Page 217

“Makes sense, considering you said you joined to ensure you had a roof over your head and food on the table.”

“Not the most honorable reason.”

“Maybe your reasons weren’t noteworthy, but that doesn’t mean you’re not...honorable. You’ve got a spotless record, with plenty of commendations, and if I could, I’d give you more for what you did for me recently. I’d say it’s more honorable to come into the service without noble intentions, follow through on your duty, and go above and beyond what was expected of you. I think that’s someone worth being proud of, especially if it was your child.”

That earned him a smile, and Christian turned his face away. “It’s a nice thought.”

David turned his attention away from Christian, allowing the man to collect himself at his own pace. The moon had risen, creating a wide beam of light reflecting off the calm water. It wasn’t calm enough to reflect the dim light of the stars, but David contented himself, as he had so many times before, in watching the gentle scene. It was the first thing that sold him onstaying in the house when he’d first been assigned to the base, and he’d never stopped loving it, even after a decade.

Christian cleared his throat. “This has been really nice. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I showed up. I know we talked about how casual the whole thing has been, but I never realized how much I needed it. I’ve never been very good at the going out and having a good time at bars or clubs thing. But this? Sitting with someone special, having good food, drinks, and great conversation? That’s the sort of thing I live for.”

“Someone special, eh?” David asked.

Christian didn’t flush or look away this time. Instead, he held David’s gaze. “Yeah.”

David hadn’t been so blind as to miss the attraction they shared. He suspected they had been eyeing each other longer than they would admit. David’s offer for Christian to stay the night had been innocently phrased, but deep down, it wasn’t all he was asking. Sex was on the table and probably had been from the moment he’d invited Christian to his home. He was sure he could integrate it into what he and Christian were. Sex was just sex.

But that one little phrase regarding Christian was different, equally terrifying, and wonderful in its insinuation. Yet, the fact that nothing happened meant there was still a chance one of them could back away without any worry about what would happen. All it would take was for them to go their separate ways, step back from the situation, and never acknowledge it again.

Christian’s eyes darted over David’s face. “So?—”

David raised a brow. “Yes?”

“I have a question.”

“I figured as much.”

“And if it’s too invasive, just tell me.”

David snorted softly, looking down at his hands. Anticipation sent his heart racing as he wondered if Christian was finally treading the ground they’d been dancing around.

David looked up. “The video?”

“Yeah.”

“What about it?”

“Are you...like, do you usually prefer younger guys?”

“I’ve never dated a younger man before, or at least not one that age. I find most of them physically attractive. But truth be told, they rarely have the emotional maturity I’d need in a romantic partner.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

David looked him over. “Why do you ask?”

“Would I get away with saying I was just curious?”

David laughed. “Probably not, no.”

“Would I get away with saying I’ve been thinking about what I saw in that video a lot since then and still be able to blame it on the alcohol?”

“I suppose that depends.”

Christian cocked his head. “On?”

“On whether or not you wanted me to take it seriously.”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot. And that’s not just the alcohol talking. Well, a little, but not like...all of it.”