by Hadley Quinn
“The dunes have a way of doing that to a person. You’re welcome to use mine,” he motioned to somewhere in the house. “I promise I won’t suddenly appear in there with you.”
Her instinct was to reply with something clever, but all she did was smile.
“But go ahead,” he pointed. “My room is through that hall; use whatever you need to.”
She pressed her lips together in thought but ultimately shrugged. “Okay,” she said, picking up her bag.
***
Teague knew he was pacing and he couldn’t help it. He looked at the clock again, noting that she’d only been in the shower for a few minutes. He should have walked her there himself, or at least asked if everything was okay. He considered walking in on her, just to see what she’d do.
He smiled to himself. Well, he’d pretty much already seen half of what she had. But holy hell, to see her wet and lathered in the shower…
Shit, he was getting a boner.
He sat down on the couch and turned on the TV as a distraction. Yeah, he was acting like a nervous teenager that wanted to kiss a girl for the first time. It was fucking ridiculous. And in the movie room that night, he felt the same way; like an adolescent boy that had seen a pair of naked breasts for the first time.
He was really, really horny, right? That’s all it was. But he seriously had to cool it around Camryn or he was going to lose his damn mind. Just a few more days…
When she came out a few minutes later, he was glad he was sitting down since she basically took his breath away. He’d stopped breathing, at least. She was wearing a pair of black leggings and a soft, loose sweater that hung off her shoulder. Her hair was wet, she had no makeup on, and her feet were bare.
She was so fucking gorgeous.
“I got sand on your damn floor,” she said. “Do you have something to vacuum it up with or…? What?” she asked, glancing down at herself. She’d caught him looking her up and down. “Teague?”
“Huh?”
She sort of chuckled. “I said I need something to clean up the sand on your bathroom floor.”
He blinked and pulled his head out of his ass. “Don’t worry about it. Come here, sit.” He patted the space next to him.
“I wasn’t sure what to do with the towel—”
“Doesn’t matter. Come here.” He patted the couch again.
“Compared to what your bathroom looked like before, you might have a heart attack,” she commented as she tucked a leg underneath her and sat.
With a smile he asked, “What do you mean? God, what kind of things did you do in there?”
She laughed and said, “Nothing unusual, sicko. But your bathroom is spotless. Or, at least, it was until I plowed through it.”
“Cool. Can’t wait to see it and imagine your naked body in the middle of it.”
“Perv,” she smiled, shoving him lightly in the arm.
He wanted to pull her over his lap and kiss the hell out of her. He was going to move closer to her but decided against it, and he suddenly stood instead.
“Well, my turn to shower,” he said. A cold one, that is. He picked up the remote and handed it to her. “Watch what you want; I’ll just be a few. Or maybe longer, depending on how messy my bathroom is.”
He gave her a smile as he headed for the hall.
***
Camryn took a deep breath and released it slowly. Teague was becoming difficult to keep distant. Duh, she was spending so much time with him. But never had she enjoyed it with someone so much. A few more days and she could get the hell out of this town. Her mom was doing better than she expected, but Camryn knew it was because of Loretta Miller, not her. No, Camryn had decided to turn into the selfish daughter and spend all her time with a guy she’d only known a week. Like mother like daughter. And even though her mom had even encouraged her to spend the day with Teague, Camryn still felt guilty.
She decided to call her, just to check in. When the phone picked up there was music and laughter in the background, and Camryn thought she might have dialed Melanie instead.
“Cami!” her mom laughed. “Aren’t you busy with that hot man you’ve got wrapped around your finger?”
“Mom? Have you been drinking?”
“What? No!” she giggled. “We’re just making dinner and singing to old music. Loretta is a crackup.”
Camryn slowly smiled. “Yeah, she is. Well, I was just checking up on you, but sounds like you’re doing okay.”
“I’m doing fine, sweetheart. Just gonna fake it till I make it, right? And I am having a little fun in between for now.”
“Oh. Well good for you.”
“Are you still with Teague? Is it fun on the dunes?”
“Well we’re done with that, but yeah, it was a lot of fun. We’re back at his house right now, but I was thinking of coming home to check on—”
“Don’t be silly, Camryn. I’m doing okay today. You spend the time with Teague. Besides, we’re going to see a movie later. Starts at nine.”
Seriously. Who was Camryn even talking to? This was a complete one-eighty from the day she had arrived. “Go out to a movie? Why would you do that when you’ve got your own theatre?”
“We’re going to see a new one. I forget what it’s called though. But you have fun, sweetheart. I love you. Thanks for checking up on me.”
“Sure. Okay. Have fun at the—”
Her phone beeped, signifying the end of the call. Camryn pulled it away from her face to scowl at it, and then tossed it on the coffee table.
“Something wrong?” Teague’s voice asked.
He’d startled her and she couldn’t hide her surprise.
“Sorry,” he smiled. On his way to the kitchen he asked, “Is that Brandon, wondering when I’m gonna come kick his ass?”
Camryn smiled. “No, you cocky fool. That was my new and improved, social butterfly of a mom.”
He turned around and raised his eyebrows. “Is she having the party?”
“The what?”
He slowly shrugged. “I told her she needed to throw a fucking party.”
“You did not use the f-word with my mom,” Camryn scoffed.
He grinned really big, and tilted his head in thought. “Actually I did. Twice. But what’s she up to?”
Camryn wandered into the kitchen to see what he was up to. He had two mugs on the counter with a can of cocoa and he was heating water on the stove.
He was actually making her hot chocolate?
“So?” he asked, brushing the back of his fingers over her cheek. He leaned over and followed the touch with a kiss in the same spot. “What’s she up to?”
Her heart thudded a funky rhythm from his sweet gesture. “Oh, um, she’s partying with just Loretta for now, and then they’re going to the movies. I don’t even know who this woman is. I don’t think she’s spent even five minutes with a gal pal in her entire life.”
“Well this is what you wanted, right? For her to pull herself out and live life again?”
“Yeah, definitely. She just seems…different. But I’ll take it. It’s much improved.”
Teague was carefully scooping spoonfuls of cocoa into each mug and it made Camryn smile. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and laid her face against his back to give him a hug. It was so wonderful and safe this way, to give him affection without her memories and fears interfering.
She slid her hands inside the front of his shirt to appreciate his abs. Just seeing him in a slim t-shirt was a gift, touching him was even better. She loved how he smelled and subtly breathed him in, but as quick as she was to enjoy it, she pulled away just as soon.
“Can we watch a movie?” she asked, removing the water from the stove just before it whistled. She had to concentrate really hard as she poured because she was well aware that Teague was now staring at her.
“Yeah, let’s watch a movie,” he answered softly. He kissed the top of her head and grabbed both mugs when she was done stirring them. He headed out of the kitchen and said,
“Meet me at the couch, beautiful.”
Camryn pushed dirty thoughts out of her head and joined him. They sipped their cocoa while Teague searched for a movie to watch on the satellite. She silently wondered if they were going to actually watch the movie when Teague encouraged her to lie down with him on the couch.
But to her surprise, all he did was hold her until she fell asleep twenty minutes later.
Chapter Twelve
The light was not being kind to her. Camryn knew it was coming through a window, which meant it was morning. Window? She never had curtains open when she slept—
She jolted awake, the light blinding her as she tried to fight through it. It took her several seconds to realize she was in Teague’s house, in his bedroom, in his bed.
Pulling the covers back, she checked for clothing. Yes, she was fully clothed, and finally the night came back to her. She’d been watching a movie with Teague on the couch, and that’s the last thing she remembered. She must’ve fallen asleep.
Glancing at the space next to her, she checked for any signs that Teague had been with her. She didn’t remember anything other than his arms around her, so maybe he had slept by her.
She swung her feet to the floor and that’s when she noticed her bag next to the bed. On it was a note.
Camryn,
Didn’t want to wake you but I had to get to work. It fucking sucked to have to leave you in bed alone. I almost called in sick. But help yourself to anything and give me a call when you wake up. Better yet, come see me at the shop.
Teague
He left an address at the bottom, and next to his phone number he added: Here’s my number again in case you lost my GIFT.
She smiled and ended up reading the note three more times before she got up to use the bathroom. Her phone was buzzing when she came out, and she rushed for it thinking it was Teague. Then she remembered that her battery was probably close to dying, so when she answered it she said, “My phone might die, just so you know.”
There was a pause. “Camryn? It’s Sonja.”
Camryn yanked the phone away from her face and looked at the screen. It really did read Sonja Valetta.
“Sonja. Hey. What’s up?” she asked. She attempted to make the bed with one hand as she waited for a response.
“I need a huge favor, Cam. I mean huge.”
“Uh-oh, what’s going on?”
“I need a judge. A.S.A.P.”
Camryn paused as she considered it. “Well, sure. You know I will if I—”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh. Well I’m up in Oregon right now with my mom. Do you want me to call someone for you?”
“Shit, Camryn. No, I really want you. It’s convention, too. Please, can you make other arrangements? I will fly you down here and fly you back. I’m not joking. We’ve got the Sensations Cup this weekend, and I’ve already lost one teacher to an emergency surgery, and Amanda LaTay bailed on me last minute.”
“What? Seriously? That’s shitty.”
“Tell me about it. You don’t even know the half of it, Cam. But please… Can you help me? I need a judge and also a teacher for master classes both convention days. I will pay you double, I swear to God—”
“Okay, okay,” Camryn chuckled. She sighed, wishing it wasn’t so soon. But Sonja had done so much for her in her dance career that she couldn’t say no. “No need for a flight. I have my car here; I’ll pack up and leave today.”
“I love you, Camryn. I love you so damn much!”
“Okay, lady. Just take a deep breath and I’ll call you tonight, okay?”
“Drive safe. Thank you!”
“No problem. Talk to you later.” There was no response, so she glanced at her phone.
It was blank.
She scowled at it and tossed it in her bag. Sonja would figure it out, but now she had to wait to call Teague.
Damn. Teague. A feeling of regret settled in her chest. Maybe she shouldn’t have told Sonja she could help her out. Maybe she should call her back and change her mind about how much her mom needed her. No, that would be dishonest and Camryn wasn’t a liar.
She sighed and gathered her things. Maybe leaving was meant to be. What was going to happen when she had to head back to California in a few days anyways? Would she and Teague just say, “Hey, nice hanging with ya,” and part ways?
Oh God, especially after they would’ve spent the night together. And there was no doubt in her mind something would have happened, too. They were way too attracted to each other, and besides, a bet was a bet. If he really did stick to his end of it, of course she would have paid up.
Well, she basically paid up last night, didn’t she? She’d slept in his bed, at least. She had no idea if the rest of the terms had been followed. Well, the curtains were wide open. That was already breaking the deal. And she had no idea if he snored.
Or if he had clothes on.
“Oh my God,” she groaned, but then she laughed a little just thinking about it. But she already knew the answer. Teague wasn’t the type to waste a naked moment like that, but more importantly, he was just a sweet guy. Despite all their facetious banter, she knew without a doubt that he was genuinely respectable.
She read his note again as she walked back to her mom’s house. It fucking sucked to have to leave you in bed alone. She read that sentence four more times before she had to shove the note into her bag out of sight.
It wasn’t until she got to her mom’s that she realized it was only six-thirty in the morning. Good lord. Sonja must’ve truly been desperate to call her that early. She slipped in through the side door near her bedroom. The house was silent, so she headed straight for her room and pulled out her bag to pack. By the time she carried it past the kitchen, Loretta was up making a pot of coffee.
“Good morning, Camryn.” She glanced down at her bags at the same time and frowned. “You’re already leaving? I thought you were here until New Year’s? Your mom and I were just planning a little celebration.”
“Oh? Wow, that’s… Well, that’s good. I’m glad. Yeah, a friend called for a last minute job that I need to take. I gotta jet today.”
“Are you going to wait until your mom gets up? I’m sure she’d like to see you before you go.”
“Yeah, I’ll say goodbye. But I’m glad I can talk to you first. How long do you think you and your kids will be here? I think you’ve been so good for her, Loretta. I just don’t want everyone to leave and then…”
Loretta smiled sympathetically. “I understand, sweetie. We’ll be here for at least a few more weeks. Your mom asked us to stay until the reconstruction to the damaged rooms of the house is complete. I said yes, so we’ll be here through most of January, most likely.”
“Okay. I’ll keep calling to check on her. And I’ll come back if, you know, it gets really bad again. I’ll leave you my number and you can let me know of anything important, okay?”
“Of course,” she smiled. She pulled a mug out of the cupboard and set it down on the counter. “Your mom is really proud of you, you know,” she added, looking at Camryn. “She never stops talking about you.”
Camryn wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t believe that Loretta knew much about her relationship with her mom, but obviously she knew enough to say something like that. Loretta was trying to be the bridge between them. However, a response to that particular comment didn’t come to Camryn right away. There was too much in the past that prevented an instantaneous mother/daughter bond to occur.
She grabbed an apple from the counter and tossed it into the smaller bag over her shoulder. “I’m going to go throw this stuff in the car. I’ll be right back.”
Once outside, she took a deep breath of air. It was gray and cloudy, but the coolness felt good as she trekked down the steps to her car. She tossed the bigger bag into the trunk and set the smaller one on the passenger’s seat. When she pulled out her cell phone to start charging it, Teague’s note tumbled out with it.
Her heart sank. She had two choi
ces: call him or stop by. Either way, saying goodbye was going to suck and she didn’t want to deal with it. It was not supposed to come to this. Since when did she develop feelings for a guy so quickly? And all this time he didn’t do a single thing that was grounds for kicking his ass to the curb.
She slammed the door shut and returned to the house.
She’d call him on the road.
***
“Slow down, asshole,” Jay grumbled. “You know Tommy’s gonna kick your ass if he sees you banging around his babies like that.”
Teague ignored him as he continued to haphazardly shelve some new boards that came in that afternoon.
“So big deal, she didn’t call or stop by today,” Jay continued. “Maybe she’s busy, man. The world does not revolve around you.”
“It sure doesn’t,” Teague finally replied, shelving another board. “But she’s the only real thing that’s happened to me in the last five fucking years. I’m not stupid, Jay. I’m jumping on it.”
“Yeah, I’d jump that, too,” Jay chuckled. Teague kicked an empty box and nailed him in the thigh. “What the fuck?”
“Jumping at the chance, dipshit. Don’t talk about her like that.”
Jay kicked the box out of his way and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Okay, fine. I get it. You found a babe that’s worthy in your book. So what’re you gonna do when she heads back to Cali?”
Teague shrugged as he unwrapped the last board. “I’ve got a couple ideas.” He glanced at the clock. Perfect timing. He’d spent half his day thinking about Camryn and barely got his shit done. It was a good thing Tommy wasn’t at the shop today because he would have probably chewed him out a dozen times for spacing out. “Why are you here, anyway?” he asked Jay. “I thought you worked at the garage until six today.”
“Wasn’t busy. Grady sent me home. ”
