11. Chris

ELEVEN

CHRIS

Monday

I shift from foot to foot as I spin my glass of water on my kitchen counter. I'm not even thirsty for Christ's sake.

I should've convinced Benny to let me drive for our date, but he was adamant about not letting me know what we were going to do. So here I am, waiting for him to get to my place to pick me up.

I did demand a dress code, and he answered "casually and comfortably." I don't know if that's normal date attire, but I doubt it. It means I'm even more nervous about today.

I jump a little when the doorbell rings. Get a fucking hold of yourself, Christopher.

I walk just a little bit too quickly to the door, but have to stop and take a deep breath before I open it.

Be yourself but don't let Benny see the panic, I remind myself, and then I open the door.

"Hello, ba—" My words get cut off when I see him. Holding one single red rose in front of him and his eyes shining with excitement, his blonde mane wild as always and his cheeks stretched with the cutest, unsure smile. "—by," I finish.

"Hi," he says softly and adorably shyly. He thrusts the rose at me and I take it. I feel all the nerves drop away then. I've got this.

I lean in and give him a lingering kiss, and though I want to pull him closer by the nape, and bring him inside so we forget all about the date, something tells me he put a lot of effort into planning this for us if all the questions he texted me are anything to go by.

Are you allergic to anything?

What is your favorite machine at the gym?

If you could be any character from the Lord of the Rings , who would you be?

All kinds of stuff, and as far as I can tell, most of them don't have anything to do with our date, but what do I know?

"Are you finally going to tell me where we're going?" I ask.

"Nope, it's only like fifteen minutes away, though, so you'll find out real soon."

I chuckle lightly and cup his cheek. I think he likes it when I do that, and honestly, I love it too.

"Alright, BB. Then you can finally tell me how it went with Norman." I look at him with a raised eyebrow.

He smiles cheekily at me. The brat told me he went to talk to his best friend on Friday, but he only told me it had gone fine and that he would tell me more on our date.

"Why are you so interested?" he asks as he takes my hand and leads me to his car.

I'm surprised to see he has a pretty champagne-colored Range Rover, but I forget all about it when he opens the passenger door for me.

"I told you it went fine." He tilts his head for me to get in and then closes my door once I'm settled. I put the seatbelt on while he rounds the hood of the car. He continues speaking the second he opens the driver's door. "He was surprised, never even came close to thinking I had romantic feelings for him. Or thought I had feelings for him, whatever, you know what I mean."

"I do," I say and it's impossible to ignore the smile in my voice. Benny looks at me with a smile just as wide then turns to turn the car on.

"So anyway, I told him everything, how in the end I was just hurt because he never told me about his new girlfriend. He explained it all. Turns out it's his superstitions." He rolls his eyes as he starts moving the car in reverse to get on the road. "He has so many of those, I swear. Anyway, then we were good, and I told him all about you." He ends the explanation on a high pitch.

I swallow hard, and suddenly I wish I had drunk that glass of water.

"You did?" I ask, and I don't think Benny can hear the trepidation in my tone.

"Mm-hm." He nods, but doesn't take his eyes away from the road thankfully. I'm glad to realize he's a good driver. "Told him how I got drunk then went dancing and you seduced me with your moves." He wiggles his eyebrows and giggles which makes me relax—marginally. "I told him all about the neck thing and he was horrified, then did some research with me."

" He did? " Now that horrifies me .

"Oh, is it bad that I told him that?"

I take a deep breath to calm down. Let's be real here, I'm a man of many subdued kinks. I can basically fit myself into lots and lots of kinks. I've done it before—and you can bet I enjoyed every second—so it's not like Benny outed me. I just need to think rationally.

"No, it's not. I just never expected you to."

"Well, Norman's cool like that. He doesn't judge anyone, just accepts people for who they are, you know?"

"That means he's a good person," I say mostly to myself. It makes me relax just a tiny bit more.

"Yeah, he's awesome. And anyway, we talked about Caroline a lot—that's his girlfriend—and then he helped me work out where I was taking you on this awesome date."

That's the one thing I didn't know I needed to hear, to finally let go of whatever hang up I had about Norman. If he helped Benny plan this date, then that has to be a good guy, right?

Yeah, that's . . .

Even my thoughts stop when Benny pulls into the parking lot of... Crystal Palace Skating Center? What?

"Benny," I start in a warning tone.

"We're going skating!" he says, just as excitedly as when we were playing his video game.

"Benny," I repeat, and something in my tone finally gets his attention.

"What's wrong?" And dammit he looks so fucking worried. I don't want to ruin this date even before it really starts. I look down at the rose still in my hand and take a deep breath. I'm not breaking any rules here, I'm being myself, and I'm not showing how unprepared I am for a date. I'm just going to be honest.

"Nothing's wrong, baby. I just don't know how to ice skate."

"Oh, we're not going ice skating," he says and waves his hand carelessly. "We're going rollerblading."

"I also don't know how to do that."

"Well, I can teach you if you're up for it?" He finds a parking spot and slots the car in expertly between two trucks, then turns to me after unbuckling his seatbelt. I'm silent, still processing the offer. "It can be a cute date thing where I have to keep you steady with my hands on your hips and maybe even turn you on a little." He wags his eyebrows at me, and I let out a snort despite the panic wanting to rise out of me.

Push it down, Christopher. Just push it down.

"Okay," I say, and release a big rush of air. "Okay, I'm in. But you can't tell anyone if I fall, or laugh at me." I see he's already very poorly trying to disguise his amusement, so I roll my eyes and concede. "Too much, baby. Don't laugh at me too much."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he assures me in what I'm guessing is his shot at an innocent voice. I just shake my head and go to get my seatbelt.

"Hey, wait there a sec."

"Okay," I say, confused now. He climbs out of the car and then... he opens my door for me. Again. "You're so cute, BB. Thank you," I murmur against his lips before giving him a soft kiss as I turn to climb down too.

"Well, you're my date. This is what people do on dates, isn't it? "

"I have no idea, but even your frown is cute, so I don't care."

"Good." His smile is back. He reaches over to take my hand and pulls a little. I reluctantly leave the rose behind, close the door behind me, and follow him to this... skating center. Jesus help me.

It takes us less than five minutes to get roller skates our size— because Benny made a freaking reservation and I'm melting —and too soon we're standing in front of the entrance to the rink. I'm wobbling though, and I'm pretty sure Benny's muttering about this not being a real rink for some reason but I can't focus on that too.

"Come on," he cajoles, holding both my hands and skating backwards. I'm more scared for him than me for a second, but he just... glides as soon as his wheels touch the laminated floor. Then I'm back to worrying about myself.

"Oh, God," I whisper. "Baby, how the hell do you...?" I trail off because I need to stop fucking talking in order to keep my balance—don't ask me why, but it works.

"Just let your feet glide. Don't slide backwards, lift and push, Chris. Yes, like that, lift and push." Benny keeps giving me instructions I barely understand, but soon enough I'm somewhat gliding. Until I'm not. "I'm gonna let go of one of your hands now and skate next to you, okay?"

"Okay," I mutter, scared of what it will mean for my balance.

"I'm not going to pull you anymore, you have to push, Chris. Lift and pu?—"

I fall flat on my ass and he's wincing hard.

"I'm sorry," he says tenderly .

"Not your fault," I say with a groan. Then I laugh a little. It wasn't that bad. "Let me try again."

It turns out to be a lot more fun than I ever thought possible. We do lap after lap after lap in the rink and I even get to shimmy a little by the end. I only realize there's a disco ball in the middle and music playing after half an hour because I was so damn focused on not falling.

I did fall more times of course, and each time it hurt less and we laughed more. At one point, Benny started doing some really impressive moves, spinning on the spot, and even jumping and spinning—that one was so wild I fell on my ass just from the shock of seeing it.

After almost two hours, though, Benny asks me if I'm ready for dinner and I readily agree. The fact that I didn't have a horrible time doesn't mean that I want to keep doing it forever.

We return our skates and walk back to his car with our fingers interlaced and Benny swinging our hands between us. Once again, he opens the door for me, and I thank him with a kiss.

"Where to now?" I ask once we're driving out of the parking lot.

"Dinner," is all he says.

"So we're back to you not telling me where we're going."

"You're catching up, handsome." His shit-eating grin does things to me. More specifically to my dick.

I shift on my seat, resisting the urge to adjust my growing erection, and focus on what really matters. "Handsome? "

"Felt right," he says way too softly and shrugs as if it's no big deal.

"I like it, baby." I take his hand from the armrest and keep holding it for the next forty minutes. We barely drive three miles, it's just that the traffic on the Strip is a nightmare.

I'm silent as Benny steers the car slowly up the driveway of... well, the most famous hotel in the city. He leaves the car with the valet and... it's weird the way they greet him.

"Good evening Mr. Olsen. Please follow my colleague." He looks like a bellman and gestures with an extended arm to another man in a regular suit. Benny only smiles and nods his thanks. He takes my hand and walks inside like none of that interaction was weird.

Maybe it isn't for him. Maybe—all of my thoughts come to a halt when I realize where we're going.

Campera is the only restaurant in the city with four Michelin stars and I've never come here even though I've always wanted to. It's way too expensive and I just never saw the need. The ma?tre d' also greets Benny by his last name.

"What is going on?" I demand in a whisper once we're left alone at our table—which of course is right by the window where we have the best view possible of the Strip.

"We're having the best burgers in the city." Benny's smile is wobbly at best, so for now, I decide to let it go.

"They make burgers at this place?"

"Yeah, of course. I obviously brought you to a place where you can have your favorite food." He looks relieved, confirming my suspicion, and melts me with his words.

"Thank you," I whisper and take his hand over the table .

"You're welcome." Again he shrugs like it's no big deal. "So, now to the talking part about first dates. Norman told me this is something people do. So I guess I'll start with did you go to college?"

"I did," I answer and lean back in my chair, ready for what I'm sure will be the most enjoyable interrogation in the world only because it's Benny doing it.

"Cool, I didn't go. What was your major?"

"Business administration." I shrug. "Nothing too exciting. But I met a dude in class that invented a way to recycle batteries, so I teamed up with him, and we sold the patent for it to the government before we graduated."

"That's insane." Benny stares at me open-mouthed for a long moment. "So are you like, a genius?"

I cackle at that, probably way too loudly for a place this fancy, but who cares. "Not even close. I mean, like I told you, I like crunching numbers, and I like my work in general, but I'm definitely not a genius. I just invested, he's the one who invented the whole thing."

"Still cool," he declares.

And I feel it then, the slight trickle of panic that's telling me I better move the conversation along to him.

"Now it's my turn." Benny nods and leans in but the waiter comes right at that moment. We order our drinks and promise to look over the menu. I quickly make sure that I know what I want to order, then focus back on Benny just as he closes his own menu. "You told me a little bit about them already, but tell me about your family, and growing up in a small town in Canada."

Even though family is the last thing I want to talk about, I can't resist asking about his. It's unfair of me, I know, but I'm the only one who knows, so who am I hurting, really?

For the rest of our date he tells me all about how loud Big Ben is, how his dad can fix anything that's broken, how his mom loves the business, and about his sisters.

It's not hard for me to keep the conversation focused on him. The only part about my past that I feel comfortable talking about is what I already told him, and though I do tell him a little about Jake, I make sure to ask another question before we can dive deeper into anything about me. There are dangerous subjects that would seem innocuous to normal people, that I never want to discuss with Benny—he doesn't deserve any kind of trauma-dump.

I don't want to ruin the mood of this awesome date by talking about sad shit and trauma—that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Besides, I like hearing Benny talk. I can tell Benny loves his family more than anything since he doesn't stop smiling while he talks about them. The smile dims slightly when he talks about his paternal grandmother who passed away when he was a teenager, but it's back a few minutes later when he starts telling me about how his sister Lucky discovered her love for cooking.

When we're done eating, I have to accept it.

"You were right, that's the best damn burger in the city."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, handsome." He winks at me and stands, confusing me.

"We still have to pay," I remind him.

"Oh, I took care of that when I made the reservation. Come on." He offers me his hand, and I frown but take it .

"Thanks for that," I say in a measured tone. "I'll get it next time."

"No worries," he says breezily, like it really doesn't worry him at all. "I invited you out, so of course I'm paying."

The Range Rover is waiting for us when we get to the hotel's entrance, and this time the valet gets the door for me and I see just a tiny frown line in Benny's forehead. That brings my mood right up, so much so that when we climb in I don't suggest we go to his place.

I let him think he's taking me home, but when we get there, I do something I've never done before.

"Can you stay?"

"Yes." The immediate and enthusiastic answer does wonders for my poor nerves.

"Then let me just go in and open the garage for you so you can bring your car in."

"Thanks."

He leans over the middle console, and I don't mind meeting him halfway for a kiss.

I get inside and go to the garage through the kitchen, and I shake my arms a little to get rid of all the jitters before I hit the button for the door to open.

As soon as Benny's within reaching distance, I pull him to me and slam my mouth to his the way I've wanted to all day. We're finally in private, and we're finally alone. And it's also a great—seriously the best —way to distract myself from the fact that he's the only man other than my brother who's ever been inside my home.

"Bedroom?" I ask against his lips.

"No. Need you now. Right here." He instantly goes to undo my jeans, and I do the same. I have him wrapped in my hand in no time and pull his foreskin back to start jacking him off, but it gives me an idea.

"You ever tried docking, baby?"

"Uhhh," he groans when I trail my hand up his chest. "What?" he asks in the most absentminded voice I've heard on him.

"Docking." I speak between kisses. "Have you done it?"

"No. Oh, God, Chris. Please grab my neck."

"I will in a second, baby, but first?—"

"No, do it now." He turns us around and slams me against the wall. "Please," he begs, suddenly sweet as pie, and he kisses down my throat. "I've been thinking about it for days, Chris. Days. "

That's a good point. I slide my hand up to the base of his throat until my thumb is right under his chin. I lift his head and bring his mouth right against mine. "Line my cock up with yours, baby."

"O-okay," he stutters, and I feel him do what I ask. Then I drag his foreskin down his hard cock and over the head of mine.

"Fuck, that feels good." I moan the words then once more slam my mouth on his. I keep holding his neck—just holding—as I stroke his tongue with mine while also pulling and jacking us both off.

The heat around my dick is fucking delicious, but we need a little more, so the slide is more comfortable—our precome isn't enough anymore.

"Hold us, baby," I command. Once he does, I reach into my back pocket and get a packet of lube out of my wallet, then let it all drip out over my cock. "Now use that to make us come, baby."

"Okay," he whispers and looks down. He pulls the skin back and drags some of the lube to cover his cock, then lines us up again.

"Good, baby. Just like that. Fuck, you feel good all around me. Do you like it too?"

"Uh-huh," he mumbles. I feel the vibration of his hum against my palm and remember where it is, what Benny needs, what he asked of me. But we need to talk about it more before we get to that.

"Keep that up, baby, you'll be coming all over me in no time, won't you?" I slide my thumb up and down his throat, then pull him up against me and lick his lips. "I want you to come all over me." I bite his lip and drag it to me at the same time as I squeeze again, just a little bit. "I want you to feel me when I come too, baby Benny. Squeeze us tighter. Just like that. Fuck, Benny, faster," I beg him.

I don't mind begging at all, especially when it feels so damn good.

"I'm close, Chris," he warns in that breathy tone I love.

"Me too, just a little more. Just a bit faster, ungh ." We moan at the same time, and I feel him spill all over me as I do the same.

His whole body rests against mine as he comes but he keeps holding our dicks for a few minutes while we catch our breath.

"We're doing that again," he says between pants.

"Yeah, we are. Now," I lean back less than an inch and look between us. "We need to get cleaned up, baby, and then you have to tell me all about your research. "

"I'd like that."

He looks sleepy as he smiles up at me, and with his blue eyes shining in the harsh hallway light, I feel like someone's stepping on my chest.

How the hell did he become so important to me in less than a month?

Seriously, how?

A mystery never to be solved, probably, but definitely not for right now.

"Let me show you upstairs. I have a shower I think you'll like."

"What kind of mattress is this?" Benny demands in an incredulous tone while he starfishes on top of my comforter.

"I don't know," I reply as I towel off my hair and enjoy the view. All those muscles look damn good on my bed. "I just bought the one I thought was the most comfortable."

"Can I check?" he asks with way too much enthusiasm considering we're talking about a mattress.

"Of course, baby." I laugh lightly when he jumps up lightning fast and rips up the corner of the fitted sheet. He makes humming noises and after a few seconds he's moving again, this time back to the bathroom. He comes back with his phone and takes a picture of the mattress, then turns to me with an adorable smile.

"Sleep's very important, Chris." He puts the sheet back in place.

"Yeah, it is. Now come on." I offer him my hand and lead him to the side of the bed, pull up the comforter for him and then drape it over him when he settles. Then I go over to the thermostat and feeling a little bit like an idiot, I turn it way down.

I climb into the other side of the bed, well aware that Benny's watching me with a dopey smile the whole time, and beckon him closer when I'm more or less settled.

"Thank you," he murmurs as he rests his head on my shoulder.

I wrap my arms around him and kiss his temple. "No worries." I try to pretend I didn't just do what I did, and get back to the conversation we need to have. "So, tell me about your research, BB."

"I really like it when you call me that. Or baby, or baby Benny."

"Good," I say simply, waiting him out.

Sure enough he lets out a big breath. "So I read all about learning boundaries and knowing what our limits are. Safe words, choking, breath-holding, breath-swapping, kinging, and also all kinds of other kinks I didn't know were a thing."

"Mm-hm," I hum to encourage him to keep going.

"I don't want to hold my breath." It sounds like he's pouting, and when I lean slightly to check, I see he is.

"You don't have to hold your breath, baby."

"I do want you to choke me, though." He shifts around until he's lying on his belly, torso raised and resting on his elbows. He looks at me so damn earnestly that I think it has to be sinful to be talking about choking with someone who looks so... wholesome.

"Okay, then we do have to come up with a?—"

"Safe word, right?" He bounces up and in what seems like an impossible move, brings his legs forward and he's standing on the bed suddenly. I can only stare up at him. "I've been thinking about that too, like, what word will I always remember? I don't know, I haven't been able to think of one, so I think for now maybe we can go with the stoplight thingy."

"You mean red for full stop, yellow for slow down, and green for all's good."

"Yup," he says with a nod and starts ... jumping on the bed.

"Baby, you're gonna hurt yourself."

"Nuh-uh, come up with me. Jumping on the bed is fun."

"Benny," I say in a warning tone, but he's already leaning down and picking me up to stand in front of him like I weigh less than a feather.

"Jump with me, handsome," he whispers with a mischievous grin and takes my hands, then starts bouncing. I shake my head but copy his movements. "So, back to the safe word thing."

"We have to think of a way for you to tell me to stop if you can't talk, baby."

"Huh, that's a good point, since you'll be like, actually choking me."

He smiles and... I look down at his bouncing dick. "Are you turned on, BB?"

He nods repeatedly. "For sure, this conversation is getting me super horny."

"All right then." I grab his arms to stop him jumping around and tackle him to the bed. "We'll continue this conversation later."