by Jody Holford
Elliot grabbed a paperclip and threw it at Cam. “Don’t be a suck. I’m joking. Come help. Bring her with you. Kate liked her. And her candies. How’s it going, anyway?”
Cam looked around, leaned back in his uncomfortable chair. “It’s good. I like her. More than I should. She comes with her own self-professed warning label.”
Elliot rolled his chair over to Cam’s desk. “Women like her always do.”
Cam’s body stiffened, his back going ramrod straight. “What the hell does that mean?”
Holding up two hands, Elliot laughed. “Whoa. Easy, man. Kate was the same way.” He leaned in. “Lucy, too, from what I’ve heard. Somewhere along the way, some jackass has led these women to believe they were the problem. That there’s something about themselves they need to change. It’s up to you to set her straight.”
Several things popped into his head but he led with, “Why me?”
Elliot’s grin was cocky. “You okay with some other guy showing her what she’s worth?”
Hell, no. “Point made. But Kate? Really? She’s always seemed so confident. Even in high school.”
Elliot’s smile shifted, his gaze shimmering with pride and love for his wife. “Yeah. She hid it well. Even from me. Sometimes, whatever is in their past digs deep. Takes a while to uncover and serious work to not let it drown them again.”
Cam thought about that, about how even when she’d opened up to him, Georgia held back. He could read it in her gaze, her body. The way her words hitched slightly around certain parts of her stories. There was more. And he wanted it all.
Chapter Thirteen
Georgia dragged the garbage the last few meters to the huge metal bin. Inhaling a deep breath, she hefted it up and tossed it. If she ever got an assistant or employee, she’d pay them extra to take out the garbage. Shivering, she turned and saw the door she’d just left open was closed. Glancing around, her heartrate ramping up, she didn’t see anything suspect.
Walking closer, she noticed the wedge she’d pushed under the door to keep it open while she did the chore, was neatly placed beside the building. An uneasy chill ran over her, making goose bumps dot her skin. She’d left her keys inside. Deciding to think about it in the presence of others, she walk/ran down the alley way, her breath whooshing out when she stepped into the square. People were strolling around, bags in hand. Music pumped through the speakers and with the sun dipping low in the sky, the lights were starting to dance.
Turning onto the planked path that led past other shops to hers, she hurried, head down.
Two hands gripped her. A scream died in her throat when her head shot up, clocking Cam in the chin. He swore, stepped back, cupping his face.
“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
He shook his head, like he could shake the pain off. “Yeah. Fine. Seeing two of you but I’m okay with that.”
“I’m so sorry.” Atypically flustered, she hurried past him. He’d follow her. She couldn’t do this out in the courtyard while her body was literally shaking. Whether from fear or frost, she didn’t know.
Cam grabbed the door for her a second before she reached for the handle. “You okay?” His voice was soft, his gaze probing.
The stiff smile she gave him probably hid nothing. “I need to wash my hands. I just took out the garbage.”
When she returned to the front, she felt a little better. She’d grabbed a sweater from the hook in her office and wrapped it tight around herself. Walking to the front door, very aware of Cam’s eyes tracking her movement, she flipped the sign over, locked the door.
Hoping she could blow off the mini panic attack she was having, Georgia met his gaze, ignored the worry, and wrapped herself around him. She’d have kissed him, made herself forget how scared she’d been looking around, wondering if she was alone, but he held her tight, his arms a vice around her waist.
Breathing him in, she realized, she felt safe. Cherished. Cared for. That was almost as scary as the alley.
“What happened, Georgia?” He leaned back, pressed his mouth to hers.
She started to speak but he stopped her with a look.
“Tell me the truth. Something scared the hell out of you.”
Was she that transparent or was it him? His ability to see deeper.
“I was taking the garbage out,” she said.
“Why didn’t you go out the back door?”
Her lips curved up in a shaky smile. “If you’d let me finish, Deputy, I did. I held the door open with the same wedge of wood I always use. I didn’t hear or see anything but the door was shut when I turned around. The wedge was sitting beside the door.” Now that she said it out loud, she felt silly. The wind probably knocked it out of the way. Or she hadn’t lodged it in there well enough.
She started to say this but he stiffened, his whole body going on alert, his gaze shifting to what she thought of as his ‘cop-stare’.
“I’m going to go take a look.”
She gripped his arm. “No. You know what? I’m just jittery. I don’t know why. It was a moment and I’m sure it was nothing.”
Cupping both of her cheeks with his hands, he leaned down, kissed her until she forgot she’d been worried at all. When he pulled back, her hands were locked on his wrists.
“If it’s nothing, then there’s no harm taking a look. Stay here.”
Damn if the authoritative voice didn’t make her knees wobble. God. Cliché much? You do not need a man to protect you. You do not need protection but even if you did, you could take care of yourself.
While she knew this was true, she couldn’t deny that part of her felt a tad relieved that for once, she didn’t have to. It got tiring always watching her own back. On top of that, she’d been pretty lousy at it. If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be worried her ex was on her trail.
When Cam came back into the store, his expression was hard to read.
“I overreacted, didn’t I?”
Heat swamped her skin. Fortunately, she didn’t blush as easily as he did.
Cam closed the distance between them. “Something made you feel the way you did. I didn’t see anything, no. But I’ll never discount your feelings.”
Nope. He was too good, too sweet, too honest and well-intentioned to do otherwise.
“I’m going to ask one of the guys on tonight to head over to Davey’s place. See where he’s been.”
“Do you really think he’d waste time bugging me?”
His gaze darkened. “Can you think of anyone else who might?”
Georgia swallowed. “Nope.”
She was almost positive she saw a flash of disappointment in his expression.
“I’d like to check your apartment.”
“What?” The word came out sort of screechy.
Cam arched a brow. “You growing something up there you shouldn’t?”
“No!”
“Harboring a fugitive?”
She rolled her eyes. “No.”
“Are you a hoarder?” He grinned.
“I am not.”
“Then let me check your place before we head out so I can feel okay about dropping you off later.”
Hands on her hips, she dropped her head a moment and counted to five. When she lifted it, he stared at her like he had all the time in the world. Even if she let him in, there’d be no way he’d know. She was being ridiculous.
“I don’t need—”
He held up a hand, stepped into her. “Two things while we’re doing whatever it is we’re doing, okay?”
He waited. She nodded.
“I know you don’t need me to protect you or rescue you. That doesn’t mean I won’t want or try to. Be nice and let me feel big and strong.”
She smirked, eyeing his biceps. Apparently, he was used to the weather because all he wore was a crew neck sweater with his jeans.
“The second thing?”
“You aren’t casual with anyone else while you’re casual with me.”
Her heart fluttered
like a damn bird in her chest, trying to take off. She stepped closer, put her hands on his chest. “That doesn’t sound very casual.”
“You can walk away,” he said.
That caused a sharp pang inside of her. “Not yet.”
“Ouch.”
She laughed, part of her wanting to commit to more. “I like you, Cam. I’m not interested in anyone else. Maybe you should walk away.”
“You trying to protect me now?”
She would, she realized. She didn’t want him to get hurt. “Before I take you upstairs, before we go any further, you should consider it, at least.”
He leaned down, scooped her up against his body. She used her hands on his shoulders to steady herself.
“Your advice has been taken into consideration. And is now being ignored.”
Happiness radiated like a beacon through her body. If she let herself get any more attached, it might be her walking away with the heart damage. A thought for another day.
Chapter Fourteen
Cam wasn’t sure what to expect when he followed Georgia into her small apartment. From the entryway, he could see most of it—a living room straight ahead, a half-wall blocking the full view. There was a kitchen to the left of him. They stood near the two-seater dining room table that shared the space. Slipping off his shoes, he allowed her to lead him in.
They’d just moved all the way into the living room when he stopped, stared at the couch. Georgia’s gaze swung to his and he saw the nerves—hell, he felt them. Did she think he had some sort of aversion?
Letting go of her hand, he crouched. “Who’s this guy?”
When he looked back at her, she was wringing her hands together. What the hell was she so nervous about?
“That’s Niffy,” she said.
The cat—a fluffy grey and black ball of fur, nuzzled into his hand. Like he’d flicked a switch, a deep purr left the friendly animal. When he pushed his face further into Cam’s hand, a little bell jingled. He smiled, fingering the dark collar with the little bell. She didn’t strike him as the type to put a bell on a cat.
“He’s cute.”
“He’s my best friend. Pathetic, I know.”
Cam stood, took Georgia’s hands to link them with his own. “There’s nothing about you that’s pathetic. Or even close to it. You’re incredible. What’s going through your head, Georgia?”
She stared back; indecision easy to read in those dark, expressive eyes. “I’m falling for you.”
His heart just about burst out of his chest. “That’s good news.”
She scoffed. “You think?”
Pulling her against him, knowing they were going to be late getting to Elliot’s, he whispered the words as he lowered his head. “Seems fair since I already fell.”
What had she thought? That he’d see Niffy and magically work out the whole story? She was such a fool. For so many reasons. Including, she thought in the back of her lust-addled brain—believing she could keep herself from returning this man’s affection.
His mouth swept over hers and she felt like she was spinning. Her hands moved up, under his shirt and roamed over his washboard stomach. They swallowed each other’s groans at the contact. His hands stayed steady on her waist as he continued to kiss her until she thought she’d lose her mind. He was so…patient. She wasn’t. She yanked at his shirt, tugged it until he got the point and when he pulled back, she used the opportunity to discard her own. His eyes widened. He licked his lips and she smiled, warmth pooling in her stomach.
“Georgia, I wanted to check your place. I didn’t plan…”
In her purple lace bra, she walked toward him, gestured to his shirt. “Not everything has to be planned, Deputy. Lose the shirt.”
His gaze darkened, igniting a flame inside of her chest. “Use my name.”
One side of her lips hitched up. “Cam.”
He lost the shirt and closed the distance. “You’re sure?”
She pulled his head down to hers. “Do I seem unsure?”
He started to speak but she kissed him quiet. Walking backward, she led him to her room, pushing out the doubt, the worry, and everything that wasn’t all about the man in front of her. The man who’d nestled under her skin and possibly burrowed into her heart. The one she was so sure had a shield of titanium. If they were going to fall, and eventually break each other, she might as well enjoy the ride.
Chapter Fifteen
Sex hadn’t been an emotional thing for Georgia since she was young enough to believe in forever and always. Her second boyfriend had quickly quashed those fantasies. So had every man after him. Particularly the last one.
As she lay in Cam’s arms, cuddling, she couldn’t recognize the feelings dancing around in her heart. She didn’t want him to go. That was the first thought that smacked her in the face. She wasn’t needy. She wasn’t this woman who made more of something than she should. You aren’t in a place to make anything out of this. You’re having fun. He’s a nice guy. You’re both single, attracted to each other. No harm. But it felt like more. She wanted it to be more.
Panic welled up in her chest like a bathtub overflowing. She was drowning. Cam rolled to his side, brushed hair off of her face. “Hey. You okay?”
“Hmm?” No, she wasn’t okay. Hello. She was freaking out.
“Your breathing went all shallow. What’s wrong?” Worry danced across his features.
She definitely didn’t want him thinking he’d done anything wrong. He hadn’t. At all.
“I’m going to screw this up,” she blurted.
His cheeks stretched with his wide smile. The one that went to his eyes. “Stop worrying. For someone who keeps saying casual, you stress an awful lot.”
“Well, yeah. I don’t want to be hated by the town. I need to make a living. I want people to like me. I want them to want my candy.”
“They won’t. You will. They do. And…they do. Your candy is delicious. You’re incredible. There’s no reason anyone would hate you.”
She scoffed. “Oh yeah? The other day I heard someone at Bean’s Bakery—why doesn’t he change the name by the way—talking about how she had a granddaughter she could fix you up with who would make the perfect wife. Unlike that candy girl who just blew into town on a whim.”
Cam frowned. “She said that in front of you?”
“She didn’t know I was behind her and she’s not wrong.”
He leaned back a bit. Amusement lit his gaze. “You sure? Have you seen the granddaughter? How do you know what I’m looking for in a wife?”
Georgia groaned to cover her laugh. Damn him. He was funny, too. She hadn’t expected that piece. Once he relaxed a little though, not only did he open up, he was funny, smart, and very thoughtful.
Pressing kisses to the column of her neck, he nudged her onto her back, his lips trailing down, then up. His breath fanned her ear and heated her body.
“How about we just worry about the two people in this room and not anyone else?”
Easy for him to say. “I can try.” She could. She would. The holidays were never a particularly easy time for her and she was probably just ramping herself up. Today, with the garbage, was nothing. If her ex hadn’t looked for her yet, why would he now? He hated her cat. Okay, technically, it was his cat but he hated it all the same. She’d have felt like a monster leaving Niffy with him. She’d saved both of their lives and her own sanity by getting as far away from him as possible.
“Come back,” he whispered as his teeth nipped at the spot just below her ear.
“What?”
“You’re thinking too much.”
She tightened her arms around him and pushed everything else away. He was good at helping her do that. He was good at a lot of things.
Kate and Elliot Peters’ house was an adorable one-story decked out with lights, holiday lawn decorations, and the biggest wreath on their door that Georgia had ever seen.
Cam’s fingers squeezed hers as the door opened. Kate stood with a toddler on
her hip, her dark hair piled in a messy bun on the top of her head. She wore an oversized hoodie that read ANGEL’S LAKE PD with a pair of dark sweatpants. She looked so…normal.
“Hey. Sorry about the chaos in advance,” she said, backing up. The baby—toddler—nestled her face into the crook of Kate’s neck.
“Don’t be shy, Janie. You know Cam.”
Janie sat up again, so adorable in her duck covered pajamas, Georgia felt a tug on her heart.
“Cam.” Janie clapped.
“Hey, cutie pie. I like the ducks,” he said, pointing to one right at her belly button, which made her squeal with delight.
“Quack.”
Kate laughed. “That’s right, baby girl. Ducks say quack. Hi, Georgia.”
Georgia felt a wave of shyness wash through her and stuck out her hand, offering the bag of treats she’d brought.
“Hey. I hope it’s okay. I brought candy.”
“Two things that are always okay,” Kate said as they moved into the house. “Candy and wine.”
Elliot appeared in a doorway, his hair messy, his smile easy. “Hey guys. Here, babe. Let me take her.”
“Where are Beth and Gracie?” Cam asked as Elliot scooped his daughter from his wife’s arms.
Georgia didn’t hear the answer because she was watching Cam too intently. He’d have this one day. He’d want this and he deserved it. Did she?
“Come on in and sit down,” Kate said, taking the candy. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
Elliot held his daughter high in the air, making her giggle. The sound was heart melting. “You go play with your sisters, okay?”
“Daddy, play,” Janie said.
He kissed her cheek. “Daddy has to go out. I love you.”
Janie squeezed Elliot’s cheeks in her tiny hands. “I loo loo.”
Okay. Cuteness overload. She couldn’t handle this.
“That’s how she says I love you,” Kate told her.
Georgia could only nod, emotion creating a lump in her throat.
