Chapter Nineteen #2
When he gets close enough you can see a bit of green glitter on his cheekbones.
His eyes are popping against the color palette, and I think I’m going to pass out.
I can see my button jumping off of his chest and falling right back down with every leap he takes.
Then, he screeches to a stop in front of us—grinning like an idiot, but his eyes are a bit red.
“Husband,” Felix greets. “I would star in a tennis porno with you one hundo.” Kayla and a couple of the others laugh.
“I don’t know how to play tennis.” Benjamin responds, face extremely serious—still catching his breath. “Teach me and I’ll pay you with my body.” Josh chokes on his spit and Amber says something about being a great teacher. But all I can hear is,
“Teach me and I’ll pay you with my body.” Tonight will be interesting for sure.
“Where’s your keeper, sexy tennis god?” Josh asks, and my skin prickles a little. He’s starting to push it just a bit. Benjamin scratches the back of his head—then the inside of his wrist. Uh oh. I know that tick. And so does Felix, who exchanges a knowing glance with me.
“He might join us later if he feels up for it.” Benjamin grins, but it’s not as bright as it was a moment ago.
“Let’s hit the road!” Amber yells, moving toward the flashing lights and thumping music.
“Button.” I curl my finger at him—beckoning him to me. And like he always does, he comes right to me.
“Yes?” The picture of pure innocence. As if he doesn’t know what he’s doing to me. We follow the group.
“Now how did you convince Dad to let you out looking like that?” He laughs at my calling Drew his dad—but come on, get real.
“I told him it was this or I’d go as a high school swimmer.” I turn and peer down at him—confused. He grins up at me. “In a speedo.”
A startled laugh bursts out of me—my eyes widening at his evil little smirk, the blush on his cheeks.
“You do like causing trouble now. I thought you were kidding.” I reference the pool when he told me he was a good boy—and his face reddens further.
“Correction, Aaron: I love causing trouble. Mostly because I’m cute enough to get away with it.” My brow raises at him.
“Well, it might work everywhere else—but it wouldn’t work with me.” Benjamin’s face crumbles just slightly, his eyes moving back to the direction we’re walking in.
“Why not? Don’t think I’m pretty anymore?” His voice is snarky and he’s very clearly hurt. Like my opinion of him matters that much to him—that it’d ruin his night if I said no.
“No, I do. You’re very pretty.”
“Then why?” His gaze is curious and wary when he looks back up at me.
“Well, as much as I like looking at you—I like punishing you more.” His sneakers stop abruptly, and I stop a few steps in front of him—turning around.
“Aaron.” It’s breathless, soft—and it says everything. I smile.
“I know. Come on.” We continue walking.
I can’t remember why we’re doing this—this running in circles. Seeing other people, resisting each other. I had reasons, right? Why did I practice such great discipline for so long?
“Your costume isn’t really working if I’m honest.” Benjamin says after a moment.
“And what is that supposed to mean, asshole?” He gives me a loud, obnoxious laugh—one of his real ones—and my heart is so warm I start to sweat.
“The point of the costume is you’re scaring me and it’s Purge time, right? Well, unfortunately—if I saw you through my window, I would let you right in.” He clicks his tongue at me, swinging his racket between us. My heart is pounding in my ears.
“Such a glutton for punishment, Button.” He says
nothing—doesn’t look at me, doesn’t even breathe too loud. He’s a scared little bunny watching a wolf circle. He makes no sudden movements. Which is all for the best—I’m ready to rip his little tennis shorts right off of him.
The party we end up at is pretty packed but not sardine-level.
In the large living room, I can see everyone—even when we spread out all over the place.
Amber disappears with Benjamin as soon as we walk in, and I spot them playing flip cup with two frat guys.
The rest of the girls are dancing in a little group while the guys are with me—taking shots.
Two shots in, Josh says, “Top 3, man—you’re really not fucking Bear?” I shake my head. “Why not? I think he’d definitely let you.” Of course he would. The chemistry is unbelievable—unimaginable. But he’d hate me the next day.
“He’s got a boyfriend—you know that.” Josh waves me off.
“That guy’s a prick.” I can’t argue with that. “I swear, people who date 10s shouldn’t bother if they’re gonna freak out every time they’re hit on.”
“Here, here!” Darian cheers, and we take another shot.
“Speaking of.” We all turn at Kade’s voice—watching some guy whisper in Benjamin’s ear as he’s chugging a cup. Amber’s eyeing him as well.
Benjamin finishes his cup, and once he swallows he laughs at whatever the guy had said, turning to say something over the music.
He’s grinning—batting his lashes up at the frat guy whose face slowly begins to shift from cocky confidence to awkward embarrassment.
Then Benjamin is waving him off. The dismissal is obvious and honestly kinda nasty.
In the best way. My little badass. Amber smiles at him, giving him a little kiss on the corner of his mouth.
For some reason, it doesn’t bother me. Benjamin just laughs.
“Aaron!” Benjamin suddenly calls over the music. He doesn’t bother looking for me—has no assurance I’m even in the same room anymore—just calls me once with a hand cupped over his mouth, eyes on the table, and goes back to the game. Full trust that I’ll appear. So I do.
“Gotta run, boys.” They’re catcalling and laughing as I make my way through the crowd and around the table. I come up behind where Benjamin is trying to flip his empty cup.
“You called?” I stand so close to him that if he even breathes wrong, he’ll put his ass on my dick—whispering in his ear. He’s not the only one who likes causing trouble and I’m a few shots deep.
“God, don’t do that. I can practically feel you.” He complains, face flushed from the alcohol and building desire. I place a palm on the table, leaning over his shoulder.
“You’re always doing that—calling me your God. I figured I wasn’t, not anymore.” Benjamin’s breathing is heavy, and he’s really making no progress with the cup.
I take it from his hand and flip it upright—forcing him to start drinking the next cup. As he’s gulping down whatever they’re playing with I turn my face toward him—watching his throat work.
“I could be,” I mumble. “I think I still am.” Benjamin finishes his drink and peers up at me— still breathing heavily, eyes wide.
“No fair.” He whispers. “God always has more power. The imbalance makes this whole thing lean in your favor.” He starts trying to flip his next cup. I consider this for a moment.
“Don’t you think that whoever controls a god is truly the most powerful being?” His eyes snap to mine. I hope he sees it there. The sincerity—the overwhelming obsession and admiration. How much I love him. “You called. I came.”
“I’m done playing.” Benjamin says—turning from the table and heading to the kitchen. I look to Amber who gives me a flirty wink and shoos me away, fiddling with Benjamin’s tennis racket that she’s somehow taken ownership of.
Benjamin is leaning over a counter, taking three shots back-to-back like he has demons to drown.
I guess he does. I relax against a counter a bit away from him, brushing off a girl who tries to talk to me.
After a few more shots and a healthy amount of water, Benjamin stands straight up again.
Someone who I assume he knows comes up to him and begins to talk into his ear—even though the music really isn’t that loud in here.
The girl is just a bit shorter than him and incredibly beautiful. Short neon-pink hair, big brown eyes and full lips. She’s dressed as what I think is supposed to be a funny twist on a slutty highlighter.
Benjamin says something to her, and she throws her head back laughing—wrapping a taloned hand around his bicep.
I’m close, but with the music I actually can’t hear them.
He still hasn’t noticed me. The conversation drags on for a minute or two longer before I’ve had enough.
Benjamin’s been smiling away—completely unaware this chick is trying to pick him up.
I know his flirting face. I’ve seen him pick up women before.
And I just watched him publicly reject some guy in the living room.
He really just doesn’t know. My beautiful little idiot.
As I’m walking up behind him, I see the girl dragging her eyes up and down the length of his body—stopping over his shorts to gauge the size of his cock. No bueno, ma’am.
I wrap an arm around Benjamin’s chest and pull him back against me. He hisses.
“Looks like you found something of mine that I lost. Thanks—I owe you one.” The girl is very confused, looking between the two of us.
“Something of yours? Benjamin?” She turns to Benjamin, and I wait with her—breath bated. He giggles. Oh yeah, he’s fucked up now.
“Stephanie, I’m like a kitten with a collar.” He presents the button, picking it up off his chest. “I totally thought you knew.”
He has to feel my dick right now. It took that one sentence and I’m fully erect. A kitten with a collar? That’s how he’s been viewing that necklace? Fuck—I’m going to come in my pants again.
“That’s… so hot.” She says, grinning up at us. And then Benjamin, because he hates me, says,
“Meow.”
Stephanie laughs once more before she shoots me a smile and walks away. As I’m starting to unwrap my arm from around his chest—because I really have to stop touching him—my fingers brush something hard.