“Don’t run from me.” He growled. She nodded in agreement. “Now, what is going on with you?” He asked softly.
“I’m okay.” She said trying to wiggle away.
“Stop.” He said as he used his body to cage her in. “Answer me.”
“You’re free.” She whispered.
“What are you talking about?” His eyes narrowed as he watched her.
“I’m safe, and mostly healed. You can have your freedom back.” Kara kept her eyes on his shoulder as she spoke.
“Come on.” He said as he picked her up and carried her to the couch. He sat down, then pulled her into his lap. “Now, explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. I can go back to work, and so can you. We can end this and move on with our lives.” Kara said playing with a strand of her hair.
“Is that what you really want?” Cameron asked her.
“It’s what we agreed to.” Kara nodded, but she kept her eyes down.
“Is it what you want?” He asked again and she nodded. “I don’t believe you. Look me in the eyes and tell me this is what you want.” Kara shook her head. He knew she got lost if she looked into his eyes. “Do it, Kara. Look me in the eye and tell me you feel nothing for me. Make me believe the last few weeks were a dream. Tell me I’m nothing to you.” His voice wavered on the last sentence.
“Cameron, I…” Kara started.
“No, look me in the eye.” He said as he tipped her chin up.
“I don’t…” She started, but his face blurred with the tears in her eyes.
“I pray you can’t. This is what I want Kara. Us. You in my arms every night. Susie was right, I did manipulate you into this, but I hoped that I could convince you that we should be together.” As he spoke, he wiped away the tears as they spilled over.
“Cameron.” She breathed.
“Right here, always right here.” He said rubbing his nose against hers.
She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, his mouth was on hers. This wasn’t the sweet quick kisses he had been giving her the last two weeks. This was all consuming and desperate. She hadn’t been sure what she wanted to say, but this kiss seemed to be doing an excellent job of expressing how she felt. The hand on her cheek shifted to tangle in her hair and angle her head how he wanted it. She moved her arm behind his neck causing his hat to fall over the back of the couch. He started to pull back and she followed. Using the hand in her hair he held her back and looked into her eyes.
“Kara, if you don’t want this we have to stop now.” He told her, his eyes shifted down to her lips and back to her eyes.
“More.” She whispered trying to move closer.
“Stop, Kara, listen to me.” He commanded and the haze cleared from her head. “This isn’t a game. If I make love to you, I won’t let you go. That ring on your finger will be permanent. I want you, Kara, all of you. You don’t know it yet, but you own me body, heart, and soul. I want this forever. If you can’t give me that, I need you to tell me now.” He was amazing.
“How do you do that?” She asked mystified.
“What, baby?” He asked confused.
“It’s like you can see inside me and know what I’m thinking or how I’m feeling before I can sort it out myself.” Kara kept eye contact so he would know she was serious.
“Because we are two halves of a whole. I was meant for you.” He smiled at her. She leaned in to kiss him, but he stopped her again. “Be sure.”
“I’m sure if you stop me again you can find a new half.” She growled at him.
“I love you, Kara.” He said and watched a tear slip down her cheek. “Baby, please don’t cry, it’s okay if you’re not ready.” He wiped the tear away.
“I love you too, Cameron, so much it scares me.” She whispered and watched as he took a deep breath.
He pulled her close and kissed her again. This kiss was gentle, coaxing. It made her slowly loose her mind, and hope he was even half as distracted as her. He picked her up and walked to the bedroom where he sat her on the edge of the bed. He leaned over and pulled her shirt off, then kissed her again. She didn’t realize he had taken off her bra until she felt the rough tips of his fingers pinch her nipple. Kara moaned and arched her back into his hand.
Cameron took his time kissing down her jaw, then down her neck. His stubble scraped against the tender skin causing her to shiver. She felt his lips curve up as he kissed the tops of her breasts. She moaned and wrapped her fingers in his hair. He moved down, kissing between her breasts as he unbuttoned her jeans. She tried to turn his head where she wanted it, but he gently nipped her sternum before he kissed her plush stomach. Kara tensed, waiting for him to push her away, but he continued to kiss and lick her flesh as he pulled her jeans down. When he had her pants down to her ankles, he rubbed his face against her lower stomach then leaned back. His eyes slowly raked across her body. She moved her arms to cover herself, but he stopped her.
“Never hide your body from me. I love every beautiful inch of you.” He whispered running his hands down to her ankles.
He kept eye contact as he pulled her shoes and socks off, then he tugged off the jeans leaving her in only her lacy pink panties. Starting at the arch of her foot, he kissed his way down to her knee, then moved to the other leg giving it the same attention. When he got to the other knee, he nudged her legs apart as he ran his hands up her inner thighs. Just as he got to her sweet spot, he shifted his hands and went up around her hips. She groaned and he looked up at her.
“Did you wear these for me?” He asked, tracing the waist line of her panties.
“Yes.” She whispered. Her stomach quivered under his touch.
“These are very nice, but I think it’s time for them to go.” He said and she nodded at him. Once he had them off, he looked back down at her. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He said running his hands up her legs.
“Wait Cameron.” She said pulling her legs away.
“Are you okay?” Cameron asked, she could see the worry in his eyes.
“Yeah, but I have a problem.” She said getting on her knees on the bed in front of him.
“What’s that, baby?” Cameron asked leaning into kiss her, but she moved away.
“You, my love, have on way too many clothes.” She said pushing his shirt up.
“That is true, but with less clothes, this will be over way too fast.” He said rubbing her hip.
“That’s okay, neither of us go back to work till Monday.” Kara kissed his chest as she tried to push his shirt off.
“Kara, I’m trying to be gentle.” He said through clenched teeth.
“You told me our first time wouldn’t be gentle. Don’t you want me as much now?” She asked, giving him a fake pout.
“I want you more than you could possibly know.” He whispered nibbling her pouty lips.
“Prove it.” She challenged.
She didn’t have time to admire his magnificent body before he was stripped and on top of her. He ran his hands up her legs, making room for him to lay between them. He slipped his tongue in her mouth, mimicking the movements his body was making as he slid inside her. She had never imagined anything could feel this good. It felt like her soul connected to his. Despite what he said, he was gentle with her. When he pulled his mouth from hers, he moved it to her ear. The heat of his breath against her skin caused her to shiver. His body shivered with hers and she wrapped her legs around his back.
“Baby, I can’t last.” He panted.
“Me neither.” She gasped. She dug her nails into his back as the euphoria over took her.
“Kara.” Cameron groaned as he stilled above her.
“Please, stay.” She said tightening her hold to keep him from pulling away.
“Kara, I’m too heavy to lay here.” He leaned back to look at her face.
“You’re perfect.” She said then kissed the dimple in his chin.
He smiled down at her, the look on his face was one of pure bliss. A
s their breathing slowed, she ran her hands up and down his back memorizing every muscle with her fingers. The weight of his body was as comforting as it was erotic. Her eyes slid closed as she committed everything about this moment to memory. He rubbed his nose against hers, making her smile. Then his lips met hers and soon their sweet kiss turned hot. She felt him getting hard inside her as he started to move again.
“Look at me, Kara.” He said then nipped her lip. Her eyes fluttered open and locked on his. The look in his eyes made her want to cry. It was full of love and tenderness as he gazed at her. “Come with me, Kara.” He said then took her over the edge again.
It felt like her body shattered with the force of everything she felt. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest as her lungs gasped for oxygen. She held on to him tight as the pieces of her fell back into place. She could feel his chest heaving against hers as he tried to slow down his breathing. He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose before rolling to the side. He pulled her into the curve of his body with her head on his shoulder. She shivered at the temperature drop of the room after having him wrapped around her. He leaned down and pulled a blanket over them and she wrapped her arm around his stomach and snuggled in close as she fell asleep.
*****
Cameron laid awake looking down at the beauty cuddled up to him. Kara had been through hell, but she survived with minimal damage. The scar on her leg would be the only visible reminder of that horrible time in her life. The cast on her arm would be gone in a month. He had been worried that she would suffer some serious emotional issues after that day. She winced when people yelled, but she didn’t shut down and hide. She had been sitting on the porch swing every day. After the first week, she didn’t even ask him to go with her. He always joined her on the swing, but he had been giving her time to sit alone and see if it bothered her.
Kara was the strongest woman he had ever met. She looked small and delicate, but on the inside that girl was made of steel. How was such a wonderful person ever alone? She would never be alone again. He would always be with her. She had Susie and the girls now too. Even the guys in their group of friends viewed her like a sister to care for and protect just as he did the other girls. He was a truly blessed man. With his arms wrapped around her he closed his eyes and thanked God for this amazing woman, and all of their friends. He drifted off to the feel of her warm even breaths against his chest.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Cameron mumbled pulling her closer when she tried to get up.
“Bathroom, then food.” She said as she leaned up to look at him.
“But we were napping.” Cameron trailed his hand up her back.
“Yes, but I have to pee.” She said as she tried to pull away again.
“Fine, go pee, then come back to bed.” He reluctantly released her.
She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss before she got out of bed. As he watched her walk away, he resisted the urge to drag her back. His thoughts drifted as he waited for her to come back. He was more than ready to get back to work, but he was going to miss being with her all the time. At least she was safe now. That made leaving her alone easier. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard noise in the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway to watch her. She had slipped on one of his t-shirts and she was going through the cabinets.
“This doesn’t look like the bed to me.” His heart stopped when she turned to look at him and he saw how his t-shirt stretched across her ample chest.
“I need food.” She told him, propping her hands on her hips.
“I need you.” He said as he walked over and pulled her against him.
“Cameron.” She warned him.
“Kara.” He whispered against her neck as he rubbed his stubble against the soft skin. He felt her shiver and it made him smile.
“No.” she whimpered as he kissed up toward her ear and nibbled on her ear lobe. He ran his hand under the hem of the shirt she put on. She pushed his hand down, then pushed against his chest. “No.” She said firmly, he looked at her confused and she smiled. “No more anything until you feed me.”
“Yes dear, what do you want?” He asked reaching for her again.
“I want to go to Susie’s.” Kara said avoiding his grasp.
“I can make you something here faster.” He said as he pinned her to the cabinet.
“Keep it up and I’ll make you take me to Sweetastic’s too.” She said pushing him back.
“Fine, I will take you to both, but I get something first.” He said as he picked her up and sat her on the counter.
She narrowed her eyes at him, but didn’t stop him as he moved between her voluptuous thighs. If she truly hadn’t wanted him to, he would have stopped, but he saw the little smirk she tried to hide. Twenty minutes later they got dressed, and left to go get dinner. They hadn’t been out of the house except to go to the grocery store since everything happened. Their friends had stopped by to see them, and so had Susie. Kara seemed content in their little bubble, but he knew they couldn’t stay in it forever. At the diner, he made her wait in the truck till he came to help her out. He couldn’t resist stealing a kiss as her feet hit the ground in the parking lot. When he pulled back, she was smiling at him. With his arm firmly around her, he guided her into a very busy diner.
“There’s my girl.” Susie called rushing over to them.
“Hey Susie.” Cameron said as Kara hugged her tight. When she stepped back, he wrapped his arms around her tight and held her close.
“Come on.” Susie said as she led him to a booth. “How was your appointment?” She asked Kara.
“Good. I can come back to work Monday.” Kara said as he pulled her into the booth beside him.
“Really.” Susie looked over at him and he nodded. “You will be on hostess duty till that cast comes off.” She told her. Kara sighed, then nodded. After taking their order, Susie left to get their drinks.
“Well if it isn’t the happy couple.” Luke said as he slid in the booth across from them.
“Hey, Luke, do you want to join us?” Cameron asked as he propped his arm on the back of the booth behind Kara.
“No, thanks. I have to get back to the hospital.” He had a huge smile plastered on his face. “I’m just on a food run.”
“What’s going on?” Kara brows scrunched up as she asked him.
“Chasity had her baby. We texted you.” Luke frowned at her.
“Crap. I put my phone on silent when we got to the doctor and forgot to change it back. What about yours?” She asked Cameron scrolling through all the texts.
“I don’t have it with me.” Cameron had never left his phone, but he was distracted today. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “We can go after we eat if you want to.”
“It’s a boy. His name is Carter.” Luke told them.
“Can you please tell her I’m sorry, and I’ll be there after we eat?” Kara asked him as Susie handed him his order.
“No problem.” He said before he left.
“What’s wrong Kara?” Cameron whispered. He could tell that she was upset.
“I wasn’t there. I told her I would be there, but I wasn’t.” Kara said sadly.
“It’s okay. I’m sure she will understand. It’s not like you missed it on purpose.” Cameron pulled her close to his chest to comfort her.
When Susie brought their food out, she raised her eyebrows at him. Cameron shook his head and she walked away. Kara ate her food quickly. He knew she was in a hurry to get to the hospital so he rushed through his food. When they got to the hospital, he held her hand as they went to Chasity’s room. He hated that he couldn’t make her feel better.
“How was your appointment?” Chasity asked when they walked in. Cameron released her to go to her friend.
“Everything is fine. I’m so sorry. I forgot to turn my ringer back on.” Kara said as she hugged Chasity.
“It’s no big deal.” Chasity shrugged at her.
“It’s your baby,
of course it’s a big deal.” Kara told her. She looked like she was going to cry, but Cameron stayed where he was and hoped Chasity could fix this.
“Kara, stop. Yes, I wanted you here, but everyone else was here. I wasn’t alone, plus you missed me threatening to kill Jacob if he ever touches me again.” Chasity said laughing.
“You are the only people in town who didn’t hear her yell that.” Chase told them.
“I seem to recall Callie saying something similar.” Luke said behind him.
“Yeah, but she didn’t mean it. Chasity did.” Chase told him.
“Oh, I meant it.” Callie informed him. “At the time. The threat disappears after a while when the pain of child birth isn’t fresh in your mind.”
“Y’all hush, or your gonna make Lindy wish she never agreed to kids.” Luke said as he put his hands on her baby bump.
“Anyway, it’s your turn to hold him.” Jacob said as he gently laid Carter in her uncast arm.
Kara panicked. Of course, she had held the twins, but then she used two arms. Carter was bigger than they were and she only had one arm to hold him. Cameron must have noticed her distress, because he slid his arm across her bad arm and helped her support the baby. This man could read her like a book. She leaned into him as a silent thank you, and felt his lips press to the top of her head. Carter started fussing and Jacob came to collect his little bundle of joy.
“Alright ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to feed him, so y’all got to go.” Jacob said when he handed the baby to his wife.
“Fine, but you will be invaded again tomorrow.” Callie called to him after she hugged everyone good bye.
“I will be by tomorrow, call if you need me to bring anything as I come.” Kara promised, then they said their good byes before leaving.
Cameron kept his arm around her as they left the hospital. When they got to his truck, he picked her up and sat her on the seat. After she was comfortable, he buckled up her seatbelt, then kissed her before shutting the door. As he pulled out, he put his hand on her thigh. The heat of his hand was comforting. She placed her hand over his and leaned back in the seat to relax.
Kara's Protector Page 9
