Dante sucked in a noticeable breath. “Ben...”

“I know.” This was a big step. He couldn’t believe he was asking but then, his father wanted Ben to go, and Ben wanted Dante there.

“Yes.”

“You’ll need a tux.” He wouldn’t insult Dante by telling Dante that Ben would buy one for him. “I have one you could borrow if you’d like.”

“I’ll figure it out.” A pause, and then, “What are we doing here?”

Ben shook his head. Hell if he knew. He just knew he liked being around Dante. Liked talking with him. “Playing it by ear.”

“When?”

“The day after tomorrow.”

“I’ll probably be fairly busy until then.”

A heavy load of guilt weighed down Ben’s gut, though he wasn’t sure exactly why.

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

Ben breathed.

Then Dante.

Ben again. “Thank you. For this and the other night as well.”

It was a while before Dante spoke. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. Remember that. I’ve always been selfish that way.”

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

“Wow...” Desire stirred in Ben’s gut, and his skin pricked with heat as he took in the sight of Dante standing in his doorway. The man was always gorgeous, dark and seductive but seeing him in the sleek, black suit turned Ben inside out.

He wanted him. Ben always did but in this moment, the feeling was amplified.

“You like what you see.” Dante said simply.

Ben nodded.

“That’s good because I do as well.” Dante grabbed ahold of Ben’s tie. “I’d like to use this one on you.”

“On my eyes or my wrists?” Ben regretted the question instantly. It shouldn’t matter. Dante had his limits the same way Ben did. “Shit. I’m sorry.” He couldn’t believe he said that.

“You’re jealous.” There was almost the sound of awe in Dante’s voice. As though that would surprise him and not anger him the way it should. Feeling it annoyed the fuck out of Ben.

“And you weren’t when Tristan came to town and you asked if I fucked him?”

“I never said I wasn’t. I felt it more than I should. I still do because you get a look in your eyes when you mention his name.”

Ben wasn’t surprised by that. No, the last time he saw Tristan, he hadn’t wanted him the way he usually did but that didn’t mean it all went away. He wasn’t sure if something like that ever completely went away. “I see the same look in you when you mention Abel.”

“Kiss me,” Dante said instead of a reply. He leaned in and the second their lips touched, Dante took over. His tongue traced every millimeter in Ben’s mouth. He sucked Ben’s lip, nipped it with his teeth, before diving in to possess him again.

Ben matched each movement, showed his hunger just as strongly because he knew what this was. They both had their pasts and people who might always hold a little piece of them but it didn’t mean they didn’t want each other. They were both better at showing than telling.

Ben pulled away. “The car’s waiting.”

Dante frowned but Ben just stepped out of the way so they could leave. It wasn’t until they got to the sidewalk with the limo at the curb that Dante grabbed his arm. “Really?”

“It’s expected.” Ben shrugged because what else could he say? Dante shook his head and then let go of Ben’s arm as the chauffeur opened the door for them.

When they were in the vehicle and it started to move, Dante asked, “Is this you? Do you feel comfortable riding around like this?”

As much time as they spent together, Dante had never been to Ben’s apartment. He didn’t know the lifestyle Ben was raised in. Yes, he’d told Dante who his father was and Dante knew what Ben did for a living but sometimes those things didn’t really sink in.

“I neither like it nor dislike it. It is what it is. I feel as comfortable here as I do on the subway. I’m used to both, but no, I don’t typically ride around like this.”

That answer seemed to satisfy Dante.

Ben poured them a drink. The closer they got, the more his head started to spin out of control—being around his parents, knowing what this whole thing was to his father. He would use Ben tonight, use what happened with Javier.

And he would probably use Bonnie too.

“I love you, Benny.”

“Hey.”

Ben opened his eyes, not aware when he’d closed them. They automatically landed on Dante.