Page 22 of Warrior's Cross

Julian moved to the bed and slowly crawled onto it, his eyes never leaving Cameron’s as he prowled closer. “Do I want what?” he prodded as he moved closer.

Watching Julian move so sinuously made Cameron’s eyes glaze again. “Do you want to stay?”

“Yes,” Julian answered. “Will it make you uncomfortable?” he asked bluntly.

Cameron took a long moment to sort out what he was feeling.

Warm and satisfied. More than a little surprised that Julian was here at all. A bit of residual apprehension from the weapon out in the front room. “Yes,” he admitted. “But I want you to stay anyway.”

Julian’s brow furrowed briefly before the unreadable mask returned, and he nodded. Then his lips twitched and he nodded again.

“Well, then. I’m going to need a razor,” he whispered as he drew close enough to kiss Cameron gently.

After the light kiss, Cameron nodded. “I’ve got an extra toothbrush too.”

“That may come in handy,” Julian growled playfully as he gathered Cameron up in his arms and dragged him to the head of the bed. “I’ll be taking advantage of you at least twice more tonight,” he claimed as he did so.

A surprised laugh bubbled up as Julian held him close and pulled him bodily up to the pillows. Cameron had expected Julian to be somber and serious after the passion cooled, just like he was at the restaurant, not playful and genuine.

“I’ve never heard you laugh,” Julian observed with a smile as he nuzzled Cameron’s neck.

“Before tonight we’ve never been together more than five minutes at a time, if that long,” Cameron pointed out.

Julian shoved the covers aside and pulled them over their bodies as he clasped Cameron close. “I have watched you, though,” he admitted.

Cameron turned onto his side within the circle of Julian’s arms so he could prop his head on the pillow and look at the other man. “Yeah? At the restaurant?”

A tiny smile ghosted across Julian’s lips. “If I said no, it would worry you,” he said wryly.

Both Cameron’s brows raised. “Really? Are we back to the stalking thing again?”

“I wouldn’t call it stalking,” Julian responded, his voice just a bit defensive. “It was only one night,” he admitted. “The first time I was at your table. It was late. I didn’t intend to follow you,” he insisted. “We were merely going the same way. You were almost mugged that night; you didn’t even know it. That’s what caught my attention. You were... oblivious to your impending doom,” he said with a teasing smile.

Cameron gave a slight start. “I was?” His eyes narrowed. “You stopped it?”

Julian gave a slight shrug of his shoulder and flushed in the low light.

Cameron reached up to stroke the blush under the short beard. At the same time he felt the tiny sting of whisker burn across his lips, cheeks, and neck, only just now noticing it.

“I’m not the type of person who enjoys seeing violence just for the hell of it,” Julian murmured seriously.

Cameron nodded, trying to reconcile that statement with the fact that Julian carried a gun and sported an impressive array of injuries. If it was true, it meant whatever violence Julian wasseeing, it wasn’t by choice. After several moments’ thought, he leaned forward and kissed Julian chastely. “Thank you.”

Julian blinked rapidly at him and then stared at him as if he wasn’t sure what to do. “Don’t mention it,” he whispered finally.

“Not really good at taking compliments or thanks, are you?” Cameron ventured.

“Not really,” Julian answered with a small smile as he closed his eyes.

Cameron smiled and yawned as the drowsiness dragged him down.

He shifted closer against Julian’s body, unable to say anything more as he sank into the unexpected comfort of a stranger’s embrace.

The sound of running water was unusual enough that Cameron woke to lift his head sleepily and look around. Early morning light streamed through the windows, and the bedroom was cold. He was sprawled on his belly and had to shift to reach for the sheets—and the night came back to him as he felt the ache. Julian had been true to his word, and over the course of the night and early morning he’d taken Cameron twice more, each time slower and longer and more mind-blowing than the last.

Cameron would be sore for days, but it had been worth it. Blinking away the sleepiness, he sat up, looking at the closed door to the bathroom.

Julian. He was still here.

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