Page 15 of Binding Their Hearts

Henry stood like a boulder in a river, unmoving, his arms banded around Jay and shielding him from the rushing all around them, the rushing in Jay’s ears he eventually recognized as his heartbeat. “You remember we discussed how I won’t pry, how you may choose what to share and what not to share.”

They had, yeah, before he’d started, when they were going over the list Henry had brought home and Alice had helped him track down which his insurance would cover.

“Therapy can intensify your emotions. You’re bringing long-buried thoughts to the surface—in some cases, thoughts you’ve never recognized before. I want you to feel safe in your sessions, knowing you may voice things you would prefer not to say to me or to Alice yet or ever.” A light tug at the back of Jay’s head eased them apart, just a little, so their eyes met. Henry’s had tiny crinkles at the corners, his I’m-studying-you dom squint, and his lips moved but no words came out. He took two deep, slow breaths. “I confess—though perhaps I shouldn’t, perhaps my own feelings will unfairly influence you in this—not knowing what you are thinking, what you are experiencing and questioning, is difficult for me, Jay. The more you tell me of your sessions, the more I will be delighted to hear. But I will do my very best not to interrogate you about them.”

Jay sagged, boneless in relief. Silence would have been a kind of exile. “I want you to ask. I’m excited about all the stuff I’m learning about myself, and I want to share it with you and Alice. I don’t—” He’d turned his back on them, left them standing in the gravel out of cowardice. No. Self-preservation. Learned behavior. Danny said noticing would start to help with that, identifying the what so they could work together on the why. Jay curled his fingers, probably wrinkling Henry’s nice shirt, but no scold came telling him to stop. “I don’t want to feel like I’m doing therapy all alone. I don’t like feeling alone.”

“No, you’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.” Henry spoke barely above the sloshing hums and whirrs of the washing machines. “Not alone, never that. You are mine, Jay, and my thoughts are always with you.”

Henry traced a line across Jay’s face, following his cheekbone maybe, a touch so light he could have imagined it if not for the sudden goosebump-alertness of his skin from head to toe, all of it begging for that caress.

“Your openness and honesty are treasures beyond compare. A beauty that lies deep within you.” Henry rested his palm against Jay’s heart. He blinked slowly, and a slight smile turned up the lips Jay hungered for. “Shall we go back upstairs and finish the dinner preparations, my boy? Alice will be home soon, and then perhaps you would care to tell us both what you’ve discovered about your service and what it means to you.” The smile grew, and the green of Henry’s eyes darkened. “Consider it a service.”

Chapter seven

Alice

Alice jetted through the lobby Wednesday evening and took the steps two at a time, the thudding of the stylish leather work boots Henry had given her sending satisfying echoes up the stairwell. Third floor, her stop, and she dug for her key as she dashed down the hall—then tried to pretend, as she opened the door, that she wasn’t panting for air around the grin that wouldn’t leave.

“Honeys, I’m home,” she sang out, dropping work gear in a Jay-like cluster. She could neaten things up after they celebrated. They could all use a win, after another weekend of house-hunting coming up with zilch. “Guess what?”

Gorgeously naked, Jay rolled off the couch and snapped to his feet. “Uh-oh.” He sized her up, head to toe, and flung his arm high in a comical swooning double take. “Henry, we’ve got a problem.”

“Do we?” The low, unruffled voice came from the kitchen. “By all means, elaborate on this calamity.”

Alice flashed her tongue at Jay before seeking out their lover. Jay was probably responding in kind behind her back, playful and cheeky and so asking for her to find better uses for his tongue later. “I saw that.”

His answering snort confirmed her suspicion. “Sure you did. Henry, look at Alice. She clearly got laid on the way home. She’s flexible and loose, and her face has that dazed expression that says ‘I just came a hundred different ways.’”

She flowed between Henry’s outstretched arms and let him reel her in, her body giddy and boneless and alive with the news. “Hi.”

Henry hummed softly. “Granted, that is a lovely look on her.” Arms curling around her back, he pressed her against him in an exact fit, no molecules between, and growled in her ear. “Though perhaps not one I’m keen to share with the entire MBTA ridership.”

Her hands trapped between them, she patted his chest. “You two are a real comedy act. You oughta go on the road.”

“And leave you behind? Never.” Light, teasing nibbles at her lips grew into a devouring wave that claimed every inch of her from a single, glorious kiss. “Now, you’ve something to tell us?”

“I do?” She eased back and blinked away the sudden desire fogging her thoughts. “Oh, I do, I do!” Her head tip sent a great big smile toward where she’d last seen Jay. “I got a promotion.” Excitement fizzed, the words she’d been waiting to share for hours bubbling out. “I’m team leader!”

“How wonderful!” Henry pulled her back into his embrace and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Congratulations, dearest.” He glanced toward the counter. “Shall we shift dinner to the roof deck to celebrate?”

Her nodding agreement as he stepped away left her completely unprepared for force-of-nature Jay. His sneak attack hug from behind lifted her clean off the floor while he whooped in her ear.

“You. Are. The. Best.” Smacking kisses accompanied each word. “Damn straight they should know it.” He rested his head on her shoulder, her feet still dangling in midair. “Wait, why didn’t I know you were going for a promotion?”

“I…” She squirmed her way to the floor. “I didn’t say anything. To anyone. Just in case.” At least two other members of her design pod had applied for the temporary gig—which hadn’t been supposed to start for three weeks anyway, until Ryan’s wife had gone into labor this afternoon. “It’s short-term, like three months until my boss’s parental leave runs out. Acting team leader, really.”

Henry closed the oven door on dinner and set the timer. “No diminishing of your accomplishments, sweet girl, or you’ll have a homework assignment to match Jay’s.”

Writing essays tonight wouldn’t be nearly as much fun as an hour or two of playtime between dinner and bed.

Jay wagged a finger in front of her face. “Yeah, negative self-talk is your inner critic saying you don’t deserve things you totally deserve.”

He’d picked up the lingo fast. Proof that he was taking therapy seriously and the message was sinking in.

Henry crouched and retrieved trays from a cabinet, his pants clinging to the curves of his ass. Oh yeah. No homework tonight.

“You had the confidence to go after what you wanted, and it worked out splendidly.” Henry clicked his tongue. “Jay, if you’ll un-set the table, please.”

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