As the entire room chanted “one,” Cameron’s eyes changed. His pupils elongated horizontally, and for the first time, Emory caught a flash of his omega energy. For just a moment, he could sense the underwater beast lurking just below the surface, and Emory’s lion rose to meet him.
As the room erupted into cheers, Cameron whispered, “Fuck it,” and grabbed Emory’s shoulders, bending forward to press their lips together.
It was soft and sweet at first, a chaste first kiss that befitted their rather uncertain relationship. Then Cameron opened his mouth and brushed his tongue along the crease in Emory’slips. Emory’s mouth slid open, and his tongue brushed against Cameron’s. The world seemed to quiet around them, and Emory pulled Cameron in closer.
They both tasted distinctly of alcohol, but there was something else in the kiss. A hint of promise, and maybe a dash of hope. Over the past hour, Cameron had practically molded himself to Emory’s front, and it was blatantly obvious how perfectly Cameron fit in his arms.
It felt like they were made for each other.
Emory could have gotten lost in their kiss for the rest of the night. Sadly, with one final sweep of his lips, Cameron pulled back, and Emory followed suit.
Their eyes opened at the same time, and Emory could hardly contain his grin. His lion was swaying back and forth, absolutely overjoyed. The second they had started kissing, Emory had lost track of Cameron’s omega energy, but that was okay. He couldn’t remember the last time either he or his lion had felt this good. Thisright.
“Happy New Year, Cameron,” Emory murmured.
“Happy New Year, Emory.”
They didn’t have time to say anything more before Ronan returned, this time with Christopher in tow.
“I’m so glad you two got to ring in the new year together!” Christopher said, leaning against Ronan’s side. Ronan was nearly half a foot shorter than him, but he supported his weight easily.
“Thanks again for the invite,” Cameron said, turning sideways on Emory’s lap to look up at the two men.
“Sorry I kept you for so long. Ronan was making fun of how much I talk,” Christopher said, and Ronan shook his head with a long-suffering smile.
Cameron’s back stiffened, and the soft lines of his shoulders straightened out. Emory wanted to ask if he was alright, butRonan asked Christopher about a work trip he and Emory had coming up, and the conversation shifted.
Cameron remained quiet, and Emory glanced at Christopher once or twice to see if it had something to do with whatever conversation they’d had, but he seemed none the wiser about Cameron’s silence. He tried to pull him into the conversation with a question and a few comments, but Cameron only nodded and smiled a small smile or shook his head in response.
While Emory would usually have gotten sucked into the conversation about work, his lion was agitated. He kept reaching for Cameron’s omega, but he still couldn’t pin down his energy. This wasn’t uncommon for unmated couples. They wouldn’t be able to truly feel each other’s inner beasts until they mated. Usually, he could at least sense the raw energy that made up someone’s animals, though. Cameron’s energy appeared to be avoiding Emory, or at the very least, skirting around him.
Ronan finally announced they should begin making the rounds to say goodnight to everyone, and he dragged Christopher along with him.
Emory and Cameron sat in silence until Cameron turned around to face him. “I’m pretty tired as well. I think I should get going soon.”
He didn’t look too pleased about this. He kept glancing up at Emory and then down at his hands folded in his lap.
Emory’s lion had begun to pace, and he made low, grumbling noises that Emory could admit he also wanted to make right now. What had caused the sudden shift in his…partner? Was he allowed to use that term now that the new year had started? Emory’s lion gave an angry huff, and Emory realized they still hadn’t had the “what are we” conversation.
He made a split-second decision and wrapped both arms around Cameron’s smaller body. Cameron jolted in surprise, and his body tensed up. Emory was about to let go, concedingthat he had read the evening wrong and he should just let the poor man go home, but then Cameron sagged into Emory’s arms. He brought both hands up and clung to Emory’s forearm.
“I think we are both pretty drunk, so please hear me when I say this invitation is completely genuine. I would really like to continue our earlier conversation in the morning, and I have a guest room you’re welcome to stay in. Would you…like to come upstairs and spend the night?”
Cameron didn’t move, or even seem to breathe, and Emory braced himself, and his anxious lion, for a refusal. When Cameron finally nodded his head, he nearly shouted for joy. They were surrounded by his colleagues, though, and he figured Cameron wouldn’t appreciate him drawing attention to them. Instead, he allowed a soft purr to escape his throat.
Cameron pressed his hand against Emory’s sternum. “Is that you or your lion?”
Emory purred a little louder, enjoying the way Cameron’s hand moved with the rise and fall of his ribs. “I think it’s both.”
They said goodbye to a few of the guests as they left, receiving overly exuberant hugs from Christopher and reassuring back pats from Ronan. When Emory rang the front desk from the callbox, requesting the elevator be sent to the ninth floor, and then up to the twelfth, Jefferson’s voice was all too eager as he responded, “Of course, sir! Right away, sir!”
Cameron leaned into Emory’s side as the elevator ascended. At least this time, when the doors opened, he didn’t gasp. He did, however, cast Emory a skeptical glance as he stepped out into the rather opulent sitting area.
If it had been up to Emory, he would have had a basic apartment, especially given how little time he spent at home. His mother had designed the penthouse suite, outfitting it with a sitting room, a large, state-of-the-art kitchen, a well-adorned living room, as well as an office, bedroom, and two guest rooms.
Emory gave Cameron a brief tour, trying to strike a balance between sharing his space while not coming off as bragging. Cameron, to his credit, seemed genuinely interested in each room they entered, and he stared for several quiet minutes at the large painting of Emory and his parents that hung in the office. He made no comment about the scattered papers and folders all over his kitchen table, couch, and coffee table. He also didn’t mention the dishes in the sink or the takeout boxes stacked on top of the trash can. Emory really should have picked up more, but he hadn’t believed Cameron would spend the night. Clearly, neither had Cameron, given his lack of an overnight bag.
As they arrived at the entrance to Emory’s bedroom, he pulled his hand away from Cameron’s back, where it had been resting for most of the tour. He didn’t want him to feel pressured by his touch or by anything else. Instead, he stepped around Cameron and turned to look down at him.
