Kit opens his eyes and stands slowly, already blushing. I’m enjoying thisfartoo much, but I won’t say it out loud.
I carefully stretch the neck of the t-shirt wide and ease it over his head, making sure it doesn’t catch on any of the stitches. He pushes his arms through, and I let the fabric fall, swallowing him whole.
Kit looks down at himself and whispers, “Oh my god.”
I grin and drop to one knee in front of him. Even though he’s not wearing anything underneath, I slide the sweatpants up his legs. They’re the smallest pair I own and still massive on him, but the drawstring helps. I tie it so that they won’t fall off his hips, but loose enough to still be comfortable.
Kit shuffles adorably and stares at his feet, completely swallowed by the fabric. He looks at me, shy and flustered. “You’re kidding, right?”
Still on my knees, I reach down and roll up the bottoms of the pants so his feet can actually touch the floor.
He huffs. “Can’t I just go to my room and get some clothes that actually fit?”
I hate that sentence more than I should. I growl low in my throat, stand up, and scoop him up under his thighs. “Thisisyour room now,” I say as I start walking toward the door, carrying him easily. “I’ll have one of the girls move your clothes up here.”
Kit blinks. “Huh?”
I keep walking, heading downstairs with him in my arms. “Every night you go and sleep inourbed. If you don’t, I will hunt you down and drag you back up here myself.”
Kit whispers, small and dazed, “Oh… okay.”
I lean in and press a quick, easy peck to his lips, something soft and natural that I didn’t even know I was capable of until right now. This side of me, this loving, protective side, feels like it’s been unlocked by the same quiet orphan I didn’t even know existed two years ago.
I finally set Kit down when we reach the bottom of the stairs, but I keep one hand on his lower back just in case. He sways for a second, then steadies himself.
I watch him swallow hard, his hands fluttering like he doesn’t know what to do with them. His cheeks are still flushed pink, and his eyes keep darting everywhere except at me. He points vaguely down the hall, opens his mouth, but nothing comes out.
A deep, rolling laugh rumbles out of my chest. Telling him I love him has completely rattled him. It’s almost cute how malfunctioned he looks right now.
“Come on. Let’s go relax.”
Kit doesn’t really have a choice. I slide my hand down and thread our fingers together, tugging him gently along. He follows, still blushing furiously.
“You don’t relax,” he mutters.
“Sure, I do,” I reply. “Just not very often.”
He huffs a small laugh but still refuses to look up at me.
We walk into the bigger living room, the one everyone uses in the evenings once work is done. It’s more of a community space than anything formal. The large TV is on in the middle of the room, some random show playing. Most of the people who live on the estate are already scattered around on the couches and armchairs. I want Kit to feel comfortable here, like this is his home now, not a prison.
Most heads don’t even turn when we enter, but Lorraine notices everything. She’s sitting with Selina as usual, sipping tea while Selina nurses a beer. Lorraine looks up, her sharp eyes flicking over both of us, and a knowing grin spreads across her face.
“You two took your time…” she says, voice teasing. “Shower,huh?”
Her gaze lingers on Kit, amused and warm.
I roll my eyes at her. “Yes… we had sex, so what?”
Kit squeaks, an actual high-pitched squeak, and tries to pull away like he’s going to bolt. I just yank him back against my side and laugh, deep and unashamed.
Selina chokes on her beer. “Christ, boss! Maybe Kit didn’t wanteveryoneknowing that.” She laughs, eyes flicking over to Kit. “Kit, you okay?”
Kit stares hard at the floor, completely silent.
I grin and pull him over to the big armchair that no one else is allowed to sit in. I drop down first and tug Kit sideways onto my lap, settling him comfortably against my chest.
Ray walks over and hands me my usual glass of whiskey without a word.
