Page 79 of Need Him
“Why is it upstairs?”
Gareth tutted. “So impatient.”
He led the way to the spare bedroom and invited Ben to open the door. Ben wrinkled his nose and turned the handle. They stepped into the newly furnished office, complete with everything Ben could need.
“I thought you could use this as a work-from-home place, or if you decide to change jobs, you’ll have this space for you. Or just a space for you to hide away if you need a breather. Whatever. It’s yours.”
Ben stayed quiet as he wandered around the room, touching the desk, the shelves and the chairs, and Gareth worried he wasn’t as enthusiastic as he’d hoped.
“You don’t have to use it. We can always make it into something else if you don’t want an office. It could be a library, or you could put a spare bed in it if you need space. It’s your area to do whatever you want with it.” Gareth was rambling, but he couldn’t help it. He had actually been more nervous about this gift than asking him to move in or marry him.
Ben sauntered over to him, a neutral expression on his face. When he stopped in front of him, he said, “This is beautiful and thoughtful, and I love it.”
Gareth’s breath rushed out of him, and he felt light-headed. “Thank god.”
“One question, though.” Gareth raised his eyebrows. “Are you psychic?”
Gareth chuckled. “Not that I know of. Why?”
“Because I only decided a couple of days ago that I wanted to find a different job. As much as I have enjoyed the challenge at Market Foods, I don’t want to keep doing it. I had thought…” His words drifted off, and he bit his lip.
Gareth freed it from its confines with his thumb. “You can tell me anything. What did you think?”
Ben inhaled. “I thought I could do something with the app. Organise some parties or something in the different areas around the country to allow Daddies and boys to meet in a less stressful way. I don’t know. It’s still just a brief idea floating around my head. I know I’d have to get a job in the meantime, but maybe something less stressful.”
Gareth slid his arms around Ben’s waist. “I love that idea. Have you asked Lindsay about it?”
Ben’s cheeks flushed. “Yes. Sorry.” Gareth smiled to show he wasn’t upset. “I wanted her input, and I think she would be able to help.”
“I agree. We’d have to think about how to make this feasible. We might have to make a membership fee or something to be able to pay for the upfront costs of hiring rooms and things.”
“I don’t know if I like the idea of making it so they have to pay.”
“We could make it a tiered approach. That way, those who don’t want to attend the parties or those who just want to try it can join for free. If they like it, they can pay for more benefits.”
Ben wrapped his arms around Gareth’s waist. “I like that idea.” Ben sighed. “It wouldn’t happen for a while, anyway. I want to make sure we’re settled before I start a new venture.”
“You’re amazing, sweetheart. I wish you could see yourself as I see you. You have such a big heart.”
“A heart that belongs to you.”
Gareth pecked Ben’s mouth and tucked his boy’s head beneath his chin. Contentment sank into him as he held the most precious person in his arms. Despite having known Ben for less than five months, his entire being felt as if he’d known Ben for a lifetime. He couldn’t wait to see what trouble the boy got up to next, especially if Victor was also involved.
Ben’s stomach rumbled, and he giggled. “Sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve made you breakfast before letting you get carried away with the presents.” He took his hand and led him back downstairs, this time to the kitchen. He settled him into a chair and fixed him a strawberry milkshake. “What would you like for breakfast today?”
“Pancakes?” Ben asked, eyes wide.
Gareth chuckled. “Okay. As it’s Christmas, I won’t even make you have fruit with them today.”
Ben threw a fist in the air. “Bonus!”
“Unless you want banoffee pancakes?” Gareth raised his eyebrows in question.
Ben scrunched up his face and pouted at the same time, making him look soft and squishy. “That’s not fair. I love banoffee pancakes.” He sighed. “All right. I’ll have fruit with my pancakes today.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about them being too good for you. With the amount of sauce on them, it probably balances out the goodness.”
