the contact even though it was slight. He wished he could kiss him back.
With a sigh, he opened his eyes and stared into those bright green eyes filled with so much love as a single fingertip traced his jawline and trailed down his throat.
“I love you,” Bull signed. “So much.”
“I know,” Ben signed in response. He chewed his lip and glanced down at the space between them. He fidgeted with Bull’s hospital gown, straightening a crease out of the sleeve before finally looking up at him again to sign, “You came back to me.”
Bull shook his head. “You never left me.” He took Ben’s hand and pressed his lips to Ben’s palm as best he could with the wires keeping his mouth shut. He reluctantly released Ben’s hand to continue signing.
Ben’s eyebrows twitched, confusion filling his expression.
“You were in my heart. In my mind. That’s what I focused on. You. Us. That’s what kept me alive.”
Those green eyes instantly filled with tears. Ben smiled, that huge beaming bright beacon of life and love finally screamed from his expression as he buried his face at the side of Bull’s neck.
He tugged Ben close, wincing at the spike of pain poking his side. He didn’t care. All that mattered was having Ben near.
With his always cold nose pressed to the side of Bull’s neck, Ben slid his leg over Bull’s good leg and carefully rested his arm around Bull’s waist.
Bull smiled and tightened his grip on the lifeline curled against his body like a vine. He brushed his cheek against Ben’s hair, breathing him in, immersing his senses in everything Ben, relishing the warmth of his body and the comfort in knowing they had a lifetime ahead of them.
Together.
He planted his hand on Ben’s ass and pulled him closer, a muffled chuckle puffed against his neck. He was bruised and battered, but his body and soul still ached to be near the man he loved.
Bull brushed his lips to the top of Ben’s head. I love you, he thought as he tightened his hold. Always. He sighed as fingertips stroked against his throat, almost as if Ben could hear his thoughts and echoed the declaration.
Bull closed his eyes, savoring the gift of this man in his arms, knowing he would forever cherish every sweet morsel of love and life they shared.
Seven months later
Bull reached out and silenced the buzz of the alarm. Everything was quiet except for Ben’s soft exhale and the loud snoring coming from the living room.
He closed his eyes and pressed a kiss to Ben’s forehead, thinking back on everything that had changed in the last few months. After being discharged from the hospital, grueling months of therapy had followed. When Ben had to fill orders at the bakery and couldn’t accompany him, his father had volunteered to be at his side to help and encourage him along.
His father didn’t threaten, dredge up the past, guilt-trip him, push, or demand.
Surprisingly, his father bent.
The gorge between them had narrowed to a negligible crack. His father listened more and asked questions. Nat couldn’t stop smiling. And the light from Ben’s soul was filled with so much happiness it shone like the sun.
They had shared holidays and birthdays together as a family.
But something had still been missing.
The endless physical therapy sessions gave Bull plenty of time to take stock of his life choices. And after choosing to spend all his free time at the bakery, it was an easy decision. He finally—completely—made the leap and switched careers, officially becoming the third partner in the family business. He handled the business side of the shop while Nat and Ben handled the baking.
He gave notice to all his security clients, supplied referrals, and had a heart-to-heart with Rachel. Mentoring Calvin for months had given Bull enough confidence to know that between Cal and Anthony, Rachel had a rock-solid team securing her and the company. After a lengthy discussion and a promise to remain friends regardless of his employment status, she insisted on repurchasing the penthouse from him…for an amount that covered the purchase price of their new house.
Down to the penny.
He wasn’t surprised.
And he didn’t argue.
He and Ben loved the house from the moment they had pulled into the driveway. It was undoubtedly the place they would call home and where they would build an endless supply of Ben’s memory puzzles. Together.
He wrapped his arms around Ben and pulled him close. This was their quiet time. That small window of peace he stole for