his arms. Something was still off in Gabriel’s expression.
“How can you read me so well?”
Ben shrugged. It was easy when every single micro-expression in Gabriel’s body and gaze clearly spoke to him.
Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair. “The building,” he signed. “The one Anthony went to visit today. There was an explosion.”
He gasped.
“He’ll be fine. But he’s in the hospital.”
It could have been you.
He threw himself onto Gabriel and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He couldn’t catch his breath as the same thought kept repeating in his mind. He buried his face in the crook of Gabriel’s neck and tugged him closer. Tighter. The thought of losing Gabriel…
He resisted but was no match for the strength in Gabriel’s hold as he broke free of the embrace.
“I didn’t tell you to worry you,” Gabriel said the words as he cupped Ben’s face. “But I needed to see you.”
Ben nodded, thankful that was one of Gabriel’s first responses to what had happened.
“And I needed this.”
Every prickling hair on Ben’s body smoothed the moment those lips pressed against his. He slid his hands up Gabriel’s body, one settling at the side of Gabriel’s neck and the other at the back of his head, holding him in place as Gabriel’s groan vibrated against his palm. Ben opened for him, deepening the kiss, letting Gabriel take what he needed to feel grounded again.
With one final, tender brush of their lips, they pulled away from the kiss. Ben rested his head against Gabriel’s shoulder and a hand against his chest. Gabriel may have needed the kiss as some testament to life, but it was the strong, steady heartbeat thumping against Ben’s palm that gave him the reassurance he needed.
Gabriel separated from the embrace with a quick kiss to the side of his head. “I know you were working on an icing mix when I came in. I can help you taste test things if you want.”
Ben smiled. Baking was definitely not a skill in Gabriel’s wheelhouse. But he did have an uncanny ability to isolate flavors. Having Gabriel watch him work was a little distracting, but he’d take that over the prickling hairs of worry any day.
“Wash your hands, grab an apron, and have a seat.”
Gabriel chuckled. He leaned in close and slowly mouthed the words, “Yes, boss.”
Goose bumps sprung across his flesh.
The half smile crawling up Gabriel’s face was telling. The man was a tease and knew the effect he had on Ben and how the power exchange between them always made his heart kick up a few beats. He slapped Gabriel’s ass and pointed to the large sink. He had work to do and an icing recipe to perfect before the end of the day.
Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “That’s new.” He walked backward toward the sink, his gaze never breaking away from Ben as he fought to hold back a smile. “I like it.”
Ben shook his head as a faint chuckle escaped. Even with the distraction of Gabriel’s presence, him being here was exactly what Ben needed.
He grabbed a clean mixing bowl to start over again and set it on the table. Walking over to the sink, he placed the dirty bowl and utensils in the basin as he pressed a kiss to Gabriel’s cheek. He hovered by Gabriel’s shoulder, feeling the heat emanating from Gabriel’s body. Ben wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s waist and held him close, breathing him in, thankful Gabriel had decided against taking the trip to inspect the building.
The warm brown gaze staring back at him was full of mirth, love…and life. With a quick kiss to Gabriel’s mouth, he pulled away to avoid any further distractions from his work. He was determined to get this new icing mix right, sensing it would be the best one yet if he could nail down the recipe. Later, he would show Gabriel just how much he loved and wanted him, and how thankful he was to have him by his side. And if the man got a kick out of a slap on the ass, maybe he would throw in a spank or two. Knowing Gabriel, Ben would probably get one of those wicked, teasing grins in return with a spark of playfulness in those brown eyes.
Ben bit his lip at the thought. That teasing grin, that spark of playfulness.
Now that was the best icing on a cake.
July
Ben rolled his eyes for the hundredth time. “I’ve seen fireworks before,” he signed. He had seen plenty of Fourth of July celebrations