Page 58 of Need Him
“Let me help you sit up. You need a drink.”
Gareth slid his arms beneath Ben’s back and helped to sit him upright with pillows behind him. Ben’s head was too heavy, and he rested it back against the headboard while Gareth held a glass of water to his lips. He sipped, to begin with, then gulped the entire glass.
“Thanks,” he said when he finished.
“You’re welcome.” Gareth brushed a hand over his forehead, settling on the bed beside him. “Are you okay?”
“Perfect.”
“I don’t want to burst your post-climax bubble, but what happened today?”
Ben groaned and slid down the bed, pulling a pillow over his face. “Don’t worry about it.”
Gareth yanked the pillow away. “Of course, I worry. You went to work with a smile on your face and came home like someone had taken your strawberry milkshake away from you.”
Ben chuckled and sighed, staring up at Gareth. “I had some comments about us. Well, not us specifically, but whether I can still do my job now that I’m loved up.” He bit his lip, not having meant to say that last bit.
Gareth frowned. “I forgot to mention the conversation I had with Felix, but why would you not be able to do the job?”
“They think I’m going soft.”
“What?”
Ben laughed at his expression. “Yeah. Apparently, my assholery ways are an indication that the business will continue to do well. If I soften too much, they don’t have faith it will continue.”
“That’s bullshit!”
“What did Felix say to you?” he asked.
Gareth’s forehead creased. “He mentioned everyone was gossiping about whether you and I were a couple. I think we need to go public, Ben. Not have an announcement or anything, but not hide. It will give the gossip mills nothing to feed on.”
Ben shrugged. “It’s fine with me. I’m more than happy to make sure everyone knows you’re off-limits.” He grinned when Gareth growled.
“Yes, well, how about I take you and pick you up tomorrow?”
Ben wrinkled his nose. “But I have my own car.”
Gareth chuckled. “Yes, you do, but if we want to show everyone we’re together without announcing it over the tannoy, we need to do something else. If I drop you off and pick you up, we’ll be seen together.”
Ben nodded. “All right.” His stomach rumbled, and he placed a hand over it. “Sorry.”
Gareth smiled. “I should’ve fed you before. Let’s get you set up again, and we’ll go get some food.”
“Set up?” Gareth reached for the bedside table and held up the cock cage. “Not again!”
“You like it. Stop complaining.”
Ben sighed. He wasn’t wrong, though he tried to think of something else to stop Gareth throwing him in a cold shower again. Once was enough. He closed his eyes and thought about work as Gareth oiled his dick and locked it in the cage. He was puffing by the time he finished.
“Come on. We can watch TV while the casserole cooks, but I’m sure a small snack won’t stop you from eating later,” Gareth said, holding out his hands to help Ben to his feet.
Ben slipped into some joggers while Gareth put on the clothes he had worn before their…adventure. When they descended the stairs, Ben veered off to the living room and Gareth to the kitchen. Ben checked the clock. They only had just over an hour before Gareth had to leave, so a film was out of the question. Wanting something light-hearted, he chose a comedy programme they’d watched before and enjoyed. Gareth came in with a tray on which was a bowl of fruit and two mugs of tea.
“Thanks,” he said when Gareth passed him the fruit.
“Is what the staff are saying bothering you?” Gareth asked.
Ben put a strawberry in his mouth to delay his answer and give him time to think. After he swallowed, he said, “It’s not so much what they’re saying. It’s more my brain trying to figure out if they’re right.”
