Page 103 of The Gaybor War

"Untrue."

"Does that translate to the bedroom?" he asks innocently.

I still, slowly turning. "Excuse me?"

"All that control is… delicious." He draws the word out as if seducing me with it. "Do my socks and underwear need to be color coordinated?"

"Are they?"

He grins. "Obviously. But that’s not OCD. That’s just good taste."

Something in my chest loosens at that. The teasing isn’t sharp. It’s affectionate. Curious. Like he’s cataloging me instead of diagnosing me.

Most people make my habits sound like a flaw.

Benji makes it sound like a feature.

I shake my head and return to my suitcase. "You’re ridiculous."

"Correct. But you’re arranging belts by thickness, so let’s not pretend either of us is psychologically well-adjusted."

That earns a reluctant huff of laughter.

When I finish unpacking, the room feels settled somehow. Balanced. Like we've already been sharing it longer than a few hours.

I straighten and rest my hands on my hips. "All right. Done."

Benji sits up, gaze dragging slowly over my fully clothed body, then back down to his own half-naked—er… mostly naked—one.

"You sure you don’t want to loosen up? This is a safe space."

"I am loose."

His brow lifts.

I sigh and tug off my socks. "There. Wild."

He beams. "I feel so honored."

As I continue to move about the room, I feel his gaze on me. When I finally slide beneath the covers, I keep my shirt and boxers on. He settles beside me as if this is perfectly normal. As if sharing a bed is something we do every night. His bare thigh brushes mine.

"So," he murmurs, turning onto his side, propping his head in his hand. "First night. Same bed. No witnesses. How’re you holding up, Reed?"

"Fine."

"Your jaw says otherwise."

I stare at the ceiling. "Stop analyzing me."

"Can’t. I’ve never been with someone like you. You’re a puzzle. This is foreplay."

"It is not."

His smile softens just a little. "Relax. I’m not going to bite. Unless requested."

I swallow. The loaded silence stretches heavily.

His foot nudges mine beneath the blankets. "Carter."