taken by surprise by her comment. Maybe he had read her lips wrong. He smiled and shook her hand, staring at her as she turned back toward Gabriel for a quick goodbye before heading out of the gym with a wave and another smile.
Ben’s heart throbbed a fevered beat.
He jolted at Gabriel’s hand on his waist. “She’s the PR person for her company and stays here a week out of the month to visit the Miami branch.” He stopped signing and frowned, scanning Ben’s features. “Are you okay?”
“You talk about me?”
Gabriel nodded and gave him an almost shy smile. “All the time.” His eyebrows twitched. “Is something wrong?”
Ben shook his head. His sister hadn’t ever talked to her friends about him or ever introduced him as her little brother. His own supposed friends had always kept a tight circle. He recalled the time they left him behind, alone at the house they shared, while they went to a beach bonfire with others.
There were many memories he wished he could wipe from his mind. His eyes burned with each recollection of being hidden, ignored, used…
Forgotten.
It was amazing how his time in prison had brought clarity, finally allowing him to see his memories for what they were, not colored by what he had hoped they would have been. He had poured every ounce of effort into being the best friend and brother he could be. He refused to inconvenience those around him. Yes had always been his go-to answer, wanting to bring a smile to someone’s face. He was kind at all costs. Helpful.
The nice guy.
His reward? The championship title of scapegoat and fool, hidden away until he was useful.
“Treat others as you want to be treated.” His mother’s mantra had been his rule of life.
He wanted to feel relevant. Included.
He wanted to be seen and treated as an equal.
A graze of fingertips to his temple made Ben gasp.
“You’re scaring me.”
He stared into those rich brown eyes filled with worry, his pulse galloping with the swell of emotions in his chest. Gabriel bragged about Ben’s cake creations at the shop and declared himself taken to those customers who flirted with him. The staff had known who Ben was before setting foot in the hotel that very first day. And when he had walked through those same doors today, none of them batted an eyelash at the fact that Ben would be moving in. Gabriel hadn’t shied away from holding his hand or touching him when they had walked into the hotel. He had stood straighter, smiled more, almost as if he were proud to be with him.
He couldn’t rationalize it away or dismiss it. It was so clear… Those tiny, casual gestures were profound declarations yelled loud and proud. It was in Gabriel’s smile, his touch, the way he looked at him. In those rich brown eyes, Ben was someone important.
Cherished.
Never to be hidden away.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Ben signed. The concern in Gabriel’s expression deepened as he cataloged every micro-expression in Ben’s features.
Ben fisted the material of Gabriel’s T-shirt and leaned forward, capturing Gabriel’s mouth in a passionate kiss he hoped would convey everything he felt and wanted to do in that moment. He slowly swiped his tongue one last time along Gabriel’s bottom lip before stepping back and releasing the fabric in his hand so he could sign, “Now. Please.”
Gabriel’s pupils dilated and his nostrils flared, the message obviously received loud and clear.
Ben jerked forward when Gabriel grabbed his hand and pulled him in his wake toward the elevators. He bit back a smile, thankful Gabriel was as excited as he was to finally be alone.
= ♥ =
C’mon, c’mon, c’mon…
Alone and with plenty of space in the seven-by-seven elevator car, they still gravitated toward the back corner, their bodies flush against each other. Bull peeked up at the surveillance camera, imagining Kenny and Henry laughing as they watched them on the live feed, waiting for Bull to lose his shit and jump Ben right then and there.
It wouldn’t take much. He was barely keeping it together. He closed his eyes and swallowed heavily when Ben leaned his head back and exhaled, subtly pressing his round ass against Bull’s growing hard-on.
It was too easy. A slight dip of his head and he could easily capture those waiting lips.
The doors slid open, and Ben darted out, rushing toward their door. They nearly toppled over each other as Ben swiped the keycard and entered the penthouse. Bull spun on his heel trying to tamp