‘Then we can still see in the New Year together. From the hill.’
‘Yes. That sounds lovely. Will you want breakfast? Of course you’ll want breakfast. I’ll make up a picnic.’
‘I look forward to it,’ Cam said, meaning it with every ounce of his soul. ‘I’ll see you soon.’
‘I hope so. See you soon, Cam.’
Cam tucked the phone away with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was so happy to be heading home to Lachlan. On the other, he was devastated to have let him down again.
Home,he thought softly.I’ve started calling it home.
Although Lachlan had gotten used to his coming and going at short notice, Cam couldn’t seem to keep a date however hard he tried. There was always some last-minute, urgent call from his aunt with the next supernatural problem that needed fixing—usually an errant fairy ring or a matter of lost livestock. Christmas had been the biggest let-down so far. Cam had looked forward to spending the holiday holed up in the rooms above Lachlan’s cottage café, just the two of them hiding from the world for a while.
Of course, it didn’t work out like that.
The breeze began to pick up, rustling through the ominous, dark shapes of the trees that crowded over Cam’s head. The bike weighed heavy on his arms as he pushed it along.
He felt very alone.
He hoped it stayed that way. It would be so much worse if the shadowy monster decided to make another appearance.
With leaden legs, he wearily pushed on through the darkness.
* * *
The windows of The Lucky Teapot glowed a soft yellow in the pre-dawn twilight when Cam finally reached the top of Lachlan’s hill. He tucked his motorbike against the wall and stretched, trying to work the stiff ache out of his arms and shoulders from hours of steady pushing.
The front doors opened before he could grasp the handle and he was met by Lachlan’s radiant, beaming smile, followed by both arms as they were flung eagerly round his neck. Cam tipped his head down to intercept Lachlan’s smiling lips. The kiss was warm and slow.
They rarely needed words during their greetings, now. Cam had to leave so often, and so randomly, that it always felt like the long-awaited end to an endurance test, the relief of a weight that hung over them like a stone. Cam snaked his arms around Lachlan’s waist and squeezed him tight against his body. Lachlan cupped the back of Cam’s neck with one hand and trailed through his windswept hair with the other.
Cam breathed him in. Lachlan’s hair was still damp, and he smelled of soap. He’d likely just washed off after sleeping in the loch for a while. The early hours of the morning tended to be his favoured time of day to take his mandatory dip.
The low throb of arousal under Cam’s biking leathers made itself known. Lachlan’s tongue sought a deeper purchase within his mouth, his hips chafing achingly against Cam’s. His fingers clenched a little too hard in his hair and Cam knew Lachlan was fighting with his own self-restraint. With his deep want andneedto pull their bodies together.
The palest traces of pink began to infuse the lightening grey sky. Cam pulled back an inch from Lachlan’s lips and cocked his head toward the grass. ‘Still want to watch the dawn?’
Lachlan’s eyes softened, the fiery lust in them falling momentarily quiet. ‘I do.’ He jumped out of Cam’s arms, dashing into the café. ‘Blankets! One minute!’
Cam chuckled, watching him return with an armful of soft fleeces and a picnic hamper slung over one shoulder. They picked a comfortable spot on the hillside facing the imminent sunrise and spread one large tartan blanket over the dewy ground.
Burrowing under the rest of the covers together, Cam nestled snugly into Lachlan’s side, feeling content in a cocoon of warmth and happiness. A faint tinge of true blue was visible on the horizon. The first suggestion of the sun’s rays peeked over the next hill.
Cam tangled his fingers in Lachlan’s.
‘I’m sorry I didn’t make it,’ he whispered.
Lachlan nudged his shoulder. ‘You did make it.’ He squeezed Cam’s hand. ‘You’re here now.’
Cam’s voice caught in his throat as he stared into Lachlan’s eyes. Such patient, forgiving eyes.You’re too good for me.
Instead of saying it, Cam leaned in and kissed him again. No pulling back this time. Lachlan let out a pleased squeak as Cam pushed him down, the nest of blankets enveloping them both nicely. Cam trailed hot kisses over his pale neck, worked his chilled fingers under Lachlan’s shirt to caress his abs. He followed the curve of his stomach to his navel, entertained a split-second’s indecision whether to go up or down, and chose down.
Lachlan groaned as Cam delved beneath the waistband of his trousers. Cam twisted his wrist to clasp Lachlan’s cock in a tight grip and enjoyed the feel of it pulsing against his fingers as the length filled up and thickened in his fist.
Lachlan’s hands clutched at him, roaming under his heavy leathers, seeking the heat of his skin. Cam unzipped the jacket with his free hand to give him more access.
‘Keep it on,’ Lachlan breathed against his cheek, before kissing him hard again.
