Page 23 of Warrior's Cross

Cameron shivered. He’d get to kiss him goodbye. And despite the man’s claim, Cameron couldn’t bring himself to believe this would happen again. His chest ached as he wondered if Julian would come back to Tuesdays anymore after this. He closedhis eyes and rubbed his torso, trying to ease the uncomfortable tightness there.

Julian opened the bathroom door and leaned against the frame as he wiped his hair with a towel. He stopped, tilted his head, and watched Cameron for a long moment. “Merry Christmas,” he finally offered in a soft, hoarse voice.

Cameron was taken aback for a moment. “Yeah, it is,” he said as he continued to rub at his chest.

“You feel okay?” Julian asked with a slight frown.

Cameron dropped his eyes to take stock of himself and soon nodded. “Yes. You?”

Julian nodded wordlessly and walked toward the bed, his dark eyes intent on Cameron. Swallowing, Cameron tried to look his fill, though he suspected he’d never get tired of the sight.

“I feel like I should be thanking you,” Julian admitted.

Cameron blinked and looked up at him. “Thank me?” he echoed cautiously. He wasn’t sure he liked how that sounded.

“For trusting me,” Julian provided.

Cameron relaxed and studied Julian’s face. “You said you trustedme,” he countered. It probably made him seem really naïve, but Cameron couldn’t be anyone but who he was.

Julian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully and he sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Cameron. In the daylight it was easy to see the chaos of bruises on his back and ribs. He had obviously been in some sort of accident or fight recently. There was also an array of scars, including one on the meat of his arm that looked to be recent.

Looking over the damage to Julian’s body made protectiveness and worry swell in Cameron—things he knew he had no business feeling. Still, he reached forward and lightly brushed his fingers down Julian’s spine. He might as welltake advantage of this stolen time to touch and store away the memories.

Julian shivered violently with the caress, and he glanced over his shoulder with a smile. “They’re just on the surface,” he assured Cameron. “Workplace hazards.”

Cameron heard, but still he felt moved to lean forward and smooth his lips over some of the bruises. It hurt him to even see them, and he wished he could make them disappear. He couldn’t imagine how Julian moved so smoothly with his body so beat up. Cameron wasn’t sure he believed that Julian was what he said he was, but whatever he did, it was brutal.

Julian reached back and ran his fingers through Cameron’s hair. It was comforting. “What do you have planned today?” he asked.

Cameron shook his head and shrugged off the slightly dark thoughts. “Lazy day. Restaurant’s closed.” He settled his hand at the base of Julian’s spine, lightly stroking.

Julian nodded and looked back at the wall opposite where he sat. “Sounds delightful,” he murmured.

It was a little easier now to be daring, since he was still naked in a bed that smelled of Julian and sex. “Want to join me?” Cameron asked.

“I would love to,” Julian answered, his voice a soft, regretful murmur. “But I can’t.”

It was the answer Cameron had expected, but it didn’t make the pang in his chest any easier to feel. “I understand.” And he did. He’d brought someone he barely knew home for sex; he couldn’t expect the man to come back for conversation.

Julian turned around and examined him closely. “I should be free by four,” he told Cameron evenly. “I’ve got a last-minute client to take care of first.”

Client. Julian had a client. Cameron’s mind flashed through all sorts of different meanings that could have. What if hehimself was just a client, being given a credit because Julian liked the way he looked?

Did he want more if that was the case? How would he pay for it later?

In heartbreak? Cameron pushed away those disjointed thoughts and swallowed on a sickened twist in his belly.

“You could come by. If you wanted,” he hurried to respond, determined not to worry about what might come and to take full advantage of anything he could.

“I will certainly try,” Julian promised as he turned and stretched to kiss Cameron’s neck.

Cameron closed his eyes and turned his chin as Julian’s lips met his skin. Try. He’d accept it gracefully and save the disappointment for when Julian was gone. He almost wished it were a regular day so he had the comfortable routine of work to escape to. Instead, he had long, lonely, empty hours ahead of him. And Julian would be working, whatever that entailed.

“You’ll be careful?” Cameron blurted before thinking about it, and he colored brightly in embarrassment.

“I’m always careful,” Julian assured him.

Offering him a smile, Cameron nodded and slowly lay back, giving Julian space to do as he liked.

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