โ Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/32FURl2
Charming Him
Ben leaped to his feet, nearly slamming into a passing hotel guest, and after profuse apologies hurried toward the lifts. Halfway there, he decided pretending to be late was just as lame as being eagerly early, so he changed direction abruptly and went over to one of the shops in the foyer, peering in the window and pretending to be fascinated by the display while he actually watched the reflection in the glass of the doors behind him. It took him a few minutesโand the glare of the saleswoman in the storeโto realize he was โstaringโ at a womenโs swimwear display. His face went hot and he took two quick steps backโ
And collided with a warm body. A hard body. One that smelled so good.
Of course Lรฉo would be witness to yet another embarrassing moment.
Ben slowly turned around and smiled weakly. โHey.โ
Lรฉoโs amused smile melted his insides. Without the concern about his identity or the buffer of alcohol, lust hit hard and sharply. Today, the demigod was wearing an outfit similar to his own, only his shirt was red, a color that did amazing things for Lรฉoโs dark skin and eyes. Benโs cock jerked in his too-tight trousers, trying to sit up and beg.
โGood afternoon,โ Lรฉo said, and Christ, how had Ben not noticed how amazing his voice was? It was like coconut rough, if coconut rough were a voice, or voices could be chocolate. It vibrated through every cell in Benโs body, the warm, deep timbre stroking overโ
โBen?โ From the questioning tone, it wasnโt the first time Lรฉo had said his name. Ben hadnโt thought it was possible for his cheeks to get hotter, but it seemed he was wrong.
โEr, sorry. Um. Distracted. Rememberingโฆ stuff. That I need to do. But not right now!โ he rushed to assure Lรฉo. โNow Iโm all yours. For lunch. I mean, to have lunch with.โ He fell silent, wishing fervently that he had a time machine and could redo the last ten minutes. Sitting by the door eagerly was suddenly a much more sensible option.
โIโm glad you are all mine for lunch,โ Lรฉo murmured, with a hot look that couldnโt be misunderstood. Ben was sure his heart actually stopped beating.
โUnghโฆ.โ
โWhat would you like for lunch?โ Lรฉo asked. โHave you eaten here at the hotel yet? The main restaurant is only open for dinner, but the restaurant upstairs is decent. Or we could go to the club.โ
โThe club?โ Ben asked blankly. Like a nightclub? That served lunch?
โThe yacht club,โ Lรฉo told him. โThey have a nice bistro there for casual meals.โ
Benโs eyes went wide. Heโd never been to a yacht clubโdidnโt even know anyone who had a yacht, although maybe now he didโbut his image of one was based on many movies, and he was sure it wasnโt a place heโd fit well. The โcasualโ hotel restaurant, on the other hand, heโd walked past several times, and it looked quite comfortable, even if he hadnโt wanted to spend that much on meals while he was here.
โLetโs eat here,โ he said quickly. โI havenโt tried the restaurant yet, but I saw the menu and it looks good.โ
Lรฉo smiled in a way that made Benโs stomach feel funny, and in short order they were at the mostly open-air restaurant on the roof level, greeted effusively by a man who seated them at what Ben was sure was the best table in the place, shaded yet with an uninterrupted view of the Mediterranean.
If he hadnโt been so stupidly nervous, Ben would have soaked it up.
The maรฎtre dโhรดtel left them, replaced by an eager waiter who asked what they wanted to drink. Lรฉo shot Ben a wicked glance, his lips curving, and Benโs face went hot.
โSparkling water,โ Lรฉo told the waiter. โThen perhaps wine later.โ The man left, and Ben smiled gratefully at Lรฉo.
โThank you,โ he said. โAnd thank you for being so good about last night. I know I made a bit of a fool of myself.โ
โNot at all,โ Lรฉo said gallantly. โYou were charming.โ
Ben laughed outright. โI wouldnโt have called it that, but hey, your description sounds better than mine. Anyway, I drank too much of that incredible champagne, and you were really nice. So thanks.โ
Lรฉoโs expression was warm and approving. โIโm glad you enjoyed the champagne, and it was my pleasure to spend the evening with you. We would not be here now otherwise.โ
Benโs face went hot again, and he buried it in his menu. He felt awkward, even more than usual, and desperately wanted the loosening effects of alcohol. Maybe he should have ordered a drink, after all, but he didnโt want Lรฉo to think he was a lush.
Come on, Ben. You donโt need alcohol to talk to the billionaire playboy son of a princess.
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