Dreamers' Destiny E-Book

Tempeste O'Riley

• Herausgeber: Dreamspinner Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 349

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

Liam Grady is the owner of the Feathered Quill, a quirky little bookstore in Asheville, and—though he doesn't realize it yet—a dream walker. His last relationship failed almost a year ago, and he's not had the interest or nerve to pursue anyone he's met since. Cameron Danu is a tattoo artist from rural Georgia. Cameron is left without a job after his boss, José, is forced to close the shop after a heart attack. When Cameron learns José has set up an interview for him at a small tattoo parlor in Asheville, he hopes for a fresh start in a new town. Fate brings Cameron and Liam together, and they realize they've met before—in their dreams. A chance encounter and a winged tattoo might lead them to their destiny—if fear doesn't turn their dreams into a nightmare.

Leseprobe

Dreamers’ Destiny

By Tempeste O’Riley

Liam Grady is the owner of the Feathered Quill, a quirky little bookstore in Asheville, and—though he doesn’t realize it yet—a dream walker. His last relationship failed almost a year ago, and he’s not had the interest or nerve to pursue anyone he’s met since.

Cameron Danu is a tattoo artist from rural Georgia. Cameron is left without a job after his boss, José, is forced to close the shop after a heart attack. When Cameron learns José has set up an interview for him at a small tattoo parlor in Asheville, he hopes for a fresh start in a new town.

Fate brings Cameron and Liam together, and they realize they’ve met before—in their dreams. A chance encounter and a winged tattoo might lead them to their destiny—if fear doesn’t turn their dreams into a nightmare.

Acknowledgments

THANK YOU to Peter and Katy for your faith and encouragement. Peter, without you, Cam and Liam would never have been. You challenged me to truly write what I know, to take Wicca and give it a place in the stories where it’s as positive and loving as it is in real life. I hope you’re happy (said with both sass and love always).

A special and heartfelt thanks to Dianne for not only the help and pushes along the journey but for the inspiration of your namesake within these pages. I hope I did you justice.

And as always, much appreciation to DSP for your continued support for me and my insanity—I mean writings.

I wouldn’t be here without all of you!

Life may not be “a dream within a dream,” but this story both begins and ends with one. Always remember to make the most of each moment.

Chapter 1

LIAM SHIFTED his weight as he straddled Cameron’s hips and positioned himself so his hard cock settled in the valley of Cam’s tight little butt. He loved how Cam’s ass rounded, how there were those prominent little divots near the top that begged for his tongue to dip into them. As he looked down at his lover, his gaze automatically traced the tattoo that covered his back and cheeks. He loved the sensual way the wings arched and curled over his shoulder blades and trailed down the sides of his back, the last bit cupping his firm ass. The Celtic knot in the center framed the slight bumps down his spine in such a way he couldn’t help but trace them on his way down. The gold and silver ink contrasted beautifully against Liam’s creamy, pale skin.

He caressed Cam’s neck and shoulders before he moved down Cameron’s back again. Liam molded a palm over one bare buttock. With the other hand, he stroked up and down Cam’s back. Up and down. His fingers paused on different spots of the tattoo and then started again. Liam bent forward, tracing the intricate design with the tip of his tongue. The hint of sweet skin and musk burst across his taste buds, drawing a groan from deep within him. He never could get enough of this man.

Cameron squirmed, pushing up against Liam. “Lee, please don’t tease.”

He chuckled, loving how ready for his touch Cam always was. “Just taking my time, baby. Can’t get enough of your taste… of you,” he added and nipped Cameron’s side.

“Then taste me lower,” Cam panted, raising his ass as much as possible with Liam still sitting on him. “I know how much you like eating me. Please, Lee.”

Liam did love rimming Cam’s perfect little hole. The way he would writhe and whimper was almost enough to send Liam over the edge on its own.

“Dammit,” he groaned.

He rutted against Cam for a moment, but the simple words and friction made him crave more. Liam continued to trace the intricate pattern down Cam’s back, licking and sucking the flesh as he descended. When he reached Cam’s cheeks, he grasped each and massaged, exposing Cam’s tight passage. Each time he pulled them apart, Cam pushed back into the motion, the whimpers and moans enough to tempt Liam to skip the appetizer.

Instead, though, he pulled Cam’s hips up so Cam was on his knees with his chest on the soft, black sheets of the bed. He loved how Cam’s creamy skin looked against the dark colors. Liam licked his way down Cameron’s cleft, not stopping as he passed over his entrance. He grazed Cam’s taint with his teeth, loving the gasp that escaped. He then licked back up, making several passes but never stopping at the fluttering hole he so desired.

When he finally zeroed in on his target, he alternated nibbling and sucking on the tender flesh there, stabbing into Cam with his tongue.

“Liam, I’m begging you, please… I need…. Dammit, fuck me!” Cameron’s voice was high and needy, as it only got when Liam rimmed him. Liam loved that tone.

He reached out and took the bottle of slick, popped the top, and poured a small amount on his fingers before dropping his mouth down to gently suck one of Cam’s balls into his mouth.

“Oh God!” Cam panted, shaking hard.

He touched Cam’s hole, enthralled with the sounds and the shiver that tore through Cam as he first pet, then slowly pushed his middle finger all the way to the knuckle inside Cam’s willing body. Liam switched to the other ball, laving and sucking on it as he pumped his finger in and out of the hottest, tightest body he had ever felt.

Eventually Liam added a second and then third finger, twisting and scissoring as he went. As Cam fucked himself, Liam sat back on his heels, watching as his fingers disappeared over and over again. He was careful not to hit Cam’s happy button, though, wanting to savor how his body tightened around his cock, not his fingers.

“If you don’t get in me soon, Liam, I’m not going to make it.”

“That’s okay, baby. I’ll pound you through your first and keep filling and stroking you until you’re hard and shooting again.”

Cam shuddered at his words, his hands scrabbling on the sheets as he slammed back harder, the sounds coming from him no longer coherent. When Liam couldn’t take it anymore, he withdrew his fingers and poured more slick into his palm.

Cam twisted his head so he could glower, his silver eyes blown wide. “What the—?” He stopped and stared as Liam made a production of stroking the lube up and down his cock, caressing and squeezing the shaft.

“Head down, ass high, Cam,” Liam barked, loving how fast Cam hurried to do as ordered.

When Cam was in place, Liam lined the tip of his rod up to the tight, pulsing hole and gave short, teasing jabs. Cam only tolerated it for a minute or two before he slammed backward, impaling himself on Liam’s hard cock in one violent push.

Desperate not to lose it already, Liam held on tight to Cam’s hips, holding him in place until his need backed off a bit. The pulsing of Cam’s muscles around him made it harder to accomplish, but he wouldn’t change a thing about the man under him. Once Liam was certain he wouldn’t come, he began slow, full slides, reveling in the exquisite heat wrapped around him.

Cam reached back with one hand, clutching Liam’s hip, tugging at him. Liam knew what Cam wanted, but refused to change his pace. Since he still held Cam hard, Cam was completely at his mercy—a fact Liam thoroughly enjoyed.

“What’s the matter, Cam?” he asked, thrusting harder and faster for a moment before slowing down again. “What do you need, baby?”

“Dammit, Lee! Fuck me through the goddamn bed!” he roared, tightening around Liam until Liam saw stars.

Liam released Cam’s hips, took two handfuls of cheek instead, and pulled them apart. He watched for a moment as his cock slid in, but then pulled back and slammed in hard. Over and over again, he drilled into Cam’s willing body, shifting until Cam keened with every thrust. Happy with his angle, he sped up again, his thrusts brutal as he took everything Cam offered and more.

Cam screamed, his body tightening painfully around Liam, but Liam kept pounding through Cam’s release, not ready to end the pleasure for either of them. He slowed when Cam’s body sagged and his channel unclenched, but did not stop.

He reached around Cam and scooped up some of his spend to use as lube. He wrapped his large hand around Cam’s half-hard shaft and stroked in time with his gentler thrusts, squeezing and tugging the way he knew Cam liked best.

The jolt under him from Cameron made him chuckle, as did the begging that started back up again. “God, you’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

“Nope,” he argued, adding a twist to the head of Cam’s cock as he stroked and thrust. “But I can never get enough of you, so shut up and let me love you,” he demanded.

“Liam….”

He pulled out and flipped Cam over, needing to see Cam. Looking into Cam’s stormy gray eyes wasn’t a want; it was an all-encompassing compulsion.

“What are you—?”

“Keep your eyes open,” he barked. As soon as Cam opened them again and met his gaze, he slammed back inside, thrusting so hard he shifted Cam up the bed in increments. “I need to see you come for me, baby. Please, come.” His voice bottomed out on the last word.

Electricity crackled deep in his gut and spine, his balls pulled up tight, but he couldn’t go over the edge until his lover did. When he wrapped his fingers around Cam’s angry red member again and pulled, Cam arched back and his mouth dropped open, but no sound came out. His dick spewed shot after shot of viscous white fluid over Liam’s hand and abs.

The sight alone sent Liam hurtling over the razor’s edge he’d been hovering on, his body throbbing in time to his heartbeat as he emptied into Cam’s body. With the last pulse of his dick, his arms gave out and he slumped down onto Cam’s chest, spent.

After a moment Liam shifted and gently withdrew before he collapsed on his side. When Cam didn’t move, he chuckled, pulled him over, and wrapped his body around Cameron’s still-trembling form.

“Liam?” he whispered.

“Hmm?” Liam nuzzled his lips against Cam’s nape.

“Thank you.”

Confused, he shifted so he could look into Cameron’s eyes. “For what, baby?”

“For being so good to me and always knowing what I need.” Cam leaned in, brushing his lips against Liam’s so softly, they barely touched.

“I—”

Beep…. Beep…. Beep….

“No! Not yet!”

Beep…. Beep…. Beep….

“Dammit,” Liam Grady growled as he opened his eyes to the early morning sun peeking through his curtains. He turned his head away and tried to ignore the evil little noisemaker on his nightstand. Even though he knew it was useless, he reached out and smoothed his hand over the cold sheets.

Another damn dream.

Dreams were the only times he felt happy or fulfilled anymore, not that it did him any good, seeing as his perfect man didn’t exist outside his imagination.

Rolling onto his back, Liam roughly rubbed his hands over his face, trying to shake the lingering memory of Cam’s touch. Frustrated with life and his lack of a real relationship, he reached out and pounded his fist down on the demonic alarm clock. Satisfied when it went silent, he flipped the sheets off himself. He was annoyed, but not surprised, to see the mess he’d made. It was worse than puberty.

He hopped out of bed and stripped himself and his bed before he headed into the bathroom to grab a quick shower before making it down to the store. The Feathered Quill was a small bookstore he owned near downtown and his pride and joy. However, it would not open itself.

AN HOUR later, he walked the aisles of his shop, breathing in the unique scent of paper and ink that permeated it. The aisles were neat and wide, with a few comfortable chairs scattered about for those who preferred to sit to browse. The carpeting on the floor muted the sounds of countless kinds of footwear, but he also had mirrors in various places so he could see around the store without having to crowd his visitors.

Once satisfied with how welcoming it seemed, Liam headed into the back. He switched on the small CD player he’d set up, the speakers in strategic places throughout the store, and was content when the first notes of Beethoven’s “Für Elise” wafted through the store. He grabbed the first case of new books he needed to put out and carried them out to the floor.

The bells Di gave him when he first opened The Feathered Quill still hung on the front door, and when they jangled, he paused as he put out a new set of erotic romances. Moments later, his best friend since they were both in diapers poked her head around the corner. He remained squatting and watched her as she looked around before finally noticing him. A smile lit up her entire face as she glided over to where he worked.

“Hey, Liam. What do ya got there?” Dianne asked, glancing from him to the tasteful sign designating the area for erotic LGBT romances.

He arched one brow at her but held up one of the books to let her see the cover. “This here’s a book,” he drawled. “Inside it are words, hon. And it’s,” he added with a gasp, eyes wide, “got boys doing naughty things to each other in it.”

She giggled and swatted him on the shoulder before snatching it from his hand. “Brat. I know what it is. I meant who’s it by?” She examined the cover and grinned. “It’s the newest Grey novel! Sweet!”

“Yes, Di, you can get it today, but I already have your copy behind the desk, so hand it over and back away from the smexy boys in love.” He held his hand out, waiting for her to return the book in question.

“Is it signed?” she asked, batting her eyes at him as she finally returned the book in question.

“Duh! I had to order it special, just for you.”

Dianne was all of five feet, maybe. She had blonde hair and bright blue eyes that were made even bigger by the wire-rims she wore, and a smile so big he wasn’t sure how it fit on her little heart-shaped face. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “Thank you, sweetie. You’re the best.”

A small chuckle slipped out as he watched her, glad he could bring her a little joy. His customers and his best friend seemed to be the only bright spots in his life anymore. Once upon a time, he’d considered his dream lover, Cam, to be one of those, but that was back when it was an occasional dream and he was lonely. Now, torn between wanting to live in his dreams and never wanting to dream again, he didn’t know what to do.

“Oh dear.” Dianne peered at him over the edge of her wire-rimmed glasses. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing, Di,” he said, waving off her solicitous question. He knew if he wasn’t careful, she’d be on one of her save-the-nephew kicks. “Now, are you going to stand there all day or help me here?”

“Hmm…. But watching you work is hot,” she countered, leering down at him.

For the first time in months, he laughed loud and long, unable to get the image out of his head. “God, I love you, girl,” he declared, set the books in his hand down, and stood, scooping her up as he did, and spinning her around.

“So good to hear you laugh again. Now, are you going to tell Auntie Di all about what’s bothering you?”

He set her back down and sighed. “Nothing really. I’m just not sleeping well.”

Her eyes narrowed as she scowled at him. “Still with the dreams? We need to find you a real boy. One that’s cute and sweet and hot as hell between the sheets,” she explained, waggling her thin, perfect eyebrows at him as she smirked.

“No more blind dates, Dianne,” he grumbled. He bent to finish putting the books away. He thought back to her last three attempts at finding him “Mr. Right” and cringed. They had been the worst dates of his life. Controlling, whiny, and arrogant were not his thing in friends, much less in a partner. “Please.”

“Fine,” she snapped. “I just want you happy, Liam. That’s all.”

“I know, and I appreciate it, but—” He stopped speaking when he heard the bells jingle again. “Hold that thought,” he whispered before heading to the front of his store to welcome his customers.

The next few hours were a constant barrage of people coming in to browse or to pick up special orders. When things finally settled, he found himself alone in the store, Dianne having left for work a little earlier. He restocked and cleaned a bit. One of the only things he didn’t enjoy about his store was the complete hit-or-miss of when shoppers would come.

He was sitting at the counter doodling idly when someone pushed open the door and entered, smiling. A short, thin man headed straight for him as he called out his greeting.

“Hey, I’m here to pick up a couple of art books for Andy at the Indigo Dragon. They in?”

“Yep. Give me just a second.” Liam had turned to look through the holds on the shelves behind him, when he heard a gasp. He pulled the book bundle and spun to find out what had caught the man’s attention.

Instead of examining a book or one of the little kitschy, impulse items on the counter, the man—John? Jean? No, Jason, that’s it—held the page Liam had been drawing on, his head tilted slightly. Jason’s eyes flicked from the page up to meet Liam’s. “You designed this?”

Liam set the books down and took the paper to see what had caught Jason’s interest. When he looked at it, he realized he had drawn Cameron’s back, butt, and tattoo. He swallowed hard, not liking someone admiring his Cam—No, Cam isn’t even real, so it’s stupid to get jealous!

“Just something I saw once. Looked cool,” he mumbled.

“Dude, you should totally bring this in. Andy or Bass would love to get their hands on this.” He traced his finger down the wings reverently. “Bet it would be sweet on the biceps too,” Jason added as they both stared at the sketch.

“I’ll think about it. Thanks,” he added, retrieving the sketch before ringing the items up and bagging them.

Honestly, he had thought many times over the last few months about having a small version of Cameron’s tattoo put on his body. He had chickened out every time he had considered the whole needles-and-pain thing, though. However, now that someone else had spoken his secret wish aloud, the idea seemed to haunt his thoughts as he set about helping new customers as they entered behind the retreating man.

Chapter 2

CAMERON DANU turned up the radio in his old, but lovingly cared for, black and red Volkswagen Beetle. He’d had it converted so it had all the modern amenities, but he loved that it still had that old-school feel. One of his favorite bands blasted through the speakers as he seat-danced, energizing him enough to finish the last leg of his move to Asheville.

He’d worked at the Fiery Pen Tattoo Parlor until a little over a month ago. Sadly, it had closed because of his boss José’s second heart attack. He hadn’t been sure what to do next until José had called him with a new job and a new place to live. The uncertainty had been awful, and Cam hated moving away from his friends and the few family members who still spoke to him, but José had convinced him it would be a good move. He’d even arranged for a friend of his to scout out possible apartments for Cam in the area. So, a month later, Cam made the last trip between Blue Ridge, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina, bringing his beloved Bug and a few odds and ends given to him at his going-away party to his new loft. It wasn’t as though Asheville and Blue Ridge were even that far apart, though it seemed they were, but he would no longer be able to pop by his sister’s or visit the woods he’d grown up in. Nor had he ever been to Asheville, for all it wasn’t that far away.

He had fallen in love with the little place the moment he’d seen it. It wasn’t big, but it was close to where he would be working. The bus system intimidated the hell out of him, so he would have liked the location on principle alone, but thankfully, the apartment and area were perfect. The converted warehouse was cozy and clean, and meant he wouldn’t need to drive to work or deal with the bus or the strange people huddled together on it.

Cam had high hopes that with the new job and residence would come a new chance at love. He was tired of the only man who consistently wanted him being someone he’d conjured up when he was still a teen. The fact his dreams had been filled with nothing but his imaginary lover, Liam, for half a year now, had convinced him something drastic needed to change in his life. Either that, or he really was as insane and deranged as his parents insisted before throwing him out.

The GPS chirped, shaking him out of his maudlin thoughts, and instructed him through the maze that was Asheville’s roadways. It was one of the few things he wasn’t sold on about Asheville, having grown up in such a small community, but he figured it was a good trade-off considering where he now lived and worked. He smiled when he pulled into his parking space at the side of his new home.

He turned the engine off but didn’t immediately get out and head up. First, he took the time to say a tiny prayer to the universe that things would improve from here forward. When his cell rang, he jumped, clutching his chest as his heart attempted to exit through his rib cage. He fumbled with it twice but managed to get it to his ear before the person on the other end gave up on him.

“Hello.”

“Cameron? It’s Bass.”

His new boss? This cannot be good. “Yeah, this is Cam.”

“Cool. Are you back in town yet? I was hoping you could start a little early.” Bass’s voice dropped and hardened a little as he continued. “I’ve got a thing to do this this weekend, so I need to get you into the studio early for your orientation and paperwork and all. Can you come in tomorrow?”

Cam laughed, amused at the timing. “Yeah, just got in, so it’s no biggie. I’ll be there.”

“Great,” Bass replied, the grin evident in his tone. “Take some time to get settled and rested, and I’ll see you around noon tomorrow.”

He clicked the cell off and pocketed it before finally opening the door and climbing out of his car. Cameron looked up at the brick wall of his new home and smiled, glad for the change in plans. Waiting around until next week to start work hadn’t been the greatest prospect, but now he didn’t have to worry. He grabbed the bags from the backseat and headed up, whistling as he went. Cam was certain Bass needing him in early was a good sign and hoped he would love the new shop and the other tattoo artists as much as he had those back home.

He looked around as he stepped through his front door a few minutes later. The open feel was what had sold him on the apartment in the first place, even more so than the location. The apartment had high ceilings with the beams and some of the pipes visible. To his left was the kitchen and dinette area, and to his right was a large open room. He’d bought and set up a silk divider screen to separate the space into a living room and a bedroom. On the wall near the divider was the bathroom door, which was his destination as soon as he finished unloading the car. It didn’t have a bathtub, but it had a shower that would hold at least four grown men, he was sure of it, and the pounding, hot water was calling his name after the long drive.

Three more trips and he had everything out of the car, including the food wrappers from his drive up. He dropped his shaving kit on the bed and sat down, exhausted. It was still early, but before he thought better of it, he’d stretched out on the bed and, still dressed, fallen asleep.

An insistent ringing woke Cam sometime later. When he raised his head, he realized it was his cell screaming from his pocket. His thoughts were foggy as he answered, but he smiled when he heard the voice on the other end.

“Cammy?”

“Hey, little sis. How are things with you?”

“Not that little,” Sarah grumbled. They were less than a year apart, but he always teased her about being little. The fact they were the same height, five-eight, never counted in his book, though she tried repeatedly to use that to further her position. “Anyway, I wanted to make sure you got in safe. You were supposed to call me.”

“Sorry,” he mumbled, feeling like an ass for worrying her. “The drive was fine. I just fell asleep when I got in. No big.”

“Unless you’re the one waiting on a call or text, then it is a big, Cam.”

“I know. Miss you already.”

“Me too, but staying ’cause of Dan and me would have been silly. Now I’ll let you get back to sleep or to your unpacking. I just wanted to check on you. Asheville’s such a big place.”

“It’s not that huge. It’s not like I moved to New York or LA.”

“Well, it’s bigger than here at least.”

He could hear the worry in her voice but was thankful she wasn’t mad. “True.”

She and Dan were the only members of his family who still spoke to him, a fact he was thankful for every day. Without his sister and her husband, he didn’t know what he would have done when his parents rejected him after he came out. Not that he’d expected anything different from them, but his sister was still his rock.

“Cam, you’re off in your head again, aren’t ya?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, just thinking. Don’t mind me. Tell you what, I’ll call when I get done at work tomorrow and let you know how things are then? That way I’ll actually have news. I mean, I did see you this morning and all.”

“Snark much?” she teased. “And I still do not count six a.m. as morning, but fine, call me tomorrow. Love you, Cammy.”

Six wasn’t that early, but he knew she hated to be woken before about noon. Still, he knew she worried and felt bad for not calling. “Love you too, Sarah.”

He sat up and placed his cell on the nightstand. Then he scooped up his kit and shuffled to the bathroom to shower and change. It was his first full night in his new life, and he wasn’t going to sit at home alone. He’d do his basic food shopping, and then he was going out. Cam stripped out of his clothes, then stepped into the hot shower, intent on getting shaved, clean, and dressed.

Cam wiped the steam off the mirror in front of him. He frowned at his reflection, unsure about his plan for the evening. Considering Blue Ridge had no gay scene, he’d always had to go to clubs out of town but never alone. Would anyone be interested in him? Would anyone interest him? The latter question was the real issue. His dreams had never interfered with his dating life before, but since Liam had become his nightly visitor, no man had truly piqued his interest or desire.

Pushing the thoughts away, he focused on his reflection. His smoky, silver eyes, high cheekbones, angular jaw, and curly, blond mop of hair usually got him attention, but tonight he decided to try a little harder than normal. He grabbed the eyeliner and mascara off the counter and set about doing his eyes the way his sister had taught him. Once done with them, he used some sculpting wax to tame his curls and add an angled layer toward the front, framing his face.

Satisfied with his appearance, he headed to the bedroom area to dig through his closet and bags, searching for just the right look. Twenty minutes later, he slipped his wallet into his tight, low-rise black jeans, added his collection of leather bangles to his right wrist, and smoothed his hands down the dark blue, silk button-down he wore. He stomped into a pair of chunky ankle boots and stood, happy with his appearance, though still nervous about his destination and goal.

He paused at the door and took a deep breath. “Getting back in the game is the goal tonight, not finding Mr. Right. You can do this!”

Feeling slightly foolish for talking to himself, he headed out the door and made sure to lock it before he took the elevator down to the main floor and walked out into the evening air. Cam looked around, pleased to see so many people out—many of whom seemed to be same-sex couples. Yep, this will be a good move, he thought as he turned and headed down the street, his destination not too far away.

A drink, some flirting, a little dancing… maybe more.

CAM ROLLED over and curled around his body pillow. He knew it wasn’t the body he wanted, but the aching in his heart due to his dreams left him needing something to hold on to a little while longer. The previous night swam through his fuzzy mind, teasing and taunting him with what he’d seen. Or rather, who his obviously drink-addled brain had conjured up for him after a few beers.

He’d been at the bar, getting another drink before heading back out to the dance floor when he’d seen him. Cam knew it was his imagination but had stood there frozen nonetheless. Out writhing with the mass of sleek and gyrating bodies was Liam. His Liam!

After a moment’s hesitation, he’d tightened his hold on the bottle in his hand and headed out into the mass of bodies, hoping to find the man he’d dreamed of for the last decade, or at least a good look-alike. Right then he would take the guy home if he even slightly resembled Liam.

Half an hour later, he’d sat on a stool on the far edge of the bar, nursing a Jack and Coke, disappointed beyond reason. He’d known chasing after a ghost was pointless, but he’d been so certain he’d seen Liam. Now, hours later, his head hurt, his mouth felt as if it had cotton stuck in it, and he’d spent another night dreaming, wrapped in the arms of a make-believe lover.

At least the dream had been different this time. Instead of sex and panting, he’d spent his sleeping hours curled up on a couch with Liam, cuddling and kissing next to a large fireplace as it crackled with warmth.

Cam burrowed into the pile of pillows at the head of his bed as he considered the change and smiled. He loved kissing and cuddling so much, his last boyfriend had picked on him relentlessly, calling him a chick with a dick. He hated the teasing as much as the idea that guys only cuddled if girls made them. He wasn’t a girl, but he loved such things! Too bad the only guy that wants to cuddle with me is someone I made up. He sighed and untangled himself from his sheets before heading into the bathroom to relieve himself, clean up, and pop a couple of Aleve before heading into work.

An hour later, coffee cup from the cute little coffeehouse near where he now worked in hand, Cam stood outside the Indigo Dragon, noting how it looked like most tattoo parlors he’d seen. He knew they weren’t like many others, though, not with how clean and skilled everyone who worked there was. Bass did not tolerate messy areas or dark lighting. Besides, Cam would never work for a place that didn’t meet his artistic standards.

Entering the front area, he noted the standard fare of generic art on one wall. His lip curled involuntarily at the thought of ever putting art such as that on his own body. He tried never to put bland, overused designs like those on his customers, either, but sometimes they insisted. He shifted his backpack on his shoulder higher, thinking of his sample book within it. It held both his sketches and photos of various works he’d done before in Georgia, hoping the customers here would like his style as much as Bass and the other guys had.

“Hey, man. Glad you could make it!” Bass said as he strode across the black-and-white checkered floor. He clapped Cam on the shoulder, a wide smile on his furry face.

Cam faced Bass, slightly intimidated by how huge the man was, the same as he had been the last time they’d met. Bass, short for Sebastian, was six-three, with wide shoulders and biceps as big as Cam’s thighs. He had a full beard, trimmed short and neat, giving the bear of a man a little smoothness to his rough. Of course, the fact Bass kept his head shaved added a little to the smooth too, but Cam wasn’t about to mention that.

“Any time. You saved me from rearranging the, like, two pieces of furniture I have all weekend,” Cam explained with a chuckle. He had more furniture than that, but he wasn’t going to explain all that right then.

“Good man. Now,” Bass continued, draping his arm across Cam’s shoulder and steering him toward a door Cam knew led to the room he’d be using for his own from now on. “Did you bring your things? Your designs and all too?”

“Of course. I have the rest of my gear in the car still. Figured I’d bring it in once I have things how I want ’em in here.”

“Cool. José said you had your own setup and tools, but I wasn’t sure how much was really yours. He also said you were a bit particular about your area.”

Cam tensed, knowing that his OCD about his tools and area could grate on people’s nerves at times. He didn’t want his new boss pissed at him already.

“Hey, none of that,” Bass rumbled, shaking Cam’s shoulders roughly. “As long as you respect my space, I’ll do the same for you. Besides, I want this place so clean the health inspector doesn’t even bother to stop by and inspires jealousy in the hospital OR.”

A chuckle slipped out at the rambling. He was glad his boss was more like him than he’d thought. “Great!”

Bass sat on one of the stools in Cam’s area. “Now, I’ve got a few more papers I need you to complete, but that shouldn’t take you more than a couple of minutes. I’ll help you bring in your equipment after that.”

Cam listened with one ear but started moving things around, preparing the area. “That’d be great. Oh, here.” He paused to pull his binder out of the backpack. He smoothed a hand down the cover before handing it over.

“This the complete one?” Bass took it carefully in his huge hands before he set it in his lap and opened the cover.

“Yeah. In the back are a few pieces I’m working on for personal use, but otherwise it’s all stuff I’ve done on others in there.” Cam continued rearranging the basic shop items for a few more minutes as Bass looked through the book.

When he was finally satisfied with the furniture placement and how the stands and other equipment were situated, he turned but froze at the look on his boss’s face. “What’s wrong?”

Bass turned so Cam could see the image that had caught his attention. It was the start of the tat he’d designed for his right deltoid and down onto the biceps a little.

“It’s so intricate and colorful,” Bass said, his deep voice soft. “Who’re you planning to have help you do it? You can’t do that level of detail yourself. Not at the angles you’ll need.”

“Yeah, I know.” That was the million-dollar question, really. “I had planned to have José do it, but since his heart attack… his hands aren’t steady thanks to the meds.” Now, he wasn’t sure.

“Come on,” Bass said. He closed the binder and set it down before he stood up and stalked toward the door. “Once you’re settled and comfortable here, we’ll help you get your next tat done.”

Cam beamed as he followed Bass out the door, happy to have found a place he thought could be a true home for him.

Chapter 3

“LIAM?” DI’S voice intruded on his internal rantings as he paced the length of his living room. His apartment wasn’t overly large, but he liked it. Usually. Right then, everything annoyed him, including the place he would normally view as his refuge.

“What?” he snapped but then stopped. He took a deep breath then let it out slowly before speaking again. “Sorry, Dianne. This isn’t your problem or fault.”

“No, it’s not, but since you haven’t even told me what the issue is, I can’t do a thing for you.”

He didn’t want to tell her, even though she was probably the only person in his life who wouldn’t call a shrink the moment the words were out of his mouth. His shoulders drooped as he sighed. “I went out Thursday night.” He started pacing again, though it was now more of a way to avoid meeting her gaze than a need to fidget. “And I’m really thinking something’s wrong with me, Di.”

“You need to explain to me how what happened two days ago has you this agitated still,” she countered, staring at him intently. “And what do you mean ‘wrong’? You think you’re sick or something?” She gulped as she twisted the silver ring on her index finger around and around.

“In the head, maybe,” he mumbled. “No, not like that.” He waved her concern away. “It’s… I don’t know what it is, but I think I’m losing my mind.”

On his next pass, Dianne grasped his wrist and pulled him to a stop before she manhandled him until he sat on the couch beside her. “Liam, sweetie, I need you to start making sense. What happened that has you so upset?”

“I saw him. I mean… I see him every night, but this time I swear I really saw him.” He ran his hands through his disheveled hair, not caring how bad it would look afterward. “I was at the club dancing, you know, and well, my dance partner and I stepped off the floor for a more, um, private moment.”

She cleared her throat, stopping him midramble. “So you got laid?” Dianne giggled and a light flush spread up her cheeks.

“Just a blowjob, Di. Seriously”—he fidgeted, uncomfortable discussing tricks with her, especially considering how rare such actions were for him—“that’s not the important part!” Nor was the fact he hadn’t been able to actually go through with it—much to his partner’s irritation. For whatever stupid reason, his heart wouldn’t let him. He’d felt as though he was cheating on Cam, even though Cameron wasn’t real. Well, he didn’t think Cam was real…. Maybe…. “The point is, when I was on my way back to the bar afterward, I saw him.” Liam shivered, nauseated over the thought of his next words. “Cam was sitting at the far end of the bar drinking, though I’m not certain what. But—”

“Wait, your dream guy is real?” she squealed. Dianne threw her arms around him as she bounced on the cushion beside him. “That’s wonderful!”

“Okay, see, now you sound as nuts as I do! He can’t be real, Di. That isn’t possible. I’ve dreamed of Cam since I was seventeen. People don’t just materialize into reality simply because you want them so desperately, waking up breaks your heart.”

“Normally, I would agree, hon,” she soothed. The pitying look in her eyes made him wish he’d kept that last bit to himself. “But maybe he’s someone you saw once when you were younger and now he’s back in the area?”

Liam shook his head before she’d finished speaking. “No, not possible. He has grown and aged in the dreams just like I have. And, well, other than the sadness in his eyes the other night, he looked like he always does in the dreams.”

“Hmm…. Have the dreams changed since then and why didn’t you go over to him?”

“I, um, I froze when I saw him. Or what I thought was him. By the time I got my feet working again and managed the distance between us, he was gone.”