“I thought we agreed we didn’t want to muddy the waters.” I make sure to use her exact phrase.
She rolls her eyes and pushes past me. I know she’s upset and probably embarrassed that I turned her down, but I want her to need me. I want her so wrapped up in desiring me that she tells me what she wants without thinking about it first.
Chapter Fifteen
Samantha
I kick off the covers in exasperation. I can’t sleep and I know the reason why: Cameron. I can’t stop thinking about the way his body felt against mine earlier. Why the hell did I ever suggest we stop hooking up?
I groan in frustration and decide a little self-satisfaction might do the trick. I reach into my nightstand and pull out my trusty vibrator. I close my eyes and images of his shirtless body pepper my thoughts. I place the vibrating head against my clit and gasp at the sensations that ripple through my body. It doesn’t take long before my breathing becomes rapid and shallow and I’m grabbing at the pillow behind me. I’m so close that my toes curl and a light sheen of sweat covers my body.
“Would you like some help?” Cameron’s voice breaks my concentration and my eyes pop open. What the hell?
I sit up and try to cover myself with my sheet as I look up and see him leaning against my doorframe. Did I really leave the door wide open?
“What the fuck? Get out!” I toss a pillow at him but miss by a mile.
He doesn’t say a word as he stalks toward me. He simply lifts my t-shirt and pulls my panties down, placing the still-vibrating toy against my clit. I gasp and fall back against my pillow again.
I can hear him saying something to me, but I can’t make out what it is. I’m so close again—oh God, I’m right there! His voice becomes weirder and louder, almost like a wounded animal. I’m so confused, but I don’t want to stop. I’m just about to climax when I feel a thump on my chest and the crying noise wakes me.
I sit up in a daze as Cocoa flies off my chest and runs to her food dish, crying.
Oh my God, it was a dream? I put my pillow over my face and scream into it.
I huff loudly and refill Cocoa’s bowl. I can’t sleep and now I’m so beyond sexually frustrated I’m about to climb the walls and yowl like my cat. I grab my empty water glass and head out to the kitchen. I drag my feet as I walk into the living room but stop when I see Cameron reclined in a chaise lounge facing the windows.
I know I said we shouldn’t confuse the situation by sleeping with each other, but I can’t take it any longer. I want him. I need to feel his body against mine. I swallow a gulp of water and walk over to where’s reclining and stand beside him without a word. He doesn’t look up but reaches out and runs his hand up my bare leg.
He knows why I’m down here and I’m guessing he can’t sleep for the same reason. Without a word, I set my glass on the table and place one leg to the left of the chair, and the other on the right, before lowering myself down to straddle him.
He doesn’t hesitate. He runs one hand up my thigh and grips my ass as his other hand grips the back of my neck and brings my lips to his. No words are necessary in this moment. The kiss isn’t rushed or hard—it’s tender and passionate. His eyes are fixed on mine as he gently caresses my mouth with his own before slipping his tongue inside. My core clenches and I can feel my hips grinding against him, almost involuntarily.
This feels different. It’s intense and heated, like we’re both taking our time and savoring each touch—each moment before it’s gone.
His tongue continues to massage mine as his free hand skims up my body under my t-shirt and cups my breast. He runs his thumb across my hardened nipple and I gasp. I’ve never had a man elicit this kind of response from me with just a simple touch. I’m breathless, and I let my head fall back as his lips move down my jawline to my neck. He licks, sucks, and nibbles his way down until he lifts my shirt over my head and tosses it to the ground. I’m completely exposed to him.
His assault on my body doesn’t stop. He continues to explore my breasts with his mouth, massaging one with his hand while he sucks on the other. His other hand moves to the apex of my thighs and begins to rub small circles on my clit with his thumb. I’m already so primed from my dream that I’m seconds away from exploding.
I thrust my hips forward with his movements as he once again grabs the back of my neck. “Look at me,” he says in a whisper as my body moves closer and closer to the edge. “You are so beautiful,” he says as he licks my bottom lip before placing a gentle kiss there. I place my hands on his shoulders and grip firmly as he slips a finger inside me. I’m done. I moan loudly as the orgasm takes over my body. I’m panting and my head begins to fall back, but he won’t let it.
“Keep looking at me. I want to watch you.” His words make me even hotter, and I’m riding out the last waves of pleasure when he pulls his finger from me and brings it up to his mouth, licking off my juices.
His cock is hard beneath me, and I reach down to stroke him through his boxers before I try to remove them completely. But before I can free him, he’s standing up and carrying me to his room. He doesn’t waste time as he lays me back on the bed and removes his boxers before crawling up me and centering himself at my entrance.
I wince a little as he pushes himself inside me, but it isn’t long before we’re both moving in a rhythm of pleasure. He continues to kiss me as be thrusts himself into me over and over, causing me to moan. His eyes are locked on mine. He’s making love to me; this isn’t fucking.
I can feel his movements growing more erratic as we both feel frantic. He kisses me like he’s never kissed me before. It’s like he’s trying to tell me something with his body.
“I—I’m…” I pant as he pulls back and watches me fall apart again. I don’t even have to finish the sentence—it’s like he can read my body’s every movement. This time I don’t look away. Our gaze stays fixed as waves of pleasure rock my body, and it’s only seconds later that he says my name over and over as he spills himself inside me. His face is buried in the crook of my neck as he plants a soft kiss on it.
We both lie still, wrapped up in each other without a word as we drift off to sleep. My eyes are finally so heavy I can no longer keep them open, and for a brief moment, I swear I hear him whisper “I love you,” but before I can say anything, I succumb to sleep.
It’s my day off, and I finally pull myself out of bed around 9:30 a.m. Cameron has already left for work. I poke my head out of the room to make sure the maid isn’t around and scurry my naked ass back to my bedroom to put on some clothes. I can smell fresh-brewed coffee, so I make my way to the kitchen and find a note from Cameron.
Good morning, sleepyhead. You looked too gorgeous and peaceful, so I tried to slip out unnoticed. I set the coffee maker to go off around 9 a.m. and there’s a surprise for you in the fridge. Have a great day. ;-)
A huge grin spreads across my face as I read the note again. It feels like something changed between us last night. I don’t want to get too excited about a little note, though, so I grab a cup of coffee and head to my room to text El.
Hey girl, how’s the pregnancy? Baby still making you pee every 3.5 seconds?
Her response is almost immediate.
Funny you should ask! I just left my obstetrician. Everything is looking good, but yes, peeing nonstop and starting to feel like a giant gassy whale. What about YOU? Things any better since Grif talked to Cam?
My brows knit together, “What?” I say aloud.
What do you mean? Talk about what?
A second later, my phone is ringing and El’s name appears on the screen.
“Hey, what are you talking about?”
“Sorry, I thought you knew. A few weeks ago, Cam told Griffin you guys had some big fight and they went out for beers to talk. I’m guessing he didn’t say anything about it to you?”
“Well, obviously not.” As silly as it is, I can’t help but feel a little butthurt by it. Why was he talking to Griffin about me and our fight? “Do you know what t
hey talked about?” I pick at the cuticle of my nail nervously.
“Well, like I said, some fight you guys had. I just know Griffin came home and was kind of laughing about it all. I guess Cameron told him he’d fucked up royally and that he wasn’t sure how to fix things. Seems like you guys were able to, though, since I haven’t received any ‘I’m going to kill him’ texts?”
“Yeah, we both said some things we shouldn’t have and apologized. Things have been great the past few weeks…” My voice trails off. I never told El that I slept with Cameron or that I went on the date with Dr. Ken. Before I can address either of those, though, she interrupts my thoughts.
“So, when were you going to tell me you slept with him then dumped him for Dr. McSexy?” Shit.
“About that. First of all, I didn’t dump him for Dr. Ken. We had a planned date that just wasn’t scheduled yet. But yeah, I screwed up, El. I slept with Cameron, but then when I went on my date with Ken, all I could think about was Cam! I wanted to tell him, but that’s when we had that big fight. I never got the chance, then I told him I thought it best that we stop our physical relationship since things were getting weird. I think…I think I was falling for him, but we’d both made it clear that this was just a no-strings-attached thing. But now…now I know I’m in love with him, and he’s finding out today if he landed the contract or not, so I’ll be out of his life soon.”
I can hear her let out a breath like she’s mulling over everything.
“You haven’t told him any of that?”
“No. I don’t want to end up like every other woman in his life. I keep telling myself that if I just ignore it, it will go away and I’ll get over my stupid little crush. But last night, El—last night was different. It felt like he was seeing me for the first time.”
“Sam, speaking from personal experience here, you need to tell the man how you feel. Otherwise, you’re going to live with regret and it’s not worth it. If he tells you that it meant nothing to him, then you’ll realize that he isn’t right for you. It would suck and be incredibly painful, but at least you’d have that closure.”
I know she’s right, but the thought of being so vulnerable with him is terrifying.
“You know, I thought for a minute the other night…no, never mind.”
“What, Sam? Tell me.”
“It’s nothing, honestly. I think I was dreaming, but I swear I heard him say, ‘I love you.’ We were both half-asleep, so I think I was just delusional.”
“That would be a dude thing to do,” she says.
“How about this: tonight he’ll tell me if he got the contract or not. I’ll see how he handles the next steps in our contract—the whole ‘breaking up and moving out’ thing. If he doesn’t show any signs of wanting to just toss the contract out the window, then I’m not going to tell him.”
“Well, I think that’s a completely stupid idea, but I’ve said my piece. Just know that I love you and support you, Sam. When this is all over, whatever the outcome, you’ll be fine because you’re strong. I’m sorry to just dip out, but this baby is about to make me pee myself, so I have to go. I love you, Sam. Keep me posted, okay?”
“I will, and thanks for the support, El. Good luck with the bladder issues. Get some diapers—for yourself, I mean!” I can hear her laughing when I hang up.
I decide a good way to set the scene for tonight is to return Cameron’s dinner date, only I’ll actually cook for him. I hit the gym for a quick run on the treadmill before showering and heading out to pick up some groceries.
I’m not a master chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I can cook a mean lamb chop. We were poor growing up, but once a year on Easter, my mom would save up for a lamp chop and let me help her with the preparations.
It’s nearing 6:30 p.m. when I hear the front door open. The aroma of the meat and the couscous salad I’ve made fill the apartment. I haven’t texted him to find out how today went, but I’ve presumptuously chilled a bottle of champagne.
“Smells amazing in here!” he says as he walks into the kitchen. “What’s the occasion?”
“Well, didn’t you have that big meeting with Mr. Smithfield and his team today?”
A big toothy grin spreads across his face. “I did, and we got him!” he says with his arms outstretched.
I’m not sure if he’s just pumping his fists in celebration or reaching out to me, so I give him a double high-five to be safe. I can see from the underwhelmed look on his face that he was hoping to pull me in for an embrace.
I turn back to the food and begin to dish up our plates. “Why don’t you go change? Dinner is almost ready.”
“What is it? It smells fantastic,” he says, reaching into one of the pots to dip his finger in some potatoes.
I playfully smack his hand away and he hurries off to go change.
When he emerges a few moments later, I’ve set the table and I hold two glasses of champagne in my hands. I hand him one as he walks back into the kitchen. He still has a look of confusion on his face as he takes the sparkling beverage.
“All this for the contract?”
I shrug, “Well, yeah, I mean, you’ve worked so hard and spent so much money I thought you’d want to celebrate.” I lift up my glass and he does the same. “To many more successes at Styles, Schmidt & Fitz, and to you getting your personal space back and me out of your hair.”
He stares at me blankly for a moment and then mutters a half-hearted “cheers” before downing the entire glass. I’m not sure what changed from the time he got home to now, but there’s once again a heavy tension hanging in the air. I make small talk but we mostly eat our dinner in silence. Every once in a while, he chimes in again about how good it all is.
After dinner, he helps me clear the table and clean up, but then retreats to his home office without a word. It’s like the warmth and closeness we had experienced last night have been sucked away. Maybe this is his way of making it clear he doesn’t want anything to do with me now that the contract has ended.
It’s all starting to make sense. This is probably how he handles most women in his life. He’s charming and funny at first—reeling them in before seducing them, and then poof!—cold and aloof so they get the hint and leave on their own so he doesn’t have to look like the bad guy. The more I think about it, the angrier I become. I retreat to my room and begin to pack up my things. The contract stipulates that I have to stay another week after the deal is signed, but I don’t know if I can stick around that long.
I have to work the next two days from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., then I’ll be off the following two days. I could pretty much miss seeing Cameron altogether with that schedule. If I stay a little late at work and eat dinner there tomorrow, he will most likely be in the gym when I get home. I’ll just slip into my room and stay there until I have to leave for work the next morning.
I should be able to find a place to live in no time. I pick up my phone and begin to frantically look at places within my budget since Cameron broke my lease early. I find two and email the management companies—begging them for a showing after work tomorrow. I need to get out of here before I end up spilling my guts to Cameron while having my heart ripped out.
Chapter Sixteen
Cameron
I twirl the crystal tumbler around in my hand. Samantha’s message at dinner was loud and clear. She was happy and excited to be done with me. I guess I can’t blame her. I told her that she was just a quick, dirty fuck to me. But I’d changed, and my actions had shown that to her over the last few weeks. Hadn’t she noticed?
I get up and pour myself another glass of Scotch. I’m not actually getting any work done in my home office, but I don’t want to risk seeing her—watching her float around the house with her long legs and bright eyes. If she flashed that megawatt smile at me, I’d be a dead man.
I should have known last night when I told her I loved her and she didn’t reciprocate. At first I thought she had just fallen asleep, but now I realize she simply did that to spar
e me the shame of rejection.
I feel like a complete idiot. I swear there were moments she felt it too—this thing that’s between us. I take another big gulp of liquor and let it burn my throat on the way down. This just reconfirms why I don’t get involved in relationships.
I spend the next day and a half sulking. I figure, if I don’t have to see her, I won’t. I spend an extra amount of time in the gym, hoping I can punch and lift away my frustrations. I also indulge in an extra helping or two of Scotch at night, which I know isn’t helping my damn mood.
Finally, I can’t take my own sulking any longer and I knock on her bedroom door. There’s no answer. I look down at my watch and realize she’s probably still at work. I pop open the door to say hi to Cocoa, and when I see Sam’s room, I feel like I’ve been hit in the gut.
Everything is boxed up, except her blanket. Cocoa meows at me from her perch on the bed and it snaps me back to reality. She was just going to leave and not tell me?
I’m startled by a sound behind me. “Hey, you looking for something?” I turn around to see Samantha behind me in her scrubs.
“What the fuck, Sam?” I gesture toward the almost-empty room and the pile of boxes in the corner.
“What? Our contract is up at the end of the week and I figured I’d get a head start.” She pushes past me and walks into the room, tossing her bag on the bed and scratching Cocoa.
“Where are you going to live? You could have asked me to help, you know.” I take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves instead of jumping to conclusions. That’s what got us in trouble last time.
“I’ve found a place in the suburbs, actually. I’ve been wanting to take a job out of the city in a private practice, and I have an interview at one tomorrow.”
Fake It: A Fake Fiancée Romance Page 12
