Page 7 of When Ben Loved Jace (He Loved Him #2)

I’m eager to be alone with him anyway. We collect our coats and my car.

On the drive to his place, I sing along to the radio.

He doesn’t make a big deal out of it. After looking surprised, Jace shifts to face me, his head resting on the seat.

His eyes are glassy. He must be really feeling those martinis!

We end up in a neighborhood not so different than the one I grew up in, although I have to assume the homes here are more expensive due to the close proximity to the downtown area.

He’s done well for himself, I conclude when we park in the driveway of a brick two-story house with tasteful landscaping.

Jace hops out of the car and leads us around the side of the house. “I hope he’s indoors.”

His concern is transparent.

I find it endearing.

“Sam?” he calls as we cross the backyard.

We pass a large stone patio with an impressive grill.

Just how much do flight attendants earn?

There’s even an old Airstream trailer back here.

I might not know much about cars, but even I recognize the iconic pill-shape and riveted silver panels—a bygone vision of the future.

Jace leads us right to it, still calling the cat’s name.

I guess the trailer is one of its hiding places.

Jace opens the door and turns to me. “Come on in.”

“Uhh…” I hesitate, thinking of serial killer headlines.

He’s already disappeared inside. A light switches on .

I shrug and follow. If he murders me, at least he’s handsome!

The inside is actually very charming. And surprisingly well maintained.

A red couch is attached to one of the walls, across from it a kitchenette.

At the far end of the trailer, windows circle a small table and two padded benches.

I don’t take in further details because a gray blur darts out to reach Jace.

“Samson!” he cries happily.

The cat yowls and begins winding in and out of his legs.

Jace scoops him up. “Were you brave? I’m sorry that Daddy was busy, but I had a good reason.”

The cat chatters back at him, like they’re having a conversation. Then they both turn eyes on me.

“This is Ben,” Jace says, bringing the cat close, who is a little on the chunky side.

“He’s got your eyes,” I say, even though they’re a different shade of green. I reach out and try to pet him. Samson ducks to avoid my hand. That’s no good! I was hoping to score points.

“You only had dogs growing up?” Jace asks.

“Just the one, yeah.”

“Cats are a little different. Let him sniff your hand first.”

I hold it out again.

Samson sniffs intently before rubbing his whiskers against me.

“ Now you have permission to pet him,” Jace says.

I do so, his fur soft as silk.

“He’s really cute!”

Jace smiles. “I’m glad you think so.”

Samson squirms until he’s set down. Then he begins weaving through our legs again while meowing. “Sorry,” Jace says to him. “My flight was delayed. Coming right up.”

He opens one of the cabinets, which is full of dishes, and takes out a plate. A different cabinet reveals canned food.

“All this is for him?” I ask. “The whole trailer?”

“Not all of it,” Jace says. “I live here too.”

I laugh, thinking it’s a joke.

Jace reacts with puzzlement.

“Really?” I jerk a thumb over my shoulder. “Whose house is that then?”

“Greg’s,” Jace says while he works.

“Oh. Does he have a wife and kids? ”

Jace shakes his head and moves to the table. Samson jumps up on it and begins eating as soon as the plate touches down.

I still can’t let it go. “How many bedrooms does it have?”

“The house?” Jace squints. “Three, I think. Would you like something to drink? You didn’t get to enjoy much of that champagne. I have a few bottles”

“Sure,” I say, sitting on the couch.

I don’t get why he’d choose to live here instead of in a great big house with his best friend, but I have to admit that the trailer is charmingly quaint.

Souvenirs dot many of the surfaces, all from his travels, I assume.

I can see a bedroom at the opposite end, and a door that potentially leads to a bathroom.

Most of the built-in shelf space is filled with books.

Everything appears well organized, probably by necessity.

Jace rummages around in a pint-sized fridge. He returns to me with two small champagne bottles and a pair of empty jam jars.

“I don’t have champagne glasses,” he says apologetically.

“That’s okay. I’m not a fancy boy.”

To prove my point, I twist off one of the caps and drink straight from the bottle. He laughs and joins me on the couch before doing the same. “So what do you think of my place?”

“You’re so tall,” I say. “And everything here is so small.”

“That’s what makes it cozy.”

“You’ve been to a lot of places,” I comment, nodding at a bronze Leaning Tower of Pisa.

“I’ve been to a lot of airports,” he corrects. “I want to see more of the world, but I’m waiting for the right circumstances.”

“How so?”

He drapes an arm across the back of the couch, his fingers touching my shoulder. “The world is built for two.”

“I’ll be your travel buddy!”

“I’m looking for more than just that.” His eyes are searching mine. “What about you?”

I hesitate, but not because of him. A lot of guys feel that a committed relationship limits their options, unwilling to give up the game of conquest. “I want someone I can spend the rest of my life with,” I admit.

“Good,” he says as if the issue has been settled.

Samson hops up on his lap, gets comfortable, and after considering me briefly, begins licking a paw. Jace smiles down at him serenely.

“How are you still single?” I ask, voicing a hint of concern.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Jace says casually. “Something about sleeping in a different city every night makes people suspicious. Or restless while I’m away. It’s always one or the other.” He tilts his head briefly, as if reconsidering. “Although I’ve been guilty of that myself.”

“You’ve cheated?”

“Only once. I was in a bad relationship and still loved the guy I ended up sleeping with so… That’s no excuse. But at least it wasn’t me simply wanting to add another notch to my bedpost.” He meets my gaze, and all I see is sincerity. “What about you?”

“I wouldn’t mind one more notch,” I say to lighten the mood. Then I hit him with my own confession. “I helped someone cheat. Repeatedly. Because I loved him, but like you said, that’s no excuse. I learned from it though. And never did it again.”

“How do you feel about open relationships?” he asks.

I don’t want to disqualify myself, but I have to be honest. “Not for me.”

“Me either,” Jace says. “Marriage?”

“Can’t wait.”

“Kids?”

“We’ll need a bigger trailer.”

He laughs. “Please tell me you like cats.”

Samson considers me again, which is unsettling.

“Can he understand us?”

“Are you avoiding the question?”

“I don’t have a lot of experience,” I say diplomatically, “but I’m willing to learn.”

Samson resumes grooming himself.

“You’re not in,” Jace says, “but you’re also not out.”

We talk a little longer while finishing our drinks, testing our compatibility without making promises.

I still want to get to know him better, because in my experience, people have a lot of layers.

I’m putting my best foot forward. I’m sure he is too.

Who we really are, especially when together, has yet to be revealed.

“I woke up in a different time zone,” Jace says with a yawn. “But I don’t want you to go.”

“I could stay,” I suggest. “But uh… Are you still drunk? ”

“A little,” he admits. “That doesn’t mean you can’t sleep here. With me.”

I grin. “Like a slumber party?”

“Sure, but I’m not offering you an opportunity to reopen your medical practice. Not yet.”

“No playing doctor,” I say with a nod to show I understand. “Will you hold me though?”

He smiles. “Yeah.”

Jace has a few things to take care of first. I use the restroom, which is a glorified shower stall.

The lights are low when I leave it. We undress in front of each other.

Not all the way. I leave my underwear and T-shirt on.

He strips down to flannel boxers. I’m already crazy about his body.

His long arms bulge nicely, and his abs have impressive definition.

I can’t wait to lick his come off them. His chest looks substantial enough for me to rest my head on it comfortably, when we get that far.

He doesn’t seem disappointed in what little I’ve shown him so far, since he gives my butt a squeeze after I turn around. I hope that means he’s a top.

The bedroom is literally that—a room filled to capacity with a bed. I’m not sure how we’re both going to fit, but I’m eager to find out. I curl up on my side. Jace wraps himself around me. I’m getting way too turned on for sleep. That changes when I feel little paws walking all over me.

“He’ll settle down,” Jace promises.

“Those claws!” I hiss, wincing against the prickle of pain.

“Sorry. You’ll get used to it. I hope.”

Samson chooses the shallow valley where our bodies meet and settles down. He’s a purring engine, the subtle vibrations soothing. Before I know it, I’ve drifted off into a blissful slumber.