Redeeming You

by Lisa Cardiff

  “No.”

  “Anyway, I’d love to know if it measures up to my childhood imagination and the images on the internet.”

  “Paris.” Cam smiled as he slipped his arm around her waist. “Sounds like a plan. Maybe you’ll let me join you one day.”

  “If you aren’t sick of me by the time this tour ends.” She laughed pretending as if verbalizing that thought didn’t cut out her heart. “So where are we really going?”

  “Dinner.” He nodded into direction of the bright, flashing lights of the casino.

  ***

  Thirty minutes later, they sat in a semi private room of a seafood restaurant, enjoying a crisp bottle of wine and the best lobster bisque she’d ever tasted. The circular room had a floor to ceiling glass wine racking system that partially blocked them from view. Cam had obviously called ahead and arranged the table. She was impressed.

  “What do you think?” Cam asked, reaching for her hand under the table and resting their interlocked hands on her thigh.

  “I like it,” she lifted her glass of wine from the table and took a sip. “This room is beautiful. Have you been here before?”

  “Not to this restaurant, but when I explained that I wanted some privacy, the concierge suggested it.”

  Her brow wrinkled as she registered his desire for privacy. Maybe she should walk away now. A relationship was complicated enough without adding secrets and clandestine meetings to the mix. After the fallout with her ex in Seattle, she promised not to settle for another relationship that only offered security and consistency. Now, she was in some sort of quasi-relationship with Cam on the highway to nowhere without any security or consistency. Despite what she told Cam about wanting to have fun and experience life, maybe that wasn’t what she needed either. In reflection, it seemed naïve and borderline reckless.

  Cam raised his eyebrows, clearly registering all the doubts racing unchecked through her mind. “Privacy because I didn’t want to be interrupted, not because I don’t want to be seen with you.”

  “Except by Alec or the guys,” she added, surprised by how much that fact nagged at her like a broken record even though they didn’t have a choice, at least not yet. She needed to let it go or move on. Limbo wasn’t a good place to be.

  “Just for now,” he said squeezing her hand. “When we know where this is going we can share or not share. It’s your choice, but that’s not what this night is about. I’m still focused on impressing you and earning all of your attention.”

  Cam slipped his hand out of hers and his fingers trailed under her shirt, teasing her with his gravelly moan. Her body shifted against him of its own volition, so close that she could see the yellow flecks mixed with the sky blue in his irises. So close that his woodsy scent invaded her mind, pulling her into a world where only the two of them existed. So close that she could feel heat seeping from his body into hers. What a nice place to be.

  “I like this shirt,” he said in a hushed tone. His fingers skated along her ribcage, flirting with the underside of her breasts, teasing her through her suddenly confining black lace bra. “And I have a feeling I’m going to like this bra too.” Slipping under the bottom of her bra, his fingers brushed across her nipples that were already hard and begging for his attention.

  Unable to say a word, she nodded, her body already coming alive with need. There was no way she’d order a dessert. She wanted to go back to their room as soon as possible and preferably before she could no longer stop herself from climbing into his lap. One little touch and he lit her on fire, splintering every inch of her resistance or common sense.

  Cam pulled his fingers from her bra. “No,” she muttered so softly she didn’t think he’d heard her because the word wasn’t meant for his ears.

  His lips twitching with amusement, he slid his chair closer to hers and nibbled on her ear and goose bumps rippled down her neck. “You like it when I touch you in public,” he whispered as his hand moved to the waistband of her black shiny jeans, dipping just under the front button. “Who would have guessed?”

  Not her. Need clawed at her as she arched her hips, hoping he would dip his finger just a few inches lower. She knew exactly where they were; it was secluded, but far from private. Someone would have to look closely to see what Cam was doing to her, but it was possible, and that meant she should stop, leave, run, and never turn back. She didn’t take risks like this, not when her childhood was a mass of chaos caused by people who didn’t think, didn’t care. And yet, at that instant, she didn’t give a damn. This newfound reckless side of her was seductive, slithering under her skin, begging for her complete and total surrender.

  His hand slipped further into her pants, just grazing the skin hidden by her panties and she bit her lip stifling a groan. “I don’t think I can do you justice like this.”

  “You could try,” she murmured before she could stop herself. Her body trembled yearning for more than his light exploratory strokes.

  “You think?” he said moving his fingers in a slow torturous circular pattern so close, yet so far.

  “Yes.” Her body churned with a mixture of exhilaration and torment as his fingers slipped inside her matching black lacy panties.

  “Do you think anyone will notice what I’m doing to you?” He leaned toward her, his unashamed gaze blistering with desire as he kissed the side of her face.

  “I don’t care,” she mumbled trying to tune out the sounds of the restaurant and focus on the motion of his hand.

  “How long do you think it will take? Five minutes?”

  She shook her head.

  “Two minutes.”

  Again, she shook her head as she curled into him.

  “Thirty seconds?”

  Before she could answer, the waitress appeared next to the table carrying their entrées. Cam slipped his hand from her pants, tapping his fingers on the table as the waitress placed seafood pasta in front of her and an artfully displayed grilled fish in front of Cam.

  “It looks delicious,” Cam said, suggestively running his still damp fingers under his nose, barely acknowledging the waitress.

  “Do you need anything else?” the waitress asked, her eyes glued to Cam, a gooey grin on her overly excited face. Taylor didn’t think the waitress recognized him earlier, but she obviously did now. Taylor had been around Alec when fan girls fawned over him and she always found it amusing, but she didn’t feel anything of the sort right now. She wanted the waitress out of their space and away from Cam. Cam was hers tonight and she wouldn’t share him with anyone.

  “We’re good, but you can bring the check in about twenty minutes. We have plans and we’re running late,” Cam replied, finally turning his attention to the waitress, his wicked smile lighting up the room and, unfortunately, the waitress’ face too. When he looked like that, she understood why women lost their head over him and the other guys in Chasing Ruin. She didn’t like it one bit. Taylor flirted with the idea of kicking Cam in his shin, but she didn’t want to come across as a petulant child. Cam shouldn’t mistreat the waitress because she was feeling a twinge of jealousy.

  “Great. Let me know. I’d be happy to help,” the waitress said, nodding one too many times, reluctant to leave.

  “I’ll let you know,” Cam said.

  When she left, Cam leaned toward Taylor, his beautiful mouth just inches from her ear. “We’ll resume our…conversation later,” he promised, his voice low and the air suddenly buzzing with electricity and a million other unnamed things that made her heart race unnaturally. “We have all night to discover how long it takes.”

  She sucked in a breath through her teeth, wanting to beg him to continue what he started earlier, to hell with their food and the consequences. “Okay,” she said her eyes devouring him even as her face heated with embarrassment from her brazen behavior.

  Grinning, Cam picked up his fork and lifted a small bite of his fish to Taylor’s mouth. Without thinking, she opened her mouth letting him feed her. “Mm,” she said as the smooth butt
ery fish coated her taste buds.

  “This is just the beginning,” he said, his finger tracing her lips when she finished chewing. His eyes darkened with so much hunger she thought she was drowning in their depths.

  Oh God, she hoped so because she wanted so much more.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  “Gambling?” Taylor said shaking her head.

  “Just play two or three hands of blackjack and if you don’t like it, we can leave,” Cam said pulling a chair out from a table in the middle of the casino.

  “No, I don’t gamble.”

  “Have you tried it?” Cam asked, massaging her shoulders as he stood behind her at the table.

  “Never, and I don’t plan to start tonight. I had other things in mind.”

  Cam laughed. Of course she did and so did he, but if he dragged her back to her room right now, the night would be over in ten minutes. He wanted to make this last, and savor every minute with her before they took the next step because once they journeyed into that room together tonight, there would be no turning back. “Well, stay focused in the present because this night isn’t over. We’re not skipping to the end yet.”

  She looked over her shoulder. “Was this part of your plan?”

  “Yes,” he said bending to kiss the side of her neck. “I wanted to give you the full Vegas experience and that means gambling.”

  Cam reached into his wallet and tossed hundred dollar bills onto the table.

  “Can’t I just stuff some money into a slot machine and call it a night?”

  The dealer placed a stack of chips in front of her.

  “No. Slot machines don’t count,” he replied.

  “Place your bets,” the dealer said and Taylor slid one chip forward into the circle on the table.

  “Do you know how to play?” Cam asked.

  “Oh, now you ask?” she replied sarcastically. “Don’t you think it’s a little too late for instruction?” She waved her hand at the cards in front of her on the table.

  Cam shrugged. “Just get as close as you can to twenty one without going over.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’ve played a version on my phone and there’s a lot more to the game than that.”

  “Show me how’s it’s played,” he said laughing.

  Within thirty minutes, she had doubled her money. At first, she was cautious, not betting much money on a hand, just the table minimum, but as time progressed, she became more confident. She clearly had spent plenty of time playing the game on her phone or computer because she knew how to double down and split the pairs. She was actually pretty good.

  He was impressed, but he didn’t appreciate the way the guy next to her, Mr. Not-So-Subtle, kept brushing against her shoulder and showering her with praise every time she won a hand. In fact, if he touched her one more time, Cam didn’t know if he’d be able to stop himself from shoving the guy off his chair or worse, and he didn’t like the feeling one bit.

  When the guy wrapped his arm around Taylor’s shoulder, he jumped off of his barstool and was behind her before he could second-guess his actions. “It’s time to go,” Cam said shoving the guy’s hands off her shoulder.

  “Hey!” the guy yelled standing up from his chair. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Glaring at the guy, Cam grabbed Taylor’s hand pulling her out of her seat. “Tay, we’re leaving. Pick up your chips.”

  “I think she’s doing just fine here. Why don’t you mind your own business?” the guy said through clenched teeth, his hands curling into fists along his sides. What a jackass.

  “My girlfriend is my business,” Cam said. “Now why don’t you pay attention to your game and find your own fucking woman.”

  “Mr. Donovan, is there a problem?” a floor manager in a stuffy black suit said.

  Cam raised his eyebrow taunting the guy at the blackjack table.

  “No, we’re good,” the guy mumbled sitting back down, turning his back to Cam and Taylor. Being somebody definitely helped defuse situations like this in his favor.

  “If you’d like more privacy, you and your girlfriend are welcome to join one of our private rooms,” the floor manager offered.

  “No. We’re done tonight. Maybe next time.” Cam tugged her toward the elevators.

  “Stop manhandling me. I don’t like guys telling me what to do. I’ve had enough of that in my life. I don’t need it from you too.” She twisted her arm trying to get out of his firm clasp.

  “Keep walking,” Cam said. When she didn’t move, Cam turned to Taylor, his hand still wrapped around her wrist and she didn’t look happy. In fact, she looked downright pissed.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her eyes narrowed in anger.

  “No, the question is what were you doing?”

  “Playing blackjack like you demanded.” She pulled her hand away from him and folded her arms across her chest.

  “Wrong. You were letting that guy drool all over you. Five more minutes and he would have had his hand up your shirt or worse.”

  She shot him a disbelieving look as she tossed her long black hair behind her shoulder. Even insanely pissed off, she was fucking glorious.

  “Please tell me you’re not serious.”

  He didn’t say a word as he stared at her, his eyes hard, his mouth pressed into a thin line.

  She scoffed. “Seriously? I was friendly. That’s it, and by the way, I’m not your girlfriend.”

  He seethed even though he knew she was right. She wasn’t his girlfriend, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t pissed. “Right, so you allow any guy touch you, do whatever, whenever. You’re just available. My mistake.” He threw his hands into the air. “I won’t read anything into whatever is happening between us again.”

  She blanched. “Is that what you think of me?” Her voice was small and shaky even as her eyes raged with betrayal.

  Crap. His stomach lurched. He didn’t want to hurt her. He was an irrational ass. He rubbed his hand across his face. “No,” he said finally. “Not even close. I just…I don’t know.” His head tilted toward the ceiling, then looked back at her. “I didn’t like that loser touching you. Sorry.”

  Her mouth opened, then quickly closed. “Oh my God, you’re jealous,” she said, incredulous.

  Fuck! No way. He would never admit to it because he didn’t do the jealousy thing ever, and not with Taylor. Even as the urge to push away every male in her vicinity simmered through his veins, he wouldn’t believe it. “Not even close,” he said shaking his head a little too enthusiastically.

  “Cam.”

  “Taylor.”

  Taylor’s lips twitched as she raised her eyebrows. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes.” He pulled her against him so their bodies were pressed against each other and just that small contact made him curse every last piece of clothing between them. This woman, with her sassy smile and bewitching eyes, made him want to drag her back to his room so he could claim every ounce of her soul in all matter of ways that she’d never forget.

  She brushed her finger across his lower lip. “Okay, so you wouldn’t mind if I sat back down next to Paul and played a couple more hands of blackjack?” Her finger dipped into his mouth. “He asked for my room number,” she confided as she dropped kisses along his heavily stubbled jaw line. “He was kind of cute. He had dreamy bedroom eyes.”

  This woman would be the death of him. He wanted to lick her finger, strip off her shirt and do a million other things better left for a private location, and then her comments penetrated his mind. “Who the fuck is Paul?”

  She burst out laughing tapping him on his chest. “The man at the blackjack table who you were one second from assaulting a few minutes ago.”

  Cam dug his hands into her hips, pulling her toward him. “I’m not threatened by him. He’s a total douche and if he’s your style, then by all means, give him your room number or whatever else you have in mind.” Cam didn’t mean a word he said, but he didn’t want her to t
hink she had the upper hand because he had the sneaking suspicion that she did, just a little.

  She leaned back, tilting her chin up as she looked at him through her long fringed eyelashes. “So you don’t mind if I ditch you and—”

  “I’m not jealous,” he interrupted. “But if you go within five feet of him, you’ll be responsible for a premature ending to Chasing Ruin’s tour.”

  “How do you figure?” she asked rubbing her nose along his neck and nibbling on his ear.

  “Because,” he mumbled as his hands roamed the length of her back dipping under her shirt seeking contact with her bare skin. He loved the feel of silky skin under his fingertips and he couldn’t wait to taste that same skin—every fucking inch of it. “I’d probably break my hand when I punched him and I know the label wouldn’t pleased if I damaged my playing hand or with the negative publicity.”

  “Well, I certainly don’t want that, especially when it’s my job to stop that kind of nonsense from happening.”

  “Exactly, so you should do what I ask at all times,” he said, his hands moving over the sexy curves of her body.

  “You think?” she whispered, her hands tangling in his hair.

  He grinned. “Within reason, of course. I’m not a complete asshole, you know.”

  “Hm…and what do you want me to do right now?”

  “Come to my room.”

  “Is that a demand?” she said as her lips brushed across his.

  “It’s whatever will get you to my room faster,” he said because he was done resisting her and delaying the inevitable. “I’ll even say please if you want me to.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for?” she murmured suggestively next to his ear.

  She arched into his touch and that little movement caused an explosion of lust in his body that had been building all night long or maybe since she told him that he looked like shit at lunch a week ago. “Let’s get out of here,” he growled, pulling her through the crowded casino floor toward the elevator so quickly she almost tripped trying to keep up with him.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The minute he opened the door to his hotel room, Cam practically pushed her through the entrance and kicked it closed with his foot. He stalked toward her, circling his arms around her body. She didn’t miss his appreciative stare and she knew there would be no stopping this time. Finally.