Chapter 6 #2
Cameron was dressed in an incredibly soft-looking sweater, and snow was caught in his fluffy hair, matting it slightly and turning the bronze ringlets almost maroon. He shook his head side to side, and then shook out his shoulders and arms, almost like a wet dog, and Emory had to stifle a laugh.
“Are you sure you’re a sea creature? That little dance was rather mammalian,” Emory joked as he slowly approached his fated mate.
Cameron looked up at him, mirth dancing in his eyes. He hesitated for only a second before taking two quick steps forward and throwing his arms around Emory’s neck.
“Hi, honey,” Emory said, the endearment slipping out so naturally it was like he’d been saying it for years.
They’d exchanged two hugs, not to mention spending nearly half of their first encounter in each other's arms, but Cameron’s cool demeanor over text had left Emory unsure of what to expect in terms of physical affection tonight.
He grew up cuddling with members of his pride, and before his dad died, he’d spent most weekends curled against Christopher or Ronan’s side on his couch.
It pained him to admit he’d seen a lot less of his family and friends as of late, but he’d always hoped his fated mate would be cuddly. Maybe there was hope yet.
“It’s good to see you–sorry, I think I might be getting you wet,” Cameron said, attempting to release Emory, but Emory wasn’t quite done yet. His lion was prancing around in a very undignified manner, flicking his tail happily this way and that.
“It’s quite alright, Cameron. You had to venture all the way here in the cold and wet. I suppose it’s the least I can do to warm you up.”
Cameron’s arms tightened around his neck.
The precipitation heightened his scent, and it invaded Emory’s senses, overwhelming his human thoughts until he was nothing more than his inner beast. He wanted to sink his teeth into the soft skin of Cameron’s neck.
To bite him, claim him, mate him… but when Cameron shivered again, Emory snapped back to his senses.
He was saved from having to explain himself and his possessive urges by Jefferson clearing his throat. “Sorry to disturb you, sirs, but Mister Christopher has inquired about your whereabouts.”
Emory’s lion grumbled, but he released Cameron, grabbing his hand at the last second and leading him towards the elevators.
“Christopher gets a little nervous before big events. He’s always afraid guests won’t show, or will be disappointed in his hospitality, which is absurd because his parties are very well known and well loved.”
“I hope I’m dressed appropriately. I wasn’t really sure how to dress for a house party…
” Cameron trailed off as the golden elevator doors opened, revealing the opulent mirror-lined interior.
“Or...a penthouse party?” Cameron glanced pointedly at the wall where elevator buttons would be in a typical elevator.
Emory chuckled. “He doesn’t live in the penthouse.”
Cameron glanced up at him with a skeptical eyebrow, perhaps catching something in Emory’s tone.
Emory grinned down at him. “I do.”
Cameron balked, and Emory took advantage of his surprise to wrap an arm around his waist and pull him to his side.
Cameron came willingly, perhaps still too shocked to erect whatever walls usually existed between them. As the elevator ascended the nine floors to Christopher’s condo, he slowly relaxed into Emory’s side.
“You look wonderful, by the way,” Emory said, running his hand up the back of Cameron’s soft sweater. “Christopher is usually rather snazzily dressed, and I dress up a little more than I did before I took over my father’s role, but the guests typically dress similarly to you.”
As the doors slid open, Cameron not so subtly stifled a gasp.
The entryway to Christopher’s apartment was decked out in winter festival lights, garlands, and wreaths.
An all-white tree stood in the corner, twinkling intermittently, in sync with the lights that lined the double doors leading into the apartment.
One of the doors was open, revealing several guests milling around in long dresses and waistcoats.
Cameron’s blunt nails dug into the meat of Emory’s back. “I thought you said everyone would be dressed like me!” Cameron hissed through his teeth.
Emory gave a helpless shrug. “They usually are. I was not informed—”
“There you are! I was beginning to wonder if you’d received a better offer in the lobby,” Christopher bellowed as he entered the entrance hall.
He gave Cameron a very purposeful once-over, and just when Emory was beginning to feel his hackles rise, Christopher smiled warmly. “And I can see now that if you had received a better offer from this gorgeous man, I wouldn’t have been able to fault you.”
Cameron’s grip on Emory’s shirt tightened for an instant before releasing. He strode forward with surprising confidence and stuck out his hand. “You must be Christopher. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Emory had forgotten that Cameron was used to attending opulent events for work.
Perhaps this felt like any other formal event he needed to impress at.
He hoped Cameron would be able to enjoy himself.
Emory loved Christopher’s parties because they were one of the few events where he felt completely at ease.
Christopher only invited people who were direct friends of the Rexford family and company.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, too,” Christopher said, accepting Cameron’s hand and clasping it in both of his. “It’s so good to meet you. Truly, I can’t believe it’s taken this long.” He cast an accusing look at Emory.
“We’re taking our relationship at our own pace, Chris,” Emory warned, not wanting to hash this out again, especially not in front of Cameron.
Christopher didn’t understand Cameron’s wish to date and fall in love before mating.
That was pretty rare for shifters, but especially rare for otters.
It was rare for lions as well, but Emory spent every second of every day bending to the needs of his family, company stakeholders, and colleagues.
When it came to his relationship, he would listen to his own instincts and to one person and one person only.
His fated mate, who was currently being led by the arm into the midst of the party.
Emory hurried after them, catching up just in time for Christopher to hand over Cameron’s damp jacket. “Be a dear, Em, and go hang this up in the front hall closet.”
Emory tried to catch Cameron’s eye to see if he was okay being led around by the party host, but Cameron was too busy taking in the room.
Emory was about to turn back to the front hall when Christopher grabbed his shoulder.
He leaned in and whispered in Emory’s ear, “I’m not sure how much credence there is in this, but there’s been some whispering around the office that Jonathon is back.
I haven’t had time to track this down, but Jordan might know more, or you could try talking to someone on the PR team.
They always seem to have the best gossip. ”
Jordan was their Chief Information Officer, and even though his PR team really did have the best gossip, he usually wouldn’t share it unless multiple sources confirmed it. If he hadn’t brought the news to Emory yet, it probably meant nothing was final.
Emory tried to maintain a calm facade as he walked to the front hall closet, but his heart had started galloping. Jonathon was back? What did that mean? Was he visiting, or was he planning on moving back and… What? Joining the company? Taking over the company?
A strange thrill shot through Emory. He would have loved his cousin’s guidance over the past few years.
His childhood was filled with fond memories of spending evenings curled up by the fire, sharing stories, and musing about the future with Jonathon.
He had been one of the best parts of Emory’s home life, and the only person he felt he could turn to when things with their family got overwhelming.
Jonathon had always been reserved, especially for a lion shifter, and they had been several years apart in age, but he’d thought Jonathon cared about him, too.
At least enough to give Emory some sort of heads-up before leaving, or at the very least say goodbye. He’d done none of that, though.
It had taken years for Emory to get over the hurt and betrayal he’d felt.
Then his father died, and he felt abandoned all over again when his cousin didn’t even send a card, much less attend his father’s funeral.
At one point, it had been assumed that Jonathon would take over the business, or at the very least share ownership with Emory.
Instead, Emory had been on his own, struggling to hold things together while his world fell apart around him.
Emory’s lion gave a plaintive yowl, and he rubbed at his chest. Yeah, okay. Maybe he hadn’t gotten over all that hurt after all.
Emory was careful to hang up Cameron’s coat near the front of the closet so they’d be able to find it again later.
As he left the front hall, he was waylaid by several coworkers from the community outreach team.
He usually tried not to talk shop at Christopher’s parties, but the past week had been hectic, and there were still several tasks on Emory’s desk.
He answered a few questions and shared well-wishes, but as soon as he exited the conversation, he found himself standing in front of a bedraggled-looking Clint.
Now really wasn’t the time, but he couldn’t very well ignore his CFO’s obvious distress.
Nearly half an hour passed as he and Clint hashed out the end-of-year projections.
Thankfully, the budget wasn’t anywhere near as tight as Clint had thought, especially with good news coming in from Alaska just that morning.
Emory was relieved to send one of his best workers into the new year with some weight off his shoulders.