The kind of places Cameron was used to didn’t serve anything that wasn’t cheap alcohol, and water marks from the bottom of a glass were probably the most hygienic stains they got on their tables.
“It’s what all men like him want,” Cameron bit out.
“Men like him?”That was Kefir’s gentle tone again.
Rich men—the kind of men who were happy to visit the kinds of clubs he’d danced in and buy whatever and whoever caught their eye.The kind of men who went back to their rich wives, or maybe even their rich husbands, but who never stayed around with the whores and dregs once they’d had their bit of rough.
Somehow, those weren’t the words that left his lips.“Humans,” he muttered.“Humans are all the same.”
“I think you’ll find you know far less about the width and breadth of human society than you think you do.”
The deep, serious voice pulled Cameron’s attention away from his study of the blaze once more.He met Ellery’s gaze and held it with feline ease, but Ellery gave no sign of wanting to lower his eyes when challenged by a lion.
“I’m not the kind of lion that would wear a human’s collar,” Cameron spat.
Ellery didn’t like that at all.Cameron saw the way he tensed.He saw the way Kefir’s hand stroked along his arm, silently trying to pacify him, too.
He’d watched so many dancers in the clubs fawn over rich bastards in almost exactly the same way.It turned his stomach to see another lion have to act like that.
“We don’t wear collars,” Luther said.
Cameron glanced at the sofa where he and Blaine were curled up around Marrick.They were little more than cubs playing with a new toy—all three of them.They didn’t really have any idea how things were, how careful a lion had to be when—
Whatever he might have said to the trio died on his lips as Cameron felt a change come over the house.It was the same change he’d felt in a club whenever Franklin arrived.He turned to face the door a moment before it swung open.
Franklin stood in the threshold of the den, a briefcase in one hand, a suit bag and an up-market shopping bag in the other.“Hello.”
Cameron ran his eyes over him, drinking in every single detail.The sight of Franklin rushed to his cock the same way it always had, but Cameron had to bite back a curse as he realised he was also checking to make sure the guy was okay after being away from his side for most of the day.
The world felt like a slightly better place now that Cameron knew Franklin was home safe again.Great.That was just great.
Pointedly turning away from Franklin to stare into the fire once more, Cameron dramatically increased the speed of the curses scrolling through his mind.
Waiting for his master to come back to him like a damn kitten!So bloody pathetic…
“Cameron?”
Lifting his gaze, Cameron glared at Franklin, as if he was the very last person he wanted to see.And Franklin stared back, as if he actually thought he’d win that kind of game.
To hell with that!It was about time the man learned he’d never win a staring contest with a lion.
Finally, Franklin dropped his gaze with a resigned little sigh.“Would you like to eat out tonight?”
Cameron blinked.That was…not what he’d expected.He found himself rising to his feet and approaching Franklin as if the guy was a curiosity that needed to be investigated further.
“Out?”
Franklin smiled slightly.“I’m meeting some of the men I’m doing business with for dinner.I thought you might like to join us.”
The other lions were still watching them.If Franklin didn’t see how stupid that idea was, Cameron was sure they all did.
Striding out of the room without a word, Cameron quickly made his way up the stairs.He’d already thrown himself onto the bed in Franklin’s room and was leaning idly back against the headboard when Franklin caught up with him, weighed down by all his baggage.
“You didn’t say if you’d be joining me,” he said, with what sounded like very strained politeness.
“Depends,” Cameron said.“What are they into?”
Franklin paused halfway through hanging the suit bag on the front of the wardrobe and turned to face him.“What?”
