Capturing You (Maple Grove Romance Book 1)

by Katana Collins

  Cam cleared his throat. “Well, from what you described, it didn’t sound like you had much of a childhood.” He tilted the pile of toward her. “So, I thought I’d bring you the highlights.”

  Warmth flooded Lydia’s chest. No one had ever done anything this thoughtful for her. Ever. She lifted the first DVD. “The Goonies? ET?”

  Cam leaned against the doorframe. “Have you seen them?” Humor glinted in his eyes.

  Lydia shook her head no.

  “That’s what I thought.” Cam dropped the items into a pile inside the front door. “Later.”

  His fingers curled around Lydia’s elbow. Though unexpected, her body hummed at his touch. “You didn’t answer me before. Were you leaving?”

  Lydia cleared her throat as his fingers trailed a path up her arm to her jaw, and she relished the quiver deep in her belly. The spiral of heat uncurled between her legs, and his cedar scent twisted all around her. “I was actually going to see if there was any pie left at Elsa’s,” she admitted, blinking her eyes to the ground.

  “Pie, huh? Any chance I could talk you out of that?” His voice was velvety and rough at the same time, and it glided over Lydia, resonating down to her toes.

  “Oh, I don’t know.” Lydia’s mouth quirked into a grin. “I love pie.”

  Cam closed in on her, pressing Lydia into the doorframe. One powerful thigh slid between her legs, applying pressure in just the right area. Her eyes fluttered closed, and her head fell back against the uneven wood. He rocked his weight forward, hip circling into her. Oh, God, yes. Right there. Her body clenched with the pressure, and a moan escaped her lips before she had the good sense to stop it.

  Cam’s throaty chuckle vibrated in her ear. “What’s your favorite pie?”

  “P-pie?” Lydia blinked. Oh, right. Pie. They had been talking about dessert. Her hand fell instinctively onto his muscled chest. “Lemon meringue is my favorite.”

  Brushing his nose along her jawline, he returned his gaze to hers. His breath was hot on her skin. “So, you like your sweet with a hint of tart?” He nipped at her chin, and Lydia was putty beneath his very capable hands.

  Before she could answer, Cam had his cell out and cradled between his shoulder and ear. “Hey Lila, it’s Cam. You just now closing up?” A pause. “You don’t happen to have any lemon meringue left, do you?” He winked at Lydia, and it was so quick and natural, she might have mistaken it for a blink if not for the sexy grin that accompanied it. “That would be great. Could you swing it by the guest house on your way home? Lydia, the reporter. Yeah, she had a rough night, and I thought it might be a nice pick-me-up for her. Just leave it outside her door. Put it on my tab.” He ended the call, slipping his phone into the back pocket of his jeans. “Lila lives in the next house over.” He gestured with his head to the house behind them. “So, now that that’s taken care of—maybe I could come in?”

  A breath hitched in Lydia’s throat, her raging pulse felt in every section of her body. She tensed her thighs around Cam’s leg, pressing her dampened sex against him.

  “Do we need to talk about what happened tonight?” Nerves jumped in her belly as Cam shook his head.

  “What’s left to talk about?” he asked. She walked her fingers around to the back of his neck, her touch so light that the tips of her fingers were barely grazing him. He grunted, scooping her into his arms and kicking the door shut. His biceps strained against his fitted shirt as he pressed a kiss into her neck and nibbled his way up to her jaw. “And after a week of unsuccessful cold showers, I had to see you.”

  “I still feel like I owe you and Noah both an explanation.” She was breathless as he dragged kisses along her jaw.

  “Tomorrow,” he murmured. Resting her on the dresser, his hands dove into her hair, twining the strands through his fingers, trailing them down her arms until finally landing on her soft legs. His touch was demanding, and he hoisted her onto his hips.

  Lydia had already done too much thinking as it was. She could rationalize her way out of anything—and for tonight, she was done with logic and reason. Cam knew the truth. He knew about Noah’s article. And he was still here. Wanting her. And she needed him just as much.

  “Seriously.” His eyes locked on her. “What is it about you? I’ve gone years with barely a glance at any women—but I see you in a coffee shop and bam, my libido springs back to life. You come to town and double bam, my self-control is out the window.”

  A tiny smile brushed across Lydia’s lips as she shrugged. “Maybe you’re finally ready to move on? Or…” The sentence faded and she pressed her lips together, dropping her gaze to the floor.

  Cam curled a finger under her chin and tilted her head back up. “Or…?”

  She sighed. “Or maybe it’s because you know I don’t have any long term potential.” She tried to break away from his hold, but Cam held firm.

  “Lydia, no—”

  “Think about it, Cam. I’m not from around here. I’ll be leaving for home in another day. And as much as I love Maddie, I’m not mother material.”

  Cam’s expression twisted, pained. “I can’t believe you would say that. It’s one thing if you don’t want to be a mom—that’s fine. We would go our separate ways. But I don’t believe that. You’re scared.”

  Lydia swallowed, lifting her chin. “That still doesn’t change the fact that I’m leaving on Sunday. I’m a woman with an expiration date. And because of that, I’m safe.”

  “I think we both know you’re anything but safe,” he smiled.

  “I’m serious. I just think we both need to be realistic. With this just being tonight.”

  Cam shook his head. “I don’t think I want you just for tonight.” He dragged his lips across hers. The touch was so soft, it sent tingles through Lydia’s whole body.

  “Very well. Tonight and tomorrow.”

  “Nope.” His smirk climbed higher. “It would be easier if that was the case; if this was just a one night thing. But I’m not sure it is. Not for me.”

  She brushed her fingers along the edge of his jaw, day old stubble raking her skin. The roughness tickled her palm. He pressed his lips against her hand, taking one finger into his mouth.

  “Maddie needs a mom,” she said, trying to concentrate. “Not a woman who’s gone half her life for work.”

  His tongue swirled around her finger, suckling in a motion that shot her nerve endings to life. She blinked until her eyes closed and groaned.

  Cam drew her finger from his mouth, dropping one more kiss onto the tip. “Your mom made bad choices,” he said, running his hand through her hair. “But that’s not genetic. You are not your mother.”

  Lydia swallowed and her stomach knotted. Wasn’t she? She actually did enjoy her time with Maddie. But was that something she could do every day, all day?

  “And what about…” Her throat closed, and moisture welled in her eyes as her palm brushed across her abdomen. Dragging in a shaky breath, she tried again, this time looking down at her flat stomach. A stomach she worked hard to sculpt… and yet, would give almost anything to see it swollen and tight with a child. “What about—”

  “If you think that’s going to keep me away, you’ve got a lot to learn about me.” Drawing his lips to hers, Cam slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue twisted wickedly past her lips.

  As Lydia arched into the kiss, his palm found her breast. Delving into her shirt, he fondled her through her bra, and her body bucked beneath his touch. She met his tongue with hers, stroking it against his teeth and lips as well, and was rewarded with his groan. It was primal. Raw. And for just a moment, Lydia could see Cam clearer than he probably could see himself.

  Her body burned for his touch. Every centimeter of her skin was too sensitive, and her breasts were heavy and tender. His caress was gentle as he kneaded her nipple, and just as she thought she might explode, he moved to the other breast. Her head fell back against the wall. Reaching out, she flattened her hand against the hard line of his shaft and stroked him thro
ugh the denim.

  “Hands up,” he grunted, and Lydia happily obliged. In a flutter of cotton, her shirt was off, and with one snap, her bra undone and in a pile at his feet. He ripped his own shirt off, tossing it behind him. Their eyes locked, and despite the heat radiating between their bodies, Lydia’s nipples hardened.

  His mouth pressed to her neck and as his teeth scraped against her ear, her body jerked. The bite could be felt all the way down between her thighs. He palmed her damp sex through the gauzy pajamas, and she ground against his hand, memories of their night down at the lake coupled with his hands and lips all over her body sending her mind into overdrive. Arching into his touch, she squeezed his erection harder, and he grunted, lips freezing at her collarbone.

  It didn’t matter that they were fractions of an inch from each other or that only a couple layers of clothing separated them. It wasn’t enough—Lydia needed more of Cam. More of his body against hers, more of his hands pinching and caressing her body.

  She fumbled with his pants, tugging the thick leather belt away from his waist. His mouth quirked into a lopsided smile. “Need some help with that?”

  “I guess I didn’t realize you were in a hurry. Got somewhere else to be?” Lydia arched an eyebrow at him, and Cam chuckled into her shoulder.

  “Nowhere else in the world.” Muscles rippled while he exaggerated a stretch, allowing two hands to rest behind his head.

  “Good,” Lydia said with a smirk. “Then shut up and let me do my thing.” With a firm tug, the belt came undone and she popped the button. His jeans and boxer briefs pooled by his ankles.

  Her mouth went dry as she stared at his perfectly sculpted body. His abs and chest were chiseled to perfection. Not the kind of body a man gets from the gym—but from real work. Labor outside, day in and day out. The kind of ripped musculature one might get from hammering dry wall. Or chopping wood. Or… whatever the hell else they did out in these small towns to keep themselves occupied. Cam was naked and sexy and hard in all the right places. His cock pierced forward, thick and veined with lust.

  “Let’s get you out of these, too, huh?” He tugged the hem of her pajama pants.

  She nodded, still transfixed by his body, and slid off the dresser. His hand skimmed behind her neck again, and he knotted her hair into a fist at the nape. Tucking her legs under his other arm, he lifted Lydia, dropping her to the bed.

  Then he was on top, mouth claiming hers again. His kiss was demanding, lustful and possessive.

  Curling his fingers around the waistband, her pants slipped off, and they were both officially naked. Naked, wet, and in Lydia’s case, pulsing with desire.

  Her breasts heaved. She closed her eyes… God, Lydia. Get a grip. But her breath was still quick and sharp in her lungs. When she opened her eyes again, Cam’s gaze had darkened, his eyes turning wolfish as he took her in. The breath she had so desperately been trying to calm down caught in her throat as he dove a finger between her legs, stroking her. Pooling the moisture, he spread her wetness all over her swollen and too-sensitive lips.

  “So wet,” he muttered and licked his lips. As though her body was so appetizing, he was actually salivating. In that moment, he was the big bad wolf. And Lydia wanted nothing more than for him to rip off her red cape and ravage her body.

  “Cam,” Lydia whimpered, unsure of what else to say. Everything ached. Each touch was torturous and wonderful all at once.

  He bent and scraped his teeth across her nipple as his thumb circled her clit. He slid a second finger inside of her, pumping faster, teeth still tugging at her breasts in a way that pushed her to the very brink of where pleasure and pain collide.

  “So wet. So ready for me,” he said again, and his breath against her aching nipple was a cool reprieve.

  “Yes,” she said. “I need you. Please, Cam… now…”

  “Not yet, baby.”

  Her body trembled, eyes fluttering closed, and her head fell back on the bed. His mouth closed over her, suckling and lapping at her body. The sensation sent shockwaves through Lydia all the way to the tips of her toes. She dove one hand into his mess of dark hair while the other fisted the comforter. He licked her entire length before taking her clit into his mouth and working his tongue over the sensitive nub. She wriggled beneath him, bucking beneath each nip.

  “If you don’t stop struggling,” he said, nibbling her inner thigh, “I’ll only draw this out longer. I can make this torturously slow for you.”

  Lydia finally stilled. As enjoyable as it was—his tongue buried deep inside her, she wanted the rest of him. Needed the rest of him. Stealing a glance at his head between her thighs, sweat dripped between her cleavage. On an exhale, she met him eye for eye, challenging him.

  “That’s better. Keep looking at me.” There was a sharpness to his words—they were demanding and alpha. And it made Lydia’s toes curl.

  His lips lowered to her again, slower this time, and his fingers slid inside, slick and smooth. His eyes stayed on her as he sucked and kissed her most intimate area. A whimper escaped her trembling lips. His tongue flicked at her clit in sharp staccato as his fingers pumped harder, filling the need, the ache her body demanded.

  As her body stiffened, she thought she saw a hint of a smile in his blue eyes. Tremors rippled through her body, and she spiraled into orgasm. Her elbows dropped out from under her, and she collapsed onto the bed, a quivering, moaning heap. “Oh, God, Cam.”

  He kissed his way up her belly and lapped at each breast before returning to her mouth. Lydia could taste herself on his kiss—a tangy, coppery flavor that wasn’t all unpleasant.

  “Give me one second.” He hopped up from the bed and rustled around his pants pockets while Lydia enjoyed the view of his tight ass bent over.

  Something squeezed inside of her. Something that was not altogether sexual, but unlike anything she had ever felt with any man. Love? She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. No. Not love. Just… passion. Fondness and respect for a man she’d known only a few days.

  “Ah!” he said, pulling a foil condom wrapper from his wallet. “There might be cobwebs inside, but I knew I had one.”

  Lydia quirked her eyebrow. “A little presumptuous, weren’t you?”

  He shrugged. “Hopeful is more like it.”

  Once again Lydia’s heart squeezed. He looked so young, so carefree—so unlike the Cam she had come to know this week. And damn, she liked him. Not only the Cam who stood before her as a sex god and master with his tongue—but she liked the Cam that was a great father, brother, son, and friend.

  He tossed the condom on the bed, and Lydia rolled him onto his back, sitting on top of him. His wiry hair brushed between her legs and tickled in a surprisingly salacious way. Leaning over, she gripped the base of his cock and lowered her lips to the tip. A droplet of salty arousal exploded on her tongue, and she made sure to take her time pulling away, allowing him to see the added moisture stringing from his tip to her tongue.

  He hissed a breath and grunted, wiggling beneath her. “Damn, woman… not gonna last long if you keep that up.”

  “Payback’s a bitch, huh, Mr. Tripp?” Lydia widened her eyes with mock innocence and pouted her bottom lip.

  She circled his girth with her wet tongue before taking him entirely into her mouth. He filled her completely, and she moaned against him, allowing the vibrations to send shockwaves through his body. Increasing her speed, she glided him in and out with slick movements, and his hips rose with each thrust.

  His hands dove into her hair, wrapping the tendrils around his fingers. “Oh, God. Lydia—slow down.” He grunted, but his thrusts didn’t back off either.

  She pulled away, gripping his thighs while looking up into his eyes once more. Her heart pounded, and she could feel his pulse racing as well. Wiping her mouth with her index finger, she returned his smile. “Two can play at that game, huh?”

  He pulled her in for a kiss. “True—but we both lose if you win. You forget—it’s been a while for me.” Withdr
awing, his eyes filled with a seriousness that wasn’t there moments ago.

  Lydia’s breath hitched in her throat. Don’t go down Regret Road now, Cam. She placed a hand on his chest. It rose and fell with each deep breath, and she lowered to drop kisses along his neck and collarbone. His fingers played her spine like piano keys and every inch of her skin sparked, alive and prickling.

  The crinkling of the condom wrapper brought her focus back to his face. He ripped the wrapper open with his teeth. Sliding it on, he moved beneath her to readjust.

  “No,” she whispered. “Just like this. Sitting up, facing each other.”

  His hands slid beneath her buttocks, and he lifted her to position his head at her opening. As Lydia lowered onto him, they both gasped, eyes locked on each other, neither daring to blink. His eyes clouded over with something dark and tumultuous. He stretched her—filled her—and pushed her to the very edge as his length slid inside. It literally took her breath away, and he groaned, guiding and squeezing her ass around his erection.

  Sweat caught in his stubble and he licked his lips, brushing them against Lydia’s in a kiss that was the barest touch. His eyes closed and then opened again quickly, as though he didn’t want to miss a single moment between them. His hands roamed her back, and they glided easily across her sweat-soaked skin. His touch was scalding on her slick flesh. She rocked her hips, feeling the movement buried deep inside her. It sent bolts of lightning through her whole body; Lydia cried out, leaning forward, and gripped the headboard with one hand.

  Cam pumped into her faster, and she arched right along with the movement, circling her hips over his. His coiled chest hair tickled her all-too-sensitive nipples. He panted and groaned with each increasingly hard thrust. The space between them awakened with something new and electric, and their mouths met in a kiss so powerful it vibrated inside of her.

  Her body tensed around him, teetering on the edge of climax, until finally she clamped down on his shaft, the orgasm rocking through her body.

  “Lydia.” Her name was a plea on his lips, and he said it with no less intensity. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she clutched his shoulders as he shook, his own release trembling between her sensitive flesh.