“Well, that is shitty, but it’s not your fault. Don’t worry, I’ve had dinner alone with my mom a ton of times, I can probably make it through another.”
“I know, I just don’t want your mom to think I’m flaking out on her.”
“Mom doesn’t think you’re flaking out on her.” I turned to my mother and asked, “Do you?”
“Of course not, dear,” Mom said without batting an eye.
“Can I talk to her?” Riley asked. My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I don’t think any of my previous girlfriends ever asked me to hand the phone to my mother before.
“Uh, sure.” I held the phone out to my mom. “She wants to talk to you,” I said, my voice slightly laced with confusion. Mom took the phone from me and put it up to her ear with a smile.
“Hello, Riley,” she said sweetly. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that. Of course I understand.” She walked to the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of ice water. “Don’t worry about it, dear. There will be plenty more opportunities for me to feed you.” She laughed and I could almost swear I heard Riley’s laughter through the phone. “Don’t work too hard though, I worry about you.” I watched as my mother went about preparing dinner while talking to my girlfriend on the phone. “Okay, well, I’ll send a plate with Cam so you will have a home-cooked meal to come home to.” Then she laughed. “Yes, I’m aware he doesn’t cook.” My face pulled back in shock at her words. I cooked. “All right, I’ll see you on Thursday for the menu finalization and place setting approval. I’m excited to see what you’ve come up with. Okay. You too. Bye, sweetheart.” Mom pulled the phone from her ear and tapped the screen.
“Did you hang up?” I asked, a little upset I didn’t get to say good-bye.
“She hung up first. She had to go.” She handed the phone back to me and I couldn’t help the way my eyebrows scrunched and my mouth pulled to the side. “Stop pouting, Camden, and help me set the table.”
“Fine,” I muttered, feeling like a big baby. It never would have bothered me before to not get the chance to say good-bye, but I wanted that with Riley, wanted those moments where I could tell her I missed her, or tell her I wished she were here, and that I’d see her later.
I was putting the plates down when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
**Sorry I had to go so quickly, Rose needed me. Plus, I didn’t want to say dirty things to you when I knew your mom was just feet away. But rest assured, I will make missing this dinner up to you. And by that, I mean you’re in for the best blowie of your life. I miss you. See you later.**
**I miss you too.**
“You’re wearing a lovesick smile, Camden.” Mom’s voice was all-knowing, and I tried to keep myself from smiling, but it was impossible.
“What can I say? I can’t help it.”
We brought the rest of the dishes to the table, this time sitting in the nook in the kitchen since it was only the two of us, and then sat down to eat. We ate in silence for a few minutes, talking about nonconsequential things every now and then. Honestly, I was too interested in my mother’s meatloaf to pay much attention to anything in particular. Mom was right about a home-cooked meal.
“Andrew is looking forward to spending some time with Riley soon.” I looked up at my mother after she’d spoken those words, a little confused. My confusion turned to suspicion when I noticed my mother was avoiding my gaze.
“Something tells me you’re speaking for him, Mom. Besides, the last time Riley and Andrew were in the same room, he was an asshole to her. I’m not sure she would even feel comfortable having dinner with him anytime soon.” And the fact of the matter was, I was on her side about it. If she was uncomfortable, I’d keep her away to protect her, to make sure he didn’t say any other asinine things to her.
“You have to give him a break, Camden. He wasn’t trying to offend her, or you. I know for a fact, deep down in his heart, Andrew wants the best for you and even though his methods might need a little guidance, he’s always looking out for your best interests.”
“That’s where we disagree, Mom. His first priority is himself and his career. I already became a lawyer because he wanted me to. I refuse to let him control who I fall in love with. I have to draw the line somewhere.” I didn’t like speaking to my mother that way, but something about Riley brought out the protective bear in me. I set my fork down with a clang and rubbed my hands over my face. “Look, Mom. I’m sorry. I know you mean well, but where Riley’s concerned, you’ve got to keep Andrew away until she’s comfortable. Please. It’s important to me. She’s important to me.” I looked up and saw my mother gazing at me, resignation on her face but sadness in her eyes.
“I wish I could have done a better job bringing you two together.” She shook her head and then looked at the ceiling, and I knew she was close to tears. “He’s always cared about you, Camden, but he’s not good at showing it. When he interferes, that’s his way of loving you.” I scoffed and picked up my napkin, wiping my face harshly, trying to keep myself in control. No matter how I felt about Andrew, my mother was an innocent in all of it. “He truly wants what’s best for you, and anytime you’ve ever felt railroaded, it was him thinking he knew what that was. He loves you, Cam. He thinks the world of you. He thinks you’re smart and funny, and he’s so proud of the man you’ve grown up to be, we both are, sweetie. He just shows how much he cares in a strange way.”
“By insulting my girlfriend when I bring her home to meet you? No, I don’t buy it, Mom. That was a shit move and I can’t just forget about it because you think he means well. I’m sorry. I can’t put Riley in that position. Andrew is going to have to prove that he won’t hurt her and he’ll have to do that on Riley’s timetable. Not mine, not yours, and not his.”
I held my mother’s gaze for a moment, both of us trying to implore the other to see our side.
“Okay,” she finally said, her voice a whisper. I watched as she reached up and wiped away a stray tear. I hated that she was crying. I never wanted to cause my mother pain, but this wasn’t an area of my life I was willing to compromise. When her cheeks were dry, she gave me a weak smile and said, “Riley is lucky to have you.” Then she started crying all over again, that time in earnest. I pushed my chair back and went to her, pulling her up into a hug.
“Mom, don’t cry. This isn’t the end of the world. Everything will be fine.”
“Oh, sweetie, I know it will. I’m just having a hard time. I want you and Andrew to get along, and I want Riley to feel comfortable here, and I also can’t believe how good of a man you are.”
I pulled back and put my hands on my mother’s shoulders. “You taught me how to treat a woman. I’d never let anything happen to her. Or you.” I hugged her again because I could tell she was still upset, but after a moment she pulled away, taking in a deep breath and seeming to calm herself.
“Let’s sit down and finish our dinner.”
“Okay, Mom.”
We managed to finish our meal without any more arguing, and it ended up being a pleasant evening. I couldn’t remember the last time I hung out with just my mom. True to her word, when I left she sent me home with a plate piled high with food. I wasn’t sure if Riley liked mashed potatoes and meatloaf, but it didn’t matter because I would totally eat it if she didn’t want it. I think my mom knew this because she sent an extra plate home for me too.
I’d been home for a few hours, showered, and was lounging in a pair of gym shorts when I heard the elevator open and Riley’s heels click through my condo.
“Cam?” she called, her voice tired.
“Back here, babe.”
She walked in as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders; slumped down, arms hanging at her sides, eyes half-closed. She walked straight to the bed and collapsed facedown, making the mattress bounce.
“You okay?” All I got was a groan in response, muffled by the mattress. “I’ll take that as a no.” Rolling off the side of my bed, I wandered over to her, took each of her feet in my hands, and slippe
d her heels off one at a time. Grabbing her by the hips, I flipped her over and laughed when she flopped onto her back, resembling an obstinate toddler.
“I feel like I’ve been awake and on my feet for an entire week.” She folded her arm over her eyes as she spoke, still rather tantrum-y.
“That’s because you basically have been. You need a break.”
“I need this event to be perfect.”
I took her foot in my hand and pressed my thumb into the arch.
“Oh, God….” Her hands dropped to the blanket below her and her back arched up as she moaned.
“Feels good?”
“Fuck, yes.”
I shifted on my feet as my dick reacted to the words she was saying and the tone she was using. I kept it under control though, focusing on her and her needs, wanting to make her feel a little bit better. After a few minutes, I switched feet and the whole show started all over again. She writhed and gasped, and I hardened watching. She was lost in sensation, but if she had looked up she would have seen my erection tenting the front of my gym shorts.
I rubbed her feet as long as I could, until I ached for release, but I didn’t want to push her, knowing she was exhausted. I moved my hand up her calf, under the fabric of her pants, rubbing the muscle there, listening to her moan some more.
“Baby, let’s get you something to sleep in.” I pulled my hand out and had reached to unbutton her pants when her eyes met mine.
“I promised you the best blow job of your life.”
“You did,” I said with a laugh. “But I can take a rain check.”
“You don’t want a blow job?” Her bottom lip stuck out in a pout.
“That’s not what I’m saying, babe.” Her pants slid down her slim hips as I pulled on the legs. Of course she was fucking wearing some lacy underwear. Not once had I caught her in regular cotton panties. I was beginning to think she didn’t own them. And that was fine. I mean, I loved seeing her in lace and satin, but right then, I needed her in some granny panties. “You’re tired. Exhausted. I want you to get some rest. You’re going to make yourself sick.”
“So what you’re saying is,” she paused while she pulled her blouse over her head, showing me the bra that matched her panties, “you’re willing to forgo a blow job so that I can get some rest?” She slid up to her knees and made her way toward me at the edge of the bed, her fingers sliding up the bare skin of my chest.
“Uh, yeah,” I said, not completely sure I’d made the right choice. She looked me in the eye for a few tense moments, the fingers on one hand twirling in the hair at my nape.
“You better be careful, Camden.”
“Why?”
“You’re going to make me fall in love with you.”
Her expression was guarded, as though she was afraid of what my reaction would be to her words. I leaned down and kissed her softly.
“Maybe that’s my plan.”
She held my gaze for a moment more, then rested her cheek against my chest.
“I really am tired,” she whispered.
“Come on,” I said, moving to my side of the bed and opening the covers for her. I tried not to groan in agony when she slipped her bra off and then curled into me. Instead I pulled the covers up over us and then reached over to turn off the lamp on my nightstand, shrouding us in darkness. I held her, running my hand through the ends of her hair the way I knew relaxed her, and listened until her breaths were deep and even. Only when I was sure she was asleep did I kiss the crown of her head and whisper, “I think it might be too late to stop me from falling in love with you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Riley
“Just when you think you might have everything nailed down, something else pops up at you.” Jasper said the words as he read an e-mail on his phone, shaking his head.
“Is it anything I want to know about, or are you going to handle it so I can remain blissfully unaware?” I asked the question without turning my head from my computer screen.
“Oh, honey, I’ve got this covered. It’s funny how some people see me and think I won’t throw a bitch down.”
“I have no doubt, honey.” I did look at him then, smiling, even if it was a tired smile. We’d been working for weeks on this party and it was now only days away. Days. And what Jasper was talking about was true. For any event, you could get to a certain point where you felt as though you had everything under control, but there’s always those little tiny loose ends that popped up and made you want to find a clown and kick it in the junk.
Clowns were scary, okay?
“Riley, you’ve got a delivery at the front desk?” Our newest intern, Robyn, said, barely poking her head in my office before she ran away. Rose was working her over and I think she feared that if she stood still too long, she’d be fired.
“I bet you one of the vendors got something mixed up and is delivering here instead of downtown.”
“Want me to handle it?” Jasper asked, ready and willing to do my dirty work for me.
“No, thanks, I’ve got it. I need to walk anyway, I’ve been sitting in this chair for over an hour.” When I got to the front desk, I saw a man standing right outside the elevators with a large floral arrangement. It was beautiful, but it was all wrong. We’d ordered small, tasteful, white and blue arrangements for the auction tables. This was almost embarrassingly large and very, very red.
“Are you Riley Smith?” The man was peering at me from behind the flowers.
“Yes, but I think there’s been some sort of mistake. All flowers are supposed to be downtown on Saturday, and we didn’t order anything red.”
He gave me a puzzled look, but then displayed an expression I recognized from Jasper. He’d decided I was crazy and he only wanted to do his job.
“Listen, lady, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I’ve got a delivery here for Riley Smith, so if that’s you, then please take this so I can get to my next delivery. Every minute you argue with me about receiving flowers, my tip goes down from the next lady who’s actually glad her man sent her roses.”
“These aren’t for the Rogers gala downtown?”
He looked at me like I was stupid. “Are you deaf? These are for Riley Smith. Is that you?”
“Yes.”
“Then for the love of everything holy, just sign for them.” He held out a little palm device and I took it, signing my name with the little stylus, then handed it back to him. “Here you go, tell your man I said good luck.”
I was so taken off guard, I didn’t realize he’d insulted me until he was already in the elevator, but I caught his eye before the doors closed and I flipped him off. I almost dropped the heavy vase in the process, but he didn’t know that. I made it back to my office with the huge arrangement and set it down on my desk.
“Those are all wrong,” Jasper said, standing and walking around my desk, eyeing the flowers with worry.
“That was my first thought too, but I don’t think they’re for the gala.” I finally spied a card hiding in the mass of roses and plucked it out.
Riley,
Tonight you’re mine. Give me 30 minutes’ notice and I will have a car waiting for you when you’re ready to come to me.
-Camden
“Someone’s getting laid tonight,” Jasper sang after reading the card over my shoulder. Ignoring him, I looked over the flowers again in a new light.
“They’re so beautiful.”
“Boyfriend didn’t spare any expense, either. These must have cost a fortune.”
I chose not to respond to that either. Jasper was right, though. The flowers were beautiful and probably expensive. I took a moment to realize it might have been the first time his money didn’t bother me. Six weeks ago, had I gotten these flowers, it would have made me feel inadequate and unworthy. It would have sent my head into the sand, questioning whether or not Camden and I were good for each other. But now that I knew him and his heart, I knew right down to the center of me that Camden didn’t send me flowers with
a price tag, he sent me flowers with his soul. He wanted the flowers to evoke a feeling in me, not make me realize how much money he might have spent on them.
If there was one thing Camden was good at, it was being ignorant of his wealth. He had money and he used it when he needed it, but it wasn’t an asset to him, it was simply there. And while that would have caused me concern before, now it was almost endearing. When we first started dating, I was so afraid of his money and was irritated that he couldn’t see why, but now I knew it was simply because he didn’t see money. He just saw me.
“Have you seen my boyfriend? He doesn’t have to send me expensive flowers to get laid.”
“That’s my girl,” he replied with a laugh. “Did he fuck up? Are those apology flowers?”
“I don’t really know what they’re for. The card says a car will pick me up tonight.”
“Mysterious and hot. You’re living the dream, Riley.”
Here’s hoping I don’t wake up.
I gave Cam the thirty-minute notice and couldn’t help but smile when I walked outside my building to find him leaning against a sleek black stretch limo.
“What is all this for?” Walking toward him, the butterflies came to life, flittering through my belly, as if they were trying to soar right out of me, straight to him.
“Do you trust me?” His voice was calm, and his grin was tipped up at the corner, but I could tell he was a little nervous.
“Trust you?”
“Yeah.” He leaned forward and kissed me slowly, not touching me anywhere else but on my lips. I moved in, trying to get closer, wanting more of his mouth, but he pulled back. “Do you trust me?” That time he whispered the words.
“Yes. Of course.”
“Good, then turn around.”
I wanted to ask why, to figure out what was going on, but I knew he wanted me to let go and let him lead. So I did. I turned, taking in a deep breath, unsure of what would happen next. Suddenly a dark cloth covered my eyes and my fingers came up to feel satin wrapped around my head. My pulse thundered away, chest pounding, at the idea of Camden blindfolding me. I felt the satin tighten around me, felt the tugs on the fabric as he secured it, and then my hair swept over my shoulder and his mouth was on my neck.
Kiss Cam (With A Kiss Book 1) Page 17
