On Point (Out of Uniform 3)

They wound their way through Old Town, heading for what the map they’d picked up on the trolley assured them was a good Mexican restaurant. The colorful flags on the exterior and painted tables inside didn’t disappoint nor did the huge platters of enchiladas. Maddox tried to guess at the elements in the sauce, and Ben decided on a margarita—usually he was more of a Dos Equis kind of guy with Mexican food, but nothing wrong with changing things up a bit.

All around them, the world seemed coupled up—a family with small kids at the table behind them, two women rather clearly on their first date two tables over, and assorted older couples ordering for each other and taking selfies with their meals. Ben felt a bit odd knowing he was in those ranks again. Felt kind of like a kid playing dress-up, pretending he could be good at this relationship business. Felt like he was two wrong steps away from mucking up everything.

“You’re quiet,” Maddox observed on the trolley ride back to where they’d parked. “And you’re never quiet. Should I be worried as to what you’re plotting?”

Ben shoved aside his worries and doubts and focused on the playfulness in Maddox’s tone. Sex. That would reset things, take him out of his stupid head and get this date back on track. “Be afraid,” he said in a dark whisper. “Be very afraid.”

“You shouldn’t look at me like that in public.” For a big guy, Maddox had an adorable blush. “And you need ice when we get back—”

“I need you,” Ben corrected him as they got off the trolley. “And what I really want to know is what you want next?”

“What I want?” Maddox’s eyes narrowed as he followed Ben away from the crowds to the parking lot. “Why does this all have to be about what I want? I mean, this was a nice day, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want this all being about me. How about you tell me what would make you happiest right now? Going out tonight?”

Ben’s thoughts flittered back to the couple they’d met. The possibility was intriguing... But no. Too complicated. Too likely to return all the thoughts that had cluttered his mind while they ate. “No. I want to stay in.” He swept his eyes up and down Maddox’s broad frame, making his meaning clear. “Surely you’ve got a fantasy or two we could make come true. That’s what I want.”

Maddox laughed, neck still pink. “I’m not sure I have fantasies. Not like you at least. Pretty sure they’re all boring.”

Ben unlocked the car and took Maddox’s crutches. “Try me,” he ordered. “I’m dying to be bored.”

Maddox’s answering laugh was exactly the balm Ben’s soul needed. They could do this. They could figure things out. They could make it work.

Chapter Sixteen

Maddox wasn’t sure about this. He was pretty sure that he and Ben had profoundly different ideas as to what constituted a fantasy. And no matter how sexy Ben was—and a decade’s worth of delayed-crushing was seriously lust inducing in and of itself—Maddox still wasn’t going to compete with Ben in the libido department. Ben had never been particularly quiet about his sex life, and he had some stories. Damn Trey. Maddox couldn’t compete with the High Prince of Group Escapades and Kink.

Cooking you a big meal. Cuddling on the couch. Knowing the whole time that you’re not going anywhere, that this is more than some challenge or lark for you. Going to sleep together every night. Getting a pet. Decorating for the holidays. Yeah, Ben didn’t need to know his real fantasies.

“Come on, tell me.” Ben paid for the parking and headed back toward Coronado. “You’re not going to shock me.”

“Not what I’m worried about,” Maddox muttered.

“You’ve never been as talkative as me about this stuff. I’m not sure I even know what you like. And I’m the sort of guy...I like to deliver.”

That he was. Ben had been trying so damn hard all day, like there was a gold-star dating award at stake. Hell, Maddox had seen him try less hard for shooting ribbons before, and he honestly wasn’t sure what to make of that. Was this simply Ben being competitive? Ben being jealous and not wanting Maddox to date anyone else?

“I’m easy to please,” he said at last, hoping that might get Ben to calm the heck down, but Ben merely chuckled as if Maddox were keeping some big secret.

“Okay, tell me this. Curt, he was a bottom right? And Grayson too, right?”

“I hate those sorts of labels,” Maddox complained. “But if you’re asking...I’m flexible in that department.” And how. Given his size, muscles, and occupation, most guys seemed to assume he’d be doing the fucking, but that didn’t mean it was his favorite thing. But he’d loved Grayson and Curt in turn and tried to give them each what they wanted in the bedroom. He wasn’t lying. He was a pretty easy guy to please.