Page 119 of Raw Notes, Rough Nights

“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice hoarse. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I just— I saw the painting and I panicked and I?—”

Cameron crossed the room to join me.

“You don’t have to apologise for being overwhelmed,” he whispered.

“I don’t want to ruin this.”

Cameron smiled. “You’re not ruining anything.” He raised a hand and touched my cheek, and I closed my eyes as if the touch itself was a release. “I can stop painting you if

you—”

My heart hammered. “No. Don’t.” I opened my eyes to read his expression.

He blinked. “You don’t mind?”

I glanced over at the easel. “I mind, but not in a bad way.”

“What way then?”

I swallowed hard. “It feels as if you’re seeing things I spend my life trying to hide.”

Cameron stilled. “I’m not drawing what you hide. I’m drawingyou.” He paused. “And you don’t have to hide from me.”

I exhaled shakily, a sound that was equal parts relief and fear.

“I don’t know what Luka said to you that?—”

I froze. “This has nothing to do with Luka,” I blurted. He blinked, and I sighed heavily. “I know I’m still dealing with the fallout from that relationship, but if I’m honest, I’d been dealing with a lot more before he even showed up. Stuff I’m not ready to talk about.” I gazed at the portrait. “Keep painting.”

Cameron smiled. “Not right now. I have something else in mind.” His fingers were gentle on my cheek. “Can I kiss you?”

I nodded. Then I smiled. “I love it when you ask first.”

Soft lips met mine, coaxing, grounding, and I broke. Instead of feeling shame, what coursed through me was dangerous, soul-deep longing. I pulled him close and kissed him hard enough to bruise. Cameron moaned, tilting his head, letting me take what I needed.

I whispered against his neck. “I don’t want to be afraid anymore.”

Cameron kissed along my jaw, my throat, my collarbone, slow, reverent, and hungry. I let out a gasp, loud and unrestrained.

Cameron smiled. “You’re allowed to make noise, remember? I want to hear you.”

Fuck.

He wanted me messy, alive.

Then he took my hand and led me to the bedroom.

I couldn’t argue, not when every breath I took only ramped up my desire, when that voice in my head screamedTake him.

Clothes fell away slowly, and I trembled through every second. I let him lead, listening to his staccato breaths, watching the light in his eyes as he made me naked, shivering at the touch of his hands on my body.

He pushed me onto my back, then spread me wide for him. I groaned at the feel of his tongue on my shaft, moaned as he licked a path along the underside, and shuddered as he flicked the head before taking it into his mouth.

My cock didn’t need much coaxing.

Cameron grabbed the lube and smeared slick fingers over my rigid shaft before reaching back to prep his hole. Then he climbed onto me, straddling my hips, kissing my mouth, my chest, my throat.

“Theo.” He looked into my eyes. “Let go.”