by Skylar Hill
Now she knew she wouldn't. Now, if it ever happened again, she’d be strong, and she’d win. She took a deep breath and smiled, reveling in the feeling of security and confidence that flooded her.
There was a light knock at the door. "Can I come in?"
“Of course.”
Even after the last few weeks of spending time together, his handsomeness hit her like it was the first time seeing him, sending goose bumps down her skin even in the hot water.
He sat on the edge of the tub, concern written all over his face. “How are you doing?’
“I’m fine,” she said. “Really,” she stressed, because she could tell he was skeptical. “It was a bad situation, but it ended as well as it could. My training kicked in, and then you kicked in. Literally.”
His mouth twitched like he wanted to smile. She lifted her eyebrows at him in silent challenge, and he rolled his eyes. She liked that they didn’t even need words. That they could communicate with a few expressions. She’d never had that with anyone but Evie, but you’re supposed to have that with your sister.
“Can I…” he trailed off, his fingers hanging off the side of the tub, skimming the water. “You have self-defense training,” he said finally.
“I do,” Cam said, nervousness rising in her.
But then whatever curiosity in his face faded, like he knew she didn’t want to go there. Relief wrapped around her as he said, “So you’re a lean, mean, killing machine, huh?”
“Totally,” she said, absolutely stone-faced, and that smile—that tilted smile that crinkled his beautiful eyes—flashed. She smiled back, feeling something like normal for the first time since Scott had cornered her.
“I quit my job,” she said. “I mean, before he… that’s why he was pissed. He’d heard you were opening a new studio and started quizzing me on it and threatening my job when I wouldn’t answer. So I quit.”
Anger flared in James’s gray eyes at the mention of Scott. “Fucking asshole,” he muttered. “He’s not getting away with any of this.”
“Did you call the cops?” Cam asked, peering at him uncertainly.
“I have an old friend who’s a detective at Portland PD,” James said. “He’s at a crime scene, but he’ll be calling me back.”
Cam sighed. “I really don’t want to go through reporting him” she said. “They’re not going to prosecute him over a few bruises.”
“Cam,” James protested.
“But,” she added, before he could continue. “The next girl who works for him might not have self-defense training. I can’t risk that. Reporting him, filing charges, even if they don’t pursue it, it’ll start a paper trail. And if he hurts another girl, she’s going to need that paper trail. They don’t listen unless there’s a paper trail.” She snorted. “Hell, a lot of the times they don’t listen even when there is.”
James frowned, she could see his dark brows draw together at the bitterness in her words.
“I’ll go and talk to your detective friend tomorrow,” she said, hoping to distract him. She didn’t want to think about this any more tonight. “But tonight, can we just… talk about something else?”
“Of course,” he said. He bit his lower lip, looking uncharacteristically shy. It was so cute, so boyish, so very sweet that she felt her heart twist in her chest. “So the whole quitting thing. Does that mean you made up your mind about my offer?”
“You want to talk business while I’m lying naked here in your bathtub?” she asked archly.
“No, I want to get in there with you,” he said, his voice full of promises she desperately wanted him to fulfill. “But I’m a gentleman, and it’s been a bad day.”
Maybe another time, she’d be too skittish. Maybe another man, she wouldn’t feel safe enough.
But with him? She was safe. To be playful. To be lustful. To be emotional. To be her.
She stood up in the tub wrapped her wet arms around his neck, water dripping down the back of his shirt, and she kissed him.
Every time they kissed, it was like something new and familiar at the same time. This beautiful opposition that pulled and tugged at each other. She loved the feeling, marveled at it. It was unlike anything she’d ever experienced in her life, and every time his lips were on hers, all she could think was yes and you.
When they broke apart, she was panting, her nipples pebbled, her cheeks rosy and her thoughts all on him. Her forehead pressed against his, arms still tight around his neck.
“Yes, I’ve decided to accept your offer,” she said.
She felt his smile before she saw it, the way his forehead wrinkled just a little against hers. “And you know what you can do to make my day better?” she asked.
“Hmm?” He asked. His eyes were closed, his skin pressed against hers. His hands were on her bare shoulders, resting light enough to make her shiver.
“You can get in this tub with me,” she said.
He pulled back, he grin taking up his whole face as he yanked his shirt off in one smooth movement. As he kicked his jeans off, she tried not to be distracted by the fact that he’d obviously been going commando. God, why did that do it for her? She pressed her legs together tight, anticipation flooding her.
He slipped in the water, coming to crouch on top of her, fitting perfectly in the cradle of her thighs. He kissed her, his hands winding through her wet curls, and she sank into his kiss, letting it take over her senses and drive all the bad, all the darkness, all the history from her mind. Tomorrow was new and fresh, and he was by her side.
“You and me,” she whispered against his ear. “We’re going to be something great.”
She was sure of it.
FIN
James and Cam’s love story continues in SOMETHING RIGHT. Can their passion survive when Cam’s past threatens to destroy everything? For a special sneak peek, click here.
Also by Skylar Hill
Steamy Standalones
For Keeps
All Worked Up (Coming in May)
The Exile Ink Series
James and Cam:
Something New (Book 1)
Something Right (Book 2)
Something Real (Book 3)
Aiden and Lydia:
Just One Night (A Prequel Short Story)
Coming Soon:
Just One Word
Just One Touch
Just One Kiss
Something Right
Book Two in the Exile Ink Series
James McGowan’s life is going exactly how he wants. He’s on the verge of opening his tattoo studio, and his relationship with Cam, the sexy watercolor tattoo artist he’s fallen for, is sweeter—and hotter—than ever.
But as their work on Exile Ink continues, James feels Cam pulling away. Worried he may lose her, he pushes too hard, and the fight that follows has him scared it’ll be the end of them.
But it’s not James who’s put Cam on edge.
She thought she could outrun her past, but now it’s caught up with her. Cam’s done everything she could to keep her and her sister safe, but time’s running out, and she has a choice to make: Tell James the truth, or lose what they have.
Cam’s trusted James with her body, her career and her heart.
Can she trust him with her secrets?
Buy SOMETHING RIGHT here.
Something Real
Book Three in the Exile Ink Series
James McGowan has it all: a business on the verge of opening to great success, talent and sinful good looks, and a sweet and sexy woman who worships him almost as much as he worships her.
James and Cam are stronger than ever as the launch of Exile Ink, the tattoo studio they’ve built together, draws near. But their happiness is marred by another, much more dire event. It’s hard to think about ink, art and forever when the man who caused Cam so much pain might soon be free.
With their future threatened, and Cam on the verge of breaking, James is determined to protect the woman he loves at all costs—even if it means taking justic
e into his own hands.
Buy SOMETHING REAL here.
A Steamy Standalone
Lily Adler has a big problem: just weeks after moving in with her boyfriend, she finds him in bed with another woman! She’s washed her hands of the cheating jerk, but now she’s hard up for a place to live.
Enter Wes Cartwright, the guy who’s subletting the loft Lily’s slimeball ex convinced her to lease out. Ever since Wes adopted his infant niece, Dawn, his life’s been complicated. The sexy architect is trying to be the best Daddy he can be, but he’s out of his element with diapers and bouncy swings.
When he finds out Lily spent three years working as an au pair, he sees an opportunity and offers her a deal: They can share the apartment in exchange for help with Dawn and a crash course in Daddy 101 for Wes. Lily’s between jobs, and the last thing she wants to do is apartment hunt, so she agrees.
As Lily weaves herself into Wes and Dawn’s lives, he finds himself irresistibly drawn to the perky blonde and her optimistic spirit. Her killer curves don’t hurt, either. Falling for the nanny is such a cliché, but after Wes accidentally walks in on Lily in the shower, all bets are off.
Cliché or not, she will be his.
And he’s playing for keeps.
Buy FOR KEEPS here.
About the Author
Skylar Hill writes steamy romance about once-in-a-lifetime love.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her very own lumberjack/soulmate. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking one of the trails around her beautiful city, or in a cafe, drinking chai lattes and eating way too many cinnamon rolls. She has several tattoos, but in places only her husband gets to see!
She is currently hard at work on her next steamy story.
For sneak peeks, bonus scenes, updates, giveaways and truly decadent hot cocoa recipes, sign up for Skylar’s Newsletter here.
To connect with Skylar:
@skylarwrites
skylarhillwrites
www.skylar-hill.com
