Page 24 of Warrior's Cross

Julian watched him and narrowed his eyes. “I’d better be going,” he whispered finally. “Thank you,” he repeated, “for last night. And for getting that tape to Blake. And for every Tuesday,” he added with a small smile.

“Tuesdays,” Cameron murmured, not looking away from Julian.

“The good days.” It was what Julian had said.

“Yeah,” Julian affirmed with a nod and a wistful smile.

“Do you come on Tuesdays because of the name of the restaurant?” Cameron found himself asking.

Julian lips quirked slowly. “No,” he answered. “But I know why the restaurant is called Tuesdays,” he offered in amusement.

“Really?” Cameron asked curiously. It had always seemed such a random thing to call a four-star restaurant. He’d often wondered why Blake had chosen it.

Julian hummed and tilted his head. “Ask Blake about the god of war,” he advised mischievously. “He’ll tell you the story.”

Cameron merely nodded in confusion, not even sure if he wanted to know what that meant. “Give me another kiss?” he asked softly.

Julian raised an eyebrow and smiled wryly. He turned and crawled closer, kissing Cameron roughly.

Cameron gasped under the unexpected onslaught, grasped at Julian’s arms, and held on tight as he gave into the swirling heat of the other man’s mouth. His body responded right away, and he arched up against Julian instinctively.

Julian grinned against the kiss, extending it well past the time of propriety. Finally, he growled softly and pushed up onto his hands and knees. “You could get a man fired, you know that?” he muttered in frustration as he looked down at Cameron.

A silly smile curled Cameron’s lips. “Another compliment?”

“I would think so,” Julian murmured, “considering I’m self-employed.” He hesitated, looking down at Cameron. “I’m sorry,” he said with a pained wince. “But I do have to go.”

Feeling a little better seeing that Julian didn’t look happy to have to leave, Cameron scooted to the edge of the bed, let the sheet slide down his body, and climbed out of bed. As Julian sat back on the edge of the bed, rubbing at his neck and looking around for his clothing, Cameron padded into the bathroom, cleaned up a little, and pulled on shorts and a T-shirt.

He ran the water to brush his teeth and get a cool drink, and afterward he looked at himself in the mirror for a long moment, seeing the resignation in his own eyes. He didn’t want to think anything about Julian right now; he just wanted to live the moment while it lasted. He took a long drink before heading back out to the bedroom.

“Will you be here?” Julian asked him when he reappeared. He was already half-dressed. There was a pile of his clothing on the bed behind him, as well as the gun he’d shed the night before.

Cameron stopped in the doorway and leaned against the frame, folding his arms. “Yes,” he answered, lifting a foot just enough to brush it back and forth over the threshold.

Julian watched him for a long moment and then nodded. He stood and pulled his pants up, buttoning and zipping before he walked over to Cameron, his shirt still partially unbuttoned even though he’d tucked it in. He stopped just in front of Cameron, who straightened nervously and waited, fingers gripping the wood of the doorframe.

Julian tilted his head and reached out slowly to take Cameron’s hand, keeping his eyes on Cameron’s as he raised his hand and kissed the inside of his wrist gently. It was becoming obvious that the gesture was a habit. Eyes widening, Cameron watched the man’s lips slide against his skin, and he shivered before looking back up at Julian. That touch made him melt inside. This whole encounter had been disconcertingly tender, and it left Cameron aching for more.

Julian released his hand and backed away, buttoning his shirt up. “Do you have one of those lint rollers you mentioned?” he asked.

Cameron swallowed heavily and nodded. That was easy enough.

“Sure. Out in the main room,” he murmured. “I’ll get one for you. Need to feed the pups, anyway.” He stepped around Julian slowly before tearing his eyes away and moving around the screen. Soon, a soft pitter-patter followed him, along with some excited yips.

When Julian stepped out of the bedroom, his overcoat and scarf were draped over his arm and he was fussing with his tie. Cameron stood at the kitchen bar across the room. Little white puppies bopped around his feet, and he ignored them as he looked through a stack of mail. There was a lint roller waiting at his elbow, and when he heard Julian’s soft footsteps, he looked up. So did the four puppies, who all immediately charged across the floor to bounce off Julian’s ankles.

Julian picked up one foot as one of the puppies latched onto his pants leg and began pulling and growling, trying to carry him away toward the playpen in the corner. “Ambitious, are we?” Julian said softly to the tiny puppy.

Chuckling, Cameron walked over with the lint brush. “Ever optimistic,” he corrected. He pushed Julian’s hands away from his uncooperative tie, handed him the lint roller, unwrapped the mangled fabric, and started over with it.

Julian held his hands away and focused on Cameron. The puppies continued to tug at him unnoticed as Cameron drew all his considerable attention. Cameron messed with the tie for a moment before realizing that he couldn’t tie one if he was facing it, so he moved self-consciously around Julian and reached around his broad shoulders from behind. He couldn’t help but to press his nose against the back of Julian’s shoulder as he tied the tie, and he inhaled the man’s scent with a small smile. Julian stood motionlessly, letting him do as he pleased.

He moved back to stand in front of Julian and checked the tie to make certain it was straight, and he smoothed Julian’s collardown before glancing up and seeing the man’s pinning gaze. He colored a little and stepped back, then cleared his throat.

“What needs help?” he asked, reaching to take back the roller.

“Just my coat,” Julian murmured without looking away from him.

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