by Hadley Quinn
“I was multi-tasking,” he said, moving on to her bikini bottoms. “Some of us are talented that way.”
She laughed out loud. “You were barely talented that way,” she teased.
“Hey, I managed,” he grinned. “Why don’t you call for Chinese food while I return the favor, huh? See how you get through that conversation while I do this to you.”
His tongue was already between her legs working wonders. Camryn gripped the bedding and gasped as he plunged and swirled his way around, and then traveled higher. His fingers slid into her wetness as he sucked her, and his other hand reached up to handle a nipple at the same time.
“Oh God,” she exhaled, writhing under his touch.
“Uh huh. What’s that, miss? You said you wanted Kung Pao chicken?” He sucked harder and then flicked his tongue in a torturous rhythm.
“W-wontons,” she could barely gasp.
“What’s that, ma’am? Yes, you sound like a wanton woman.” He looked at her with a crooked smile, clearly proud of his play on words. He positioned himself over her body and nudged her entrance with his cock. “Forget dinner, lady. You’re getting your fortune first.”
Camryn couldn’t help but laugh as he pushed inside of her, loving the smile on his face when he nipped her lip. She wrapped her arms and legs around his strong, sexy body and kissed him deeply, savoring the contours of his back and shoulders beneath her fingers.
She was in love with every inch of this man.
***
“It’s a shame that all you want to do today is me,” Camryn teased the next evening. They’d surfed for a few hours that morning and she had totally enjoyed it, and other than that, their time was spent at the house with just each other.
Teague tightened his hold on her where they lounged in a hammock on the deck. “A shame? I’m the luckiest damn guy in the world. I’m spoiled rotten just by being around you.”
“You’re such a sweet talker, McCallan.”
“It’s just a natural attribute. I can’t help it.” She lightly laughed, but he added, “I’m truly a blessed man. This has been the best weekend ever.”
She was pleased that he was so happy. It had been fun spoiling him all day. She’d made him breakfast, ordered in lunch and dinner, treated him to three different massages (all ending in sex), and gave him a striptease she hoped he’d never forget. Now it was perfect to end the day in his arms, enjoying the sunset together on the back deck.
But the mood was wrecked when Camryn heard her cell phone ring from inside the house and panic filled her instantly. It was Melanie’s ringtone, and she had told her specifically not to call her this weekend unless it was an absolute emergency. It was a good thing Teague had quick reflexes when she launched herself off the hammock. He might’ve flipped onto his head otherwise.
Camryn snatched the phone off the table on the last ring. “Melanie? What’s wrong?”
“It’s Jay,” his voice answered quickly.
“Jay? Where’s Mel? What’s wrong?”
Teague had entered the house in time to hear this and he put his arm around Camryn’s shoulder. He leaned his ear against the phone and she shared it with him automatically.
“That fucker Jordan showed up at the house,” Jay said. “Melanie talked to him for a few minutes on the porch, but when she asked him to leave, he wouldn’t. I was just getting home from work when she was trying to shut the door and he just shoved his way through.”
Camryn gasped. “Oh my God! Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, but we’re at the hospital. He knocked her down when he pushed through the door and she fell on the slate entry. They think she fractured her arm.”
“Oh Jesus Christ,” Camryn exhaled.
“She’s fine, Camryn, she’s tough. And they checked the baby. It’s fine too. But Jordan…”
It was Teague that sighed and said, “What’d you do, Jay?”
“I beat the shit out of him,” he replied matter-of-factly. “The neighbor called the cops, though. I’m sorry, man, but there was some nosy ass reporter that showed up, too.”
“I don’t care,” Teague shook his head. “As long as you and Mel are okay. What hospital are you at?”
Jay rattled off the information as Camryn left her phone with Teague. She went straight to the bedroom to grab her things, not knowing if they’d be coming back or not. Teague stepped through the doorway just as she was packing the last of her toiletries.
“Just leave it, hon. We’ll be back.”
“But what if—?”
“They’re only thirty minutes away. Jay says they’ll be leaving the hospital by then, so we’ll meet them at home, spend some time checking on Mel, and come back.”
Camryn sighed. She didn’t know if she was in the mood to stay another night. Just hearing that Jordan was near her sister pissed her off pretty good. But she grabbed her bag anyway along with her purse. “Okay. Let’s go.”
Teague sighed and threw his stuff together, too.
Most of the ride was only filled with classic rock from the stereo, interspersed with conversation about Melanie and Jordan. But Camryn was so pissed with Jordan that she was afraid to talk about him too much.
Toward the end of the trip home, Teague’s phone rang. He glanced at it, and Camryn could easily tell by his reaction that it wasn’t someone he wanted to talk to. He dismissed the call, but ten seconds later the phone rang again, and when Teague didn’t answer it the second time, his text tone sounded. At a stoplight he read the message, and Camryn could swear his face was turning red.
“What’s the matter?” she asked. “Who’s trying to get a hold of you?”
He didn’t answer at first. His jaw was tight and she wasn’t sure if he was mad about the caller, or mad that she asked about it.
Too bad. She was going to ask again. “Teague? Who is calling you?”
“My brother,” he answered as the light turned green.
She was going to ask what Max wanted, but Teague’s mood seemed to darken and she wasn’t sure what to say. Obviously something was bothering him and she hoped to God that he would tell her. His relationship with his brother was really beginning to piss her off.
Finally Teague asked, “Was there something in particular that upset you the other day, Camryn?”
She turned slightly in her seat to face him better. He glanced at her briefly as he drove, but mainly kept his eyes forward. “I’m not sure what you mean,” she answered.
He sighed. “The other day on the phone, you didn’t sound like yourself. Then you were clearly uncomfortable being around me that night. I thought it was because you found out about the investigator, we might have been in a fight but I’m not really sure, and then we had the most incredible makeup sex ever. Well, a few times. And earlier today, when we start talking about something that I’m pretty damn sure you want for yourself—kids—you totally close up. What the hell is going on? Camryn, if you don’t want to get married then just tell me. I sure hope to God you didn’t say yes just because you didn’t have the heart to say no.”
“Absolutely not,” she glared at him. “I love you, Teague. I do want to marry you.”
“So you don’t have reservations because you were engaged before and then you lost your fiancé?”
She studied him for a second as he drove. He glanced at her periodically between keeping his eyes on the road, waiting for her to answer him.
“No, I don’t,” she replied softly. “A few months ago? Yes. But things have moved along to a point where I’m comfortable starting a new life. Do I miss Zach? Of course. But I love you, Teague. I’m happy. With you. I’m ready to have everything with you and I know it without a doubt. Why are you bringing this stuff up?”
He blew out a breath of air as he pulled over to the side of the road, even though they were only two blocks from his house. “Camryn, why the fuck would you talk to my dad and not tell me about it?”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Camryn felt the air suck out of her br
iefly, but then her defensive nature took over. He was mad at her? What the hell for?
“He was at your house when I got home from Fresno,” she replied with narrowed eyes. “I didn’t choose to talk to him. But yes, we had a very interesting conversation.”
Evidently that struck a nerve because Teague took a deep breath of air to keep himself calm. “And what did he have to say?”
She shrugged as a way to take a pause, to keep her composure. “First he accused me of being a gold digger, then he offered me a role in a movie that I believe was meant to lure me away from you, and then he showed me a lovely picture of you, Kate, and Chase. You know, your secret family.”
He didn’t respond at first. But the silence was almost worse than his obvious irritation. “Camryn, I’m not sure what exactly he told you about my ‘secret family’,” he said, using air quotes, “but I told you to come to me if you heard rumors and shit like that.”
“So it’s a rumor? He just told me that to get under my skin? He was all too eager to cast some nobody in a movie of his, put you on it too, and then when I turned him down, he told me he was just looking out for me; that you had secrets and I needed something to fall back on when the shit hit the fan.”
“Fucking hell,” he whispered.
He slammed the truck into gear and squealed away from the curb, not even looking before he pulled out and not caring about the speed limit. Camryn braced herself against the door with surprise. This was not the reaction she was expecting. Regret, remorse, sorrow for keeping a secret from her? Yes. But to be royally pissed off like this?
This was scary.
“Teague, slow down please. This is a residential neighborhood. There could be kids outside and it’s getting dark out…”
He at least complied, even though they were already eight houses from home. He pulled into the driveway and said, “I’ll see you later. I have something to take care of.”
“What?” she whispered. “Teague, I—”
“Not now, Camryn. Maybe in a couple hours. I love you, but I can’t talk to you right now.”
“You sure as hell will! You have a son you’ve been keeping a secret and I will not get out of this truck until you tell me what the fuck is going on!”
He pressed for the garage to open and said, “Fine, if you’re going to be my judge and jury, then I’ll get out.”
He jumped out of the truck, even leaving the engine running, and ducked under the garage door before it was halfway up. He grabbed a set of keys from inside a cupboard and tore the cover off the Mustang. He was in the car and backing out of the garage in eight seconds flat.
Camryn was numb. She remained in the truck for another minute, not even noticing that Melanie and Jay had stepped onto the porch in time to watch Teague’s Mustang rumble away.
Finally Melanie came to the passenger’s door and opened it, stepping up onto the running board in her bare feet.
“Cam,” she whispered. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Camryn shook herself out of the shock. “I’m fine,” she answered, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Jay had stepped up to the driver’s side and removed the keys from the ignition, studying her carefully too.
“Come inside,” Melanie said, pulling on her sister’s hand. Camryn followed mechanically as Melanie put an arm around her to lead her inside.
When they entered the house, Camryn finally noticed Melanie’s casted arm. “Oh God, Mel. I’m so sorry—”
“I’m fine, you don’t need to worry. Jay was here and I’m fine. I’m worried about you right now. Please tell me what’s going on.”
Camryn barely shrugged as they sat on the couch together. Jay didn’t join them but he lingered at the edge of the room.
“I can’t really talk about it right now. Not until I know what happened.”
“So are you guys in a fight? Did you argue about something? Where is Teague going?”
“I don’t even know! We had an amazing time at the beach. Then he got a message from his brother and he just…started grilling me about stuff.”
“Stuff like what?”
Camryn paused. “Just…something that I found out and…” She sighed. “It’s not something I want to bring up right now. I don’t even know if it’s true.”
“If what’s true? Jesus Camryn, is he cheating on you!? I will—”
“No, that’s not it. Well, I mean… Shit, I don’t even know what it means…”
Jay finally made his presence known when he said, “Tell me what happened, Camryn. I know everything about Teague. He’s not fucking around on you, so I don’t even want to hear that shit.” He glared at her as he took a few steps into the room.
“Oh, I don’t want to hear you, Jay,” Camryn retorted. “Men and their loyalties to one another.”
“Hey, don’t give me that. Teague is a brother to me and I’ll always have his back, but that guy is more whipped than I’ve ever seen him! I never thought I’d see him recover from…” He didn’t finish the sentence, and instead added, “He loves you more than anything. I surely hope you don’t doubt that.”
“Recover from what?” she challenged.
He shook his head. “Just all the shit with his dad and brother. You see how he reacted?” he pointed to the road where Teague had burned rubber in the street. “That is how he gets when his dad or Max is involved in his life. Am I right?”
Camryn didn’t reply. He’d received a text from Max, but Teague didn’t have the courtesy to explain anything before he took off.
“Camryn,” Jay continued. “If it has to do with our family, I already know. Just tell me.”
She barely scoffed. “Your whole damn family is nuts,” she said quietly. “I don’t know any of you.”
“Hey, come on, that’s not fair. I’m nothing but honest. And you know Teague better than that. And yeah, I’m gonna back up my boy on this one when I say you don’t know what the hell he’s been through the past few years. Give him a chance to explain when he’s ready.”
She scowled at him and shook her head. “I am giving him a chance. I love him and I have faith in him, even knowing that he’s been keeping something from me! I know he has family issues! Why can’t he just tell me!?”
“Maybe you’d know why if you weren’t freaking the hell out!” Jay shot back, rubbing his hands over his dark hair in frustration. “Just tell me what you found out so I can help you, Camryn.”
“You’re one of them,” she replied evenly, just as Kellie entered the house. “I’m certainly not going to share Teague’s secrets with you when everyone just wants to trade me back more lies!”
“What the fuck are you talking about? If you’re confusing me with Max, you and I have issues, honey. I’ll give you a pass this time because I understand you’re upset, but don’t you ever compare me to Craig or Max, do you hear me?”
“What the hell, Jay!” Kellie yelled. “What the hell is going on?”
“Jay, stop,” Melanie said quietly. “This isn’t helping.”
“Nothing is,” Camryn growled, popping up from the couch.
She was headed for her room when Jay said, “Is it about Kate?”
Camryn stopped dead in her tracks, her breathing heavy from being so emotional. She wanted to turn around and tell him yes, but she was too stubborn, too hurt.
“I know everything about his relationship with Kate, but obviously you don’t,” Jay continued softly. “Please listen to me when I say give Teague a chance to explain, okay?”
“What about Chase?” she asked, still with her back to him.
“This is a lot for him to deal with, so if you could just be patient—”
“How can you keep something like that from someone you want to marry?” she almost whispered.
“Camryn, what are you talking about?” Melanie practically whined, coming off the couch. “This is getting way too scary and complex and none of it sounds right.” She walked to her sister until she was facing her. “Is Kate another woman? Who is C
hase?”
“Is Teague seeing Kate again?” Kellie gasped.
“Fuck no!” Jay yelled. “Jesus Christ, you goddamn women! Shut up, all of you!
“Don’t tell me to shut up!” Kellie shouted at him. “This is Teague we’re talking about! He would never do something like that so I don’t know what the hell—”
“Exactly,” Jay groaned. “You can’t just walk into the house in the middle of a conversation and— Camryn, where are you going?”
She disappeared down the hall and they all heard the bedroom door slam shut.
***
Teague thought he’d have a chance to simmer down by the time he tracked down his dad. He wasn’t even close to being calm. But unfortunately, he didn’t fucking care that his dad was dining in a restaurant with his peers. They were a bunch of shits and fakes just like his own damn family.
He stalked right into their private room at the back of the restaurant, not even caring who was there or who would be there to stop him. He spotted his dad right away—in the same damn spot he always sat, right at the head of the kiss ass group of phonies. Craig looked up with alarm when Teague burst into the room.
“What the hell is your problem?” Teague asked, pointing at him. “Do you honestly have no fucking sense of decency? Have you not screwed my life up enough as it is!?”
Bruce, Craig McCallan’s longtime bodyguard, came across the room in an attempt to mitigate another family quarrel.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Bruce,” Teague growled at him. “You’ll only make this worse.”
“Teague, just stop yelling, okay?” Bruce answered gently. “How ‘bout we take this to the car, huh?”
“It’s fine, Bruce,” Craig finally spoke. “If my son wants to embarrass himself in front of a room full of people, then hell, just let him.”
Bruce sighed and shook his head as he returned to the other side of the room. He’d had to physically tangle with Teague a few times and it was never fun.
“What’s on your mind, son?” Craig asked with a staged smile. “I see you’re upset.”
