But in the same sense, Cam knew what had happened to Gannon, yet he’d had no issues kicking him to the curb. Not once during the entire trip had he heard from Cam. Not one single time. Then again, he hadn’t tried to reach out, either. The thirteen-hour time difference had helped in that regard, making it so that they weren’t even awake at the same time.

So, instead of reaching out, Gannon had done a lot of thinking. Mainly about the night that had changed Gannon’s life forever. The night they’d made love and Gannon had gone and ruined it by reminding Cam he was flying to Singapore. Not that he could’ve done it differently. It would’ve been wrong of him to simply disappear for a week.

Then again, maybe that would’ve been better than having Cam break up with him.

Although Gannon had forced himself to walk away, his stomach churning with every step, he’d since realized that giving up on Cam wasn’t an option. He couldn’t simply walk out of Cam’s life and never look back. He loved him.

So he’d made a promise to himself that once he got back, he would confront Cam, get to the root of the matter, and figure out a way to make it work between them. There was no doubt in Gannon’s mind that Cam was trying to protect himself emotionally. They’d ventured to that next level, and when they were having sex, Cam was more open than Gannon had ever seen him. It was amazing.

But this rift between them… There had to be a way to fix it. It was the only option.

He needed to talk to Cam, settle his fears, assure him that he would be fine. Then again, Gannon wasn’t sure he could promise that. And he’d never made a promise he couldn’t keep.

Being that he was used to being in control, running a multimillion-dollar company, taking risks regarding innovation and design in an industry that was consistently evolving and changing, never sitting still, Gannon had a hard time not being able to predict the future. However, where his company was concerned, Gannon had people in place who managed those things, gave him reports, anticipated problems, identified areas of improvement. There was some semblance of control there.

Where his relationship with Cam was concerned, Gannon felt so out of control. To the point it scared the hell out of him most of the time.

Gripping the armrests, Gannon closed his eyes as the plane made its descent into ABIA. He thought about Cam, about seeing his face for the first time in a week.

And he realized that everything that would happen going forward was outside of his control, hard as that was to grasp. Now, as he was used to doing with his business, he merely needed to figure out how to acclimate.

Cam was so fucking nervous.

No, nervous was an understatement. More like terrified.

Standing near the baggage claim area at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, he wiped his hands on his shorts for the millionth time. His palms were sweaty, his heart beating as though he’d just jumped out of an airplane and his parachute wasn’t opening. He’d done a lot of reckless things in his life, crazy things, but this…

By far the craziest risk he’d ever taken.

His phone vibrated in his pocket and Cam jumped.

Shit, at this rate, the TSA was going to sit him down and have a chat, thinking he was up to no good.

We’re about to deplane.

Cam’s fingers shook too much to type a response to Milly, so he didn’t bother. He didn’t know what to say, anyway.

Her instructions had been for him to man up, to do something to salvage what he and Gannon had. For a solid week, Cam had endured endless texts from her, dozens of pictures of Gannon sent to his phone, all because Milly wanted to reassure him that Gannon was okay.

It might’ve helped.

That didn’t mean he hadn’t spent the week panicked, scared that something bad would happen and he wouldn’t get any more texts or pictures. He’d started to look forward to them, eagerly anticipating every update until he knew he was a basket case, staring at his phone all the time, willing another text message to come in.

But Milly had come through, just as she’d said she would, and now it was Cam’s turn to come through for her. For Gannon.

Coming down the escalators.

Reading the text, Cam’s heart punched hard against his ribs as he looked up from his phone, peering past the huge guitar that sat atop one of the baggage carousels toward the escalators.

Sure enough…

Cam’s breath lodged in his throat when he caught a glimpse of Gannon, who was looking over his shoulder at Milly. She seemed to be chatting endlessly, keeping Gannon’s attention as they stepped off the escalator, walking side by side until they were only a few feet from him.

Milly stopped and Gannon did, too. Then she nodded toward Cam.

When Gannon looked up in Cam’s direction, Cam stood motionless, watching as that beautiful face realized he was standing there.

“Cam.”

Swallowing hard, he choked out, “Hey.”

“What are…?” Gannon’s head swiveled to look at Milly.

“Gotta run,” she said cheerfully, offering Gannon a small wave.

“Wait, what about…?” Gannon’s eyes landed on Cam again, then back to Milly, still looking dazed and confused.

“My stepbrother’s picking me up,” Milly said, smiling as she headed toward the baggage carousel. “You two have fun.”

Cam never took his eyes off Gannon, fear and trepidation forming a toxic cocktail in his gut as he waited to see if Gannon would send him away.

“What are you doing here?” Gannon blinked once, as though he didn’t believe Cam was standing there.

“I heard you needed a ride home.”

Gannon’s head snapped over to the baggage area, then back to him. “You’re the one she’s been texting?”

Cam nodded, the dizzy feeling making him sway slightly. He planted his feet firmly on the floor, shored his nerves. He could do this. “Can I take you home?”

“I… I don’t… Yeah,” Gannon said with a sigh. “I’d like that.”

Cam exhaled, realizing he’d been holding his breath. Which explained why he was light-headed.

“Got any bags?”

Gannon nodded.

Scared to reach for him, Cam nodded toward the carousel, then started walking, hoping Gannon would follow.

He did.

A few minutes later, they’d retrieved the one suitcase Gannon had. Cam wheeled it toward the door, where a man in a suit was standing.

“Are you ready, sir?” he asked Cam.

“Yes. Thanks.”

The guy took Gannon’s suitcase, and Cam felt Gannon’s eyes on him as they walked out the door toward the limousine waiting for them.

Cam had thought about bringing his truck, but this seemed the more logical way to travel. With someone else driving, it would give Cam a chance to talk to Gannon, to explain. To apologize.

After confirming for the man where they were going while he placed Gannon’s luggage in the trunk, Cam opened the door for Gannon, then climbed in after him. The window between the front and the back was closed, exactly as Cam had requested.

“I don’t understand what’s—”

Before Gannon could say more, Cam reached for him, cupping his head and pulling him forward so that Cam could kiss him.

And kiss him he did.

He knew he had a lot of explaining and apologizing to do, but he needed this right now. Kissing Gannon, feeling that electrical charge ignite between them, it calmed Cam’s rioting nerves.

Kind of.

“Cam. Oh, God, Cam.”

Cam wrapped his arms tightly around Gannon, holding him close as he thrust his tongue into Gannon’s mouth, feeling the moment Gannon gave in, his body molding to Cam’s. A sweet assault ensued, and for a while, Cam forgot where they were. The only thing that mattered was Gannon’s lips on his, his hands roaming over Cam’s back.

“I missed you,” Cam whispered, cupping Gannon’s head, separating their mouths. “So fucking much.”