Tempting Cameron

by Karen Erickson

  He stared at her, stunned by her words. Christ, he was tempted. The idea of showing sweet Chloe Dawson an adventure or two sounded like an interesting way to occupy his short time here in Lone Pine Lake.

  But he knew what she was like. What her expectations really were. She’d want more; women like her always wanted more. And he couldn’t give it to her.

  Cam needed to shut this flirtation down and quick. It was time to turn on the macho asshole front and bail on her before he became weak and actually agreed to her suggestion.

  He was tempted, though. Tempted to want more. But not here. Not in his hometown with a girl he’d known forever. It would be a mistake. He’d screw it up—he always did.

  “Sounds interesting, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to turn you down.” Grabbing his beer, he slammed the rest of it, set the empty mug onto the table with a grim smile. “See ya around, Chloe.” He stood, nodded in her shocked direction, and fled the building.

  Didn’t bother saying good-bye to his brother. Didn’t say nice to meet you to Alison. Just buzzed out of the bar as fast as his feet could take him.

  He burst through the double doors, the sultry night air enveloping him in its steamy embrace. The predicted heat wave was fully upon them and it was still miserable, despite it being almost ten o’clock at night. Not even a breeze stirred the air.

  Taking a deep breath, he rested his hands on his hips and glanced about the parking lot. And wondered what the hell had gotten into him. Confessing such a personal piece of information to Chloe Dawson, for the love of God. The girl who’d followed after him when he was a teen, watching him with those big puppy eyes full of adoring love.

  And what the hell had gotten into her? All those sexy looks and subtle gestures, the way she leaned into him as if she wanted him to kiss her. She’d propositioned him right there in the middle of The Tree, with his brother, her friend, and a handful of townies sitting around them.

  He exhaled through his nose, glanced at his brother’s car, to which he didn’t have the keys. That same adoring, awkward teenage girl was the woman he kissed last night. And enjoyed it, too. The woman who invited him to indulge in an adventure with her, and there was no getting around what she referred to when she said the word adventure.

  “Shit,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. He did not want to go back in there and ask for Mac’s keys. He could call him, have Mac meet him outside…

  “Figured out you didn’t have a ride home?”

  Cam whirled around, saw Chloe standing there with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Heaven help him, the position of her arms pushed her breasts up, made them look like they could spill over the ruffled neckline of her tank top, and he gulped. Swore he saw a peek of white lace from her bra. Jesus. “Uh, yeah,” he said weakly.

  Dropping her arms to her sides, she strode toward him, her sandaled feet crunching on the graveled parking lot. “I shouldn’t even be out here, making this offer.”

  “What offer?” he asked. She drew even closer, the light floral scent of her reaching him first, nearly doing him in. Why did she have to smell so damn good?

  “You need a ride home, right?” Her splayed hand came at him, shoved him directly in the center of his chest.

  Cam took a staggering step backward, shocked that she’d pushed him. “I was going to walk.”

  A snort escaped her. “Yeah, right. It would take you hours.”

  It was his turn to snort. “I’ve trekked across the desert for hundreds of miles for days, months at a time. A little walk to my parents’ house won’t kill me.”

  She remained silent for a moment, studying him, as if she needed to digest what he’d told her. Her eyes filled with sympathy and he hated that. He didn’t need her pity. “There are too many blind curves on the road,” she finally said. “And it’s so dark. A driver could hit you and you’d be done.”

  He shrugged. He’d faced worse. “I’ll be fine. Besides, there’s a full moon. It’s not that dark.”

  “Oh my God.” Rolling her eyes, she grabbed his hand, led him toward a dark-colored, American-made sedan. It figured she’d own a sensible vehicle. “I’m giving you a ride.”

  “Who are you, my mother?” He let her lead him, enjoying the feel of her hand clasped in his more than he cared to admit. “I already told you, I don’t need a ride.”

  She glanced over her shoulder, irritation written all over her face, hitting the keyless remote with her free hand to unlock the car. “Have you always been this stubborn?”

  He laughed. “Hell, yeah. But you were always too far gone over me to notice my faults.”

  Chloe went completely still, her back to him. She let go of his hand and slowly turned to face him. “What did you say?”

  Her eyes were narrowed, her lips pressed together; she looked furious, but he went on with it anyway like a damn fool. “Everyone knows you had a major crush on me when we were in high school,” he continued. Maybe this would get her to leave him alone so he could spend his summer in peace. Alone and sullen and mulling over his future. “Hell, you were barely in high school, making eyes at me and following me around.”

  Her jaw dropped open as she stared at him. She shook her head. “I never told anyone I had a crush on you.”

  “You didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious, what with the way you were always there, like a little pest. Always in my business, I couldn’t shake you if I tried. And let me tell you, I tried. But you stuck around despite my trying to ditch you. Giving me those puppy dog eyes all the time. Like you’re doing right now.” He was being mean, but maybe it would help end what had to be a painful crush she nursed on him.

  Because clearly she still had it. And it could go nowhere. He’d make sure of that. He refused to be responsible for showing Chloe a little fun and then leaving her sad and alone.

  Though he was damn interested in a little taste of her. To spend some time with her. Just to know what it might be like, to have Chloe’s complete and total attention.

  “And come on, everyone knew. Ask Mac. Ask Jane. Ask anyone,” he added, since she hadn’t said anything. He was exaggerating. He’d never discussed Chloe’s supposed crush on him with anyone. “I could’ve had you any way I wanted you. I bet I still could.”

  For whatever reason, he wanted to poke at her, make her realize that flirting with him was a huge mistake. He would break her heart without even meaning to, so why not discourage it now when she wasn’t completely invested in his loser ass?

  Besides, all this dating and flirting bullshit was one long, never-ending game.

  And he was tired of playing it.

  Her gaze narrowed, her eyes so dark they appeared black. Those puppy dog eyes were long gone. “No wonder no one wants you around here,” she said, her voice eerily calm. “You’re the meanest, most callous person I’ve ever had the displeasure to know.”

  He watched wordlessly as she rounded the car and opened the driver’s side door. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he stepped away when she started the car, backing out of its slot and then exiting the parking lot. Never once looking in his direction.

  Long after she was gone he stood there. Pissed at what he’d done, how he’d hurt her. But it was for the best. Maybe, finally, she’d forget about him once and for all.

  Cam started walking, a chilly breeze coming out of nowhere and washing over him. He shivered, cursed yet again. He’d done her a favor.

  And maybe someday, she’d realize it.

  Chapter Three

  Chloe drove home, the angry, bitter tears that flowed freely nearly blinding her. She couldn’t believe how mean Cam had been. The awful things he’d said. The awfully embarrassing and true things he’d said. She felt like she was fourteen all over again. That funny-looking, flat-chested girl with the dorky glasses and braces, she’d tried her best to capture Cam’s attention when all along, he’d merely tolerated her. Talked about her with his family and friends. Probably made rude remarks about her, too.

  God.
She was such a fool. Even worse, it only took her thirteen years to figure it out.

  Wiping the back of her hand across her eyes, she squinted, tried her best to focus on the road before her. Did everyone really know she’d had a crush on Cam? And why hadn’t they ever said anything? If not Mac, then at least Jane, or any of the other girlfriends she’d had in high school.

  Had they all enjoyed making fun of her behind her back? Did they think her pitiful, especially since she still had feelings for Cam?

  She couldn’t believe how stupid she was. If she could go dive under the covers and not come out until the end of summer when school resumed, she’d be just fine with that. Facing everyone, knowing that they’d been aware of her crush on Cam all this time, was just…too humiliating to comprehend.

  Flashing lights appeared in her rearview mirror and she groaned, pulling over at the next turnout. She furiously wiped at her face, not wanting to look like a crying, pathetic fool. Odds were she knew who pulled her over and she didn’t want him asking any questions.

  A knock sounded on her window and she rolled it down, irritated to see it was indeed the local deputy Mike Vargas. He was a friend, someone she’d known forever. “Give me a break,” she muttered.

  “Nice to see you, too, Miss Dawson.” He tipped his hat, peering closely at her. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine, just trying to get home.” She shot him an irritated glare when he slapped his ticket book against his thigh. “I know I wasn’t speeding, Mike, so you can’t give me a ticket.”

  He paused, his careful cop gaze meeting hers. “No, you weren’t speeding. You were driving seventeen miles below the speed limit. I could ticket you for that alone.”

  “No way.” Great, so she was a lawbreaker because she drove under the speed limit?

  “Yep.” He nodded, looking extremely pleased. Must’ve been a boring night if he couldn’t find anything else to do but harass her. “I clocked you going thirteen miles per hour for the last ten minutes. You didn’t even notice me behind you.” He paused, peering at her intently. “You know this winding road better than the back of your hand, Chloe. Why such a slow poke? Something on your mind?”

  No way could she say a word to Mike, not that she ever would. He was the biggest gossip of their close-knit group. “I’m just…tired. Now tell me I can go or else I’m out of here whether you like it or not.”

  He cocked a brow. “Do that and I’ll throw another charge on you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Oh, grow up.”

  Rolling her window back up, she put the car into drive and took off, bringing her speed back up to twenty-five at least. She knew Mike wouldn’t do anything. That this was his way of making sure she was all right without coming right out and asking her.

  Chloe would usually appreciate the gesture, but not tonight. She wasn’t in the mood.

  Her cell phone rang and, deciding she was already a lawbreaker of the nth degree, she answered it.

  “Where are you?” Ali asked, her voice a harsh whisper. Loud music played in the background, indicating she was still at The Tree. “You totally ditched me.”

  “Oh my God.” Chloe felt like such a jerk. She’d forgotten her own friend. “I’m sorry. I’ll come back and get you right now.”

  “Come back? You already left? I thought maybe you were making out with Cameron in the parking lot.”

  “God, Ali, shut up. Someone might hear you.” She put the phone on speaker and set it facing up in the center console. “I’ll turn around at the next driveway and come back to get you.”

  “Nah, don’t worry about it. I’m getting a ride with Mac. It’s no big deal. Enjoy yourself,” Ali said in a sing-song voice.

  “It’s not what you think, Ali,” Chloe said. “I’m not with Cameron.”

  “Well, that’s a damn shame. Maybe you should come back here and nab him while you can. He certainly seems miserable enough.”

  “He’s still there?”

  “Well, he was ten minutes ago when I ran out to the parking lot searching for you. He looked like someone kicked his puppy.” Ali paused.

  Good. Though the thought didn’t make her feel that much better. No, she even felt a little guilty, which was so ridiculous she hated to even think it. The man didn’t deserve her care or concern. He’d crapped all over it with his choice of words and how low, how pathetically stupid he’d made her feel.

  He wasn’t nice. Nice people didn’t do that sort of thing. They were friendly. They were kind and always willing to lend a helping hand. Why couldn’t she find a guy like that?

  Instead she picked the jerk. The rebel. The bad boy. The man who was so outrageously handsome and sexy he could kiss the brains right out of her head.

  Then tell her it was a mistake and make fun of her.

  She was such a cliché it was pitiful.

  “Don’t tell me you two had a fight so early in the game. Hopefully you got a couple of kisses out of the deal before you argued?” Alison continued.

  “No, there was definitely no kissing tonight, I’m not sorry to say.” Not that she’d wanted to.

  Okay, she’d wanted to, but still. Once he opened that mouth and started spewing insult after insult, she was done.

  “You have to fill me in on all the details tomorrow. Let’s get together for coffee.” Ali suddenly squealed, and the sound of a masculine voice filled the background. “I gotta go. Mac is attacking me. See you tomorrow.”

  Chloe frowned at her now-silent phone. Mac was attacking Ali? What did that mean?

  Sighing, she shook her head. What she’d hoped would be a fun, relaxing evening with friends had turned into a disastrous confrontation ending with her feelings hurt.

  Oh, and her utter humiliation. Let’s not forget that part.

  Without thought she pulled into the next driveway she came upon, backed out, then headed the way she came. The roads were quiet, the night sky bright from the moon. Its silvery light shone upon the lake, casting it in shimmery waves she couldn’t help but glimpse every time she rounded the curvy road that followed along the banks.

  Her tears had dried up, had been replaced with a simmering anger that twisted her stomach. Maybe it was good she found out what Cam was really like now. That he was a world-class jerk who wouldn’t know a good thing if it hit him in the face. It could be the solution to her unresolved feelings for him after all these years.

  Instead of focusing on him, she should focus on herself. Take an adventure like she’d talked about. She wasn’t trapped here indefinitely. And she wasn’t boring or bored. She could go anywhere she wanted.

  Chloe instantly thought of her mom and frowned. Well, more like she could go somewhere temporarily. Maybe she should take a vacation all by herself. To…Hawaii. Though she’d gone there for her senior trip, she’d rarely left the Waikiki beaches. Or maybe she could go to New York City. Yes, she’d always wanted to see Times Square, take in a Broadway show.

  A little smile curled her lips. That would be perfect. She had money saved. It was still early in the summer vacation. She could probably find a deal, go sometime at the end of July. Take a week and see the city sights alone. Or maybe Ali would want to go with her.

  It would be great fun, though, going alone—a true adventure. What used to terrify her actually sounded promising. No one to listen to, she could make whatever decision she wanted and not worry about hurting someone’s feelings.

  Because unlike a certain someone she knew, she did care about other people’s feelings.

  She rounded another tight corner, gasped when she saw the majestic buck standing in the middle of the road. He didn’t move, the cliché deer in headlights flashed through her mind, and she realized he was what her father would’ve called a five pointer.

  As she hit the brakes, they squealed so loud the sound scared her. Jerking on the steering wheel, she made a sharp right, fully expecting to slide directly into the buck that would surely wreck her front end beyond repair.

  Instead, the backend of her car
swerved wildly, causing it to fishtail. Sending her right over the edge of the road and straight into darkness.

  Straight toward the lake.

  …

  The unmistakable sound of squealing tires made Cam lift his head and stop walking. Seconds later a loud thud filled the air and he knew without witnessing it what had happened.

  A car had sailed over the edge of the road and probably hit the embankment. Not too far away from where he stood, either.

  Taking off in a run, he headed toward where he thought the wreck might’ve occurred, rounded the sharp corner where many a car had flown over in the past. Usually it was a tourist who wasn’t familiar with the roads. Sometimes the cars were going at such speeds they were sent flying into the lake itself.

  A few times, people even died.

  Picking up speed, he ignored the pain in his knee and kept going. He hadn’t run like this since before the accident, before his knee got all screwed up. The pressure he put on it was tremendous, the pain shooting up his leg and reminding him that hell, no, he definitely wasn’t invincible.

  But he pressed on. The scent of burned rubber filled the air and he saw the skid marks crossing the road, noted how they disappeared off the edge of the curve. Going to the top of the embankment, he saw the car flipped over on its top down below. Smelled the spilled oil and gasoline.

  Shit. He scrambled down the dirt embankment, reaching for his cell phone in the front pocket of his cargo shorts. Dialing 911, he rattled off his location, reported the accident, and asked for an ambulance and a fire engine.

  Sweat pouring down his face, more from the pain in his knee than the exertion, he went to the car, saw the front tire still spinning madly. He recognized this car. Had made fun of it in his head not more than fifteen minutes ago.

  “Chloe!” He yelled her name, went to the driver’s side, and tugged on the door. Miraculously it opened, revealing Chloe hanging upside down, still strapped into the seat, held there by her seat belt, her head hanging at an odd angle. His heart nearly stalled in his chest. He needed to get her out of there. “Can you hear me?”