I thought you were used to serial flirts, John wants to say, but he's pretty much already made that dig earlier.

"I think you need more than I can give," he says finally, "I think we both know I'm not in a good place. I think I'm only going to disappoint you, and I've spent nearly twenty years in the air force making sure nothing I do can be taken seriously so if you want me to change you'll be waiting a while."

His fingers flex in the edge of the mattress, and John takes a steadying breath.

"Anyway, if you want me to find a different room I can."