Page 111 of Warrior's Cross

“Yeah,” Cameron whispered. He closed his eyes and turned his head to press his ear against Julian’s chest so he could hear the thumping heartbeat.

“Preferably with a sniper rifle,” Julian couldn’t help but add under his breath.

Cameron snorted and shook his head. Then he tipped his head back. “Julian, since you’re... dead... will you still be doing... that job?”

Julian inhaled slowly and took a small step back, raising his chin to look over Cameron’s head. “I have no reason to,” he finally answered. “The game’s changed, anyway,” he mumbled as he looked back down at Cameron.

“Changed?” Cameron echoed.

“No honor in it,” Julian answered, almost embarrassed as he spoke.

Cameron slowly smiled. “I knew there was a little bit of a white knight hiding under all that black armor,” he teased gently.

“Don’t kid yourself, now,” Julian warned with a hint of a blush.

Cameron smiled before going on tiptoe to kiss Julian gently.

Julian tensed against him, his lips parting against the kiss. “Does this mean I get a second chance?” he asked breathlessly.

“Yes,” Cameron whispered in between kisses.

Julian seemed to deflate against him, the relief obvious as he pulled Cameron closer with one arm and hugged him hard. “You’ll stay with me?” he asked uncertainly.

“Would you please not die again?” Cameron said against his chest.

Julian sighed and rested his chin on Cameron’s head again. “If that’s the caveat I’m afraid I won’t be able to comply,” he said wryly. “I promise to try very hard not to,” he added seriously.

“That’s what’s important,” Cameron said. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “I love you, Julian. I know I broke both our hearts when I sent you away. But I never stopped loving you.”

Julian nodded and looked down at Cameron sadly. Suddenly his dark eyes lit up, and he broke into a smile. “Have you ever been to Ireland?” he asked with a hint of mischief in his voice.

“Ireland?” Cameron said, leaning back to look up at Julian, surprised by the non sequitur. “I’ve never been out of the Midwest, much less overseas.”

“Oh, we’ll fix that,” Julian promised as he slid one arm around Cameron and began trying to work his way out of his sling.

Frowning, Cameron tried to hunch close. “Don’t hurt yourself,” he cautioned. “So you want to take me to Ireland?” he asked, his voice a little dubious.

Julian finally freed himself of the sling and took Cameron’s face in both hands, heedless of the pain it must have caused him to move. “I want to take you anywhere you want to go,” he told Cameron in a low murmur before kissing him possessively.

Cameron felt dizzy when Julian finally let him breathe. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care,” he murmured as he moved one hand to cup Julian’s cheek.

“I love you, Cameron,” Julian whispered as he held Cameron to him tightly. “Please don’t ever doubt it again.”

Cameron tipped his head back, looking into his lover’s eyes and whispering, “I promise.”