The only reason he followed was simple: Julian wouldn’t drop him off unless there was a reason. No pity parties.
Ben followed the man to the bank of elevators until one of the doors slid open. He stepped into the elevator as the bellhop swiped his card on the reader by the panel and then pressed the top-floor button.
Yup, definitely getting my nose smacked by this door.
“The elevator will take you up. Once you’re on the floor, you can’t miss it.” Another big smile from a stranger. He was probably overanalyzing things.
He nodded as the doors slid shut. He waited for the nervous flutter of butterflies to hit his stomach, but none came. Maybe it was the knowledge there was zero chance he would ever be able to stay in a place like this, so there was nothing to lose. He shrugged off his own thoughts.
Stepping off the elevator he glanced to each side, surprised there was only one room number on the floor. After double-checking the number scribbled on the paper, he shoved it into his pocket and knocked on the door.
Within seconds, the door swung open.
The swarm of butterflies erupted in his belly as Gabriel smiled back at him.
“Hello, Mr. No. You’re right on time.”
“You live here?” Ben signed.
Gabriel nodded as he signed his reply. “Hopefully, you will too.”
“You said you had a second bedroom available.”
“I do.”
“You never mentioned living in a hotel.”
“I don’t think anyone brags about living in a hotel.”
He closed his eyes when Gabriel pressed their lips together, calming any nerves that had appeared. He moaned at the large, warm palm pressed against his cheek and the thumb rubbing his chin. Finally opening his eyes, he licked his lips, savoring the tenderness of the gesture and sealing away another memory piece he would likely recall later.
“You said you’d think about my offer. Julian mentioned you had a few appointments today. So I asked him to schedule my place for last. Let me give you the tour.”
Ben stepped inside, then stilled. The unobstructed view of the water was breathtaking perfection. To his right was a large open kitchen with a counter and set of barstools that doubled as the eating space. Farther into the room was a larger open space with an oversized table, one chair, and a treadmill.
He lowered his brow and pointed to the table by the window, glancing at Gabriel for an answer.
“That’s usually where I analyze plans or spread out my research. There’s a gym on the seventh floor but this is easier when I’m stuck on something and need to clear my head.”
Ben absently nodded as he stepped farther into the space. Glancing to the left, he spotted the living room. One long couch and a big television housed inside a cabinet with shelves that seemed to come from within the wall. Even the place he had once shared with six others as a teen hadn’t been this spacious. Come to think of it, that place could fit in Gabriel’s living room.
Gabriel’s hand on the small of his back nudged him forward, toward the right and into a hallway.
They stopped at a door. “At the end of the hall is the laundry room,” Gabriel signed, pointing to his right.
With a sweeping motion, Gabriel opened the door. The bedroom was large with an en suite bathroom for added privacy and its own window with a beautiful view of the ocean. The furniture was basic, but stylish in its simplicity. Everything looked polished and smelled clean and fresh, almost as if it had never been used but had been prepared just for him.
A touch to his shoulder drew his attention. “This is the second bedroom. It’s yours if you want it, no strings attached. I know living together is a big jump and it might freak you out—”
Ben silenced Gabriel’s ramblings with a kiss. With the butterflies now calm in his belly and an overwhelming peace soothing him, freaking out was definitely not what he was feeling. He pulled away from the kiss.
“Show me your room,” he signed. He slid his hand into Gabriel’s and followed him down the hallway and through the living room toward the other side of the space into another hallway with a single door.
Gabriel opened the door and stepped back, encouraging Ben to explore on his own. He stepped inside the spacious room, easily more than twice the size of the other bedroom. It was comfortable, welcoming, and the most lived-in area of the