His Conspiracy Girl (Emerald City #4) (6 page)

Ana held up her ruined silk top. The drycleaner had taken one look at the dark stain, and laughed in her face. Pain echoed in her chest. Not because she’d lost the shirt, but at the memory of how much fun she’d had destroying it in the first place.

She gazed at the fabric, no longer seeing it. Instead, Cam’s face swam through her thoughts. His bruised eye, marring his handsome face. He only had the shiner because of her. Warmth soothed her aching soul at the thought. She tried to push the creeping affection away, and tears blurred her vision. She didn’t want anything to do with him. So why the hell couldn’t she forget him?

A heavy knock startled her out of her descent into another bout of regret. She dragged the back of her hand across her cheeks, and sniffled back the confused grief. She really didn’t want to face anyone. Especially Sam. Or—God—Matt. Not after what had happened with… She pushed Camden’s face from her thoughts, before every emotion she didn’t want to acknowledge surged back.

One glance at the view screen by the door, and she almost lost all her composure. Camden’s face blinked back at her. He stared blankly ahead, expression drawn.

Of course. The last person she wanted to see. Ever. She had even less of a desire to see him, than to have Travis show up at her door. Fury roared in to replace her wallowing. On the other hand, maybe this was perfect. She snarled at the empty room. She had walked away from Travis without letting him know how much hurt and frustration he’d caused her, but she wasn’t going to let Camden off so easily. She was going to tell him exactly what she thought of his bullshit. Of being used.

She yanked the door open, hoping her expression was as stern and furious as she felt.

He met her gaze, eyes wide. His mouth tugged up in a hesitant smile. “Can we talk?”

Oh goodie, more bullshit. That would make it easier to tear into him. The vicious thoughts dug deeply into hurt and longing she was struggling to repress. But as much as she was ready to give him a piece of her mind, she didn’t need the entire world to hear it. She stepped aside enough to let him in. “Sure.”

Gaze never leaving her, he stepped around her, and stopped just inside the room.

She let the door swing shut behind him, and put several feet between them. Her speech was already forming in her thoughts, but she wanted to hear more of his pity story first. More fuel for the fire.

He looked away, face pinched, and a heavy silence fell between them.

Great. He had an entire act planned out. She didn’t have the patience for this. “Well?”

He raked his fingers through his hair, blue eyes looking more like the sky than the ice of the night they first met—vast, reaching, and full of painful possibilities. “I thought about what you said.”

Of course he had.
How convenient.
Sounded like the perfect opening to try and bullshit her again. Except it was harder to convince herself of that than she wanted. Especially now that she could see the pain up close enough to remember he had been hurt too. And far worse than she ever had.

She pushed the sympathy away. His loss didn’t give him the right to use her for his own delusional drive for twisted vengeance. “That’s nice.”

He crossed his arms. “I’m sorry. You were right. The past still hurts, but you were right.”

She growled and stepped closer, eyes narrowing and glare fixed on him.

“Say something?”

The simple pleading sapped her anger. She grasped to hang onto it, and jabbed a finger against his chest.

Raw confusion leaked into her voice. “No. You don’t get to do that. I’m sure you have a nice, happy apology prepared. Something scripted to convince me your cause is the best. That helping you will right all the wrongs in the world, and put another evil corporation under once and for all.”

He opened his mouth, but she couldn’t let him speak. Hearing him out might give her a chance to cave. Except she was already starting to.

“Wrong.” She cut him off before he could force out more than a squeak. “I won’t be suckered. Is the tortured, hard-to-get act part of how you planned to draw me in? Did you know who I was that first night? Or is it just convenient that you’re already eternally tortured, and you want to suck the rest of us into your world?”

He stepped closer, voice firm but kind. “Did I know who you were? You approached me in the bar. And are you listening to anything I’m saying? What you said… You’re right. I want to get on with my life.”

“And you want me to help, right?” Her voice cracked. She sniffled and took a deep breath. He was listening; he was making sense; he wanted to make amends. Maybe she was just fooling herself that he was sincere, but part of her wanted so badly to believe it. Her past warred with the now. “I’ve heard this story before. I’m not interested in helping you uncover a conspiracy, and I’m doubly not-interested in being used and left behind as an unfortunate victim, once you get the information you want.”

He shook his head. “Really? After the emotional, heart-felt lecture about my living in the past, you’re comparing me to… I don’t even know. An ex-boyfriend, maybe? You’re basing what happened between us on someone else’s mistakes?”

She clenched her teeth, top lip pulling up in a sneer. Of course she was. She’d learned from her past. Maybe. So many doubts beat in her skull. The fury she poured into her words had faded. “Because you’re doing exactly what he did. How do you even manage? How do guys like you make that connection seem real, when you don’t even care?”

*

Camden needed to make things better, for so many reasons. Because Ana had a point. Because he needed to move on. Because, as much as he wanted to dwell on the past and push the present aside, and forget about anything but vengeance, for the first time in years there was a new face he couldn’t get out of his thoughts.

As much as he loved his sister and niece, and as much as he cherished their memories, suddenly he had something in the present worth working for. He didn’t know what it was about Ana, but he wanted—no, he
needed
her. He couldn’t even fully articulate why, but finding out was a priority.

Except, her angry glare, gorgeous flushed cheeks, and pursed—but still kissable—lips told him she wasn’t interested in listening. He uncrossed his arms again, trying to stay open, despite her defensive posture.

Each time she spoke, her words dug more deeply than he thought possible. He had to consciously keep himself from closing the distance between them. He desperately wanted to tell her she was wrong. To prove she misunderstood. And he didn’t know how. He fumbled for a response. “Now you’re wrong.”

“I—” She fumbled, no more sound coming from her throat. “Excuse me? Like you have any room to talk.”

“Stop.” He kept his voice low and calm, pushing as much force into the single word as he could. He stepped closer, ignoring her glower. “I don’t know who you’re comparing me to, or why. I don’t know what I’ve done to become a ‘guy like me,’ in your eyes. I do know what you said the other day, about appreciating the life I have and moving on, hit home harder than  should be possible. And I do know you’re in my thoughts more than I ever realized another person could be. And whoever it is that filled you with so much distrust, I’d grind them to a pulp for hurting you, if I could. But maybe—just maybe—you need to take your own advice, and let the past be the past.”

“Or maybe I was spewing bullshit when I said that, and the only way we can keep from being hurt again in the future is to learn from our mistakes.” The edge had slipped from her voice, but not from her expression.

“I’m not trying to use you.” He poured as much sincerity into his words as he could. He traced a finger down the side of her face, not quite touching her, but resting close enough to feel the heat of her angry flush. Her hand flew up to slap his away, and he caught her wrist in a loose hold. “At least tell me what I’m defending myself from.”

She jerked away, stumbling back a step when he let go. “You used the mic we accidentally left behind, to hack the CyGes systems.”

Right. That. He didn’t try to hide his wince. “I did.”

A growl rumbled low from her chest, to roll through the room. “And when you didn’t find what you were looking for, you decided I was the key to that information.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I’m so sorry I even mentioned that. I swear to you that’s not why I’m here.”

Her expression softened. “I don’t believe you.”

“What do I have to do to convince you I’m sincere?” He stepped closer again, feeling a whisper of relief when she didn’t flinch.

Her shoulders relaxed. “I can’t tell you that. Even if I knew, it would be like feeding you your answers.”

He risked reaching out to her again, heart skipping when she didn’t try and slap him. He traced his finger over her cheek. “I’m not asking you for anything but you. I don’t want your company secrets, or help with vengeance, or anything except…” He didn’t even know what he was trying to say.

She stared at him, looking doubtful, but leaning into his touch.

He took a deep breath and tried to put his thoughts in order. “I don’t know how to move on. I’ve clung to the anger for so long, I don’t know how to put it behind me. But I do know I see a reason to try, when I’m with you. I’d like to figure out the rest along the way.”

She tilted her head back, studying the ceiling, before looking at him again. A sad storm danced in her emerald eyes, which shimmered with unshed tears. “I’m also not interested in being your distraction.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then help me understand what you
do
mean.”

“I didn’t sleep with you to get into CyGes.” He poured sincerity into every word. He had to make sure he was clear. It was up to her to accept or reject his apology and feelings, but she had to understand him first. “I shouldn’t have brought it up the next morning. That moment was about us. How much I wanted you, not that I wanted information from you.”

“You sure have a funny way of showing you care.”

He shrugged. “I’m sorry. I screwed up. I can’t tell you anything other than the truth, but I’ll say it as many ways as I can until you kick me out.... Or believe me.”

She dragged in a shaky breath, and rested a hand on his chest, the heat of her palm almost searing him through his shirt. “So maybe I am a little guilty of the letting a bad experience in the past taint my enjoyment of the now.”

“Maybe?”

She let out a small laugh. “Possibly. But my ultimate goal was never the downfall of a corporation.”

“But what else were you willing to destroy, to let a portion of you keep living in the past?”

She raised her eyebrows. “I thought you weren’t looking for anything emotional between us.”

“I thought so too. You’re a pretty powerful influence, though.” He rested a hand at the base of her neck. “Almost a force of nature. The storm in your eyes should have clued me into that.”

“That was so cheesy. You really think that?”

He nodded. “It’ll have to be cheesy then.”

She stood on her toes and brushed her lips over his. The light sensation sent a sharp jolt through him, summoning the hunger he felt every time she was close. “You know I still have to return home soon,” she said.

The thought of letting her go nagged him, but at least he could make do with what little time they did have, until they could figure out longer term plans. A hope he hadn’t felt in years flared inside. “I’m aware. But there’s no rush, right? At least not for some things. I’m not proposing we elope. But what’s the harm in seeing what’s there?”

She pressed closer, her entire body rubbing against his. “None that I can think of.” Her hand moved to his arm, finger tracing along the organic skin.

The main floor of the bar looked a lot different bathed in the bright white of camera lighting, than it had the night Ana met Cam down there. She stood on the second floor, ambivalence tugging inside as she overlooked the shooting going on below.

Camden pressed his chest against her back, and slid his arms around her waist. His warm breath brushed her neck, when he spoke. “You’re quiet. You okay?”

She nodded, gaze still fixed on the first floor. Her exposé on Cam had been cancelled, and she completely understood the reasons behind it. Conflict of interest was the understatement of the decade. She faced disciplinary action when she got back, but since she was on suspension regardless, Joyce had agreed to let her stay in town for the length of her original reservation.

Since her crew was already on site, and had shot several days’ worth of footage, the decision had been made to turn this into a documentary about the town instead. What ten years had done to this city.

At least CyGes hadn’t pressed charges against Cam. The idea had been tossed around, but no one could figure out how to spin a legal battle like that—their suing their poster boy of ten years or having him arrested—into something positive. So instead, they’d made the decision to rapidly phase him from their marketing.

He’d been cut off, and this documentary was the first step in a new media image for CyGes. One without him.

This was the last day of shooting, and things were winding down with some interviews in the bar for filler. Her focus was more on the man behind her, though. The last two weeks with him had been incredible, and not nearly long enough.

He kissed up the back of her neck and along her shoulder, nipping through the thin fabric of her silk blouse. “You’re distracted.” His word vibrated through her skin.

The contact sent pleasant shivers through her, and she leaned back into him. “I’m not.”

His organic hand moved to brushing aside her hair. He kissed the edge of her earlobe. “You are. What do I have to do, to get your undivided attention until I drop you off at the airport?”

She swallowed a groan, when he bit lightly along the edge of her ear. Want bloomed in her belly and travelled lower, but she didn’t want to interrupt what was going on downstairs with too much noise. “If I had time to sneak away, I’d say more of what you’re doing would do the trick.”

Even though her vision for the film had been canned, she was still supposed to be keeping an eye on things here. At least loosely. Sam had things under control, but Morgana didn’t want to be missed.

His synth hand slid up her stomach, until it reached her ribs. His voice was low, but as firm as the hard length pressing into her butt. “Who says we have to leave?”

A thrill of excitement and apprehension filled her, as she realized what he was suggesting. It was a horrible idea. So why did it make her panties damp? “There’s a camera crew just a couple feet away.”

A high-speed tremor rolled over her chest, and she realized his fingers were vibrating. His hand crept higher, brushing the bottom of her breast. “It’s dark up here. No one is paying attention.” His tone was even.

She wanted to protest, but couldn’t find an argument even she believed. She swallowed back the sound she made when he reached her nipple. The vibrations rolled through the fabric of her shirt and bra, threatening to tear a sigh from her throat. Those fingers were incredible, when he wasn’t being self-conscious about them.

She shifted her weight, and slick need rubbed between her legs. A tiny gasp escaped when he tugged her hair, pulling her head to the side, and sucked lightly on her neck. The new sting felt incredible. A tiny part of her suggested she stop him now. They were still in public.

He pinched the hard nub, and rolled it between his still moving fingers. Screw stopping him. This was incredible. When he bit the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder, and sucked hard, she ground her ass back into his erection.

“Still want me to stop?”

“God, no,” she managed between gasping and biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out.

Disappointment washed over her, when he moved his hand from her breast. Her shoulders slumped. Unbearable tease. He was going to leave her right at the edge of climax, completely aroused and wet?

And then the vibrations reached her leg, his fingers tugging up the hem of her skirt.

“I wish we had time to stretch this out,” he said. “But I desperately want to feel you squirm against me in pleasure one more time, before I stick you on the train.”

Her response died in her throat, when his synth hand tore away her panties, leaving a burn of elastic over her skin. Seconds later, he parted her slick folds. She arched her back to get closer to his touch. It was true, the high speed movement was better than anything battery powered, but this moment—with him—was what had her on the edge of climax.

He moved closer to her clit, but didn’t touch her aching sex. She bit her tongue to keep from whimpering. Her fingers dug into his arm in anticipation. Her head swam, when he finally nudged her throbbing button.

“Come for me, Ana.” His voice was low and commanding, words vibrating against her neck. He yanked her hair, and resumed sucking on her neck. The different sensations, combined with the conversation going on just a floor below, short circuited her thoughts.

Orgasm tore through her, and she bucked against his hand as she came. Pleasure wracked her body for several seconds, until his touch was too much and she had to pull away. Her breath came in short gasps.

His grip went from demanding to gentle, and he held her upright, despite her shaky legs. “I’m going to miss you.” His lips moved against her hair.

She smirked as inspiration struck. No one would notice if she was gone just a few minutes longer. She spun and draped her arms around his neck, sliding against him and feeling every inch of muscle, including the hard length against her stomach, press into her.

Nudging him back with her entire body, she guided him toward a dark alcove.

“What are you up to?” Suspicion and laughter lined his question.

“You’ll see.” She pushed him into a utility closet, and tugged the door shut. Darkness enveloped them, but she didn’t need her eyes for this. “Or maybe you’ll find out soon enough.” She trailed her fingers down his chest, and fumbled for a moment with the button and zipper on his jeans.

The first few times they’d been together, it had been in the dark, or with his shirt on—things along those lines. He was self-conscious about how the synth and organic bits melded. But the doctors had done a good job. The integration was visibly seamless. And even if it hadn’t been, she knew without a doubt it wouldn’t matter to her. She loved him regardless.

Love.
The word stuck in her head, and she shook it aside. No, it was too soon for that.

Instead of lingering on the thought, she dove into the moment. His groan echoed in her head, making her pulse scream, when she worked his shaft free and wrapped her fingers around it. She dropped to her knees, stroking in time to his quiet moans.

When she trailed her tongue along his bulbous head, and a drop of saltiness greeted her, her moan matched his. She stroked and sucked, as he thrust against her face. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and increased the rhythm of his hips.

With nothing to tease her senses but the sounds of his pleasure and the scents of the moment, she sank into the darkness. Hearing him enjoy himself was at least as enticing as what he’d done just a few moments earlier with his fingers.

She raised her other hand, and stroked his tightening sack, caressing the wrinkles.

“Ana, baby, you’re going to make me come.”

She would have told him that was the point, but she didn’t want to stop. She increased her speed, moaning against his cock, loving the quiet sounds tearing from him. His gasps became a series of staccato grunts, and he slammed inside her. Warmth spurted against the back of her throat, and she kept sucking, slowing down until he was spent.

She licked him clean as she pulled away, smiling at the tiny tremors that rocked against her with each tiny kiss on his dick.

One hand still tangled in her hair, he tugged her to her feet, and crushed his mouth against hers. She dove into the hungry kiss, memorizing every sound and sensation.

All right, so falling was terrifying. Especially since what she felt for Camden was more intense than anything she’d ever felt. But she’d already given him her heart, even if they hadn’t said it yet, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

When they finally broke apart, she rested her cheek against his chest. “I love you.” Her soft words faded into his shirt.

Silence greeted her, and her gut clenched. He trailed his fingers through her hair and whispered, “I love you too.” Relief and giddiness surged back to her.

He trailed his fingers up her spine, sending a pleasant chill through her. “I wish I didn’t have to drop you off so soon.” Disappointment crept into his voice.

“Me too.” She didn’t know was happening in her head. It wasn’t like she could stay. But they’d avoided talking about what would happen after she was gone. He’d kept brushing it aside, telling her to enjoy the moment while they had it. So she had no idea where they stood once he dropped her at the train station.

He rested a gentle hand on her cheek, his soft comment almost vanishing in the pitch black. “One thing before you go.”

She furrowed her brow.
What now?
A ball of apprehension formed in her gut.
I’m not sure which would be worse right now, good or bad.

Cam dropped his hand away from her, and seconds later, pressed something flat and metallic into her palm. He closed her fingers around it.

A key. She traced her thumb over it. “What are you up to?”

“While you were working, I got lonely. So I had to find something to do.”

Hope churned in her gut, though she wasn’t sure what it was attached to. She rolled the conversation over in her head, and still couldn’t figure out where things were going. “Okay… Same things you did before you met me?”

He brushed his lips over hers. “So practical. I love that about you.”

He lo— The word stuck in her head. That was going to take some getting used to, but it warmed every inch of her to hear it. The tight ball in her stomach was unraveling and wishing for something she hadn’t managed to put a name to yet.

“In fact”—he shifted his weight, moving closer—“I love a lot of things about you. I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I’ve never had this kind of connection with anyone.”

Her heart leapt in her chest, and she couldn’t hide her blossoming grin. Each word pushed aside more of her apprehension, and filled her with an unfamiliar—but warm and comforting—sense of glee. She fumbled for a response, but couldn’t find anything that sounded adequate.

He tapped her fingers. “While you were busy, I was closing on the house in Emerald City.”

Her joy increased a notch. Near her. She shouldn’t read too much into it; he’d said he was looking at the investment even before they hooked up. But things were different now. She called Emerald City home. His hints began to sink in, summoning her joy again. But she didn’t dare hope.

“So join me there.” He studied her hopefully. “This place, this town…it’s not mine. It’s not home. It’s a way station CyGes put me up in, for marketing reasons. The house I bought in Emerald City, I want it to be mine. But I’d love it if it was ours.”

She pressed her lips to his. He kissed back, and she sank into the incredible sensation.

“Is that a yes?” he asked, when she pulled away.

She nodded. “Absolutely.”

He brushed his lips over her forehead, and she heard the click of a latch. Seconds later, light spilled into the broom closet. Even the dim upstairs of the bar took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to.

He tugged her back toward the balcony overlooking the main floor. She couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. Apparently the tinman had finally found his heart. And he was willing to share it with her.

THE END

~*~If you enjoyed Camden and Morgana’s enemies to lovers romance, check out
Denial of Interest (Version 2.0 Book 1)
. After successfully avoiding her ex-boyfriend for years, suddenly Rae is seeing Zach everywhere, including her explicit, rampant imagination. When he proposes a single night together for closure, she hopes it will be just what she needs to move on. ~*~

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