Page 23 of Rubbing One Out

Dae looked up at him with a grin. “I thought you’d gotten lost. Rory here was telling me about this amazing place he explored in Puerto Rico. He’s an archaeologist and has a fascinating job.”

Ben regarded the other man—a thirty-something ginger-haired, brawny man with an impressive set of muscles—and tried to smile politely. “That does sound interesting.” Rory didn’t offer to give up his seat so Ben stood there awkwardly, not wanting to cause a scene demanding his chair back.

“Nice to meet you,” Rory said. “Your cousin here is quite something, isn’t he?” He stared at Dae, lust flickering in his eyes. Ben wanted to poke them out with a fire stick. No one should look at Dae that way other than him.

He had a sudden pleasurable thought. He could use one of his wishes to transport this unwanted intruder to a faraway place —perhaps Puerto Rico, since he seemed to love it so much.

Dae’s finger circled the rim of his glass seductively and Ben wanted to growl as Rory’s fascination found another focus.

“My cousin is indeed special,” Ben grunted. “I bet he could make all your dreams come true. Do you fancy another trip to Puerto Rico then?” He rubbed his chin. “Now let me see, how does it go?” He pursed his lips. “I think it starts, ‘Oh Djinn of the lamp’—”

Dae’s eyes widened in apprehension. “Whoa, Ben. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Rory was staring at them, his face creased in a smile. “You two are a bit weird, aren’t you? Why would I want to go to Puerto Rico when everything I want is here in this sexy little package?” He leered at Dae and that was it. Ben was not only ready to vomit, but he was also ready to fulfil one of his wishes. “Oh Djinn—”

He was stopped by Dae rising hastily and pressing a firm finger to his lips. “Benjamin Arthur Sinclair, don’t you dare complete that sentence. You should be ashamed of yourself.” He turned to a stupefied Rory. “I’m sorry, love, but it appears he’s lost his mind. Would you be a sweetheart and go get me another gin and tonic from the bar while I have a quiet word with him?” Dae gave the man a sweet smile and Rory melted.

“Sure, sexy. I can do that. Don’t go anywhere, ‘kay?” With one last adoring look, Rory disappeared into the throng. As soon as he was gone, Dae turned to Ben.

“What the sweet silver sands do you think you were doing? Are you honestly willing to waste one of your wishes on something as stupid as wishing poor Rory away?”

“He’s annoying me,” Ben said between gritted teeth. “The man doesn’t understand the concept of personal space.”

“Oh, my dear, sweet, stupid man.” Dae looked at him pityingly. “You have been in a gay bar before, right? That concept doesn’t exist here. I’m beginning to worry which one of you is the novice.” He motioned to Ryan grinding against yet another man on the dance floor. “That young man has more of the concept of what to do here than you do.”

“There’s plenty of others here your beau can focus on,” Ben shot back. “You were encouraging him.”

Dae’s gaze grew speculative with a soupçon of satisfaction. “Son of a banshee, you’re jealous.” His smile widened. “I didn’t expect this side of you. It’s sexy.”

Ben slumped down into the seat Rory vacated. He wouldn’t be getting it back, he thought in victory. “I’m not jealous.” I fucking am. How can I argue that? “It’s rude to hit on another man’s guy when that man’s guy is right here, in his face…” His voice trailed off. Shit, this was becoming complicated. They didn’t have a relationship. All Dae was having was a bit of fun before he granted Ben’s wishes and went back to his magical life in the lamp. This was no long-term thing. How could it be?

Dae sighed and sat back down. He reached over and took Ben’s hand in his. “Listen, I know this is strange. Neither of us anticipated the physical attraction between us.”

Ben stared at him. “Only physical?” I don’t think it’s purely that. I like having you around more than I should.

Dae’s face shadowed. “Well, we both know it can only be that, yes? Anything else would be crazy. After all, we literally come from different worlds. We can’t get emotionally attached.”

Ben’s throat closed up and his stomach clenched. It might be the truth, but did it have to sting so much?

“Yeah, you’re right,” he grunted. “I think I overreacted. I have no right to claim anything about you. Thanks for putting it into perspective.” He stood up. “I’m going to get another drink. Give Rory his seat back. I’ll be at the bar if you need me.”

Without waiting for Dae’s response, he strode into the crowd.

Bollocks. He’d have another drink, get a little rat-faced, then find someone to dance with. Perhaps that would lift his bad mood a little.

***

By Beza’s Beard, he hadn’t handled that well, had he? With a heavy heart, Dae watched Ben fight his way through the crowd. The man’s slumped shoulders made him feel worse.

We can’t get attached, no matter how we feel. It simply won’t work. Is it wrong to admit the truth?

Dae loved his time with Ben more than he should, but he was under no illusion it could last. Ben would make his two wishes, and then Dae would have no choice but to go back to his world. Why did life have to be so damned complicated?

Rory appeared bearing two glasses, and plonked himself down in the seat Ben had recently vacated. “Here you go, mate. A G and T, and a beer for me.” He took a long slurp of his beer then put the glass down with a satisfied belch. “That’s better.” He looked around. “Your, er, cousin, gone then? You managed to sort him out?”

Dae sighed. “He went to the bar. He won’t be back too soon. You’re safe.” The thing was, as much as Dae appreciated Rory’s attention—clearly Dae was something of an attention whore—the only man he wanted sitting opposite him was Ben.

“Fancy a dance?” Rory gestured towards the gyrating people behind him. Dae shook his head.