Take Me in Your Arms

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

  “Hello? I’m sitting right here.”

  His mother gave him a tolerant smile.

  “I don’t think he has an overbearing bone in his body,” Angela said, automatically defending him.

  “Really, dear?” Mabel seemed acutely interested in Angela’s opinion.

  “Yes.” The single word was drawn out as Angela realized she had put her foot in her mouth. “He can be stubborn and tenacious, but he’s also one of the kindest men I’ve ever met, and generous to a fault.”

  “See, Angela likes me.”

  Yes, I like you much too much.

  “I can see that, dear.” Mabel’s smile widened. Angela felt like she was being sized up for a wedding gown—a fact that terrified her, but thankfully Mabel’s next words had nothing to do with her and Cam as a couple. “Cameron, if you talk to Derrick before I do, tell him just because he’s a senator, he’s not too important for me to walk into Capitol Hill and give him a piece of my mind if I don’t get an invitation to see precious D.J. soon.”

  Cam laughed. “I’ll tell him, Mom.” He squeezed Angela’s hand. “Angela is Alesha’s best friend.”

  “Oh, how nice. Isn’t D.J. the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Angela nodded in agreement and sighed visibly in relief at the change to a safer topic—or so she thought, until Mabel glanced pointedly at Cam and bemoaned, “I’ve been waiting forever on a grandchild from this one.”

  Cam placed a hand to his head as if in pain. “Oh, Mom, please not that again.”

  “Well, you’re not getting any younger, Cameron.”

  “I’m only thirty-seven.” He took a sip of his drink and professed, “I’m in my prime.”

  “Your prime?” Mabel chuckled. “Cameron, you’re—”

  “Mrs. Stewart,” Angela interrupted, hoping to spare Cam and herself further talk of grandchildren. “Cam and I are D.J.’s godparents.”

  “Is that how you two met?”

  Angela opened her mouth to answer, but Cam beat her to it. “No, actually we met at Derrick and Alesha’s wedding.”

  “You’ve been dating all this time?” Mabel glanced from one to the other. “Why haven’t you mentioned Angela before now, Cameron?”

  “We just recently started dating, Mom.”

  “Oh, I see.” Mabel nodded and then turned her attention to Angela. “You, Alesha and I must do lunch while I’m in town.”

  “I’d like that, Mrs. Stewart.”

  “Call me Mabel, dear.” She glanced at Cam and then back to her. “I have a feeling that if my son has a say in things, I’ll be seeing much more of you, so let’s not stand on formalities.”

  Cam sighed and shook his head tolerantly. Angela managed a smile and willed the nervous butterflies taking up residence in her stomach to settle down with all this talk about babies and commitment.

  * * *

  Several hours later, Cam and Angela returned to his house after dropping Mabel off at her hotel. Angela felt Cam’s eyes on her as she walked slowly into the living room.

  “I’m sorry if you were uncomfortable at dinner.”

  At his words, she turned to face him. “I wasn’t,” she said quickly. At his dubious stare she conceded, “Maybe a little, but I had a good time.”

  “Did you?”

  “Yes, your mother’s very nice.” And that was the truth. She liked Mabel.

  “Even though she’s an unrepentant matchmaker?” Cam’s smile coaxed one out of her.

  “What mother isn’t?”

  “I love her dearly, but I’m her only child and she can’t help taking great interest in my personal life, much to my dismay.”

  “Well, that’s to be expected.” She tried to appear natural, but Cam must have seen the trepidation bubbling just beneath the surface.

  “Angela.” Cam eliminated the distance between them and took her hands in his. “Nothing has changed between us.”

  “Hasn’t it?” She hoped that simple question didn’t make her sound as terrified as she felt at the moment.

  “No. We’re friends—good friends.” She was relieved by his answer, but she wondered if he really meant it—or more importantly, if she really believed it anymore.

  She was an independent career woman who had no intention of losing her identity personally or professionally because of a man. She was not going to be ensnared in an emotional roller-coaster ride no matter how much she liked Cam—and she did like him very much. She wasn’t going down that booby-trapped commitment road again, not for anything or anyone. She couldn’t.

  “I should be going.”

  His fingers tightened in hers, halting her exit. Cam’s expression was downright sinful as he asked, “Don’t you want dessert?”

  This crazy yearning for him—to simply be in his presence—was getting out of hand, and she knew it. She also knew she should walk straight out the door, but her feet refused to move. His decadent expression sent tremors of desire racing up and down her spine, and instead of leaving like she knew she should, she wound her arms around his neck.

  “What do you have that I might be interested in?”

  His answer was to kiss her softly. “A lot more of this.” He sighed into her mouth.

  She closed her eyes as they kissed, and felt as if she was floating, like a feather being lifted and tossed about by a caressing wind. When she opened her eyes, the look in his nearly caused her to close hers again. She had never had a man look at her so adoringly—as if his only purpose on this earth was to please her.

  Before she could say anything, he took her mouth again in a scorching kiss that went on and on, melting her from the inside out. She didn’t remember walking up the stairs, but she must have, or Cam carried her, because now they were in his bedroom.

  He undressed her leisurely, and she did the same to him. Soon they were lying on the bed. Cam pulled Angela on top and ran his hands down the length of her again and again as their mouths feasted until she thought she would succumb to a deadly case of pleasure overload. Their limbs entangled, and they arched and pulled closer, giving and receiving all each had to give.

  My God, he destroyed her with gentle, unhurried kisses and caresses. When her hands and body tried to rush him, he was having none of it, refusing to deviate from his slow, thorough possession that was nothing short of masterful. He touched, tasted and caressed every inch of her until she was strung tighter than a bowstring, hoping he would never stop touching her. He played her flesh expertly and she melted into him, was absorbed by him, until her entire body quivered with uncontrollable need. Her mind was filled only with thoughts of him, and her heart was perilously close to letting him invade every part of her soul.

  They were silent except for the satisfied sighs and groans that erupted from them as they pleased and were pleasured. Then they were flying, soaring high above the clouds, hoisted by their intense passion. When the tumult inevitably reached its unbearable precipice, they jumped over into madness together, holding tight before finally letting go.

  A while later, Angela lay on her side with Cam snuggled close against her back. She was blissfully content, and her body still resonated from the intimate imprint of his and the numbing aftereffects of their recent lovemaking. For this second, she was happy and content. Then the phone rang, disturbing the peace and quiet. Angela eventually stirred once she realized it was hers.

  “Don’t answer it,” Cam softly ordered when she turned to face him, regret shining in her eyes.

  “I have to.” She recognized that ring tone. “It’s the hospital.” He sighed, reached over and handed her the phone. She smiled her thanks and sat up, resting against the pillows. “Hello.” She listened and tensed. “How bad? How many are we expecting? Okay, I’m in Maryland, but I can be there in about an hour—maybe a little less.” She sat completely upright, holding the sheet against he
r breasts with one hand. “Yes, all right. I’m on my way.”

  “Trouble?” Cam ran a hand down her tense back.

  “There’s been a bad accident, and they’re calling in personnel to handle the overflow.” She touched his cheek before getting out of bed. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s your job.”

  “Thanks for understanding.” She kissed him softly before getting out of bed. “It’s a good thing I met you here and have my car.”

  “Yeah.” He got up, grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace.

  “Can I use your shower?”

  “Of course, but first...” He kissed her until she didn’t know where she ended and he began, until she wanted nothing more than to forget about everything except the two of them.

  “I have to go.” She pressed against his chest while running her tongue over her lower lip. “I wish I didn’t, but I have to.”

  “I know.” He grinned as if a pleasing thought was forming in his mind. “Why don’t I join you in the shower?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Cam.” The wicked gleam in his eyes made her smile. “I need to hurry, and you will definitely slow me down.”

  “I’ll be good.”

  “Oh, will you?” She backed away from him and the great temptation he embodied.

  “I promise.”

  He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the bathroom that was larger than her living room. He turned on the multihead shower and pulled her underneath the warm cascade of water. Before she could protest—not that she was going to protest—his mouth captured hers. She had to admit that he was pretty good, only prolonging her shower by a few wonderfully steamy minutes.

  After she had dressed, he walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye. As she got into her car and drove away, she glanced in the rearview mirror, watching Cam wave goodbye. She wondered why it felt so wrong to be leaving a man she had promised herself not to become attached to. Of course, she knew the disturbing answer to that question. What she didn’t know was what she was going to do about it.

  * * *

  Angela groaned and buried her head deeper into the pillow, trying to drown out the irritating ring of her phone. Who in the name of God was calling her at—she glanced at the clock with one eye—eight o’clock in the morning after the longest and busiest night of her life? Okay, a normal person would be up and dressed by now, but she had just finished what was virtually a grueling double shift, having left the hospital only a few hours ago. All she wanted was to sleep the rest of the day away. Was that too much to ask?

  Still lying on her stomach with her face buried in her pillow, her hand reached blindly in the direction of the noisy instrument and yanked it up, bringing it to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Hi, babe.”

  “Cam?” She rolled over onto her back and tried to focus. “Hi.”

  “I woke you. Didn’t I?” He sounded apologetic, and she didn’t have the heart to confirm his fears.

  “No, no, I was awake.”

  “Really?” He sounded skeptical, and she couldn’t help smiling.

  “Well, almost.” She hid a yawn behind one hand and tried to sound more alive when she asked, “What’s up?”

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise?” She pushed her wayward bangs out of her sleepy eyes. “What is it?”

  “You’ll find out later. I called the hospital, and they said you’re off today.”

  “Yes, thank God!”

  He laughed at her exuberant response. “Are you going to be home around noon?”

  “Yes, and in bed,” she groaned, giving up all pretense of being fit for conversation. “I’m so tired.”

  “Poor baby.” His soothing, sympathetic voice enveloped her like a warm, soft cocoon. “What I have planned will pick you right up.”

  “That’s a tall task today.” She turned on her side and snuggled deeper into the welcoming softness of her down pillow. “I don’t think anything can revive me except about eight more hours of sleep.”

  “I hope you’ll settle for four,” he mysteriously counteroffered. “Go back to sleep, and your surprise will be there at noon.”

  “’Kay. Bye.”

  “Bye, baby.” He chuckled softly. “Sleep tight.”

  The phone slipped from her fingers, and she immediately fell unconscious. The only thing that woke her up four hours later was the incessant ringing of the doorbell. Poking her head out from under the pillow, she groaned as the annoying doorbell continued to pierce the blessed quiet. Who on earth was at her door? She vaguely remembered a phone call from Cam stating something was happening at noon—or had that been a dream?

  Sliding listlessly out of bed and placing on a robe, she padded from the bedroom and nearly collided with a wall but made it to the front door in one piece. Lord, she hoped it wasn’t Cam on the other side, or he’d get the shock of his life. She hadn’t bothered to glance in a mirror, but she could imagine how she looked, and it wasn’t pretty.

  She glanced through the peephole and balked. A uniformed limo driver stood waiting patiently for her to answer. Oh, Cam, what have you done? Belting her robe tighter, she cracked open the door and peered out.

  “Yes?”

  “Ms. Angela Brown?”

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Mr. Stewart sent me. I’m Ron, and I’ll be your driver for today.”

  “Driver?” She blinked the sleep from her eyes. “For what?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say, ma’am.” Ron smiled. “But you do have an appointment at one.” He eyed her robe. “May I suggest you get dressed so we won’t be late?”

  “I’m sorry, I should have been ready, but—”

  “Don’t worry, ma’am,” he interrupted politely. “I’ll wait in the car. Just come out when you’re ready.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” She closed the door and headed back to her bedroom.

  She started to call Cam and ask what he had planned, but she knew he wouldn’t tell her. Shrugging, she returned to her bedroom, glanced regretfully at her welcoming bed, then bypassed it and went into the bathroom to get ready for her secret day.

  Twenty minutes later, she was being helped into the back of the luxurious black limo on her way to her surprise. She felt like a movie star as she sank into the soft leather seat and glanced out of the dark tinted windows as the car effortlessly weaved through traffic.

  Her eyes grew to twice their normal size when a half hour later, the car stopped outside of the Olympus Spa, a full-service health resort that rivaled any of its Beverly Hills counterparts. She had been longing to try it, but a simple facial cost more than a week’s salary. Cam must be spending a fortune on this.

  When the door was unlocked by the driver, she opened her mouth to tell him to take her back home, but instead took his hand as he helped her out of the car. She couldn’t disappoint Cam by not accepting his gift. Besides, she was dying to see what this place was like on the inside and if the service here was as good as she had read about.

  “Ms. Brown?” A smiling woman dressed in a pink smock approached as soon as she entered the spa.

  “Yes.” She fought to keep her mouth from gaping open as she beheld the opulent interior—marble floors, hand-painted murals of nature occupying some of the pristine white walls and sparkling crystal chandeliers hanging proudly from the high-vaulted ceiling.

  “I’m Cynthia. Mr. Stewart has planned a marvelous day for you,” Cynthia said while ushering Angela quickly down the hallway into a large private room, at the center of which was a massage table. “We’ll start with a full-body herbal massage. If you’ll get undressed, the masseuse will be with you in about ten minutes, and if there’s anything you require, please don’t hesitate to ask. We want your day with us to be outstanding.” />
  “Thank you very much,” Angela mumbled, and was rewarded by a smile before being left alone.

  Angela did as requested, undressed and lay face down on the heavenly padded and warm massage table with only a white fluffy towel covering her. She had no sooner gotten settled than the door opened, admitting a pleasant-looking woman who introduced herself as Celeste. What followed was the most heavenly, relaxing massage she had ever received, during which Celeste used different, wonderful-smelling herbs on every part of her body.

  The pleasure didn’t stop with the massage. From there she was treated to a facial, and then whisked away for a body wrap that she never wanted to end, and finished with another amazing massage. She then had an amazing aromatherapy session, followed by a first-rate lunch. A manicure and pedicure were next, and finally, at five o’clock, she had her hair done. She had the most wonderful, relaxing day ever.

  When she got home that evening, she showered, changed into a sleeveless red cocktail dress and quickly left again. As she drove in her own car, she thought how spoiled she had gotten because she wished her limo driver was still chauffeuring her around. She laughed out loud. Cam, it seemed, was creating a pampered diva.

  Angela arrived at Cam’s and rang the doorbell. When he answered, she flew into his arms without speaking and pressed her mouth to his. His strong arms encircled her waist, and he picked her up so that her feet were dangling in midair as their mouths fought for supremacy.

  “Well, hello, beautiful.” He released her mouth and lowered her feet to the ground, pulling her inside. “Did you enjoy your day?”

  “Oh yes!” She wound her arms tighter around his neck. “It was wonderful, but you shouldn’t have done it. I’m sure it was much too expensive.”

  “What have I told you about accepting a gift?” She smiled at his exasperated expression and looked appropriately chastised. “Everyone treated you well?”

  “Like royalty,” she assured him. “Thank you so much for arranging it for me.”

  “You’re welcome.” His hands ran up and down her back. “You deserved a little pampering.”