simple.
“Not a scholar, he’s a consultant in the energy field taking some time out from a busy year.”
Hazel winked. “Is he single and looking to date? I’m on a strict man diet at the moment, not through choice, and maybe you could introduce us?” She did a little swirl around. “I mean, who wouldn’t want to tap this?”
Ben’s throat dried up. “Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. TMI, Hazel. And, er, no,” he babbled. “Dae-Daniel is taken. His boyfriend is a power bodybuilder from Russia, and he’s the jealous type.” He emphasised boyfriend so Hazel would get the picture.
Fuck where the hell did that come from? A power bodybuilder from Russia?
His boss pouted. “That sucks. Oh well, I guess it’s Tinder again for me.” She frowned thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s time to call back the last guy I was with. He was cute, even if he was into toy voyaging. I’m sure one of my teddy bears went missing after the last time we hooked up.” She waved a hand at Ben and Hemingway. “Anyway, it’s getting late. Go home, you two. I’ll see you on Monday.”
Hazel flounced out of the room. Ben and Hemingway stared at each other.
“Toy voyaging?” Ben asked warily. “I don’t think I even want to know what that’s all about.”
Hemingway pursed his lips. “I suddenly have an undeniable urge to find out all about it.” He pulled out his phone, and after a minute, he laughed. “It isn’t as bad as you think it is, my friend. Take a look.”
Ben wasn’t so sure, but he looked at the screen anyway. “Seriously? People do this? Send their stuffed toys on holidays to meet other people?”
“Seems so.” Hemingway wriggled his eyebrows. “Say, maybe we should join in? You’ve got that stuffed penguin on your bed, haven’t you? Maybe Little Feet wants to go on vay-cation.”
Ben flushed. “His name is Peppermint, and no, I’m not sending him anywhere. He was given to me by one of the kids at the zoo. It would be disrespectful not to keep him.”
“Oh, you don’t need to explain your weird penguin fetish to me, partner.” Hemingway winked. “I’ve seen you in the pool swimming with them, and I have to say, I don’t want to know what goes on under the water.” He cackled loudly as Ben threw a punch at his arm. “Ow. Am I tickling a nerve there?”
“Shut up,” Ben muttered. “I don’t why I put up with you.”
“Because I bring Chinese with me when I come to visit—talking of which, I’ll see you around seven, like usual?” Hemingway picked up his rucksack and swung it over his shoulder.
Ben nodded grumpily. “Yes, that’s fine. Make sure you bring Kung Pao chicken and beer. And ice cream. Pistachio or Cookie Crumble.”
Hemingway rolled his eyes as he moved over to the door. “I’ll remember, oh bossy one.” He flashed a smile. “See you later. I look forward to meeting Daniel.” He disappeared out the door.
For a second, Ben had forgotten his house guest, and the thought of Hemmy and Daeliel being in the same room was giving him hives.
I’ll have to forewarn Dae to be on his best behaviour and not act out. The last thing I need is him revealing who and what he truly is.
***
Dae stared at Ben, who fidgeted under his glare. The pair were seated on the comfy lounge suite at home, each of them sporting a drink. Ben was having a beer, Dae a glass of red wine.
“Let me get this right. You have a friend coming over tonight to watch television, and I’m supposed to be your cousin Daniel? Do I look like I could be your cousin? From Scotland? How the hell do you expect me to put on an accent?”
Ben winced. Dae, in his tight blue leggings (he’d been doing yoga) and a figure-moulding dark green tee-shirt, looked more like one of Ben’s hook-ups. One Ben would do in a heartbeat. The man exuded sensuality and primal emotion.
“I’m also an energy expert? Exactly what does an energy expert do?” Dae didn’t look amused. “I know I’m a powerhouse of sex and mysticism, but I doubt that’s the kind of energy he’s expecting.”
Ben puffed out his cheeks. He hadn’t even told Dae about his Russian bodybuilder boyfriend yet. Small steps, he told himself. “I panicked a bit, okay? Can’t you do some of your mojo and, you know, make yourself into something else?”
Dae pursed his oh-so-edible lips. “Hmm, my mojo? You think I can simply turn it