“Really? What’s on your mind?” I force my features into ambivalence. A sense of foreboding sends a shiver up my back.
“I talked to Vanessa this morning. She said she told you about Gaston.” His gaze locks onto mine. I stare back, unwilling to let him see how his words are affecting me.
“We had a conversation,” I say cautiously.
“I want to know your plans.”
“Plans?” Jesus, this guy is intimidating. I stand and walk over to the bar. The room is suddenly too small for the both of us, and I need a drink. “Bourbon?”
“I’ll take a Scotch, neat, if you have it.”
The silence is broken only by the quiet splash of liquid into the glasses. I take my time, using the interlude to formulate a defense against whatever attack Seaforth has planned. When I hand him his drink, he swirls the amber liquid then sets the glass on the desk.
“Believe it or not, Seaforth. I don’t have an agenda where Gaston is concerned.”
“Leave them alone, Cam.” Sam straightens in his chair, leaning forward to meet my gaze. “Take Seaforth Media. I’ll make sure Vanessa gives you whatever you want, just stay away.”
Here is my opportunity to walk out. I can be free of the responsibility. To my surprise, however, the thought makes my guts clench. I can’t abandon my flesh and blood. My father walked out on his family. Vanessa’s words echo in my head. You can choose to be a better man. With a few exceptions, I’ve tried to live by that advice since she left me.
I draw in a deep breath. “No, I don’t think so.”
32
Vanessa
Today
One week blurs into the next. Someone new moves into Cam’s hotel room across the hall. I can’t stop thinking about him, reliving each touch of his lips and hands, rolling his confessions over and over in my head. I hear nothing from him. Even social media is devoid of Cameron Blackwood sightings. It’s as if he’s vanished into thin air.
Like my personal life, my professional life is in the toilet. The value of Seaforth Industries stock continues to dive and hits an unprecedented low as rumors of Cam’s departure from Seaforth Media swirl through the business world. Sam sets up a meeting with the shareholders. They’ve expressed concerns about my competence. I square my shoulders and prepare to grovel. This is all I have, my work and my kids. I won’t be a failure.
Outside the boardroom on the day of the meeting, I wipe sweaty palms on the skirt of my dress.
Sam pats my shoulder, but I can tell by the line across his forehead that he’s concerned. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine, no matter what happens,” he says.
“Easy for you to say. You’ve got your own company. If I fail at this, I’ll never get another job.” My trust fund dried up years ago, and I only received a paltry sum in the divorce settlement. I want my children to have a future at Seaforth Industries like their family before them.
“Ready?” Elena smiles and opens the boardroom doors.
The hum of conversation halts. Twenty somber faces stare at us. I clear my throat. Now I know how it feels to walk in front of a firing squad. I take my seat at the head of the table. I’m about to address the group when the door opens again. Cam walks into the room, tall and imposing, Tristan at his side. The walls of my chest constrict at the sight of him. His intense gaze meets mine.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says, taking the seat next to me.
“What are you doing here?” Sam asks. His eyes narrow.
“You’re not the only one who has moles planted around the city,” Cam replies. He turns to address the table. “I’m here to dispel any rumors about the dissolution of my interests in Seaforth Media. I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Seaforth’s abilities. In fact, I’ve invested another two million dollars in facility upgrades just this week.”
“You have?” The question pops out of my mouth before I can stop it.
“Yes. Or I will before the day is up.” He nudges my elbow with his and leans in to whisper, “Just go along with it.”
“Okay.” While I collect my composure, I take a sip of water.
“You’re going to owe me for this, princess. Big time,” he says, turning to face the others.
“I’m sure we can come to some sort of arrangement.” I struggle to breathe through the frantic palpitations of my heart.
“Let’s get together tomorrow and talk about it.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday.” I clear my throat and shuffle the stack of papers in front of me, stalling. “I don’t work on Saturdays.”
“This isn’t about work.” Cam’s thigh bumps mine beneath the table. I wait for him to shift away, but he doesn’t move. He clasps his hands in front of him, staring at me with a half smirk that does crazy things to my insides. “Dress casual. I’ll take you for a ride in my new car.”
I bite my lower lip to control a giddy smile. “Let’s call this meeting to order.”
An hour later, we’re standing together in my office—me, Cam, and Sam. The air is charged. I don’t know whether to kiss Cam or slap him. All I know is that I’m glad to see him.
“Want to tell me what’s going on?” Sam asks, his deep voice cutting through the silence.
“I’m in,” Cam says. His eyes lock with mine. A thrill courses all the way to my toes. I have a feeling he’s talking about more than business.
“Remember what I said.” Sam’s words are a warning.
“Don’t worry, Seaforth. My intentions are honorable,” Cam replies. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to talk to Vanessa about our son.”
Sam looks from me to Cam and back to me again then shakes his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Vanessa.”
“It’ll be fine,” I say, because I know in my heart it will.
33
Vanessa
Today
The next day, Cam arrives to pick me up outside the hotel. He gets out of his electric blue McLaren 650S and crosses to the passenger side to open the door for me. My belly does a triple flip at the sight of him. He’s wearing dark jeans, a Henley shirt with the sleeves pushed up, and a baseball cap, the brim pulled low over mirrored sunglasses. “Ready?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say, although nothing could have prepared me for the sight of him. I’m so nervous. My knees shake as I walk toward him.
“You look amazing,” he says, bending to speak into my ear. His words vibrate through my body and between my legs.
“Thanks.” Dakota helped me pick out the sundress. It’s comfortable and makes my waist look smaller than it is. “Nice car. I bet Tristan’s fit to be tied.”
“He hasn’t seen it yet, but yeah.” Cam’s grin reveals his perfect teeth and the dimple on his left cheek.
We’re off to his house in the country. The drive gives us time to get used to each other again. From the passenger seat, I admire his profile, the straight sweep of his nose, the square angle of his jaw. Every now and then, he gives me a sideways glance that I can feel in my deepest recesses.
“So, you have an apartment in the city and a house in the country? I never took you for a farm boy,” I tease.
“It’s quiet and peaceful and it’s a good place to get my head together.” Another sideways glance. My toes curl. “Like the Avondales’ farm. I always liked it there.”
“I never went back.” I watch the scenery flash past the window, unable to look at him, afraid he’ll see my vulnerability. We’ve avoided talking about our breakup, sticking to more neutral subjects like sports and the weather.
“There it is.” Cam points to a spot in the distance. “You can see the roof of the house through the trees.”
Through tall pines and cedars, I catch a glimpse of a three-story contemporary home, edging an enormous man-made lake. A mid-day sun glints off the surface of the water. Tall oaks and black fence line the winding drive. Horse graze the fields and lift their heads to watch us pass.
“You have horses?” I turn in my seat to face him.
“These are retired racehorse
s and a few police horses, too.” One corner of his mouth turns up. “You’re not the only one with a heart, you know.”
“I see that.” The more I get to know Cam, the more he surprises me. He’s generous to a fault, free with his money, and always thinking of ways to support those in need.
“Look, we need to talk.” He eases the car to the side of the driveway and turns off the motor. “I want to tell you something before we get serious.”
“Are we getting serious?” My heartrate doubles. He takes my hand, lifts it to his lips, and kisses my knuckles.
“I don’t know. Maybe. I hope so.” I wait while he walks around the car and opens my door. We lean against the fence. Cam stares across the pasture. “It’s about your mother.”
A shiver of dread courses up my spine. I have a feeling I’m not going to like what he’s got to say. “Okay. Spill.”
He’s silent for a long time. I fidget next to him, waiting for whatever he’s got to say, certain I won’t like it. When he speaks, his voice is low and soft. “I knew your mother. We met after you and I split up.”
I close my eyes, wishing he hadn’t said those words. When I open them, he’s watching me with fear etched on his face. “You said you didn’t sleep with her.”
“It wasn’t like that.” He pauses. The muscles in his throat work as he swallows. “She was my friend.”
He knew my mother, a woman I barely knew myself. While I struggle to process the concept, he tells me about their visits, how she struggled with her illness, and the money she left for him. I can’t look at him, so I watch a sway-backed chestnut gelding amble toward us.
“Is there anything else you need to tell me?” I ask after a bit.
“She suggested I use our friendship to ‘encourage’ your father to become a partner in my media company.” He leans his forearms on the fence. The gelding snuffles along his arm then nudges my fingers with his velvety nose. I stare at the white star between intelligent black eyes. The horse nuzzles me again, harder this time, almost knocking me back a step. “He decided to back my company to keep the scandal out of the tabloids. Whenever he got out of hand, I brought out the little black book.”
“Is that how you got nominated for the CEO job?” The gelding bobs his head and snorts. I turn to Cam. “I’m impressed.”
“Well, somebody had to keep the man in line.” He shrugs, still gazing across the distance, and pulls the small leather-bound book from his back pocket. “I’m giving it to you.”
I stare at the worn cover, the tattered pages. He presses it into my hand. “I don’t understand.”
“This is the last remnant of my past and symbolizes everything I don’t like about myself. I trust you, Vanessa. You can do whatever you want with it. Sell it, burn it, read it.” His blue eyes lock with mine. “A lot of people would pay big money for a peek inside there.”
I rub my thumb over the leather. “I say we burn it.” A smile twitches my lips. “After I read it.” His laugh is unexpected and welcome. I fall in love with Cam again, right at this moment. He turns to face me, expression hopeful, and reminiscent of the twenty-year old guy I met on a hot summer afternoon so many years ago. I press a hand against his cheek. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas.” His lips find my palm. The blue of his eyes matches the color of the sky. “We have plenty of time to figure it out.”
“Yeah, I guess we do.” He takes my hand and tangles his fingers with mine. “Come on, let’s walk the rest of the way.” After a few paces, he says, “I want to meet your kids. I want to meet Gaston. Is that okay?”
“That sounds great.” A smile stretches my face, until I think my skin might burst.
“No pressure. Just something casual. It will give us all time to get to know one another.”
“You think they’ll like it here?” he asks.
“I think they’re going to love it.” My heart is lighter than it’s ever been. A light breeze ruffles the leaves overhead. I inhale the scent of freshly cut grass and listen to the whickering of the horses.
34
Vanessa
Today
When it’s time to meet the children at the airport, Cam offers his car and driver. I’m expecting his Mercedes sedan, but a Cadillac limousine shows up instead. The chauffeur tips his hat and opens the door. Cam is inside. My heart skips a beat at the sight of his tousled hair and stubbled jaw. He’s dressed casually in dark blue jeans and a baseball jersey with the sleeves pushed to his elbows. The corners of his mouth curl up when our eyes meet.
“Don’t you have a meeting today?” I slide onto the seat across from him. The buttery black leather is cool against the backs of my thighs. The interior is quiet and shaded from the bright midday sun.
“I rescheduled.” He lifts a finger and speaks a few short instructions into his Bluetooth then ends the call and removes the earpiece. “I thought you might like some company. Do you mind?”
“No, it’s fine.” It’s more than fine; it’s fantastic. My children are a part of me, and he’ll have to accept them if we’re going any further with our relationship. His willingness to meet them means a lot to me. I’m not sure what this means for Gaston, but we can sort out the details later. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His gaze dips to my lips. “Can I have a kiss?”
“Always.” I lean into him, placing a hand on his knee for balance as the car rounds a corner. A groan rises from his throat at the meeting of our mouths. The familiar taste of his peppermint candy sizzles across my tongue. When we pull apart, heat shimmers in his eyes.
“I’ve been looking forward to that all day.” He settles back in the seat, throwing an arm along the backrest. His denim-clad knee presses against my bare one. The casual contact causes my inner pelvic muscles to clench. “Nice shorts.”
“Thanks.” A blush heats my cheeks. I paired the taupe shorts with a black silk T-shirt and nude strappy sandals. The outfit is casual but classy, a welcome change from the business suits I’ve been wearing.
“Why are you so far away?” The tone of his voice is low, seductive. “Get over here.” I move across to his side. He threads his fingers through mine and sets our clasped hands on top of his thigh. “I like your hair down. You should wear it like this more often.” He toys with a loose lock dangling over my shoulder. The proprietary brush of his fingertips across my collarbone tightens my nipples.
“You’re being awfully sweet today,” I tease. “You must want something.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just a sweet guy.”
My pulse picks up speed. When he looks at me like he wants to eat me up, the way he’s looking right now, my thoughts scramble. I can’t imagine being anywhere else but here—with him.
“You’re the best,” I brush his unruly hair away from his forehead. The black strands are silky and slip through my fingers.
“You make me want to be a better man,” he replies. “You may not believe it, but it’s true.”
“From my perspective, you’ve got a lot of potential.” We’re both smiling broadly. A bubble of giddiness swells in my chest.
“Is that right? Some people might argue with you.”
“Yes.” I brush my lips over the tip of his nose. He rolls his lips together like he’s tasting me. The gesture causes a strange flutter between my legs. I like him this way; playful and unassuming. These kinds of moments make me regret the years we lost.
“I’ve been thinking about your living situation.”
“You have? Do you think about me a lot?”
“Constantly.” He lifts my hand to his lips and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “Have you found a house yet?”
“No.” I’ve been too busy with work to look for houses. The few places I’ve seen have either been too large or in a poor location. “I guess we’ll stay in my suite until I find something.”
“The hotel is no place to raise a family. I think you and the kids should move into my house until you find something.”
>
“What? No. Cam, we couldn’t.”
“It’s just sitting there empty, and I hate to see it unused.”
“Is this because of Gaston?”
“Maybe.” He bites the fullness of his bottom lip.
“You know, I meant it when I said you don’t have to be a part of his life. He’ll need to be told eventually, but only when you’re both ready.”
“I want to be a part of his life and yours.” One corner of his mouth twitches. “But the house only makes sense. The kids could have their own bedrooms and play outdoors.” The color of his eyes turns from vibrant to soft. “And it would give me a chance to get to know all of you without any pressure.”
The generosity of his offer renews my admiration for him. He’s giving to a fault. It would mean an hour commute to work each day, but Lisle and Gaston would love the freedom. For most of their young lives, they’ve been stuck in city apartments. I want to give them all the things I never had, including a childhood.
“What about you?” I don’t want to abuse his kindness, but this could be a temporary answer to my problems. “Where would you stay?”
One of his eyebrows arches. “I have my apartment in the city, but I’d like to visit on the weekends. There’s enough room for all of us.” He leans further back in the seat, spreading his knees wider, and stares down at me. “You got a problem with that?”
“No, but—” I don’t get a chance to finish the sentence. In one abrupt motion, he yanks me onto his lap. I squeal in surprise. I love it when he manhandles me.
“Don’t be so damn stubborn, Vanessa. It’s the right thing to do, and you know it.” His gaze sweeps from my eyes to my mouth. With this hand tangled in the hair at my nape, he tilts my head back and peppers kisses along my exposed throat. “Now, say yes.”
“Yes.” There’s no point in arguing. I want to be with him every minute of every day. He makes me feel like I matter, like my children matter. I curl my fingers in the fabric of his jersey and let him continue tracing kisses down to my breasts. “But I insist on paying you rent.”
Vote Then Read: Volume I Page 103
