. She’s beautiful, but this is the third shoot we’ve done together, and her beauty doesn’t go much deeper than her looks.
I’m not into women who are shallow and mean spirited.
The way she’s smiling up at me is sweet as pie, but I’m not fooled. She’ll put on whatever mask she thinks is needed. With me as her shoot partner. With the photographer. With the crew. Then there’s the way she acts with me because she wants to get into my pants.
The fact that the jeans I’m wearing are unbuttoned isn’t enough for her. No, Vallie wants me and doesn’t make it a secret.
I wish she would.
“You know,” Vallie purrs, “you’re the bear of the cover shoot circles.”
I blink down at her and try not to let my annoyance show. “What circles?” I grit out the question through my teeth.
Even though I don’t particularly like Vallie, I try to be nice to her. Not only do we need to work together, but it’s just how I was raised. It’s not like she deserves to get the brunt of my grumpiness. She’s not the one who stole from me.
Vallie reminds me of Dori though. As if I needed another reason to avoid her advances.
She smiles and flutters her eyelashes as if it will help her look more innocent. We both know it won’t. “The cover shoot circles,” she repeats as if I’m just being silly. “You know,” she drawls the words, “the modelsalways get together and hang out. I know you’ve been invited,” she reminds me.
The frown of my face deepens and I nod slightly. “I usually work early on the weekends and can’t go out to bars the night before,” I explain.
I don’t need to, but I’m not sure having a reputation for being an asshole is a good thing. Unfortunately.
“I guess that makes sense,” Vallie offers with a wide smile. The smile I force on my face feels brittle, but it’s there. “I have a full-time job, but,” she muses, “I don’t have to work weekends. It makes photoshoots a lot easier for me most of the time.”
