Chapter 9 Ben #6
“Always a plus,” Hendricks agreed in a dry tone.
“Then the ‘Antiques Roadshow-style’ event they added last-minute was a big success,” Erik continued. “Everyone wants to think they’ve got a missing Picasso in grandma’s basement, or some other hidden treasure that’s going to make them rich.”
“Did they?”
Ben had his fill of missing artwork and found treasures, but he held his tongue.
“Nothing that’s going to Sotheby’s, but people did come with some nice examples of antique housewares, paintings by regional artists, and one or two old pocket watches,” Erik replied. “Mostly, people had fun, and the owners got to tell their family history provenances.”
“Think any of the people will show up at Trinkets and want to sell you their treasures?” Susan joked.
Erik nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve already got a couple of appointments.”
“I’ve heard great things about all the events you two led. Not a surprise,” Susan said, “but I’m aware you had more than your share of distractions, so I appreciate that you came through for us.”
Susan didn’t know all that had transpired with the warring Mob factions, but she knew enough to understand the danger and to realize that Ben and Erik had bounced back in time to fulfill their promises to the festival committee.
They waved goodbye to the chief and Susan, who headed off toward the costume contest. Erik and Ben paused to watch a pirate-themed sword-fighting performance, and despite the theatrics, Ben found himself clapping and cheering.
“Everyone seems to be having a great time.” Erik watched children pick out pumpkins from a heap and proudly carry them to tables where they could paint jack-o-lanterns.
“And they are blissfully oblivious to how close we came to a mob war,” Ben said. “As they should be.”
“Everyone loves the movie pirates, but they were the Mafia of their day,” Erik said. “It really wasn’t fun when they came into port.”
“One more illusion ruined by an accurate knowledge of history,” Ben replied.
A busy stand sold tickets for Monty’s lighthouse tour and evening ‘Spirits of the Sea’ haunted beach tour and story hour. Ben smiled, knowing that Monty would be accompanied by his very own ghostly partner and few, if any, of the tourists would be the wiser.
Since they didn’t have to drive to get home, Ben and Erik stopped at the pavilion showcasing local wineries and settled in to try several different flights. The pavilion was dog-friendly, and George wasn’t the only canine under the tables.
“I approve of this sort of spirits.” Ben raised a glass in a toast.
“Works for me,” Erik agreed. The knowledgeable bartender explained the backgrounds of the different vintages and what made them unique to Cape May. Ben bought a couple of bottles and made a note of others for future purchase.
“I know we’ve had way more excitement than we bargained for since we moved here,” Ben said, “but I wouldn’t trade it for all the peace and quiet in the world.”
He surreptitiously snagged Erik’s fingers for a moment before releasing them, but his heated glance promised much more once they were behind closed doors.
“Finding you was worth it all,” Erik murmured.
Now that the storms had passed, the air was cooler, providing a much-appreciated respite from the heat and humidity.
Ben lifted his face to the breeze, then felt a shiver when they passed one of the old Victorian houses.
George paused and eyed the house suspiciously before picking up his pace to move Ben along and past them.
“What do you think the ghosts make of all this?” he asked Erik.
“I imagine they’re used to it by now,” Erik replied. “I think some of them are nostalgic, and the others just go about doing what they always do. The ones who don’t like crowds make themselves scarce. Events go with the territory if you decide to haunt a tourist town.”
They drifted through the crowd, greeting friends and neighbors and admiring the shops and homes that had gone all-in on Fall decorations.
They ordered cider-themed cocktails and settled on a blanket they brought with them to watch a classic movie on a big screen. Sitting side by side on the lawn, Erik covered Ben’s hand with his. George sprawled between their outstretched legs, then rolled onto his back.
“I know I saw this when it first came out, but I definitely didn’t get all the jokes,” Ben said as the audience laughed.
“Or the innuendo,” Erik agreed. “Although it’s aged well, considering.”
Ben thought back to when he had seen the movie in first run, and how much had changed since then, in the world but especially for him.
Not just his job or location, but what he wanted out of life, and who he wanted to spend it with.
Back then, he could never have imagined leaving Newark and law enforcement, or settling down with a man he adored and who shared a long-term commitment.
Ben leaned against Erik. “I like the now better than the then.”
Erik briefly rested his head against Ben’s shoulder. “So do I.” His comment made Ben guess that Erik’s thoughts had run along a similar track.
Despite their jackets, the air held a chill as they walked home. Music from the late-night bands provided a faint soundtrack. Any remaining party-goers clustered in the festival area, leaving the streets and sidewalks empty.
“That was a fun day, even if we did have to avert a Mob war to make it happen,” Erik said once they were inside the apartment. He hung George’s leash by the door and checked to make sure there was kibble and water in his dishes.
“Just another day at the office,” Ben replied, although he could do with less excitement on a regular basis.
“For us, it really is,” Erik agreed.
Ben turned Erik to face him and backed him up against the door. “Tricks or treats?” he murmured in a growl that he knew always went straight to Erik’s groin.
“Both,” Erik answered a second before Ben captured his mouth with kisses and let his hands roam from Erik’s hard nipples down to his thickening cock.
“Then gimme sugar.” Ben kissed and lightly nipped his way down Erik’s neck.
Erik returned the kisses with equal fervor, sliding his hands down Ben’s arms and back, then giving his ass a firm squeeze.
Since he had come to live with them, George had taken to sleeping in their room, but he didn’t object when they closed the door from time to time. Ben figured George would settle outside the room, on guard.
They maneuvered toward the bedroom without really letting go, managing to shed clothing as they went before tumbling onto the bed.
“What do you want?” Ben asked, panting and painfully hard.
“Everything. All of you. Forever,” Erik breathed.
“You’ve already got that,” Ben murmured, sucking a hickey on Erik’s chest where it wouldn’t easily show. Erik licked the shell of Ben’s ear, sending a shiver through him.
Ben made quick work of stripping off his jeans and briefs, then took his time removing the last few pieces of Erik’s clothing.
“Tease,” Erik breathed.
“Just getting you warmed up,” Ben murmured as he slid lower to lick and suck at first one hard nipple and then the other.
“I’m warm already,” Erik protested.
“Nah. You’re really hot.” Ben traced Erik’s happy trail with one finger as he continued moving down Erik’s body. He pushed Erik’s knees apart and buried his face in his lover’s groin, taking in the intimate scent of sweat and musk.
Erik toyed with Ben’s hair and stroked the side of his face and neck, anywhere he could reach. He arched as Ben licked at the head of his stiff cock, giving himself over completely.
Ben put an arm under each of Erik’s legs and pushed forward with his shoulders, spreading him wide. He took Erik’s cock deep into his throat and set up a rhythm that had his partner moaning and trembling.
“Please, Ben. I want you inside,” Erik begged.
Ben shifted enough to reach the bottle of lube on the nightstand and slick his hand, slipping it between Erik’s legs to stroke his taint and hole. He teased Erik’s tight pucker, circling the opening until Erik’s grip tightened in his hair.
“Please,” Erik’s voice held a note of desperation.
Ben slipped one finger inside, edging Erik as he opened him up, resolved to take his time no matter how eager Erik was. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
Erik groaned when Ben added a second and then a third finger, as his tongue traced the veins in Erik’s cock or lavished attention on his balls, managing to keep his lover tantalizingly close to orgasm without pushing him over the brink.
“Not gonna last long.”
Ben withdrew his fingers and shifted himself up between Erik’s legs. He liked to be face to face, although other positions were easier. Seeing Erik’s eyes as he came, kissing him through his climax, were two of Ben’s favorite things.
He slid inside Erik’s body slowly, savoring the feeling and making sure Erik was ready for him. Erik shimmied beneath him, trying to get him fully seated faster.
“Impatient,” Ben chuckled.
“Just fuck me already,” Erik panted.
Ben shifted his hips and started a rhythm, moving deeper and faster until he pushed Erik several inches up the mattress.
It didn’t take long before Erik threw his head back, gripping Ben’s hair so tight he winced, and climaxed, splashing hot come between them.
Ben finished seconds later and dropped breathless onto Erik’s chest. They were sweaty and covered with jizz, happily spent. Ben listened to Erik’s heart thud, matching the pounding of his own heart.
“That was…” Erik said.
“Yeah. It was.” Ben pressed a long, slow kiss to Erik’s lips, licking inside and letting him taste himself before he rolled to the side. “So much for these sheets.” He used the top sheet to wipe them up.
“Definitely worth the extra laundry.” Erik chuckled.
“Shower?”
“Definitely. Getting sticky is fun. Being sticky—not so much.”
They took their time, letting the water and soap wash away not just the remnants of their lovemaking but the stress of the last several weeks. Neither of them was ready for round two, but that didn’t preclude plenty of touching and groping, a comfortable intimacy that Ben valued even more than sex.
Later, when they slipped between clean sheets and rolled toward each other, Erik folded Ben into his arms. George had already fallen asleep at the foot of the bed, snoring softly.
“I hope we’re done with excitement for a while,” Erik confessed. “It’s overrated.”
Ben reached over and fondled Erik’s cock. “I can think of better kinds of excitement.”
“Very true,” Erik agreed.
“We’re here, safe and together. That’s what matters,” Ben agreed in a sleepy voice.
Erik’s answering kiss was gentle and lingering. “Together forever.”
“Forever.”