[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Ben as Ben was for Mason, and they were compatible as anything in bed. Out of bed, too.
Ben thrust one last time and came with Mason s name on his lips. They basked in the
afterglow for some time afterward, and Ben finally, finally felt at peace with everything.
Nothing nagged at the back of his mind, nothing picked at him, pulled at him to do this or
that. He was doing what he wanted with who he wanted.
It was time to live a little.
Just a little.
***
Ben flipped the last pancake as Mason came in through the door, dressed in his running gear.
It was Monday morning, and the only work Ben planned on doing was in front of a skillet
and all over Mason s body.
Have a nice run? Ben asked. Mason plopped down on a chair next to Ben and swore. I
see.
My ankle is still a little fucked, and I m so out of shape, Mason said. Ben smirked, about to
speak. Sex doesn t count as exercise, you freak. You make me sorer than eight hours at the
gym, babe.
Ben snorted. All right, all right.
Hey, Mason said, perking up. Your nose is barely swollen this morning. You even took
the bandages off! It s just a little crooked.
Thanks to the ape.
Unholy Matrimony - 115
Mason laughed, rubbing at his ankle.
A large man in a navy blue jumpsuit edged between Mason and Ben, carrying a large mirror
out the door. Mason and Ben didn t pay him any mind.
My physical therapist said I should be back in shape in no time, though, Mason remarked.
He came up behind Ben and kissed his neck. And--
Larry! Come and help me with this dresser! called a voice from upstairs. The same large
man who d had the mirror hurried back inside and disappeared up the staircase.
Mason shook his head. And by the way, sex actually does sort of count as exercise. But not
exclusively.
Damn, Ben said. No wonder I m out of shape.
You won t be for long, Mason replied, smirking. The two watched as a pair of movers
carried a grand mahogany dresser out of the penthouse, and then a tall, skinny man walked in
holding a clipboard.
Said here, the skinny man mumbled, and then looked up at Ben. Said here that the only
pieces staying are the couch and the bed in the master bedroom. That right, sir?
And this skillet, Ben said, holding it up.
The skinny man nodded and walked away, making more notes.
Does it hurt? Mason whispered.
Ben touched his nose. Nah, it s healing so fast.
I meant your pride, stud, Mason said.
Oh. Ben made a face and flipped the pancake. Nah, that s healing fast, too.
Genevieve had demanded she get everything back that was hers, and so, that Monday
morning, Ben found his swank penthouse apartment invaded by a moving company.
Genevieve owned everything in the apartment, practically, except for the living room couch
and the bed. Ben didn t care, though. He d never liked all that stuff, anyway.
What are we going to eat on? Mason asked, sitting back down and pouting.
I have a few creative solutions, Ben said. Mason threw a running shoe at him.
You have a one track mind.
Ben shrugged and poured some more batter into the skillet. You re the one who said we
could do it every day for the rest of our lives.
Baby, Mason said, smiling despite himself, my ass is gonna need a break at some point.
Unholy Matrimony - 116
Not today, sugar, said one of the gruff movers. I need that chair, so move it, move it!
Mason squeaked indignantly, but stood and allowed the man to take the chair. He backed up
and bumped into another man, and he turned around and swore. Jesus, watch it!
The man raised his eyebrows. He looked a lot different than the movers; he wore a crisp suit
and looked quite distinguished.
Um, the man said. Is Benjamin here?
Ben, who was crouched behind the counter, popped up and his eyes widened. Dad? What
are you doing here?
Ben s father, Gregory, appeared, and he cleared his throat. Well, after a few days of your not
showing up in the office, I decided to come see if you were all right. I didn t know you were
moving. He ducked as a mural portrait swung by, and a mover grunted.
No, I m not moving, Ben said, turning red. Mason stepped forward and looked between
Ben and Gregory curiously. I m not moving at all, it s, uh& It s Gen s stuff.
Genevieve? Gregory frowned. She s moving?
Ben nodded. Yeah, she s& We re not& anymore.
Oh. Ben s father gazed around the emptying penthouse, frowning harder. I had no idea.
He seemed speechless, completely out of his element. Benjamin, what s gotten into you?
Ben put the skillet down and glanced at Mason, praying to some god that he d stay quiet.
Um, nothing, Ben said. Nothing s gotten into me, but& Well, as you can see, there s been
some changes around here.
I see that, Gregory said. I am... perplexed.
It was time to move on, Ben said. He turned off the stove and flipped the last pancake onto
the pile. Do you want breakfast?
It s noon, and you re not even dressed. Gregory shook his head, sighing loudly.
Benjamin--
Father, I have company, Ben said, motioning to Mason. He hoped Mason s presence would
at least quell his father s anger and disappointment for the time being.
The older man nodded at Mason. I suppose we can speak another time when you don t have
company, he said. Tomorrow, during your lunch break perhaps?
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]