Page 63 of Thomas
As they navigated the narrow streets and alleyways of Old Town Antibes, Cameron supposed the area exhibited a sense of classic European charm. The roads were cobbled, andeverythingwas made of worn pale stone in hues of peach or yellow or beige. The stacked buildings had wooden awnings long faded by the Mediterranean sun. Ivy vines and other trailing plants had latched themselves upside walls wherever the natural light would reach.
For Cameron, there was too much dog shit. After seeing it carelessly left on the cobblestones at least three times, his paranoia had firmly rooted itself so that he was almost constantly looking down as they walked. He was relieved when they finally reached their bed and breakfast, which was aconverted three-story home that sat along the rampart walls just beside the sea.
Cameron unlocked the door to the room, stepped inside and immediately paused. Thomas was behind him, and Cameron’s frame was so large that he blocked the entire doorway.
“Are you not going all the way in?” Thomas asked.
“There’s only one bed in here,” he said, annoyed. “I asked for atwinsuite with two beds. Not a king suite. We have to go back downstairs?—”
“Cameron, just—hold on! May I enter the room, please?”
“Oh, sorry.” Cameron shifted to the side, allowing Thomas to pass over the threshold. “I’ll ask them to fix this.”
“It’s huge,” Thomas said. He set his bag down and walked toward the balcony on the far side of the room. “I think it’s an upgrade.”
“Let’s go talk to the front desk. This isn’t what I asked for.”
“Sure,” Thomas said, stepping away from the window and taking up his bag once more.
Ten minutes later, they were back in the room. It was the only one they had available, apparently, and it was an upgrade. The concierge didn’t really understand what all the fuss was about.
“I can sleep in one of the chairs if you prefer,” Thomas said, having returned to the balcony doors. “I’ve slept in much worse conditions, believe me.” Their suite was on the top floor and had an unimpeded view of the vast sea and coastline. Thomas opened the glass doors and stuck his head outside. “You can hear the waves breaking against the ramparts. It’s lovely!”
“No—you don’t have to do that. The bed is massive…” Cameron rubbed the back of his neck, considering. “So long as you aren’t afraid of potentially being crushed by an oversized bear of a vampire in the middle of the night? PerhapsIshould sleep in a chair.”
Thomas glanced over his shoulder, his expression sardonic. “I think I’ll be fine. Are you sure you’re comfortable with it?”
Cameron looked at the bed again. Itwashuge, and the room was cozy enough. He nodded. “I am. It’s fine.”
After they’d unpacked and settled a bit, Cameron plopped down into one of the tufted chairs, which had seen better days. He supposed it was considered “charming” as well. More old, shabby things dressed up in trendy euphemisms. “Vintage” was another one. The chair was probably a biohazard, like his father’s ancient couch in the upper library. Teeming with desiccated mites—their dead bodies decades old.
Cameron immediately missed his own house, badly.
“We have an hour before it’s time to leave and meet Dawn in the city center,” Thomas said, turning from the open balcony window. He’d practically taken up residence there, soaking in the sunset view. “Should we explore? Have a drink?”
The salty air floating into the room was warm but quickly cooling. The south of France ran much milder in the winter, temperature-wise, than Eden (especially Upper Avalon). But the night and sea would bring a definitive chill.
“I’m exhausted,” Cameron said honestly. “I’m going to shower and rest. You and Dawn should have your privacy to catch up and speak candidly. You certainly don’t need me there.”
Thomas’s expression faltered, seemingly surprised. Which surprised Cameron in turn. “I thought you’d join me so you can meet her?”
Cameron waved a hand. “I shouldn’t be there. The two of you need space to talk and decide if you’d like… in case you want to, well?—”
“In case I want to what, Cameron?”
There was an edge to Thomas’s words that made Cameron adjust in his “vintage” seat uncomfortably. In case you still love her, he thought. In case you want to be with her again.Hecouldn’t form the words on his lips, so he sat there, awkwardly, trying to think of something else to say and failing miserably.
Thomas closed the distance between them until he hovered over Cameron’s seated position. He leaned, took hold of Cameron’s chin with his long fingers and lifted Cameron’s face until they were eye to eye.
“Cameron Dwight Ashford, I am not leaving you.”
“Thomas—”
“I’mnotleaving you. Do you understand me?”
Exhaling, Cameron bit back the flurry of emotions in his chest. The ferocity of Thomas’s words and evocative gaze threatened to make Cameron’s eyes alight. He steeled himself. “Thomas, the truth of the matter is that you were forced into this arrangement with me. Nothing in it was mutual?—”
“I don’t care. Do you trust me or not? Will you believe in me or not?”
