Page 121 of Delicious

I let myself into my house, drop my things inside the front door, lock up, stride next door, and ring the doorbell before I can second-guess myself.

Cameron opens a few moments later. He blinks, brow furrowed. “Oh, hi, Euan. Peter’s not here. Did you forget? The boys have a sleepover party tonight.”

“I didn’t forget. Peter was very excited about it this morning.”

He smiles. “So was Elliott. I think we’ll have two very tired boys tomorrow.”

“I think so too.”

He runs his finger over the inside of the door frame. “Why are you here?”

“Can we talk?”

His frown deepens. “What about?”

“Monday. Us.”

He folds his arms. “You made it quite clear there isn’t an us.”

“Can I come in? Please?”

He nods and steps backwards, away from the door. I go inside, shutting the door behind me. I can’t miss the tension in Cameron’s body. He still has his arms folded, his fingertips tucked under his armpits in a defensive gesture. His chin is lowered, and he’s glaring at the wooden flooring.

“Why are you here, Euan? Did you fancy a booty call?” His voice drips with sarcasm.

I gape at him. “That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then why?”

I spread my fingers wide. “To talk. To apologise.”

He raises his chin a little and makes eye contact with me.

“I’m sorry.”

Now I’m here, close to him, I want to hold him even more. I want to kiss any hurt away I’ve caused. Heck, I’d welcome him taking out his anger, annoyance, whatever on me via hard, rough sex if he wanted. Unlike on Monday, I need to make my head rule my cock. He’s just told me he’s not interested in sex.

“I was a jerk on Monday. I shouldn’t have shut down the possibility of us the way I did. The truth is, I want to be with you.”

“But?”

“But I’m scared.”

“About Dad’s reaction?”

“Yes.”

“And my age bothers you,” he says flatly.

“I don’t understand what you see in a guy ten years older than you.”

“That’s the thing. I don’t see the age gap. I see a gorgeous, creative guy, who I’ve been sweet on since the day I met. And yeah, maybe I did see the age gap six years ago. There was no way you were going to look at a nineteen-year-old. But I’m twenty-five now. I’m not a kid.”

“The age gap hasn’t changed.”

“No. But I have. I’ve grown up. I know who I am. You know what hasn’t changed?”

I shake my head.

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