his mind sending his pulse into high gear. He blew out a slow breath, battling between wanting to recall the memory pieces and pushing them aside.
Gabriel shot up from his seat, nearly toppling the barstool back onto the floor. He stalked over to his worktable and snatched his tablet. Returning to the kitchen, he swiped and tapped at the screen and then tossed the tablet on the countertop so hard it bounced when it hit the surface. He gripped Ben’s chin and pulled his face up, forcing eye contact. Patience was one of Gabriel’s virtues, but right now, those rich brown eyes staring back at him didn’t possess a lick of it.
“If you can’t look at me to sign, then type it out. But I’m fucking losing it not knowing what’s going on right now.”
Ben shook his head. He was screwing this up. He pressed a kiss to Gabriel’s lips, hoping to ease the growing tension. Honesty. It’s all he’s ever asked for. Just be honest. He fidgeted for a moment, ignoring the heat of his flaming cheeks. He took Gabriel’s tablet and started typing.
Gabriel stood behind him, reading over his shoulder as each word appeared on the screen.
Last night was the best night. Ever. No regrets at all. Everything was perfect. Better than I ever thought it could be.
Those beefy arms reached around him from behind and typed out a question. Then why can’t you look at me? Gabriel’s hands retreated from the tablet and wrapped around his waist, holding him, waiting for his reply.
He leaned back, sighing at the warmth surrounding him. Mustering up a little courage, he resumed typing. Because all I see is the way you looked last night.
Gabriel nuzzled his neck before reaching around him to type. Was I so ugly you can’t stand the sight of me in the morning?
Ben couldn’t control the rising chuckle that erupted. There was definitely truth to the whole O-face thing and Gabriel’s was worthy of a billion memory pieces. He ducked his head as a hand slid under the hem of his T-shirt and a thumb brushed back and forth against his stomach. He swayed as a slow kiss pressed to his shoulder.
A squeeze to his ass drew his attention.
Gabriel nudged the tablet, reminding him to reply.
With a sigh, he typed out two words. I’m horny.
He moaned as an unmistakable hardness pressed against his ass. Gabriel was not helping him right now. At. All. Ben typed another two lines on the tablet. That’s the problem. I don’t want to stop.
How’s that a problem? Gabriel typed out. The puffs of Gabriel’s chuckle at the side of his neck shot another bolt of need through his body.
He turned in the embrace and pressed his forehead to Gabriel’s chest, a muffled growl escaping him. Last night he had experienced a hint of the fire that burned between them. He wanted it. All of it. Every single second he could steal, memorize, and cherish.
Gabriel pulled his chin up, the worry staring back at him cut through his heart.
“My ass hurts,” Ben finally signed with a frown. “And it pisses me off.”
“Want me to kiss it and make it better?”
Ben’s nostrils flared, his entire body heating at the visual Gabriel’s words painted. He gripped the waistband of Gabriel’s sleep pants and twisted it in his fist.
“I should have gone slower last night…maybe we should have stopped after one time,” Gabriel signed. “I should have been more careful.”
What? No! Ben shook his head. “Everything was perfect,” he signed. “I want to but can’t. And I don’t know what to do. And it makes me mad.” His lips puffed with his deep exhale. “I hate this.”
“There’s a lot we can do.”
He immediately perked up.
“A lot of couples don’t have sex in their relationships—”
He jerked back. Did he really just say that? “We’re definitely having sex. A lot of it.” He pursed his lips and crossed his arms. Something had awakened inside him. Gabriel claimed he had a warrior fighter that lay dormant. But after last night, Ben was pretty sure it was a horny sex monster with one heck of a healthy appetite.
“You’re bossy.” Gabriel held back a smile as he stroked the hair away from Ben’s eyes.
He relaxed his stance, that tender caress always weakened him. “You didn’t complain last night,” Ben signed.
Gabriel ducked his head, trying to hide a smile. Ben remembered every tiny detail, had memorized the way Gabriel’s chest heaved and how his dick had twitched when Ben had gripped his