Page 61 of Need Him
Gareth stopped the car and covered Ben’s hand with his own. “I’m not pushing you to do this, sweetheart. If you really don’t want to, we won’t. I can drop you here and bring your car to you later so you can drive home alone. It’s your choice. I know I can be overbearing and controlling, but things like this need to be decided by you because it affects you when I’m not with you.”
Ben studied him, the scratchy scruff that had grown through the night more prominent in the morning light. His hair, leaning more towards shaggy that morning, held a sprinkle of lighter strands that almost sparkled. But it was his features that held Ben transfixed. The hazel stare was understanding and supportive, and it gave Ben the confidence he needed.
“Let’s do this. I’m not ashamed of who I am or who I’m with.”
Gareth’s answering smile was worth all the fluttering of his stomach. His Daddy pulled back out onto the road and, several minutes later, stopped in front of the supermarket. Ben inhaled and stared around them, seeing a couple of employees, but not many.
“Have a good day,” Gareth said, taking Ben’s attention from their surroundings. “I love you.”
Ben stared at him, his mouth dropping open. “I wasn’t sure you felt the same,” he whispered finally.
Gareth smiled and grabbed his hand. “I didn’t want to say it after a round of sex, sweetheart. I didn’t think that would go over well.”
Ben chewed his bottom lip as tears filled his eyes. He wiped at them with a chuckle. “Now, I’m going to go in there looking blotchy.”
Gareth cupped his jaw. “You’re beautiful. Inside and out. Never forget that.”
“I love you.”
Gareth kissed him, soft and sweet, and pulled back. “I love you. Now, go be bossy.”
Ben laughed and climbed from the car, taking his hastily prepared lunch bag with him. Before he closed the door, he leaned down to ogle his boyfriend. “Get some sleep, Daddy. I want more of what we had this morning later.”
He shut the passenger door on Gareth’s laughter and strode into the supermarket with his head held high and a smile on his face. He greeted every employee he saw, noticing but not caring about the widening of their eyes and the gaping of their mouths. Jogging up the stairs to the offices, he stopped at Lindsay’s desk.
“I apologise for being late. When you’re ready, can we go through the day’s plans, please?”
Lindsay smiled and held out his travel mug. “Of course. I made you some tea. It should still be warm.”
“Thank you.” He took the mug and sipped it while he settled behind his desk, closing his eyes as he recalled Gareth’s words. Nothing else could’ve given him enough confidence to walk through the store without caring what people thought. Nothing else calmed him except for Gareth’s trust and belief in him. It felt so freeing.
Lindsay knocked on the door and entered, closing it behind her. She started talking even before she had sat down. “Everything is the same today, except for one meeting, which had to be moved to a later time.”
“Which is that?”
“The one about extending the warehouse. Mr Ward had a family emergency crop up this morning and requested a later time. I’ve moved that meeting to five o’clock.” She winced. “Sorry.”
Ben sighed and rubbed his head. “Don’t worry. It can’t be helped. At least it shouldn’t be a long one, as we’re only going through the plans and getting updates from them.”
“I know you were trying to leave here earlier now, though.”
Ben shrugged. “It’s a pain, but it’s okay. We won’t need the minutes for it, I don’t think. I’ll try to take notes as best I can so we have some record of what we say. Although you know my note-taking skills are not the best.” He chuckled, and Lindsay smiled before going serious.
“Please don’t listen to the team leaders from yesterday,” she said. “They have no say in your private life, whether or not it affects your work. I hope you’re not considering going back to the way you were.”
Ben shook his head. “I’m not planning on it. It’s rare you find someone who loves you as you are and doesn’t try to change you; therefore, I plan to hold tight to Gareth for as long as he’ll let me.”
“From what I’ve seen of him, he’s a good man.”
“He is.”
The day went surprisingly fast. Ben had three meetings—two in person and one video call—and tons of paperwork, which he completed in between. He ate his lunch at his desk, along with a strawberry milkshake, and ordered a light meal of sandwiches and snack foods for the final meeting of the day.
Just as the meeting was due to start, his heart clenched, and he frantically grabbed his phone.
BEN: I’m sorry. A meeting has been rescheduled to five o’clock. I’m going to be late home. I’m hoping it won’t be more than an hour, but I’ll try to keep you updated. Sorry.
He didn’t bother turning his phone to silent when he entered the meeting room because he wanted to know when Gareth replied. The other attendees were present by the time he arrived, and he apologised for being late. His phone chimed.
