Hotel Hideaway: (Soldiering On #4)

by Aislinn Kearns

  He glanced at her. “It’s fine.”

  “No, it’s not. I should’ve trusted you.” It sounded like she’d been stewing about it even more than he had.

  “Really, it’s okay.”

  “I just feel—”

  “Sam, I’m about to walk into a building with at least two people that want to kill me, maybe more. I even have to go to a meeting with Erica in about an hour. I need to concentrate so I don’t trip up and get us both killed. Can we please talk about this later?”

  Sam swallowed and nodded, focusing back on the road. But her eyes brimmed with hurt. Guilt gnawed at him, but he ignored it. The more time he spent with Sam, the more difficult he found it to act the cold-hearted businessman. Ever since he’d met Sam, she’d distracted him from his mission. Part of him didn’t regret it—he was grateful such a wonderful woman had come into his life, and shown him how to feel again. But on the other hand, he was so close to avenging his brother. He couldn’t slip up now, in the final days.

  They arrived at the Beaton office building to find Erica waiting on the footpath out front. Cameron tried to sneak into the building without her seeing him, but she turned at the last minute.

  “Cameron! Just the man I wanted to see.”

  She waved him over, and he reluctantly weaved through the passers-by towards her. Sam hovered close behind.

  “Erica,” he greeted her.

  She smiled a secretive smile and turned towards a company car that idled on the curb behind her. She opened the door and gestured inside.

  “Um, our meeting isn’t for another hour,” he said, taking an instinctive step back.

  Her smile deepened, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. What was her game?

  “I thought we might go for a drive first.”

  He swallowed. “If we must. Sam?”

  She stepped forward to clear the car. Erica stopped her with a firm hand on her arm. “Just us,” she said to Cameron. “You can leave your guard dog behind.”

  Anger flushed through him, and he fought to maintain his composure. “She goes with me everywhere.”

  “I’m not leaving him,” Sam added.

  Erica raised a brow. “What? You don’t trust me?” she asked innocently.

  Cameron glanced at Sam. She looked back with stricken eyes. What could he say? If he said the truth—he was afraid of her—then she’d know for sure he was well aware she’d masterminded the assassination attempts. But if he said he did trust her?

  Well, that could be far worse. What waited for him in that car? His death?

  In the end, though, he only had one choice. He turned away from Sam’s miserable eyes and looked straight at Erica. “Lead the way.”

  ◆◆◆

  The first five minutes of the drive were utterly silent. Cameron had watched as Sam sprinted back to the parking garage as they pulled into traffic and headed off down the street. He hoped she was quick enough to catch up, and he had a feeling she would be. After her story about what she’d done to get a medal, he knew she wouldn’t leave a man behind.

  Erica sat across from him, as the seats faced each other. Behind her, the driver was invisible on the other side of tinted glass. Outside the window, people teemed down the sidewalks, and cars honked and weaved. Another normal day.

  Was it his last?

  He turned towards his nemesis, drew and deep breath, and asked, “What’s this about, Erica?” As he talked, he slipped his hand into his pocket and gripped his phone. He kept eye contact with Erica so she wouldn’t see him move.

  She smiled, and it wasn’t a pleasant one. “I simply wanted to have a private conversation with you.”

  “Sam signed an NDA. You had no reason to leave her behind.” He thumbed through his apps, hoping he’d land on the right one without looking.

  “You’ll live,” she commented casually. Cameron could tell she enjoyed this, which made him even more nervous. He had to take back some control of this situation, but it was impossible without knowing why she’d arranged for his presence so determinedly.

  “So, what did you want to talk about?” He clicked, hoping he’d hit the recording app, and settled back in his chair, needing to focus on Erica’s words. Sam’s quick thinking at Frank’s had given them their best smoking gun yet, and maybe Cameron would get equally lucky.

  “I have some unfortunate news. You predecessor, Frank, died yesterday morning. A heart attack.”

  “That’s a damn shame. He seemed like a nice man.”

  “Yes, well, these things happen.” She took a breath to continue, but Cameron jumped in.

  “Are we taking a collection for his family? I believe he has a granddaughter.” He said it purely because he knew the suggestion would irk Erica.

  Her lips thinned on cue. “I suppose so,” she said dismissively, and Cameron had a private moment of triumph. “Anyway, I wanted to say Frank had recently had some…mental health problems. Delusions, paranoia, that kind of thing.”

  “Is that so?” Cameron asked non-committally.

  “Yes. So, if someone had discussed with him certain particulars from his time running Beaton, they’d find that information quite worthless. He couldn’t be trusted.”

  Cameron hummed in response, his mind whirring behind his mask as to what Erica might have done. Falsified records? Paid people off? Impossible to know. But, more importantly, how would it affect their plan for the event? Would Frank’s testimony be enough, now?

  He swallowed.

  “Why are you telling me this?” he asked.

  “As CEO, you should be aware of things that might affect our company. Particularly with our client event coming up this week.”

  “I see. You think someone might slander Beaton?” he asked.

  Her eyes grew cold. “Yes. I hope they know they can’t—won’t—succeed. It would be foolish of them to even try.”

  “And what kind of punishment are you intending to mete out to this mystery person?” he asked casually.

  Her gaze locked onto his. “Prison wouldn’t be punishment enough,” she told him coldly, her eyes hard as diamonds. “For them, or their conspirators.”

  Cameron didn’t react. He couldn’t. But he understood the message. She’d only been playing with him until now. If he continued with the plan he and Sam had concocted, then Erica would send the full force of her power to not just kill him, but make him suffer. And she’d come after Sam, too. Anyone that helped him could be a target.

  He couldn’t let it happen. They had one chance to take Erica down, and they needed to use it wisely. They wouldn’t get a take two. Even if they succeeded, Erica would go down fighting. They needed to be sure she’d be entirely stripped of any power so she couldn’t come after them once she they dethroned her.

  “Well,” Cameron said in reply. “They better be careful, then.” It was a jab he couldn’t resist. She wanted a promise he wouldn’t try anything, but Erica needed to know he wouldn’t roll over.

  Erica’s eyes narrowed, and Cameron fought to keep his jaw unclenched, and his hands resting on the seat beside him.

  “You know your little guard dog works for our enemy,” she murmured casually.

  Cameron froze, ice shards forming in his veins. She knew Sam’s true identity? “Why do you say that?” he gritted out.

  “She’s an employee of Soldiering On. I recognised her from the files we have on them.”

  “Why do you have files on them?” he asked, keeping the conversation casual.

  She shrugged. “We copied their file system a while back, in case something like this happened. We couldn’t encourage corporate espionage.”

  Cameron raised a brow. “I’m well aware who she works for. And right now, that’s me. She’s under my protection as much as I’m under hers.”

  “I see,” said Erica. “It’s unfortunate you feel that way.”

  Cameron glanced out the window and recognised the same street as their meeting. At least Erica hadn’t been driving him to a dump site. But, he knew,
she’d never get her own hands dirty. She was too smart for that.

  “Erica, I’m sorry I prioritise my life over Beaton. Once people stop trying to kill me, she’ll be gone.” He swallowed painfully at the thought.

  “Either way, this will all be over soon,” she said cryptically.

  A chill ran down his spine at the words.

  Before he could clarify what she meant, the car pulled to the curb outside the building where their meeting would be held. He stepped from the car, breathing the crisp air outside as if it was water and he was dying of thirst. For a moment there, he’d believed he’d never get another chance at freedom.

  He stepped out of the way as Erica came up beside him.

  “Looks like your guard dog beat us here,” she commented. Cameron’s gaze pinged around until it landed on Sam, leaning against the wall and staring at him with utter, joyful relief. She pushed off the wall and hurried towards him.

  An equal feeling of gratitude and happiness expanded inside him at the sight of her, to the point where he couldn’t keep the smile from his face.

  “Let’s go,” Erica said smugly. She hadn’t missed their expressions.

  She knew how he and Sam felt about each other—whatever that was—and all Cameron’s joy turned to ice at the realisation. Erica would use this knowledge against them. He had no doubt.

  Sam was in just as much—if not more—danger than him.

  Chapter 18

  “Are we all ready for tonight?” Sam asked, striding into the common area of their hotel room in a robe. Her bare feet sunk into the rich carpet, and the scent of their recently-finished dinner lingered in the air. Night had fallen while she’d been in the shower, and Cameron worked only by the soft glow of the lamp next to the couch.

  “Yes,” Cameron said, typing a few more keystrokes, then looking up from the laptop. He stilled, his eyes fixated on her. The v where her robe dipped, revealing her cleavage, her bare legs, her face, still flushed from the shower. Her skin heated where his gaze touched. She held his gaze as she ran a towel through her wet hair, and Cameron’s eyes followed the movements avidly.

  They hadn’t discussed the kiss. Sam had neatly avoided the topic over the last few days, instead keeping Cameron focused on the big event and their plans for bringing Erica down. They couldn’t get distracted. Not now, when everything they’d worked for was so close to fruition.

  Besides, Sam feared what it might mean if she did give herself to him. Was he honest in his feelings for her? She thought so, most of the time. But every time he walked into the Beaton offices and that mask slammed down, a tiny seed of doubt planted itself in her heart. Did she really believe she couldn’t trust Cameron? Or was that her fear talking?

  But, now, when he looked at her like she was something special, something he was privileged to see, she couldn’t believe he wanted to hurt her. The fact she didn’t mind being sexy in his presence—for him, and him alone—was a big flashing signal that she trusted him, and wanted to be with him.

  Cameron cleared his throat and looked down at the laptop. He peeked up again, and then forced his gaze back to the computer screen. Sam grinned.

  “The recording is ready to go. We got our tickets, our timing, everything. All we have to do now is wait.”

  “Good,” Sam murmured, then eased herself onto the couch next to him. “I’m a little worried Erica hasn’t made a move since Frank’s death, though. What’s she waiting for?”

  Cameron shrugged. “I’m not sure, but it’s worked in our favour.” They hadn’t seen much of their nemesis since the car ride on Monday, although Cameron had gone to work each day, both to keep up appearances, and to solve any last-minute problems about the event. It needed to go off without a hitch.

  “She must be planning something big,” Sam mused. “And I very much doubt it has anything to do with me,” she added, allaying the fears Cameron had communicated to her after his car ride with Erica. Sam had been extra careful, with the idea she could be a target as much as Cameron, but it hadn’t come to anything.

  “Well, we aren’t passively waiting for her to come for us anymore. After tonight, she won’t have any power.”

  They shared a triumphant smile, but the thought of Erica, waiting in the shadows to strike, made Sam wary. It wasn’t over yet.

  “What should we do in the meantime?” Cameron asked.

  The way he looked at her—soft, open, vulnerable—made her heart skip. He wasn’t being lascivious, he was letting her take the lead in whatever they may do next. She wanted this man. Might even love him, given some time to think about it.

  She reached up and ran the back of her finger along his cheek. His eyes darkened, and he shifted forward. Sam recoiled out of his reach and he froze.

  “What are you afraid of?” he whispered. The soft light wrapped around them, cocooning them in intimacy.

  “I’m afraid you’ll hurt me,” she said back, her voice barely a breath as she admitted to him what she’d finally accepted.

  “Trust me,” he replied, sincerity in every syllable. “You’re amazing. You’re tough and beautiful, smart and vulnerable. I wouldn’t do anything to change that.”

  Her heart warmed at his words, and the wall she’d placed around her heart crumbled into dust as if it had never been. She shifted forward, slowly, testing herself. But the walls didn’t slam back up.

  Instead, a hot yearning crept over her skin, sinking into her bones.

  Cameron’s eyes grew dark, but he held himself still as he waited for her to close the gap between them. She hesitated at the last second, an inch away from him, then inhaled a sharp breath of courage and pressed her lips against his.

  The kiss was less soft, less sweet than their last one. The passion Sam had been ignoring flared to life, undeniable and powerful. She ran her hands through his silky hair, angling his head. Their tongues tangled, and Cameron tasted like rich chocolate—sweet with a hint of bitterness.

  One of his hands landed on her hip, and the brush of the soft robe against her sensitive skin caused shivers to ripple down her spine.

  They continued to kiss fast and hard, as if now she’d admitted she wanted him, her body was impatient for it. She’d waited long enough. Now, the dam had burst.

  Cameron cupped her cheek with his other hand, pressing towards her and wresting some control of the kiss from her hands. He worked her mouth masterfully, almost-forgotten sensations of lust spearing through her with every movement of his lips, every lick and nibble.

  His fingers dug into her hip as if he fought himself for control, and another burst of affection for this man rocketed through her. Close on its heels came another wave of need, and Sam shifted forward, yearning for more contact. They were at an awkward angle for that, though, so without breaking the fusion of their lips, she manoeuvred her knees under her, then threw one over his lap, straddling him. Cameron grunted in satisfaction as her core landed perilously close to his straining erection.

  “That’s better,” he murmured against her mouth, running both hands up and down her back as if he couldn’t get enough of the feel of her.

  Sam hummed in agreement, wriggling closer so her breasts pressed against his hard chest. The friction against her sensitive nipples sent an answering tug to her core. Heat flashed across her skin and she moaned at the contact.

  She was already damp and ready for him, but part of her wanted this to last. It had been so long since she’d last had sex that she wanted to enjoy this, take her time and revel in it. Cameron seemed to be of the same mind, because he didn’t move his hands from her back. The strokes grew longer, until he cupped her ass with each pass, rocking her hips forward. Her clit—bare, since she hadn’t put anything on under her robe—stroked against his hard cock through his pants.

  She gasped, her head tilting back and her spine arching, pressing towards him. It broke the kiss, and Cameron used the opportunity to kiss the sensitive spot behind her ear, then down her neck.

  Sam’s hand fisted in his shirt,
heat pulsing over her skin, making her ache.

  “Please,” she begged, not sure what she asked for. But Cameron knew. He captured her mouth again, kissing her to distract from the hands that had left her back and now ran up her bare thighs. She rolled her hips, seeking friction, and Cameron obliged, slipping his hand around her thigh and brushing his thumb against her clit. She bucked, her hands tightening in his hair. He grinned wickedly against her mouth.

  Wrapping his other arm around her back to lock her in place, Cameron dipped one finger inside of her. She contracted around him instinctively, drawing him deeper within her. He used her moisture as lubrication, running the finger back up to her clit and rubbing against it. She made a sound at the back of her throat at the lightning sparks of sensation that ran through her at the contact. Cameron chuckled, the sound reverberating through her.

  He inserted one finger into her, and used his thumb against her clit as he worked the digit in and out of her. Her heart thundered in her chest, her focus narrowing to that one point between her legs.

  He added a second finger to the first, stretching her in the most pleasurable way. She rolled her hips in time with the thrusts of his fingers, and the pinnacle hovered within reach.

  “Faster,” she murmured.

  Cameron kissed her and obliged, picking up his pace. It didn’t take long for her to shatter in his arms, flopping against him as the aftershocks burned through her.

  She lazily kissed his neck, realising he hadn’t undressed at all. His shirt was still buttoned, his pants still on, confining his straining erection. Sam reached down and undid his belt.

  Cameron kissed her shoulder.

  Sam snapped open his button. Her heart beat with both the after-effects of her orgasm and anticipation of touching him. But before she could reach her goal Cameron encircled her wrist with his hands.

  “That should stay there for now.”

  “Don’t you want—” she began.

  “Yes,” he hissed. “But next time. Tonight’s all about you.”

  Sam didn’t have long to enjoy the idea of a next time before he rolled her onto her back, covering her body with his. He kissed her, hot and possessive, and Sam could already feel the heat build in her again. But she wouldn’t let him keep his pants on without a compromise. She popped the buttons on his shirt, and he didn’t object, so she stripped it from his shoulders. He helped at the last second, throwing the shirt to the ground and then diving back into kissing her.