Steele barked a laugh. “Painful.”
Tech smiled. “I’m sure. I’ve never seen anyone go at him like that. Most guys are intimidated before they even climb into the ring. But you… you were… great.”
Steele kept his body turned into him while he stroked Tech’s thigh with one hand. “Thank you. Maybe when you have some time, we could go in the mat room and you can show me some of your moves. I’d love to see what you can do. See if you can pin me down.”
Tech’s cock was rising again at the thought of using a few submission moves on Steele. Sure he could probably get out of most of them. “I could do that. I doubt you’ll get as good a match as God gave you, though.”
“I haven’t had that kind of match up since Ack—” Steele paused his rubbing and looked up at the movie screen, his eyes shadowing over.
“I’m sorry,” Tech whispered. “I didn’t mean to stir up—”
“No, it’s okay,” Steele cut in, his voice rough from the reflection. “I know I didn’t handle it well before, the mention of his name, but I’m good. Really.”
Tech was unsure if he should ask, but his inquiring mind wanted to know. “Was he your partner?”
“Not how you’re thinking. He was my comrade… my gunnery. One of the greatest men I’d ever met. We met in Bagdad when he got his orders to my platoon. We hit it off right away. Anytime you saw me, you saw him. Without him, we wouldn’t’ve have been the Fearless Five. It wasn’t until it was too late that I realized he wanted more… more with me.”
“I’m really sorry, Steele. You loved him.”
“I did. But I never got the chance to show him.” Steele leaned in and kissed Tech, murmuring against his parted lips, “I’m not gonna make that mistake again.”
Steele didn’t know how much his words eased the guilt and doubt in Tech’s head. He didn’t want to wonder if Steele was settling – having lost the one he truly wanted.
“He would’ve liked you, ya know.” Steele smiled, the light in his eyes sparking again. “He loved reading and learning. Was smart as a whip. Anything he read, he retained.” Steele laughed. “Had so much useless information in that big head of his, it was ridiculous. Always said he was auditioning for Jeopardy when he retired.”
Tech ducked his head until he felt Steele’s rough fingers grip his chin and lift it back up. “He was different from you. Big. Fuckin’ huge, and blond. Different from the dark and hairy that I typically like. He was one of a kind. Like you.”
Their soft, languid kissing didn’t stop until the waitress cleared her throat, setting down two steaming plates of food in front of them. Both of them dug in with gusto, ready to move on to dessert. There was never a lag in the conversation as they spoke about work and ambitions.
“Are Ruxs and Green still driving you crazy?” Tech asked, taking another bite of his chicken Marsala.
“They’re not so bad. The food is delicious. Going from MREs, to the microwave, now to Green’s cooking. It’s heaven. But my gut won’t handle it if I don’t work out enough. Although, I think I worked off about a million calories in that ring today. My abs are still screaming. Ruxs and Green really are great, and I’m good for now, as long as I keep my headphones in at night.”
Tech could only imagine what Ruxs and Green’s house sounded like in the wee hours of the night.
“I want to look for my own place and was hoping you’d help me with that,” Steele asked, cutting a huge chunk of his Delmonico.
Tech’s eyes widened. That was good news. Looking for a home meant he was staying. “I can. I know of few neighborhoods that would probably interest you.”
“Good. Sooner rather than later, while we’re on our down time.”
“Okay.” Tech drank some more water, feeling satisfied. He pushed his plate away.
“You finished?”
“I am. That was delicious.” Honestly, Tech didn’t want to get too full, he had rigorous activity planned for later.
Steele finished the last of his meat, having cleaned his plate. “You want to see the dessert menu?”
“I have brownies at home. Get the check,” Tech demanded.
Steele’s loud laughter made Tech’s cheeks flush, but he was done pussyfooting. He wanted Steele in his bed in the next fifteen minutes, which would be a challenge since he lived twenty minutes away. They needed to move it.
Steele
He realized that Tech was breaking most of the traffic laws while racing his big SUV along the freeway, taking the exit ramp at an alarming speed. Steele hid his grin behind his fist as he watched the scenery speed past. He wasn’t about to tell him to slow down, that’s for sure. His cock had been confined painfully inside his jeans for the last two hours; he didn’t think he could take much more, himself.