Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  “That must have been fun, though. North Carolina, right?”

  His eyes softened. “Yeah. It was fun. We’d better get back so Brad doesn’t try to steal half my deal.” He wrapped his arm around her waist as they headed back to the car.

  When they arrived at the dealership, Cameron started to exit the vehicle, so she tugged on his arm, pulling him toward her. “Let them talk.” She planted a wet kiss on his lips, refusing to release him until he kissed her back. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he blushed. It was hard to tell with his olive skin, but as he pulled back, she’d sworn there was a hint of pink on his round cheeks.

  He backed out of her car and walked toward the dealership door. Once again, she’d swear he looked taller than he usually did and his chest was broader.

  Brad opened the door for him, then patted him on the back as he walked past.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  At two-thirty in the morning, Alexandra exited the nightclub and strolled up to Cameron, who was leaning up against her Malibu. She narrowed her eyes, but couldn’t help the thrill that traveled through her at seeing him. Maybe he wanted to come back to her place. “Well, hello. What are you doing?”

  He pushed himself off the car and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about you walking into a shadowy parking lot alone.”

  “I’m not alone. Robert is standing right there.” She pointed to the tinted-glass doors, but then realized it was impossible to see inside. “Well, you can’t see him, but he’s there. He’s one of our bouncers, who also happens to be a sheriff. He works at the prison in Sharpes. He’d never let anything happen to me. If anyone harasses me, all I do is raise my hand, and he’s there within seconds. He’s very protective.”

  Cameron lifted an eyebrow. “You’re talking to me. How does he know I’m not some deranged psycho?”

  She laughed. “I told him you weren’t a deranged psycho. He already saw you standing by my car and informed me.”

  “Oh. Well, I figured your ex used to pick you up every night, so I figured you wouldn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind. But the only reason he dropped me off was so he could use my car.” She nuzzled her face into his neck. “So, you want to come back to my place?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’ll just go home.”

  “Cameron, I swear I won’t attack you. Come on … it’s late.”

  “I have to work in the morning, and I don’t have a change of clothes.” He stopped talking, contemplating his words, it seemed. “Is his stuff at your apartment?”

  She closed her eyes and released a sigh. “Yes … but before you get upset, what am I supposed to do with his stuff? I can’t just toss his things in the street.”

  He ran his hand through his hair in apparent frustration. “I don’t know. God, I just want him out of your life.”

  “He’s not in my life, Cameron. You’re the one who keeps bringing up his name.” She cocked her head at him. “Are you … jealous? Of him?”

  He gripped her tighter and pulled her closer. “Yes. Extremely.”

  “Well, cut it out! That’s what happened earlier too, isn’t it? Do you even realize what I do for a living?”

  “Yes,” he said. “But I’ve seen you work. You don’t give anyone the time of day other than to get them their orders.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. And you have nothing to be distressed about, Cameron. As far as I’m concerned, I was loyal to that S.O.B for six years. The evening I spent with you … I’d warned him not to forget me. In my calculations, I had already broken up with him sitting there on the road. So, believe me … you have no reason to feel threatened. So, cut it out, okay?”

  As if not hearing anything she’d said, he tilted his head to look at her face, and his eyes grew wide. “I have an idea. Why don’t you come home with me? Then, I can just drop you off at your place in the morning.”

  Her mouth turned up at the thought. “I’m not going to allow you to sleep on the sofa, Cameron.”

  “I didn’t intend on it,” he retorted.

  “Okay then. I’ll just leave my car here. It’s closer to the dealership anyway.”

  Cameron pulled her toward his lifted Jeep and then opened the door, allowing her to enter.

  When they arrived at his place, it was quiet and dark. Only the muted TV cast light on the entryway. The flickering light danced through the living area, casting eerie shadows around the room.

  “Is your mom home?”

  “No, her car’s gone.”

  “Does she go out every night?”

  “Practically.”

  “Hmm … I’m sorry. That must be difficult.”

  Cameron shrugged, allowing that. He walked over to the remote, turned off the TV, and then took her hand and led her to his bedroom. Her heart thrummed in anticipation, hoping he’d changed his mind. Lately, all she could think about was ripping off his clothes. She wondered if being pregnant made you horny because she’d never really craved sex before. Or maybe it was Cameron that made her body light up with need.

  When she entered his room, she walked directly to the sliders. It would be wonderful to live on the seaside. To hear the waves at night, to breathe the fresh air. It always seemed cooler on the beach.

  Cameron strolled up behind her, his long arms wrapping around her, pulling her against his chest. He brushed the hair off the back of her neck and pressed his lips to her skin. Her body quivered in response. God, she wanted him so badly.

  His lips worked their way to her ear. “I love you, Alexandra, like I’ve never loved any woman in my life.”

  Gulping, she turned around in his arms. “Cameron …”

  “It’s the truth. But if you don’t want to hear it, just say the word, and I’ll stop. But if you’ll allow me … I swear I will love you forever.”

  A wave of heat swept through her, and she was positive she would pass out. “I don’t want you to stop. You’re wonderful.” He looked up at the ceiling at her response. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean … I’m just … I don’t know what I mean.” She dropped her head against his chest. “I’m scared out of my gourd, Cameron. I don’t know how to respond to all of this. I’m not used to it.”

  He lifted her chin. “I don’t understand. Help me understand. What are you afraid of? Is it him? Do you still love him?”

  Alexandra shook her head wildly. “No. Not at all.”

  “Then help me understand how you could stay with him and live with him for six years. But you’re afraid of me?”

  “Because I never loved him … we were more like roommates. He has always just … been there, I guess.”

  “But you slept with him.”

  “We had sex, yes.” He cringed at her words. “Cameron, why do you keep bringing him up if it hurts you so much?”

  He waved her off. “Wait a minute … you said because you never loved him. But you’re afraid of us … because you feel something?”

  “Yes …” She sighed. “I’ve lost everything good in my life. I’m afraid if I love something, I’ll lose it.”

  “Alexandra, you won’t lose me. I swear to you. I will never let you down.”

  “What if it’s his?” she asked, her voice faltering at the notion. She wanted it to be Cameron’s.

  “The baby is not his. You’re mine, and the baby is mine, regardless of who fathered it.” He pulled her closer. “Tell me you love me, Alexandra. Tell me you’ll stay with me.”

  “I do love you, Cameron. I will stay with you as long as you will have me.”

  “That will be forever, you know.”

  She smiled.

  He pulled her back toward the bed. Then pulled her up into his arms and placed her on the blanket. “I want you so much, Alexandra. I don’t suppose you’d consider marrying me so I can terminate this pact.”

  “That’s not a very romantic proposal, Cameron.” He grinned widely, showing off a dazzling smile. She hadn’t seen that large of a smile on his face yet. �
�I amuse you?” she asked.

  “You do a lot of things to me, darling, but that wasn’t a smile of amusement. You just opened Pandora’s Box, my sweet. I hope you can accept the consequences.”

  Cameron kissed her with such fervor she expected him to rip off her clothes at any second, but he didn’t. He just continued to kiss her until she was breathless, and then he kissed her neck, concentrating on the sensitive spot below her ear until she giggled for him to stop, which only caused him to get more aggressive. When he realized how ticklish she was, he experimented on every exposed part of her body, looking for areas to drive her crazy. He nibbled behind her knees, tickled her feet, and then suspended himself above her and nuzzled his face into her neck again until she squealed. Areas that previously weren’t ticklish were now sensitive. Just the feel of his breath on her skin caused goosebumps to rise on her flesh.

  “You’re driving me crazy, Cameron. And shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

  “If you insist.” He playfully pulled away, and she grabbed him back. He laughed. “Okay. Just a few more kisses, and then you, young lady, need to get ready for bed.”

  Alexandra kissed him with everything she had. Everything she had repressed for years emerged like a subterranean spring bursting free at last.

  Cameron pulled back first this time, and the look on his face was unadulterated wonder. “Wow, wow. I feel as if I cheated somehow. As though I shouldn’t be able to experience such pleasure. Kiss me again, Alexandra,” he requested, but then his lips returned to her.

  Finally, they parted and Cameron sighed heavily. “I swear, woman, you are going to be the death of me. I have to brush my teeth. Grab whatever shirt you like out of the second drawer,” he said, pointing to his cherry wood dresser.

  Alexandra made her way to the dresser, pulling out the second drawer as instructed. It was orderly. Every shirt folded neatly, colors separated. Was every drawer like this? She peeked in the third and fourth. Identical. Every shirt, every pair of shorts. Everything was neat and tidy.

  She couldn’t resist. She opened the top drawer, which was usually the underwear drawer. She couldn’t remember what he’d had on the first night. And now she wondered, boxers or briefs? She took him for a boxer-wearing brief kind of guy.

  She stopped cold. Sitting on the right side of the drawer was a cube-shaped, black box. It could be for cufflinks, she supposed. Her father had had a nice set, but they’d been in a larger, more rectangular-style box.

  She glanced over her shoulder toward the bathroom. The door was still closed. She lifted the tiny box and peeked inside. There inside, resting delicately on the crushed velvet was a diamond ring. Not a ludicrously large diamond, but by far, the prettiest she had ever seen.

  “You want to try it on?”

  Startled, she whipped around. Cameron stood in the doorway, wearing nothing but cotton sleep pants, his forearm resting casually on the doorjamb.

  “Were you engaged before, Cameron?” she asked, suspicion clear in her voice.

  He let out a soft sigh. “Have you listened to anything that I’ve said, Alexandra?” He left the doorway and approached her. “I purchased that this evening after I left your apartment. I didn’t expect you to be in my bedroom this evening, snooping through my drawers, no less.” He smiled to lighten his words. “Go ahead, see if it fits. You don’t have to keep it on if you don’t want to. Of course, now you’ve kinda spoiled my surprise. I was going to think of something crazy and extravagant.” He finished his words as he drew her to his chest.

  She stared at him with wide eyes, speechless, the little black box still clutched in her hand. For her? He’d bought a ring for her? An engagement ring?

  “Okay,” he said, taking the delicate box from her hands. “Let’s try another method.” He dropped down in front of her. “Alexandra Nicole Dellas, I love you. I truly do. And I will never leave you. Will you do me the incredible honor of accepting this ring as a testament to my words? Will you marry me, Alexandra?”

  She wanted to say a million things. She wanted to tell him how absurd he sounded. How foolish he must be to want her. But the only word that escaped her throat was, “Yes.”

  He pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her left ring finger. Then he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it. “You’ve made me very happy, Alexandra.”

  He gathered her to his chest and pressed his lips against hers once again. Her blood rushed to her feet and she felt herself melt into his arms. Cameron was an incredible kisser. How was it possible to feel faint from a kiss? His lips were demanding and soft at the same time. Her mind drifted to their first night together.

  When he’d kissed her on the beach, she’d lost all thought about right and wrong. All she knew was she wanted the pleasure of him holding her to overshadow everything else in her life. And it had happened. Cameron wanted her. And right now, she wanted him — fully.

  She moved her hands to the drawstring on his pants, and Cameron slowly pulled back from her lips. “I bought you a toiletry set in hopes you’d be here more. It’s sitting on the counter. I’ll meet you back here in a few minutes, okay?”

  “Okay …” Alexandra wasn’t sure what he meant, but she hoped that it meant he wanted to make love to her. Because right now, she felt more amorous than she’d ever felt. She strolled off toward the bathroom as sexily as she could muster.

  When she returned to the bedroom, Cameron was already in bed. He held up the comforter, and she slipped in beside him. His arms enveloped her. “I love you, Alexandra. Goodnight.”

  “I love you too, Cameron.” She sighed. She’d been hopeful that a commitment to marry was enough, but it appeared he was holding true to his vow.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  The next morning after Cameron dropped her at her vehicle with a promise to sell a car quickly, Alexandra headed to her apartment, which no longer felt like home.

  After driving through a McDonald’s drive-thru for a caramel latte, she pulled into her assigned parking area, feeling lighthearted after the previous evening.

  Cameron loved her … problems and all. Though she knew she wasn’t the problem; she hadn’t caused her issues in her life. Well, most of them anyway. The pregnancy had been her fault. Cameron didn’t seem to care about her being pregnant, though. Actually, he seemed thrilled. As if he’d wanted this to happen, prayed for it to happen even.

  She inserted her key into the deadbolt, attempting to turn it to the left, but surprisingly it was already unlocked. She hadn’t left the deadbolt unlocked. Cautiously opening the door, she peered inside. Probably the exterminator. Although, she was fairly certain he didn’t come on Fridays.

  “It’s about time,” a familiar voice bellowed from the sofa. Jonathan. A knot formed in her stomach, and she instantly felt as though she would throw up. Jonathan stared at her from across the room. He was leaning against the back of the sofa, legs spread, arms crossed, looking completely comfortable. He looked a mess, though. He had several days of hair growth on his face, clothes looked as if he’d slept in them, and his expression was livid. “Where the hell have you been?”

  Pushing himself off the sofa, he emerged in front of her within seconds. Reflexively, she backed up. He had pushed her around a few times, but he had never hurt her. Still, she felt fear as he approached. His breath smelled of tequila, and the smell nauseated her.

  “I asked you a question, Nicole.”

  “How … did you … I thought,” she stammered.

  “Surprised to see me?” He grinned, only it wasn’t an I’m-glad-to-see-you smile. “Mom … need I say more?”

  “My public defender said you had to serve a minimum of seven months.”

  “My mom hired an attorney who got me released on bail. I have a court date, but he’ll get me off. I asked you a question, Nicky. Where have you been?”

  “It’s over, Jonathan.” She turned to walk to the bathroom, and he grabbed her hand, pulling her back in front of him.

  “It’s over when I say it’s o
ver. Who were you with all night? Again.” He lifted her hand, instantly noticing the engagement ring. His eye twitched, and his mouth turned down in a scowl she’d never seen. “What the? You whore! I’m in jail and you’re off sleeping with the first guy —” He slapped her hard, and the force behind his assault propelled her body backward against the wall. She struggled to stand upright as she launched herself toward the front door. She managed to get the door open before he grabbed her, sending her plummeting to the walkway.

  As she crawled across the concrete to the stairwell, Jonathan clawed at her bare legs, his nails digging into her flesh. She disentangled herself from under his grasp, feeling the concrete scrape her naked knees. She struggled to stand again, but he subdued her with a stranglehold.

  “Where do you think you’re running off to? Him? Never!”

  He started dragging her backward into the apartment, and she kicked and struggled to free herself. Remembering a technique she’d learned as a child, she let herself collapse, dead weight in his arms. Once free, she darted toward her only escape. Just as she made it to the stairwell again, he grabbed her. But this time the force of his attack caused her to lose her balance, and she felt herself falling. The last thing she saw was Jonathan reaching out for her.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Cameron’s mobile rang, but the number came through blocked, which typically meant it was a disgruntled customer. Some used-car buyer who’d refused an extended warranty, insisting they had a relative who repaired all their cars gratis.

  Sighing, he answered the unknown caller. He needed a sale if he wanted to get out of here in time to see Alexandra before she had to work.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Cameron?” a man’s voice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know an Alexandra Dellas?”

  Cameron’s heart stopped. “Yes … she’s my fiancée … who’s this?”

  “That’s what I was hoping. I’m Dave, a paramedic with American. Your number was the most recently called on her phone.”