Page 37 of New Neighbor

Mac reached back for his wallet and fished the tiny scrap out. He sat it on the counter and slid it closer to Benji.

Love thy neighbor. Just don’t get caught.

Benji laughed out loud.

Mac walked closer and drew Benji closer. “You don’t mind me just stopping in, do you?”

“I don’t mind it at all,” Benji said as he lifted his gaze to Mac’s. “I’m glad you’re here. I wasn’t sure if I should give you some space… which would be hard when we’re just across the hall.”

“I don’t want space,” Mac said. “I like you. A lot. And I want to know you. And I think you feel the same way I do.”

Benji nodded, growing a little solemn. “I do.”

Mac pressed a gentle kiss to his lips before lifting his head. “So would it be a problem if we got caught?”

Benji’s smile faded a little. He still hadn’t come clean to al his friends. He would. It just hadn’t happened yet.

A frown crossed Mac’s face.

“I haven’t come out to all my friends yet. Just Jesse. The thought of facing the rest? It scares the hell out of me.”

“If they’re true friends… they’ll accept you for who you are.”

“Ithinkthey’ll be okay. The not knowing is hard. And right now, they’re all having their own dramas… and I don’t want to add more BS to the mix.”

“Your sexuality isn’t BS,” Mac said, pulling away. He moved back to the containers and took a bite of something. He chewed a moment, looking as if he chewed on more than food. He wanted to say something…

“What is it?” Benji asked.

Mac swallowed and licked his lips. “I just don’t want to have to hide who I am to be with you. You deserve to come out when and if you’re ready. I won’t force you… but eventually… I want to live my life free. I hid for a long time while I served. I won’t go back to hiding.”

Benji moved closer. “I’m going to tell them. I just need to find the right time… the right place…and maybe… maybe you can be there with me for moral support?”

“I’d be honored,” Mac murmured. He smiled before offering Benji another bite from the open container. And another kiss after he was done. That kiss grew heated, and the food was forgotten.

“How about we put dinner on hold?” Benji asked.

“Agreed,” Mac said before tossing Benji over one shoulder and heading for the bedroom.

He tossed Benji onto the bed, a wicked smile on his face. “You ever been tied to the bed before?”

A shiver raced through Benji. “No.”

“Wanna be?”

Benji nodded, the air sucked from his lungs. “Yesss,” he hissed.

Mac climbed into the bed, pinning him down. “Tonight you’ll be bound for me… at my mercy.”

Benji nodded. “Yesssss.”

Mac grinned. “I knew you were the man for me.”

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