Chapter Fifteen

Jean-Paul watched Camden finish his third slice of pizza and open a second bottle of beer. He was exhausted, but he had no intention of going to sleep without thrashing out a proper understanding between them of where they were going from this point on. After the earlier panic in the bathroom, he had wondered if he should try again. He had been guilty of withdrawing the first time, and now Cam was taking up the habit. His mind rebelled at the thought of Cam leaving, of there never being anything between them again. His heart was a stone in his chest when he considered the possibility.

He was glad he had gone after him. It was more than time for him to grab a hold of some happiness for himself. And he knew instinctively that he would find it with Cam. So he had had to bring him back from whatever edge he had been teetering on. The conversation had been as painful as it had been eye-opening. And it had cemented what he thought he knew...that there was more between them than animal passion. Though truth be told, as he watched Cam wipe his lips on a napkin, he didn’t mind that at all.

“When are you leaving to go back to Pennsylvania?” He was already missing him.

“Maybe sixish? I’ll only be an hour late, and still have half an hour to gather myself before my first class.”

“Then you should go to bed. It’s almost ten, and you need to sleep.”

Cam looked up at him as he stood to clear away the remnants of their meal. “Is that really what you want?”

The new Jean-Paul answered at once. “No. But it’s what you need. It has been a stressful evening. I don’t want you to be useless at work tomorrow because you made a mad decision to pick up a friend three hours away in DC.”

Cam stood with him, laying a hand over his where it was atop the pizza box. “Why don’t you let me worry about myself, hmm? I’ll help you clean up and then we’ll both go to bed, okay?”

Not a bad plan, especially as Cam would be in his bed. They had to arrange to meet again, and soon. Part of the issue between them was distance and poor communication, and not seeing each other could raise doubts and questions. He didn’t want that anymore. Which meant he’d have to come clean about his fear of flying.

It was a niggling worry that would not be displaced, and though he knew he had to tell him, he dreaded the moment. He would wait until they were more firmly established. As long as he told him before he had to fly back to France, he didn’t consider it a bad thing. Once the dining room was tidy and the dishwasher packed, he followed Cam into his bedroom, going to sit on the chair while Cam rummaged about in his overnight bag.

“What are you looking for?” he asked. “Surely you don’t plan to sleep in pajamas tonight?”

“Do you have condoms?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I’ll just go wash up before bed. See you in a bit.”

He turned as if to walk out of the room, but Jean-Paul stopped him. “Where are you going? The bathroom is big enough for two.”

He grabbed Cam by the hand and they went in together. While he stripped to his boxers, Cam brushed his teeth. Then they switched places, and Cam folded his clothes neatly taking them out no doubt to place them in his overnight bag. The clothes he would be wearing to work were already hanging on the rack behind the door. When he walked back into his bedroom, Cam was sprawled on his back, his arms behind his head. Jean-Paul groaned at the sight of the golden-blond armpit hairs that lay like silk against his skin.

Sliding in beside him, he reached over to the nightstand and pulled out a string of condom packets. Cam laughed.

“Planning a marathon, then?”

“It is better to be prepared, no? Since we are not old men, I expect we will use more than one.” He smirked amusedly at Cam as he spoke.

“Come here.”

Cam beckoned him closer and he dropped the packets and rolled into his arms. Cam wrapped his arms around Jean-Paul, who listened to his heart beat out a regular rhythm. His own heartbeat echoed the rhythm. He had never been so in sync before with anyone, aside from his twin, and the memory of how they had fit together swamped him now. His brother Jean-Pierre had been almost his mirror image in every way that mattered, and not just in physical appearance. Jean-Paul had been missing that connection and not even realized it until Cam filled the space left by his twin.

“You’re thinking too much.” Cam pulled him up so he could kiss him. “If we’re not going to fuck, we’re also not going to fret. Capiche?”

He yawned before he could answer and Cam pulled his head back down onto his chest. “Sleep. We can talk while I’m getting dressed in the morning.”

Another yawn had Cam chuckling softly at him. “I think that string of condoms was wishful thinking on your part.”

Jean-Paul snuggled closer. “It is better to live in hope, as my mama used to tell me.”

An annoying buzz sounded in his ear. Jean-Paul struggled up from a deep sleep, listening as intently as someone who had been dreaming could do. The warm body he was snuggled next to moved and he began to recall how the evening had ended with them wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing endlessly.

Cam reached over and shut off the alarm. He was awake, and would get up in a few minutes. And they still hadn’t made love. At this rate, he’d be lucky to get a blow job. He glanced over at the clock and saw that it was just a minute past five. Time for Cam to get a move on. Jean-Paul bestirred himself to get up, but Cam held him firm, reaching down to fondle his balls through his shorts.

“Good morning, Jean-Paul. How do you feel?”

He hissed and slid his hand down to slide beneath the waistband of Cam’s boxers to his already stiff morning wood. “Better now, thank you. And you?”

“Mmmm. So good!”

Jean-Paul didn’t know whether or not Cam meant the feel of his hands down his shorts or his having slept well.

“Shower with me?”

Jean-Paul nodded, but neither of them wanted to move. He kept rubbing Cam’s cock beneath his shorts, loving the way it felt smooth to the touch. He slid down the bed and pulled on the boxers. Cam lifted his hips and Jean-Paul pulled his cock free as soon as they were far enough off and rolled his tongue over the sensitive head. Cam moaned and raised his hips again. Jean-Paul devoured him, sliding his tongue down the thick length, swirling around it and then taking it in to the root.

“Shit! Jean-Paul!”

He grinned and went back to sucking, pulling on the flesh with his lips. He sucked him hard, lapping up the precum that was easing from the head of his dick. When his jaws grew tired, he pulled off, licking just the head, teasing under the rim with the stiff point. Cam was shuddering and groaning as he blew him, and when he took his full length to the back of his throat, Cam shouted.

“Fuck, Jean-Paul, I’m gonna cum.”

Not letting up, Jean-Paul sucked harder, and swallowed around the head. Cam caved, spurting bittersweet cum down his throat. He lapped it all up, taking every last drop, until there was nothing left. Then he cleaned his cock and reached up to kiss him, sharing his taste with him. Cam groaned and dragged him hard against his body, kissing him hungrily.

“Damn, Jean-Paul, you’re a menace!”

Jean-Paul laughed in delight. He would take teasing insults every day, if it meant he could bring satisfaction to his lover.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?”

He slid off the bed, and walked away, knowing Cam was watching him go. He knew he wouldn’t have time to wash his hair again, but he dragged Cam into his body under the spray of water and kissed him over and over, hungry for the feel and the taste of him. He lined up their bodies, bringing their cocks together in a sweet, hot motion. He ground himself against Cam, who held him tight and pushed back. The friction was delicious and they kissed and kissed as they rubbed their cocks together.

“I’m sorry I freaked out last night,” Cam whispered. “Next weekend, I promise I’ll do better.”

“I am counting on it. Now, let’s get you clean and on your way.”

After the shower, Jean-Paul went to make breakfast while Cam dressed. He needed the space to regain his composure, because now that Cam was leaving again, he felt somehow bereft, as though a part of him was going away. It was ridiculous to feel this way, but he wouldn’t deny it, either. He packed a croissant, some cheese, and an apple and poured coffee into his own travel mug. Cam could return it when he came back on the weekend.

“Okay, time to go.”

Jean-Paul turned to look at the man who was coming to mean a great deal to him. Cam wore charcoal gray dress pants, a light gray dress shirt and a yellow tie. His black dress shoes shone, military style, and his long hair was restrained by a leather thong in a low ponytail at his nape. He looked edible. He went to him, unable to stop himself from touching the man who was about to leave for five more days.

“You look wonderful, Camden.”

He leaned in to kiss him, thrilled when Cam stepped toward him, closing the gap and wrapped his arms around him. They hugged each other, kissing deeply, as though these would be their last kisses ever.

“I’ve gotta go. I’ll see you on Friday. I should be here around eight in the evening.”

“I will be waiting.” He stepped back, because he’d be all over Cam again if he didn’t let him go, and then he’d be even later. “I made you breakfast. Don’t eat and drive.”

“Yes, Mother,” Cam sassed him, and he slugged him in the arm.

Then, because he couldn’t help himself, Jean-Paul leaned in and kissed him again.

“One for the road?” Cam asked, color seeping into his skin.

“Or two.”

He kissed him again, opening his mouth over Cam’s and letting him in, trying to get as much of him as he could. The sounds of their kisses were making him hard again, so he pulled away before things got completely out of hand. He would take care of business once Cam was gone.

“I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okay. Drive carefully.”

Despite the hiccup the night before, things were now far more settled than they had been before. He could feel the ease in his soul. Cam would be his for as long as he wanted him to be. It shocked him how much he wanted Cam to be part of his life for more than the next four months. He couldn’t wait for Friday to come, but in the meantime, he had reports to write and meetings to attend at work.

The next four days flew past and by Friday afternoon, Jean-Paul was more than ready to call it quits for the week. He had done due diligence for five long days, focusing on his work and banishing Cam to the far reaches of his mind, not allowing himself to think about him for fear of embarrassing himself. His cock seemed to be almost constantly alert, and it took merely a thought of Cam to plump it up beyond where he could hide it. Hope had energized him and electrified his whole body, so that he was on a hair trigger it seemed, where Cam was concerned. He didn’t think they’d manage to make it out of his bedroom this weekend with the way he was feeling. And he knew that this time, Cam would not retreat.

He had just come out of the shower when his cell phone rang on Friday afternoon. He picked it up, knowing instinctively who it was.

“Camden, how are you?” He rubbed the towel into his scalp as he sat naked on the edge of the bed.

“I’m good. Just letting you know I’m about to leave. Should be there by eight.”

“Excellent. I will have dinner ready for you when you get here.”

“Thanks, but that’s not what I’m hungry for.”

And just like that, he was hard. “We’ll have to see what we can do about that when you get here.”

“See you soon.”

He prepped everything for the meal, laid the table, and then spent the next hour and a half double checking all he’d done and checking the time. When Cam called again to say he was twenty minutes away, he started cooking, since he wanted the meal to be hot when he arrived. He had told him where to park, and went to change into tan slacks and a polo shirt. The doorbell rang as he was slipping the shirt over his head.

He pulled it on and hurried to let Cam in. Before the door was even completely closed, they were on each other, tongues lashing and licking, teeth nipping and scraping. The kiss went on until they had to part to breathe. Cam dropped his bag and kicked the door the rest of the way shut, and then he pulled Jean-Paul to him and kissed him again, sweetly this time, cradling his face in his big hands.

“Hey!” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled hello.

Jean-Paul returned the smile. “Hey yourself! It’s so good to see you.”
Cam kissed him again, pulling him into his body, and Jean-Paul gasped when he felt the erection that pressed into his belly. Apparently, he was not the only one whose dick was all in. Taking a shuddering breath, he dragged himself away from the temptation of Cam’s arms and mouth and said,

“Dinner’s almost ready. Go ahead and put your things away and then come for dinner.”

Cam reached for him, snagging his fingers. “You sure we can’t wait?”

Jean-Paul laughed. “I’m sure. But thanks for the ego boost. I promise to reward you for your patience soon.”

Cam leaned in and kissed him one more time before pulling away. “Fine. I’ll be out to help as soon as I’ve washed up.”

Jean-Paul didn’t bother to tell him he didn’t need any help. Cam would discover that on his own. He turned back into the kitchen and pulled the salad from the refrigerator, and took it with the baguette to the table. Next was the wine, in an ice bucket, and last was the steak Diane and stuffed potatoes. Cam came in as he was setting down the plates.

“You are probably starving, so don’t wait on ceremony, Enjoy!”

They talked idly about nothing in particular, though Cam told him that he had at last discovered why his principal always called him Mr. Archer.

“It’s her way of showing respect.” Jean-Paul frowned but said nothing, so he continued. “Apparently, her father, brothers, and uncles were all in the military, and in her family, it is a sign of respect to call military men by their titles, either the military ones, if they’re still in, or the civilian one if they’re retired, like I am.”

Jean-Paul’s frown deepened. “So, she calls her family members Mr. So and So?”

Cam laughed. “I asked her the same thing. She said no, but that everyone in her family did it to everyone outside of her family. It’s a quaint tradition, but it’s well-intentioned.”

“Well, at least you know you’re not the black sheep of the family,” Jean-Paul said chuckling.

Cam joined in his amusement, adding wryly, “No, more like the white knight.” He paused, a serious look crossing his face. “I was shocked to discover that I am the only member of the faculty with time served. I don’t know why I thought there’d be other vets there as well.”

“I have heard that many soldiers go into enforcement-related fields when they leave the ranks.”

“That’s true. And at the end of the day, being a teacher is a lot scarier in many ways than being a soldier. Kids are challenging in a way that a faceless enemy isn’t. And in this case, we can’t just lob grenades or shoot missiles at them if they misbehave. We have to find non-violent ways to help them learn and grow.”

Jean-Paul listened to Cam’s passion for his work bleeding into his words, and his heart swelled with love. Oh, mon dieu. Je t’aime! It was barely October, and they had only grown close in the last six weeks, though they had known each other for eleven months. How could it be love? It was not supposed to happen like this, if conventional wisdom was to be believed. Love was supposed to take months, even years, not weeks.

He shook his head, because he knew that when it came to what was happening between him and Cam, conventional wisdom had it all wrong. At least on his end. He didn’t understand it, and he was maybe a little apprehensive about it, but he would not retreat from it. The feelings that bloomed like flowers in springtime in his heart were more than welcome after a drought of twenty-five years. He would do everything to keep them growing.

“Are you all right?”

Cam’s question brought him back to the dining table and the man who had become the most important person in his life. After so long, there was finally someone for him. He smiled, wiping his lips on his napkin and taking a sip of wine.

“Je suis fantastique!” He raised his glass in a toast. “Here’s to the best weekend I’ve had in twenty-five years.”

“Cheers!” Cam inclined his head in agreement, and they clinked glasses and drank.

“Dinner was great, Jean-Paul,” Cam said once they had finished eating. “You’re such a wonderful host, always taking care of your guests.”

“It is easy to be a good host when you have great company as guests.” Jean-Paul swallowed another mouthful of wine, mostly for Dutch courage, if he were to be honest, and added, “And when you care for them.”

“I’ll help you clean up.”

Jean-Paul stood up and walked over to Cam’s chair, pulling him out of it. “Why don’t you go and get comfortable? I’ll clean up, and bring the rest of the wine?”

Heat and hunger flared in Cam’s dark eyes as he smiled and asked, “Whereabouts do you want me?”

“Anywhere that pleases you. I will find you.”

“Done.”

Cam kissed him quickly, an innocent, light press of lips against lips that promised more when he was done. The doorbell rang as they parted and Cam went to get it. Jean-Paul made quick work of cleaning up, then took fresh glasses and the rest of the wine and went in search of Cam. Music coming from his bedroom sent him in that direction, and he paused by the open doorway to admire how Cam had transformed his room.

A single red rose in a tall vase stood proudly in the center of his dresser, its scent so strong he could smell it faintly on the air. It was surrounded by candles, probably also rose-scented, and a few rose petals were scattered across his sheets. Cam had turned down the bed, and the dark blue sheets were a perfect backdrop for the bright red petals. And Cam’s naked body, spread out like a feast before him, made his mouth water. His heart thumped wildly in his chest at the thought that Cam had done this to show him he was important to him.

“When did you manage this?” he asked huskily, walking all the way in and placing the wine and glasses on the nightstand.

“On my way up, I ordered and paid for them to be delivered. I wanted to surprise you, and to bring something to dinner, like all good guests do.”

Jean-Paul knelt on the bed and crawled over him, staring down into those sexy dark eyes. Sparks of electric awareness shot through his system, and when he lowered himself enough to kiss Cam, they erupted into flames of need. He kissed Cam slowly, licking his lips and suckling them each in turn before returning to suck on his tongue. Cam humped up into his body and groaned, raising Jean-Paul’s blood pressure.

“Undress for me.”

Cam’s whispered command made the heat spike in his system as Jean-Paul slid off him to do his bidding. Backing off the bed, he did a slow striptease, whirling each article of clothing like a professional before throwing it across the room. Then, because he needed a little relief from the rising tension, he grasped his dick and stroked it slowly, deliberately, focusing on Cam’s face as he did so.

“That’s mine,” Cam said, licking his lips as his eyes tracked the movement of Jean-Paul’s hand. “Bring it to me.”

Jean-Paul made a pretense of not hurrying to do his bidding, but it took every ounce of his control to move slowly back to the bed because all he wanted to do was crash into Cam and take everything he was willing to give over and over again until the longing in his heart was satisfied.

“Your wish is my command, mon beau.”