Page 24 of Beyond the Summer

"A better offer than training a cute brat to beg for my cock?Seems unlikely."Right, so I was rock hard now.“Matt and my stepdad invited me to dinner with them.I should have told you."He studied me for a moment."You could have come, I suppose.I didn't know you'd worry."

"What?I wasn't worried."My voice got all squeaky and weird when I said that, and Ben turned to me, cupping my chin in his palm, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Stop lying, Sutton."

"I just…" I ducked my chin and swallowed."I thought maybe you realized you want a guy who would make a good boyfriend."

Ben chuckled, letting go of my chin and stepping back."I wouldn't do that without telling you.Besides, who else would I hang with?Ravi and Parker are off meeting Ravi's family."

"They're already out as a couple to Ravi's family?"I frowned, trying to calculate how long they'd been dating.Maybe five or six weeks, but I supposed, at camp, you spent every waking moment with a guy.I wanted for the usual twinge of jealousy I felt at the thought of Parker moving on, but there was nothing.

"Yeah.By the way, you can't mention their relationship to my brother.They're not out at work."

I frowned."Why would I be talking to your brother?"

Ben's eyebrows shot up."You asked for a meeting with him, remember?About trans kids and camp?I set it up.He is excited to hear your thoughts."

"My… thoughts?"The only thoughts I had on trans kids in camp were… that there should be space for trans kids at camp.

He tapped my temple."Thoughts.Those are the words that swirl around in here.Come up with some ideas.I know you have them."

"Such confidence," I muttered.

He grinned."Come on, let's get going."

"What if I don't want to spend the weekend with you?"I did, I so did."I'm still intending to hit up a gay bar any minute now."That probably didn't sound at all true, especially as I started to gather a few things into a backpack.I paused at my underwear drawer, glancing over to find him watching, and pulled out a few sexy jockstraps.Hadn't had a chance to wear those at camp, but I'd brought them for these breaks, and imagining being on display for Ben made me half-hard.

"Sure you are," Ben replied, an amused smirk playing on his lips."Finish packing and let's get going."

I grabbed the condoms, lube, and anal toys I had stashed in one of my drawers, watching his eyes widen.As I zipped up my bag, I imagined what Ben would be like in bed.Probably not very good—he was a virgin, after all.He had a very intriguing level of attention to detail, though.

"Alright, I'm ready," I announced, slinging my bag over my shoulder."Lead the way to your bed.Or your shower.I might like to douche."

Ben chuckled, shaking his head as he gestured for me to follow him."Subtle."

"Why bother with subtlety?I've seen the size of your dick print, and I want a ride," I retorted, trying to maintain my bravado.But inside, I was a mess of nerves and anticipation, wondering what he wanted.Nothing had happened since the kiss.Most guys would have at least used my mouth by now.Most guys would have used my mouth right there on that dock.

He led me outside, walking close enough that our shoulders bumped, but not saying much.The scent of pine and damp earth soothed my nerves as we walked about a quarter mile around the lake, then up a gently sloping hill.

As we crested the hill, the trees opened up to reveal a clearing with a one-story cabin.A shiny new gray Toyota 4Runner with orange pinstripes sat in the driveway in front of the garage.I knew for a fact that the off-road kit on that SUV was very expensive.The camp must be more profitable than it looked.Ben's family had money.

The cabin itself was simple but beautiful, and big for someone of Ben's age.For some reason, I had expected a shack.

"Wow," I breathed, taking in the scene before me."I thought the cabin would be… you know, rustic and worn, like the rest of Camp Eagle Ridge."

Ben laughed, glancing towards me."Yeah, no.My family lived in this cabin for a lot of my childhood.When my mom and stepdad finally built their dream home, they gave this to me."

"Does Matt live here, too?"

"He lives on the property.But Matt has different ideas about what makes a comfortable home, and he built something that suited him.I love this place.It's private enough, but close to town and my school, and I have plenty of space, including a guest room and an art studio."Ben pulled a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, gesturing for me to enter.I hesitated for a moment, then stepped into a cozy living room that looked like something out of a home magazine, not a place for a college student.A huge plush leather sectional dominated the space, with a velvety blanket and soft throw pillows thrown artfully around.After over a month on my camp bunk bed, I wanted to sink in and never leave.

"Why the fuck do you sleep in a bunk bed when this is just up the path?"

He laughed."I'm sure when you meet my stepfather, he'd be happy to give you his lecture on how important it is for counselors to live at camp.This year, he even hired a contractor to redo my roof to make sure I wouldn't want to be home."

I looked up at the ceiling, frowning.

"Not to worry, the roof is all done now," Ben said.

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