Smiling, Scott yawned. “Don’t be silly. I can’t stay. Even coming back to your hotel with you was a risk—”
“You’re staying.”
The finality in Cam’s voice startled him. There was no hesitation in it. Cam had said it like it was an indisputable fact.
Scott blinked a few times, feeling lost. “Cam…”
Cam mouthed the back of his neck—practically chewed on it. “You used to call me—words. You don’t do it anymore.”
Scott frowned, confused. “Words—what—you mean endearments?”
Silence was the only answer.
Taking it for yes, Scott turned onto his back so he could see Cam’s face. “Really, babe?” he said, a smile tugging at his lips when he saw the color high on Cam’s cheekbones. He looped his arms around Cam’s neck. “Youwantme to call you baby? Darling? Love?”
Cam’s expression became pinched, but he didn’t say no.
Scott’s smile softened, something warm and overwhelming making his heart clench and his throat close up. “Babe,” he said softly, experimentally. “Did you miss me, love?”
Cam’s pupils dilated, and Scott felt Cam’s spent dick actually twitch against his thigh.
Stunned and more than a little elated, Scott whispered, “You did. That’s why you wanted me to miss you. You want me to—you want me to love you?”
Cam’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Yes,” he said in a stilted, hoarse voice. “I couldn’t—I don’t like not having you in my life. I fucking hate it. I want you to always be around. To always smile at me. To always be there when I return home.” A muscle jumped in Cam’s jaw, his dark eyes burning with intensity. “I always want you—not just after a bad race when I’m stressed andwant to bury myself in you and soak up your positivity. I want you close always. Need to know you’ll always answer when I text you. Need to know you’re thinking of me constantly too.” He bit the inside of his cheek, his eyes meeting Scott’s. “I need—I want to be special for you. Not just a friend you fuck to spend your time while you look for the next pretty twink who’s ‘the One.’ I won’t—I can’t let you go.”
Scott stared at him, wide-eyed and breathless. “You’re such an idiot, Richter,” he finally managed. “You’re the only man I’ve ever let fuck me. It doesn’t get more special than that.”
“It’s not enough for me, Scotty.” Cam pressed their foreheads together. “I want more. Say the words. You stopped saying them.”
Scott swallowed. “I stopped saying them for a reason.”Because I never meant them more.
Cam rubbed his nose against his. “What reason?”
“I’m scared,” Scott whisperedwith a weak laugh, closing his eyes and breathing him in as he hugged the man on top of him close. “I’ve always said them so easily, but with you it—I can’t say them anymore if you don’t say them back. I know it’s pathetic, but I need you to love me.”
Silence.
He felt Cam inhale.
“I love you.”
Scott’s eyes snapped open.
Cam was looking at him with a rueful, intense expression. “I love you, Scotty.”
“You don’t mean that,” Scott whispered, his heart pounding. “You’re just saying it to placate me.”
Cam’s expression was steady and intent. “I never meant anything more. I didn’t realize how bad I had it for you until you were gone from my life. I deluded myself that what I felt for you was just friendship, but looking back, it’s been more than that for a while.” He took Scott’s hand and entwined their fingers. “I love you. I want you to be mine. In every sense of the word. Body, heart—and hell, legally too.”
Scott’s throat felt so thick with emotion he could barely speak. He chuckled. “Have you just proposed to me, Cameron Richter?”
He’d thought Cam would laugh.
But Cam remained serious, his gaze fixed on him. “No. I’ll do it properly in a few years, once I retire.”
Scott stared at him. “You’re not serious,” he whispered.
Formula One champions didn’t marry men. Even retired champions didn’t. Even after Cam confessed his feelings, Scott had assumed he would always be Cam’s dirty little secret, and he’d been fine with that. Well. That wasn’t entirely true. He hadn’t been fine with it. Not really. But he would rather have Cam’s love in secret than not have him at all.
