Chapter Ten

"You'd look amazing in this. We're getting it."

Ben eyed the seafoam-colored Polo shirt Rider held and hung on to his temper by a thread. "Oh my God. Stop. You don't have to buy everything you see."

Rider flashed him an evil smile. "Married two weeks and already our first fight about money."

Ben covered his eyes. "There's no fight. It's your money. You can buy whatever you want. I just—"

Rider covered his mouth. "Nope. Say less. You're upset I'm spending too much of our money."

Ben bit him.

Rider roared with laughter and ran for the closest register. He was like a giant kid. All Ben could do was shake his head and smile in spite of himself. Retirement looked damn good on Rider. It had been three months since the Chuckers had won the cup. The phone calls hadn't stopped coming from people wanting to lure Rider to manage their team. Rider hadn't shown an ounce of interest in doing anything except being Ben's husband. He looked so much happier. His ulcers had healed. He definitely acted twenty years younger.

Ben slapped Rider's ass as he reached the checkout lane where Rider waited.

Rider motioned over his shoulder. "See how abused I am?"

The cashier smiled. It was obvious she just wanted to do her job and move on with her life. Ben glanced around, making sure no one watched. He pressed against Rider's back and kissed him between the shoulder blades. With the tall counter hiding his actions, Ben quickly stole a feel of Rider's junk.

Rider looked over his shoulder, tossing Ben a laughing glance.

Ben flashed an innocent smile. "What?"

"You'll pay for that one."

Ben couldn't wait. He knew he had thrown fire on Rider's playful side. He adored this new Rider. This version of Rider was less maddening in an angering way, and more the might embarrass him at any time maddening.

"I mean, I have to reimburse you for the shirt." Ben batted his eyelashes at him.

A low growl vibrated from Rider. He grabbed his new purchase and Ben's hand. Ben smiled like an idiot as Rider practically dragged him to the parking lot. Driving Rider insane never got old. The moment they were inside their car with the air running, Rider was across the console. He massaged Ben's cock through his shorts while his tongue filled Ben's mouth. Ben's hips lifted, seeking more of the rough touch. Rider always set him ablaze faster than expected.

A ringing filled the car.

Rider groaned against Ben's lips. "We never get any fucking peace. Let's skip the country and change our names."

Ben laughed. "I just changed my name."

With an exasperated sigh, Rider moved back to the driver's seat. They both groaned when they spotted Tanner's name on the screen of the dashboard.

"Go ahead and answer it. He won't stop calling until you do."

Rider didn't look happy about it, but he did as told. He tapped the screen, accepting the call. "This is Rider."

"It's Tanner. I have one final offer for Ben and you. There's a plane waiting."

Rider rubbed his forehead. "Ben and I have told you several times we're not interested. We've only been back from our honeymoon one day and we're ready for a quiet life."

"Nonsense. You two will be bored and killing each other in under two months. You're too smart and driven to do nothing for the rest of your lives."

A sexy smirk touched Rider's lips. "I wouldn't say we're doing nothing."

A loud huff came through the line. "Please, at least meet with me. The limited contract Medvedkov signed is up and Coach Murphy and he are already being courted by Phoenix again."

Even though Ben was the only person looking at him, Rider shrugged. "So, pay them what they're worth."

"I've already agreed to do that, but they're both still making noises like they'll walk unless I bring you both back onboard. It seems Medvedkov has had some run-ins in the past with your possible replacement. He's not interested in being trapped in a contract that leaves him managed by someone he hates."

Ben and Rider exchanged a look. No matter what, they had the Chuckers in their blood.

"Hold on a second." Rider muted the call. "What do you want to do here? We have to make this decision together."

Ben chewed his bottom lip. He didn't want to lose this new playful Rider, but he also knew Rider would blame himself if their hometown team got driven into the ground. After a moment, Ben shrugged. "I guess we can go listen to his offer. But I want to make sure you're not overworked the way you were before. You've been so much happier out from underneath that job. I don't want to lose this."

Rider brought Ben's hand to his mouth. "We'll do what's best for us. No matter what he offers, it has to benefit our marriage above everything."

Ben nodded.

Rider unmuted the call. "We're on our way to the airport now."

"Beautiful. I'll have a car waiting when you land."

Ben stared at Rider's profile and prayed this wasn't a mistake. But Ben trusted Rider to always put them first. No matter what, they would be fine.

Tanner's private plane was nice as hell, but it nearly gave Rider anxiety just sitting inside. He had thought he was free of this. Rider weighed the pros and cons of getting sucked back into this life. Truthfully, the pros far outweighed the cons. Yet he still didn't know what he would do. He needed Ben to be happy. Secretly, the thing Tanner had said that got under his skin was the boredom comment. Rider could never tire of Ben, but maybe Ben would be restless without a challenge. Ben was twenty-nine to Rider's days away forty-two. Rider didn't want him to suddenly notice that gap one day when his mind got too settled. He wanted to keep Ben's focus forever.

"I used to watch you on these flights and daydream about fucking you."

Ben's sudden confession immediately pulled Rider from his worries. Rider glanced over, expecting to share a smile over the admission. Instead, he found Ben staring at him with so much hunger, it seared his skin. Rider's mouth went dry. Ben made him so goddamn hot. "You should've done it."

Some confidence left Ben's features. "I was certain someone like you could never want someone like me."

That confused the fuck out of Rider. "What do you mean? I used to watch you work and silently beg for you to turn your head and see how much I craved you." Rider stood and bent, boxing Ben in with hands on either side of Ben's head on the loveseat. "You'd chew your pen while focused on your tasks. I'd watch the way your lips moved and wish they were on me instead." Rider brushed his lips across Ben's mouth before moving away again. "You'd lean back in your chair and stretch. All I could do was picture being at your feet on my knees." Rider dropped to his knees.

Ben's eyes burned with lust as he watched Rider's every move. His expression made Rider feel powerful. He felt their ages disappear. Rider knew he would do things for Ben no one else would.

He slid Ben's zipper down while holding his stare. "You have no idea how hard I prayed you'd notice how completely in love I am with you. I have been for a very long time. If you had given me a single opening on any of these flights, I would've taken it like a champ with zero prep and no lube. There's no comparison between us." He popped Ben's erection from his shorts. "There's only a bigger love than anyone else could give either of us."

Rider held Ben's stare as he slowly leaned in and licked Ben's cock. "Tell me what you pictured doing to me."

Ben released a pant. "I pictured bending you over this loveseat, ensuring you never wanted anyone else again."

Rider held Ben's stare so he would see the truth. "I haven't wanted anyone else since the day we met. You were always meant for me." He went down on Ben, trying to drive home his words. Rider needed Ben to feel how desperate he had been since the first time Ben opened his mouth and put Rider in his place. He sucked. Ben whimpered. Rider swallowed. Ben's hips left the seat.

"I wrote you a letter once, telling you I love you, but I lost my nerve and shredded it."

Rider's head shot up at the confession. "Really?"

Ben looked desperate. He nodded. "It was the one and only time you threatened to fire me when it looked like you actually might. I didn't want to go without you knowing how I felt."

Rider didn't know when that happened. "I've never once meant it when I threatened to fire you. I can't live without you."

"Prove it." The way Ben growled the words nearly made Rider laugh. He wasn't trying to torment Ben, but it seemed he was.

"Yes, sir." He took Ben to the back of his throat.

"Damn. That feels so good."

Rider barely heard the words. He was too focused on giving Ben the blowjob of the year. The more sounds Ben made, the faster Rider bobbed. He didn't change angles or tease him. Rider wanted Ben's cum to hit the back of his throat. A strangled cry caressed his ears. Cum filled Rider's mouth.

"Oh my god. I love you. I love you so fucking much."

Rider swiped his face on his shoulder before moving to claim Ben's mouth. Their heated kiss cooled as Rider slowed things down. He didn't want some quick blowjob or whatever. Rider wanted to sit on Ben's dick. Unfortunately, he had ensured that would have to wait.

The crackle of the intercom cut through their moment. "We're starting our final descent. Please fasten your seatbelts."

Ben chuckled against his lips. "We cut that a little close. I'll have to make it up to you later."

That was Rider's plan. He helped Ben fix his clothes, and they buckled their seatbelts. As the plane landed smoothly, they snuggled until the motors died. They held hands on the way to the waiting SUV. On the drive, they kept casting lustful looks each other's way. Rider didn't know how they would make it through this trip. He hadn't gotten less than half mast since touching Ben's dick. His brain was more begging to get dicked down than any other thoughts. Rider needed to get it together before he agreed to something stupid with Tanner, just to get out of there faster.

The car circled a huge driveway in front of a massive house. Tanner's home was more like a compound. No one made it onto the property unless they were specifically invited and escorted. In his life, Rider had interacted with many of the elite. Tanner was the only one so untouchable. His money meant everything to him. Rider had never been very good at dealing with him. Ben, who had never met anyone as rich before Tanner, handled the guy like a master.

Their driver opened their doors. Together, they climbed from the car. Rider took a steadying breath. He didn't want to do anything that might fuck up their beautiful life. Rider couldn't claim he didn't love the Chuckers, though. It hurt his chest to think of them failing without his backing. The front door opened as they climbed the steps. A butler stepped aside, quietly welcoming them inside.

He closed the door behind him. "Your presence is awaited in the front sitting room."

That was odd. They usually met in Tanner's home office. It seemed Tanner planned to try acting human as a tactic by meeting them like friends. Rider kissed Ben's hand as they headed for the front room. It was his way of drawing strength. Ben flashed him a reassuring smile. Another of Tanner's employees opened the door to the front room.

"Surprise!"

Rider startled and then froze. He eyed the room. He blinked at the sight of his mom, middle brother, and all the Chuckers' players and staff. "Um. What the fuck is this?"

Ben laughed. "It's a birthday party."

Rider looked his way. He was super slow on the uptake. It hit him Ben had known about this. "What?"

Ben rolled his eyes. "Your birthday is in two days. I got you. You should see your face." His eyes swam with laughter.

He absolutely had gotten Rider. No way in hell would he have thought a party awaited him at Tanner's.

"How did you do this?"

Ben shrugged. "I talked to Tanner when he called last month about us coming back to work. We got off track and agreed you should be celebrated for once. He handled everything."

Tanner stepped forward. He was all smiles. Rider didn't know what part shocked him the most, the party, the fact that Tanner had planned it, or that his family was there. Well, part of them. He didn't see Matt. That made him sad. Matt hadn't talked to him since he had walked out of Rider's office.

As a bear of a man, Tanner blocked out the rest of the guests as he greeted Rider. He patted Rider's back. His eyes were alight with laughter. "Happy birthday, son."

Rider shook his hand. He couldn't stay quiet. "This doesn't mean I accept your offer."

A loud guffaw of laughter burst from Tanner. "This isn't about that. I swear. You'd think you believe I don't like you. You've been with me for years, giving everything to my team. I consider Ben and you family."

"I'm pretty sure I told you to go fuck yourself the last time we spoke."

That made Tanner laugh harder. "See? If you didn't think of me as family too, you never would've felt comfortable saying that."

Honestly? Rider couldn't deny it. He spent entirely too many years and time with Tanner to ignore they had some form of relationship. Family seemed a bit far, though.

Jules rushed forward to hug him. "There's my eldest baby." She leaned close to his ear. "I thought Tanner was an old guy with one foot in the grave. Why didn't you tell me he's a sexy silver fox? Imagine all that money."

All Rider could do was shake his head. His mom was who she was. He had accepted it a long time ago. Rider got carried away by the tide of well-wishers. Several players asked when he planned to return to the team. It seemed Tanner's talk of Medvedkov leaving wasn't just bullshitting him to get him there. Apparently, Tanner's second choice was a man well known for slashing pay and booting people back to the minors at the slightest bad run. None of them felt comfortable with the team any longer. Rider listened to their concerns through cake and ice cream. He got cards and gifts Ben gathered for him. His gaze kept moving Ben's way and lingering. As always, Ben quietly kept his life organized and made it easier. Rider had never stood a chance against loving him.

The first moment Rider had to talk to him, he pulled Ben aside. "You're amazing. I can't believe you did this. What would you have done if I had refused to come here?"

Ben shrugged. "I would've suggested we come hear Tanner out and you've would've agreed."

Rider couldn't argue with his logic. "I don't deserve you."

Ben shrugged. "You don't let me spoil you, but I want to. I had to do what I could."

"I love you."

Ben beamed. "I love you too."

Rider's smile faltered. "We have to return to the team."

A sweet smile touched Ben's lips. "I know." Ben's smile grew. "But we can make Tanner squirm and give us everything we want."

They held each other's stare. Rider had so much to say, he didn't know where to start. Ben had saved his life. He didn't realize it, but Rider had disappeared before him. There had been nothing left of him but the Chuckers' general manager. Then Ben had come along and reminded him he was also a man with feelings and needs. Desires. Rider never knew how to say all those things.

"Can you believe Mom thought Tanner was some elderly dude, wasting away up here in his compound?"

Ben snorted. "I might've gently led her to believe that."

A laugh burst from Rider. Happiness overshadowed everything inside him. They were absolutely meant to be. Ben got him. He got Rider's family. Ben saw Rider's mom for the opportunist she was and kept her wrangled. No one else on this earth could have married him, stepped into his unique family, and survived. Ben had everything under control, including Rider. He never wanted to be anywhere else but under Ben's thumb… except maybe underneath him.

"How long do we have to stay?" Rider undressed Ben with his eyes, ensuring he understood Rider's impatience.

Ben licked his lips, obviously feeling the same. "This party is for you, so for a good while." He leaned Rider's way. "But I bet I can get you off in the bathroom before anyone even notices we're gone."

Rider whimpered. "God, I love you."

Ben's bright smile was everything. "I love you too."

As Ben took his hand and led him out of sight before anyone noticed, Rider couldn't stop smiling. He also couldn't stop thanking fate for handing him this amazing man. Rider absolutely couldn't live without him. He had no plans to ever try.

Don't forget to check out the next Thin Ice, Royally Pucked.