Page 39 of The Wounded Warrior

“None at all. He chucked it all, took the dog, and moved to Mexico.”

“Good for him.”

“You think so?” He sorta thought it was a bullshit move.

“Yep. A man has to go where the wind takes him.”

“And yet you’re still here.”

Rory nodded and offered him a grin that didn’t seem to hold any regrets. “This is my home.”

“You’re a brave man or a fool, buddy.”

“Six of one, half dozen of the other.” Rory winked at him, playful as all get out.

He shook his head, trying for serious. He couldn’t keep a straight face to save him, though.

“Not every bright boy ends up in the big city, right?”

“Right. Most out ones do, though. You don’t hide.” He had to admire that. Shit, he liked Rory McConnell. A lot.

“No. I tried that once. It didn’t work out for me.”

“Yeah. That’s one reason I don’t miss the military.”

“I can only imagine. Did you have a…a lover? A partner? Fuckbuddy?”

“No. I got some good help once in a while…” Luke raised a brow. “I assume you’re not involved. Right now.”

“No. I am not involved. I am also not a cheater.”

“I just wanted to make sure.” He didn’t want to offend, but he couldn’t cope with competing or breaking someone up.

“It’s fair. I may be a giant flaming queer asshole, but I’m not a bad man.” Rory waggled his eyebrows at him, but the words were totally serious.

“No. No, I get the feeling you’re a decent human being.” The pancakes came along with clean forks.

“Sometimes. Oh, syrup!”

They buttered and syrupped and Rory ignored the extra plate, which weirdly was the hottest thing ever. Was that even weird?

Maybe Luke was just desperate. It had been a long time, and Rory did it for him more and more every minute.

“I really want to kiss you again,” Rory said, voice low, soft. “I know I can’t, not here, maybe not even today, but I want to.”

“I want that, too. A real kiss. One we can take our time with.” Luke hushed his voice, as well, not wanting everyone to be all up in their business.

“My place or yours?”

“Mine has a nosy brother.”

“My back porch has a ramp.” Rory licked his fork and caught the drop of syrup on his tongue.

“Your place it is.”

“Excellent. I have the afternoon off.”

He looked at Rory, trying to decide what they were doing. Rory wasin no shape to have anything more than a make-out session, but there was value in that. Real, not cheesy high school value. So, okay. “I’m in.”

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