Knowing I could count on Parker not to out me lifted a bit of the burden I’d nonchalantly brushed off when Kelly asked me how I would live in the closet for the rest of my life. I thought living under the thumb of the senator, and the worry of being outed to him, his team of people, and his constituents had been an equal barometer.
I was wrong.
So fucking wrong.
Nothing could prepare you for the level of toxic masculinity and homophobia you found in the service. Fag, queer, and gay were bandied about daily.
“You still with me, kid?”
I hated he called me ‘kid.’ I’d felt inadequate my whole damn life. Not good enough for my father to love me, spend time with me, or anything else. Then I met Kelly, who wanted more than I could give and who turned his back on me when he found out I joined the military. Now there was Daniel—older, fucking model gorgeous, intelligent beyond my imagination, and years older than me in age and even more so in experience.
He made me question the belief of my father’s abandonment, neglect, and abuse instilled every day of my life from my earliest recollection.
“Alex?”
“Sorry. Yeah, I’m here. I’m getting dressed.”
“Good. Don’t overthink it. What you left the base in is what the rest of us have on. Well, not Walker and Foster, but they have wives who make them dress a certain way occasionally, and this is one of those occasions, apparently. Feel free to rib the fuck out of them over it.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
“Sounds good.”
The call disconnected, and I slipped it into my pocket. I had so many questions, but figured I could get them answered betterin person. Every one of them disappeared from my head when I looked up. Daniel stood shirtless, wearing my ball shorts, picking up his shoes in the doorway to the bathroom.
“I never took you for a perv.”
“Well, I am, but what clued you in?”
I lost it laughing at him. He dropped his dirties and shoes on the bench at the end of my king-size bed before pulling me into his arms. I loved the way his arms felt wrapped around me. They were a balm to my neglected, battered soul.
One that scared the hell out of me.
“You okay. You went quiet.”
“What? Oh, um, yeah, just thinking about how much money I’m getting ready to drop at the bar.”
“That’s right, you haven’t been out with the guys yet, have you? Gotta love that hazing ritual.”
I shook my head. “I’ll love it when it’s someone else’s credit card taking the hit, especially when I’m old enough to be on the receiving end.”
“I like it when you’re on the receiving end,” he said with a wink.
“Goddamn, you’re cheesy, Daddio. Like ancient blue cheese cheesy.”
“Did you just call me old?”
I smirked, trying to keep the laughter inside. “If the shoe fits.”
He wrestled me to the bed, bared my ass, and paddled it. “I’ll show you old.”
I laughed. “Is that all you got?”
He upped the ante. His hands fell harder and faster. I lost myself in the rhythm. Between smacks and the occasional squeeze of my heated, burning ass cheeks, my cock filled, throbbing against the comforter I rutted against.
I loved his dominant streak.
I loved how he took control.
