To Kingston, Riley and Allen, the answer was an obvious one. But for Jake, it needed to be said out loud.
Jake was holding his hand and offering him a future where the four of them were happy together, and he was waiting for Kingston to confirm that that was something he wanted.
“With you,” Kingston said softly, showing Jake a rare smile so he would believe him. “You go ahead and build us a home, big guy. I can’t wait to spend every summer here with all you idiots.”
Jake gave no outward reaction to Kingston’s confirmation, but he could sense that a heaviness had just been lifted off the taller man.
“Thank you,” Jake murmured. “I’m sorry that I need so much assurance, but I hate assuming and then getting surprised later. It makes me anxious.”
Kingston tugged on Jake’s hand, silently asking for a hug. Strong arms wrapped around him and hauled him forward untilKingston was crushed against a broad chest with his face firmly tucked into the crook of Jake’s neck.
Kingston grumbled half-heartedly at the rough handling. It was hot standing in the sun, and Jake radiated enough warmth to make the temperature feel even higher, but he didn’t pull away. The hug was too good for that.
Jake held him tightly, and Kingston found himself relaxing. It felt safe, and without question, it was one of the best hugs he’d ever had.
“I’m glad we did this,” Jake said, his deep voice feeling like a purr against Kingston’s skin. “It means a lot to me.”
Kingston lifted his head, bumping it under Jake’s chin—and scowling when Jake pushed him back under. “Showing me an empty lot that you want to buy means a lot to you?”
Jake finally loosened his grip and stepped back, giving Kingston enough space to look up at him.
“It’s our first date,” he said. “Of course it means a lot to me.”
Kingston stared, and the silence stretched a second too long.
Jake’s smile faltered, and his brows slowly drew together, panic replacing the happiness he’d been wearing moments earlier.
“Did you miss the conversation last night?” Jake asked, visibly stressed. “Allen wanted us to try switching today so we could see how we like it.”
Kingston continued staring, doing his goddamn best to recallanyconversation from the night before. It happened to be a very difficult task, because all Kingston could think about was how Jake had been trapped on his knees between Allen’s legs while they’d watched a movie. Allen had wanted to show Kingston and Riley how submissive Jake could be by letting him cock warm him for two hours straight, and Kingston was unaware that there had been a conversation.
He couldn't even remember what movie had been playing. Every time he’d tried to focus on the screen, his attention drifted back to Jake. To the way Jake had looked at Allen like he was a god he was devoted to worshipping, even though his jaw had to have been aching.
And he’d also been distracted by the way Allen had brushed his fingers through Jake’s hair, silently taking care of him throughout the entire display. Every touch had seemed effortless, born from the kind of intimacy that came from knowing someone so completely that affection was second nature.
There was something almost unbearably tender in it. The intensity of it should have been ridiculous, but somehow it was beautiful.
Which was why Kingston still had no idea how he’d ended up agreeing to a date with Jake in the middle of all that. He wasn’t upset, but it was embarrassing that he couldn’t remember, and now Jake was panicking because of his stupidity.
“I’m having fun,” Kingston said before Jake could get even more worked up. “I admit I forgot about the date stuff, but now that I know, I’ll lock in.”
When Jake continued to look crushed, Kingston knew he had to act quickly. He was new to having romantic partners who relied on him for emotional support, but Riley always perked up when Kingston initiated kissing, so that’s what he went with.
Crossing the space separating them, Kingston scruffed Jake by the back of his shirt and dragged him down into a kiss. Not a hungry one like he often shared with Riley, but something softer and slower—something to show Jake proof that everything was okay.
Jake responded by moaning into his mouth and matching his pace. Their lips parted and met again in an addicting rhythm, Kingston’s thumb stroking slow circles at the nape of Jake’sneck, while his other hand stayed firm on the fabric at Jake’s back.
Jake’s fingers tightened in Kingston’s shirt, pulling him just a fraction closer as their mouths opened slightly, tongues brushing in lazy, unhurried strokes. The kiss deepened only enough to taste each other, breaths mingling as the moment stretched out with simple affection and reassurance.
When they finally drew back, Jake was smiling again, and the knot of fear lodged in Kingston’s chest unravelled with his next breath. He’d been scared he’d ruined the day, but one small kiss was all it took to settle them back into place, like they’d never slipped out of sync at all.
“I brought a picnic,” Jake said, grinning with enough boyish charm to make Kingston answer with his own. “I know it’s basic, but planning dates ishard.”
Kingston shook his head, refusing to let Jake overthink his choice. “A picnic is perfect.You’reobnoxiously perfect. You and Evans have that in common.”
Jake snorted a small laugh, and Kingston was suddenly struck by a thought.
“Wait, are Riley and Allen on a date?”
