Page 3 of Ruined

A smile exploded across Cutler’s face.

Cutler:I absolutely do not know your story, but I’ll make you a deal. If we run into eachother again, I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.

Gable:Deal.

Cutler didn’t stop smiling while he undressed. While he doubted they would see each other again, since they lived over a thousand miles apart, he enjoyed the idea. That kiss would keep him warm tonight. Then, who knew? Stranger things had happened.

Chapter Three

The scent of coffeepermeated the air. Cutler savored the smell as he enjoyed his scone. He did everything alone. Always had. At fifty, he had long given up the dream of trusting anyone enough to let them close enough to love him. He had made the mistake of loving someone once. He still had nightmares about it. Sitting inside a packed cafe, surrounded by chatting people, these were the moments when he felt the lack of company the most. Not always. Just sometimes, he would look around and realize hewas the only person who sat alone. That was why he tried to keep his gaze locked on his phone, reading the news or doing puzzles. There was nothing for him in the world surrounding him. Some people were just like that. Destined to be alone.

A shadow fell over the table a moment before the chair across from him filled. Cutler looked up to find Gable’s smiling face. Cutler’s eyebrows rose. “This is becoming too common to be a coincidence.”

Gable’s smile grew. “I assure you it is.”

Cutler found that hard to believe, but he would entertain this. He set his phone aside. “Considering we live more than a thousand miles apart, I call bullshit.”

“Actually, I live here now. I had a slight career change shortly afterwe met.”

He had Cutler’s attention. Cutler leaned back in his chair and eyed Gable. “You’ve left the CIA?”

Gable shook his head. “I didn’t actually work for the CIA when we met. Officially, I worked for the FBI back then. I was just a liaison between the two agencies, so I split my days between the headquarters. Then, making a long story short, I got a new boss at the FBI. An order I received before he took the position put me in the path of his wrath. I thought it best to remove myself from the situation and take a job I’d been offered with the CIA here in Atlantic City. So, this is where I’ve been for a few months now.”

Cutler inspected him. He was dressed casually today. A t-shirt showed off his muscular arms and intricate tattoos. He truly was a sexy guy despite his almost military haircut.Cutler wasn’t a fan of anything the least bit authoritarian. “You look relaxed today.”

“I have the day off. When I ordered my coffee, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you sitting here. You know what this means, right?”

Cutler lifted his eyebrows in question.

An evil-looking smile stretched Gable’s lips. “You have to tell me your story. A deal is a deal.”

Damn. He had said that. “I can’t imagine this is the place.” His admissions couldn’t be made in public.

Gable eyed him, as if trying to decide if Cutler only tried to back out of their deal or if he was serious. “Let’s take this to go, then. My place isn’t that far. I could make youlunch.”

A laugh escaped him. “I don’t know. By your own admission, I don’t know you. Should I go home with a stranger?”

Gable’s eyes danced with laughter. “I feel certain you can handle yourself.”

Cutler grabbed his coffee and the helmet that sat on the chair next to him. “Lead the way.”

Gable’s gaze dropped to the helmet. “Is the Harley out front yours?”

Cutler nodded. “My midlife crisis mobile,” he admitted with a laugh. A little because he needed to highlight the age difference between them. That kiss haunted him, but he doubted it was the same for someone so much younger than him.

“Good choice.” Gable never stopped smiling. “Maybe we could go for a ride sometime.”

He sounded genuine. Cutler didn’t know what to think. “Sounds great. Anytime you want. Except today,” he added with a laugh. “I don’t have a second helmet with me.”

“Actually, I meant I have a bike too.”

Great. Cutler was back to being confused. He didn’t understand if Gable tried striking up a friendship or something more. “Awesome. I can’t wait to take a look.”

With a huge grin, Gable fell into a spiel about specs and customization. Cutler nodded along as they made the walk to the parking lot. Cutler put on his helmet. Gable motioned toward a nearby SUV that looked exactly like it belonged to the CIA.

“Just follow me. I’m seriously like five minutes from here.”

“Sounds good.” Cutler straddled his bike and crossed his fingers this wasn’t a mistake. He was too old to make a fool of himself.Gable had him dangerously close to wanting to do just that.

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