by Hadley Quinn
***
After breakfast, Teague took Camryn to meet up with a few of his friends at Sandlake, including Jay. Their buddies had a pair of dune buggies that the group was sharing, and Teague couldn’t wait to take Camryn for a ride.
“I’m the only girl here,” she observed as she climbed into a vehicle with him. “Are you sure you want me tagging along? Maybe you’d rather just hang out with the guys—”
“No way,” he scoffed, putting an arm around her from the driver’s seat. He pulled her to him and added, “You’re way more fun than any of them,” and kissed the top of her head.
“You sure you’re not humoring me for other reasons?” she asked as he helped her into a helmet.
He raised an eyebrow but felt guilty because he knew what she meant. “Like what reasons?” he asked anyways.
She barely shook her head. “Nothing,” she mumbled.
Teague fastened his own helmet and then slid on a pair of sunglasses, glad he didn’t have to get in to that particular conversation. The dune buggy lurched forward in the sand, and not much was said after that. There was a lot of laughter and one-word exclamations that ensued, and Camryn kept teasing that he had a bit of a daring streak to him. He made sure he was safe though, and he asked if she was okay on several occasions, but she seemed thrilled when he made her drive for a while.
“You know I’m gonna buy me one of these now, right?” she asked when she stopped a ways away from the other off-road vehicles.
“Can’t say I’d blame you. It’s fun.”
“It is. And I would’ve never thought to do something like this. Thank you, Teague.”
He shrugged, trying to appear casual. He really wanted to pat himself on the back for making her smile and laugh so much. He couldn’t get enough of the sound and sight of her having fun. “You’re welcome. You ready to drive back? You getting hungry or anything?”
She removed her sunglasses and helmet and shook out her hair. Slipping out of her coat she said, “I’m still full from breakfast, actually. How ‘bout you?”
Teague took off his helmet and sunglasses too. “Yeah, I’m good.” He glanced around at their surroundings, realizing that they were basically pretty secluded from everyone. They were even parked near a grouping of trees that offered quite a bit of privacy. “You park here on purpose?” he flirted, running a hand over her thigh. He leaned into her and kissed the side of her neck. He heard her release a shaky breath as he sucked on her skin a little, and then kissed along her jaw toward her chin. He paused just before her mouth, using the three seconds to determine which part of his body was in control here.
It was his brain, he decided.
He pulled away to study her reaction. Her eyes had been closed but she opened them when he returned to his seat, and after staring at each other for a few seconds, he could tell she was uncomfortable again. Her earlier comment about reasons he would be spending time with her was bugging the hell out of him. He wanted her to clarify but he also didn’t. It would probably be awkward if she stated out loud that she didn’t trust him. Or what if she accused him of using her just until the one-week deal was finally up? Sure it had started out that way, but now that he’d spent some time getting to know her, his feelings had changed. The bet had seemed like an interesting way to kill time, but now, because of mistakes in the past, he was contemplating things way more than he was comfortable with.
Camryn leaned forward and kissed Teague’s cheek where it met the corner of his mouth, and even though it wasn’t a tongue in his mouth or even just lip-to-lip, the soft contact did a number on him. It was the first time her sweet lips had been on him, and one tiny little kiss was more damaging than he expected.
She pulled away and smiled at him, and fucking hell if he didn’t think she enjoyed torturing him this way. One half of him was pissed that she was so good at playing this game, but the other half of him was impressed beyond belief. At this rate the girl was going to have him begging by nightfall.
Well two could play that game. He pulled her onto his lap with her back to his chest, and gathered her hair in his hand as he kissed her neck again. His other hand wrapped around her waist until his fingers found hers and linked them together.
“I love touching you, Camryn,” he said in her ear.
The words could have easily been spoken after they’d been doing naughtier things than what they were actually doing, but Teague deliberately made his voice a husky whisper. He truly did cherish this kind of contact with her, but since he couldn’t do anything about the way she was affecting him, he was really starting to get flustered.
He softly kissed her neck again. His lips traveled along her jaw until she turned just slightly. He looked into her eyes; he was only inches away from pressing his mouth to hers and he could actually feel the electricity buzzing between them.
Teague placed his hands on either side of her face to figure this shit out. He had to know if she really wanted him to. Right now she was still as a statue, but he figured her heart had to be crashing in her chest like his was. He stared into her eyes but he couldn’t tell what was going on in that paradoxical head of hers. He wasn’t sure if she desired his kiss or was scared of him.
Well fuck it. There was only one way to find out, and if it cost Teague a night with her in his bed, he’d be shocked. There was no way she’d spend so much time with him if she didn’t want to. Was she tentative around him? Hell yes. But all that would change once his mouth was all over hers. He believed she really was a tough little thing, but he was beginning to see what was underneath her defensive shell and she was definitely soft for him.
His hands were still on her face, but he moved his thumbs across her skin to prepare her. If she seriously didn’t want him to kiss her, she’d have pulled away by now. When he angled his mouth, her eyes dropped to his lips. He was just about to ask her something stupid, like if it was okay if he kissed her, when her head slightly turned away and she looked past him. It was as if rejection just totally pummeled him in the gut until he realized what had caught her attention.
Another dune buggy was approaching and an intruder was now in their not-so-private spot. And now Camryn would barely look at him when she climbed out and said, “I’ll let you take us back.” She grabbed her things that had ended up in various places, and waited for Teague to move from the passenger’s seat.
“Sure,” he agreed, trying not to sound so sullen. But he could even hear the sulk in his own voice. He switched her places, adjusting the throb in his pants at the same time. By the time they were ready to roll again, it was Jay that pulled up beside them.
“Dude, where you been? Thought your crazy stunt ass put the two of you in the ocean or something!”
Teague gave him a look.
“Uh, see ya back at the lot,” Jay said, reading him just fine. “We’re gonna go eat.” He steered the dune buggy away from them and headed south.
Camryn was obviously busy trying to avoid eye contact with him again, so Teague decided not to say another word. The dune buggy jumped forward and the ride back was a silent one.
Thankfully lunch was tolerable because there were six other people for the two of them to socialize with, but they barely said a few sentences to one another. When Camryn made a trip to the restroom, Jay leaned over the table to Teague and asked, “What the fuck is up with you guys?”
Teague feigned indifference. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit! It’s like the arctic between you two. I fucking interrupted something out there, didn’t I? I’m sorry, dude. What can I do to make it up to you?”
Teague barely shook his head. “It’s not your fault. In fact, maybe I’m glad you came when you did. I just can’t figure her out.”
“Why the hell would you have to ‘figure her out’?” he scoffed. “God, Teague. You sound like you care.” Teague only took a drink of his water and Jay’s eyes opened wider. “Shit, you do care. I was right. You’re such a fucking goner.”
“You don’t even know the ha
lf of it.”
“Well I would if you’d talk to me about it. You’ve been a total closed book. Happy as a fucking jaybird, but you don’t share much.”
Teague thought about that for a moment. He had been happy lately. What guy wouldn’t be with Camryn to touch? And he hadn’t even done all the things with her that he wanted to do. A physical relationship he wanted, yes, but why was he all of a sudden worried that there wouldn’t be anything more?
He was acting like a chick.
“I need you and Grady to ride back with someone else,” Teague finally said.
“Sure man, okay,” Jay nodded. “Hey, she’s on her way back,” he murmured, looking over Teague’s head. “Anything else?”
Teague thought for a moment as he took a deep breath. “Don’t come home tonight?” he barely smiled.
Jay chuckled an agreement, even though his assumption was off the mark.
Chapter Eleven
Camryn wasn’t sure what to think of Teague’s mood after they left Sandlake. He didn’t seem upset, but he’d also lost his playful edge. When they had joined the rest of the group back at the parking lot after the dunes, they chose a place to meet for a late lunch and climbed into various vehicles to head out. Jay and Grady rode in the Jeep with them, and Camryn was grateful that she didn’t have to get wrapped up in a serious conversation with the sexy driver next to her.
But Jay and Grady had decided to ride with someone else on the way back, and that left an unfinished conversation floating in the air. Or was there a conversation still to be had? She hoped that there wasn’t, but Teague had hardly spoken to her after they got in the Jeep.
Thank God she received a call from Melanie on their way back to Olivia Beach. But Melanie wasn’t much for small talk and dove straight into her reason for calling.
“Mom says you’ve got a hot guy you’ve been spending time with,” she said excitedly. “Give me details, Cam. How hot?”
Camryn really didn’t want to have this conversation with Teague sitting right next to her, but she’d barely had a chance to talk to her sister since she’d been in Oregon. Telling her she’d call her back wasn’t an option. Plus, if Melanie had actually made a call to their mother, she felt like she owed her one.
“Inferno,” Camryn answered.
“Holy crap!” Melanie squealed. “Body?”
“Grade A.”
“Eeeee!” she squealed again. “Eyes?”
“Tropical paradise.”
“Wow,” Melanie groaned. “Smile?”
“Mouth watering.”
“Voice?”
Camryn had to pause as she closed her eyes. “Euphoric,” she sighed.
“Oh my God, Cam. This guy sounds delicious. Bring him home with you, okay?” she giggled. “Ooh, McKenzie and Lynn are here, I gotta jet! Love you, sis!”
She hung up without waiting for a response.
Camryn slid her phone into her bag and rested back against the seat. She felt Teague glance her way, so she turned her head his direction.
“All you said was inferno, grade A, tropical paradise, mouth watering and… euphoric? That’s a conversation with your sister?”
She smiled uncomfortably. “Yeah, pretty much. Speed Q-and-A.”
He barely nodded as he slowed for a truck that was turning. “I’m intrigued to know what the questions were.”
She shouldn’t even tread there, but what the hell… “All about you,” she replied, staring ahead at the highway.
Teague didn’t reply, but she could tell he was glancing her way. Finally he said, “Really? Or are you just being funny.”
She looked at him and smiled. “Was there a description you didn’t like?”
He lightly laughed but said, “You were describing me?”
Camryn shrugged. “She was rapid-firing questions about you.”
He remained silent for a while, and Camryn knew he was rolling the words around in his head. After a minute he asked, “Okay, I’m hooked. Care to clarify?”
“No,” she answered, thrilled that she could keep him guessing. At least for a while.
“Maybe I should take a crack at it,” he shrugged. “Inferno… I’m guessing I’m hot.”
She didn’t reply but almost laughed at the smile he was trying to hide. Arrogant bastard. He was enjoying this.
“Hmm, let’s see, what was the next one…? Grade A. Hell, that’s easy. I work out almost every day. I mean look at my toned body.” He motioned down himself and Camryn had to put a fist to her lips to keep from cracking up. She’d yet to see him without a shirt on, but his arms and what she could see through a t-shirt were proof enough. She’d seen him in shorts too, so she knew his legs were nice as well.
“And then there was…tropical paradise. Hmm, let’s see here… Wait, warm and… Well, I’m stumped. Heavenly? No, probably not referring to my sexual prowess… Yet.”
She couldn’t help it. She laughed.
He smiled at her, and Camryn was glad the ice seemed to be thawing between them. “Well,” he said, “I’ve been told I have sexy tropical eyes, whatever the fuck that means. I’m going with that.”
She only shrugged, unwilling to respond.
“Okay, next was… Eh, I forget.”
“Mouth watering.”
“Ah! Yes, mouth watering. Let’s see, we already established the hotness factor, my body, how I look… I’d say that has to do with how I taste, but I doubt that would be a question someone would ask.”
“You don’t know my sister.”
“True. But what else could mouth watering be a response to… Man, it could be anything in reference to me…”
Again she chuckled. This was kind of funny. Of course Teague was trying to be cocky, but she had no doubt he believed all of these things about himself.
“Okay, I’m stuck on the mouth watering one. And euphoric… Shit, that could mean anything, too. If we had a kissing relationship, I might’ve guessed that. I mean that seems like a question a chick would ask, right? ‘What’s it like to kiss Teague?’” he chirped in a girly voice. “‘Oh, God, it’s so euphoric!’” he squealed in the same pitch.
She punched him in the arm but still couldn’t stop laughing. She was glad he was being an ass or she’d be dwelling on his kissing comment. “You are so full of yourself! And now I’m not so sure about my answer on that one,” she added.
The grin disappeared and he gave her a side-glance. Lifting an eyebrow he said, “Uh-oh, then maybe I should just shut up.”
“Maybe you should,” she smiled playfully. But she was glad his normal sexy voice was back.
“Come on, put yourself in my shoes. I’m sitting here while you have a conversation with someone and all I hear is: inferno…grade A…tropical paradise…mouth watering…euphoric…” He grinned at her again. “Seriously, I was trying not to bust up laughing.”
“Then next time I won’t give you the privilege of hearing me say nice things about you.”
“Oh come on, I didn’t know it was about me!” he laughed. “It was just funny.”
She smiled and nodded her head. “Yeah, I bet it was. And I’m sorry I’m not good at thinking of descriptions on the fly.”
“Hey, I’m not complaining. I’m totally intrigued. Come on, mouth watering and euphoric… Tell me what you were referring to.”
“Nope,” she shook her head.
“What if I gave you five descriptions about you,” he tried. He glanced at her as they turned down 29th.
“I’m not really interested in how guys describe girls,” she replied smugly. “You can only hear luscious ass, smokin’ hot, and nice tits so many times before it gets old.”
He chuckled, but at the same time, seemed to be thinking over those descriptions. “Well I’m not like most guys,” he told her as he pulled into his driveway. He winked at her as he shut off the ignition and hopped out of the Jeep.
“No you’re not,” Camryn muttered to herself. She watched him come around to the passenger’s door, and when he
opened it for her she said, “Thanks for the day, Teague. I had a lot of—”
She didn’t finish the sentence, because after she got out and shut the door, he put his hands against the Jeep on either side of her head, blocking her in.
“What makes you think I’m done with you,” he whispered in her ear. He pulled back to look her in the eye, like he was studying her reaction.
“What makes you think I’m available?” she countered.
He slowly smiled. “Because I prayed really hard that you were.”
“You know the angels are on my side not yours, right?”
A soft laugh escaped him and he pressed his cheek against hers. “I believe that,” he murmured, and he kissed her temple. Pulling back he asked, “Will you spend more time with me? Please?”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
He’d almost kissed her on the dunes—or at least she thought he was going to—but knowing how confident he was with his ability to win a bet, he was probably just pushing to see if she would concede first. Her nerves had been zinging all over the place. It would have been her first kiss in over two years had he gone through with it. And the fact that she had put her lips on him was monumental. It didn’t matter that it was a tiny little kiss next to his mouth; to make the conscious decision to give him that was a huge milestone for her.
“I’ll do my best,” Teague answered after studying her for a moment. “Just give me another chance.”
Camryn wasn’t sure if he was apologizing for what happened earlier or not, even though there wasn’t really anything to apologize about. “Okay,” she agreed.
He took her hand and pulled her along to the house, and after tossing their things by the couch, he offered to make her some hot chocolate.
It was tempting since she was starting to feel cold again. The adrenaline from driving the dune buggy and wanting to paw Teague’s body had long worn off. “Actually I was thinking about heading back to my mom’s so I can take a shower and change. I feel kind of…salty and sandy.”
