Page 118 of Smart Ass

Ben laughed, but it had a hysterical edge. Those were his own words. He’d thought they were true. “That was stupid. I didn’t mean it.”

“Really? I deleted most of the footage, but I believe you said something along those lines one hundred fifty-four times over the last two years.”

“I know.” Ben wrapped his arms protectively around his chest. “I know I said it. But, uh, I wasn’t talking about you.”

“So I’m… what am I?”

Didn’t he know? It sounded like he didn’t.

Which meant Ben was going to have to say it or something.

Ben scuffed his toes on the rug. “My Dom.” He wanted it like air, but it still hurt to form the words. He’d never really had a permanent Dom before, and it brought out the brat in him. What if Max changed his mind later?

“And…” Max pressed.

Ben shrugged, like he couldn’t imagine what Max was talking about.

“What else am I, Ben?” Max’s voice was smoky and dangerous, promising all sorts of beautiful punishments.

“Um… grumpy?”

“Nope. Try again.”

He could hear Squeaky trundling and squeaking up behind him. Something grabbed his ankles, and he gasped. He wanted to melt into a puddle of goo and kick them away at the same time.

“Um… not very sneaky?”

“This isn’t the seven dwarves, Benedict. If you want me to stay, I need to hear it.”

Ben looked up at the camera. His heart was fluttering. “My boyfriend?”

“I’m your boyfriend,” Max announced. “And you’re mine. I’m staying. I’m not leaving you.”

Ben shrugged again, even though he wanted to hug the words to himself.

“I, uh, got your message,” Ben said. “The one you left with Rashid.”

“Oh, did you…” Max’s voice was teasing as something slithered seductively up Ben’s leg.

“Yeah.” Ben jutted his chin up defiantly. Would Max say it again?

The delivery cart pressed against his back. The hose-like arm wrapped around his chest. He was tempted to try to wriggle away, but the extensions looked a bit flimsy, and if the cart tipped and Max’s hard drives were harmed, he’d never forgive himself.

Plus, he liked feeling Max’s control. The security and closeness of those mechanical limbs.

“Baby, you don’t need to ask if you want me to say it. I love you so much.”

Ben’s cheeks hurt from smiling. He probably looked like an idiot. “I, um…” He was supposed to say it too, right? And he did. Really. He’d never felt like this with anyone before. “Uh, yeah,” he finished lamely.

One of the clawed hands pinched Ben’s belly. “Very convincing.”

“Hey!” Ben shouted, though his insides were squirming with arousal.

Then he interrupted himself with a jaw-cracking yawn.

“Darling, you’re tired.”

Ben had to finish his yawn before he could answer. “No, I’m not. And what’s with the pet names?” They were silly. He didn’t need all that lovey-dovey stuff, even if it made his chest all warm when Max said it.