Stephen sighed and tried to focus on his job, meeting Brenden’s family would just need to take a back seat. Looking down at the file, his brows creased in scrutiny. Something was troubling him about the case, and again Stephen could not figure out what the motive was. Pregnant young men were going missing and the only connection Stephen could conclude was that they’d all went to the Baxter Adoption Agency and Residential Compound. It was an agency that helped those who wanted to give up their children for adoption. The company provided a place for the expecting parents, which included three meals a day.
The birth parents have a chance to meet and select the individuals or couples who would eventually adopt their child. The agency sounded too good to be true, but it all checked out. He’d even visited the agency and the facility, and it all seemed above board. But there was something that kept niggling at the back of his mind. Gentle hands rested on his hips, he smiled when the familiar scent wafted under his nose.
“You know we can’t do this here.” He closed his eyes, tilting his head to the side as Brenden nibbled on his neck.
“You’re right, but I can’t help myself.”
“Someone could walk in on us,” Stephen whispered, turning around fully in Brenden’s arms.
“I closed the door,” Brenden said before pulling him into a kiss.
Stephen stopped kissing Brenden and stepped away from him when he heard someone clearing their throat. He looked over Brenden’s shoulder and blushed scarlet red when he saw Jaxson and Tucker standing behind them. His uncle was glaring at the back of Brenden’s head, and Jaxson had a cheeky smile on his face, as if he knew exactly what they were doing before they opened the door.
“I’m glad to see you two are finally getting along, but keep the PDA out of my office.” He looked angry, but Stephen knew his uncle well enough to know he really wasn’t. He was happy Brenden wasn’t growling and acting like a bear anymore. “Okay, let’s get to work, I want this case closed as soon as possible.”
** ** ** ** **
Later that night, Stephen snuggled closer to Brenden as they lay in bed. After work, Brenden had asked him out on a date; they were in the restaurant not more than five minutes before Brenden suggested they leave. They couldn’t keep their hands or lips off each other. They drove to his house where Brenden made love to his entire body.
“What are you thinking about?” Brenden asked, gently running his fingers through Stephen’s hair.
“I’m thinking of how nice this feels.” He hummed contently when Brenden raised his face, and their lips met in a heated kiss. “I need to go home,” he told his lover when they pulled back from their kiss.
“I’m not ready to let you go yet.”
“I wish I could stay,” he whispered and with one last kiss, he pulled away from Brenden’s arms and scooted off the bed, picking up his clothes.
Brenden stayed in bed and Stephen took the time to admire his body while he got dressed. Brenden was leaning on one of his elbows, the bedsheet draped over his hips, showing off his muscular chest and strong legs. His man was definitely sexy. Knowing that he was being watched, Brenden rolled over onto his back, pushing the sheets off his body. Stephen licked his lips at the enticing sight.
“Come here,” Brenden whispered extending a hand.
Stephen couldn’t resist, and it seemed his body couldn’t either. Unconsciously, he moved closer to the bed. Before he could protest, Brenden grabbed his hand and pulled him on top of him gently. And for the second time that night his body was taken to new heights.
He smiled as he hung up the phone the second he walked through the door. He and Brenden talked on his way home. What he wasn’t expecting to see was his dad still up. “Hey, Dad, what are you doing up? Please tell me you weren’t waiting up for me?”
“Nope,” his dad answered. “But I take it you had a good night.”
Stephen brushed a lock of hair from his face tucking it behind his ear, feeling his face heat up.
“I’m happy to see you smiling a lot lately,” his dad commented.
“Thanks.” He didn’t realize he was smiling so much. “And thanks for taking care of Nicholas tonight.”
Poppin came bounding down the stairs, running around his legs, happy to see him. Stephen bent down and pet the pup that was growing just as fast as his human companion.
“No worries, I was happy to do it,” Julian answered. “You’ve mellowed out in the past few weeks, you’re practically glowing, and it’s not from being pregnant, either.”
Stephen’s face heated up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His dad chuckled, then he got serious. “I think it’s time I move out and find my own place.”
“Wait? What, Dad? No, you don’t have to do that.” Stephen fretted that maybe he was the reason why Julian wanted to move out. “Have I done or said something to offend you?”
“No,” Julian said and looked back at the television for a second.
“Then why?” Stephen asked.
“Because I think it’s time,” Julian said, looking back at him. “After I’d taken time away from my job, you were there for me. And after you told me you were pregnant, I saw it as another opportunity to protect you. I might have gone overboard, but I figured it’s what a father is supposed to do, right? You might be an adult, but I still worry about you constantly. Especially after you joined the FBI. God, every case you took, it scared me because I couldn’t watch over you, I didn’t sleep until I saw you with my own eyes. I know your penchant for saving everyone, thinking of everyone else and putting your safety last.”
