ELIJAHkept his eyes closed as his family filed out of the room. He assumed the movie must be over. The truth was, he hadn’t paid attention to the screen since Camden settled in his arms. How could he? Camden was pressed so closely against him that all of Elijah’s focus zeroed in on the heady sensation of having Camden in his arms.
Camden had fallen asleep during the movie. Elijah had recognized the rhythmic, even breaths causing his chest to expand and contract halfway through the film. Elijah used the opportunity to gather Camden in his arms, squeezing him tighter than necessary. No one would know, and Camden’s heat was so inviting as he pressed himself against Elijah’s body, he couldn’t resist tightening his hold on the man lying in front of him.
Elijah pretended to sleep too. Having Camden when Elijah was asleep was the only way he could indulge in his need for the man. He was Camden’s protector. Being his lover shouldn’t feel equally important. And yet somehow they both were necessary to Elijah—as if he had to do both.
He shook the thought from his head and refused to think himself out of the comfort of this moment. They’d shared an amazing moment in the garage. Elijah wasn’t about to sour it by thinking about all the problematic things his job and this case could mean for the attachment blossoming between him and Camden.
No, he wouldn’t think about the fact that his selfish need to keep Camden close was putting everyone in this house at risk. He refused to acknowledge his job would likely go up in flames when the case was over, all because he couldn’t untangle himself from Camden’s web. And above all, he most certainly would not admit that when this ended, he’d probably lose more than just his job, but his heart too.
That was too much to ask of any mere mortal. So, for now, he’d enjoy the way Camden’s body molded to his.
Elijah knew he should wake Camden, and not just because he had no business being cozied up next to him on the couch. His custom couch fit the two of them comfortably, but Elijah’s frame would protest staying in this tight position all night. Rational thought was just about to win out, and Elijah considered waking Camden. But when he pressed himself against Elijah, snuggling in closer to him, he knew they were staying here for the night. Sore back be damned, and regardless of how his rational brain warned him of getting too attached to a man who wasn’t in any position to commit to him, Elijah wouldn’t give this moment up for anything. This was too good to step away from.
Lying here tonight was a rebirth, even more than the gratifying way they’d shared each other’s bodies earlier in the evening. Here and now, they were getting a do-over. And therein lay the danger. What if this feeling was wrong? What if this was the beginning of nothing more than the end?
Chapter Twenty
THEpainful pinch of Camden’s bladder pulled him from soothing sleep. He opened his eyes just enough to notice he was in the living room, and not in Elijah’s bedroom as he should be. He went to maneuver himself into a sitting position but met a comforting weight across his abdomen. A quick peek over his shoulder confirmed what his senses already told him. He’d spent the night in the safest place in the world: Elijah’s arms.
The sensual picture of Elijah stretched out behind him with some of his shoulder-length locs covering his face made Camden yearn to reach out and slide his fingers through them. He smiled as he fought the urge to brush the hair behind Elijah’s ear. Deciding to let the man sleep longer, he slipped Elijah’s hand from around his waist and propped a pillow under it to take his place.
He made haste to Elijah’s en suite bathroom and relieved himself. A few minutes later he emerged with an empty bladder, a washed face, and fresh breath. As he opened the bedroom door, he found Elijah’s mother standing on the opposite side with her hand poised in the knocking position.
“There you are, Camden. Is Elijah coming down with you?”
Camden shook his head. “He’s still sleeping on the couch. I didn’t have the heart to wake him when I came up a few moments ago.” The wide smile that spread across Evelyn’s face made Camden’s lips curve in similar fashion. What was it about Elijah and his people that made Camden comfortable enough to share genuine affection with them? He didn’t know. But whatever it was, Camden was certain he’d miss it when he went back to his regularly scheduled life.
Evelyn motioned for him to follow her, and because Camden was no fool, he willingly went. They took quiet steps down the staircase. As they eased past the living room, Camden couldn’t help but peek inside to check on Elijah. He smiled at the adorable picture the big man made curled up on the sofa, still hugging the small throw pillow Camden had left in his stead.
Satisfied with the tranquil view, Camden followed Evelyn into the kitchen and sat at the island as the woman walked to the refrigerator.
“Do you know how to cook, Camden?”
Camden raised a skeptical eyebrow as he considered how to best answer Evelyn’s question. “I can make food that’s edible. I wouldn’t necessarily classify that as cooking, however.”
Camden thought back to when Elijah questioned him about having a maid. Camden conveniently failed to mention his housekeeper cooked for him twice a week. He’d never required Sarah to do it. His work often kept him busy into the late evenings; sometimes he had just enough energy to make it home and sleep. But after having to clean up the remnants of one of his postculinary disasters, Sarah had taken pity on him and offered to prepare him a meal twice a week.
“After grilled cheese or a sliced meat sandwich, I’m a little out of my depth in the kitchen.”
Evelyn placed a few covered bowls on the countertop in front of him and spread her hands flat against the hard surface. “Well, if you will spend any significant time around my son, you will need to learn a few things.”
Camden laughed softly as he shook his head. The image of Elijah trying to struggle through something Camden prepared was amusing enough to make Camden stifle the chuckle that tried to escape through his lips. “I don’t think Elijah needs me trying to cook for him. He seems to know his way around a kitchen, I assume because of you.”
Evelyn shook her head and granted him the same warm smile she’d given him when they’d first met. It was hard to believe it was only a few days prior, because the dynamic woman standing in front of Camden felt very much like something permanent in Camden’s life.
“Elijah learned to cook while he watched his father and me cooking together. My husband worked late hours most days. But during his time off, he’d do whatever he could to make sure we had some quality time together. He’d play with our boys, and then he’d stand next to me in the kitchen, helping me prepare the family meal.”
Her rounded cheeks rose as memory sparkled in her eyes. Whatever events were unfolding in her mind, he realized they were cherished, something she pulled out frequently to enjoy over the years.
The joy Camden received watching Evelyn soon began to dissipate as he thought about the lack of memories he and Elijah shared. As of now, they only had two. The night they’d shared back then, and their time in Elijah’s garage apartment last night. Would they be enough for Camden to draw happiness from years down the line when he was trapped in a life not of his own making? Camden’s gut clenched in disappointment. He knew the answer to that question was no.
Warm fingers stroked the top of Camden’s hand. When he returned his gaze to meet Evelyn’s, sweet reassurance greeted him. “Don’t worry about how well you do it, Camden. The only thing that will matter is your willingness to do it with him.”
Camden narrowed his eyes as he tried to figure out what Evelyn was talking about. He understood her words, but he was certain she was educating him on something vital; he just couldn’t figure out what it all had to do with food.
“So, Elijah will want me to cook for him even if my food isn’t appetizing?”
Evelyn’s face bloomed into a full smile, and he knew for certain whatever message she was trying to impart had gone right over his head. She didn’t seem bothered by his ignorance, though; instead, the small chuckle of laughter that escaped her lips showed him she possessed far more patience than he would have if their roles had been reversed.
