small plate with the thin slice to the woman patiently waiting for him at the corner table. “As promised.”
He walked down the line, offering smiles and short jokes with each sample, hoping to lighten the mood and lessen the crowd. Most people grabbed their sample and walked away, others lingered, eating their bite of cake as they looked through the display of pastries. He walked outside and continued working the line. After reloading the trays a third time, he could finally see things were manageable, and his sister less stressed handling the dozen remaining customers in line to buy her pastries. The smile on her face was huge enough to disguise the exhaustion he was certain strained her.
Cutting the last few pieces into enough samples to finish off the line, he prepped the last tray and set it on the counter, inviting the remaining few people in line to help themselves. With things finally under control, he excused himself and escaped to the back room.
Stepping into the back area, he kept out of sight, mesmerized by the muscles flexing in Ben’s arms as he vigorously mixed the contents in the bowl. Maybe it was the stress and exertion from keeping up with the rush and his need to never disappoint, but likely it was the heat from the ovens causing the hairs at the back of Ben’s neck to stick to his skin. He was focused on his task, determined, and gorgeous as all hell.
Knowing Ben, the pressure of satisfying Natalie and the waiting crowd overshadowed the excitement of the opportunity to bake. After things settled up front, he had to pull his sister aside. This hadn’t been fair to Ben. And if this was something she was going to do more often, she damn sure needed a better strategy to keep them both sane.
As if sensing his presence, Ben glanced over his shoulder.
“Hi.” He was quickly rewarded with Ben’s tired smile. “Rush is over,” he signed.
Ben nodded, his entire body heaved with the exhale. That teasing smile begged to break free. He wiped his hands on the rag and signed. “Were you checking me out?”
Bull shrugged, no sense hiding it.
Ben turned to finish mixing the batter. Bull swore the man flexed a little more with each slower stir of the spoon. He played along, remaining on his perch by the doorway, enjoying the private show. After pouring the batter into a pan and sliding it into the oven, Ben wiped down the table as Bull washed the mixing bowl and utensils.
While drying the last of the bowls, Bull smiled when arms slid around his waist and the weight of Ben’s head rested on his back. He could get used to this. Too damn easily. He dried his hands and turned in the embrace, finally wrapping his arms around Ben and holding him close. Ben inched back from the hug and stared up at him, his gaze absently straying toward Bull’s lips. Bull pressed his mouth to those waiting lips, moaning when Ben took the initiative and deepened the kiss.
Bull was at the mercy of the firm grip at the back of his hair almost as much as the tongue exploring his mouth. He splayed one hand high across Ben’s back. A warm hand touched the side of his neck, pulling a groan from deep within. He loved it when Ben did that…when Ben wanted to feel the sounds he pulled from him. Bull tugged him closer, wanting him to feel exactly what his touch and kisses did to him.
“Break it up. He’s working.”
Bull tore himself from the kiss, almost snarling at his sister for interrupting. Ben rested his head on Bull’s shoulder but didn’t move, thankfully shielding Bull’s hard-on from his sister’s view.
“He’s taking a break after you worked him to the bone for the last few hours. Don’t you have customers up front?” He wrapped his arms protectively around Ben and held him close, relishing the embrace and the cover while his body settled.
“Everyone’s taken care of.”
Not everyone.
“You need a better plan if you want to do that again.”
“I know.” Nat sighed and crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. “I need your help with that because I obviously suck at it.” She silently watched them together.
“You’re creeping me out,” Bull said. “Walk away or say something.”
Ben turned in his arms to face Nat but didn’t move away.
“You did amazing today,” she signed to Ben. “I have six cake orders and a customer requesting a specialty cake. I