Page 31 of Need Him
Ben leaned forward again, taking Gareth’s mouth, and knowing he could was a heady feeling. “Thank you.”
Gareth pecked his forehead, and Ben followed Victor, who was already swaying his hips to the beat. As Ben had told them, it had been many years since he’d danced. It wasn’t allowed at the dinner parties—and he could just imagine the coronary his parents would have if he just bust a move in the middle of the evening—and he hadn’t been out in years. The last time would have been a work Christmas party, and that didn’t go down well.
Victor grabbed his hands, and Ben set his inhibitions free. He forgot about everything except where he was at that moment. Victor moved closer and closer until they were plastered to each other, grinding and sending Ben’s arousal sky high. It wasn’t enough to get him off, thankfully, but it set his blood boiling that Gareth could see him. They spent many long minutes dancing until Ben needed a drink. He dragged Victor with him to the bar and ordered another whiskey, having finished his previous one before he started dancing.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Victor asked, doubling their order.
Ben grinned. “I’m sure one more won’t matter. I’m drinking water between them.”
Victor held his hands up. “I’m not trying to persuade you otherwise, but you might want to check in with your Daddy.”
“Says the boy who aims to misbehave.”
They shared a laugh, and Ben paid for the drinks before downing his, the burn coating his throat and setting fire to his stomach. He hissed as he put the glass back on the counter.
“Woah, slow down, cowboy.”
Ben grinned again, feeling lighter than he’d felt in…as long as he could remember. He didn’t want this feeling to end, and it was all thanks to the man sitting at the table, watching his every move. A sense of belonging waved through him, and he ordered a fresh round of drinks for everyone this time. When the bartender handed them to him, he carried them to the booth table Gareth and Preston were still sitting at. He sidled into the seat, sliding as close as he could get to Gareth, who lifted a hand over his shoulder and pulled him even closer. Ben closed his eyes and settled his head on Gareth’s shoulder, soaking in the contentment.
The conversation carried on around him until Gareth squeezed his shoulder and held a glass to his lips. “Do you want a drink?”
Ben opened his mouth to admit he’d already had one when a sip of the liquid landed on his tongue. Instead, he took a mouthful, closing his eyes again as the warmth spread through him.
“I think you might want to slow up on the drink, Gareth,” Victor said.
Ben snorted, and Gareth’s arms tightened.
“Why?” Gareth asked.
“Because he already had another one at the bar.”
Ben’s comfortable cushion tensed, and Gareth set him upright. “Did you?”
Ben licked his lips and pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. “Yes,” he said quietly, studying his hands rather than facing Gareth.
“Look at me.” Ben inhaled and lifted his gaze. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ben shrugged, not entirely sure. He had wanted to take a leaf out of Victor’s book at the time, but now he couldn’t find the same level of need he’d had while waiting for that drink.
“I think it’s time we went home,” Gareth said. “Do you want to stay over tonight, Preston?”
Ben’s heart cracked as the words hit home. Why would Gareth ask that unless he was done with Ben and wanted Preston’s company instead?
Preston shook his head. “I’ll be fine. There’s nothing I can do about my situation. Even if I decide to quit my job, as you rightly said, I will still have to work the notice period unless I want it mentioned on my reference that I didn’t give any.”
“Are you sure?” Gareth asked.
“Perfectly. Go sort your boy out.” Preston sent a small smile Ben’s way.
Ben couldn’t return it. Had Gareth had enough of him already? Were they finished before they’d even begun?
Hands cupped his face, pulling him towards Gareth. “Hey, hey. Breathe for me, Ben. Just breathe.”
He stared at Gareth, wondering why he asked that, when he took a lungful of air and oxygen refuelled his body. Gareth wiped his thumbs against Ben’s cheeks, coming away wet. Why was he crying?
“That’s it. Keep breathing for me. Focus on me. Good boy.”
At that, Ben’s mind rebelled, and he frowned, pushing Gareth away. He tried to scramble over Victor to get out of the booth and ended up almost face planting. If Victor hadn’t moved at the same time and caught him, he would’ve been eating tiles.
