Ben Haggerty is devastated when he returns home from work to discover his lover of eight years has gone off to complete his master's degree at another college -- and left no forwarding address. Not only has Ben chosen Rick over his beloved family, but he's supported his boyfriend both financially and emotionally the entire time. Unable to remain in their shared apartment, Ben moves and spends a miserable holiday season alone. With the New Year, however, he's determined to make a fresh start, so he manages to obtain Rick's address and sends him a card asking if Rick ever plans to return. Somehow, the card winds up in the wrong mailbox.<br><br>Jason Prescott is a genius, having obtained his first master's degree at twenty-one and now working on his second. When he receives a card in error, he returns both the card and a card of his own to be courteous, expressing his hopes Ben can get in touch with his boyfriend. This begins a correspondence that leads to friendship, and ... the start of something more? Jason introduces Ben to his family and reunites him with his own.<br><br>But will Jason, who's even smarter than Rick, be satisfied with someone as ordinary as blue-collar Ben feels himself to be? Or will Rick, realizing what he's let slip through his fingers, manage to persuade Ben to take him back?

Always, Ben

“Fred, you do remember you’re married to my sister, don’t you? And you’re straight?”


“I work with him, Jase. Ben’s the best low voltage electrician we’ve had in the computer lab. And as a matter of fact, we’ve hired him to work solely for us.”


“Jase? How do you know Jason, Lancaster?” Ben demanded. He ran a hand up and down Jason’s arm.


Jason knew he shouldn’t enjoy it so much when Ben sounded jealous, but…yeah, it tickled him. He leaned against his friend. “He’s my brother-in-law,” Jason murmured.


“Oh. Right. You said he was married to your sister.” Ben ducked his head, looking sheepish—looking adorable.


Jason wanted to gobble him up and couldn’t help fantasizing about going down on him. They hadn’t done that yet, but soon…His mouth began to water.


Abruptly, Ben whipped his head up and stared at Fred. “What did you mean about hiring me?”


Chapter 35