12. Benny

TWELVE

BENNY

I wake up with my face squished against Chris's bicep. He's sleeping peacefully, with his mouth half open, and though he did kind of wear me out last night, my morning wood is insistently poking him in the hip.

I don't move to wake him up though.

I just look at him and think about how amazing our date was last night. I know I haven't been on many dates, and definitely no dates as "public" as last night's, but I'm pretty sure it's going to be hard to top.

I'm supposed to go to the rink with Bates at noon to tell him all about the date, and no matter how much I want to tell him about how amazing it was, right now I can't imagine wanting to get up or stop being next to Chris for at least a few more hours.

I just know I jinxed myself when my phone buzzes a few times in a row on Chris's nightstand. I roll away from the warmth of Chris because I don't want the incessant noise to wake him up .

"Oh, God." I can't help my groan of annoyance when I realize I've been added to a new chat group. "The ones who know the magic of a prostate" is the fucking name, and it makes perfect sense that it's named that way when I realize it was Xander who made the group.

It was a surprise six months ago when Milkman, my calm and normally quiet teammate, started a relationship with Xander—an exuberant ex–sex worker who's not the least bit shy. This is all more than evident by the texts.

Jules

What is this?

Drew

We're having a dinner party at our place, and you're all invited.

Milkman

Count me in.

Xander

That's nice babe, but you were going whether you wanted to or not.

I snort despite myself and keep reading.

Sterling

I expected Bear to be completely against this.

Jules

We have a newborn at home, and Jamie's off in la-la-land now that she's in love with our new GM

Sterling

Can you tell how grumpy it makes him?

Bear

I was against this, I actually refused.

Drew

But he told me everything that's his is mine too, so the dinner party is happening. I also talked with Jamie and she and Jake are going to spend the whole night with the kids so you two are free to come. Sorry Jules, but there's no excuse.

We'll see all of you here at seven tonight.

Jules

Bear . . .

Bear

Don't Bear me, you're coming.

Sterling

We do need a night out, count us in.

Jules

*whiny face*

Milkman

Yay!

Xander

Yay!

Ah, that's why they're together.

Xander

We're bringing ice cream.

Bear

Benny, I know you already read everything, don't even think about playing the "I didn't see the texts" card. You better be here too .

"Shit," I snap way too fucking loudly.

"Benny?" The sleepy croak brings me to life.

"Sorry," I whisper and turn back to look at him. "Sorry."

"No worries, what time it is." He doesn't even open his eyes as I settle back on his shoulder.

"I didn't even check." I realize it as I say it.

"You were looking at your phone," he points out and opens one eye.

"Sooooo." I drag out the word and put on my cutest smile.

"What?" he asks as he shifts back slightly. Both eyes are open now but they're narrowed in suspicion.

"Do you want to meet my friends?" The last word comes out in a squeak. Now his eyes open wide, and I know he's freaking out from the fear in them. "It's just... they're all in relationships with other men, we're like the only queer guys we know, and I really don't want to go there by myself and have them all pity me, then have to explain everything again with Norman. There's also no way in hell I'm getting out of going." His expression hasn't changed at all, and I know I'm being unfair. "You know what? We just had our first date, it's fine. Don't worry."

"No, no, baby, just give me a second to assimilate. It's fine, of course I'll go with you."

"Chris," I whisper and cup his face. "You don't have to. I'm a big boy, I can go alone and deal with my friends. Just because I'm whining doesn't mean I want to push you or make you uncomfortable."

"Baby," he whispers and shuffles closer until our foreheads are touching. I close my eyes and breathe deeply. "I do want to meet your friends. "

"I believe you. But the day after our first date is pushing it, don't you think?"

"Maybe," he concedes and leans back. We stare at each other for a long time, our heads resting on the same pillow and it's glorious, the way I feel so close to him—and not only physically close. "I want to go," he says in a louder tone. "I want to meet your friends."

"Are you sure?"

"Totally," he says with a smile that's once more cocky and sure. I lean in and kiss him before rolling away and checking my phone again. There are at least fifty more texts, but I don't bother with them and just check the time. I wince when I realize.

"It's eleven fifteen." I groan and flop onto my back.

"And?" Chris asks with amusement.

"I'm meeting Norman at noon. I have to go home before meeting him."

"What, are you having a gossip session?" I hide my lips inside my mouth and keep my eyes firmly away from Chris. "Oh, my God! You absolutely are going to gossip about our date with your BFF!" He raises and points a finger at me accusingly, but his grin is happy and relaxed. I nod silently and let my grin out. "What are you gonna tell him?" Just like I did, he flops down and rests his head on his palm.

"I'll start by saying that it was the best date ever and then..." I trail off with a shit-eating grin.

"What? Then what?" he demands.

"I'm not gonna tell you." I raise my chin indignantly. "It's the bro code." His mouth drops and I let out a loud bark of a laugh. "I loved every second of it, that's all that matters. And also, I really do need to go. Second also, I'll text you about tonight, but if you change your mind about going I understand, okay?" I kiss him once then spring up and away from him when he goes to grab me.

"Benny," he warns again.

"Nuh-uh," I say and wag a finger at him. "Hands off, I'm late. Also, I'm BB, baby, or baby Benny to you, handsome."

"Fine." He sighs.

"Last thing, my friend lives in the building right next to mine, so come to my place tonight?"

He nods once, and that's all I need to collect all my clothes and get dressed as fast as I can while giving Chris a bit of a show. He stays in bed, his delicious pecs and abs visible and tempting me way too much. I can't risk climbing onto the bed to give him another goodbye kiss because I might just stay there, so I lamely wave my hand at him.

"See you tonight, baby Benny. And say hi to Norman from me."

"I will," I tell him, then make myself turn around and walk out of his bedroom.

At six on the dot Chris is knocking on my door and I'm ready for him. I told him to get here earlier because I decided he deserves a treat for being so good about meeting all my queer teammates on our second date.

I'm hoping he's as chill being around Jules and Sterling—without a doubt the two most famous of the bunch—as he's been about me being a hockey player. With him owning a nightclub I bet he gets tons of celebrities there, even if it is a gay nightclub, so I'm confident he'll keep his chill .

To distract him from that tonight, I'm hoping we can finally finish our talk about all my research and try some stuff out.

"Hey," I greet him and kiss him softly before letting him inside. "How's everything at the club? Is it really okay that you're not there tonight too? Am I a bad influence on you? Do your employees hate me?" I only realized after talking to Norman about the best date in the history of the universe that Chris has a job to do tonight. I texted him to double check if he was really okay with going to the dinner at Bear's, and he only responded with a simple yes, so of course I need more reassurance than that.

"I promise it's okay, BB. My employees don't hate you. They're kind of obsessed with you actually. You are kind of a bad influence on me, but I think that's a good thing, if that makes sense. And lastly, the fact that I had advance warning of the fact that I wouldn't be there tonight is way better than bailing on them like I've been doing, so everything will work out fine tonight. Now, tell me," he whispers as he steps closer and places both hands on my hips. "How was your gossip session with Norman?"

"Uh." I'm pretty sure he just fried my brain, answering every single one of my questions and then turning on the... I don't even know what to call it... intensity? His eyes get all dark and his smile mischievous. It makes me want to jump him so bad—the last thing I want to do is talk about Bates.

And then I remember what my plan was—to blow his mind.

I fall to my knees and get to work on his belt.

"Uh, baby?" he asks, looking down at me with that tenderness I like so much but the intensity is still there somehow.

"I'm gonna blow your mind," I say then get back to work. Since we're going to the dinner party I don't want him to have any stains, so I make sure to pull his slacks and briefs to his ankles. The fact that he's already half-hard is a big clue to how he feels about me—just as horny as I am.

I don't waste any time, since we have to leave pretty soon, so I wrap my hand around the base and lick the tip to lap up the drop of precome there and then I suck him halfway into my mouth.

"Baby," he moans.

"Just wanted to show my appreciation," I say quickly before going back in for more. He threads his fingers into my hair and pulls just enough so it's impossible to ignore his hold.

"For what?" His gravelly voice makes me groan around him. I guess that feels good since his fingers twitch on my head. Since I'm just as horny, I reach down to get myself out too. Chris notices and pulls hard on my hair, just once. "No, baby Benny. I'm gonna get you off after I come down your throat, don't touch your cock."

Fuck, I seriously love his dirty talk. I suck hard once then lean back again.

"Okay, but then I'm gonna have to make you come real fast, 'cause I'm really horny, okay? And also, I want to show my appreciation for you coming tonight, handsome. Now, don't ask any more questions and let me get to work."

This time I take more than half into my mouth, and go straight to bobbing up and down while I twist my hand around his base .

"Sounds like a plan." His breathy voice only spurs me on. "Baby, why didn't I know you were so good at this?" he asks and brings his other hand to my head. He starts pulling me gently towards him, and when he sees I have absolutely nothing against that, his hips get in on the action as well. Again, no complaints here, I freaking love this.

I love looking up at him and seeing his jaw bunching up from how hard he's clenching it. I love seeing his fully black eyes focused like lasers on my mouth and how I'm taking him in. I love watching his biceps and forearms ripple. He's holding back, I can tell, and I try to tell him with my eyes only that he doesn't have to, that he can fuck my mouth to his heart's content and I will happily take it, but he still won't ramp up the intensity.

I feel like I need him to come even more than I need relief for myself, so I don't bother pulling back to tell him, instead I just suck harder, twist my hand faster and tighten my grip just a little. I let my drool slide down his length to help with the glide and I move faster.

That's how, only half a minute after, he groans as his hips twitch hard, and then I feel the first burst of his come on my tongue. "Baby," he groans as he lets his head hang until his chin almost touches his chest. I keep up my movements until he winces and shifts back, and that's when I finally swallow.

Next thing I know, he's kneeling in front of me. With his hands still tangled in my hair, he pulls my face up to his and kisses me hard. He strokes my tongue with his and knowing he's tasting himself reminds me that I still haven't come. "Now you're gonna fuck my face, baby."

"Okay," I say between heavy breaths. "But I don't think I can stand. "

"That's perfect, baby, just lie back and enjoy."

"Sounds like a plan." I melt into the floor, ready to be pleased by my sexy boyfriend.

Oh, we're not boyfriends yet.

Get your shit together, Benny. It's too fucking soon.

Chris lowers my pants and briefs to my calves and lies between my legs. I can't spread them enough to fit his broad shoulders, but he rests his forearms on my hips and holds my hard-as-hell dick with both hands.

He goes all in in one go, only stopping his descent when the tip of my dick hits the back of his throat. With my legs trapped by him and my pants, I can't do much more than half lift my hips at the sudden burst of pleasure, but his hum of approval is all I need to reach down and pet his jet-black strands.

I'm about to come in less than two minutes, and when he slides one hand up my torso and flicks my nipple, I have to warn him. "I'm gonna come," I say in a strangled voice. His hand doesn't even get to my throat, he only shifts it upward a few centimeters and I'm spilling in his mouth.

Safe to say, we're not exactly on time for the dinner party, but I'm still excited about it when we knock on Bear's apartment door.

Strangely, it's Xander who opens the door. His happy, always teasing smile dims into surprise when he sees Chris.

"Ah, come in," he says in a weird voice.

"Thanks," I tell him and pull Chris in behind me. I'm not going to let his reaction get to me. Just beyond the foyer is the dining table, where Drew and Milkman are sitting. I can hear Jules and Bear's grumbles from the direction of the kitchen, but I guess I can introduce Chris to these guys first .

"Guys, this is?—"

"Is your name Christopher Collins?" Xander asks, interrupting me and stunning me into silence. How does he know Chris? And why does he know his last name but I don't?

"Yeah," Chris says, looking and sounding wary.

"Oh. My. God," Drew whisper-shouts.

"Oh my God," Bear says as he comes into the room, all color drained from his face. Jules walks into the room just after. He's looking behind himself, so he doesn't see that Bear stopped in his tracks and he bumps into his back.

"What the fuck?" My captain grouches at Bear and then he sees Chris and pales even faster than our goalie. "Oh, no." Jules's voice sounds... scared? What the hell?

"What?" Bear asks, looking back at him

"What?" Jules parrots.

"How do you know him?" Bear demands.

"How do you know him?" Jules narrows his eyes at Bear.

"Holy fuck," Chris says in a horrified whisper. "I should probably go."

"What? No you're not leaving. What's going on?" I'm looking directly at Chris, but my question is for the whole damn room.

Then Sterling comes in. "What's going on?" he asks when he sees Jules basically squaring up to Bear.

Jules seems to deflate and looks at his husband. "You remember how I told you a... guy had recommended Provoke to me?"

What the fuck is Provoke?

"Wait, you know about Provoke?" Bear asks, with a grimace scrunching his whole face.

" You know about Provoke?" Jules volleys back, and they're back to squaring up. But now Sterling is looking at Chris with murder in his eyes and I don't understand why .

"Damn," Xander says. "You can't make this shit up."

Jules stops glowering at Bear long enough to scowl at Xander, but turns back to Sterling and sees how he's looking at my... man. Okay, that's enough now.

"Can someone explain what the fuck is going on and why you're all being so mean to Chris?"

Xander clears his throat and stands all the previous amusement in his face now gone. "I think I understand what's going on." Then he looks toward Jules and Bear. "Do you mind if I explain it to Benny?" he asks with a lot more gentleness than he's known for. Jules lets out a sigh—not a relieved one—and Bear only nods stoically once. "See, your man here looks just like someone we apparently all know. That man's name is Jake. I know him because I worked for him, but all the checks were in Christopher Collins's name. Drew used to work for him too, and we used to speculate that Christopher Collins was probably Jake's brother or something. Now, the second your man walked in, I just knew he had to be related to Jake in some way because they look just like each other." He takes a deep breath and continues with his face scrunched up in a sympathetic looking wince. "My guess right now is that Bear and Jules both met your man and he recommended my previous place of employment to them. Which is great since that's apparently the place where they found the loves of their lives."

That last bit of information has my jaw doing its best to touch the floor. I turn to look at Chris and see it in his face. It's true .

The man who's got me all gung-ho, the one I'm dating, the man who's helping me discover a new part of myself...

He slept with two of the men I admire most in the world.