to resting cock mode before he was forced to get up and expose himself to everyone.
He could feel the energy draining from Bennett the longer they sat next to each other. He reached out and squeezed Bennett’s thigh in sympathy.
“Everyone,” Bennett said, breaking into the noise around the table. “Thank you. It’s great to be home. I’m sorry I gave you all such a scare. Gave myself one, too, when I heard what had happened. But I’m okay, honestly, just really tired. I did a lot of hard work to get the shots I got, and the editing has yet to begin. This event just set me back a bit. The doctor there advised me to see my own doctor, and I’ll make an appointment tomorrow.”
He turned to Jordan with a smile. “Thanks for being my designated driver, Jay. I appreciate the pickup and drop off services.”
Jordan chuckled, seeing more in Bennett’s eyes than he spoke with his lips. Though everyone at the table knew they were together, the words hadn’t been spoken as yet, and now that he had seen the light, as it were, Jordan felt it would be better coming from Bennett than from him.
“I’m gonna call it a night, though. I’m bushed, and no, it’s not from the attack, it’s from exhaustion. I didn’t get a lot of quality sleep before and I guess my body needs it.”
Jordan watched Mrs. Kincaid rise rapidly from her seat and come around to her youngest son’s side.
“I’m fine, Mom,” Bennett forestalled her question. “Which room am I in?”
“Your old room, of course. Do you need anything?”
“No, Mom. I’m good.” He chuckled at his mother’s worried expression and hugged her gently. “I just need to talk to Jordan for a few and then I’m going to bed.”
Jordan stood and went with him out of the dining room, aware of the knowing stares and smirks that followed him. He didn’t mind. He hadn’t grown up with the kind of love that let one sibling tease another, and he found he liked it. It made him feel like he belonged, like he was a part of something important, something long-lasting…something that felt like forever.
In Bennett’s bedroom, he closed the door and waited. He had a new certainty that he hadn’t had before. Bennett was his, and he’d fight every day and night for as long as he had him to make sure he stayed that way…his. Bennett sank down onto the side of the bed and held out a hand to him.
“I need a hug, Foxy,” he said, “and a kiss or two before you tuck me in.”
Jordan frowned, not moving from where he stood by the door.
“Is that all you need from me?” His voice was gruff, the need he had been holding at bay scratching at his throat in an effort to be heard.
“It’s all I think we can have with a family full of snooping ears one floor down,” Bennett said with a wry grin. “You think I wouldn’t let you tap this if I was at your place?” He tilted his head to the side, regarding Jordan with a smirk. “See, if you’d fought for your rights as my boyfriend, we would already be naked in your bed.”
He had a point. No matter how open-minded the elder Kincaids were, Jordan couldn’t see himself fucking their youngest while they were all downstairs and might hear when he made Bennett scream his name. And it just felt all kinds of wrong to debauch the reverend’s son in his home without the benefit of a ring. He knew Bennett’s parents were old-fashioned like that, even though they must be aware that their son was not celibate.
Relenting, he said, “Okay. Let’s get you undressed and ready for bed, then. Pjs in the suitcase?”
“I’m sure there’s an old pair of mine in one of the top drawers,” Bennett replied, gesturing to the dresser in the corner. “I’ll just go brush my teeth while you find them.”
Soon, Jordan had Bennett settled against him, the flannel pajamas he was wearing slightly pilled under his fingers where he stroked Bennett’s arms and chest. Then, turning his head to kiss his brow, he asked,
“When do you want me to rescue you?”
Bennett laughed. “Wednesday’s good. I’m sure the McKenzies will pitch a hissy fit if I don’t show up for dinner since I’m back, and Chandler will want to smother me a little bit, as well. Kill two birds with one stone.”
“And then can I have you?” Jordan