Dean thought Cameron was different, but at the party he started to notice the way she would look at him. At first he thought it was just the booze, but she would watch him while he was surrounded by all the women. She would even search the room for him when she was talking to Zach as if she purposely wanted Dean to see the attention he was giving her. Not to mention the few times she barged in between him and the woman he was talking to and then lean over the bar to order a drink, begging him to check out her ass, which he gladly did. And then when they danced. The way she would look at him. The way her eyes begged for his attention. At first he thought he was imaging things – wishful thinking. But deep down something told him not to dismiss this. Dean knew if he wanted to prove himself right he would have to make a move. It would be his only chance.
He flew over to his own privately stocked bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. “Much better, now I can think,” he said.
He looked around the room. Okay first thing first, pick up all the dirty clothes and put them? He looked around, the closet he thought. He quickly made the bed and then checked himself out in the mirror. He smiled at himself. “Damn, I am one good looking dude.” He touched up his hair and then sprayed some air freshener around the room.
“Dean,” Cameron whispered, knocking lightly on the door.
Shit! That was an unexpected surprise. He wasn’t expecting her to come to him. He thought he would have to go to her, but maybe this was better. He quickly checked everything and then looked down at his outfit thinking if he should answer the door in his boxers or…no, too much. Instead he just untucked and unbuttoned his shirt, and threw his tie on the bed. He prepared himself by taking a deep breath before opening the door.
*
Cameron
When Dean swung the door open, Cameron thought she would lose her breath. He was looking as sexy as ever with his shirt hanging open, exposing his chest and rock hard abs. He leaned casually up against the door frame with a drink in hand and a sexy smile on his face. “Hi I was…” the words stuck on her tongue and she couldn’t spit them out.
“Wondering what I looked like naked?” he said cockily.
Yes.
“Please, get over yourself. I was wondering what you were doing creeping by my door,” she said, finally finding her voice.
“I wasn’t outside your door,” he said, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“Really?” Cameron leaned in close and took a whiff. “So that wasn’t your cologne I smelled lingering outside my door?”
“This is my house. My scent is going to be everywhere.”
“Uh-huh,” she nodded, smiling. She knew she was making him feel uncomfortable and she loved every minute of it. “So,” she said, peeking her head through the door. “What are you doing?”
“Well as you know, now that my ladies have caught wind that I’m home, I’m just passing the time until they arrive.”
“Right,” she said, knowing clear well no one was coming over or so she hoped. She dealt with guys like Dean before and knew how the game was played, but what he didn’t know was that she could play the game just as good as any guy.
“I might be able to spare a few minutes if you’d like to join me for a night cap,” he smiled coyly.
Cameron took a step into the room as he opened the door wider for her. It was just as she had expected; neat, masculine, carefully and strategically placed items and own mini bar. There were magazines on the night stand, dumbbells over in the corner, pictures of him and his family and some of girls she was sure that had come and gone over the years. Over on his wall was a mural of girls all shapes and sizes. “What’s this?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s um…” Dean stuttered. “Just pictures of some friends.”
“Why are they all girls?” she asked, even though she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.
“What can I say, I have a lot of girl friends,” he shrugged, playing it off like it was no big deal.
Cameron just nodded. “So how about that drink?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Right,” he said, smiling again. Dean made his way over to the bar. “What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
“I think I know the perfect drink.” He made her an Appletini which just happened to be her favorite drink.
“Are you happy to be home?” Cameron asked, as she took in the rest of the room.
“Yes,” he said, lying back on the bed with his one arm behind his head. It took Cameron everything she had not to stare at him. She snuck a quick peek and he had caught her. His smile was wide and satisfied.
She turned away and tried to find something on the wall to distract her. Then she heard his phone go off. “Do you want me to leave so you can answer that?”
“No. It’s just a text,” he said, as his thumbs moved swiftly over the keyboard. “So what about you? Are you happy to be back?”
“I’m happy we accomplished our mission,” she said. And happy Tristan complied with her request to stay behind and leave Ella alone. “I was a little sad when we had to leave. I mean I was getting home sick, but I liked it there.” It wasn’t a total lie. Cameron liked being there with Dean. That was what helped her cope with all her own inner demons she was fighting. Without him there she didn’t think she would have lasted as long.
Cameron walked over to the dresser and picked up a small stuffed frog. She turned around to ask him about it when he was texting again. “I’m sorry am I keeping you from something?” He looked up and hopped off the bed tearing the frog from her hands. She laughed and his cheeks turned red. “What’s the matter? Is Mr. Frog your little bedtime buddy? Don’t like other people touching him?” she teased.
He blushed and then his phone beeped for the fourth or was it the fifth time now she thought? “I think I should go,” she said, setting her drink on the dresser.
“No.” Dean put his hand next to her on the dresser blocking her path. “I’ll turn it off.”
“I wouldn’t want you to disappoint your ladies.”
“They’re not the ones I’m worried about disappointing,” he said in a husky voice. Cameron held her breath trying not to shake from the goose bumps that he was giving her. Dean looked straight into Cameron’s eyes, raised his hand to touch the delicate skin along her jaw. His hand slipped closer to her neckline and she knew he was just about to kiss her when it was her phone that went off this time.
Dean lowered his head and pushed himself away from her. Cameron let out a sigh and looked at her phone that she had stuffed down the front of her dress. She forgot it was even in there. “It’s from Austin. I should probably take this.” She could see the guilt in his eyes at the mention of his name. “Thanks for the drink.” Dean nodded and Cameron made her way back to her room. The chance to see if she really had feelings for Dean was gone.
She wasn’t sure how she really felt when they spent all that time in Ireland together. At first she just thought that maybe because they were forced to be together all the time it was just natural to find an attraction to someone when there was no other option and that once they got back to the states and went their separate ways she would feel differently. And at first she did, but then at the party when she saw all those women throwing themselves at him and pawing him she felt a twinge of jealousy. She even went as far as to finagle her way in between them when she went to get another drink at the bar. She even purposely bent down, and stuck her behind out right in front him, knowing he couldn’t resist a look. Even when Xander’s friend Zach started flirting with her she made sure Dean saw she was having a good time even though should couldn’t wait to get rid of the creep.
After a while she thought maybe it was just the booze making her feel this way, but she had to know for sure. She had to know if these feelings she was having for Dean were genuine, and the only way she knew how to do that was to kiss him, but now it was too late.
She closed the door to the guest room and leaned up against it closing her eyes
. Maybe this was for the better. Maybe this was a sign letting her know she shouldn’t try to dive into this uncharted territory. Cameron opened up the text from Austin.
Heard u were bck in the U.S.
Was all it said? She didn’t know how to reply or even know how he knew she was back when they hadn’t told anyone yet. She went to reply when another text came through before she had the chance.
We need 2 talk
She wasn’t ready to talk to him. Not yet. Her best response was to keep it short and sweet.
Yes we do. Can I call u tom? I’m beat
Yeah
She closed the phone and turned it off for the night and then she changed into some pajamas. She looked at herself in the mirror while she brushed her hair. Dean kept flashing into her head while she sat there. The casual way he floated around the party, always the social butterfly. She envisioned when they danced. The way his hand felt on her lower back and the way her hand felt like a perfect fit in his. She was surprised when he didn’t try to move his hand to her backside. She was expecting it and actually welcomed it, but he was the perfect gentleman.
She closed her eyes and pictured him lying on the bed with his shirt open, the confident smile on his face, the way the light shined just right on his rock hard stomach. That was it. She put down the brush and made a decision. She knew if she didn’t act she would lose her nerve and her only chance to discover the truth.
Cameron got up and looked to see there was no one in the hall. When it was clear she made her way back down to Dean’s room, passing Ella’s. Ella’s door was closed but Ginger was lying outside keeping guard. Cameron looked at the dog who lifted her head at the sound of Cameron tiptoeing her way down the hall. “Don’t judge me,” she said to the dog, who then put her head down on her paws.
When she arrived in front of Dean’s room she raised her hand to knock, but then just changed her mind. Instead she just let herself in. He was on his bed texting, still in the same clothes as before. “Cameron?”
She didn’t say anything. She just closed the door behind her and locked it.
*
Ella
I woke up in my bed still in my clothes from the party. Why did this keep happening to me? The only light came from the bright shining moon, letting me know it was still night time. I checked my clock and it was just past one in the morning. I knew everyone would be asleep by now so I changed into some pajamas, washed off all my make-up, and pulled my ratted hair into a loose bun on top of my head. Then I quietly made my way downstairs to the kitchen.
When I passed Dean’s door I heard some girl giggling. I rolled my eyes. We’re back in the states only a few hours and already he was entertaining some whore.
I raided the fridge for something to eat. I grabbed a few pieces of leftover chicken and then took the biggest slice of cake that was brought back from the party. Then I poured myself a big glass of milk. I didn’t want to disturb anyone so I took my plate outside to sit by the pool.
To my surprise Danni and Grandma Bea were outside chatting. “Bumble bee, what are you doing up?” Gran asked.
“I just woke up and was hungry so I came to get some food. What are you doing out here?”
“Just catching up,” Danni said, sipping some wine.
“Excuse me but I believe I taught you better than that,” Gran said. I looked at her funny. “It’s rude to eat in front of others without offering them anything.”
“Oh, right.” I held out the plate and soon realized by the way they were grabbing at the food I didn’t have enough. “I’ll be back. I’m going to get some more food.” Danni reached for the cake and I smacked her hand away. “That’s mine,” I growled.
She covered her mouth to hide her giggle. I narrowed my eyes at her letting her know I would be watching her. I turned around to walk back in the kitchen when Danni yelled, “Hey Ella, can you grab the cookies and some more cake, oh and…” I gave her a look like, seriously? “Never mind I’ll come help you.”
“Danni dear, could you grab another bottle of wine while you’re up?” Gran asked, shaking the almost empty bottle in her hand.
While Danni went down into the wine cellar, I pulled the chicken and cake from the fridge and grabbed some plates. Danni grabbed the brownies and cookies and helped me carry the rest of the stuff out. I pulled one of the tables over so we could lay out the food and make a mini smorgasbord. “So what happened at the end of the party?” I asked, not remembering much at the end of the night.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Gran asked curiously.
“It’s kind of foggy which is weird. I mean I remember everything from the night up until the end. Most of what I remember is all the boring stuff. When did I fall asleep? I don’t even remember leaving.”
“My dear, you were so tired you were falling asleep in your chair. I had Dean and your nice friend Cameron, help you into the car. You slept all the way home. You looked so beat I thought you wouldn’t wake up until the early afternoon.”
“Huh, I was pretty tired,” I shrugged, shoving another piece of chicken in my mouth. The odd thing was that I couldn’t remember leaving or what lead up to it. I gasped, suddenly remembering something. My grandmother froze. She had a slight worried look on her face. “I just remembered Jasa asked me to be her maid of honor.” Gran let out a sigh of relief. “Danni, if you want I’ll tell her no I changed my mind.”
“No Ella. You don’t have to do that. Xander made his choice and this is how it’s going to be. You don’t have to pretend to not like Jasa just for me. It’s okay, really.”
“I’m not pretending. There’s something off about her. I don’t know what it is, but I will find out.”
“Now, now sweetie, let’s not jump to conclusions. You want to make sure you play your hand right. No sense in folding when you have a full house,” Gran winked. I never understood her poker analogies, but nodded as if I did. “So I want to hear all about you. Starting with the reason behind all those tattoos,” she said, narrowing her eyes at me.
“How much time you got?”
“For you bumble bee, I have all the time in the world,” she smiled, gently touching my cheek.
I spent the rest of the night catching Gran and Danni up. I told them all about school and the evil Mackenzie. I told them all about Roman and all about my adventures in Ireland, basically everything that had happened in the past six months that they didn’t already know about. I had a hard time when I talked about Roman and Tristan and tried not to let my anger get the best of me when I told them about Tristan leaving me. I could see the sympathy in their eyes and I couldn’t handle it. I told them not to feel sorry for me. I didn’t. I was still angrier than anything, but I was also ready to move on. I knew from the beginning we would never work. It didn’t matter if we were meant for each other, soul mates, or whatever. Our relationship was nothing but a disaster from the beginning and I should take his departure as a blessing in disguise. I was happy to at least no he didn’t die in vain. He was alive and able to live a life as he pleased. I just hoped he lived that life as far away from me as possible.
Grandma Bea comforted me and even offered up some little spells to give Mackenzie warts or pimples. I declined – as much as she deserved it. Although after a few more sips of wine I might have actually taken Gran up on her offer.
After Gran and Danni almost finished their second bottle of wine I decided to call it a night and hide the bottle. Anymore wine and I’d have to carry them both inside and I did not have the strength for that. I was so happy to able to talk to Grandma Bea and Danni. I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I wasn’t sure I would be able to talk to anyone about what happened in Ireland, but I was glad I did. It was so nice to let it all out and talk to someone who understood, listened, and didn’t judge. I hadn’t realized how much I missed home and my family until I got there and I didn’t know if I’d be able to leave them again. Not to mention I had this feeling that I needed to be there. The feeling to protect my
family was strong, but I knew I couldn’t stay. I had to go back. I had to go back to school and clean up the mess I left behind. I could only imagine the damage Jack had caused. I couldn’t even begin to think of the damage I caused my friends.
I wanted to run away again, but only cowards did that. I had to face it and sooner than later.
Chapter Sixteen
*
Danni
“Well Bethany, I think it’s time I get to bed.”
“How many times have I told you to call me Grandma Bea,” Bethany chastised.
“Probably about a million, but I’m not going to be your family, Jasa is,” she said with a heavy heart.
“Danni my dear, you will always be family to me, you and that darling little girl of yours.”
“Thanks Bea,” Danni said, patting her hand.
“Besides, you are the mother of my great granddaughter, therefore you are already family.”
Danni pulled back, stunned. “You know?”
“Please, there’s nothing you can’t put past me,” Bea smiled. “If Xander’s too dumb to notice the resemblance than maybe you’re better off,” she winked. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me, but he should know.”
“I know, I just…when?” Danni always wanted to tell Xander Hadley was his but she made a promise she would keep it a secret so he could live his life as he was meant to.
“When the time is right you will know. And who’s to say this is the life he was meant to live?”
Danni looked her. “I thought you could only read minds through touch?”
Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) Page 22
