Page 57 of Warrior's Cross

“I’ve been thinking it since I first saw you,” Julian admitted softly.

“But now I’m actually sober, and I’m fairly certain,” he added as he felt his face flushing slightly.

“But... but when you first saw me, that was almost a year ago,” Cameron whispered.

“I can be a little slow,” Julian joked as he blushed further.

Cameron reached up to lightly touch Julian’s reddening cheek, his fingers brushing through the finely trimmed beard. “That’s astounding,” he said shakily.

“It really is,” Julian agreed. “Considering I’ve never thought it before.”

“Never?”

“I had a thing for my first-year maths teacher,” Julian answered with a straight face.

Cameron slapped lightly at Julian’s belly. “Goofball.”

Julian grunted and shuffled slightly, pleased that Cameron was comfortable enough with him to tease.

“You make me very happy,” Cameron said, leaning in to cuddle close against him.

“I’m glad.” Julian rested his chin against Cameron’s temple.

It was another quiet minute before Cameron whispered against Julian’s shirt. “I know I love you. It’s crazy. And you... I didn’t think you’d ever...”

The words zinged through Julian’s chest, and he held Cameron closer as he tried not to grin. He ducked his head and kissed Cameron’s neck possessively. Whatever happened tomorrow would be okay, because they had this tonight.

It was just before seven on a Friday night. Spring was taking root in the city and the sun was setting, sending shimmers of light through the windows. Decorations glittered all over Tuesdays; it was decked out for a private party that was to startat any moment, and the place buzzed with preparations. Metal detectors guarded the doors and large security officers stood around the room. There were men in tuxedos and women in fur lining up to be checked against the exclusive guest list.

The restaurant closed like this for private parties several times a year because of its excellent reputation for discretion, respect, and elegance, its secure upstairs location, and particularly because of Blake Nichols’ extensive connections. There were a lot of big names in the restaurant tonight. Celebrities, politicians, high-powered businessmen, professional athletes, society debutantes. It was a mishmash of powerful people and their lackeys.

Nights like this always proved to be interesting. And profitable, if there was enough booze. And Blake always madesurethere was enough booze.

In the lobby outside the restaurant entrance, Julian raised his hands and watched the burly security guard carefully as he was patted down.

When the man was done, he stood once more and nodded at Julian.

“Have a good evening, sir.”

“And you,” Julian responded softly as he stepped through the doors and gave a name to the hostess. It wasn’thisname, but it was a name nonetheless. And lucky him, it wasn’t Keri monitoring the guest list.

The woman gestured for him to enter after checking her list. He nodded to her politely, and soon he was into the party and gritting his teeth against the urge to groan. Julian hated crowds. They made him paranoid and edgy. Especially crowds like this, where trouble was likely to come from someone who knew how to make it. Guests milled about on the cleared front floor, where servers moved with silver trays of champagne and tiny hors d’oeuvres.

Julian made his way through the crowd gracefully, nodding politely to those who greeted him and sipping at his own glass of champagne. Blake had a client in the crowd, one who would be drawing the proverbial bull’s-eye on someone’s back as soon as Julian found him. Fridays were normally reserved for Cameron, but with a party like this, Cameron had been assigned to work anyway. Julian had thought he would be forced to sit at home and stare at the walls all night, but the unexpected need for his presence had been sudden. He’d had very little forewarning, not even enough to call Cameron and warn him that he’d be here.

But when Blake called, Julian had to move. It was the only reason he was here and not at home, catching up on his sleep.

“Cameron,” Miri whispered when she returned to the service area to fill her tray. “Julian’s here.”

He glanced up from the champagne he was pouring and smiled.

“Really? I didn’t know he’d be here.”

“Why not?” she questioned incredulously.

“I don’t ask where he is every minute of the day,” Cameron said as he set aside the bottle.

“So, he knew you’d be working a party he was attending, and he didn’t tell you?” Miri asked dubiously.

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