Finding Forgiveness: Poconos Pack, Book 1 (8 page)

“Thinking of getting married here?” Ben grinned at Dave as the waitress set their dinners in front of them.

“Sure.” Dave batted his lashes. “You’d look gorgeous in a wedding dress.”

Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Oh please. You’d be the one in the dress, and you know it.”

Dave snickered. “Like we don’t know who the alpha male of
this
relationship is gonna be.”

“Yeah, fairy-light boy. That would be me.”

Dave shook his head sadly. “Pretty, yet delusional.” Ben choked on his fish. “Sorry. You’d look much better in white tulle than I would.”

“Don’t bet on it.”

“I got you into that shirt, didn’t I?”

Ben tried desperately not to laugh. “That was a one-shot deal, and you know it.”

“Do I?”

Ben didn’t respond to that. If wearing this stupid shirt brought this kind of happiness to Dave’s face then he’d wear the fucking thing every day. “There’s no way in hell you’re getting me in a wedding dress.”

“Wanna bet?”

“That’s the second time you’ve said that.” Dave waved his fork at him. “Sure. I’ll bet on it.”

Ben grinned. “You’re on.”

Ben shook his head. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Dave picked up the paddle and waved it at him. Damn, this was the best dream
ever
. He knew it was still a dream because Ben was actually wearing the shirt. Real Life Ben would have torn it to shreds. Hell, Real Life Ben would still be in the Poconos, pushing papers and doing who knew what. Dream Ben was playing with him, smiling and having fun. Usually Dream Ben begged forgiveness for all of two seconds before they had hot sex. He couldn’t decide which dream he liked more, but he hoped they wound up at the same place: mind-blowing orgasms. “What’s the matter? Afraid of a little smack-down?”

“As if. I just can’t believe we’re using air hockey to figure out which one of us gets to wear a dress.” They’d returned to the Contemporary after dinner and headed straight for the hotel’s game room. Or rather, Ben had followed Dave to the game room, seemingly ready for whatever Dave had in mind.

A short burst of laughter from a woman by a pinball machine had Ben’s cheeks turning red. “I am out of here.”

Oh, that was way too much like Real Life Ben. Dave had to fix that fast. “Do you smell something?”

Ben paused. “What?”

“It smells like…” Dave sniffed.

“Like what?”

“Chicken.”

Ben’s eyes narrowed. “Did you just call me chicken?”

“If the cluck fits.”

Ben glared and picked up the paddle. “You’re on, pansy-boy. Get ready to wear tulle.”

A brief but intense time later Dave stared at the score in disbelief. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. “I lost.”

“Yes, you did.” Ben’s arm draped around his shoulder and squeezed him close. “When you go shopping for your dress, make sure you pick one that shows off a lot of cleavage.”

The woman by the pinball machine laughed again.

“I’m not supposed to lose.”

Ben straightened up, the paddle dropping to the table with a clatter of plastic on plastic. “Dave?”

Dave gulped. Oh. Shit. His heart was pounding. The shot of fear and hope jolted his system, making him feel like he was going to throw up. “This isn’t a dream.”

Ben’s smile froze. “No. It’s not a dream.”

Dave felt like he might start hyperventilating. “You’re really here.”

Ben tugged Dave out of the arcade. “Breathe, baby.”

Baby?
“You’re in the Poconos doing boring money shit. Not in my hotel’s game room acting like a mate.”

Ben winced. “No, baby. I’m here. Everything today has been real.”

Dave stared at the shirt straining across Ben’s shoulders. He’d been right. It fit the man like a glove. He rubbed his eyes, but the little dancing lights only intensified. “I need to get to my room.”

Ben’s hand rubbed down his back, attempting to soothe him. “Headache?”

“Not yet, but I’m getting an aura.”

Ben began hustling for the elevators like he knew what the hell that meant. Maybe he did; Dave didn’t have it in him to ask. Luckily they’d come back to the Contemporary for their impromptu air hockey game, so they weren’t far from Dave’s room. He needed his medicine, fast, or the rest of this vacation was going to go to hell.

“I’m here, Dave. What do you need?”

This was not happening. It couldn’t be. “Um. I need my medicine.” The elevator arrived and Dave stepped in, smiling wanly at the people already on board. The lights felt brighter than they had earlier. A slight headache began behind his eyes.

Shit. Not now. Please, not now.

Ben stayed close, rubbing his back, until the elevator arrived at Dave’s floor. “Let’s get your stuff, baby.”

Dave got out his keycard and slid it into the lock.

“Davey!”

Ben caught Charlie before she could land on him. For that alone he forgave Ben a lot. “He’s beginning to migraine.” Ben’s voice was soft and even, but Dave could hear the concern.

Charlie fell back. “Oh. What does he need?”

Dave pointed to the small black bag he had next to the television. “Imitrex.”

Ben pulled out the white box of medicine and read the instructions. “Here. Take your meds. We’re going to pack you up and take you to my room.”

“Why would you do that?” Charlie folded her arms and stood in front of the door, blocking their exit.

“Because if the medicine doesn’t stop the migraine I have a bedroom he can collapse in that’s separate from the living room. I can make it nice and dark for him.”

Dave left them to their pissing contest and headed into the bathroom. He winced at the light coming off the mirror, the headache intensifying. “Shit.” He filled one of the glasses with water and downed the pill, making sure to drink all the water. He then filled the glass again and downed that. “Done.”

Ben stuck his head in the bathroom and nodded. “Gather your stuff.” He shook his head. “Better yet, go lay on the bed and point. I’ll gather your stuff. Charlie can help me.”

“Mm-hmm.” Dave got around him and lay on the bed, one hand over his eyes. This was the first time he’d gotten one of his headaches since he’d been in the hospital. He prayed the new medicine Dr. Howard had prescribed worked. The last thing he wanted was a full-blown migraine right now.

“All set. Let’s go, baby.”

Dave lifted his arm. “Why are you being nice to me?”

Ben sighed. “C’mon. Let’s get you settled in for the night. I’ll order room service for breakfast, and if you still think you need me to explain it, I’ll do it then. Okay?”

Dave nodded carefully. His head was beginning to swim, but the headache seemed to be easing off. “Sure.”

“Take care, Davey.”

He accepted Charlie’s careful hug. “You too. You still coming to the Lodge in December?”

“Yup.” She kissed his cheek. “You take care of him. And just so you know, we have reservations for dinner in Italy Tuesday night.”

Ben nodded. “Maybe I’ll talk him into making it reservations for three.”

“Hmph. We’ll see.” Charlie held the door open. “Ben?”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t claim him until you’re
sure
the headache’s gone. You might make things worse.”

Dave’s jaw fell open. “Wait. You approve this?”

Ben’s eyes rolled, and he picked up both of Dave’s suitcases. “No, you’re still not dreaming.”

Charlie hid her laugh behind her hand. She was probably trying not to make noise. “Have fun, you crazy kids.” The sound of the door shutting behind him was final.

He really wasn’t dreaming.

“Let’s go, baby. It’s a bit of a walk once we get off the elevator. Think you’re up to it?”

“I have to be, don’t I?” Dave shook his head. The dizziness was getting worse. It felt like he’d had one too many glasses of wine, and the light was still stabbing into his eyes. “We need to get me in the dark.”

Ben frowned and carried Dave’s luggage to the elevators. “Let’s go.”

It didn’t take long to get to the Bay Lake Tower bridge. The view from the bridge that connected the Contemporary to the Towers was incredible. Too bad he couldn’t enjoy it.

“We can come out here and watch the fireworks if you like.”

Dave didn’t respond. He was too busy trying to stay on his feet.

By the time they got to Ben’s room Dave felt like he was floating. He propped himself against the wall and waited for Ben to open the door.

“You’ll like this. It’s a great room.”

“Mm-hmm.” He was prepared to hate it on principle. It was
Steve’s
room, not Ben’s.

He followed Ben into the suite, impressed despite himself. It was like the room he’d been in, only enhanced, improved. There was a dinette set with a banquette and a few chairs. The kitchen had dark cabinets and a light countertop. The living room boasted a comfy looking sofa and chair.

“The balcony goes from the living room to the bedroom.” Ben, his hands empty of suitcases, opened the glass doors. “I’ll show you.”

Dave stepped out into the cool evening air and followed Ben around the balcony. Ben opened another set of glass doors that led into a decent sized bedroom dominated by a huge bed. Dave nearly groaned in relief at the sight. His head was still swimming, but at least the headache was receding.

“Crawl in, baby. I’ll take care of everything.”

Dave did as he was told, not even bothering to pull off his sandals. The nausea had died down, but even so he was glad to get into bed.

He felt Ben tug his sandals off. “Want me to help you get undressed?”

He rolled over and gave Ben a look.

Ben’s hands went to his hips. “I’m not asking for sex. I’m asking you to let me help.”

Dave closed his eyes and sighed. “Sure.” He buried his head in the pillow and tried to ignore the feel of Ben’s hands tugging his clothes off. He lifted up long enough for Ben to pull off his T-shirt, leaving him in nothing but his boxers.

“Damn. Just…damn.”

Dave would have laughed at the heated awe in Ben’s voice if he wasn’t so tired. “Lights.”

Darkness filled the room. Dave allowed himself to drift away, the cool air dancing across his skin soothing him into sleep.

Chapter Eight

Ben sat in the living room and filled out the room service form. No way was Dave leaving that bedroom until Ben was certain the migraine had been averted. He filled out the form, requesting Mickey-shaped waffles, juice, and coffee. He hung the sheet on the doorknob as instructed. That done, he turned his attention once more to Dave.

He couldn’t believe Dave had thought the whole day had been some sort of dream. No wonder he’d been so relaxed, so willing to forgive. Ben had thought they’d gotten past that in Magic Kingdom with the nonexistent pizza rain. What had made Dave think it was still a dream? The fact that he’d put on the shirt? The easy way they’d gotten along?

Ben scrubbed his hands across his face. Who knew his very presence was enough to give Dave a migraine?

Ben picked up his cell phone and dialed a number he’d memorized for just such an emergency. “Dr. Howard? It’s Ben Malone.”

“Hey, Ben. What can I help you with?”

Ben prepared to lie his ass off. “My mate’s in our bedroom, and he’s begun a migraine. I’ve given him the initial dose of Imitrex, but I was wondering when he should get the next one? I didn’t want to ask him, since the first one made him fall asleep.”

“Hmm. You’re mated?”

Ben crossed his fingers. “Yes.”

“Good. The dose I gave him is the strongest they make. You can give him a second pill in two hours, but that’s it. No more after that. If the migraine doesn’t go away you’ll have to deal with it, unfortunately.”

“Shit. Okay. Will do. Is there anything else I can do to try and stop it? We’re on vacation, celebrating our mating, and I’d hate for Dave to miss out.”

“Congratulations.”

Ben almost felt guilty. “Thanks.”

“Pick up some Excedrin Migraine. That will help. Not too much of that, either, it’s got caffeine in it. Too much caffeine can make the migraine worse.”

Ben got up, ready to scratch the coffee off the morning breakfast list.

“But don’t cut the caffeine out altogether. A little helps push the medicine through his system and can ease the symptoms.”

Ben sat back down, grateful he didn’t have to give up his black gold. “Thanks, Doc. Anything else I need to know?”

“Yup. If he’s vomiting for more than an hour or the symptoms become truly severe, take him to the hospital. He’ll need to be admitted.”

Ben nodded, forgetting the doctor couldn’t see it. “Thanks, Doc.”

“You’re welcome. And Ben?”

“Hmm?”

“Take care of him.”

“I will. I promise.”

Ben hung up the phone and prepared himself for a long night.

Someone was snoring. Loudly.

Dave opened his eyes and looked around at the unfamiliar room. Dark walls, soft bed, Ben Malone stretched out next to him and snor—

Wait. What?

Dave reached over and pinched himself. Yup, it hurt. So either his mate dreams had become
incredibly
realistic, or Ben was really lying next to him. In a bed.

Fully clothed.

Dave shimmied to the edge of the bed and rolled off. A quick glance showed him the bathroom, and he made quick use of it, startled to see his own brushes and things right next to Ben’s. A thrill went through him at the thought of his toothbrush snuggling up next to the Marshall’s.

He shook his head. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

He tiptoed into the living room and headed right for the coffee maker. He needed caffeine to sort this all out, and he needed it now.

On the counter next to the coffee maker was his Imitrex. Suddenly, the day before came rushing back. Splash Mountain. Ben’s jealousy over Charlie. The T-shirt. Max and Emma’s wedding, and Dave in white tulle. Finding out it
wasn’t
a dream. He took a deep breath and leaned against the counter, staring at that box and trying to calm himself. He couldn’t risk reactivating the migraine. Not now.

Not when his dream was so close to being reality.

Ben had taken care of him last night. He’d been everything Dave had always dreamed he’d be: loving, attentive, caring of his mate’s needs.