Page 73 of Unmade

“How do you date as an operator?” he wondered. Not the most uncommon question, for sure. “From what I understand, Operator Rose and Operator Payne are married—and they used to work as a team when they were in the field. So, like…I can see that working. But I’ve heard about divorces here almost as much as I heard about them in the Army. And in the Army, they were practically a guarantee. I think I know ofonemarriage that didn’t fall apart while I was in.”

Yeah, they were definitely common here too. “The short answer? It’s rough. You’re gone a lot—and even when you’re not on assignment, you’re working uncomfortable hours and spending more time with coworkers here than with your family.”

“Right. And even if you’re married to another Hillcroft employee, it’s not always easier,” he went on. He said it like half a question, half an observation.

“You thinkin’ about Operator Riggs?” I stepped under the water again and rested my hands on the wall. I just let the hot water do its thing.

“Yeah,” he admitted. “Tanner did some digging. He’s definitely hooked on the guy.”

Still? That was…interesting.

“I thought you and Tanner had your thing,” I said, keeping my tone casual.

Leighton chuckled. “Eh. We have the same type.”

As in, someone like Riggs? ’Cause I kinda fit the bill. But it annoyed me that Leighton didn’t confirm or deny having messed around with Tanner.

I straightened and tilted my face up, and I started rinsing the remnants of the suds from my body.

“So how doyoudate?” he asked. His voice had changed. He sounded…shakier, almost.

Was he watching me?

I swallowed and slid my hands over my cock, down to my balls, and I lingered. Like an idiot. He wasn’t watching. Was he? No.

“I don’t,” I replied. “I crash my relationships into the ground. I try to force something that ain’t there, and then I become more and more distant until they end things.”

“That sounds healthy and pleasant,” he noted.

I chuckled and hung my head, just letting the hot water relax me further. Hands along my sides now. I didn’t need to be accused of giving a recruit a show.

“If there’s one thing my string of girlfriends has taught me, it’s that I’m not healthy or pleasant to be around,” I said. “I’m a living, breathing red flag.”

It was nothing but the truth. Not that I abused them or anything. No ex-girlfriend of mine would rank me the highest of douchebags. But I was undoubtedly on the Top 10 list.

“How are you a red flag?” he asked.

I inhaled deeply and rubbed a sore spot on my shoulder. “I stop giving a fuck. I don’t care enough to remember dates and anniversaries. I don’t care enough to do the right thing and end the relationship.”

“So, you’re a dick.”

I automatically tilted my head and looked over at him, and I kinda froze. I clenched my jaw as I was assaulted by the sight of him.Jesus fucking Christ.The water rushed down his body, causing every defined muscle to gleam in the low light from the laundry section across the room. Thank fuck he had his eyes closed, because I wasn’t sure I could look away yet.

“Yeah,” I responded absently. “I’m definitely not the good guy.”

Goddammit, he was stunning.

Part of me must’ve had the teenage version of him stuck in my brain. Six years ago, he’d been a skinny little thing, and despite having watched him work out for the last two months, it wasn’t until now that I saw all of him—and how he’d developed. He was built like a runner, with sleek muscles. Still had some softness left, and I liked that. His ass—I couldn’t even describe how perfect it was. Bitable, fuckable, lickable. Two handfuls. With ass dimples to go with it.

I swallowed and wrenched my stare away. Right on time too, because I saw him turning toward me. Funnily enough, just his upper body. He kept his lower part hidden.

“Are you only at Hillcroft for the money?” he asked.

I flicked him a brief glance and knitted my brows. “No…?”

“Then why are you here?”

Where was he going with this?

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