by Kelex
Benji smiled to himself, hearing that Mac wouldn’t finish the comment. All night, the guy had treated all the women surrounding him with respect. There’d been no groping, at least not from Mac—as far as Benji had been able to see. It just added another check mark into Mr. Perfect’s win column. Mac wasn’t like most other men.
And that intrigued him all the more.
Mac removed his hand, and Benji missed the weight of it… the heat of it… the tendrils of electricity arcing through his body from that spot. The skin throbbed and tingled there, a ghost of the touch still lingering on him.
“I bet you rack them up when you are on the prowl. Women were throwing themselves at you all night. If you’d turned on the charm—watch out.”
A streetlight cast illumination as they passed it. He could see the smile Mac wore. Benji caught the profile of it and knew had he been looking full on, that smile would’ve devastated him.
“I get by,” Mac said before turning to face him. “What about you? You a lady-killer? I saw you dancing with a few lovely ladies tonight.”
“I think you saw firsthand just how little I kill the ladies,” Benji said before looking out the window. “I’m not a big muscle-bound jerk, so I don’t get much attention.”
“You calling me a big muscle-bound jerk?”
“No!” Benji said, his head whipping to face Mac. “No, I didn’t mean you.”
“Good to know.”
After the taxi stopped before their building, Mac paid the cabbie as Benji shuffled around with his wallet. “You didn’t have to pay again.”
“It’s all good,” Mac said.
They got out, and Benji swayed a little… and thankfully Mac was close enough to grab him.
“Thanks… I didn’t realize I’d had quite that much. But it’s catching up with me.”
Mac smiled, the taxi driving off behind him. “Lightweight, hmm?”
Benji’s smile faded. He’d been a lightweight all his life. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Come on, let’s get inside. My bed’s screaming for me.”
Benji trailed just behind Mac into the building. They mounted the stairs and turned toward their own doors once down the hall. Benji searched for his keys, his mind searching for something to say in parting.
He hadn’t really gotten what he’d been hoping for… some sign that Mac really was interested. But then, he didn’t get that Mac wasn’t interested, either, so he’d have to hold on to that.
Suddenly Mac landed on the wall beside his door.
“You okay?” Benji asked, turning to see Mac leaning against the hallway wall.
“Just tired,” Mac said before sighing. He lifted his stare, taking a step closer. “Thanks for showing me around town a little tonight. I appreciate it.”
Benji tensed a little. Mac was in his personal space… which was exactly where he wanted the guy, but he wasn’t sure if it was interest or Mac being tipsy. “No problem. Maybe we can do it again soon. You know… without the drama to start.”
Mac leaned in just a tiny bit closer. “Sounds good to me.” He looked away and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Ugh, I hope my head doesn’t pay me back for this in the morning.”
Benji was thoughtful a moment, something hitting his mind. “How’s your water?”
Mac frowned. “Water?”
“Yeah, the landlord was coming to fix it. Did he get it working?”
Mac nodded. “Oh yeah, my water. It’s working fine now. No problems.”
“Oh,” Benji said. “I was just checking… you might have needed some coffee in the morning.”
“Coffee… shit, I ground the last of my beans this morning and didn’t go get any. Damn.”
“You’re welcome to come have a cup tomorrow morning,” Benji said. Why not stay the night with me so we can make it in the morning together?
“That’s nice of you to offer. I just might take you up on it,” Mac said. “Especially since I missed out on the last chance for coffee.”
Ask him in… ask him in! Benji fiddled with his keys, looking for the right one. Which was hard. His hands shook with a mixture of terror and excitement.
Mac stared down at him, silent.
“I better get to bed,” Benji mumbled, backing away.
Mac said, propelling himself off the wall and toward his door. “Thanks again, Ben. I might come knocking tomorrow morning for that coffee.”
Ask him in! Benji thrust the key into the lock and turned, just as Mac did the same. “No problem. See you tomorrow.”
Mac sent a wave over one shoulder and disappeared into his apartment. The door shut behind him, leaving Benji alone.
Fucking chicken shit.
Benji leaned against the back of the door, wishing his liquid courage had been strong enough to do what he’d really wanted to do.
There’s no way he wants me.
Stop reading so much into things.
A little later, as he lay in bed, images of Mac played like a movie in his mind. Nearly naked, his muscled body on display. Benji grew hard imagining them in bed together.
Him pinned under Mac’s big, strong body.
Heat filled him. Benji trailed a hand down his bare chest and slipped it under his pajama pants. He stroked his hardening cock to full mast before pushing his pants down past his hips. Reaching for the dildo and lube from his nightstand, he continued to caress his shaft with the other hand. After he kicked his pants off, he spread his legs wide. Benji dropped the items to the mattress and focused on preparing himself.
Running both hands down the sides of his cock, he massaged the flesh there, working inward. One hand cupped and massaged his balls as he gripped the base of his cock and stroked up to the head. A bead of pre-cum eased out, coating his palm as he worked it over the head.
After, he moved that hand down farther and ran a finger along the rim of his asshole before pressing against the tight band of nerves. He paused long enough to pour some lube into his palm and then went back to massaging himself, his moans filling the bedroom.
Benji coated himself—his cock, his balls, and his asshole—before plunging a finger deep within. He thrust in and out, stretching his hole before slipping another finger to the first. Three fingers pulled him wide, readying himself for the thick dildo he’d drawn from the drawer.
Once he’d added some more lube to his hand, he lifted the cock and coated it. He then brought the head of it to his ass and rubbed the whole length against his puckered flesh. Benji writhed against the sheets, imagining it was Mac’s cock about to enter him.
He’d seen it… laying thick and heavy against Mac’s muscled thigh. How he’d loved to have seen it thick, hard, and ready. Was he a grower? Or a show-er? A smile came to Benji lips, envisioning that cock getting even bigger—all while he sucked it deep into his mouth.
On his knees… submissive…
Ready to give in to his powerful lover.
A moan tore from his mouth… and he slid the dildo in a few inches. His back came off the bed, the sensation almost too overwhelming. Benji gasped as he shoved it in fully, taking the dildo deep.
Just like he’d take Mac… deep and hard.
Benji closed his eyes as he fucked himself, picturing Mac in his bed.
He was so far gone, it didn’t take long to push himself over the edge. Benji cried out as his body tensed and bucked against the thick impalement. A shot of cum arced up into the air and landed on his stomach… another smaller shot following it.
His hand slowed… and he lay there, the dildo still deep within him. His heart beat against his ribcage, and his lungs worked to get the air they desperately needed.
He felt both satisfaction and frustration.
The orgasm had been amazing.
And nowhere near enough.
Benji wanted the real thing. A real man.
A man like Mac.
* * * *
Saturday morning…
Oh fuck.
Late morning light shone through the curtai
ns, hurting his eyes. He rolled to his side and shoved his head under the pillow, to avoid the illumination. It didn’t help much. Benji slowly sat up in bed, his head pounding slightly. He scrubbed his face and then ran a hand through his disheveled hair before dragging his ass out of bed. After a piss and a quick shower to wash the night before off him, he sluggishly stumbled into the kitchen to grab some Tylenol and water.
Once medicated, he started a pot of coffee.
He eyed his front door, wondering if he should cross the hall and knock. Offer some java. It can’t hurt, right?
Benji was halfway to the door when a knock landed on it. He opened up to see Mac on the other side.
He looked like hell—which for him was still amazing— wearing just a pair of pajama pants, bare chested and with bare feet. Benji had a hard time focusing, especially with the added mild hangover in the mix.
“Morning,” Mac murmured slowly. “Your head hurt as bad as mine?”
“Need some Tylenol?”
“Already handled. I was hoping I could get that coffee you offered.”
Benji took a step back. “Come on in. I just started a pot.”
Mac walked in, inhaling. “My god, that smells good.”
Benji eyed Mac’s perfect ass as he passed. He shut the door, images of squeezing those cheeks in both hands.
Mac stopped at the island and leaned over it. Benji pulled out an extra mug and handed it over. “I’ve got cream in the fridge and sugar there on the island.”
“Perfect,” Mac said, tossing a spoonful of sugar into his mug.
Benji poured Mac a cup before pouring his own and adding cream and sugar. The first sip was heavenly.
“You are a lifesaver,” Mac said after his first sip. He looked around the apartment. “So, what do you have on tap today?”
“Not much of anything. Maybe something to eat if my stomach can handle it and a trip to the gym—if I can manage it. I’ve only been twice this week.”
“You don’t look like a gym rat,” Mac said, taking another sip.
“Therein lies the problem.” He lifted his t-shirt covered bicep. “This is me after weeks of working out.”
Mac reached over and felt Benji’s arm. He stiffened, not expecting the touch. Mac squeezed the muscle a few times before letting go.
“Weeks? You know Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time to build muscle.”
“I’d like to look more like you.”
“You’re not built the same way I am.”
Benji frowned.
“But I would be more than happy to help you out, if you’d like me to,” Mac offered. “I know a thing or two about building muscle.”
Oh boy, do you. “You’d help me out?”
“It’s the least I can do. You’ve been great to offer all the help you have so far. I appreciate it.”
“You should know what you’re in for. I’m starting to doubt anything is going to help me. I’m a lost cause.”
“Every body is different, Ben. You can’t compare yourself to others… just try to be the best you.”
“But the best me is a ninety-pound weakling.”
Mac frowned. “Is that how you see yourself?”
Ben shrugged.
“You’re far from that,” Mac said. “Look in a mirror sometime.”
Ben met his stare. “I have. Every day.”
Mac’s frown faded. “Then you must be blind.” Mac took a step forward before placing his cup into the sink. “Thanks for the coffee. I appreciate it, but I need to get going. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”
“Oh. Okay.” Ben stared at the man’s back, watching him leave.
I must be blind? What in the hell does that mean?
And then he just bolts?
Benji frowned, thoroughly confused.
What in the hell just happened?
Chapter Four
Late Saturday afternoon…
Benji knocked on Hayden’s front door, staring at Clay’s car parked behind Hayden’s.
Was he not the only one worried about Hayden?
Clay opened the door. “Hey.”
“Hey. Is Hayden here?”
“Sleeping off last night,” Clay answered quietly.
“I’m worried about him,” Benji said.
“Me, too,” Clay said. “I’ve already said something… but he was as flippant as always.”
“Jesse been around?”
Clay shook his head. “Haven’t seen him… but to be honest, I don’t know that I want to see him right now. And I’m not too happy with you right now, either. I don’t appreciate the way you two shanghaied me last night.”
He’d knowingly lied to Clay. “Jesse thought you two needed to be face to face. I wasn’t so sure, but I let him convince me it was the only way.”
“It’s not,” Clay snapped.
“I’m sorry.”
Clay was quiet.
“Is it really that bad? What are you two fighting about?”
“It’s nothing,” Clay murmured. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Benji got the message loud and clear. “How long has Hayden been asleep?”
“Who knows? A couple of hours?” Clay stepped back and urged him in.
Benji eyed Hayden’s bedroom door. “I’m going to go check on him.”
“Someone needs to.”
Benji knocked on Hayden’s door. When no one answered, he opened it a crack to see Hayden passed out on the bed. Benji walked over to the bed and shook Hayden.
Hayden let out a snort before rolling over. He looked up at Benji before scrubbing his face. “What time is it?”
“Nearly five.”
Hayden sat up. “I need a drink.”
“No. You don’t need a drink.”
Hayden glared. “I meant water. The other stuff will come later.”
“Hay—I’m worried about you.”
Hayden sighed. “What in the fuck is wrong with you guys? You’ve turned into a bunch of old women. Clay was whining to me earlier.”
“Don’t you think if we’re all saying it—then maybe it’s true? All you do lately is drink.”
Hayden eyed him. “I do not.”
“And jump from bed to bed.”
Hayden laughed. “Now, that, I do.”
“Why?”
Hayden’s smile faded. “It’s just who I am.”
“No, it’s not,” Benji said.
Hayden sighed. “Fine. You caught me. When you can’t be with the one you want, you fill the void with anyone else.”
“That’s not how things work, Hay.”
Hayden shrugged. “Works for me.”
“Maybe you tell the one you want how you feel and hope they want you, too.” Great advice, asshole. Maybe you should listen to yourself.
“I can’t.”
Benji sat down beside Hayden on the bed. “Why not?”
“It can never happen.”
“She married?”
Hayden shook his head. “No… but it just… can’t work.”
“Who is it?” Benji asked, curious. Memories from dinner slipped into his mind. The look on Jesse’s face. The anger between them.
No. It can’t be.
Hayden shook his head, silent.
“Man… you’re going to drink yourself into a hole you can’t get out of one of these days. I’m scared for you. I really am.”
Hayden was silent.
“If this woman is the reason you’re tearing yourself up inside… either confront her or let her go.”
Hayden remained silent another minute. “I don’t think I have the courage.”
“I’ve always been the chicken shit of the group… you’re the big, strong guy. If you can’t do it, where in the hell does that leave me?”
Hayden lifted his stare and chuckled.
“I just want you to take care of yourself,” Benji added. “If talking to this woman is what you need to do, do it. Either she wants you, too, or she doesn’t. Maybe you can let go onc
e you talk to her.”
Hayden nodded. “Yeah… maybe.”
“And if there’s anything I can do to help you… all you have to do is ask.”
Hayden scrubbed a hand over his beard.
“I’ll help you cut that fuzz off your face for free,” Benji said.
Hayden smiled. “You don’t like my crumb catcher?”
“No.”
Hayden scratched at his face before slapping at his small beer gut. “I have let myself go a little.”
“You have.”
Hayden sighed. “I’ll do it. I’ll go talk to her.”
Her. It’s definitely not Jesse. “Good,” Benji said. “But maybe after a long, hot shower to wash the drunk off you. And maybe dinner? My treat?”
Hayden nodded. “You’re a good friend, Benj.”
Benji smiled. “You are, too. Which is why I won’t let you kill yourself drinking.”
Hayden rose. “Lemme shower. I’ll be ready in fifteen.”
Benji left the room, hearing the water turning on. He went out to tell Clay the good news, but the guy was nowhere in sight.
He sighed.
They were all being pulled farther and farther apart.
Where would that lead them?
* * * *
Monday morning…
Benji stared down at his cellphone, waiting to see if he got an answer to his text. Earlier in the day, he’d sent Mac a text, asking about those pointers. He hadn’t seen the guy since Saturday and after their last interaction, he was feeling really confused. Before he could get more than a dozen steps inside the gym, he nearly ran right into a wall of muscle.
He looked up at saw a familiar face.
Mac grinned. “I figured this might be where you come to work out.”
“The infamous gym rat.” He showed his ID to the girl working the desk and went on inside, Mac walking beside him. “You joined?”
“Actually, I just got hired as a part-time trainer. Make me look good and let me help you.” Mac looked around the place. “You ready for those pointers?”
