Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

Like you're my other half, and I didn't know I was missing that other half until now…" His words trailed off as he met Cam's eyes with uncharacteristic uncertainty.
    Cam lifted a hand to smooth his thumb across Brad's jawline. "Brad, I meant what I said before. I want you. I've always wanted you. I just didn't think I'd ever have you," Cam continued softly, "until now." He met Brad's eyes with a question in his gaze.
    Brad's chest flooded with warmth at the words, and he reached forward to frame Cam's face tenderly. "Oh, you have me, all right," he whispered against Cam's lips. "And you'd better not let go," he added as he leaned in for another kiss.
    ****
    The next morning, sunlight greeted them bright and early as it streamed through the windows onto the crisp blue duvet on Brad's Cal-King bed. Rolling onto his back with a flop and covering his eyes with his forearm, Brad reached across the bed with one hand. He frowned and blinked his eyes open in surprise when the space next to him turned out to be empty.
    Where was Cam? Surely the other man hadn't bailed in the middle of the night?
    Last night, they had cleaned up in the shower, which had had him thanking whatever foresight the architect had had in installing a walk-in shower with multiple jets and room for two people to maneuver. Following that extended shower, it'd grown quite late, and he'd suggested Cam stay the night. After Cam's shy acceptance, they'd climbed into his bed, where they'd touched and kissed a bit more, murmuring affectionate nonsense before easing into a restful sleep. At the moment, though, Brad's sleep was disturbed now that he didn't know what had happened to Cam.
    Movement by the windows caught his eye, and he turned to see Cam standing in front of the clear glass, his shorts slung low on his hips. Cam took a sip out of the glass of orange juice in his hands and turned, smiling when he saw Brad blinking sleepily at him.
    "Good mornin'," he greeted Brad in his soft drawl.
    "Morning," Brad said with a yawn. "Cam, please don't tell me you're one of those early birds," he complained as he sat up, rubbing his eyes.
    Cam smiled. "Well, not usually, but when I saw the city lit up with the morning sun, I just couldn't help myself." He gestured with his glass towards the wall of windows separating them from the city below. "I mean, I know this is old hat for you, but that view is truly impressive."
    Brad blew out an exasperated breath. "Cam, the way you're talking, it's like you're never coming up here again. And that," he said, pinning Cam with a pointed look, "is definitely not the case. If I have anything to say about it, you'll see a whole hell of a lot of this place. And this place in particular," he added with a playful waggle of his brows and a gleam in his eyes, smoothing his hand over the comforter next to him.
    Cam searched Brad's gaze for a moment before a smile broke out across his face. "Sometimes I just can't believe this is happening."
    "Well, it is," Brad stated decisively. He lifted the corner of the duvet and raised his brows at the other man in invitation. "So? You coming back to bed or do I have to tackle you for it? Because you know I will," he said with a teasing smile that belied the challenging lift of his brow.
    "I'm coming, I'm coming," Cam replied with a grin as he set his glass down on the window ledge and walked over.
    "Not yet, but you will be," Brad said in a low voice rich with promise. "And lose the shorts," he added, his need for more sleep superseded now by another, more pressing need that had been awakened by none other than the extraordinary Cameron Hunter.
    THE END
    Author bio: Nico Jaye lives in New York City, where she plays a responsible adult in the land of corporate lawyerdom by day. By night, she enjoys hanging out with crinoline-wearing debutantes, brawny firemen in suspenders, and werewolf shifters with Scottish brogues. This is her maiden voyage as an author, so please... be gentle. ;) Oh, and she may or may not have a cat named "Nico" from whom she borrowed this pen name… Come find them at www.nicojaye.blogspot.com .
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MARKING TIME
    by: CJ Anthony

    Military homecoming: Marine dressed in fatigues greets his civilian lover with a passionate embrace, arms and legs wrapped around him, as they kiss passionately, framed by a large, vibrant American Flag behind them.

    Dear Author,
    I've missed him so much and I'd hoped he be there when I came home. I just didn't want to expect too much. After so