Page 5

Rylan hadn’t realized he tensed until Cameron pulled him close into an embrace. Cameron made him feel safe, which was foreign to him. He even walked them out with Cameron’s huge body blocking Rylan from the other patrons of the club.

Part of him expected Tristan to rip him out of Cameron’s arms as they near the front entrance, but when he felt the cool night air on his face instead, he breathed a sigh of relief. He knew there would be a confrontation, but it wouldn’t be tonight.

Rylan glanced up to meet his gaze, and Cameron nodded the direction they were going. When they started down the street, Rylan smiled when Cameron took a step away, giving him space. Instead of letting him put distance between them, he held out his hand and waited.

He had a sense Cameron didn’t touch others much, so when he took Rylan’s hand in his, he had to swallow his gasp at the touch. Cameron tugged him closer and Rylan shivered. It wasn’t because of the weather or the power that radiated off him in waves, but an awareness of the man next to him.

“Are you cold?”

Before Rylan answered, Cameron untied the hoodie from his waist and stopped Rylan in the middle of the sidewalk.

“Lift your arms up.”

Rylan laughed and did as Cameron asked, raising his arms which made him feel like a kid again. Cameron slid the material down his arms and over his head. But instead of looking up and thanking him for his hoodie, he closed his eyes and inhaled his scent. Citrus and something purely Cameron.

He glanced down and laughed when he noticed the hem of the thick material reached his knees. It swallowed him, but warmth spread through his chest at Cameron’s considerate actions.

“Thank you. It’s very nice of you.”

Cameron’s cheeks bloomed pink, and he nodded at Rylan as an embarrassed gesture. But he tilted his head and stared at Rylan for a moment before he turned, and they started toward the diner again. That’s when the neon glow caught his gaze. Cameron reached for his hand, taking Rylan by surprise. But the gesture was welcome.

Cameron opened the door for Rylan. Once they walked in, the hostess seated them in the back, although the diner had a smattering of tables that were full. Rylan slid in a booth and bit his lip in disappointment when Cameron slid in the bench opposite.

They perused the menu, but curiosity more than hunger drove Rylan to glance at Cameron, wondering when he would ask questions. Instead of waiting, Ryan leaned forward and when he captured Cameron’s attention, he spoke.

“Aren’t you going to ask me what happened back at the club?”

Cameron looked up with a smile and Rylan’s breath stuttered in his chest.

“I figured it wasn’t my business to ask. If you wanted to tell me, I’d listen, but I have one question and it’s not intrusive. I hope.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“Are you in physical danger?” Cameron’s expression became fierce and Rylan realized he wanted to protect him.

Instead of answering right away, Rylan thought about it. Although he wanted to deny it to himself, he knew what Tristan’s arrival home meant for him. Before his thoughts could lead down the dark path he’d repressed for years, he shook off the memories of the last time he and Tristan were in a room together.

He must have not kept his face passive because Cameron reached out and squeezed his hand, bringing him back to the man who sat across from him. The one he wanted to get to know.

“I don’t want to find out.”

Rylan’s words drew a growl from Cameron and when he looked up, he realized the fierce look on his face was in defense of him, not directed toward him.

“I’ll call my friend, Issa, and I’ll crash with her and Suzy, her roommate.”

“Why do you have to leave your house?”

Rylan swallowed hard before he explained. “Declan and Tristan have been best friends since high school and if he’s back from college, he’ll be hanging around more and that’s dangerous for me.”

Cameron sat still and not a sound came from him as he stared at Rylan across the table. The concern shining from Cameron’s hazel eyes had Rylan relaxing against the booth. Instead of asking questions, Cameron continued to search Rylan’s face as the minutes of silence stretched between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable, so Rylan looked his fill.

Movement from his right drew his gaze from Cameron. He noticed the waitress had spotted them, but her eyes traced over Cameron’s body as she sauntered over to him and slid onto the edge of the booth, giving him a flirty smile. Cameron’s gaze didn’t waver from Rylan.

“Do you know what you’d like?” Cameron raised an eyebrow at Rylan.

Without a thought, he answered. “Whatever you’re getting.”

Without missing a beat, Cameron spoke. “We’ll have two cheeseburgers, fries, iced tea, and two vanilla malts, please.” He slid the menus back into the holder against the wall before he reached over and laced Rylan’s fingers with his own.