Page 72 of Caged Hunger

His place looked exactly as it had when he and Basher had left earlier that morning.

Placing the box on the kitchen counter, he dropped his keys next to it and fished out his cell phone.

The damn thing suddenly began to ring in his hand.

Cameron jumped, startled, until he saw the name calling on his phone.

Super-Hot Biker Dude (with a big piece).

Yes, that was how Basher’s name had been entered into his cell phone—by Basher himself.

Smiling, Cameron accepted the call, then began slowly pulling the satin ribbon off the box.

“Did I ever tell you how sugary-sweet you actually are?” Cameron asked without even bothering to say hello.

There was a momentary pause on the line, causing Cameron to wonder if perhaps his compliments weren’t appreciated.

“Umm, no. Why are you acting all… weird? Did you take some edibles or something?”

“No.” Cameron laughed as he pulled back the wrapping paper, then lifted the lid.

Sitting on the very top was a purple rose.

His favorite.

Cameron’s heart melted.

How did Basher know?

He loved the color's rarity and the fact that it was unlike all the other roses. It was unique in its color and beauty.

Cameron picked up the rose and sniffed it.

Gorgeous.

He placed the rose down on the counter, then lifted the box of imported Belgian chocolates.

A rose and chocolates?

Who was this guy?

“I’m just opening your amazing gift,” Cameron added, placing the box of chocolates down next to the rose.

Next, he picked up the tiny card left at the bottom of the box. His name was written in elegant script.

Once again, the writing looked too fancy to have been written by Basher’s calloused hands.

His stomach dropped.

“What? What gift?” he heard Basher say through the phone.

He felt like he was floating outside his body, watching his hands shake as he slowly lifted the tiny card out from the bottom of the box.

“Cam? What’s going on?” Basher’s voice suddenly came through the speaker, dripping with panic. “Cam?”

Pulling the card from the envelope, he quickly slid his eyes over the words.

Cameron, my sweet and lovely boy.