Page 32 of Need Him
“Ben, wait!” Gareth called, but Ben was already shrugging Victor off and heading for the exit. He didn’t need Gareth talking him down. He didn’t need Gareth giving him attention when he had Preston or Victor waiting for him whenever he wanted them. It was obvious they cared deeply about each other. How could Ben compete with that?
He left the club without a goodbye to anyone and strode through the car park. He hadn’t brought anything with him other than his wallet and phone, and those were in his pocket. There would be a taxi rank somewhere, and if not, he’d walk to Gareth’s house to collect his car.
As he passed the entrance to the car park, hands grabbed him and spun him, pressing him against the wall. He opened his mouth to scream when it registered that it was Gareth moments before Gareth’s mouth took his own.
At first, Ben squirmed and pushed against Gareth, then he sank into the kiss and gripped Gareth’s neck. It didn’t last long, just long enough for Ben to relax. Once his body eased, Gareth pulled back, resting their foreheads together.
“Don’t ever run from me like that again. You scared the crap out of me.” Ben pushed at him, but Gareth kept hold. “Tell me what went through your mind back there.”
“No. Let me go.”
Gareth let go, and Ben froze, not expecting him to listen.
“I won’t ever hold you against your will, Ben.” Gareth stared at him. “I’m concerned because I did something to upset you, and I don’t know what it was.”
“Why do you need me when you have Preston and Victor? Are you creating a harem or something?”
Gareth chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “No. We truly are just friends. I promise you. I’ve never slept with Preston or Victor. We found out early on in our friendship that none of us were compatible. Preston is having a hard time at the minute, and I honestly don’t think he should be alone. He doesn’t want to impose on anyone, though. We’re friends.”
The words were sincere, even Ben could tell that, but it didn’t stop the ache in his chest telling him that Gareth wasn’t his.
“Talk to me.”
Ben opened his mouth. “Why do you want me when you can have someone better?” It wasn’t what he’d planned to say.
“Oh, Ben. I’m getting the impression that there is no one better for me. You’re it.” Gareth stepped closer, though he did it slowly enough that Ben knew he could stop if he told him to. When he cupped Ben’s face like he had in the club, he waited until Ben gazed straight into his eyes. “You challenge me in ways I could never expect, yet you remind me I need to go slow, that you need to learn, that you’re young in lifestyle terms. I have so much I want to show you and teach you, and I can’t wait. If you let me, you won’t regret it. I promise.”
Ben chewed his lip, and Gareth pulled it from between his teeth and rubbed his thumb against it. Without breaking their gaze, Ben nodded. “Please,” he whispered.
****
Chapter 13
Gareth
Gareth dropped his mouth to Ben’s and tasted him, whiskey and all. He’d explain why it was important for Ben to tell Gareth how much he’d drunk later, but for now, he needed to reassure his boy. Wrapping his arms around Ben and holding him tightly, Gareth poured everything he could into the kiss before pulling back.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
“Your place?” Ben raised his eyebrows.
Gareth nodded. “We can decide what we’re going to do from there.”
“Okay.”
Gareth led Ben towards the car, helping him settle in the front seat before driving them back to his house.
“I really like Victor and Preston.”
Gareth smiled over at him and threaded their fingers together. “I’m glad. They liked you, too. I could tell.”
“They probably thought I was an idiot.” Ben turned his face to the window, avoiding Gareth’s gaze.
“Not at all. What we have is new, Ben. It’ll take time to get our balance and figure out what we’re doing. As I told you before, we choose how our relationship goes. No one else.”
Ben was quiet for a moment, and Gareth left him to his thoughts. He wanted nothing more than to have his arms cocooning Ben all night—no sex intended—but he wasn’t sure if it was too soon.
“I’m definitely not made for being a little,” Ben murmured.
