Page 8 of Secret
"A few times a week actually, depending on what else is going on. You?"
"Not as often, but some days I need to unwind a bit more than others." Noam rubbed the back of his neck.
"Tough day on the job?" Kasey was more than aware what a cop would see each day. He had no clue in what capacity Noam worked for the police, but it didn't matter. He would see and hear things on the job that most people never had to face.
"Aren't they all?" Noam reached for his water. "Some are worse than others. Today I just needed to forget the week and enjoy myself for a few hours. What about you? What do you do to bring you out here so often?"
There was no way Kasey could tell anyone what he did, let alone a cop. He shrugged. "I'm a boring IT guy. I work nights mostly, going to companies after hours to work on their systems. I just enjoy shooting. To me, it's like heading to the gym is for most other people. It's something I do as often as I can."
Noam's gaze traveled over Kasey. "Looks like you do that as well."
"You're wrong. I never was a weights and workout kinda guy. I hit the gym maybe once a month. I run a few miles here and there through the week, but other than that, I'm pretty much a couch potato." He was lucky enough not to gain weight easily. If his metabolism wasn't so good, he'd probably be huge with how lazy as he was.
Noam was pulling another gun out of his bag, this time a smaller handgun. "Yeah, I'm not much for the gym either. Too many people. By the time I get off work each day, I'm ready to go home or come out here where no one bothers me."
"Except me today." Kasey grinned. "I'll let you get back to shooting. Thanks again for letting me check out the Tavor." He offered his hand. "It was nice to meet you."
Noam shook his hand, holding it a few seconds longer than was necessary. "No problem. Maybe I'll see you out here again."
They hadn't run into each other before, but Kasey seldom paid attention to those around him he didn't know. Now he would. "I hope so." He grinned as he turned away, going back to his own spot.
As he picked up his gun, he was aware of Noam's gaze still on him. As much as he liked the attention, it was nothing more than an ego boost. Kasey didn't do relationships, he didn't do sex. Having an attractive man like Noam check him out raised his confidence, but that's as far as it would go. Other than a casual dinner date here and there, Kasey didn't want more. No matter how hot Noam was, it was best to walk away, because if he showed interest, eventually Noam would want more, and more was something Kasey wasn't into giving.
He liked his life simple. As much as he longed for someone to talk to, to hold, and curl up beside, the other person always wanted more than he was willing to give. He didn't blame them. It was natural to take things to a physical level at some point, but for him, it was the physical stuff he didn't want. He enjoyed a good kiss, a tight hug, even holding someone in bed, but that's where it stopped. He wasn't into sex, hadn't been for a long time.
As he took aim at the target and started to shoot again, he thought about how pathetic he sounded. Xander had teased him more than once about his lack of sexual desire. It didn't change anything. He didn't like sex. That's what it came down to, and that was why he seldom dated, and if he did, why it hardly went past one or two dates. Anytime things started to get serious, Kasey backed off. It was easier to walk away early than to lead someone on and have them find out later he didn't want a physical relationship.
He glanced over at Noam again. He more than enjoyed a good-looking body, and Noam had one, but that's where the physical attraction ended.
Noam rolled his shoulders, then pressed his fingers to his temple, for a moment looking as if he was in pain, but then seemed to shrug it off and went right back to shooting.
Kasey tried to push Noam from his mind. He had other things to think about. He had a job to do in a few hours. He needed his mind on work and not on the man a few yards away from him. As hard as it was to face, following up on his attraction to the man would only end with Noam hating him. It was easier not to go there and just face the fact that he was destined to always be alone.
