the fork clean, refusing to hold back a moan so Ben could feel just how much he enjoyed his cake.
Ben slowly pulled his hand away and held it to his chest, cupping it almost protectively with the other.
Bull set the plate down on the table. “Go out with me,” he signed without speaking. His sister likely wouldn’t eavesdrop, but he wanted the privacy.
Ben’s eyebrows twitched. “Like a date?”
Bull nodded.
“To a fancy restaurant?”
It was a good thing Bull had gotten to know Ben during their video chats. Otherwise, the sour expression would have been one hell of an ego crusher.
“I was thinking more like the fair with rides, greasy pizza, hot dogs, cotton candy, and those big pieces of fried bread they call Elephant Ears,” he signed, chuckling as Ben’s eyes rounded.
“Would they let me go?”
“Matt and Julian?”
Ben nodded.
“I asked them about it last week. Sam needs to give a final approval, but I’ve already filled out the forms and had the background check. Everything’s in place, if you want to.”
He had hesitated before getting the paperwork done. Ben was setting the pace, so it was up to him to take the initiative if they were going to move things along. But the joy in Ben’s beaming smile was enough evidence Bull hadn’t pushed too hard or fast.
“Wait a minute,” Ben signed and then paused, his smile faltering. “Is this a…friend-only date?”
Bull cocked his head. “No. It’s a date.”
“Are you going to kiss me at the end?”
There was a hint of wonder in Ben’s expression mixed with a little worry and a whole heck of a lot of curiosity. Bull pondered the question as a memory of a video chat flashed in his mind. “No one’s ever wanted to be with me that way. I guess it’s too hard.” He had suspected Ben kept a guarded distance to avoid attachments he perceived as temporary. And there wasn’t a doubt Ben’s experience was limited. But the extent of that limitation surprised him. “Have you ever kissed anyone before?”
After a quick nod, Ben ducked his head, but not fast enough to hide his reddening cheeks.
Bull wasn’t buying it, but he could play along. For now. Ben’s inability to disappoint others and his promise to be honest would eventually make him reveal whatever he was hiding. Regardless of whoever came before him, from this point forward, Bull wanted to be the last. He tucked a finger under Ben’s chin and pulled his face up. “Start, middle, or end. Any time you want to kiss me is fine. We’re running at your speed, so it’s up to you.”
The red crept up to Ben’s ears as he nodded again.
Bull reached for the cake knife and plated a second slice for himself. He slowly ate each bite as a steady green stare remained pegged on him. The horny prick inside him itching to break free licked the icing off the fork a little longer and slower than necessary. He would wait for Ben to make the first move, but he wasn’t going to play a part in slowing things down.
“I would give up hamburgers for you,” Ben signed, his eyes glassy and heavy lidded. He almost looked as if he were in a trance.
Bull gulped the last bite of cake past the sudden rock lodged in his throat, wondering if Ben would have revealed the thought if given a few more seconds to think about it. That silly declaration said just as much or more than his lust-filled stare. Turned-on-Ben was a sight Bull would memorize and recall again when he was back home, alone in bed. “And I would eat burgers and cake all day, just for you.”
Ben huffed out a faint laugh. Even the whisper of his breath as it pushed through his lips was turning Bull on. With his control running thin, he had to get out of there. “Video chat tonight?” he signed.
Ben nodded. “Those are my favorite dates.” The movements of his hands were as seductive as the way his teeth dug into his bottom lip.
Bull hadn’t expected the effect lusty-Ben would have on him. The mix of innocence, need, and mischief was a powerful potion. If he was going to keep his word, he had to get the hell out of there.
Taking a deep breath, he finally stepped away from Ben. He swore he heard one of his testicles yell in protest. But he had enough self-control and patience to resist whatever Ben threw his way.
Yeah… Right. Even he called bullshit.
Ben