waiting for the others to finish their dinner conversation. They had been at it for about an hour and were close to wrapping it up. His eyes were heavy and his stomach full. Home-cooked meals were something he would never take for granted. He just needed to find a healthy balance of moderation so his stomach wouldn’t burst.
He tossed another tiny piece of his napkin onto the miniature tower of torn paper.
He hated times like these, when his mind strolled through the dark corners in search of something to latch onto like a leech. He couldn’t shake the odd feeling that something was wrong. He hadn’t heard from Gabriel in four days. Not since their short video chat about his haircut that first night. Natalie had mentioned Gabriel’s silence was common while on assignment, and how it kept him laser focused to ensure he did come home, safe and sound.
He wasn’t sure if knowing that detail made things worse.
Protection detail. Protection of others. With Gabriel as the barrier.
Ben added another piece of napkin to the paper tower.
Gabriel could handle himself. But that didn’t settle the nervous jitters in Ben’s stomach that threatened to push up his dinner.
He folded his lip into his mouth as an image of Gabriel charged into his mind. That smile. That teasing, warm brown gaze inviting him to stare. That evil dimple Ben knew would make him cave to any request if Gabriel were the kind of man to push. Random text and video calls or even all-night marathon chats could be something between friends. But deep down, he knew something was brewing between them, and he wanted the chance to explore and experience it.
Leaning back in his chair, he pitched the final piece of napkin on the pile and sighed. He glanced at the others around the dinner table. They were all chatting, but he didn’t care enough to read their lips. One perk of staring and observing was the ability to pick up on people’s habits. It was Julian’s turn to do the dishes, so he and Matt were going to be in the kitchen for a while and then likely retreat to their bedroom. Or maybe Matt would linger in his office to wrap up a few things. With David out of the house and a few empty rooms to fill, Matt was on a mission to help more people who needed a hand. And Julian would be right there by his side. They were predictable. Not in a bad way, but in a comfortable way that made that little green monster in Ben’s heart make an appearance.
He turned when Calvin tapped his shoulder. “Want to watch some TV or hit up a few games?”
Exactly what he had expected Calvin to do after dinner, just as he had each night. Ben appreciated him, but his heart wasn’t in it tonight. He shook his head, feeling an instant stab of regret at rejecting the invitation.
“No problem,” Calvin said, shrugging it off as if it were no big deal. “If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll be in my room.” He patted Ben’s shoulder again before leaving the kitchen.
Looking off to the side, away from the prying eyes of the house owners, he let his mind wander, imagining Gabriel standing in front of him. A short video call and screen grab weren’t enough to satisfy the need to see him. He wanted to touch him, feel if his muscles were as hard and tight as they appeared to be when they pushed against his T-shirt. And if hair porn wasn’t a thing, he sure as hell would make it one. Because he wanted to grab a fistful of that newly cut hair and yank back Gabriel’s head and recklessly kiss him, just like people did in the movies.
Ben blew out a heavy breath. As much as he wanted to do that, he didn’t have the nerve to follow through. And he didn’t want to risk misreading their relationship. Gabriel was naturally friendly, so his demeanor could simply be part of his personality in any relationship.
Some would call Gabriel a flirt. And while his dimple and smile were key weapons in the man’s arsenal, Ben suspected another conquest was far from Gabriel’s motives. There was kindness in that big frame. He was considerate, caring, and knew exactly when an extra dash of patience was required. And somehow, someway, he always found the right words to make Ben feel important. Smarter. Stronger. He could read