Deep in the Heart

by Alexa Padgett

  “Lord, you are lovely.” His whispered words were buried against my breast as he took one nipple in his mouth. I moaned as the warm suction increased.

  He moved to the other side, his dark hair a heady contrast to my pale skin. He pushed the two globes together and nibbled the space between. My hips left the bed, seeking his.

  His deep chuckle slid over my skin and I thrust my hips up again, this time in demand.

  “All in good time.” He nipped his way down my right side only to work his way up my left. My fingers tangled in his hair as I lost myself in his touch.

  He continued to kiss each inch of my skin, his warm breath a soft counterpoint to the butterfly-light skim of his lips. I sank further into the sensual haze Cam created.

  He worked his way back down to my sleep shorts, placing love bites at the sensitive skin just inside my hip bones. Once again, I writhed under him, searching for the right friction to ease the deep ache inside.

  As if he had all the time in the world, he sat back on his heels to ease off my shorts and panties.

  “You are, without a doubt, the most delectable treat I have ever seen.”

  “I’m a woman, Cam.”

  His hands spanned my hips. “Not likely to forget that. Your naked body is burned into my mind. So much better than I imagined.” He looked up with a wicked grin. “And I’ve got a good imagination.”

  He slid his hands behind me, pulling my hips higher as he placed kisses on my thighs. My legs and stomach trembled. He kept moving upward, missing my needy center to instead map my hipbones, the slight give of my stomach, his tongue flicking in to taste my belly button.

  “Cam!” I cried in frustration, my fists slamming into the bed.

  He slid his lips across to the other hip before pressing his nose between my thighs. With gentle fingers, he parted me and groaned deep in his throat.

  “You’re ready for me.”

  “Been there for a while. I think I might explode.”

  He pressed a kiss against the soft flesh of my lower abdomen. “Oh, you will. Now that I’ve got you, you will many times.”

  He rose from the bed in a lithe motion. A slight grimace crossed his face as his weight rested on his injured calf. Before I could ask, he was over me, covering me with his hot, silky skin. I slid my fingers through the sparse hair on his chest, drifting my hand downward toward his navel, which I circled once. He grunted. I circled it again and he pulled my hand away, pinning it above my head. He grabbed the other one and held both my wrists in his one hand, working his way down the inside of my arm, over my chest, nuzzling my breast, down my stomach.

  My breath hitched as he kissed my lower lips. He thrust a second finger inside me and my hips rose from the bed as my cry pierced the quiet.

  “Shh, sugar. We got neighbors. You have to be quiet.”

  “Can’t,” I panted as he thrust in and out of my body. The ache grew, twisting and twirling through my core. “Please.”

  He lifted himself again and bent down. A small silver packet shone in the minimal light. He tore it open and sheathed himself, then he was once again over me. In me. My back arched and I made some breathy sound.

  “You.” He kissed my arched throat. “Are.” He pressed another to my jaw. “The most.” Kiss by my ear. “Incredible woman I’ve ever known.” His mouth covered mine. His tongue pushed past my lips, opening my mouth as he opened my body.

  I arched my hips, trying to take more of him as I strained my neck to kiss him harder, deeper.

  He pulled back and dropped his hands to my hips. “I got you, sugar. I’ll get you there.”

  “Please.” The word sounded like a sob. Too much need, too much emotion. He pulsed inside me, steady, unmoving. I slammed my foot against the bed.

  “All right,” he crooned. He slid out of me, then slammed back in hard.

  “Oh my…”

  He did it again. My head hit the headboard.

  “Cam.” The high, thready sound was almost a scream.

  Again, and again and again, he eased from my body only to pound back in. He stripped me raw—my body shuddering, ready for his next thrust.

  “You fit me, Jenna Marie.”

  His fingers gripped the flesh of my hips as he raised up to his knees, changing the angle to get deeper into me.

  “Yes,” I cried.

  My arms dug into his shoulders. He hammered into me. Sweat slicked our bodies. I needed more. I needed release.

  He stared down at where we joined. That was so hot, knowing all his focus was there, on us, together.

  His look of utter concentration, of sheer pleasure, pushed me over the edge and I unwound around him.

  Each flutter and gasp seemed to set him off more and he lost his steady rhythm, his hips jerking, before he too tipped his head back and moaned out his release.

  We didn’t sleep much the rest of the night.

  “You can sleep on the plane. I can’t put my hands on you there. Not like I want to, at least.” He nipped at my neck as he slid his warm palms down my body.

  I hummed in agreement.

  The flight home was uneventful, and I did sleep most of the trip, my head resting on Cam’s shoulder, his fingers tangled with mine. We spent the whole of Sunday together. Cam tugged me down at one point to watch a football game—I couldn’t even tell you who was playing—before he heaved a great sigh.

  “You got something else you want to do?” he asked.

  “Just laundry. You finish watching your game.”

  He settled into the couch, arm thrown across the back, booted feet on the edge of my coffee table. I shook my head, trying to ignore just how much I wanted him there every day.

  Going to work the next day proved hard—not just getting up, made more difficult by Cam, half-naked and begging me to spend another hour with him in bed.

  After a long shower that did little to ease the throbbing in my head, neck, or between my thighs, I dressed quickly and bent to press a kiss to his lips.

  “I have to finish this rather important client’s guitar.” I raised my eyebrows. “He needs it in three weeks, and I’m well behind the deadline. And I’m also meeting your sister in,” I glanced up at the clock and grimaced. “About an hour.”

  “I’ll make you some coffee.” Cam swung his legs over the side of the bed. My mouth watered at the sight of him standing, and then stretching, in nothing but tight black cotton.

  “You can stay in bed,” I whispered. Even my vocal cords were in awe of his sexiness.

  He scratched his lower abdomen, and I whimpered a little as my eyes fell to the deep-cut V that slid into the elastic waistband.

  “I better get back to my place. I need to make some calls. Work out my strategy to keep you with a constant guard.”

  “Oh. Okay,” I said, my voice still faint. I turned, head muzzy because I wanted to rub my hands, hell, my body, all over his.

  He reached out a hand and snagged me around my wrist, pulling me back toward him. I tilted my head up as he grazed his lips over my jaw, moving slowly toward the corner of my mouth.

  “You could have gone another round, sugar.”

  I shook my head but it was almost imperceptible. If he asked again, I’d climb back into bed with him—and never leave.

  “We good?” he murmured. “I can’t let you leave until I know we’re good. Solid. Together.”

  I panted as I turned my face and caught his lips in a soft, desperate kiss. I pulled back in tiny increments, not wanting to lose our connection.

  “I can’t resist you.”

  He ran his hand up my side, over the swell of my breast to the back of my neck. “Don’t try. But first I need to know how you’re feeling, sugar.”

  “I…” I met his gaze. He was serious—still worried I was upset with him about how Saturday, or maybe the night before, went down. “We’re good. As long as you’re not upset with me.”

  His fingers tightened on my neck, the grip more possessive. “Tell you one thing. I need you. And I wan
t you happy.”

  He finally kissed me, long and hard and oh-so-hot. Which was why I arrived at the office with only moments to spare before Kate showed up.

  Pop-pop hadn’t been in the shop much last week, but he and Mom told me they were glad Kate kept me company. She answered the phones and managed annoyed clients better than Pop-pop or I ever had. The few walk-ins we had, Kate handled too, explaining the custom design work and the intricate details of the wood.

  She made the days pass more quickly, and I was pleased with her company. Pop-pop seemed happy to take much-needed time off. Even in the last few months he’d slowed down; his hands beginning to shake and swell if he worked for too long. More and more of the design work shifted to my plate. Not that I minded. In fact, that was the main part of the work I enjoyed.

  The days of the week and that of the next two thereafter fell into a nice pattern, and I looked forward to spending my time with my grandfather and my new friend.

  Cam’s guitar came together well. Maybe I’d put more feeling into this one, but even Pop-pop said this instrument was my best work.

  “That’s a beautiful piece, Jenna-dove. And you finished it. I wasn’t sure it was possible.”

  I wiggled my fingers, trying to get feeling back into the tips. “Me either. Golly gee green jelly beans, that was a task. But it’s done now.”

  A hollowness built behind my breastbone. I rubbed the spot absently.

  “Want to come to dinner with your parents and me tomorrow? We’re going to Swift’s Attic,” Pop-Pop asked.

  I licked my lips, humming. The blistered shishito peppers and the interesting desserts were hard to resist—especially the Earl Grey snickerdoodle one. But I shook my head.

  “Cam’s concert is tomorrow. I promised him I’d go. And I should come in early in the morning to start on that next guitar. Another rush job,” I said with a sigh. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to get a reputation for pulling these short-turnarounds and then I would be up a creek when everyone wanted their custom-made guitar in a month.

  I wrote on a sticky note: I want to build an extra week or two into every new contract we sign and settled it against Kate’s sleek, silver iMac. I’d told her to order what she wanted, and that computer showed up two weeks later, causing her to squeal and jump up and down like a toddler on Christmas morning.

  If she had any questions, Kate and I would discuss next Monday during our informal meeting—that seemed to always include a large mug of coffee and a pastry or two. Kate paid attention to what made me a happy boss lady.

  “You decided to go to Cam’s performance?”

  “I did.” Going to another venue caused my upper lip to sweat and my body to stiffen, but I needed to get past my fears. Mitch, my full-time guard, said I’d be fine. That he’d make sure to keep me safe.

  He and I got along well. He liked learning about the design process even more than Kate did. I enjoyed their light flirtations, too. He’d promised—as had Chuck and Cam—that I’d be safe.

  Trusting Cam tomorrow was important to and for both of us.

  “I just have to work most of the morning.” Stupid to have taken this project on—but it was a big name. As big as Asher Smith’s, and if he liked my work, I was going to have more calls than I could handle. I’d be able to choose which clients I worked with—based on my preferences, not theirs.

  That was a nice place to sit, especially in an industry of inflated egos.

  “Well, then, you mind if I keep your SUV to drive tomorrow? It’s roomier than my Prius, and I know your mom appreciates the leg room.”

  “Of course.” I handed him the key, glad I’d driven myself to work this morning. Now that Cam had claimed me publicly as his girlfriend, I could no longer walk around with the same level of anonymity.

  “Speaking of, I’m glad you and Camden worked out your differences. He’s a good man, Jenna.”

  I smiled at my grandfather. “He said he was going to talk to you.”

  He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Came by a couple of weeks ago while you were getting more wood. He looked nervous, which tells me a lot.”

  “Bet you made him sweat.”

  Pop-pop grinned. “A bit.” He touched my nose with his index finger. “I like you happy. I’m proud of you, mainly for the fine work you’ve done on this project.” Pop-pop packed up his Bento lunch box and his briefcase.

  My heart rate kicked up as my face flushed. Not often my grandfather lavished me in praise. I wallowed in the moment. “You’re going to spoil me.”

  Pop-pop laughed. “By telling the truth? Not hardly.”

  “Well, I’ve already been brought back down to earth, though I did enjoy the nice tour of inexpressible joy you gave me just now.” I scowled, feeling my annoyance build. “My new client needs his instrument in about six weeks. Seven if Kate can sweet-talk him into giving me more time. And you know how long it takes to coat these bad boys to that pristine satin.”

  “I do. Call me if you change your mind about dinner. Your mother would love to see you.” He winked. “I know your father’s been off a bit, but maybe it’s because he needs to see your beautiful face.”

  That wasn’t why. My father was jealous of my relationship with Pop-pop. Granted, he never wanted to be a guitar-maker, but also didn’t want to share his father’s fortune with me. Not that I’d asked for it—or planned to. “Will do. I love you, Pop-pop.”

  He patted my cheek. “Love you, too, dove.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and stepped from the shop, locking the door behind me.

  I waved at Chuck, who raised his hand in response. The man was quiet, but I could see the caring he shared with Cam, and that was enough for me.

  A small squeak left my body as an arm snaked around my waist, pulling my bottom tight against his thighs and my back to his chest. I relaxed as Cam pressed a wet kiss to the side of my neck.

  “You scared me.”

  “I couldn’t help it. You’re just too cute.”

  Pop-pop pulled out of the lot and waved.

  “Isn’t that your car?” Cam asked.

  “Yes. Pop-pop needed it for dinner with my parents tomorrow.” I turned in his arms and rose on my tiptoes. I sealed my lips over his. Those tingles coursed from my lips up into my chest, swirling, before settling low in my belly.

  I pulled back, breathless.

  “Now that’s a greeting,” Cam said with a smile.

  “I finished your guitar.” I lifted the case in my hand.

  Cam’s brows rose and he whooped, scooping me up at my hips and twirling me around. He stopped with a grimace, and I knew his leg must be bothering him.

  “Hot damn, woman, I’m some excited about trying it out. Just in time for my show.”

  “Are you coming back to my place?” I asked.

  Cam’s face fell into lines of contrition. “Can’t. My mother called and lit into me. She wants me home for dinner tonight. I haven’t seen her since…well, before Seattle, and she needs some reassurance I’m not angry with her for keeping the truth from her.”

  He frowned as he glared at the shop, no doubt thinking about his sister and the fact his mother didn’t want to tell Kate the family secrets.

  I agreed with Cam that Kate needed to know, but it wasn’t my place to push.

  “Plus, I need to get to know this gorgeous girl before I have to play it in front of thousands of people tomorrow.”

  “All right,” I said, and handed him the case.

  He pulled me in close to his side and led me over to his large, dark SUV we’d been using since we came back from Seattle.

  I stewed during the short drive back to my condo. Something about his willingness to leave me alone for the first time after I completed the guitar left me off-kilter.

  “I’ll walk you up to your place,” Cam offered.

  “That’s okay. I’m sure you want to get to your mom’s.”

  Cam gave me a strange look before exiting the car and helping me out.

  He
lingered in the doorway, his lips clinging to mine for a sweet, luxurious moment, before he caressed my cheek with his thumb. After a long look in my eyes, he turned back and strode down the hallway, his legs eating up the distance to the elevator. For the first time since he flew to Seattle, I roamed through my loft, restless and uncertain.

  20

  Cam

  I hadn’t wanted to tell Jenna my brother was in town. Not because I didn’t want her to meet my twin, but because I needed to talk to him about Mom’s desire to keep Katie Rose in the dark about her father—and to make sure the tail-tucking ass knew Jenna was mine.

  I met Carter on my porch where he sat, an open beer on his knees and the rest of the six-pack under his chair. He was bigger than I remembered, a slightly rougher version of me. Now that I knew, I could see Jensen, our father, clearly in his features, especially the nose and chin. At least based on the pictures I’d snagged from Mom’s attic.

  I set down my new guitar with great care just inside the door of my house.

  After a long round of back-pounding hugs, Carter offered me a beer, which I gladly accepted.

  “Come on in.” I motioned him inside.

  “What you got there?” Carter asked, tipping his head toward my guitar. I set the beer bottle on the coffee table in the living room and grabbed the guitar case. I opened it with care and my breath caught when I looked at the beautiful designs Jenna created in the wood.

  “Holy mother…that’s one heckuva guitar,” he said. He sucked on his beer, eyes running over the wood’s soft gleam.

  “Jenna made it for me.”

  “The gal you’re seeing?” Carter asked. “Saw her picture in the paper with you. Pretty lady. Love all that blond hair.”

  I nodded. I ran my fingers along the gleaming body, reverently following the line of the silver she’d added there.

  With a quick glance up, I met first Carter’s eyes. “She matters to me. I couldn’t have you meeting her until you promised to treat her right. And as mine.”

  Carter whistled through his teeth. “Wedding bells in the future, man?”