Just the thought of him seeing her in a swimsuit made her want to walk the lake trail again.
Well. Maybe not.
“Let me check.” Ali whipped out her cell phone, her fingers flying on the keypad.
“Who are you texting?”
“Mac.” Ali kept her gaze trained on her cell screen, her face screwed up in concentration. “I’m asking who’s going tonight.”
Chloe watched her friend carefully. “And what are you doing with Mac’s number anyway? I didn’t realize you two were that close.” Again, adding fuel to her suspicious fire that maybe something more was going on between her two friends.
Ali shrugged, her demeanor nonchalant. “We’re not close. Casual friends, that’s it. He gave me his phone number a while ago, more like an emergency thing, I guess.”
“An emergency thing? Like what, you need help mulching your yard and he’s the man to call?” Mac owned the local nursery and gardening center in Lone Pine Lake. Had bought it when the owner, his old boss, retired two years ago.
“Shut up,” Ali muttered. “And I’ll have you know he’s been a tremendous help with starting my garden this year.”
“Starting your garden. That’s an interesting way to put it.” Chloe squealed and ran when her friend tried to yank on the end of her ponytail.
“I didn’t give you any grief about your secret,” Ali called after her as she chased Chloe up the driveway and into her front yard. “So give me a break.”
“Ah, you know I’m just kidding. And are you implying you have a secret?”
Ali grabbed the bottle of water she left on Chloe’s porch, unscrewed the cap, and took a long drink before answering. “I’m not going to lie. I find Mac very…attractive.”
“Oooh,” Chloe started but shut up when Ali slanted her a look.
“I wondered more than once if he had something for you.” At Chloe’s incredulous expression, Ali continued. “You two are together a lot. He’s protective of you. At one point, when I first moved here, I thought you were dating.”
“We’ve never dated. One mistaken drunk kiss a long time ago when I was still in college, but that was it.” Chloe screwed up her nose. “And it wasn’t even that great of a kiss. Felt weird. Like I was kissing my brother.”
“Eww.” Ali shook her head, took another drink. “So you’re saying he’s a bad kisser.”
“No, I’m saying that when it comes to the two of us, kissing will never be an option.” She couldn’t say that about Cam, though. The minute his lips had touched hers, her body had flared to life, tingling everywhere. She’d been filled with a needy ache ever since.
Ali’s phone dinged and she checked it, her lips curling into a little smile. “He mentioned Cam in his list of everyone going tonight.”
Nerves clanging in her stomach, Chloe swallowed past the sudden nausea that threatened. “Great,” she said weakly.
Ali laughed. “Wear your Sunday best, my friend. You’ll want to look good for your new kissing partner.”
Chloe smiled in return but worry consumed her. What if Cam didn’t want to be her new kissing partner? And was that the lamest thing to call him, or what? What if he ignored her the entire night instead?
She didn’t think her fragile heart could take it.
…
“I can’t believe you dragged me here,” Cam grumbled irritably as he followed Mac into the Pine Tree Bar and Grill.
Mac flashed a grin over his shoulder. “It was either here or hang out with Mom and Dad for another fun-filled night. You tell me which option sounds better.”
Cam didn’t answer. He’d been staying at the ’rents house but had already spoken to Patrick earlier about crashing at his and Lyssa’s place for the summer. He craved privacy. Jane and her kids had moved out a few weeks ago, since now they lived with Chris.
Tomorrow he was grabbing his bag and going to Patrick’s. Patrick’s family had already headed back home to the bay area. They’d bought the cabin years ago and usually stayed there when they came to visit Lone Pine Lake, the only exception being when Jane had lived in the house with her kids for almost a year.
A huge-ass empty house on the lake sounded perfect to Cam’s loner soul.
“I offered you to stay at my place.” Mac had a condo not too far from the town’s center.
“Your place is too small. Besides, Patrick said I could stay at his house,” Cam answered.
They stood by the bar counter, scanning the room, looking for Mac’s group of friends. “How long do you plan on staying here, anyway?”
Cam shrugged. “I don’t know. A couple of months.”
“Seriously? Through the summer? I’m surprised.” When Cam scowled at him, Mac laughed. “You try your hardest to avoid this place. It’s like you hate your hometown.”
He didn’t reply, kept his gaze trained on the flat screen TV that hung over the old jukebox, which had stood there since he could remember. The place was less than half filled. No surprise, considering it was a Sunday night. Most locals stayed home before they started the workweek and the weekend tourists were already gone.
But Cam had no place to go tomorrow, nowhere to work. He was on a semi-permanent hiatus. Hell, even his family didn’t know the extent of what he suffered while overseas. He hadn’t wanted to worry anyone, strike panic in their hearts when it wasn’t necessary.
He could handle the scary shit on his own. Didn’t need anyone else.
They went to a larger table and sat, ordering a pitcher of beer and a couple of burger specials. “Who else is coming?” Cameron asked after the waitress left.
“Alison and Chloe for sure,” Mac answered. “A few others might show up later.”
His heart jerked. “Chloe?”
“Well, yeah. I hang out with her and her friend Ali a lot.”
“Who’s Ali?”
“Alison Sullivan, resident kindergarten teacher at Lone Pine Elementary. She moved here a few years ago and she’s good friends with Chloe.”
“Huh.” Cam grunted, then muttered a thanks when the waitress brought them the pitcher of beer accompanied by frosty mugs. He poured himself one and took a sip as he thought about Chloe.
Again.
Damn it, he couldn’t shake her. He wanted to. Desperately. But the memory of her lips pressed to his, that sharp inhalation of breath when their mouths first made connection, the velvety sensation of her tongue tentatively touching his…
He should forget all about her. He was leaving soon and had no business contemplating kissing her again, let alone actually locking his lips with hers. She’d been a part of his life since…forever. No way could he fool around with her like he did with other women and then leave her, most likely heartbroken.
He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself for that. Avoiding Chloe was the smart, responsible thing to do.
“Ah, there’re the girls,” Mac said, interrupting Cam’s thoughts. “Listen, don’t flirt with Alison. You’d break her heart in an instant.”
Cam arched a brow. “What, but I can flirt with Chloe?”
“Not her either. You’re an insensitive asshole. Save it for some tourist who’s looking for a good time quickie. Hey chicas.” Mac’s gaze focused over Cam’s shoulder, his smile brighter than the neon beer sign hanging on the wall above their table. “Get your asses over here and grab a beer.”
Cam kept his gaze locked on the mug in front of him, unsure of how to greet Chloe. Would she be clingy? Demand an explanation for what last night’s kiss meant? Or would she act like the typical psycho woman, ignoring him one moment and ranting at him the next?
He frowned. His worry proved he dealt with nothing but crazy women most of the time. And he pretty much knew for a fact Chloe wasn’t crazy.
“Hi, Cam.” Her soft voice washed over him, sending tingles scattering across his skin. She sat next to him, leaning over to grab an empty mug before reaching for the pitcher.
He grabbed it for her, poured her a glass that was half foam. “Hey.” He still
hadn’t looked at her, but damn, he could feel her. Warm and feminine, her tantalizing scent a tease to his senses.
“Thank you,” she murmured and he finally risked glancing her way.
Big mistake. She was extra pretty tonight, even more so without the bridesmaid finery and in her natural state. Her dark brown hair fell past her shoulders in loose waves and she wore a simple pink tank top that accentuated her golden skin, the ample curve of her breasts.
He tried not to let his eyes bug out of his head. But damn, Chloe Dawson was stacked.
“Alison Sullivan, this is my brother Cameron.” Mac introduced the cute blonde who sat to his right. She was tall, with pin straight hair and a sleek figure, startling blue eyes and a pleasant smile.
Pretty. But she had nothing on Chloe.
“Nice to meet you.” Cam nodded in her direction.
“Likewise. And call me Ali.” She laughed when Mac poured her a mug and the foamy head overflowed, spilling onto the table. “Nice one, McKenzie.”
Cam rolled his eyes and Chloe leapt to her feet, headed toward the counter. “I’ll grab a rag.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Cam watched Chloe hurry to the bar, her swishing backside drawing his attention. She wore a short skirt that showed off a mighty fine set of legs. She looked good enough to eat.
“Did you guys order dinner?” Ali asked, clearly making conversation to fill the silence.
“Yeah, we were tired of eating reception food,” Mac answered with a grimace. “Mom and Dad packed up all that leftover food and brought it home. Mom probably would’ve served it for breakfast if she knew we wouldn’t protest.”
Ali mock frowned. “Poor baby, living on leftovers of delicious food. So I gather you ordered burgers?”
“The special,” Cam answered as Chloe returned. She tossed the rag to Mac, who wiped up the mess in seconds.
“Are you talking about the hamburger special? I think I want one. I’m starving,” Chloe said as she settled into the chair next to him.
“I already ate.” Ali wrinkled her nose. “You sure you want a giant, messy burger tonight, Chloe?” she asked pointedly.
Chloe waved a dismissive hand. “I can’t pass up one from The Tree. So what if my butt gets big? I’ll just walk a few extra laps on the lake trail next time.” She grinned and Cam’s heart stuttered.
All these years when he thought of Chloe, he remembered the girl who played with his little sister. The awkward preteen who followed him around and sent him moony glances when he was supposedly not looking. Back then, he found her a pain. But now…
Her butt was perfect to him. And he liked that she didn’t care they were going to witness her eating a messy hamburger and a vat of fries. Most of the women he knew were too thin and definitely didn’t like eating in front of him—or anyone.
Not Chloe. She was so easygoing in her element. Her smiles came frequently, she laughed and joked with the waitress as she made her dinner order, offered her fries to her friend, and guzzled her mug of beer before he’d finished his.
Clearly, she was in a good mood. And he appreciated the hell out of it.
Once they demolished their dinner plates, Mac and Ali went to play a round of pool along with a few other friends of Mac’s who’d just shown up, leaving Chloe and Cameron at the table.
Alone.
She picked a fry off her plate as if she couldn’t resist, dragged it through the ketchup before popping it into her mouth. He watched in utter fascination, hoping like hell he wasn’t too obvious. “So I hear you’re staying in town for a few weeks,” she said.
Christ. He grimaced. Already the word was out—guess nothing was a secret in this town. With the exception of their shared kiss last night…hopefully. “If all goes as planned, I’ll stay through the summer.” Really, he had no plan.
“Oh.” Her eyes widened the slightest bit. “But it’s only June.”
“Yeah.”
“That means you’ll stay…a few months?”
He shrugged. “I suppose so.”
“Wow.” She tore her gaze from his, drew her finger across the condensation that had formed on the table from her mug. “I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“Since you moved away, you only come back for, like, a day or two at the most.” Her cheeks colored the slightest bit. “Not that I noticed.”
So she noticed. One part of him liked it, the other part wanted to run like hell. This woman liked him and he wasn’t worth her interest. She’d had a crush on him when he was a teen and he was starting to realize not much had changed.
Which meant he needed to hightail his ass outta there. At least end the conversation and pretend he wanted to go shoot some pool.
But he didn’t move.
Indulging with her would be fun, but a waste of their time. He’d leave, she’d cry, and his family would probably end up hating him for breaking the hometown princess’s heart.
No, thank you.
“I needed a break,” he said.
“Ah, a vacation, then.” Her lips curved the slightest bit, reminding him of how they felt on his. Soft and sweet and…
“No vacation. I don’t have a job to go back to.” Why the hell had he admitted that? He shouldn’t be talking to her. Spending time with Chloe most likely gave her hope that something might happen between them. Again.
But here he was, confessing his secrets when he hadn’t told anyone he’d quit his job. And quit was a mild way of putting it. He should’ve been fired, but he beat them to it. Sent his resignation letter via e-mail and that was that.
No more job. No more purpose. No more…anything.
She looked at him, really looked at him, her eyes seeming to see right through him. Her expression was one of complete understanding, though really, she didn’t have a clue. “I had no idea. Jeez. The way I talked to you last night…going on about how satisfying your career must be. I’m an idiot.” Closing her eyes briefly, she offered a self-deprecating laugh.
“Not your fault,” he said when her gaze met his once more. “No one else knows.”
Chloe’s lips parted, her delicate brows scrunched with confusion. “What do you mean?”
“I haven’t told anyone else.” He glanced around, noticed no one paid them any mind. “Except you.”
“Oh.” She sat up straighter, turning her upper body toward him and resting her hand on his arm. “Well, don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone.”
He’d heard that before. And it had been a lie too. He ignored the sparks of electricity crackling along his skin where she touched him and withdrew from her. “There are no secrets in this town.”
She made a little face, wrinkling her nose. Damn, she was cute. And he needed to stop thinking like that. “You’re so right.” She sounded amused because, hell, he was right. “But I swear, you can trust me.”
He studied her. All her wholesome, delicious goodness shone through in that blinding smile, those pretty velvety brown eyes. He’d acted like a dick toward her last night and still she said he could trust her.
Huh. Wouldn’t be the first woman to say such a thing and then rat him out. The ones he’d dealt with in his past were a vengeful bunch. It would do him well to remember that.
“Really?” The skepticism in his voice was blatant.
It bypassed her completely. She settled her hand on his arm again, those soft, delicate fingers stroking his skin and his groin twitched in reaction. “When did you turn into such a Lone Pine Lake hater, hmm? You spent the first eighteen years of your life here.”
“That was the first indication I needed to leave.” His voice was stiff, his body tight. She leaned in closer, the scent of her filling his head, clouding his judgment.
“You didn’t turn out so badly,” she murmured sultrily. Her gaze skimmed over him and his skin heated, as if she’d physically touched him.
“Are you flirting with me, Chloe?” He cocked a brow, didn’t move his arm away from her hand. He enjoyed her touch
too much.
She raised her brows at him in return. “If you have to ask, I think that means I’m doing a terrible job.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “You should be furious with me.”
“Over what happened last night?” He was shocked she mentioned it. Appreciated her straightforwardness, too. “I agree. You were sort of a jerk.”
“I was a complete jerk.”
Nodding, she smiled. “Definitely.”
“I’m still a jerk,” he warned.
“You know what I think?” She glanced to her left, then her right, before she leaned in so close she was in kissing distance. “I think you like to pretend you’re a complete jerk but beneath that tough guy exterior, you’re really a big ol’ softie.”
No one in his life had ever described him as a softie. “Oh yeah, that’s me. A big ol’ teddy bear.”
“You are, aren’t you? All warm and cuddly.” She ran her hand across his shoulder, her touch sending hot sparks shooting through his bloodstream. “Not soft, though. You’re actually quite…hard.”
If she knew how close she was to the truth, she’d probably freak. He knew he was close to freaking. He wasn’t one to sport wood in the middle of a bar. Flirting with Chloe Dawson was a mistake. He didn’t want to hurt her when he left.
And he always left. “Are you drunk?”
She shook her head. “I had half a beer and it’s watered down. I’m sober as can be.”
It was a known fact that the owner of The Pine Tree watered down the beer on tap. The drinks were so cheap, no one protested Sal’s antics. Besides, he’d been doing it since anyone could remember. “Hmm, you’re acting a little bolder than usual.”
“I’m searching for that adventure I talked about last night.” Her smile was a little crooked. “I think you might make an…interesting one.”
Cam frowned. “I can’t be your adventure, Chloe. You said that yourself.”
“A girl’s allowed to change her mind, right? I think you could be just the man to show me an adventure or two.” She licked her lips, leaving them shiny, and damn it all, he wanted to kiss her again. Badly. “No expectations, no commitment. Just some…fun to fill our summer days.” Her voice lowered. “And nights.”
Tempting Cameron Page 3
