Page 164

Story: Men of Fort Dale

Troy jabbed a finger at him. “Don’t be getting any ideas about trying to distract me with hot, sexy, naked time, either. We’re here to do a job, and I’m going to get it done, damn it.”

“Do we...get to play with the real toys later?” Oscar asked, raising a thick brow.

Troy grinned. “If you’re a good boy, I’ll show you my collection.”

He wasn’t going to argue with a chance to get Troy naked and panting later. It had only been a day, but Oscar could feel them falling back into old routines, including the ease with which they groped and jumped one another. It usually ended in a heavy bout of cuddling and spooning afterward, leaving them both happy and content in almost every way.

Oscar sighed. “Very well, put me to work then, oh slave master.”

TROY

In the days since Oscar had shown up on his doorstep to talk about reigniting their old relationship, Troy couldn’t help feeling no time had passed between their previous and current one. However, that included keeping their renewed relationship a secret from the rest of the world.

Well, mostly.

Dean turned to face Troy as he made to leave. “So, does Oscar have tomorrow off too?”

Troy eyed him with a smirk. “Maybe.”

“Well, then I’ll keep my offer to myself.”

Troy raised a brow. “Offer?”

“Was going to see if you wanted to join Sloane and me tonight, but if you’re going to be with your man, I’m not going to get in the way.”

Troy picked his keys up from the desk and laughed. “And where are you and Sloane going?”

“Raid.”

Troy blinked. “Really? I can’t believe you’re getting him to go.”

Dean cocked his head. “Why not?”

Troy shrugged. “I mean, you and him are together, but I imagine it must be weird for him with the whole, you know, gay thing.”

Dean laughed, shrugging. “Well, he’s not really...eh, he’ll be fine.”

“You just want to show him off,” Troy teased.

“You’re goddamn right I do. But that’s what the Gala is for.”

Troy blinked and then cringed, his memory taking a moment before lurching into gear.

“Oh shit, I forgot all about that,” Troy groaned.

Dean raised a brow. “Really? I guess that means you’re not going?”

The annual Fort Dale Gala was one of the biggest nights of the year for the men and women stationed on the base. It definitely required formal dress to show up, as it was ostensibly meant to show the more dignified side of the base. At the same time, it was an excuse for people and their guests to enjoy the free food and drink provided by the military.

“I didn’t even think about it,” Troy admitted as he spun his keys absently.

“And based on what you told me about you and Oscar, I’m betting you won’t be going together.”

Troy kept smiling but stopped spinning his keys. There was no way in hell he would risk asking Oscar to take him to the Gala. Sure, they might go, but they wouldn’t be together. It would have been the culmination of so many of his hopes and dreams if they could have shown up as a couple, but Oscar was ill at ease with Dean knowing about him, let alone the whole damn base.

“I’m going to go out on a limb and say that’s not going to happen,” Troy finally said.

“Well, you two are free to come out with me and Sloane tonight if you want,” Dean offered.

Table of Contents