Take Me in Your Arms

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

  “That’s good, because I have no intention of doing that.” His thumb caressed her jaw. “Ever. Do you believe me?”

  “I don’t know.” She closed her eyes briefly before opening them again and firmly replying, “What I do know is that I’m not rushing into anything.”

  “All right.” His hands fell away from her, and she instantly missed his comforting touch. “Fair enough.”

  “All right?” She blinked rapidly. “You’re giving up?”

  “Don’t you want me to?” he countered.

  “Yes.” The one word was drawn out slowly.

  “Then you should be satisfied.”

  She wasn’t in the least, and had a feeling he knew it. “I am.”

  He chuckled at her somewhat dazed expression. “Don’t worry, I’m only agreeing to go home.” He ran his hands down her arms and back up, sending shivers of delight through her. “I don’t intend to rush you, Angela. You can have all the time you need.”

  “Time to do what?”

  “Admit to yourself where we’re heading.”

  “Where’s that?”

  “You’ll see.” He kissed her good-night briefly on the lips, too briefly, before releasing her to unlock her door. “Sleep tight.”

  “Good night,” she whispered before going inside alone.

  * * *

  April 9, the two-week anniversary of her first date with Cam, and Angela’s birthday, dawned with sunshine, and Angela knew it was going to be a wonderful day. However, that assertion soon diminished when no one remembered her birthday—not a single soul.

  A little after one o’clock, while sitting in her office staring out at the annoying sunshine and picture-perfect blue skies, her phone rang. Her irritated eyes gravitated toward the annoying instrument before she reluctantly picked it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Happy birthday, Angela!”

  “Alesha.” Angela’s sad face quickly transformed. “I thought you had forgotten.”

  “Of course I didn’t forget,” Alesha chided. “I’m sorry I didn’t call you earlier, but D.J. has had me running around like a crazy woman this morning,” she groaned, and Angela laughed.

  “I don’t believe it. That little angel is no trouble at all.”

  “Ha!” Alesha scoffed. “He’s my baby and I love him, but he’s too much like his father.”

  “I’m going to tell Derrick you said that,” Angela threatened.

  “I’ll deny it,” Alesha quipped, and they both laughed. “I wanted to take you to lunch, but the day has gotten away from me.”

  “No problem. It’s been a madhouse here today, so I just grabbed a bite from the cafeteria.”

  “Oh, how I remember those days.” Alesha laughed.

  “Don’t you miss them?”

  “Sometimes,” Alesha admitted. “But I wouldn’t change my life now for anything.”

  “You’re so domesticated, it’s sickening,” Angela replied playfully.

  “Don’t I know it.” Alesha chuckled. “Listen, I was going to ask you to dinner, but Derrick just called and we have to have dinner with another senator and his wife.”

  “Oh.” Angela’s face fell, and she was glad Alesha couldn’t see her. “Don’t worry about it. I understand.”

  “I know it will be a day late, but how about we celebrate tomorrow?”

  “It’s a date.”

  “Do you have plans for tonight?” Alesha asked hopefully, “Maybe with Cam?”

  “Not with Cam, but I do have plans.” She told another white lie. She didn’t want Alesha worrying about her. “As soon as I get out of here, I’m partying with friends.”

  “That’s good,” Alesha said. “I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll work something out, okay?”

  “Okay.” She heard D.J. begin crying in the background. “Go and take care of my godson.”

  “My little darling is so demanding.” Alesha sighed before ringing off.

  Angela replaced the phone in its cradle and sighed heavily. Well, at least Alesha had called. She had been looking forward to celebrating with Alesha the way they always did for each other’s birthdays, and now she knew that wasn’t going to happen, at least not tonight. Oh well, she was a big girl and it wasn’t the end of the world. She could use a quiet night at home anyway.

  When the phone rang again, she picked up the receiver and answered listlessly. “Hello?”

  “Hi, doll, what’s wrong?”

  “Cam?” She immediately perked up on hearing his voice. “Nothing’s wrong. It’s just been a hectic day. How are you?”

  “Great now that I’m talking to you.” A bright smile lit up her face.

  “You flatterer.”

  “Just stating the truth, darling.” She could hear the smile in his voice and wished she could see those adorable dimples of his. “I know this is short notice, but I was hoping I could see you tonight.”

  “I thought you had a business meeting?”

  “I did, but thank God it was canceled so now I can spend the evening with you.” His words were music to her ears. “So are we on?”

  “Yes,” she accepted. She had fun with him, and fun was definitely what she needed tonight.

  “Excellent. I’ll pick you up at seven, how’s that?”

  “Perfect. How should I dress?”

  “Casual.” He paused and added, “Jeans.”

  “Karaoke again?”

  “I’m not telling, but I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned.”

  “I’m sure of that.”

  “Count on it,” he promised. “I’ll see you tonight.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “Mmm, I like the sound of that.” Her toes curled at his sexy voice. “Bye, doll.”

  “Bye.” She hung up, and for the first time that day, a bright smile lit up her face. She couldn’t wait until tonight.

  * * *

  Promptly at seven o’clock, Angela’s doorbell rang. She opened it to reveal a smiling Cam. He brought her the customary beautiful bouquet of flowers—this time white tulips.

  “I’m going to have a flower garden on the inside if you don’t stop bringing me flowers,” Angela quipped as she let him inside.

  “No can do.” He kissed her cheek, and she flirted with the idea of turning her head and capturing his mouth, but she didn’t.

  After placing her flowers in water, they exited the house. They were dressed similarly in jeans and white shirts, but Cam wore a jean jacket.

  As they walked hand in hand to his car, Angela glanced at her unruly lawn. “I really have to do something about my lawn.”

  Cam followed her gaze. “It’s not that bad.”

  “It will be if I don’t get a handle on it. My yardman moved away, and I haven’t had the time to replace him. If I don’t do something soon, the neighbors are going to kick me out.”

  “I think you’re safe.” He laughed. “It just needs a little trimming.”

  “Yard work is not my thing,” she admitted. “I’d better start looking for someone seriously before summer really hits.”

  He opened her door to his black Jaguar convertible and helped her inside before walking around and getting behind the wheel. Once he started the car and reversed out of the driveway, he glanced her way.

  “Prepare yourself for major fun tonight,” he promised.

  “Oh, I’m more than ready,” she informed him, and he grinned in approval.

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  “Is this your permanent new car?”

  “Yeah.” He shrugged. “I guess.”

  “You don’t sound very enthused.” She eyed the luxurious black leather interior. “What’s wrong? This is a gorgeous car.”

  “I know
.”

  “But?” she prompted.

  “But I miss Yvette,” he said sadly.

  “Why didn’t you get another Corvette, then?”

  “It just wouldn’t be the same.” He shook his head. “No other car can replace Yvette. She was one of a kind, custom-made.” He added wistfully, “We’d been through a lot together.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She patted his arm comfortingly. “Just try to think of the good times you two had.” She tried to keep the humor out of her voice but knew she had failed when he briefly glanced her way.

  “You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?”

  “No. Really, I’m not.”

  “I see that smile,” he accused, and unable to contain it a second longer, she burst into laughter.

  “I’m so sorry.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “I didn’t mean to laugh.”

  “It’s all right.” He chuckled along with her.

  “I really don’t mean to be insensitive.” She dabbed at her eyes.

  “There’s not an insensitive bone in your body.” Cam brought her hand to his lips and then changed subjects. “By the way, on the way here, I realized I left my wallet at home. Do you mind if we stop at my place to pick it up?”

  “I can pay,” she offered, and laughed when he grimaced as if she had wounded him.

  “No way.”

  “I don’t mind paying, Cam.” She turned in her seat slightly to smile at him playfully. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those men who balks at allowing a woman to pay.”

  “Of course I’m not,” he denied, glancing at her. “You can pay when you invite me out.”

  “Why not now?”

  “Because I invited you, so I’m paying. I’m sure it’s a written rule that whoever invites pays.”

  “It is not.” She shook her head at him. “What kind of logic is that anyway?”

  “Man logic,” he replied proudly. “And you’re not going to get me to go against it.”

  “Okay.” She lifted her eyes heavenward and gave up trying to dissuade him. “You men and your man logic.”

  “Like you ladies don’t have yours.”

  “Touché.”

  They reached his place shortly, and she was surprised when he walked around and opened her door. She hadn’t expected to get out. At her questioning gaze, he replied, “I had a waterfall installed in the backyard I want you to see.”

  “I’d love to.” She took his hand and stepped out. “Your yard is so gorgeous.”

  “Yours will be, too, once it gets a little attention,” he said.

  “I don’t think it will ever compare to yours, but I’d settle for nicely mowed grass and trimmed hedges,” she joked.

  “Well, that’s not too much to ask for.” He leaned close and whispered, “Maybe the yard fairy heard you.”

  She crossed her fingers. “I sincerely hope so.”

  They walked into the dark house still holding hands. He led her through the dimly illuminated halls toward the back of the house, where he flipped a light switch once they reached the backyard. What seemed like thousands of green firefly lights illuminated the darkness, reflecting off the pool, dancing off the trees, the grass, shrubbery and a large white tent set up on the far end of the lawn.

  “How pretty.” She gazed around at the dancing artificial lights. “What’s in there?” She pointed to the tent.

  “I’ll show you.” He led her toward the temporary edifice.

  When they walked inside, it was dark, but not for long. As if on cue, bright lights illuminated the interior. Angela gasped as her eyes encountered the bright, colorful birthday decorations. Before she could say a word, people jumped out, including her coworkers and Alesha and Derrick. Angela fell back against Cam’s chest in shock, a hand going to her heart.

  “Surprise!” everyone yelled in unison.

  “Oh my—” Angela’s words were interrupted as she was swarmed by her friends.

  “It took all my resolve not to spill the beans when I called you today,” Alesha said. “But I didn’t want to ruin your surprise.”

  “I was bummed out because I wouldn’t be celebrating my birthday with you,” Angela admitted.

  “I’m sorry.” Alesha hugged her tight. “Forgive me.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive.” Angela glanced around at the gaily decorated tent and then turned to Cam. “You knew it was my birthday?”

  “Of course I did.” He grinned, and intense emotion squeezed at her heart. “We’ve had this party planned for a week.”

  “A week?” She glanced from Cam to Derrick to Alesha. “You guys are the best. I can’t believe you went to all of this trouble.”

  “Cam took care of everything,” Alesha happily told her best friend. “He wouldn’t let us pay for a thing.”

  “You shouldn’t have.” She turned her full attention to Cam as Alesha and Derrick discreetly walked off and shooed everyone else away from Cam and Angela.

  “I wanted to.”

  “But Cam...” She glanced around at the lavish surroundings—ice sculptures, champagne fountains, huge cake and tables of catered food to feed an army. “This is too much. You shouldn’t have spent so much money on me.”

  “Why not?” He playfully tugged a strand of her hair. “I can afford it.”

  “That’s not the point. I don’t want you to—”

  “Angela, you need to learn to accept a gift. Okay?”

  She hesitated before reluctantly agreeing. “Okay. Thank you.”

  He treated her to a dazzling smile. “You’re welcome.”

  “Hey, birthday girl.” Alexis, a friend from work, along with several other coworkers, flanked her. Alexis smiled at Cam. “You don’t mind if we steal her away for a bit, do you?”

  Angela sensed that Cam did mind, but he smiled back and replied, “Not at all.”

  “We won’t keep her long,” Alexis promised as they led Angela away. “So Angie,” Alexis cooed once they were out of earshot. “Who is that hunk throwing this lavish party for you?”

  “Just a friend.”

  “I wish I had a friend like that—” Alexis glanced around at Cam’s house appreciatively. “Filthy rich and movie-star handsome.”

  Angela’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not about how much money a person has, Alexis.”

  “Of course it isn’t.”

  Angela bit her tongue to keep silent the retort that sprang to her lips.

  “So how does it feel to be thirty-one?” Alesha wisely changed the subject.

  “Good. Last year was the traumatic one.” Angela made a face and then laughed. “This year’s sublime compared to that, and thank goodness I haven’t noticed any crow’s feet yet.”

  “Girl, you’re not getting older, just better,” Alesha proclaimed.

  “Amen!” The group of women chorused together, raised their glasses in a salute.

  “Now, back to that man.” Alexis’s one-track mind kicked in. “If you’re not serious about him, can you direct him my way?”

  “Alexis...” Angela’s eyes narrowed perceptibly.

  “Girls, excuse us for a few minutes.” Alesha pulled Angela away before she could finish what was sure to be a scathing sentence.

  “Thanks for the save.” Angela gave Alesha a wink.

  “No problem.” Alesha chuckled. “I thought I’d better get you out of there before you went postal on Alexis.”

  “You know I like her, but she just goes crazy when a handsome, wealthy man is in sight.”

  “And you don’t want her poaching on your territory, right?”

  “Cam and I are just friends, Alesha.”

  “There are friends, and there are friends.”

  “Alesha.” Angela shook her head. “You are suc
h a matchmaker now that you’re happily married.”

  “Guilty.” Alesha laughed. “I can’t help it though. You and Cam are so cute together.”

  “Alesha, we’re just—”

  “Dating,” Alesha finished for her with a grin, which turned to a chuckle at Angela’s exasperated sigh.

  “Keeping each other company,” Angela corrected.

  “Protest all you want, but all I know is that the temperature in the room rises when you two look at each other,” Alesha said. “You could have something special with Cam—if you allow yourself to.”

  “Maybe.” Angela chewed her lower lip and then admitted, “I don’t know if I want a serious relationship. I like the way my life is right now—my career is firing on all cylinders, and frankly, I’m not sure if I want to rock the boat by overextending myself.”

  “Just keep an open mind,” Alesha urged. “You’ve had some disappointments, but Cam’s different from the jerks that broke your heart.” Angela silently agreed with her. She had a feeling he was more dangerous to her heart than all the other men she had known combined—if she let him be, that is. “I think you’ve already come to that conclusion. Haven’t you?”

  Angela remained silent as her eyes sought out Cam’s across the room. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. Her heart fluttered and butterflies tap-danced in her stomach. Oh boy. Cam was the kindest man she had ever met, and she did enjoy his company—a lot. For self-preservation’s sake, she was trying to keep things casual between them, but darned if he wasn’t making it nearly impossible for her to do that.

  Chapter 6

  Cam stood alone, gazing at Angela across the room. She smiled at him, and his heart somersaulted in his chest. Man, he really had it bad for her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Derrick approaching.

  “Did your date abandon you?” Derrick asked.

  “No.” Cam’s frown deepened. “Some friends spirited her away.”

  “Don’t look so forlorn.” He slapped Cam on the shoulder. “They’ll bring her back.”