the plush toy as he rolled his lips into his mouth. He stared back at the screen, the smile fading from his expression. “I miss you too.”
Bull’s pulse skipped a beat. “How was your day?”
“A lot of baking,” Ben signed.
“That’s it? You know I’m a sucker for details.”
Ben gave him a single shoulder shrug. “But you’re tired.”
He shook his head and motioned with his hand, urging Ben to dish out the details of his day.
Ben’s eyes sparked to life. He loved spending time in the kitchen, baking or testing some new recipe. And Bull loved seeing that joy vibrate from every inch of Ben’s body. Bull was mesmerized, watching Ben’s hands move as they revealed his mood with every motion—each hand gesture fast and smooth, revealing the excitement of the day’s events as he swept them through the air. The smile on Ben’s face and the glint in his eye reinforcing his happiness.
Bull was so captivated that it was likely Ben assumed he had zoned out. It was the only logical reason that would explain why Ben was now signing something random about offering up the icing for a taste test to the horse behind the shop.
Holding back a grin, Bull kept his poker face in place and stared until a yawn cracked his jaw.
Ben gave him a watery smile as he signed. “Go to sleep. I know you’re fighting it.”
“Okay.” Bull nodded. “By the way…you shouldn’t give icing to imaginary horses that don’t live behind the shop.”
Ben’s eyes widened. “You were paying attention.”
“Always.”
Ben looked away, a blush tinting his cheeks. He glanced back at the camera. “I really miss you.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“Good. ’Cause I’m cold. And horny.”
Great. So much for trying to fall asleep now. His body stirred with the new video streaming in his head. Glancing back at the camera with a narrow glare, he couldn’t resist the scoff or the laugh that followed at the hint of mischief in Ben’s eyes. There was no way he could stay mad at this man. “I love you,” he voiced the words as he slowly signed them, emphasizing every word.
“I know you do,” Ben signed. “When you get home, we’ve got a date and you’re going to show me just how much you love me. And I’m going to feel it the next day because you’re going to love me so much.” Ben’s hands moved with greater intensity and longer signs to emphasize his words.
“For fuck’s sake,” Bull grumbled under his breath, rubbing his eyes as he blew out a deep breath.
“I…love…you.”
He froze at the sound of Ben’s uncertain voice.
Every other sound silenced in that very moment as his hands slipped away. He stared back at the camera, always stunned by Ben’s beautiful voice. He wanted to kick the ass of every person who had ever made this man think his voice was something that should be silenced. It was thick, rich in tone, and sexy as fuck.
“You want me to say that again, don’t you?” Ben signed, tightening his lips to hide a smile.
Bull nodded. He would never push Ben to speak beyond his comfort level, but Bull couldn’t deny the swell in his heart each time Ben trusted him to voice a few words. Especially when the words he chose meant so much.
Ben chewed his lower lip as he ducked his head. “Did my L sound okay?” he signed, blinking rapidly as he tried to hide the shine in his eyes.
Bull nodded again. He wanted to crush every jerk who had ever given Ben a hard time about the way he pronounced certain words and letters. Hadn’t they realized how difficult it was to mimic a sound that hadn’t ever been heard?
Ben made an effort of clearing his throat. He took a deep breath and wiped at his eyes. After a few seconds, the determination set in that green gaze overshadowed the worry.
“I…love…you…Gabriel.”
Bull’s eyes instantly filled at the love and trust staring back at him. His throat worked, fighting to control the sob trying to break free.
A slow, knowing smile spread across Ben’s face. “More than a buffet of burgers, hot dogs, greasy pizza, and cake,” he signed.
Bull smiled back, blinking to clear away the blur. It was completely pointless trying to contain his emotions when it came to this man.
Ben’s smile lingered while he signed. “Please be safe. And come back to me soon.”
Bull nodded and then disconnected the video call after a signed I-love-you.
He stole a glance at the clock on the nightstand. It was