Rubbing One Out - Susan Mac Nicol Page 0,31

and the two of them appeared to be getting along, as evidenced by their sly touches.

The nightclub was buzzing as they finally paid their entrance fee—much to Dae’s disgust—and stepped inside. Despite Ryan having said he wanted company to assist him on his first jaunt into a gay club, he wasted no time disappearing to the bar with the guy he’d met outside. He waved at Ben and Dae apologetically as he disappeared into the throng.

Ben motioned over to an open table. “Looks like he doesn’t need any moral support. Let’s grab that space, and then I’ll get us a drink.” He had to shout a little over the raucous strains of dance music. Dae nodded and followed Ben over to a table along the wall. They’d been lucky—most of them were already filled.

“What do you want to drink?” Ben asked. He was ready for a beer.

“Grab me a double gin and tonic,” Dae replied as he surveyed the room with appreciative eyes. “I’ll start off easy.”

Ben fought his way through the grinding couples on the dance floor to get to the bar. Ryan was in among the dancers, beer in hand as he shimmied with the stranger he’d met. He saw Ben and lifted his bottle in a wave.

It was a bit of a wait, but eventually Ben had their drinks and he made his way back to the table. He was irked to see someone perched in his chair, already seemingly staking a claim on his—what, boyfriend? Friend? Exactly what was Dae to him other than a friend with benefits? That knowledge irritated Ben and when he reached the table, he put the drinks down with more force than was necessary.

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