“I wasn’t planning on it, either, but it happened.That’s how meeting your mate goes.”
“You’re right.”
“That doesn’t mean I won’t give you time.I don’t expect us to start a relationship right away, and I certainly don’t expect you to be ready to bond now.I don’t think I am.”Because as much as Ben trusted Taylor, part of him couldn’t stop thinking about Jimmy.
Ben had thought Jimmy was safe, too.He’d trusted Jimmy.They hadn’t been mates, but Ben had believed he loved Jimmy and that Jimmy loved him.
“Good.”Taylor rubbed his hands over his thighs.“So maybe we can put our bond on the back burner for a little while.Since you shifted to your human form, you could come out of the bedroom.Even if you don’t want to talk to anyone else, I think you should know where everything is in the house.”
Ben hugged the pillow tighter.He didn’t want to leave this place, but he understood that he couldn’t stay here forever.For all he knew, Taylor wanted Ben to leave his bedroom so he could reclaim it.There was no way to know if he wanted Ben to continue staying here.
“Or we can wait if you don’t feel up for that,” Taylor quickly added, possibly because he could tell that Ben was uncomfortable.
Ben was, but he also needed to do something more than hide in bed.He’d been hiding for weeks.He finally had a way out, and he couldn’t ruin it, especially because his mate was involved.“What did you have in mind?Do you want to introduce me to the pride?”As what?Ben didn’t think Taylor was ready to tell anyone they were mates.
“Well, that would be a good thing, but actually, I wasn’t planning on spending the day with the pride.Jacob is moving out.”
Ben had no idea why Taylor was telling him that, but he nodded anyway.“He’s your friend, right?I’m sorry.”
Taylor shrugged.“I am, too, but he’s moving in with his mate, so I can’t say anything.Besides, he’s not going far.Tony lives in town.”
“I see.”Ben had no idea where Taylor was going with this, but he was eager to spend time with his mate.He’d listen even if Taylor started talking about worms or the weather.
“I was supposed to help Jacob move his stuff.He doesn’t have a lot, but it felt right, you know?Maybe we could do that together?”
“You want me to help your friend move?”
Taylor grinned.“We both will.It’ll give you the opportunity to leave this bedroom without having to deal with too many people.Tony and Jacob will be living alone in Tony’s house, so there’s no pride and curious people to deal with.What do you think?”
Taylor might be confused because Ben was a man, but he was still taking care of Ben.That told Ben that there was a chance things would be okay between them.He didn’t want to ruin that by being afraid.Besides, this was a nice compromise.
“I’d like that,” he said.
Taylor’s smile was enough for Ben to feel like he’d said the right thing.
* * * *
TAYLOR HAD GOTTEN BENout of the bedroom.He hadn’t expected to be able to do that, but he was glad he had.It was clear that Ben was uncomfortable from the way he clung to Taylor, but that was okay.
It was also awkward.Taylor had never felt like he was someone’s security blanket.He was a sheriff’s deputy, so his job was to protect people, but it was still jarring to realize that Ben trusted him so much.Taylor didn’t have to ask to know that Ben wouldn’t have left the bedroom on his own or with anyone else.Taylorhad asked, though, so Ben had said yes.
He’d borrowed some of Taylor’s clothes last night after his shower, and Taylor was happy to give him more this morning.If Ben was going to stick around, they’d have to go shopping, but it could wait.Taylor doubted that Ben would be comfortable enough to do that anytime soon, and that was okay.
Taylor still didn’t know what Ben was running from.He hadn’t pushed because he suspected that Ben wouldn’t want to tell him, not yet anyway.Eventually, he’d have to ask, if anything, because Gal needed to know in order to protect the pride, but it could wait a few hours, maybe even a few days.
“What are we supposed to do?”Ben asked softly as they walked down the hallway.“What’s left to move?”
“Well, Jacob spent the night with Tony.They already moved some of his stuff, but he left a lot of boxes.You and I are going to carry them to my car and drive over to their house.”
Ben wrinkled his nose.“I thought you said that Jacob didn’t have a lot of stuff to move.”
Taylor laughed.“I guess it depends on what you think is a lot.Jacob’s lived here his entire life.He was born here, just like me.He accumulated some stuff, and he wants to take it with him now that he’s moving.”
“I understand.”
“I’m sure that you would be happy if you had some of your stuff,” Taylor tried, just to see how it went.
Ben tensed.“Is that a way to ask me where my home is?”
