“If they don’t, I’m going to go and get her,” Cam promised darkly.
“You seem serious about her.”
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Because you took your sweet time in asking her out.” Derrick took a swig of his drink. “I thought you had decided she wasn’t your type.”
“Oh, she’s my type all right,” Cam quickly responded. “Besides, I’ll have you know it’s your fault I haven’t dated her seriously before now.”
“Me?” Derrick brought a hand to his chest. “How is it my fault?”
“Because I was busy getting you elected to the senate,” Cam pointedly reminded him. “All my energies, time and talent were directed toward you, my friend.”
“And I appreciate your loyalty and dedication.” Derrick grinned. “She must be pretty special for you to not lose interest in all that time.”
“She is special.” Cam’s gaze returned to Angela, who appeared to be talking seriously to Alesha. “I like her a lot.”
“Why?”
“Why?” Cam refocused on his friend with a wry grin.
“Yes, it’s a simple question. What do you like about Angela?”
“Well, Mom, let me see....” Cam’s sarcastic rejoinder elicited laughter from Derrick.
“Speaking of Mama Mabel, did you call her yet?”
“Yes, and a phone call wasn’t good enough.” Cam groaned at the memory. “It took an hour-long video chat to convince her that I wasn’t lying in a hospital bed near death, and that I’m in my right state of mind.”
“Well, the latter is debatable,” Derrick quipped. “Is she heading this way?”
“I don’t think so.” Cam scratched his chin. “Her social schedule is very busy right now.” He chuckled at the memory of his mother relating all the church activities she was engaged in presently. “She gets around more than I do.”
“She is vibrant for a sixty-six-year-old, and if I know her, she’ll be visiting soon to check on you for herself,” Derrick predicted.
“I know you’re right,” Cam agreed. “I’d love to see her, but I don’t want to be mothered—especially not when I’m busy cultivating a new relationship.”
“Speaking of that, you never did tell me what’s so special about Angela,” Derrick reminded him.
“Well, for one thing, she’s genuine. She doesn’t play at being anything that she’s not. I’m so tired of being around women who are fake from the top of their heads down to the tips of their toenails. Angela’s not like that—what you see is what you get.”
“And obviously what you want.”
“I do,” Cam quietly agreed. “She’s like a fresh breath of air, Derrick. I love being around her. When I’m with her everything just feels—” he searched for the correct word “—right.”
“I’ve never heard you talk like this about any woman.”
“Exactly!” Cam nodded vigorously when Derrick’s words proved the point he was trying to make. “I’ve never felt like this before. When I’m with her, something in me just clicks into place.”
“What else do you like about her?”
“That’s not enough?” Cam continued without hesitation. “She’s not looking for a man to take care of her. She has her own career, which is very important to her. She’s driven and is as much of a workaholic as I am.”
Derrick cocked an eyebrow. “That’s hard to believe.”
“I know, but she is.” Admiration glinted in his eyes. “She’s also fun to be around. She enjoys simple pleasures and doesn’t care how much money I have. In fact, I think my wealth unnerves her.”
“And that’s a good thing?”
“Yeah, after the women I’ve dated who were only interested in the size of my bank account, it’s a very good thing.”
“Well, your bank account is huge.”
“I know, but Angela couldn’t care less about that. When she asks about my work it’s because she’s interested, not because she’s trying to gauge how much money I make, and thus, how much I can afford to spend on her. I know not all women are gold diggers, but I’m so tired of women coming on to me simply because I’m a lawyer with my own firm and a nice house,” he lamented. “Do you know that for our first date, I took her to a karaoke bar?”
Derrick’s eyebrows rose. “And she went out with you for a second date?”
“Yes, she did.” Cam grinned at his disbelieving friend. “I’ll have you know we had a great time and even sang together.”
“Oh no!” Derrick placed a hand to his head in mock horror. “She didn’t feed your professional singer fantasy, did she?”
“For your information, she thinks I have a great voice.” Cam paused before happily summing up, “We’re good together.”
“Well, counselor, it sounds like you’re completely hooked.”
“I’m not a fish,” Cam replied drily.
“No, but you’re hooked just the same.” Derrick patted his shoulder and then laughed. “Looks like I’ll have to dust off my penguin suit soon.”
“Whoa, not so fast, we’re taking this nice and slow.”
Derrick gasped in disbelief. “I know you, and that’s definitely not your style.”
“Angela’s gun-shy, and I don’t want to scare her off, so I’m giving her time to realize what a catch I am.” Cam winked immodestly.
Derrick chuckled. “How considerate of you.”
Cam shrugged. “I’m a considerate guy.”
“And a little bit delusional,” Derrick couldn’t resist adding.
“Go dance with your wife,” Cam ordered. “And while you’re at it, send my date back.”
“Will do.” Derrick smiled and sauntered away.
Cam glanced in the direction Angela had been, but she wasn’t there anymore. As he scanned the room for her, someone touched his arm, and he turned to find his date by his side again.
“Hey, birthday girl.” He took her hand in his. “I just sent Derrick to tear you away from Alesha. Are you having fun?”
“Yes.” She treated him to a smile that would light up the world. “I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
“I’d do it again to see you smile like that.”
“You’re such a nice man, Cam.”
“Shh,” he whispered. “I don’t want to ruin my reputation.”
“Your secret’s safe with me.” She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear, “Thank you.”
“Making you happy is all the thanks I need.” He kissed her hand. “Come on, let’s party.”
“I’m so ready.” Her fingers tightened in his as they walked over to the makeshift dance floor on the patio to join the fun.
“What were you and Alesha talking about?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.
“You and me,” Angela slowly admitted. “What about you and Derrick?”
“The same.”
“I know they mean well, but this is the main reason I’ve shied away from dating people my friends know.”
He nodded in approval. “So you admit we’re dating?”
“Casually,” she clarified.
“I agree with that.”
Angela’s eyebrow rose in surprise. “You do?”
“Mmm-hmm, but I’m warning you.”
“What?” she asked warily.
“I’m looking for more than a casual fling with you, Angela.”
She tensed up at his easy assertion, and he pulled her closer instead of allowing her to escape. “Cam...”
“That doesn’t require a response from you, so don’t say anything.” He grinned infectiously. “Just concentrate on having fun.”
“That, I can do.” She relaxed a little in his arms.
He winked at her. “And it’s my job to se
e that you do.”
“Then carry on,” she softly ordered.
“Yes, ma’am.” He swung her around, twirled her away and pulled her back close.
The remainder of the party was filled with gifts, food, cake, dancing and pure fun. Alesha and Derrick were the first to leave, and the party went on for a couple of hours after, with the rest of the group reluctantly departing until only Angela and Cam were left.
Angela silently admitted it was the best birthday she had ever spent, and it was all because of the wonderful man standing beside her.
* * *
“Let me help you clean up.” Angela began gathering plates, which Cam took from her and returned to the cluttered table.
“No way.” He took her hand and led her into the house through the patio, not stopping until they were sitting side by side on the sofa. “I have a cleanup crew coming by in the morning.”
“I had the best time tonight.”
“That was the plan.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a rectangular white box with a silver bow. “Happy birthday.”
“Cam. You’ve already done too much. You didn’t have to buy me a present.”
“I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to.” He placed the box in her hand. “Open it.”
“But Cam...”
“I can’t take it back.”
She arched an eyebrow at his assertion. “Can’t or won’t?” She slowly unwrapped the box, revealing a gold charm bracelet from which different types of flowers dangled.
“Both.” He watched her lift the bracelet from its blue velvet interior. “Do you like it?”
“It’s so beautiful, but it’s way too much. I—”
“What did I tell you earlier about learning to accept a gift?” He took the bracelet from her fingers and placed it on her wrist. “There, that’s perfect.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” She lightly fingered the lifelike, intricate charms.
“That’s okay. I do.”
“How?”
He didn’t speak, instead framed her face with his hands and captured her mouth with his. This kiss wasn’t fleeting contact like before. It wasn’t teasing or exploratory, but rather a thorough, spine-tingling kiss designed to melt any and all opposition.
Resistance wasn’t an option—in fact, it never occurred to her. She had wanted to experience Cam’s kiss for days, and now that she was, she wasn’t disappointed. His mouth demanded, her lips parted and their tongues met halfway in a thorough examination, which both eagerly participated in.
Her hands gravitated around his neck as she moved and she was pulled closer to his hard body. She turned sideways and felt like crawling onto his lap to disintegrate any unacceptable distance between them. Lord, when had a kiss ever made her feel or want so much? His pleasure-evoking hands roamed down her back as their lips slanted one way and then another, trying to taste every luscious centimeter of each other’s mouths. Tongues and lips played and chased as the kiss went on and on.
He groaned as she capitulated, and then just as quickly dueled with his tongue—or was it her groaning? She didn’t know. She couldn’t tell which feelings were hers and which were his. They felt like one being, wanting the same thing, feeling the same thing and needing the same thing to survive—more of each other.
When they eventually parted, both were breathing hard. Her eyes were tightly closed as she fought for some semblance of control, which seemed intent upon eluding her. His next huskily spoken words didn’t help her waning restraint, either.
“Stay with me tonight, Angela,” he whispered against her well-kissed mouth.
At his not unpleasant suggestion, her eyes flew open. God, she wanted to say yes. She wanted that more than anything, which is why she knew she couldn’t. Things had quickly gotten out of hand. They had only dated a few times, yet she felt bereft when they weren’t together, and when they were, she was happier than she had ever been. She was so afraid if she gave in, the world would implode, and she was intent to avoid that at all costs. She needed to slow things down.
“I can’t.”
“You want to.” His eyes seemed to stare through to her soul, and she was unable to look away. “I know you do.”
“It’s too soon, Cam.” She stared into his eyes, which was a mistake because the blatant desire contained therein nearly made her combust.
“I know it is,” he finally agreed on a sigh. “But—”
“Uh-oh, here comes that but,” Angela groaned, and he chuckled.
“But I want you.” He pulled her closer and nipped at her thoroughly kissed lips. “And you want me.”
“Cam—” His mouth effectively silenced her feeble protest. They enjoyed a long, spine-tingling kiss that left her knees weak and sent her heart thudding rapidly against her rib cage.
“Angela, stay.”
“I—I can’t.” From somewhere, she mustered the strength to refuse him and the gnawing hunger his kisses had unleashed within her. “I can’t.”
“Okay.” He reluctantly released her and stood. She stared up at him, flabbergasted.
“You’re giving in?”
“Disappointed?” Hopeful humor lit up his eyes as she stood to face him.
“Surprised,” she substituted.
“I can wait for you, Angela, because you’re worth it.”
“Oh.” Darn, this man had a magnificent knack for effortlessly saying and doing the right things.
“Come on.” He took her hand. “I’ll take you home before I change my mind.” At the front door he turned and asked, “You haven’t changed yours, have you?”
“No.” Her soft response was forced from her mouth, which curved into a half smile at his disappointed expression. “I haven’t.”
“Okay.” He sighed in resignation. “Home it is.”
* * *
When they arrived back at her house, the neighborhood was quiet, save the nighttime insects going about their business. Always the gentleman, he walked her to the front door and carried her birthday loot inside for her, placing the presents on the hallway table.
“Would you like to stay for a nightcap?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, unless you’re asking me to stay the night.”
She smiled at his hopeful expression and shook her head. “I’m not.” But Lord, I want to.
“Then I’ll take a rain check.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“Was it a happy birthday, babe?”
Her insides melted at his endearment. “Yes, thanks to you.”
“Good.” His arms encircled her waist. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He glanced at the wall clock behind her. “Well, later today.”
“Okay.” Her fingers played with the lapels of his jacket. She didn’t want him to go but was afraid to let him stay.
“Good night.”
“Good night, Cam. Thanks again for my party and my present.”
“It was my pleasure.” He winked. “Well, almost.”
She laughed. “You are so bad.”
“One day soon, you’re going to find out just how bad I can be.” He kissed her quick and hard before walking away.
Angela followed him outside, waving when he glanced at her through the lowered car window before driving away. Sighing, she went inside and closed the door. She knew she had made the wisest decision in sending Cam away, but that didn’t stop her from wishing she had made a different one.
* * *
The next day was Sunday, and Angela had the entire day off, which was a rarity for her. She celebrated by sleeping late. She awoke with a smile, stretched like a lazy cat and opened her eyes to face a sunshiny day. Sliding off the bed and padding barefoot toward the kitchen, she made a beeline for the coffeemaker, plopping a K-C
up in.
Stifling a yawn with the back of her hand, foot tapping impatiently on the white linoleum, she waited for her coffee to brew, which thankfully didn’t take too long. Grabbing her black mug, she inhaled deeply before taking a grateful sip of her French roast coffee.
Plodding over to the sink, she stared out the kitchen window at the gorgeous day. Her smile fell, and her mouth dropped open in shock. She blinked rapidly several times, but the image was still there. Cam was outside mowing her lawn!
Without considering her skimpy attire, and with her coffee mug still in hand, she sprinted out the back door across the slightly damp grass. Cam was dressed in a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts that stopped just below his knees. He had on a black baseball cap and tennis shoes. She had never seen him more casual or cuter.
Walking up behind him, she tapped him on the shoulder. “Cam, what are you doing here?”
He turned around. Appreciative eyes slowly traveled over her, making her aware that she was dressed in her pj’s, which consisted of a pink spaghetti-strap tank top and matching shorts. He smiled the lazy, gorgeous smile she was growing to love before shutting off the mower.
“What did you say?”
“What are you doing here?” Angela repeated her question, when what she really wanted was to run into the house and put some clothes on.
He glanced at her nearly completely mowed lawn. “Isn’t that obvious?”
“You shouldn’t be mowing my lawn.”
“I wanted to do it.” He took the cup from her unresisting fingers and sipped her coffee before returning it to her. “While I don’t mind your current state of almost undress, you might want to change before you give the neighbors an eyeful,” he suggested around a chuckle when she defensively crossed her arms over her chest.
“I was surprised to see you here,” she explained, glancing down self-consciously. She wondered why she didn’t burst into flames from the fire of his gaze. “I’ll be right back.”
“You don’t have to. I’m almost finished.”
“Okay.” She backed away and motioned to the lawn with one hand. “Thank you for doing this.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Come in before you leave?”
“I will.”
Take Me in Your Arms Page 8
