by Jaime Reese
Ben grabbed his mug and pointed at Calvin to do the same and then shoved him out of the living room and down the hallway to the guest bedroom where Cal was staying.
Finally alone, Rachel blew out a breath and rubbed her forehead. “I hate you right now.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I’m mortified. I don’t know what the hell possessed me. Why didn’t you stop me when you saw me flailing?”
“You bust my balls every chance you get. Tit for tat.” Bull shrugged as he sat in his chair. “Besides, he’s a good guy.”
Rachel looked away, unable to hide a hint of a smile. “How’s the assessment coming along? Are you any closer to giving me an answer?”
“Yeah.” He crossed his arms and leaned closer. “Because Calvin came up with something and I think it deserves an on-site visit.”
She glanced back up at him. “Really?”
He nodded, knowing exactly the thought that had crossed her mind.
“You like him?” she asked, her voice hesitant.
“I briefed you on his background when I asked for the letter. His father’s an ass and screwed him over. Cal’s done some things he might not be proud of…” Come to think of it, Cal seemed pretty damn pleased with himself about knowing the ins and outs of buildings. Bull shook off the thought. “He’s here with us for the weekend, so you know I’m good with him. Besides, he’s got this big-brother protective thing with Ben that works for them.”
She absently nodded in that way she did when she was writing a mental note about something. “When do you want to fly out to look at the building?”
“Not sure.” He wasn’t thrilled about jetting across the globe for an on-site inspection, especially after the tension between him and Ben from only a few moments before. “Is Anthony still visiting the Belgium office?” He could probably convince Anthony to do the visit. Especially considering that would put him an hour away from his not-so-secret girlfriend, Marissa.
“He’s there for another two days. Send him the report of what you need to have checked so that he can review it and follow up with you. I’ll get an appointment scheduled for you to meet with our building contact there, but if you guys work something out, he can reroute his return flight.”
She fidgeted with the pen on her desk.
“So…that was Calvin?”
His laugh thundered in the living room as he settled in for the second part of their conversation as friends.
One week later
“Are you kidding me?”
Bull stared at Rachel’s ashen face on his laptop screen, willing her to break out a big grin and yell, “Gotcha.” The call was supposed to be a discussion of pros and cons after Anthony’s follow-up visit to the building, not about the explosion in the parking garage of said building that caused the structure to collapse.
“I wish I were joking.” Rachel’s chest heaved with another deep breath. He hadn’t seen her do her breathing exercises in years.
“How is he?” It could have been me.
“Nothing’s broken. Bruised ribs and a concussion. He swears he’s fine, but the doctors want to keep him at the hospital until he fully heals. I’m flying out there, but I wanted to call you and let you know.” She shook her head and exhaled a shaky breath. “Police are questioning him but the investigators suspect insurance fraud from the building owners. They’re guessing Anthony being there to double-check the building may have led them to believe the deal would fall through.”
He stared at his friend, watching for cracks in her facade. She put up a good front, but Bull suspected the fear of losing someone close would resurrect memories from a darker time.
“Bull…”
“I know.”
“If his tablet charger hadn’t stopped working, he wouldn’t have needed to print out your report. If he hadn’t forgotten that report in the car, he wouldn’t have had to go back to pick it up. If he hadn’t parked in the lot across the street, he wouldn’t have…”
“You’re going to get stressed out playing the what-if game.”
“I’m pissed.”
“I know.”
“Really pissed.”
A smile twitched the corner of his mouth, thankful she veered into a different emotional response. “I know.” He could deal with an angry Rachel far better than a scared or grieving one.
“I’m destroying that tablet.”
“He loves that tablet.”
“I don’t care. He’s printing everything out from now on.”
“So you’re going to destroy trees as well?”
She pushed a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. He hadn’t missed the negligible tremble in her hand.
“Rach?” He waited for her to make eye contact. “Breathe. You talked to him. He’s okay.”
She stared at him as she blew out a deep breath, first one, then another. Her eyes welled with unshed tears. “I can’t lose you guys.”
“We’re still here.”
She nodded. “I’m spoiling him when he gets back.”
“And he’s going to get a kick out of rubbing my face in the fact that he’s your favorite.”
The beaming smile at him was worth the tease. “You’re my favorite.”
The laughter bubbled up his throat. “I’m sure you will tell him the same thing when it’s just the two of you.” He smiled, enjoying the sound of her laughing along with him.
They said their goodbyes and ended the video call. He closed his laptop and grabbed his keys on the way out the door, feeling a sudden urge to wrap his arms around Ben and hold him tight.
= ♥ =
Something wasn’t right. The hairs at the back of Ben’s neck had been prickling for the last hour. Maybe nothing was wrong. Maybe it was as simple as the frustration of not being able to figure out the missing ingredient to the new icing recipe he was testing. He mixed in another tablespoon of sugar and beat the mixture. After a few seconds, he turned off the blender and tasted the icing.
Ugh. He grabbed the bottle of water and drank, nearly chugging half its contents. Sugar definitely hadn’t been the missing ingredient. He grabbed the mixing bowl and spatula and dumped the contents into the trash bin, realizing nothing could salvage this particular mix. He glanced up and spotted Gabriel, arms crossed, leaning against the entryway to the front of the bakery.
His breath hitched and his pulse spiked, just as it always did when Gabriel stared at him that way. His eyes were expressive, revealing the thoughts flashing through his mind. Love, need…and something else. Ben straightened and set the bowl on the table. The hairs at the back of his neck prickled again.
Ben untied his apron and pulled it off over his head as he was swept into an embrace strong enough to lift him off his feet. He pitched the apron onto the table and wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s neck, holding him close. He ran his fingers along Gabriel’s back, hoping to soothe the tension in the tight muscles. He refused to release Gabriel even after his feet landed back on the ground.
Gabriel didn’t resist. They held each other a little while longer until they finally stepped back from the embrace.
“What happened?” he signed. He reached out and cupped Gabriel’s face for a moment, then touched his shoulders, arms, and chest. Touching, squeezing…checking to make sure everything was as it should be.
“I’m fine,” Gabriel signed, a small smile quirking his lips. “But I won’t complain if you want to keep touching me like that.”
Ben playfully slapped Gabriel’s chest. He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. Something was still off in Gabriel’s expression.
“How can you read me so well?”
Ben shrugged. It was easy when every single micro-expression in Gabriel’s body and gaze clearly spoke to him.
Gabriel ran his fingers through his hair. “The building,” he signed. “The one Anthony went to visit today. There was an explosion.”
He gasped.
“He’ll be fine. But he’s in the hospital.”
; It could have been you.
He threw himself onto Gabriel and wrapped his arms around his shoulders. He couldn’t catch his breath as the same thought kept repeating in his mind. He buried his face in the crook of Gabriel’s neck and tugged him closer. Tighter. The thought of losing Gabriel…
He resisted but was no match for the strength in Gabriel’s hold as he broke free of the embrace.
“I didn’t tell you to worry you,” Gabriel said the words as he cupped Ben’s face. “But I needed to see you.”
Ben nodded, thankful that was one of Gabriel’s first responses to what had happened.
“And I needed this.”
Every prickling hair on Ben’s body smoothed the moment those lips pressed against his. He slid his hands up Gabriel’s body, one settling at the side of Gabriel’s neck and the other at the back of his head, holding him in place as Gabriel’s groan vibrated against his palm. Ben opened for him, deepening the kiss, letting Gabriel take what he needed to feel grounded again.
With one final, tender brush of their lips, they pulled away from the kiss. Ben rested his head against Gabriel’s shoulder and a hand against his chest. Gabriel may have needed the kiss as some testament to life, but it was the strong, steady heartbeat thumping against Ben’s palm that gave him the reassurance he needed.
Gabriel separated from the embrace with a quick kiss to the side of his head. “I know you were working on an icing mix when I came in. I can help you taste test things if you want.”
Ben smiled. Baking was definitely not a skill in Gabriel’s wheelhouse. But he did have an uncanny ability to isolate flavors. Having Gabriel watch him work was a little distracting, but he’d take that over the prickling hairs of worry any day.
“Wash your hands, grab an apron, and have a seat.”
Gabriel chuckled. He leaned in close and slowly mouthed the words, “Yes, boss.”
Goose bumps sprung across his flesh.
The half smile crawling up Gabriel’s face was telling. The man was a tease and knew the effect he had on Ben and how the power exchange between them always made his heart kick up a few beats. He slapped Gabriel’s ass and pointed to the large sink. He had work to do and an icing recipe to perfect before the end of the day.
Gabriel arched an eyebrow. “That’s new.” He walked backward toward the sink, his gaze never breaking away from Ben as he fought to hold back a smile. “I like it.”
Ben shook his head as a faint chuckle escaped. Even with the distraction of Gabriel’s presence, him being here was exactly what Ben needed.
He grabbed a clean mixing bowl to start over again and set it on the table. Walking over to the sink, he placed the dirty bowl and utensils in the basin as he pressed a kiss to Gabriel’s cheek. He hovered by Gabriel’s shoulder, feeling the heat emanating from Gabriel’s body. Ben wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s waist and held him close, breathing him in, thankful Gabriel had decided against taking the trip to inspect the building.
The warm brown gaze staring back at him was full of mirth, love…and life. With a quick kiss to Gabriel’s mouth, he pulled away to avoid any further distractions from his work. He was determined to get this new icing mix right, sensing it would be the best one yet if he could nail down the recipe. Later, he would show Gabriel just how much he loved and wanted him, and how thankful he was to have him by his side. And if the man got a kick out of a slap on the ass, maybe he would throw in a spank or two. Knowing Gabriel, Ben would probably get one of those wicked, teasing grins in return with a spark of playfulness in those brown eyes.
Ben bit his lip at the thought. That teasing grin, that spark of playfulness.
Now that was the best icing on a cake.
July
Ben rolled his eyes for the hundredth time. “I’ve seen fireworks before,” he signed. He had seen plenty of Fourth of July celebrations on TV and had even had a peek at a few fireworks going off at a distance some years ago while at one foster home.
Gabriel leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss. “Not like this,” he signed in response before grabbing the blanket off the couch. Gabriel tilted his head toward the door and smiled, urging him to follow.
Ben huffed out a breath and scowled, knowing he couldn’t refuse that goofy grin. It was only one item on the endless list of things he loved about Gabriel. That carefree nature and love for life drove him to come up with new experiences for their random date nights. Experiences he refused to allow Ben to miss in this lifetime. The man’s heart was as big as his body. Yet, for all his mass, his Gabriel was a softie Ben would gladly cuddle with all night long.
Hence, his desire to stay home and get busy until the sun rose.
Resigned, he stomped toward the door, ignoring the way Gabriel’s lips tightened to hide a laugh. “We’re having sex later,” Ben signed. No way was he missing out on an all-nighter knowing he had tomorrow off.
“Count on it,” Gabriel said before planting a kiss on his pouting lips.
After a thirty-minute drive, Ben stood in the middle of the field, surprised by the number of people huddled together on towels. The park was full and the only vacant parking spots had been several blocks away. Gabriel was setting the blanket on the grass in a small empty spot he had found close to the large speakers. Ben was surprised Gabriel hadn’t found a picnic basket or some other romantic detail to create some moment Ben was certain would become another memory piece for his fantasy puzzle. Gabriel had a way of knowing exactly what to do and what to say to make everything perfect. Even with that skill, Ben wasn’t sure Gabriel could make fireworks special.
He watched as Gabriel positioned himself on the blanket. There was something seductive about the way the man moved his bulky frame with ease.
Gabriel waved him over as he pushed foam earplugs into his ears.
Ben settled between Gabriel’s open legs, nestling against his chest. He rested his hands on Gabriel’s thighs, sighing at the heat against his back. Looking out into the crowd, Ben watched couples and families together, pointing to things off in the distance. He couldn’t see more than a few feet of the lake past the shoreline, but he spotted some floating contraption in the middle of the water before everything faded to black beyond.
He turned in the embrace and pointed to the lake.
Gabriel pulled out his phone from his back pocket and typed out a note on the app. That’s where they launch the fireworks from.
Everyone looked upward in unison.
A building vibration echoed through his body. He glanced around, fidgeting as Gabriel wound his hands around his waist. The music started, Gabriel typed out in a note on the phone. We’re sitting close to the speakers. Do you feel it?
He nodded, trying to follow the rhythm of the faint thump of the bassline. He looked over his shoulder and smiled.
Gabriel pressed a kiss to his lips. The illuminated screen of Gabriel’s phone displayed another few lines. The music is timed with the fireworks. You’ll see the fireworks before you feel them.
Ben lowered his brow, not really sure the words made much sense. Maybe auto-correct had kicked in.
He glanced up as a spray of lights bloomed overhead, illuminating the night sky in a mix of red and blue lights.
A second later, he jumped back against Gabriel’s hard chest with a hand to his heart, startled by a sudden, stark strike that vibrated throughout his entire body.
What the hell!
With his heart racing, he crawled back, closer to Gabriel, seeking the security of the heat against his back and the steady arm sliding around his waist.
His head snapped up when two more blooms of light filled the sky.
Gabriel held two fingers in front of him, pointing to the sky a split second before two new deep, pounding vibrations shook through his body.
More flashes of lights above preceded more deep strikes that made his heart thunder. Each time, Gabriel held up a finger or two, counting off each rapid explosion of light until Ben’s mind finally reconciled what was happening.
&n
bsp; The canon launching the firework from the lake.
He couldn’t hear them, but sitting so close to the fireworks allowed him to feel the deep boom when they launched.
“You’ll see the fireworks before you feel them.”
Light traveled faster than sound.
Tears filled Ben’s eyes. He had seen fireworks before, but this…this was experiencing it. He saw them. Felt them. And inhaling a deep breath, he smelled them in the gunpowder clouding the air at a distance.
He stared up, in awe, welcoming every stream of color filling the sky and every deep vibration humming through him. The fireworks and his heart battled, each rippling vibration and thump vying for attention. His smile widened and the tears streamed down his cheeks. He gripped Gabriel’s forearms wrapped around his waist as he stared up, searching for the next flicker of light traveling up the night sky, anticipating the burst of light streams and the next accompanying thunder to echo through his body.
The light of the phone held up to his face with a new typed note stole his attention. This is the finale. It’s going to be faster and more intense.
He nodded as Gabriel shifted behind him, likely stuffing the phone back into his pocket.
One flower of light filled the sky quickly followed by another, then another, filling the sky with colors that flickered, glowed, transitioned from one color into the next, and burned spots into the night sky.
One bold strike drowned out the next. The vibrations and lights fighting a war of sensations, commanding his attention. He wanted to see everything. Feel everything. The stink of gunpowder was suffocating, burning his nose. He blinked away the steady stream of tears, refusing to let them blur the beauty of the lights surrounding him.
The timing between light blooms slowed, three…two…then one lone flower exploded in the sky in a spray of colors transitioning from red to white and then blue until it finally faded into the blackness of the night sky.
His cheeks hurt with the grin that had taken residence on his face during the fifteen-minute show. He swiped at the last of the tears on his cheeks as Gabriel unwound himself from behind him and stood. Ben followed his lead, waiting as Gabriel folded their blanket. Many stood and gathered their things when the portable stadium light towers turned on around them. Others remained seated and clapped.