by J. M. Snyder
Before Aaron could come back with a witty comment, Ben said, “He’s a hitcher I picked up this afternoon.”
“So you ain’t fucked him yet?”
“Chad! That’s enough!” Ben was getting riled up. Aaron thought it was incredibly sexy.
But Chad wasn’t finished. “Though if he wants a real man—” He cupped his crotch. “—then he should come over to my rig tonight.”
This got a few hoots from the peanut gallery.
Aaron was about to throw a punch at the arsehole’s mouth, but decided words would be far more cutting. “And where will you be while this real man is in your rig?”
The crowd liked that, but Chad didn’t. “You fucking punk.” Chad fought to get free, but his buddy had a firm hold of him.
Ben had finally succeeded in getting Aaron behind him. Aaron rather liked being manhandled. Poking his head from around Ben, Aaron went in for one final salvo. “If you want a battle of wits with me, Chad, don’t come half armed.”
“Aaron, that’s enough!” Ben moved backward a few steps, putting distance between them and Chad and his cronies. Aaron then found himself in front of Ben, and being propelled down the hallway.
“Hey, Chad,” the man who’d gotten the joke about Chad’s belly proving Einstein’s general theory of relativity, said, “I think he just called you a halfwit.” The man laughed but Aaron didn’t hear any more because Ben had gotten them through a doorway.
Ben stopped and turned on Aaron. “Thanks a bunch.”
Aaron was surprised and hurt at Ben’s anger. He pulled himself up to his full five feet, seven inch height. “No one gets to make nasty comments about your weight.”
Seeming not to have heard, Ben continued, “I see those guys all the time. Now what’re they gonna…” he shook his head and seemed to collect himself. “Aaron, any one of them could have ripped you apart.”
“Yeah, right.” Aaron raised his fists and adopted a boxing stance. “I could have taken ‘em out if you’d have let me at ‘em.”
Ben failed to hide a smile. “Gonna start calling you Scrappy Doo.”
Aaron laughed. “I knew that DVD was yours.”
“Yeah, and I’d have got away with it if it wasn’t for you pesky kid.”
They were attracting attention, but Aaron didn’t care. He knew that he and Ben were cool again. That made him so happy.
“Restaurant’s over there.” Ben pointed. “You go sit down, give me your bag, and I’ll take it back to the rig. I’ll gas her up and see about getting the A/C charged.”
“No, I’ll go with you.”
“There’s no point in us both getting hot and sweaty.
There was a delicious come back to that, but Aaron thought he’d pressed his luck enough for right now. “I’ll still go with you.”
Ben shrugged. “I’ll still carry your bag.” He reached for it.
They’d had this discussion when leaving the lorry. Aaron was no weak, defenceless damsel. But this time he relented, knowing it would make Ben happy to get to do the alpha thing. So Aaron handed over his holdall and did his best to keep up with Ben’s long strides.
* * * *
Aaron was chatting about anything and everything that came to mind while Ben pumped diesel. Ben wasn’t responding. Even his usual bear grunts were absent.
“You okay?” Aaron finally asked.
Ben didn’t answer.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you in front of your friends.”
“They aren’t my friends, just…” Ben shrugged. “Fellow truckers.”
“And if you ask me they’re all idiots. You could do a lot better.”
Ben shrugged again. “Not really.”
Aaron hated when Ben got so down on himself. “If their brains were gasoline, between them they wouldn’t have enough to power a piss-ant’s motorcycle halfway around the inside track of a Cheerio.”
Within the span of a couple of seconds, Ben’s face changed from confusion to recognition to happiness. Then he chuckled. “Where do you get these sayings?”
It was Aaron’s turn to shrug. He just had a quick mind and he enjoyed amusing himself and others whenever he got the chance.
Ben withdrew the nozzle and stood for a moment, huge hose in hand. Aaron’s mind instantly came up with a couple of sexually charged quips but he decided to keep them to himself. Ben was easily embarrassed by such talk and Aaron didn’t want to make the guy uncomfortable so soon after cheering him up.
* * * *
While the truck’s A/C was being worked on, the two men decided to go eat. Despite claims to the contrary, Mexican food in Britain just didn’t taste authentic. Ben had told him South of the Border was famous for its Mexican menu so Aaron chose tacos. From the first bite Aaron knew the reputation was deserved.
The two were sitting opposite each other in a booth next to a window. Aaron was just glad to be inside where it was cool. Ben’s happy mood of earlier had evaporated and he’d withdrawn into himself.
“Ben?”
The big man continued to absent-mindedly play with the lettuce on his plate. Ben had been insistent all he wanted was a plain garden salad.
“Ben.” Aaron lightly caressed the man’s left hand, which rested on the table.
Finally Ben looked up. “If you think Chad’s gut can bend light, what would mine do?”
Aaron wished he hadn’t said what he had to Chad, because Ben was larger than Chad. Speaking softly so they couldn’t be overheard, Aaron said, “Your big belly makes me hard.”
Ben grimaced and set down his fork.
Aaron grasped both of Ben’s hands. He guessed to the casual observer it would look like they were praying. “It makes me feel safe and protected when I’m snuggled up against it.”
There was a ghost of a smile on Ben’s lips, although it didn’t reach his eyes. Aaron determined to do some more convincing later that night when they were alone in the back of the cab.
* * * *
The cab was mercifully cool while Ben was sinfully hot and soft and sexy and…
“You comfortable?” Ben rumbled, running his fingers through Aaron’s long hair.
Aaron lay on top of Ben, his head resting on Ben’s broad naked chest, his right ear over Ben’s steadily beating heart. His left hand played in Ben’s thick carpet of chest hair while his right held Ben’s now-limp dick. Oh, yes, he was comfortable. And what was so amazing, almost unique, was that Aaron felt calm, too. Aaron’s life was always so busy, his analytical mind trying to solve several problems at the same time. But here, wrapped in Big Ben’s arms, the only thing on his mind was how long could they stay like this. Because it was just…perfect.
“Earth to Aaron?” Ben’s fingers in his hair slowed.
“Huh?” Aaron finally remembered the question Ben had asked. He also remembered that an episode of Scooby Doo was on the DVD player. “Shush, they’re about to unmask who’s responsible for scaring everyone away.” At least he assumed they were. He’d been too busy basking in the awesomeness that was Ben Knight to pay the TV much mind.
Ben snorted. “It’s the owner of the amusement arcade.”
Aaron smacked Ben’s right shoulder. “Don’t spoil it!”
Ben chuckled and rubbed Aaron’s back. “It’s always the owner of the amusement arcade.”
Aaron gave Ben’s dick a gentle tug, but it wasn’t interested in more sex, and, to be honest, neither was Aaron. And that was another first. Usually Aaron subscribed to the maxim of wham, bam, thank you, man, before moving on to the next Mr Right Now. But here, with Ben, it was…
“See? I told you it was the amusement arcade owner,” Ben said, accompanied by his stomach letting out a loud grumble.
Aaron rubbed Ben’s stomach. “Hungry?”
“It’ll pass.”
Aaron sighed and reluctantly sat up. “You hardly had anything at dinner.”
Ben shrugged and wouldn’t meet Aaron’s gaze.
“Come on, let’s go back and feed the bear properly.”<
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Ben didn’t move.
Aaron slid down Ben’s body until his face was level with the man’s complaining belly. “Oh, poor baby.” He kissed the furry flesh. “We can feed you healthy,” he remembered the menu in the restaurant, “relatively healthy food that will satisfy you for longer but won’t have too much fat or sugar. What do you say?” He kissed Ben’s belly again.
“Exactly, I look like I’m pregnant.”
“No you don’t.” Aaron rubbed Ben’s belly. “But, God if you were, what a story. You’d make a mint. Can I be your agent?”
“Very funny.” Ben shifted position. “And I don’t want to go back out in that heat.”
Aaron could tell Ben was weakening. “I’ll make it worth your while when we get back here.” He slid down further and kissed Ben’s dick, which twitched. “See, B.J.’s up for it.”
Ben snorted, sat up, and pulled Aaron into a hug. Kissing Aaron on the forehead, he said, “You’re something else.”
Precisely what, Aaron didn’t know, and was strangely shy about asking.
They began to straighten their clothing, Aaron unhappy to see Ben covering his belly by buttoning up his shirt.
“You’d be a lot cooler and look a lot hotter if you left this undone,” Aaron said, staying Ben’s hands.
“Don’t want everyone to lose their appetite by having to look at my fat, hairy gut.
Aaron shook his head, he wished Ben could see what he could see. One sexy as fuck, well-fed bear. But convincing the man otherwise would take way too long, and Ben’s stomach needed to be fed.
* * * *
“This will give me gas,” Ben grumbled, looking balefully down at his bowl of soup.
Aaron laughed. “No it won’t.”
“It’s a small cab and an even smaller bed.”
Aaron grinned. He knew that very well. There wasn’t much room on a twin mattress when you were sharing it with a three hundred pound bear. Ben had earlier offered to pull down the spare bunk bed, but Aaron swiftly rejected that idea. He wanted/needed up close with Ben. “It’ll be fine. Now, come on, eat it while it’s hot.”
Aaron was no expert in nutrition, but hopefully the protein from the strips of chicken, kidney beans, and corn would help keep Ben’s hunger in check.
Ben picked up his spoon and gingerly took his first taste. “This isn’t too bad,” he said, smiling over at Aaron through the steam rising from his bowl.
“That’ll be the cumin and the green chilies.” There were also red and green bell pepper.
“Don’t I get any bread with this?”
“Cutting down on the carbs, remember?” So as not to draw attention to himself, Aaron had ordered a small chicken salad. He planned on giving Ben half of it if the big man ate all the soup and still looked hungry.
Although the food was holding most of Ben’s attention, he brought up the subject, again, of Aaron paying for the meal.
“Like I said, you paid for the gas, uh, diesel to get me here.”
“And like I said, I was coming here anyway.”
“No talking with your mouth full.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Ben finished his soup and Aaron pushed across his own plate. “Don’t like the dressing,” he lied.
Turned out Ben wasn’t overly fond either, although it took him until the last bite to decide.
Then Ben’s eyes immediately fell upon the bowl of cut up fruit that Aaron had ordered for him. The waiter had looked somewhat bemused when Aaron had given precise instructions on how the fruit should be prepared.
“This is awesome,” Ben said, spoon digging deep into the bowl. “The honey and fruit juice makes all the difference.”
“I may not know a whole lot, but I do know that bears like honey.”
Ben grunted, shook his head, and carried on eating.
“Got the idea from of all things a western gay romance story.”
Ben raised an eyebrow but kept on shovelling.
“Yeah, I know?” In a curious echo of Aaron’s own situation, the chief protagonist in the story was British and was travelling around the States before flying home. However, unlike Aaron, that guy had picked up two cowboys and became their ranch cook and lover. Aaron couldn’t cook and thought one trucker bear dressed in a western shirt beat two cowboys any day.
“You don’t want dessert?” Ben asked, bowl less than half full now.
“I plan on eating my dessert back in the cab.” Aaron licked his lips suggestively.
Ben went an attractive shade of red, a slice of honey-glazed apple falling off his spoon. “Damn it!” Ben dropped his spoon and plucked the offending piece of fruit off his chest. “This was my last clean shirt,” he said, wiping at the sticky spot with his napkin.
“Told you you should have left it unbuttoned. Would have made for a quick, tasty, and enjoyable clean up.” Aaron licked his lips once again.
Ben’s blush returned. “Knock it off!”
* * * *
On the walk back to the truck, Aaron had pictured the scene—him, Ben, and the bunk, Aaron licking up honey that he’d drizzled on Ben’s hairy chest. He’d bought the honey from the gift store because the squeeze bottle was in the shape of a honey bear. The lighting would be low, there’d be something romantic on the DVD player, but neither of them would be watching it. Reality was somewhat different however. He had the bunk, the low lights, and the honey, but the movie, Paranormal Activity, was definitely not part of Aaron’s plans.
Things started off okay with the movie—flickering lights and doors creaking, but Aaron felt the tension increase when the demon started screeching. Aaron wasn’t some silly, weak damsel in need of protection, but he had to admit he felt a lot better when Ben wordlessly put an arm around his shoulders, pulled him close, and deposited a kiss to his cheek.
Despite the continued solid, reassuring bulk that was Ben, Aaron was creeped the hell out when he saw the woman, Katie, stare for two hours at the sleeping Micah. Logically Aaron knew it was just a movie and he didn’t need to check that no one was watching them, but the impulse to flick his eyes to the right to make absolutely sure was almost overwhelming. But if he took his eyes off the screen, he might miss something important.
Aaron let out an involuntary shiver when, on the screen, the planchette on the Ouija board started to move on its own. Ben rubbed Aaron’s chest, which instantly calmed him. However, Aaron felt cold all over again when Micah sprinkled talcum powder in the hallway and bedroom to detect any alien footsteps.
In the still of the night, the characters heard a creaking noise that woke them. This was followed by a loud tapping which was so unexpected, near, and realistic, Aaron let out an unmanly squeal and hid behind Ben.
Through the pounding in his ears, Aaron heard the tapping again, followed by a voice asking, “Ben, you in there, man?”
The noise wasn’t from the TV. Aaron felt foolish and stupid and…
“Just a minute,” Ben called out, rubbing Aaron’s chest. Aaron was sure Ben could feel his rapidly beating heart. “It’s Seth, one of Chad’s buddies,” Ben said, his voice soft and low.
Aaron nodded his understanding and tried to calm himself. Why had he acted like such a girl?
“You okay?” Ben kissed Aaron’s cheek before rolling off the bunk and doing up the buttons of his shirt. Despite the adrenaline coursing through his body, Aaron still got turned on by the sight of a mostly naked bear attempting to dress.
Ben moved out of the sleeping compartment and drew the curtain closed behind him. Aaron then heard Ben open the driver’s door.
“Sorry, man, did I, uh—”
“What do you want, Seth?” Ben sounded so calm, masterful and self-assured…and really sexy.
Aaron found the remote and turned off the DVD.
“I, uh, came to say I was sorry for earlier, you know with Chad and the guys.”
“Yeah, well.” Ben’s tone held a touch more warmth.
“Look, man, Chad’s an ass, but he didn’t mean none o
f it. Not really. His girlfriend kicked him out last week and…Well, I got you these, as a, uh, peace offering.” There was the rustling of a paper bag.
“Doughnuts?”
“They’re the ones with the honey glaze that I know you like.”
Aaron rolled his eyes. First Seth, Chad and the others get on Ben’s case about being overweight then they give him sugary and fatty things. Still, Aaron had to admit, it was a nice gesture. And Ben seemed to think so, too.
“Uh, thanks. I’d invite you in, but, uh…”
Seth laughed. “It’s okay, man, I’ll let you and Brendan get back to, uh, whatever. By the way, you’ve got your shirt buttons in the wrong holes.”
Aaron stifled a laugh, not only at Seth getting his name wrong, but also the mental image of Ben improperly dressed.
“Shit!”
Seth laughed again. Despite himself, Aaron was beginning to like the guy. Although maybe Seth ought to be choosier about who he hung out with. But then wasn’t Ben sort of friends with Chad, too?
“Catch up with you next time, huh?” Seth said.
“Yeah, sure. Bye, and thanks.”
“You’re welcome. And take no notice of Chad. He’s an asshole.”
“Yeah.”
Ben shut and locked the door then parted the curtain. Aaron was out of bed to greet the man.
“That was Seth,” Ben said unnecessarily.
“Uh huh. What did you do with the doughnuts?”
Ben rolled his eyes. “Left them up front, out of temptation’s way.”
“And speaking of temptation.” Aaron couldn’t wait any longer to work on the buttons of Ben’s shirt.
“He, Seth I mean, is, uh, not so bad.”
“Yeah?” Aaron would rather concentrate on Ben and getting him naked than think about Seth.
“Seth was the thin one with the red hair and moustache that tried to hold Chad back. You remember?”
Aaron had Ben’s shirt undone and was sliding it off the man’s oh-so-wide shoulders. “So hot.”
“I suppose he is if you like that sort of thing.”
“Oh, I do.” Aaron ran his fingers through the lush carpet of chest hair. Then he remembered what Ben had said. “Huh? Who were you talking about?”