Page 59 of Smart Ass

But what would Max think? He’d clearly listened to everything, and he was being suspiciously silent right now.

“I’m fine, guys,” Ben said.

They each gave him their own signature glares, piercing right through him. Stupid Doms for being so observant. Even when he didn’t want to react, it sent delicious shivers chasing down his spine.

“Really,” Ben added. “I’m good.”

“Well, call us if you need anything. It can just be a hug or a place to talk.”

Ben nodded. “Thanks guys. Uh, let me know if you need anything else for Quincy, too.”

They both gave him solid smiles, but he could see a hint of disappointment lurking in their eyes. Not, he figured, for missing a scene. But because they knew he was lying, but wouldn’t overstep. He wasn’t contracted to them or anything. He was just an occasional play partner.

“Take care of yourself,” Rashid said, so gently that Ben wanted to glare at him. Instead, he just nodded.

“We’re here,” Justice reinforced. “See you soon.”

“Bye,” Ben said, waving like a loser.

“Goodbye,” they both echoed.

Then the connection was cut.

“So,” Max spoke up a moment later, “it sounds like I don’t get to meet Evan right now.”

“Yeah,” Ben agreed. Wasn’t Max going to say anything? Wasn’t he even a little bit jealous?

“They’re supposed to be some of the best lawyers in the country for spark rights,” Max said, unnecessarily.

“I didn’t realize who you’d contacted. I know them from the club,” Ben explained, hoping that would be a good segue.

“They’re both Doms?”

“Yeah.” Ben held his breath.

“They’re also sparks.”

Ben nodded. It was probably something they advertised in their work, and not a secret they kept when playing.

“You should eat,” Max commented.

“Can’t.” How could he, when he wasn’t sure if Max was going to be weird about this? And when it was his fault everyone was in danger and he was powerless to do anything about it?

“Ben, eat. Now.”

Ben closed his eyes because… fuck, did that deep growling voice do something to him.

Usually Ben hated when people tried to tell him to eat and shit like that. Mostly because a) he had a fucking PhD and this wasn’t rocket science (which he could actually do, thank you very much), and b) he was still crap on following through, even when someone did remind him.

Then he just felt guilty and pissed off, because the remembering-to-eat thing was just… not as important and hard at the same time, and nobody understood that.

Or maybe he just hated authority in general. That might be it.

Evan was usually the only one who he didn’t mind getting reminders from.

But right now, he was clearly spinning and… well, this was Max.

Max was maybe allowed to boss him around a little bit, as long as he kept using the sexy Dom voice.