“Ben—”

“I need to know.” Don’t make me beg.

Dante took a deep breath. “I like to play. It’s been part of my lifestyle for a long time. As I said last night, I’m not a typical dom. I don’t want a slave. I don’t expect to control every aspect of my partner’s life, but yes, I do get off on being in control. It’s something I need, but even that I don’t take as far as I could.

“I’ve played with pain but it’s not something I need. I’ve whipped and flogged but it’s not something I need, either. It all depends on who I’m with. Control, yes. The rest can go either way. There isn’t a reason for it, either. I wasn’t tortured in my childhood the way society would like to believe. It’s just who I am. The real question is, who are you, Ben?”

Who the fuck was he? He didn’t know. Maybe he’d never known. “Why do you take my calls? Why did you take me home the other night when you’ve said from the beginning we wouldn’t fuck? And why won’t we? You go to the clubs for a reason. I’ve watched you fuck someone else. What makes me different?” Ben asked.

He could always tell when Dante didn’t want to answer a question because Ben got minutes of silence in return. This was no different and like he had before, he waited it out because there was no option other than an answer.

“Because I want you. I took one look at you and I wanted you. I haven’t wanted someone in a long time.”

Desire swam through him, built deep inside before the blood started to rush to Ben’s cock. “Why?” he asked. “Please?” The second part was added on reflex, which didn’t make sense. Ben didn’t usually have to ask for much of anything.

“Why haven’t I wanted someone or why do I want you?”

“Both.”

“I have to go.” Ben knew what Dante would say before he said it. Still, the words sucked the air out of him.

“I’m hard.”

Silence. And then Dante gave a quiet curse.

Ben’s prick began to ache as it stiffened more.

“Take off your clothes.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ben didn’t bother with his shirt. Instead he just lifted his ass and shoved his pants and boxer briefs down. Worrying about much else would take too much time.

Desire stirred inside him, the need to come burning through him.

“We’re not fucking around this time, Ben. I want you to do what I say, when I say it. No stalling. No questions. I’m hanging up in four minutes so if you want to come, you need to obey.”

“Yes,” Ben found himself saying.

“Do you have anything around that you can use for lube? No getting up. It has to be within reach.”

Ben’s eyes frantically cased the area. He wished like hell he’d been in bed when he called Dante instead of the chair. “No.”

“Spit in your hand. Stroke hard and fast. Three minutes.”

Ben did just that, spit in his hand and wrapped it around his aching cock. It wasn’t enough wetness. He’d like more but he would make this work. Dante would help him make this work.

“Where are you sitting, Ben? Are you in bed?”

“No.” He tightened his hold on his erection—the very hard, hot, pulsing rod in his hand. He wasn’t losing it. Thank fuck he wasn’t losing it.

“I asked you where you are.” Dante’s voice didn’t fluctuate, cool and steady. His breathing didn’t change, not like Ben who already felt out of his head.

“My living room. In a chair. It’s similar to a La-Z-Boy. Leather.”

“You like leather, don’t you. If I were there with you, I’d find some to wrap around your wrists. Maybe around your neck like you did that boy.”

Need shot through him. Burned him alive. Ben felt like he was in a race, the finish line right within reach. That line hadn’t been within distance before Dante laid it out for him yet he’d fucking die if he didn’t cross it.

“Would you like that?” Dante asked.

“Yes.” Ben’s eyes closed as he kept working his cock.

“Two minutes. Scoot toward the edge of the chair. Open your legs wide.”

Again, he did as Dante said. There was no thought involved. He didn’t have to think. Ben only had to act...and enjoy. That’s exactly what he planned to do, enjoy something because he couldn’t remember when was the last time he had that. “Okay. I did it.”

“Put the first finger of your free hand into your mouth. Suck on it. Get it nice and wet and then I want it in your ass. Finger yourself, and pretend it’s me.”