Page 16 of When Ben Loved Jace

“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.

Chapter Four

I’m standing on the front stoop of Allison’s old house three days later, waiting for her to answer. She doesn’t. Instead a bald black man with broad shoulders opens the door. The mere sight of him used to send chills down my spine. Not anymore.

“Ben! Come on in!”

“Hey, Mister—”

That’s all I get out before I’m trapped in a bear hug that squeezes the air from my lungs. I laugh once set on my feet again. Allison’s father is a changed man. Or more accurately, he’s closer to the person he used to be before his wife died. He stopped drinking years ago and seems happier now, although he never tried his luck at love again.

We catch up for a few minutes in the entryway before he remembers that I’m here to visit someone else.

“Alli is upstairs in her old room. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you. Holler if you need anything.”

“Thanks!”

I take the stairs two at a time, feeling like a teenager again. Her bedroom doesn’t look the same. Most of the furniture has been moved to the apartment we share, but there are still little reminders of who we used to be, like the hand-made posters on the wall.

Allison emerges from the closet with an armful of clothes. “Hey, Ben!”

“Hi,” I say, wishing I could flop onto her bed like the old days to dish some gossip. “What are you doing?”

“Seeing if any of this is worth salvaging. Dad is thinking of selling the house.”

“What?” I cry, instantly disliking the idea.

“I know. He says it’s too much for one person and that a family should be living here. But guess what? He might move closer to us!”

“Awesome! The next time we have trouble with our landlord, we’ll sic your dad on him. Can you imagine?”

“There won’t be any more leaky faucets or drafty windows,” Allison says with a satisfied smirk. “When we’re back, remind me to scout out the best golf courses. I want to really sell him on the idea.”

“I suspect there’s a much larger draw for him than that.” She looks pleased until I add, “The man is crazy about me!”