Ty smiled to himself. That, or they had used the golden opportunity to finally escape. At this point, he really didn’t care.
Chapter 13
THE soft click of the door brought Cameron out of his doze, and he opened sleepy eyes as the bed dipped on the other side. It was Julian, back from a patrol of the hotel, most likely. Cameron smiled. Julian’s protective instinct was one of his most endearing traits. He slid his hand out from under the pillow to reach for Julian’s. Julian’s cool fingers glided across his palm in the darkness. He felt Julian move, sliding himself into the bed with his usual careful movements.
“Go back to sleep,” he whispered, almost at Cameron’s ear.
Cameron hummed as he scooted toward Julian’s warmth. “Everything okay?” he murmured before yawning.
Julian’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him closer. He sighed as he settled Cameron against his chest and rested his chin on top of Cameron’s head. It was the same contented sound he almost always made when he held Cameron to him. “I’m not sure. I’ve made several attempts to contact Preston, but he’s… simply gone.”
“Really?” Cameron woke up a little, though he nestled as close as he could get, inhaling Julian’s warm, spicy scent. “What does that mean?”
“I hope it means he’s smart and he’s cut and run before he can be dragged into this too.”
“You don’t really believe that, though.”
“No. Preston wouldn’t run. I have an awful feeling.”
Cameron wrapped around him with a frown, knowing there wasn’t much he could do to alleviate the worry or stress.
They hadn’t heard from the other room in a while, and Cameron found himself smiling as he thought about the two tough, acerbic FBI agents. “It’s so cute. They’re in love.”
“It’s like watching two kittens fight with machetes,” Julian muttered.
“Julian.”
“What? It’s weird!”
“No, it’s not. They’re perfect for each other. Poor Zane, though,” Cameron murmured. “In love with Ty Grady.” He couldn’t imagine how frustrating that would be. Then Julian inhaled, and Cameron chuckled slightly. Yeah, he could, actually. “Did I tell you that Ty cuddled Wesson when he was at the apartment?”
“He cuddled him?”
“He picked him up and cuddled him like a baby. I should have known right then that he was just as evil as you are.”
“Interesting. You mentioned he picked him up. And Wesson let him?”
“He purred.”
“Oh my God.”
“And then begged for more.”
“The little harlot.”
Cameron laughed, hiding his face against Julian’s shoulder.
“My opinion of them both has been slightly altered, I’m afraid,” Julian admitted. “Grady’s still a complete wanker, of course, but….”
Cameron blinked his eyes open and pulled back to see Julian’s face. “Why is that?”
“It’s twice as terrifying, working with someone you love. A mistake could cost you everything. It makes what they do that much more… impressive.”
“That’s what you do with me, sweetheart,” Cameron said gently.
Julian laughed. “No, I can trust you to be smart and stay out of trouble. You’re not… in the thick of things, usually.”
Cameron swatted at his chest.
“You are everything to me,” Julian whispered in his ear.
“You know you are impossible to resist,” Cameron said with a sniff, cuddling back into his arms. He sighed and added, “I think I must have loved you before you spoke a word to me.”
“All part of my charm.”
Cameron smiled and tipped his head back so he could kiss Julian’s jaw. “You’re so humble.”
“Which adds to my charm.”
“Hustler,” Cameron said as he reached up with one hand to tip Julian’s chin down toward him.
Julian kissed him hard suddenly, holding him tight and delving into the passionate kiss. Cameron inhaled through his nose but snaked one arm up and around Julian’s neck as he gave himself over. Julian could be disconcertingly tender, at odds with his demeanor and size, but he could also be demanding and rough, and Cameron loved it both ways.
Julian broke the kiss but didn’t loosen his hold on Cameron as he took a deep breath. “Have I told you lately how lucky I am to have you?”
“No,” Cameron answered as his chest began to ache. It did that around Julian an awful lot.
“I should tell you every day,” Julian whispered to him. “Seeing those two struggling to love each other and forced to hide it from the world….” He shook his head sorrowfully. “You’re everything to me, Cameron.”
Cameron smiled as his pulse sped. “I’m a lucky man. I love you, Julian. If I didn’t stop when you died on me, it’ll never change.”
Julian kissed him again, his long fingers spreading over Cameron’s back as he tightened his arms around him. Cameron sank into his embrace, pushing away any thoughts of danger or separation. They were together right now, and that was what was important.
ZANE watched the sun go down and the room fill with darkness in the few minutes Ty was in the bathroom. He stretched on the bed, enjoying the slide of lube and come between his thighs. Muscle fatigue complemented by satiation lulled him into quiet thoughts as he waited for his lover to return. He tucked his arm behind his head and stared up at the ceiling as his mind wandered around reflections and memories of Ty—no big surprise there; that was where his mind almost always wandered.
The bathroom door creaked as Ty pushed it open, but that was all the noise he made as he crept through the darkness. Zane could barely see him, but the dim light picked up on his naked skin and the white towel he held in his hand.
It was always fun—and arousing—to watch Ty move, naked or not. He was like a wild cat, all lean, economic, smooth movement that was hypnotizing. He came closer to the bed, steps careful, eyes still adjusting to the darkness. He crawled up the bed and over Zane without a word, taking care not to rub against his sticky belly. He kissed him soundly before climbing off him and laying the towel on Zane’s chest.
“You okay?” he asked in a low whisper.
Zane nodded and moved one hand to put the damp towel to use, but he kept his eyes on Ty. He just didn’t want to look away.
Ty shook his head, grinning so that Zane could see the white of his teeth. He shifted, stretching out his shoulders before rolling onto his side and propping his head on his hand as he looked at Zane. It would be a trick for them to sleep in the double bed without one or both of them ending up on the floor at least once. But Zane figured he might just curl up around Ty close enough that it wouldn’t matter.