Page 75 of Need Him
Richard tilted his head, forehead creased. “It’s like a dating app?”
“Uh-huh, but for those who are struggling to find their Daddies or their boys. It happens a lot, I’m told,” Toby continued, unaware of the undercurrent. “I’d been looking for a Daddy for five years with no luck. And for Ollie, I think it was longer.”
“Eight years.”
“I’ve been looking for eleven years,” Victor mumbled. “And I’m still looking.”
Richard glanced at Gareth. “And you’re the Daddy in this relationship?” he asked his son. Ben watched Gareth swallow and nod. “Makes sense. You always were the caretaker. I know I left you alone a lot, and you had a lot on your shoulders. It kind of makes sense.” He peered at Ben. “Bet you have your hands full with him.”
That broke the tension because everyone chuckled at the honest response.
Ben stood and excused himself to get another drink. He pulled out his phone when he got to the kitchen, and there was still no reply. Gareth’s arms came around him, and Ben let him take some of his weight.
“Don’t let them upset you today. You tried, sweetheart. If they’re not willing to get off their high horses, there’s nothing you can do.”
“I know, and I know how much they hurt me, but they’re still my parents. I wanted to wish them a good Christmas.”
“You don’t need them.” Richard’s voice made him jump and whirl around. Gareth’s father, in an unusual show of PDA, took Ben into his arms and hugged him tightly. “You have me. Now, I’m not the best of the best, but I won’t let you down.”
“You have me, too,” Jane and Felix said from the doorway when Richard freed him. Their words were identical and said at the same time. They glanced at each other and smiled.
“Don’t even think about it,” Gareth warned as the three older generation left the room.
“But they’d be good together,” Ben whined.
“Then let them find each other. Don’t go butting your nose in.”
Ben pouted. “It worked with Toby and Ollie.”
“No, the app worked.”
Ben sank into Gareth’s arms again. “Why is it not working with Victor?”
Gareth sighed. “I have a feeling he’s not being entirely truthful. With himself or the app.”
“We need to help him, Daddy,” Ben whispered. “Or we’re going to lose him.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.”
Lindsay popped her head around the door frame. “Time for the film vote.”
“We’ll be right there,” Gareth said.
Ben closed his eyes and listened to his Daddy’s heartbeat, the steady thrum centring him as it always did. Richard was right. He had everyone he needed right here in this house, and he wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Are you okay?” Gareth asked.
Ben tilted his head up and smiled. “I am.”
Gareth lowered his mouth and gently kissed him. Ben’s eyelids fluttered closed as he lost himself in the soft caress. His cock made a gallant attempt at rising, but the cage, which he still wore daily, stopped it. It didn’t stop him from rubbing against Gareth, who gripped his ass and held him still.
“Don’t start something we can’t finish, boy.”
“And why can’t we?” Ben asked, head still high in the clouds.
Gareth nibbled his earlobe. “Because someone invited a load of people over to the house.”
“Party’s over. They can all go home.”
