Page 29 of Warrior's Cross

Cameron’s head snapped up, and he boggled. “I have?” he said, voice cracking a little.

“Of course,” Julian responded with a nod of his head. “Someone would have to be out of their mind not to come back to you. I walked through a blizzard to get here.”

Cameron met Julian’s eyes. “I’ve never met anyone like you before,” he said in quiet amazement. “You make me feel...”

Julian raised an eyebrow and rubbed his chest distractedly, waiting.

“Special,” Cameron supplied, barely audible. “Wanted.”

Julian grinned widely. “Good,” he said matter-of-factly.

“And confused,” Cameron added with a sigh of resignation. “Why is that good? Strokes your ego?”

Julian pressed his hand over his heart as if he’d been hurt. “Ouch,” he responded with a slight huff. “No,” he added as he leaned his elbows on the counter. “Because that’s exactly how I want you feeling.”

“Oh.” Cameron just looked at him in wonder. “I just might have to kiss you now,” he warned.

“Well then, just let me move closer,” Julian drawled cheekily as he glided around the counter and stopped next to Cameron. He wrapped an arm around Cameron’s waist carefully and leaned down to give him a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth.

As soon as Julian came close, Cameron lost his hold on his worries, and they melted into the background. Instead, he turned into the heat of the other man’s body, lightly bumping Julian’s lips against his again. He drew a shaking breath and tilted his head back to kiss Julian gently.

“Maybe I need some more wine,” Cameron whispered.

“No, you don’t,” Julian assured him, tugging him closer and kissing him hungrily, cradling his head in one large hand as he did so.

It was easy to relax against Julian’s chest and be kissed, and Cameron reveled in it, feeling the heat spark between them just like it had the night before. Just like that morning. Just like he hoped, at that very moment, it would for more time to come.

Julian hummed contentedly and smiled as he pulled back from the kiss. “Thank you for letting me stay,” he whispered against Cameron’s lips.

“Any time,” Cameron murmured without thinking, raising his eyes to meet Julian’s. Somehow, being in Julian’s arms soothed the nerves and worry of the unknown.

“I could grow used to this,” Julian said.

Cameron let his eyes move over Julian’s face. “Okay,” he said softly.

“Okay?” Julian echoed.

Cameron nodded solemnly. “I’d like it,” he clarified, “if you grew used to this.” He held his breath as he waited for Julian to answer.

Julian smiled slowly—a real, honest smile that seemed to melt away his hardened exterior. “Good,” he responded as he slid his hands into the rear pockets of Cameron’s jeans possessively.

Cameron released his breath and smiled as he gulped for another one. He shifted and hooked his wrists behind Julian’s neck. “You might change your mind once you get to know me. I’m awfully boring.”

“So am I,” Julian retorted with a spark of mischief in his eyes.

“I really don’t see how that’s possible,” Cameron said dryly. “The man who would get on his knees in the middle of a four-star restaurant to beg a waiter to go home with him?”

“That’s not interesting. It’s just being smitten,” Julian corrected.

“Smitten? With me?” Cameron asked with a disbelieving laugh.

“You think I get on my knees for just anyone?” Julian asked with another playful sparkle in his eyes, as if sharing a private joke with himself.

“Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would bet you got down on your knees fornoone,” Cameron said with absolute surety.

Julian lifted an eyebrow. “Well. You were mistaken,” he chastised gently. His eyes flicked around the kitchen. “What shall we do for the few minutes it takes for dinner to finish?” he asked softly.

Both Cameron’s brows rose as he considered the question and grasped for some sort of answer. “Roast chestnuts?” he threw out.