Emory’s lips quirked up, and he nodded again, but he still looked confused. Cameron tried to take a step forward but got caught up in his pants. He kicked and shimmied until he was free of them and able to step in between Emory’s spread legs. Emory’s eyes were wide as he watched this all unfold, but he kept them trained on Cameron’s face.
“See? You’ve barely even looked at me, even though to be honest, I’m pretty sure I look hot as hell in these.”
Emory barked out a laugh, and his other hand came to rest on Cameron’s waist.
Cameron liked that. It had begun to feel so normal while they’d been on Christopher and Ronan’s couch, and he found that he had missed the heavy weight and steady warmth.
“You invited me over so we could talk, offered me an entire room and a bathroom to myself, and when I drop my pants for you, wearing what I like to think of as some of my nicer lingerie, your main concern is still that I’m safe and comfortable.” Emory smiled hesitantly up at him. Cameron liked being taller than him right now. It gave him the confidence to continue. “And when I told you I’m a demiboy, you didn’t even blink.”
“It doesn’t bother me, or phase me, or anything like that,” Emory said. “I would very much like to learn more about what that means to you, what you want me to be aware of, and if there’s anything I should be doing differently, with my words or actions, but to me, it’s just another part of you I want to try and get to know.”
Tears stung Cameron’s eyes. “I really appreciate that. Not only have you been trying, but you want tokeeptrying to get to know me. I promise, Emory, I’ve been trying, too. To get to know you, to get to know your friends, and to let you get to know me. It’s hard for me sometimes. When you asked about octopuses, I…well, I freaked out because I didn’t want to bring down yet another one of our dates. I feel like I keep doing that, and I mean, here I am, doing it again, but I really didn’t want to do it at a party with your friends. I needed a moment, and then I truly did get distracted talking to Christopher.”
“I didn’t mean to bring up your past,” Emory said, flexing his fingers lightly against Cameron’s side. “I didn’t even think before asking if you knew other octopuses. I grew up knowing otherlion prides, but that is, of course, because I remained with my own pride all throughout growing up. I didn’t think about your circumstances, and I’m sorry.”
Cameron shook his head and took another step forward until his knees bumped the mattress between Emory’s legs. He placed his hands on Emory’s shoulders, only allowing himself a brief moment to appreciate their breadth and strength.
“It’s not your job to tiptoe around my past. You should ask whatever you want to ask, and I promise I’ll do my best to answer.”
Emory wrapped his arms around Cameron’s lower back and pulled him into a hug. Cameron loved the way he felt, so big and warm around him. His octopus kept sending him the same feeling over and over again. Safe.
“Okay, honey. I hear you, and while I’m not sure if I’m able to fully understand your gesture given how late it is and how semi-drunk I am, I do appreciate it.” He pulled back and this time gave Cameron a very purposeful up and down appraisal. “For the record, you do look ‘hot as hell’ in these. Another time, when we are sober, I am going to show you just how much I like these panties of yours. And…” he gently traced his thumb over Cameron’s hip, where his sweater had ridden up. There were several pockmarked scars visible, and Emory traced each one. His brow furrowed for a moment, but then smoothed over as he looked up into Cameron’s eyes. “And perhaps I can hear a little more about you, your gender, and your past.”
Cameron and his octopus shivered. It was partially the contrast between Emory’s warm embrace and his naked legs catching some of the air conditioning. But it was also from a potent mix of adrenaline, anxiety, and lust. He hadn’t felt the third one in a long time, but he was used to the first and second.
Before he could temper his reaction, Emory reached behind himself and yanked the sheet off the bed. He pulled it around Cameron’s waist and bundled him up in it.
“How about we get you something warm to wear?”
Cameron instinctively tightened his arms around Emory’s neck, not wanting to let go quite yet.
“Did you…want to stay in here with me tonight?” Emory’s eyes were like molten chocolate, and Cameron swore he saw a flash of amber for just a moment. Cameron nodded once, and Emory turned his face into Cameron’s hair.
Nuzzling, he’d called it. Cameron could definitely get used to it. He tightened his arms even harder, pressing his chest up against Emory’s.
“I don’t want to let you go either, honey. But we could cuddle for a little while, and I could still carry you back into the other room to sleep if you’d prefer.”
Even though it was the last thing he wanted to do, Cameron pulled back out of his arms. “Do you not want to sleep together tonight? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Emory looked so conflicted, the lines around his mouth and eyes cutting deep. They studied each other until Emory shook his head and buried his face in Cameron’s hair again. It was so unlike the stoic, put-together man Cameron was coming to know. This side of Emory was cuddly and almost needy.
Cameron wouldn’t mind being needed. His parents had their own lives, and his sister had always been so independent. Emory appeared to be just as independent, if not more so, but maybe underneath all that, there was more to his alpha fated mate. A big, cuddly lion shifter who wanted to know and be known.
Cameron gently stroked his fingers through Emory’s hair, the same way he’d done with his mane earlier. Emory purred softly, the sound rumbling across Cameron’s skin.
“So, you don’t want me to leave?” Cameron pushed, gently scratching at Emory’s scalp, eliciting another soft purr.
“No, quite the opposite. I–and more importantly andincessantly,my lion–would love to sleep with you tonight. Unfortunately, now that you’re in my arms, I think I will be hard-pressed to let you go. If you wish to leave, I’ll let you, of course, and if you tell me you want to sleep on opposite sides of the bed, I’ll do my absolute best to keep my beast under wraps, but…he doesn’t ever want to let you go again.”
Cameron’s octopus was quivering with joy, and Cameron himself couldn’t help but cling even tighter to Emory’s back. Cameron’s first real moment of vulnerability had gone better than he ever could have anticipated, but what about some of the other things they had to discuss in the morning? How were both of them going to handle it?
Maybe, just for tonight, Cameron could have this. He could have a warm, slightly drunk, cuddly alpha fated mate who wanted to hold him forever. Or at least for as long as Cameron could avoid messing this all up.
“Please don’t let me go, Emory,” Cameron whispered, and he could have sworn it was both him and his octopus talking together.
He’d felt Emory’s lion energy reaching out for him throughout their past three dates, but he hadn’t allowed anyone near his octopus in a long time. Not since Thomas, and he was hesitant to do it again. For the briefest of moments, he allowed his octopus to caress Emory’s golden-hued energy.
A growl started low in Emory’s chest and worked its way up into his throat. Cameron could feel it through every inch they were pressed together. “If that’s what you want, honey.”
