Page 27 of Rubbing One Out

Dae’s eyes widened in appreciation. “Frinx, that’s sexy, you tasting my come like that.”

Ben chuckled. “You make it easy, looking like you do. I have a favour to ask. Will you turn over onto your stomach for me?”

Dae grinned and rolled over lazily. “Should I be jealous of my tattoo? You seem to be more obsessed with it than you are with me.”

Ben gazed at the ornate design etched onto Dae’s back. He traced it reverently. “It’s stunning,” he murmured. “I was right. This bird—” he touched the raven and he swore it rustled its wings—“was not on this branch the last time I saw it.”

There was a muffled snort from where Dae had buried his face. “It has a life of its own. It’s the brand I’m forced to wear as the Djinn, representing all that is changeable and fleeting.”

Ben charted the tree and its branches softly. “Did it hurt?”

Dae shook his head. “No. It was done magically, thank Shura. It tingled a bit, though.”

Ben kissed down the centre of Dae’s spine and his lover shivered in pleasure. “Well, let me take a little time to worship it.” He reached Dae’s butt cheek and bit into it, not too gently. Dae startled and pushed his backside into the air.

“If you’re hungry and need to eat something, I have a suggestion…”

Ben smiled as he parted Dae’s cheeks and marvelled at the sight before him. “Now that’s an invitation to dine I can’t refuse.”

***

Dae awoke to the sound of someone snoring in his ear. He was also being squashed by something or someone. He opened his eyes groggily as a furry tail swashed into his face, followed by a lick. He shot upright, registering the smell of dog breath.

“Ew, Tess,” he sputtered, trying hard not to think where the dog’s mouth had been. “You great lump of shoodlepopper, get off me this instant.” All he got was another lick, and he uttered an “oof” as Tess changed position and plopped down on his legs.

“You won’t move her,” Ben said sleepily from his position under his pillow. “She moved in last night and even I can’t get her to vacate the premises.” He chuckled as Dae reached out and tried to move the heavy lump off his feet with an annoyed grunt.

“Well, I’m not having it,” Dae grumbled. “I mean, how’s a man supposed to lie in with this furry beast staking its claim?” He huffed and wriggled his legs from under the dog’s bulk. “Now I’m awake. I may as well get up and have a pee.” He looked at Tess hopefully. Perhaps he could trick the beast into going outside to do her business then he could get back into bed and close the door. “Need to go outside for a bit, Tess?” he wheedled. “It’s not too cold out there.” He glanced outside the window and shivered. It looks fucking freezing.

Tessa blinked at him with her big chocolate brown eyes and settled more comfortably onto the bed.

“I take it that’s a no.” Ben chuckled. “Looks like you’ll be getting up or finding a way to get back into bed with her here, babe.” He snuggled back under the duvet and Dae stared at him. The casual way Ben had said “babe” left him reeling. Dae wasn’t sure whether it had slipped out because Ben was half asleep or whether it was something else.

He left Ben and Tess sleeping as he shuffled naked to the bathroom, shut the door, and sat down on the toilet seat.

Wasn’t “babe” something people called someone in a relationship, meant for a person you truly care about? Dae knew Ben liked him—last night proved that—but oh frinx, what did it all mean?

The seat was cold under his backside so Dae stood up, took care of his business, then got into the shower. Once he’d done sprucing himself up, he went back into the bedroom. Ben was still asleep, Tess curled up next to him. Dae sighed. He’d fancied a little more hanky-panky this morning with his sexy bed-mate, but it seemed he’d been cockblocked by a dog. He scowled at Tess as he got dressed.

“Bad dog,” he said softly, because after all, he didn’t want to wake Ben. The man looked so delicious when he slept. Tess ignored him and farted. Dae wafted a hand in front of his nose. “Ye Gods, dog. That stinks. I’m out of here.”

***

Curled up in Ben’s favourite chair, a steaming cup of chamomile tea in hand, Dae contemplated his current situation. He’d been on earth for over a week and Ben didn’t seem any closer to making his wishes. He hadn’t even mentioned them, other than the unfortunate incident last night when he’d tried to send poor Rory to Puerto Rico. Dae snickered. He should be glad Ben felt that way about him, even if it was making life a little awkward emotion-wise. Dae had a feeling that was why his magic on Earth was reacting the way it was. His emotions were linked somehow and draining him of energy, more than it ever had before. Back in the lamp, and in Quimaria, there’d always been plenty of residual magic to top up on.

“What do I do?” he asked the squirrel outside, who was rooting in the grass for fallen acorns. “Do I press him to make the wishes and leave this place, or do I wait a bit longer and risk getting my heart broken again?”

Dae knew himself. He was in danger of falling hard for Ben.

Ben with the deep blue eyes, cheeky grin, and sweet soul, which took Dae’s breath away. Any man who loved animals the way Ben did couldn’t have a mean bone in his body.

The squirrel didn’t answer, and ran up a tree and disappeared. Dae watched it go with a sigh. Sooner or later he’d get subliminal messages from Lady Mage Elincia politely asking him when he was going back to Calado’r. Other people may need wishes granted. Dae wasn’t sure how long he could get away with delaying his return.

“If people don’t give me their wishes, then what am I supposed to do?” he grumbled. He sipped his tea and looked out across the meadow contemplatively. Last time, his wish recipient couldn’t wait to tell him what she wanted. Ben was stalling and while Dae now knew it was because of their connection, the time would come when he’d have to push Ben to give him his wishes.

Perhaps he could make some suggestions, get Ben on track. Heartened by the idea of channelling Ben’s secret desires, Dae settled in to read his book and wait for Ben to get up. They could spend a lazy Sunday at home, perhaps with some home-cooked food and a good bottle of wine, then—who knew?

Perhaps Dae’s unsuccessful attempt to get Ben into his clutches again could be realized to a successful conclusion.