This time, Cam experienced another rush. A surge of emotion at the prospect of seeing Lacey again. More than simple pleasure, the feelings of happiness she lit up inside him were changing the way he viewed his life. He was taking a huge leap of faith in hoping that the emotionally broken life he’d been living could be saved, having found his salvation in a pair of blue eyes.
Whatever warm, fuzzy feelings he’d been entertaining quickly shut down the moment the truck pulled into the drive at the main house. Drae’s shiny red sports car stood out like a sore thumb. A thumb that was suddenly poking Cam right in the eye. Adrenaline shot into his system with the velocity of a bullet. Fuck.
Parking his truck with a decided jerk by standing on the brakes, Cam was out of the cab and stomping toward the door, when the raucous sound of voices and yelling caught his attention. Following the noise, he rounded the cookhouse and headed toward the commotion that appeared to be coming from the stables.
What he came upon was a familiar scene. There were about twenty or thirty people gathered around the outdoor horse arena, cheering on a riding competition. Dogs were barking. People were laughing. Great. He’d walked into an agency barbecue.
The training and workshops they were known for were serious business. The attendees were put through rigorous sessions both mentally and physically. It had become an agency custom to end them in a way that gave everyone a chance to blow off steam and get ready to go back to the real world. The riding event was part of a full day of fun that was probably headed to the pool before too long and a gathering that would go on well into the evening with great food and easy times.
Not too far from where he stood, there were several people, men and women, hanging by the arena fence. Some were standing on the bottom rail while others were milling about flashing high-fives and cheering loudly. Feeling out of place in his white button down shirt and tailored slacks, Cam started to turn toward the main house when something caught his eye.
Perched on top of a fence rail was a backside he’d know anywhere. Lacey? Cam shook his head as if that would help clear his vision. Sporting a cowboy hat and dressed in a snug pair of jeans with a light colored western shirt tucked neatly at her waist, she was hollering and cheering along with everyone else. As he watched dumbfounded, she hopped down from the rail, high-fiving the people around her looking like somebody having the fucking time of her life.
Well, isn’t this just dandy? Here he figured she’d be slumming about, boo-hooing over his absence, a scenario that he had to admit suited his aims where she was concerned.
Not able to take his hungry eyes off her, Cam memorized every motion and felt his gut churn when the sound of her husky laugh hit his ears. She looked adorable in her western wear, from the cute straw hat to the very sexy boots. When she took the hat off and smacked it against her butt, he almost fell over at what he saw. In place of the ponytail she was sporting a pair of cowgirl pigtails that made her look incredibly young. Suddenly he felt like a dirty old man, lusting after someone much, much too young for him.
Her group began walking toward the stable and for a second all he could do was admire the delicious sway of her hips in the form fitting jeans. What he wanted to do to her ass at that moment wasn’t for the faint-hearted.
Stepping from his vantage point against a stone wall, Cam decided to go after her when suddenly she turned and saw him. For a brief second she looked shocked. Then, if he wasn’t mistaken, a flash of happiness appeared on her face a second before it evaporated. He thought she was going to walk to him but instead she hesitated, half-smiled, waved a greeting and then turned back to her group and continuing to walk away from him.
Uh, no way was that a good sign. What the fuck had just happened? She’d been happy to see him, he was sure of it. But if that were the case, why had she twinkled some fingers at him and then just turned around?
“Oh, fuck me! Is that the great and powerful green eyed wizard of odd I see lurking in the shadows?” Before he could answer Drae had grabbed him in a bear hug that quickly turned into a brotherly slapping match.
“Still driving that pretentious pussy magnet for a car?” Cam taunted as they danced around each other, taking the occasional half-hearted punch.
They kept it up for a few minutes, hurling insults and calling each other out for an array of manly shortcomings. It was good to see Draegyn. His irrational jealousy forgotten for the moment, Cam enjoyed the light teasing. This was what coming home meant. Being with his family, such as it was.
Drae slapped him on the back as they both made for the driveway. “Seriously, Cam. It’s good to see you. I’ve been gone for so long that this place started to seem like a dream. Seeing your sorry ass here makes it all real again!”
Cam tried out one of his newfound half-smiles on his old friend earning him a quizzically arched brow and another backslapping.
“So, is that the way it is?” Drae’s full throated laugh as he threw his head back and let loose surprised him. “Well dude, I’m glad somebody can smile. Alex is practically chewing iron nails so I hope Seattle went well. The man is like a caged animal all of a sudden. Do you know what he’s going to do about finding an assistant? I’m not stupid enough to ask. Crazy bastard almost ripped my face off last night for daring to suggest he needed help.”
Cam eyed him with amusement. “Don’t look any worse for wear, Drae,” he drawled. “Since when do you shrink from a bit of tension?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He laughed heartily. “Spend three months in Europe babysitting a teenage heart throb with an empty head and even you will avoid more stress! I must say though that your Lacey certainly lightens things up around here. Alex treats her like royalty and she’s everyone else’s new best friend! What’s up with that, Cam?”
He’d frozen when Drae mentioned Lacey. “How long have you been here, Drae?” he asked as smoothly as his thumping heart would allow.
Trying not to wince when he heard the edge to his voice, Cam stood silent under his friend’s intense perusal. It was like being in the glare of an interrogation lamp. Draegyn was the cold, analytical one of their group. A black belt with impressive skill, he had an icy ruthlessness about him that helped earn him the James Bond comparison. At Cam’s indelicate reaction to Lacey’s appearance in the conversation, his antennae must have gone up.
Drae’s eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned to a tense line. Cam might be bigger than him in stature but this guy’s mad skills in hand-to-hand meant he’d get his ass kicked if he challenged him physically. What the hell was he thinking? He didn’t want to challenge anybody. This was his brother. One of the few people he trusted and knew he could count on.
Stepping back to ease the hovering confrontation before it got out of hand, Cam shook his head vigorously. “Sorry, man. That was uncool.” He winced as if he’d been sucking on a lemon and turned away.
“C’mon brother. Let’s go find Alex and crack open a bottle of Scotch. It’s been too long since we got shit-faced for no reason.”
Crisis averted, Cam nodded. “Uh, about Lacey…,” Unfortunately, nothing else came out after that.
Draegyn fixed him with a steady gaze saying, “I’ve got your back.” He didn’t need to say anything else. Cam’s insane jealousy was misplaced and that’s all there was to it.
Alex had nixed the booze fest by reminding them that they had business to deal with in the form of a huge barbecue around the pool in an hour followed by an evening bonfire before their guests ended their stay. At the mention of the pool party, Drae made his excuses and headed out to make sure all the arrangements were in place.
When he took his leave, their eyes met for a moment before they both nodded, and then he was gone. The next half hour was spent talking business and the project he’d just completed. Alex, as usual, was full of detailed questions about how the equipment functioned.
Eventually, the topic turned to more personal matters as Cam knew it would. “You should have called her.” Ouch. Talk about short and sw
eet.
Keeping his face composed and showing little emotion, Cam pussied out at the last moment and went with a slight shrug. Truth was, Alex was right and he didn’t know what to say.
“Let me save you from wasting my time by beating around the bush. The night before you left…when I asked you to walk Lacey to the casita. Your truck stayed in the driveway up here until the next morning.”
Cam swallowed while his conscience laughed its little ass off. He was busted and the look on Alex’s face told him he was none too pleased.
“Not exactly keeping your distance, hmmm? I thought you knew what you were doing brother, so I have to ask again… what the fuck, Cam?”
The silence that followed was deafening. How could he admit to his friend that he’d lost control and taken her? Alex wasn’t a fool. Her innocence was a given. Even though he’d thought of nothing but her the entire time he’d been away and had even gone so far as to bring back a gift, he still wasn’t comfortable with or entirely sure what the hell he was doing.
Was he in love with her? He didn’t know. Was he just scratching a sensual itch? God. He hoped he wasn’t that big an asshole. To use someone so young and dependent on him for sex. The thought didn’t sit well with him.
“Y’know Cam - sometimes your brooding silence pisses me the fuck off. Talk to me, man. Tell me what’s going on. I like this girl.” The look of white-hot fury that shot off Cam didn’t miss its mark.
“As I was saying before the dagger eyes, I like this girl. She’s got a good head on her shoulders. If you mess with her there’s going to be a whole crowd of folks standing in line to kick your ass. That’s my way of letting you know that she has friends here. Everyone likes her so watch yourself.”
Cam knew he was being a dick. First jealousy about Drae and now wanting to punch Alex’s lights out. God dammit, the girl had him twisted inside out.
Alex watched his friend, marveling at the heavy emotional burden Cam’s broad shoulders carried. He needed someone by his side who cared about him. It was clear to even a blind man that Lacey was that person. Seeing him struggle with the enormity of his personal baggage, Alex felt some responsibility for at least a portion of what was tying his friend up in knots.
The three of them had escaped the battlefield but not the brutal aftermath. He didn’t need to ask to know that Cam and Drae still carried harsh memories and vivid nightmares from their wartime activities. As always, Alex assumed a heavy share of the responsibility for them as their commanding officer. It had been he who had given them their marching orders.
Finally, Cam spoke up. “I seem to be apologizing a lot. First Draegyn and now you.” Jamming his hands deep into pockets that barely held his big paws, he hung his head and slowly shook it back and forth. “She’s too young and too……..well, you know. Someone like me is no good for the likes of her. I knew that but it didn’t stop what happened. Fuck. Didn’t even slow it down.” The look he gave his friend was the most honest he’d ever shown.
“If it helps any, she put on a good show but believe me, the lady was seriously bumming without you here. It’s a fucking pity that someone so lovely would fall for your tortured soul bullshit! Time to fish or cut bait, Cam. Make a damn decision. Either stake your claim or cut her loose.” When Cam looked at Alex full on he added, “And that’s an order.”
“Fuck you.”
“No dude! Fuck you. Now go grab some swim trunks and get your sorry butt out to the pool. Time to party!”
The poolside gathering seemed like water torture to Cam. There were too many people around to do more than nod at Lacey so he did the next best thing. Staked a claim on one of the padded loungers, slid his dark sunglasses down across his eyes and watched her every move.
Dammit if she wasn’t wearing the one-piece suit he’d gotten her during their trip. Thinking it modest before, today with so many sets of eyes on her alluring figure he considered it practically indecent. She had an ass that made men and women alike turn and take a second look. The insistent hard-on triggered by watching her required careful towel placement to avoid knowing looks. It didn’t help that she seemed to be deliberately ignoring him. Nor did it help that she fit in so well with the others present and was all but the life of the damn party.
Drae stayed true to his reputation and zeroed in on a fierce looking woman that Cam was fairly sure his friend would be banging before the night was out. The lady looked like she could take care of herself and was clearly enjoying Drae’s secret agent charm. He was relieved that the man didn’t approach Lacey because keeping a lid on his jealousy was proving a bit difficult.
The barbecue proved just as tough for Cam. Staying away from her was not as easy as it sounded. He’d caught her peeking at him throughout the day. Quick, covert glances that were making his nerves stand on end. He decided to wait until the bonfire and then make his move. They needed to talk.
Unfortunately, once dinner was over and nightfall had thrown them into darkness, the alcohol started flowing at the same time that the bonfire lit up the nighttime sky. Cam pretended to nurse a beer but none of it ever passed his lips. Keeping his wits about him was key.
He noticed that Lacey had what looked like a mixed drink with a colorful umbrella poking out of it. At closer inspection he noted the pale pink color of the umbrella and knew she was drinking a non-alcoholic beverage. Good. He didn’t want to deal with an inebriated Ponytail.
Years of surveillance work meant Cam could patiently wait her out. He was prepared to bide his time all night if need be.
Lacey was beside herself. When Cam appeared at the rodeo earlier she’d nearly whooped with delight and flung herself into his arms. It had taken supreme effort on her part to act unmoved by his return. She’d been pleased with herself for managing a half-hearted wave of hello before she left him standing slack-jawed in the Arizona dust. Serves him right, she thought. Did he really imagine he could come into her bed, melt her bones with mind-blowing sex, and then vanish without a word? No. That wasn’t going to be how this played out. If he didn’t want her, all of her, he was going to have to say so. The silent act was not going to cut it.
They were sharking around each other in this ridiculous dance that wasn’t fooling anyone. She was careful not to let the cocktails being passed around find their way to her. Tossing back a few drinks might make her brave but they would also impair her judgment and that wasn’t a good idea. No. The longer he kept his distance, the more she had to be on high alert.
Eventually, Alex produced a guitar and the mood started shifting. One of the things she’d discovered about that particular Justice Brother had been his amazing talent and hard-core grasp of every song made popular in the last twenty years. That guy could sing.
He was playing a classic Eagles song while the others sang along when she noticed Cameron slip away into the shadows. Good Lord! Was he kidding? She was surprised when her quarry made a hasty retreat in the direction of his home. Was he really just going to walk away? Again? Lacey’s heart sank. She had truly believed they had at least a chance. Watching him turn his back on her, and everyone for that matter, killed her. He said he was broken. Maybe he was right.
Hesitating didn’t seem like a good option so she got up and quietly followed him. Maybe she was being a fool, she didn’t know, but the time had come to stop all this idiocy. She wanted him and she was absolutely sure he wanted her. Getting him to admit it was more than casual sex was the real problem. There was still the distinct possibility that he wasn’t going to let her in.
Squashing the soul-crushing fear, she crept into the shadows with fingers crossed. Oh yeah, and her panties were damp. Not much had changed in the week he’d been away. Slowing her steps, she searched for what to do next. There wasn’t any reason to confront him. The back of him said more than any words could. She couldn’t smile and be the happy friend, either. That would just kill her too, only slowly. What the hell was she supposed to do?
The sound of his door shutting with a firm push brought her
senses snapping back to the present. She looked around realizing she’d followed him as far as his driveway. This was the first time she’d come this far down the dirt lane past her little house. Not having given much thought to what Cameron’s home would be like, she gasped at the gorgeous wood cabin nestled amongst a stand of trees that gave it privacy from the lane.
The two-story structure had broad wooden steps leading from the driveway to a wide stone porch under a heavy wooded pergola. At night, the lights from the house illuminated the welcoming porch littered with terra cotta pots brimming with desert succulents and comfortable looking wood furniture. It looked so homey. Was it weird that she was so surprised? There was nothing about Cameron’s demeanor that would lead anyone to envision his home looking so warm and inviting. The man was full of surprises.
Cam had made it to his house in quick time once he realized he’d left something vitally important to his plans at home. When he’d changed into casual clothes earlier, he’d left the small jewelry box with the delicate pearl earrings he’d bought for Lacey on his nightstand. Slipping away once the music got started, he figured that it would take but a few minutes to run home and get back before anyone missed him. Not that the ‘anyone’ he had in mind was paying much attention to his whereabouts anyway.
Regardless, he was determined to draw her aside to someplace quiet where they could talk. They had to find a way to handle what was happening between them. Or rather, he had to find a way. She seemed to be handling herself fine. It was him that was a mess.
Grabbing the box, he paused and opened it. Tiny pearl drops were set in the plush padding, twinkling in the low lights of his bedroom. He hoped giving her jewelry wasn’t a step too far. The moment he saw the pretty earrings, he wanted her to have them. They were like her. Charming. Light. He sighed.
Broken Justice (Justice Brothers) Page 22
