For once in his life, he was eager to find out.
Chapter Nine
Chloe woke to warm, strong arms wrapping around her and hauling her close to an equally warm, hard muscled body. Her breath lodged in her throat and she lay there completely still, knowing exactly who was in her bed. She recognized that deliciously intoxicating masculine scent anywhere.
Cameron.
Was he still drunk? Or had he sobered up somewhat? If she’d known he’d sneak into her bed, she would’ve dressed better. Worn sexy lingerie to impress him. Or maybe nothing at all if she was feeling really daring.
Instead, she’d crawled into bed a few hours earlier wearing her usual. An old, thin white camisole and cotton panties. She’d had a hard time falling asleep, knowing Cam was in the next room, oblivious in his drunken stupor. When sleep had finally come, she’d dreamed. Of skinny-dipping with Cameron in the lake, splashing him when he tried to grab her. Until finally he caught her, yanking her in close, letting her know without a word just how much he wanted her…
“Mmm, you’re hot.” He nuzzled her neck, pushed her hair away so he could press his damp mouth to her rapidly beating pulse. “Wake up, sleepyhead,” Cam murmured.
She tilted her head to the side, offering him easier access, and he took it, nibbling and licking a path down her neck that had her sighing with pleasure. “You disturbed my dream,” she murmured sleepily.
“Tell me this isn’t better than what you were dreaming about.” His smug confidence made her smile. Especially since he was right.
“Considering I was dreaming about you, the reality is only somewhat better,” she answered. “Are you angry, Cam? About what happened with your family? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tell Jane anything.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he muttered. His arms tightened about her waist and the next thing she knew he hauled her beneath him, his big body pinning her to the bed, his hands braced flat on either side of her pillow.
Opening her eyes, she found him watching her. His hot gaze roved over her face, skimmed down her throat to land on her chest. She wore no bra, the camisole’s fabric was thin and see through, and there was enough dim light coming through the open window above her bed for him to see her. Squeezing his eyes shut, he shook his head once, released a harsh breath.
“God, look at you,” he muttered, almost as if he were talking to himself. “You’re killing me here.”
“Cam.” He opened his eyes when she called his name and she reached for him, rested her hand against his scruffy cheek. “What are you doing?” Stupid question but she was unsure.
A cocky grin appeared and he turned his head, pressed a smacking kiss to her palm. “Joining you. Do you mind?”
“Are you still drunk?”
“Maybe a little.” The grin faded. “You know, you’re right. I should be mad at you.”
Dread filled her and she let her hand drop. “Now you want to talk?” They should. It was only right.
“You shouldn’t have told Jane about my accident.” His gaze hardened and he lifted off her, settling in beside her, lying on his back. “I didn’t expect you to break my confidence, Chloe. That…hurt. What I told you was private.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. She just wouldn’t stop badgering me! You know how she is. And I slipped. It was a stupid slip and I hate that she got it out of me and I hurt you in the process. I wish I could take it all back.” She meant it. “I only told her because I was worried about you. They want to help you.”
“I’m fine. I don’t need their help.” He crossed his arms behind his head, hands linked at the back of his neck. He stared at the ceiling. “They tried to stage some sort of bullshit intervention.”
“I know. They did it because they care about you, though. They love you and their feelings were hurt because you kept your accident from them,” she whispered. God, she ached for him. For all the hurt and humiliation he’d faced. His pride would be his downfall if he wasn’t careful. “You have to know I didn’t expect them to do that, Cam. I didn’t know Jane was going to tell them and confront you with it. I’m so, so sorry.”
He turned to glare at her. “Who told you about the ambush? Wait, let me guess.” His mouth thinned. “Mac.”
“No. I haven’t talked to Mac in days.” She propped herself up on one arm so she could look down at him. “Jane called me. She was worried sick when you blew out of there.”
“I was furious. But I’m over it. You didn’t mean for that to happen, Chloe. I get it.” He moved his gaze from hers. Stared at the ceiling again. “How did you figure out I was at The Tree?”
“I just…I don’t know. I had a feeling you’d be there.” She had no explanation beyond instinct and that sounded ridiculous.
“Huh.” He paused. The tension in his body rolled off him in waves and she wished she could reassure him, touch him. Let him know just how sorry she was, that everything blew up in his face. She’d never meant it to go that far. “I hit Mac.”
“I heard.”
He sighed. “Want to know why?”
Yes. No. “Does it involve me?”
Cam looked at her again. “Yeah.”
Her heart felt like it was going to seize in her chest. “Then tell me.”
“He said I shouldn’t use you as my sexual plaything.” Cam laughed. “There’s nothing sexual going on between us so I guess I dodged that accusation.”
She didn’t laugh. It wasn’t funny. She appreciated her friend’s concern but seriously…
It was none of his business.
“Then Mac told me if I broke your heart, he’d break my face. But I broke his face first.” He held his hand out toward her, his knuckles scraped. “It still hurts.”
“Want me to kiss and make it better?” What had just compelled her to say that?
His eyes darkened. “Yeah.”
She took his hand in both of hers, brushed her lips across his warm, damaged skin. He’d hit his brother over her, in defense of her. The realization was still staggering. “Better?”
“Maybe.” He slipped his hand from her gentle grip, his cloudy gaze locked with hers, his expression earnest. Curious. “I need to know. Is there a chance I could break your heart, Chloe?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer. Her heart was already breaking for him, not that she’d ever admit it. She was in love with him.
But she couldn’t say it. Not yet. That was the hardest part of all.
“I break everyone’s heart,” he whispered, rolling on his side, shifting closer to her. He took her hand, slid his fingers between hers, his thumb brushing across her knuckles before he linked their fingers together. “My family’s, my friends’. I don’t know how to stick anymore, even when I want to.”
“I could teach you.” She cleared her throat. If he turned her away now, she was done. She couldn’t face the humiliation of being so open with her feelings for Cameron any longer if he shut her down. Or worse, turned it into a joke. “If…if you want to know how.”
Without a word he moved over her, cupping her face with his calloused hands. “Every time,” he murmured, his expression grim, his gaze pained. “Every time I’m ready to pull back, you have this way of reeling me in.”
She released a shuddering breath, not knowing what to say. And then she didn’t have to speak at all. He settled his mouth on hers, softly, sweetly. Turning the kiss instantly hot, wild. Deep.
Heaven help her, the man could kiss. He tasted fresh and minty, his tongue doing wicked, erotic things, and she responded to him like the hopelessly in love fool that she was. Clinging to him, her legs tangled with his, she wound her arms around his neck, buried her hands in his silky soft hair.
“You make me want to stick,” he whispered close to her ear just before he nibbled her earlobe. “For you, Chloe, I’d do just about anything.”
Oh, God. Did he mean it? She’d fall apart if he didn’t. If this were nothing but meaningless, drunken rambling she’d never forgive him.
�
��All this romancing has nearly pushed me past my breaking point,” he murmured, his breathing ragged, his expression edgy. “I want you. So damn bad it’s taking everything I have not to attack you.”
He kissed her again before she could reply and she melted into the mattress. His hands were everywhere, pushing the hem of her camisole up past her ribs, exposing her. Lifting away from her, he stared at her stomach, his gaze lingering on her almost bared breasts. “Tell me you don’t want this.”
She tilted her head back, her gaze meeting his defiantly. He was trying to trick her. She knew he wanted her to deny him. It would be easier that way. After all, he was the one breaking her single simple rule. But it was her rule to break, and their sweet summer romance had run headlong into the sexy, passionate romance category.
“I want this,” she whispered. “I want you, Cameron.”
…
Cam had half hoped she’d turn him away. Tell him she couldn’t go through with this so he’d have no choice but to release her. Leave her bed and sleep on that godforsaken couch for the rest of the night, his body aching with wanting her.
But she wanted him. Maybe she even needed him as badly as he needed her. He’d already said too much, admitted far, far too much. When it came to Chloe, he had no control of his emotions.
None.
Without a word he slid his palms up, taking the fabric of her thin tank top with him over her breasts, lingering on her lush, soft curves. She whimpered, arched into his hands, and he pushed the tank up, wanting it off.
She lifted her arms, allowing him to remove it, and he pulled the tank over her head, tossing it onto the ground. She didn’t move, didn’t so much as flinch as he studied her, his breaths coming rapidly as he drank her in. Open and vulnerable and so achingly beautiful he was almost afraid to touch her.
Knew that once he did, there was no going back. She’d become his.
And he didn’t know if he could ever let her go.
Her arms still stretched above her head, she watched him, her gaze glassy, her face flushed. “There doesn’t have to be any walls between us, Cam.” Her voice trembling, she visibly swallowed. “I don’t understand why you keep throwing them up.”
She accepted him so easily, put no conditions on him besides the no-sex thing, and that had been a form of protection. From him. Her own sort of wall she’d thrown up, and he’d eventually worn it down anyway. “You deserve better—”
Chloe sat up quickly, pressing her fingers against his mouth, shutting him up. “No, I don’t. I deserve you.” She traced his lower lip. Her trembling fingers sent a wave of emotion through him so fierce it took his breath away. “Why do you always put yourself down?”
Cam bent his head, focused on her beautiful breasts on blatant display. “It’s easier. That way I don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations. Why do you think I never stick around? I can’t disappoint them if I’m not here.” He touched her, curved his fingers around her breasts, stroking her. “Your skin is so soft.”
“Cameron,” she breathed, the sound of his name causing him to lift his gaze, still holding her breasts in his hands. “All those expectations you’re talking about? You put them on yourself.”
He tried to say something. Defend himself. Deny what she said. “You think you really know me? Have me all figured out?”
She moved into him, her mouth meeting his. The kiss was hot, wild, touched him to his very soul, and when she broke the kiss first, she placed her hands on his cheeks, gave him a little shake, and he blinked his eyes open in shock. “I know you’re scared,” she whispered. “Well, guess what? I’m scared, too. But I’m more scared that I’ll never know what it’s like to really be with you. And love you.” She bit her lip, a tear sliding down her cheek. “Because I’m in love with you, Cameron. Whether you like it or not.”
He swiped the tear away with his thumb. Devastated he made her cry. But he couldn’t answer her, didn’t know how. Knew she didn’t expect an answer, either, thank God. He’d probably screw it up, say something stupid or worse, hurtful.
And the last thing he wanted was to hurt Chloe.
He would when she found out the truth about the night before her accident. That stupid argument would hang over his head until he finally confessed the truth. He had no right being angry at her for betraying his trust.
He was betraying her at this very moment, keeping things from her. But damn, he wanted her so badly. He needed her. She was brave enough to tell him she loved him…
Later. He would tell her everything later. But now?
Now he had a sexy, near naked woman in his arms and he could hardly think. All he wanted to do was feel.
His chest aching, still reeling from her admission, he guided her so she lay on the mattress, his body pressing into hers. No one beyond his parents and siblings told him they loved him and he rarely said it. Had never really believed in love before.
Being with Chloe, he knew he could believe.
Leaning in, he kissed her. Softly, trying to convey the jumble of emotions swirling within him to her. Trying to prove that he was worthy of her love.
She tunneled her fingers through his hair, stroking him, gentling him. The kiss turned languid, tongues lazily searching each other’s mouths, his hands roaming all over her. He wanted to inhale her, feel her pulse in his bloodstream, flowing through him until he knew nothing else but her.
Cam slid down her body, her soft sighs his guide as he kissed her everywhere. Her panties soon vanished, as did his boxer briefs, and then they were naked. Face to face, he was desperate to make that final connection with her and when she leaned up, pressed her mouth to the spot where his pulse beat wildly, he was done for.
“I don’t have—” He swallowed when she licked him. “I don’t have a condom.”
She smiled against his throat, then slowly lay back on the bed, waving a hand toward her bedside table. “I have some in the drawer.”
He frowned, jealousy flaring within him and she laughed. “I bought them a couple of weeks ago,” she admitted, doing that shy, biting-her-lip thing that drove him wild. “I guess I was…hopeful?”
Reaching for the drawer, he found the box, fumbled nervously as he tore it open and pulled out a packet. Sharp joy pierced his chest. She’d wanted this, wanted him for weeks. They’d wasted so much damn time…
And when they finally came together, he wanted to prolong it. Make it last, savor being with Chloe, connected to her. A part of her.
“Cam.” She panted his name, her hands clawing at his shoulders as she wrapped her legs around him. “Please.”
He tortured her just as much as he tortured himself. “I know,” he murmured against her mouth. “God, I know.” He was so lost in her, found in her, everything started and finished with her. And him. Together.
As they lay there in the dark afterward, their damp skin clinging to each other, his face buried in her hair, her breathing slowly evened out. She’d fallen asleep.
And he’d fallen in love.
Chapter Ten
It was dark. The moon was full, adding to the dim lights that stood in the parking lot of The Pine Tree. She could see Cam clearly, could hear him even clearer, and dread crept over her when he started talking.
“Everyone knows you had a major crush on me when we were in high school. Hell, you were barely in high school, making eyes at me and following me around.” His voice was harsh. She’d never heard him sound like that before.
Her jaw dropped open as she stared at him. She shook her head, panic rippling through her, her heart racing. “I never told anyone I had a crush on you.”
She’d never told Jane, she’d never told any of her friends, and she’d definitely never told Mac.
And now Cam was being cruel, taunting her. After he’d kissed her last night, like she meant something to him.
He still made fun of her.
“You didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious, what with the way you were always there, like a little pest. Giving me
those puppy dog eyes all the time. Like you’re doing right now.”
An icy cold calm settled over her, bringing everything into sharp focus. Cameron McKenzie was an idiot. A handsome, sexy jackass who wouldn’t know a good woman if she stood in front of him and hit him over the head…
Chloe cracked open her eyes, immediately shutting them against the bright sunlight. She slung an arm across her face, exhaustion settling over her despite how late in the morning it was already.
The dream lingered, filling her with worry. It had seemed so real. The irritated maliciousness in Cam’s tone, the words he’d said…
Why would she dream about something so awful?
Next to her, Cameron stirred, his back to her. She smiled, reached out, and trailed her fingers down the smooth expanse. His skin was warm, firm, all those beautiful muscles utterly, completely relaxed.
She’d done that for him. Relaxed him. Satisfied him. And he’d done that for her and more.
Sighing, she went to him, slid her arm around his middle and pressed her cheek against his back. They’d made love three times and she was so tired. Blissfully, deliciously tired. She never believed this could happen, never in her childish, teenage dreams that she’d have Cam in her bed.
“Are you trying to tell me you’re in the mood again?” His sleep-roughened voice slid over her, making her melt. “You’re insatiable, woman.”
“Mmm, just wanting to snuggle, that’s all.” She brushed her hand down his flat stomach. Lower, lower still until he stopped her, his fingers locked around her wrist. “You’re no fun.” She pouted.
He flipped her over onto her back and pinned her to the bed so fast she burst out laughing. “Someone has quick reflexes,” she murmured, yanking her hand from his grip so she could drift her fingers down his hard chest, tangling in the soft hair that grew there.
“You want fun? I’ll give you fun.” He kissed her, stole her breath, stole her thoughts and when he finally came up for air, the cocky smile he wore said it all. “You like that?”
It was scary, how easily she could get used to this. Waking up with Cam, laughing with him, having him naked and in her bed all the time. Whenever she wanted. “Yes,” she whispered.
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