A Hunted Man (The Men of Halfway House)

by Reese, Jaime

  He couldn't stay away.

  Cam tried to control the hope that started to bloom.

  He pulled out the chair and sat next to Hunter. Before he had a chance to settle in his seat, Hunter pulled the chair closer to him, dragging Cam along with it. Their knees bumped and an instant rush of excitement coursed through Cam's body from the accidental contact. He inched closer to Hunter, needing more. He reached under the table and tentatively placed the tips of his fingers on Hunter's knee, hoping Hunter wouldn't reject his touch. He needed the contact, to know that he was really sitting close to this man.

  He took a slow, deep breath when he felt the fabric of Hunter's pants brush his trembling fingertips. It had been too long since he'd shared any level of intimacy with someone. His heart began to beat faster at the thought that a thin shred of material was the only barrier between his fingertips and Hunter's skin.

  Hunter immediately covered Cam's hand with his own, laced their fingers, and positioned their hands so it rested firmly on the center of Hunter's thigh.

  "Don't ever hesitate when you want to touch me," he whispered in Cam's ear.

  The puffs of Hunter's breath against his skin made him gasp just as much as the words. Cam closed his eyes and tried to settle his breathing. His heart raced with excitement and his arousal pressed painfully against his zipper. He needed to keep himself in check, control this intense level of want that threatened to take over. Want for Hunter, closeness, affection, for everything and anything he cared to offer him.

  It felt perfect.

  Hunter placed a soft kiss on Cam's neck then nuzzled the sensitive skin below his ear.

  Something in Cam shifted at that subtle gesture. The desire, the need, and even worse, the hope that Hunter wanted more contact with him kicked up his heartbeat and a stab of pain speared his lungs.

  "Cam?"

  Just breathe, count, something to fucking calm down. His chest tightened and breathing became more difficult. A tingling sensation rose within and spread across his limbs.

  "Cam, open your eyes and look at me," Hunter said gently, with a soft, yet firm, tone.

  Cam opened his eyes and through the haze of want coursing through his body for this man and impending fear of losing control, his vision focused on the piercing silver eyes staring back at him.

  "Match my breathing," Hunter coaxed, the authority in his tone replaced with concern.

  Cam tried to focus, he looked at Hunter's lips to detect the intake of breath but hell, looking at those full, kissable lips was a huge mistake. His lungs constricted, robbing him of precious oxygen.

  "Hunter," he barely managed to say between gasps, squeezing Hunter's hand tighter as the little oxygen that managed to enter his airway pierced his lungs like blades of ice.

  He couldn't breathe.

  He screwed his eyes shut, trying to push past the pain in his chest. Dizziness set in and his body started going numb.

  A firm hand gripped his neck then pulled him forward. "Listen to my voice, and do what I say." Whispered only for him to hear, Hunter's voice brooked no argument.

  Cam tried to focus on the soothing tone and the sounds of his words as they filtered through his body.

  "Take a deep breath, hold it."

  He inhaled shaky gasps of air then fought the pain in his chest as he held his breath.

  "Now exhale."

  Cameron did as commanded.

  "Again," Hunter ordered. "Take a deep breath."

  After a few breaths, Cam began to feel his legs and arms again as a prickling sensation traveled along his body. He could feel Hunter still firmly holding his hand under the table while the grip behind his neck remained steady. Each breath came more natural now, easier, more manageable. He opened his eyes and saw the stunning silver eyes that dominated his thoughts filled with concern.

  "Okay?" Hunter asked, releasing the hold on his neck and shifting his hand to the side of Cam's face to stroke his cheek.

  He nodded. "Sorry," he said, his voice shaking.

  "Panic attack?" Hunter asked.

  Cameron lowered his head. Something as basic as holding hands and getting this close to Hunter freaked him out, even after practically attacking the man the day before when they kissed.

  He knew the trigger.

  Hope.

  Sitting with Hunter for more than a heated spur of the moment kiss meant a glimmer of a chance for greater intimacy, and he couldn't restrain the instinctive desire his body craved for affection.

  "How did you know?" Cam asked.

  "I have a Marine buddy who had a few episodes when he lost his parents and almost lost his brother in a car accident a few years ago. It was a tough time for him with everything going on. What triggered it for you?"

  "You," Cam said before thinking of his words. Holding hands had never been his thing, then inside, he'd become accustomed to being guarded, keeping his distance from others out of sheer survival. He certainly wasn't used to someone wanting to touch him this way. "I'm not used to this," he said, tightening their clasped hands under the table.

  "Good."

  Cam looked up, perplexed. "Good I freaked out?"

  "Good you're not used to guys coming in here and being like this with you during your breaks."

  "Oh. Yeah, um…it's been a while."

  "Me, too. I seem to lose myself in my work and tend to forgo a personal life," Hunter said, refusing to release Cam's hand.

  "Good," Cam snapped with an unexpected stab of jealously.

  Hunter smiled. "I suggest we do this more often."

  "More often?" he asked, still trying to keep his heart rate in check and his breathing level.

  "I can't have you freaking out whenever I get close to you, so how about I start coming to the diner twice a day. You know, to get you into the habit of seeing me more often," Hunter said with a teasing smile as he casually stroked Cam's hand with his thumb.

  Cam pretended to consider the suggestion. "Only if it means more of this," he said, squeezing their entwined hands.

  He didn't want to let go. Ironically, their joined hands had caused him to panic, but now the comfort seemed to soothe him back to his normal self.

  "Deal."

  "Why stop at twice? Just move into this corner so I've got you here all day."

  Hunter laughed. The sound echoed through Cameron's body like a soothing balm.

  Cam looked over to the counter and saw Lucy preparing her display for the lunchtime baked goods. She casually glanced over at them, smiled, then quickly looked away before walking back to tend to her cookies.

  "I think Lucy likes you."

  Hunter chuckled. "I think Lucy likes us."

  Cameron smiled. He dared to stroke Hunter's thigh with his thumb.

  Hunter reached over and delivered a chaste kiss on Cam's cheek. "I've got to go back to the office. I'll be back a little after the lunchtime rush."

  Cam reluctantly nodded, not really wanting to let Hunter leave. They were sitting alone in the dining area, with the aroma of Lucy's baking filling the air. Cam inched forward and risked a quick kiss.

  Hunter placed his hand on Cam's neck, holding him in place. He gently sucked on Cam's lower lip then slowly swiped his tongue to soothe the sting. Hunter moaned when Cam opened his mouth wanting more. Finally releasing their held hands, Cam gasped when Hunter's fingers brushed against his skin at the base of his spine, tracing a slow, circular pattern—damn, he liked that.

  "It's just me," Hunter mumbled between kisses, probably trying to avoid another freak out.

  They kissed slowly, tasting, exploring each other. Cam pulled away, trying to catch his breath. "I don't want to stop but—"

  "Neither do I, but we need to." Hunter rested his forehead against Cam's. "You're driving me crazy."

  "You're driving me to have panic attacks so I think we're even."

  Hunter smiled and gave Cam a quick kiss before standing. "I'll be back later. Want to have lunch?"

  "I can talk to Lucy and Bill about having lunc
h in the back instead of out here."

  "You don't want to go out somewhere else?" Hunter asked, brows furrowed.

  Cam shook his head. He wasn't sure if leaving the diner would be an issue with Matt so he preferred to avoid a problem and stay. He figured a half truth was better than a lie.

  "I'd prefer to stay here just in case Lucy or Bill needs me for something that can't wait."

  Hunter smiled. "You're amazing, you know that?"

  Cam shrugged.

  "I've gotta go."

  "You keep saying that." Cam smiled.

  "Stop looking at me like that and maybe I can get my brain to focus on walking."

  Cam chuckled. "Maybe I should hold you down and prevent you from leaving."

  "Fuck," Hunter groaned. "I'll be back later."

  Cam tracked Hunter as he walked out the diner and down the street until he could no longer distinguish his figure in the crowd.

  He sighed.

  He'd kept his distance from others as a necessity for survival, but the need to be close to Hunter consumed him. He'd never felt wanted like this by anyone.

  As much as it scared him to discover this, the thought of losing it terrified him. He closed his eyes and exhaled a shaky breath. Cam knew it was a matter of time before he'd no longer be able to be with Hunter. It was inevitable. Once Hunter found out the truth, Cam figured he would keep his distance. If that didn't push him away, he knew those who wanted to keep him in prison would.

  It was the same endgame regardless—him alone, just as he had been these past ten years.

  He'd deal with it when that time came. Until then, he'd cherish every second he could steal with Hunter before losing him.

  * * * *

  Hunter returned that day for lunch as promised then made it a point to go by the diner at least twice a day—for mid-morning coffee and a late lunch break—the rest of the week. He had joked with Cam about more frequent visits and it seemed Cam had relayed the joke to Lucy.

  Lucy saw him arrive that afternoon and did as she had done each instance since—she walked around the counter, hooked her arm in his and led him to the back room.

  "Sit," she said and handed him a cookie.

  He tightened his lips, trying to hold the smile. "Yes, ma'am."

  He turned as she walked out only to see Bill guiding Cam into the back room, with his hand at the back of Cam's neck. Hunter couldn't contain the smile anymore.

  "Keep him busy so he stops cleaning my diner," was all Bill would say before leaving them alone.

  He loved seeing their tag team efforts in pushing them together; they had no shame in hiding their intentions. Come to think of it, the only thing they hadn't done was shove them into the storage closet and throw away the key.

  With every visit, Hunter would sit with Cam and they'd have lunch or just sip a coffee while talking. Cam chatted endlessly about anything botanical. He'd smile wistfully when he'd mention his time in the garden with his mom as a child. Cam's mother had passed away when he was young, a subject Cam avoided.

  "When your mom died, how did you handle it?" Cam had asked him softly.

  "It was tough but my dad and I had a ton of great memories with her," Hunter had responded. Cam would then switch gears and steer the conversation elsewhere. Hunter recognized the pain in Cam's expression, so he knew not to push the topic further than he was willing to reveal on his own.

  Somehow, being with Cam, Hunter was able to escape all the drama surrounding his work and recent issues with his cases. Ironically, he was sharper, more focused, and able to block everything else out when around him.

  "How the hell is that possible," Cam had asked when he mentioned this. "I can't focus worth a shit when you're around me."

  Hunter shrugged. "I don't know, maybe it's just that when I'm with you I can't think of anywhere else I want to be."

  Cam raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have pegged you for a sappy guy."

  "If you'd like, I can keep my distance, avoid the touching, kisses, and all that other sappy stuff." Hunter smiled. He took Cam's hand, raised it to his lips, then kissed his palm.

  "I didn't say I couldn't tolerate some sap," Cam said with a scowl, pulling his hand from Hunter's grip.

  "Tolerate?"

  "Yeah, it's a sacrifice, you know, but I'll put up with it."

  Hunter chuckled as Cam leaned into his shoulder.

  "I can see you absolutely hate enduring it."

  "Yeah, it totally sucks. But I'll deal with it," Cam finished, nuzzling the crook of Hunter's neck.

  "Funny, I wouldn't have pegged you for a sappy guy," Hunter reciprocated the tease.

  "Yeah, well, I'm not. And if I happen to have any sort of sweet shit on me, it's all your fault."

  "I'll take the blame for this any day," Hunter said, wrapping his arm around Cameron's shoulder and pulling him into an embrace. "Do you have any plans this weekend?"

  Cam positioned himself more comfortably in Hunter's arms before responding. "Yeah, I'm working on some landscaping stuff where I'm staying."

  "I'd love to see it."

  Cam fidgeted. "Um, I'm not finished with it yet so it's just dirt and stuff dug up. It'll take a while to get to the point where it looks nice," he mumbled. Cam fell silent and tightened his hold on Hunter.

  Cam's muscles were tense. Hunter sighed and pulled Cam closer into the embrace, hoping Cam wouldn't distance himself as he often did. He'd eventually earn Cam's trust with time. In the meantime, he relied on unspoken cues and learning his tells. Hunter didn't mind the challenge.

  "Then when you finish," Hunter said.

  Hunter nuzzled closer into the warmth of Cam pressed against him. He had an uncontrollable base need to feel the heat of Cam's skin, hear the timbre in his voice, see that soulful blue gaze stare back at him—just as much as he needed the air that filled his lungs. He wanted to be alone with Cam, but it seemed Cam was most comfortable within the confines of the diner. He'd deal with it if he had to.

  Cam looked up from within the embrace and slowly sucked in his lower lip as his vision shifted to Hunter's mouth.

  Hunter had learned this tell in Cam. Cam would endlessly joke and tease, but a serious verbal declaration of what he felt or wanted was something Hunter imagined wouldn't come easily…if at all. Hunter knew the request for a kiss would never come, but the desire in his eyes was unmistakable.

  He cupped Cam's face and delivered a slow, lazy kiss—the ones that seemed to elicit the most sounds of approval from Cam.

  The sounds that sent shivers throughout Hunter's body.

  He didn't dare ask Cam how he felt.

  Hunter just hoped Cam felt the same.

  The sweat trickled down the side of Cam's face and neck. He scooped up the dirt with his hands and worked it around the flower bed full of impatiens he'd planted. He sifted the soil then sprinkled in a little slow-release fertilizer near the roots. He smiled as he worked, using the trowel to open the hole for each new colorful addition.

  He couldn't believe it when Julian had surprised him with flower beds at the front and back areas of the house, exactly as he had described, even more shocked to see Matt with a shovel in his hand helping Julian dig a hole. They listened to him, allowed him to manage the project and direct them on what he needed them to do. He mattered for the first time in too long.

  "Hey, Cam," Matt said, poking his head out the front door.

  Cam looked up and squinted to block out the sun. "Hey."

  "Can you take a break for a bit?"

  Cam's chest immediately tightened. Shit. Did I do something wrong? He silently followed Matt into the kitchen and washed his hands while he watched Matt grab two glasses and fill them with cold lemonade.

  Matt gestured for Cam to sit then grabbed the file at the end of the counter.

  Cam sat and just looked at the manila folder with his name written on a tab. He exhaled heavily. He couldn't stop his leg's rhythmic jumping up and down.

  Matt cleared his throat then smiled. "I just wanted
to sit with you and go over a few things."

  "Is something wrong?" he asked.

  "Not at all. I just thought that since you've been working for two weeks, we'd sit and have a bit of a benchmark at this point. Just so we can see if there's anything we need to work on."

  "Okay," he said hesitantly, stretching out each syllable, looking at the file Matt held.

  "I had a chat with Lucy and Bill and both are extremely happy with your work. They think you're easy to work with, a quick learner, and have a wonderful way with the customers. They're very pleased to have you there and raved about their trust in having you long term if you'd like."

  Cam breathed a sigh of relief.

  "You've also passed the random tests you've been called to take and you've been doing some beautiful work here with the landscaping."

  Cam quirked a smile. He hadn't heard this much praise in such a long time he wasn't sure how he was supposed to react. It was silly at how pleased he was with himself that someone who was probably only a few years older than him was complimenting him on his work. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to say so he simply said, "Thanks."

  "If you want to read my notes, you can. I have an open policy when it comes to the content of your files."

  Cam nodded. This wasn't so bad after all.

  "That covers the formalities. Is there anything you want to talk about or any questions you have now that you've had a chance to settle in for a bit?" Matt asked as he closed the file and waited for Cam to speak.

  Questions. He had only one and it related to the subject that dominated his thoughts. Hunter. He was a little hesitant about the fact that Hunter was a lawyer, but wasn't that the same as others condemning him because he was an ex-con with a record?