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Simon stroked Ben’s cheek to make him smile, then he replaced his fingers with his mouth, giving Ben the most fleeting of kisses. “Not exactly,” he said, whispering in Ben’s ear like it was a secret. “But yes.”
Ben turned to Simon with a quizzical look on his face. “What?”
Unable to resist, Simon kissed Ben’s slightly pursed lips. He wanted very badly to deepen the kiss, but they were, unfortunately, on a schedule.
“Come. I’ll show you,” Simon said.
Ben broke out into a crooked grin. He seemed dubious, but nevertheless game for whatever Simon had in mind.
The shop was closed, but Simon pressed the buzzer and after a few seconds the door unlatched. Simon opened the door and held it for Ben, who entered the dark shop with some unease. Lights came on and he jumped, grabbing Simon’s hand. That made something inside Simon’s chest explode from pure pleasure. His doctors had assured Simon it was exceedingly unlikely to die from an orgasm—so happiness was unlikely to do him in—but if one had to go, he supposed that wouldn’t be a terrible way out.
Eugene appeared from the back of the shop and motioned them to step behind the black curtains and into the fitting room. Jae was already there, a dark gray suit draped over his arm. With his normal blunt way, he ordered Ben to undress.
Ben looked beseechingly at Simon, who smiled back, trying to be reassuring and not amused. “These gentlemen have taken one of their ready-to-wear suits and altered it for you. I thought you might want to wear it tonight.”
Comprehension spread across Ben’s face. At first he looked like he might protest, then Ben looked at Jae and Eugene and nodded. “Okay.”
“Would you rather I leave, so you can do a big reveal, or stay?”
Ben thought about it, lips pursed, then said, “You can stay.”
Simon leaned against the wall and watched Ben strip to his underwear. Then, with both help and direction from Jae and Eugene, Ben put on the new suit.
“I like the new hair,” Eugene said. “It suits you.”
Simon very much liked the new hair as well. Ben’s curls had been trimmed and tamed, but not severely. They no longer flopped into his eyes, and his hair had been cut close on the sides, but the top still had enough length to look sleep-tousled and thoroughly adorable.
Ben touched it a little self-consciously. “Thanks,” he said, but it came out as half a question.
Eugene bent to say something in Ben’s ear and he blushed a dark red. While Jae fussed about looking for the right pair of shoes for Ben, Simon took Eugene aside. “Just what did you say to Ben to make him blush?” He tried to keep his voice light and unconcerned but he could tell he missed the mark.
Eugene smiled widely. “I said that if he got tired of being with an old man, I was available.”
At Simon’s instinctive scowl, Eugene burst into laughter. “I was just teasing. Not that you have to worry about Ben. He’s only got heart eyes for you.”
Simon felt himself relax. “Good.”
Eugene snorted another short laugh. “I told him that I was going to enjoy making many suits for him in the future.”
A satisfied smile curved Simon’s lips. “Yes,” he said. “Many suits for many years.” He crossed mental fingers that what he stated as fact would prove to be true.
“You look now!” ordered Jae.
Simon turned his head to look at Ben and knew at that moment he was utterly lost. Simon had seen countless men of all ages and appearances in suits in his life. Ben was the first of any of them to make him ache with desire. What he’d felt for the women who had infrequently shared his bed was a pale shadow next to how he felt now.
The thought of losing Ben made Simon feel queasy. He felt truly and thoroughly alive for the first his life. He couldn’t give that up.
Ben looked closer to his true age wearing the suit. The dark gray wool with a pale blue shirt flattered his coloring. The last festive touch was a navy tie with small silver snowflakes embroidered on it.
“Is it okay?” Ben asked.
Simon walked over to stand behind Ben. He turned them so they could see their reflections in the mirrors. “Very. Doyoulike it?”
Hesitantly, Ben nodded his head. “It’s the nicest thing I’ve ever owned.”
Simon bent to lightly kiss the edge of Ben’s jaw. “Then it’s perfect.”
Tuesday, December 19
