Page 20 of Rubbing One Out

Dae shuffled out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Ben sighed and got to his feet. He wanted to stay home and be with Dae, but duty called. He was on a later shift today and had another swimming lesson with Sammy. Plus his favourite vet, Alison, was coming by to do an annual health check on the seal and penguin community. Hazel would kill him if he didn’t turn up for that. His boss had inventive ways of making people pay for their indiscretions.

No hardship. Ben rather liked Alison. She was a no-nonsense American woman with a wicked sense of humour and a real love for the animals she cared for. Looking after penguins was a complicated affair, and making sure their dietary requirements were met and providing regular check-ups and vitamins was part of her job, as well as Ben’s.

He sighed. Best get some breakfast down him and scoot off to work. Perhaps giving Dae some space would let him work out whatever was ailing him.

***

Sweet fucking silver sands. What the holy frinkx was I thinking?Dae dropped Ben’s duvet—he’d have to return it and make Ben’s bed later—and slumped onto his bed, hands behind his head, scowling at the wall. I had the perfect opportunity to tell Bento use his wishes so I can go home, and instead of embracing that eagerly, I went and said that wasn’t what I needed.

“This place is making me crazy,” Dae muttered moodily as he fidgeted with the chain around his neck. “I’m infected with humanity and it’s making me irrational.” He wiggled his toes, watching his blue painted toenails, and huffed.

Remnants of the dream that had driven him into Ben’s comforting bed remained in the haziness of his psyche. Fuzzy memories of the brutal punishment he’d received at the request of Lady Brinil, who looked on regally, her sapphire blue eyes glinting with malicious satisfaction at his torment. Her Haughtiness had taken the dalliance of her darling Lord Regent Aether with a nobody from the court personally. It was true that the female of the species was often the deadliest.

“Oh, get over it,” Dae muttered to himself as he shuffled out of bed and went over to the window. Outside, a songbird trilled on a leafy branch and a man taking his dog for a walk watched as the animal peed against a tree. “It’s been five years.” He pulled on his robe and tied the sash. He’d have a shower after Ben left for work.

Covered enough to have breakfast, he left the bedroom and went into the kitchen. Ben sat there, newspaper spread before him as he demolished what looked like marmalade toast. A steaming cup of coffee sat on the kitchen counter by his crumb-speckled plate. He looked up as Dae entered, and Tess gave a woof of greeting.

“You feeling better?” Ben popped a piece of toast into his mouth.

Dae nodded as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Yes, thank you.” He sat down next to Ben and took a sip of his drink. “I’m sorry I surprised you this morning. It won’t happen again.”

Ben looked puzzled. “I said I didn’t mind. If it helps you through your nightmares, I’m okay with it.” His face flushed. “It was nice to wake up to someone in bed with me. That hasn’t happened in a while.”

Dae frowned. “Why ever not? You’re a handsome man. I’d have thought you’d have your choice of suitors.”

Ben laughed. “You think? This is a small village, not a lot of men here with the same tastes as me. At least, none who will admit to it. While I enjoy the club scene, I’m not much into one-night stands.”

Dae narrowed his eyes. “You have Ryan, who from all accounts sounds as if he’d be happy to be your bed buddy.” And doesn’t that thought sting?

Ben’s eyes widened. “Oh hell no. As I said, he’s young and starting out. I’m not what he needs. Anyway, he’s not my type.”

That was a great segue into finding out where Ben’s taste in men lie, and Dae jumped on it. “What is your type then?” Dae murmured silkily.

Ben cleared his throat and fiddled with a small piece of toast. Tess, sitting at his side, looked at it longingly. He sighed and held the piece down to her, and she took it gently. “Well, most guys I’ve been with have been like—” he hesitated, “well, like you.”

“Interesting,” Dae mused as he rubbed his chin. “You like them slim and sassy? With tons of sex appeal, a quicksilver mind, and sharp wits?”

Ben smiled, a wide one that lit up his face, and Dae nearly swooned. “You do have a high opinion of yourself, don’t you? But yes, I guess.”

Dae shifted on the chair, artfully letting his robe slid off his leg to reveal his tanned thigh. He didn’t miss Ben’s hitch of breath. Score one for the Djinn.

Dae reached over and trailed his fingers along Ben’s hand, speckled with hair, strong and calloused. He was a man who worked with his hands, and Dae loved their strength and roughness. Ben swallowed and cleared his throat. His eyes darkened as he watched Dae’s fingers strum their song on his hand. Dae turned it over and stared down at his palm as he grinned to himself.

“Hmm, you have a long lifeline—go you—but this love line looks a little…neglected. It tells me you’re rather depleted in the sex department. You prefer a relationship to a casual fuck, and you’ve still to find the man who satisfies you. I also see a man, close to you, who desires you and wants to fulfil your desires.” He traced the faint love line on Ben’s palm gently. “You deserve to have a special someone in your life to keep you sated.”

He looked up at Ben’s wide-eyed gaze and congratulated himself on being so wily.

“Wow, you can see all of that in my palm? I’m impressed. I mean, who knew?” Ben withdrew his hand and reached for his mobile. He dialled a number.

“What are you doing?” Dae asked in confusion.

“Calling Ryan to make sure we’re on for Friday. I mean, if I’m meant to be with him, then I suppose I should do a little wooing before I get laid on Friday.” The phone rang on the other side.

“What the fuck?” Dae sputtered. “That’s not what I meant at all. Terminate that call immediately.” He reached for the mobile, but Ben held it away, chuckling.

“You can’t tell me to go for my dream then take it away from me. What kind of genie are you?”

“Djinn,” Dae fumed. “Now hang up. I wasn’t talking about Ryan, that little shoodlepopper.”