Page 79 of Thomas
It was overwhelming, and he was doing his absolute best to remain in control of the urges and not wrestle poor Thomas to the floor every time he crossed paths with him. Yes, Thomas had told him that behavior was acceptable, but even still.Cameron wanted to make sure he had mastery over the newness of this situation before he let himself plummet headfirst into debauchery.
Cameron moisturized his body, brushed his teeth, slipped on his black briefs and paused with his fingers gripping the terrycloth robe hanging on a hook against the back of the bathroom door. On the one hand, it felt prudent to wear it and not knowingly walk into the bedroom wearing just his underwear with Thomas present. But on the other hand, the man had released Cameron’s aura and sat naked in his wet, uncovered lap. Maybe it was too late for prudence?
He disregarded the robe and pulled the bathroom door open.
The bed was directly visible from where Cameron stood in the doorway, and vice versa. The side where Thomas sat perched with a book on his knee was closest to the bathroom. He stopped reading and his eyes met Cameron’s.
“Good evening,” Thomas said.
“Hello.”
“Is this side okay?”
Cameron huffed, smiling. “I don’t think it matters.” History had taught him that whatever side Cameron was on, he wouldn’t be alone there for very long.
He switched the light off, then walked from the bathroom, around the bed and toward the opposite side. Thomas’s eyes followed him the entire trek. Openly and unembarrassed. Already, the room smelled of him. Clean, powdery, sweet and nutty. When Cameron parted his lips to breathe, he could practically taste him.
What have I gotten myself into?He sat on the edge of the mattress with his back to Thomas for a moment, closed his eyes and firmly chastised his nature. Cameron simply needed to get used to this. After some time, probably, he’d barely notice it, andthe scent wouldn’t be this all-consuming thing. He’d no longer feel like an apex predator.
“Are you alright?” Thomas asked from behind.
Cameron rolled his shoulders and blew out a breath. “Yes, I’m fine.” He shifted and brought one leg onto the bed, then paused. “Do you want the curtains drawn?”
“Ah, yes, please. Thank you for remembering that.”
“Of course.” Cameron got up again, went to the tall windows and pulled back the curtains to let the moonlight in. As he returned to the bed, he noticed the book Thomas was holding. It was his father’s edition ofThe Art of the Kama Sutra. “How’s that going?” He gestured with a nod while he climbed into bed.
“Well. Interesting.”
Cameron settled down onto his back beneath the duvet. “Care to elaborate?”
“Not really. No.”
“Alright then.” Cameron chuckled as he stretched his spine against the cool, soft sheets, reveling in the weight of the duvet atop his body. Quietly, this was his favorite part of the day. Being freshly washed and tucked into his clean, cozy bed. The sweet haze of almonds and flowers added a new layer to the comforting experience. He closed his eyes.
The lamp on Thomas’s side flicked off and Cameron felt him settling down across the bed. They were silent for a long moment before Cameron grinned into the darkness. “Are we going to sleep under the pretense that you’re actually going to stay over there and somehow not end up on top of me?”
“Well,” Thomas said softly, and Cameron could hear the smile in his voice, “I thought I’d at leaststartthe night with some semblance of dignity?”
“Whatever for? Just come over here now so that neither of us is surprised in the middle of the night.”
Thomas scooted over until he was pressed into Cameron’s side. His palm cautiously rested on Cameron’s naked skin just above his navel. Cameron lifted his arm up until Thomas made himself comfortable, then relaxed with his hand behind his head. The cloud of him was both soothing and beguiling. Cameron closed his eyes and breathed. “Better?”
“Mm,” Thomas hummed, and stilled, leaning warmly into his body. “You’re very sweet and obliging with your affections, Cameron… Thank you.” His thumb gently swiped back and forth above his navel like a windshield wiper.
It made Cameron smile. He wanted to tell Thomas that he was obliging because of him.Onlyfor him. Instead, he said simply, “You are welcome, always.” Thomas snuggled in closer. Cameron yawned, then drifted into a deep, calming sleep.
Cameron dreamed vividly. He dreamed of a garden covered in pristine, dusty snow, but he didn’t feel cold. He was barefoot and naked and the ground was tepid and firm beneath the soles of his feet. The air cool and fresh against his skin. And there were almond blossom trees all around him, fully bloomed and with their pinkish-white petals flecked with snow.
The sun was high in the clear azure expanse and glinting off of the immaculate surroundings. Thesmellof it all consumed him, wrapping and caressing his body inside and out. He closed his eyes to the bright sunlight and pulled the sensations in closer. Breathing and hungry. His fangs pulsed with wanton desire and his nature within him ached and writhed in a way he’d never known.
Cameron?
Was this paradise? Every element surrounding him was like pure ecstasy to his senses and body. He exhaled a groan, pulling all of it closer into himself. He was so very hungry for it.
“Cameron.”
Thomas’s whispered, frantic voice filtered into and cut through the imagery. Cameron’s eyes flitted open and the room was dark blue. A stark contrast to the white and snow and sunlight from his dreams. It was disorienting, and he blinked, confused about where he was for a moment.
