Page 39

Story: Cameron & Rylan

“Well, I was thinking about a larger city, somewhere that might have a wider selection of fabrics you can use for your designs.”

Cameron kissed him and Rylan’s thoughts scattered. He groaned aloud when he lifted Rylan like he weighed nothing and lowered him onto his lap. They spent the next few minutes in a slow exploration of each other’s mouths, and Rylan felt like he could breathe again. He’d missed everything about Cameron, but the intimacy was what he missed the most.

“What do you think?”

Rylan cleared his throat, giving him time to put his thoughts in order. “I’ve never had problems finding what I need in Denver.”

And I don’t want him to spend even more money on me.

Cameron sighed and pulled Rylan close until their foreheads rested together.

“I know what you’re thinking. I spend too much money on you, which I don’t, but if you’ve forgotten, my parents are rich and if I want to take you to New York for a week and then on a proper vacation in Hawaii after, I can because being with you makes me happy. The past month, we’ve been working too hard and we deserve a break, together. But to be honest, mom suggested New York and I think we’ll enjoy the laid-back vibe of Hawaii. So what do you say?”

Instead of waiting for Rylan to answer, he kissed Rylan breathless. When he pulled back, Cameron cradled Rylan against his shoulder with his arms surrounding him, warming him.

“Let’s get away from here where no one will interrupt us, and we can see two different places neither of us have seen.”

Rylan gasped. “You’ve never been?”

“When I was younger, I was too busy with sports, friends, and studying to travel with my parents. But now I want to go with you.”

He searched Cameron’s face and his mouth turned down into a frown when he thought Rylan would refuse.

“I still have to work on finishing a few sketches while we’re gone, but I’ll have nearly two months to create the outfits and that should be plenty of time.”

The man beamed at him as if he were doing Cameron a favor. “You want to go with me?”

“Yes.” Not a second later, he was on his back on the couch, getting the life kissed out of him.

“It’ll be fun, you and me together.”

The excitement coming from Cameron was addictive. “So, when do we leave?”

Cameron laughed. “Tomorrow at three.”

Rylan wasn’t proud of the shriek that came out of his throat, but it took Cameron by surprise and he was able to push him against the back of the couch before he slipped out from under him.

“What do I pack? There’s a lot of clothes and shoes I might need. Do I need dress clothes? What’s the weather in New York this time of year? We need to get packing.”

Firm, yet familiar lips pressed against his own, and his mental list disintegrated as he moaned into Cameron’s mouth. Soon, his mind grew fuzzy, and he relaxed into Cameron’s hold as his mouth sought more.

“You do that on purpose.” Rylan’s statement had Cameron’s eyebrow raise in question. “Kiss me. You know that I can’t think when you do that and you pull me out of whatever panic I get into with a kiss, knowing I’ll melt.”

Cameron laughed.

“Not denying it, I see.”

“Nope, and here’s the plan. Tonight, we’ll go to bed and I’ll hold you while we sleep. Tomorrow, we can pack. Whatever we forget, we can get there.”

Rylan noticed the dark circles under his eyes and felt guilty. Cameron planned a trip after studying for his finals and cooked them dinner, so without a word, he checked the locks and the alarm before he reached for Cameron’s hand and pulled him upstairs toward their bedroom.

After getting ready for bed, Rylan snuggled against Cameron, his head nestled on his shoulder and sighed when Cameron’s arms wrapped around him. In the quiet darkness, curiosity got the better of him.

“How long have you been planning this?”

“Um…”

Rylan lifted his head and looked at Cameron.