“You’re such an ass.” My heartbeat thunders in my ears. His confidence, this show of power, excites me in ways I never expected. I’ve never felt more alive or more turned on.
“I know.” His lips curl into a wicked grin. “Sucks to be out of control, doesn’t it?”
“Why are you doing this?” The anger fades, leaving only weariness and confusion behind. “If you pull out, the bad publicity alone will kill us. All I need is a chance, Cam. I can make this work.”
“Can you? Really?” I try to reclaim my wrist, but his grip tightens. “You have no idea what you’re doing. I give you six months to drive the whole thing into the ground.”
We stare at each other. Why does he hate me so much when I’m the one who was betrayed? “You said you loved me once. If I ever meant anything to you, you’ll give me the opportunity to prove myself. This means everything to me, Cam.”
“Like you gave me a chance to explain twelve years ago? What comes around goes around, and it looks like it’s your turn.”
I bite my lower lip, holding back a decade of unshed tears. I will not cry in front of him. His insult fuels my desire to prove him wrong. Determination swells inside my chest. I lift my chin and glare. “I’ve been a failure at everything I’ve done—my marriage, my family. This is important to me. I won’t fail at this. Not again. Not because of you or anyone else.”
He studies my face. I have no idea what is happening behind the icy blue of his eyes, or what I’ll do if he refuses. I only know that I won’t quit until I win.
After a few seconds, he releases my wrist and steps back. “Okay. You have ten minutes to convince me.”
Chapter 15
Cam - Today
EVEN ANGRY WITH no makeup, Vanessa’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen—silky blond hair, long legs that used to wrap around my waist, and lips—God, those lips could make a man weep. She’s all soft curves and warm, tanned skin. I remember how she felt in my arms: too right, too good to let go. I forget that I hate her, that she tore my heart out and stomped on it. All I want is to have her again.
“I’m making a fool out of myself,” she mutters, then draws herself up, squaring her shoulders. In an instant, she’s no longer the girl of my memories. She’s confident and in control. She clears her throat. “Please forgive me for barging in on you. We should talk about this tomorrow when we both have clearer heads.” I admire her strength and her fearless determination to go after what she wants. I don’t want to like her, but I can’t help myself.
“I’m busy tomorrow. It’s now or never.” I nod at the sofa. “Have a seat. Let’s talk.” Twin circles of pink blaze high on her cheeks. I follow her line of sight to a pair of pink panties stuffed between the cushions. I grab them and jam them into my back pocket. She lifts an eyebrow before sitting on the chair to my left.
“I’ve laid out a solid business plan for the next year with projections out to five years. There’s a healthy profit structure for the both of us. I just need you to inject a little cash into the business over the first three months.”
Laughter bursts out of my throat. The insincere sound bounces off the marble floor and rattles the windows. “After everything I just said, you’re asking me for money? You’ve got bigger balls than I do.”
Her scowl deepens. “Don’t be shitty, Cameron.” In a heartbeat, her confidence returns and reminds me of the girl I used to love. She edges forward on the chair and lowers her voice. “You owe me.”
“For what?”
Her green eyes blaze. “You know what.”
Three little words shatter my confidence, and guilt washes through me. Yes, I know why. Animosity pulses between us along with something else, something primal. I haven’t seen her in years, but I’m overwhelmed with the urge to grab her by the hair and ravage those plush, sassy lips of hers until she begs me to fuck her. “Fine. Come to my office tomorrow. I’d like to see this plan of yours.”
“I’ll have Elena call your office and set something up.” She stands, as if the subject is closed.
“We’ll have dinner. I’ll pick you up at eight.” Wait—what am I saying? We can’t spend thirty seconds together without fighting. Sharing a meal might invoke World War III, but I don’t retract the invitation.
“I’m not going to dinner with you.” Her refusal turns the request into a challenge, one I won’t lose. “Your office. I don’t want any distractions.” She juts her chin at me in a gesture of pure defiance, the way she’s done a hundred times in our past. Maybe my girl isn’t gone after all.
“Fine.” A curious sense of excitement replaces my irritation. I can’t wait to see what she brings to our meeting.
The bedroom door opens, and one of the girls pokes her head through the opening. “Cam? Are you coming or not? We’re getting bored in here.”
“In a minute.” Christ. I forgot about them. I raise a questioning eyebrow to Vanessa, unable to resist goading her. “If you aren’t going to join us then you’d better excuse me. My guests are restless.”
If possible, her face gets redder. I want to take satisfaction out of her discomfort, but instead, I feel deflated, a sensation I’ll have to deconstruct later. I walk her to the door, unable to tear my eyes from the bouncing globes beneath her silk nightie. The material clings to her ass. Is that the faint outline of thong panties? Be still my heart.
“Did you say something?” She hesitates on the threshold, looking up at me with enormous doe eyes.
“I said, see you tomorrow.”
Once she’s gone, I give the blondes cab fare and send them on their way. For whatever reason, my dick is no longer interested in them, and neither is my heart. The past twelve years have been an endless blur of nameless faceless women, but none of them ever held my interest the way Vanessa did. I hate her, and I can’t wait to see her again.
Chapter 16
Vanessa - Today
THIS BOY HAS me tied up in knots. My mouth goes dry as his hands slide beneath my shirt. A hunger unlike anything I’ve ever experienced rears its head and screams for satisfaction. His lips part. My tongue dips into his mouth, tasting and taking. His cock hardens between us. I should push him away, but my body wants more.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” he says against my lips.
“I have every intention of finishing.” If I’ve learned anything from my dad, it’s that you must take what you want when the opportunity presents itself. I’m sure he didn’t intend for the lesson to be applied in a sexual context, and the thought makes me smile.
“What’s so funny?” Cam stiffens, like he thinks I’m laughing at him.
“Nothing.” I grip the hem of his T-shirt and pull it up so I can smooth my palms over his abs. They’re rock hard and glorious. The second my fingers graze his ribs, he flinches. “You’re ticklish?”
“A little.” He twists then bites his lower lip. I do it again. Laughter erupts and lights his eyes. “Hey, no fair.”
“All’s fair in love and war.”
“What do you know about either of those things?” The timbre of his voice lowers, sending a shiver down my back.
“You might be surprised.” I steal another kiss. My heart kicks against my ribs until I think they might break.
He leans back, chest heaving, and swallows. “Everything about you surprises me, Vanessa.”
“Let’s go upstairs.” Desire hums through my body.
“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” He grabs my hands and pins them to my sides. “I don’t do relationships or dating or any of those things.” The corners of his mouth curl up, but there’s no humor in the gesture.
“Neither do I.”
“Really, princess? You say that, but do you really?” The heat of his breath scalds my neck.
I angle my head to the side, allowing him better access. His lips press against the flesh at the corner of my jaw. “Don’t play games with me, Cam.” To emphasize the point, I free a hand and palm his erection through his short
s. A low growl reverberates through his chest. His response gives me the courage to ask for what I want. “Take me upstairs and fuck me. You know you want to.”
“God, yes.” His gaze rakes over me. I feel him in every part of my body, in my nipples, in the juncture of my thighs. “I want to make you come a thousand times, hear you scream my name, taste you here.” He presses the heel of his hand against my sex.
“Then what are you waiting for?” My panties are wet from the need in his voice. “No one will ever know.”
“What about Giles?”
“What about him?” I knew he was watching us by the pool when Giles tried to kiss me. Maybe it wasn’t fair to play Giles like that, but he’s a grown man who can look after himself. And I have a sneaking suspicion Giles is more attracted to my bank account than me.
“Just checking out the competition.”
“Giles is a friend, nothing more. I already told you there isn’t anyone else.” To keep Cam’s ego in check, I add, “But he is a handsome man.”
Cam snorts, pulling me closer. “Now who’s playing with whom?”
“I’m not playing. I’m completely serious.” To prove my point, I slide my palm up and down his erection.
He groans and swallows, the muscles of his throat constricting. “What happens when you fall in love with me?” Humor returns to his eyes. One eyebrow lifts. “I don’t want to break your heart.”
Something about his warning strikes a chord, but I’m too far gone to pay heed. I’ve never had a broken heart, and I’m arrogant enough to think it will never happen to me because I’ve taken precautions against it. “You really need to work on your confidence level.” I remove my hand from his cock and grind my hips against his. “Take me upstairs.”
He shoves me away and thrusts a hand through his hair. “Goddamn, Vanessa.”
There’s no time to reply because two seconds later I’m cradled in his arms. He carriers me down the short hallway and into the library. Without ceremony, he dumps me onto the leather sofa. His eyes blaze as he stares down at me, chest heaving. A thrill of anticipation zips up my legs and into my core.
Silently, he draws his T-shirt over his head then shoves down his shorts. His erection bobs forward between us—long, thick, and heavily veined. Sunlight streams through the windows, highlighting his enviable body. Dust motes whirl in the slanted beams. He draws a condom from the pocket of his shorts.
Following his lead, I toss aside my shirt and wiggle out of my pants. I lean back on my elbows, wearing only my panties and bra. The tip of his tongue slides over his lower lip. Unlike the other boys I’ve been with, I don’t feel any awkwardness or embarrassment, only anticipation. The way his eyes drink in every inch of my semi-nude body is all the assurance I need that he likes what he sees.
“Are you ready for me?” His voice is quiet, calm, like he’s asking me to pass the salt at one of my mother’s dinner parties.
“Yes.” My mouth is dry; the word comes out rough and raspy.
He dips his head to kiss me. His tongue dives deep into my mouth. I open for him, reveling in his earthy groan. The cool burn of his mint continues after he pulls away. With an expert flick of thumb and forefinger, he releases the clasp of my bra. It whispers to the floor. My nipples sting as blood rushes into them.
“You’ve got the most beautiful tits.” Big hands cup my breasts and squeeze gently. He speaks reverently. “I like these.” He traces the circle of my areola using the tip of his little finger. “They’re the prettiest shade of pale pink. My grandma had roses this color by her back porch.”
“Please don’t talk about your grandma right now.”
“Right.” His chuckle vibrates between us. “Deal.”
My panties come off next. He lingers in the act of removing them, smoothing his palms along the outsides of my thighs. My senses shift into overdrive. I’m hyperaware of everything; I’ve never been more alive. The sweet scent of hydrangeas floats on the breeze through the open window. The leather of the chaise is cool against my bare backside and squeaks occasionally when I squirm. My heart thumps in my ears, blotting out the drone of locusts and the twittering of birds.
Cam opens my knees with his hands and stares down at my sex. The muscles deep inside my pelvis flutter in excitement. He drags a finger along my seam, testing, before dipping inside my opening. I clench around the intrusion and struggle to draw breath. “Damn, you’re so tight.” He shifts to lie between my open thighs. His erection grazes my belly. With one hand, he guides it to my entrance but hesitates, taunting me.
“Inside. Now.” I don’t recognize the desperate voice speaking but know it’s mine.
“Take what you want, Vanessa. I’m right here. All you’ve got to do is—”
Before he can finish the sentence, I raise my hips. He slides into me, so deep I think I might faint. The exquisite friction radiates along my nerve endings. I feel him in my toes, my fingertips, my chest.
“Ah.” He throws his head back, baring the long, muscular column of his throat. I lean forward and nip along his jugular. He twists his pelvis, doing delicious things inside me with his cock.
I’m fascinated by the way his abs ripple with each thrust, the veins popping along his biceps, the clench and release of his buttocks beneath my clutching hands. He withdraws then slides in again to the base. We moan in tandem. This moment is perfect in every way except one. He avoids my gaze. Our eyes never meet—not even once.
“Fuck me. Hard.” I whisper the dirty words, words I’ve never said to anyone, into his ear. My nails dig the firm flesh of his ass. He pumps into me, gathering speed. Tension coils deep in my womb.
Our bodies slap together. I tighten my legs around his twisting torso. One of his arms steals about my waist. He moves my body where he wants it, adjusting the angle of my hips for deeper penetration, intensifying the sensations for both of us.
“Come for me,” he commands. “Let go, Vanessa. I want to hear you scream.” The rawness of his voice sends me over the edge.
The orgasm rips through me. My muscles contract. I hear a cry—my cry—echo against the bookshelves. Colors flash against the walls. I’ve had orgasms before, but never anything like this, nothing so intense. My skin burns, my thighs quiver. Soft lips soothe along my neck. When I start to float back to earth, he presses a thumb to my clit, and I gasp as a second wave of pleasure rolls from my sex to my toes.
“That’s right. That’s what I want to hear.” His speech becomes terse, guttural. While I try to gather my senses, he plunges into me with reckless abandon, rocking the chaise. The tendons in his neck tighten. His entire body stiffens, and he groans, spilling into the condom between us, rolling his hips to prolong the pleasure.
Chapter 17
Vanessa - Today
CAM’S DRIVER PICKS me up at Seaforth Towers and drives me across the city to his office. He’s on the top floor of another skyscraper built by my father. A flutter dances in my stomach as I ride the elevator to the top. The doors open onto a sleek world of chrome and glass. A receptionist leads me down a corridor plastered with framed magazine covers and articles featuring Cam. He’s done well for himself, overcoming the handicaps of his childhood and social inequities.
At the end of the hall, a pair of glass desks flank a mirrored wall. Two blondes dressed in black pantsuits look up from their work. They’re identical twins, hair swept into severe buns at the nape of their necks. For a second, I think they’re the woman in his hotel room, and heat races up my neck. Cam, however, is too smart to fuck his employees.
“Have a seat. Mr. Blackwood will be with you momentarily.” The receptionist points to a sleek chair, more artistic than practical.
After twenty minutes, I sigh and glance at my watch. It’s just like Cameron to keep me waiting. With every passing minute, my anxiety grows. What if he doesn’t like my business plan? If he pulls out of Seaforth Media, the newspapers will have a heyday. Our stock is already at an all-time low. Cam’s departure will be viewed as an indication o
f my incompetency and could set off a chain reaction. I won’t let that happen.
“Do you know how much longer Mr. Blackwood is going to be?” I ask one of the twins. As important as this meeting is, I have other responsibilities. Cam needs to respect my position. “I may need to reschedule.”
The mirrored wall shimmers and becomes clear. Two panels slide open, and Cam steps out, followed by three older gentlemen. I recognize the Mayor of Laurel Falls among them. They shake hands before parting. I’m mesmerized by Cam’s air of command, the way these men hang on his every word.
“Vanessa. Good to see you.” He’s all business, his tone serious, his face blank. When his striking blue eyes land on me, my heart twists, like it’s trying to escape the prison of my ribs.
He’s wearing a black suit, blue striped tie, and a crisp white shirt. The pocket square in his jacket coordinates with the tie, and the shade of blue exactly matches the color of his eyes. The lines of his suit are impeccable, emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His black hair is pushed back from his face in a mess of long curls. Dark stubble peppers his square jaw. My mouth goes dry, and I forget why I’m here.
“Are you coming?” One of his thick, dark eyebrows lifts. He extends a hand, curling his fingers, beckoning to me.
“Yes.”
The interior of his office is dark, cool, the colors muted and masculine, the furnishings minimalist. He places a hand on the small of my back and ushers me toward a sofa and coffee table. Behind us, the wall of glass darkens and the doors slide silently shut. It’s a nifty trick, and I make a mental note to investigate it later.
“Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like coffee, or something stronger?” The corner of his mouth curls up in a sideways smile. “I know how you like to day drink.”
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