Warrior's Cross by Madeleine Urban, Abigail Roux

“Yes,” he answered, lifting a foot just enough to brush it back and forth over the threshold.
    Julian watched him for a long moment and then nodded. He stood and pulled his pants up, buttoning and zipping before he walked over to Cameron, his shirt still partially unbuttoned even though he’d tucked it in. He stopped just in front of Cameron, who straightened nervously and waited, fingers gripping the wood of the doorframe.
    Julian tilted his head and reached out slowly to take Cameron’s hand, keeping his eyes on Cameron’s as he raised his hand and kissed the inside of his wrist gently. It was becoming obvious that the gesture was a habit. Eyes widening, Cameron watched the man’s lips slide against his skin, and he shivered before looking back up at Julian. That touch made him melt inside. This whole encounter had been disconcertingly tender, and it left Cameron aching for more.
    Julian released his hand and backed away, buttoning his shirt up.
    “Do you have one of those lint rollers you mentioned?” he asked.
    Cameron swallowed heavily and nodded. That was easy enough.
    “Sure. Out in the main room,” he murmured. “I’ll get one for you. Need to feed the pups, anyway.” He stepped around Julian slowly before tearing his eyes away and moving around the screen. Soon, a soft pitter-patter followed him, along with some excited yips.
    When Julian stepped out of the bedroom, his overcoat and scarf were draped over his arm and he was fussing with his tie. Cameron stood at the kitchen bar across the room. Little white puppies bopped Warrior’s Cross 69

    around his feet, and he ignored them as he looked through a stack of mail. There was a lint roller waiting at his elbow, and when he heard Julian’s soft footsteps, he looked up. So did the four puppies, who all immediately charged across the floor to bounce off Julian’s ankles.
    Julian picked up one foot as one of the puppies latched onto his pants leg and began pulling and growling, trying to carry him away toward the playpen in the corner. “Ambitious, are we?” Julian said softly to the tiny puppy.
    Chuckling, Cameron walked over with the lint brush. “Ever optimistic,” he corrected. He pushed Julian’s hands away from his uncooperative tie, handed him the lint roller, unwrapped the mangled fabric, and started over with it.
    Julian held his hands away and focused on Cameron. The puppies continued to tug at him unnoticed as Cameron drew all his considerable attention. Cameron messed with the tie for a moment before realizing that he couldn’t tie one if he was facing it, so he moved selfconsciously around Julian and reached around his broad shoulders from behind. He couldn’t help but to press his nose against the back of Julian’s shoulder as he tied the tie, and he inhaled the man’s scent with a small smile. Julian stood motionlessly, letting him do as he pleased.
    He moved back to stand in front of Julian and checked the tie to make certain it was straight, and he smoothed Julian’s collar down before glancing up and seeing the man’s pinning gaze. He colored a little and stepped back, then cleared his throat.
    “What needs help?” he asked, reaching to take back the roller.
    “Just my coat,” Julian murmured without looking away from him.
    He moved deliberately as he shrugged into the heavy wool, his eyes never leaving Cameron’s. He held out his arms for inspection.
    Glad for a reason to escape that intent gaze, Cameron moved around him slowly again, making sure to get all the fine white hairs he could see with the roller. He finished in front of Julian once more. “All done,” he murmured before looking down at the puppies still climbing over their feet. “Pants legs?” he asked, not wanting to look up just yet.
    Julian ducked his head, trying to catch Cameron’s eyes. “Please,”
    he answered evenly.

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    Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

    “Just a sec,” Cameron murmured. He leaned over to gather the four wiggling puppies