Nothing Special V (Nothing Special 5)

Tech sat on the stool, making a few adjustments to Steele’s earpiece when he felt a warm presence close to him. He didn’t flinch this time. He smiled and kept his back to him when he spoke. “You must like doing that. I prefer a person to announce themselves when they enter a room. It’s rude to stalk.”

“If you say so. I don’t mind a little surprise.” Steele’s dark voice was full of amusement.

He was closer than Tech had thought. He pivoted on his stool and looked up at him, immediately getting lost in those deep eyes. “Good morning, detective.”

“Good morning,” Steele answered, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “You look good this morning.”

Tech looked down at his tan Polo vest over his pink- and white-striped dress shirt. The beige Levi’s were nothing to write home about but they were one of his favorite pairs. Was Steele making fun of him or was he really pleased with his look? Did Steele look forward to seeing him like he did Steele? Tech wouldn’t, but after his thoughts this morning, he wondered – if he asked Steele to his place – would he refuse him? He didn’t want to know if he was the big Marine’s type, just if he was interested in a little fun while Steele cooled his heels here in Atlanta for the time being.

Not ready to go there just yet, he chose to stay on small talk. “How was your night? Do anything fun?” Tech cinched his lips together. That question sounded probing. Like he wanted to know if Steele had company or something. He didn’t wanna know that.

“My plan was to get some much-needed sleep.” Steele seemed to move in even closer, his thighs brushing against Tech’s knees. He never took his eyes off Tech when he spoke. “That day I hurt you, I didn’t sleep at all. The next day was kind of the same. I was looking forward to resting, but my neighbor had other ideas. I had to go stay with Ruxs and Green when my neighbor threw beer bottles through my windows in the middle of the night.”

Tech sucked in a sharp breath and began looking Steele over. It sounded horrible to him. Waking up to some crap like that. “I’m sure Ruxs took care of your neighbor.”

Steele’s smile told him he was right. “You sure know your teammates. How’d you know it was Ruxs and not Green?”

“Because Ruxs is the one that likes to have fun. Green likes to watch Ruxs have fun.” Tech shrugged. “But don’t tell me what he did. I don’t wanna be an accomplice.”

“Nothing too bad, but I don’t think the guy will report anything.” Steele stood there staring at him and Tech fought not to squirm.

“I have your earpiece ready and your watch is programmed. God said you guys would be out all day, so I’ll be monitoring you today.” Tech turned and busied himself pulling the device out of the protective case.

“You can see us?” Steele asked, sitting in the same place he had before.

“Ruxs has a dashboard cam that points outside, but I’m able to tap into video feeds or street cameras when they’re on a chase so I can get a bird to your location.” Tech stood next to Steele, focusing on keeping his hands steady. Being so close to him was intoxicating. He still couldn’t believe he’d confessed that to the man yesterday but was glad Steele hadn’t brought it up again.

“You can run the world from behind those monitors, can’t you?” Steele’s voice held a smidge of amazement, like he was impressed with what Tech could do when it was so much the other way around.

“There’s a lot I can do with them.” Tech sighed. “But it’s not all—” Tech stopped himself. Cut off before disclosing his far-fetched dreams. Steele didn’t need to know this. Didn’t need to know how he longed for the same opportunities God gave his other guys. How he wanted at least the chance to prove his brain could be useful out there as well as in here. His lieutenants looked at his body and wrote him off as a man that belonged behind a desk. Instead of confessing this to a practical stranger, Tech picked up the small cream-colored earpiece and placed it inside Steele’s ear canal. There, done. He turned to walk away when Steele’s hand shot up and caught his wrist.

“Finish,” Steele whispered gravely. “What’s not all?”

“It’s not important.” Both their voices were low, as if there were someone else around to hear.

“I didn’t ask if it was important.”

“This is my job and I do what I’m required.”

“But....”

“There’s no but. It’s nothing. I’m happy where I am.” Tech looked down at his wrist, which was still in Steele’s grasp, but instead of just holding it, Steele was rubbing his thumb across his pulse, carefully watching him. Tech exhaled slowly. He could feel himself vibrating with hunger for this man. He wished he could stop it. All he could do was pretend he wasn’t fazed by it all. By Steele’s magnificence. Yes, he was just a man. An amazing man who wasn’t afraid to risk his life for a stranger. Who fought for something bigger than himself. That meant something to Tech… it meant a lot. Steele was the exact type of man, soldier, like the ones that’d tried to save his brother in a war he should’ve never been in. Even though that black ops team wasn’t able to save his brother’s whole squadron, they’d saved a lot of them. Steele was that type of man, and it made Tech feel empowered just being near him. Not wanting Steele to see his infatuation, he tried to appear casual.