Tempting Cameron (8 page)

It made no sense.

“You need to take it easy so you don’t hurt anything worse. And don’t worry,” he said, his gaze gleaming with that bad boy sizzle again. “I won’t make any sudden grabs or moves. Don’t want to hurt your ribs, you know.”

“I said no sex, Cam.” Kissing always led to groping, which could always lead to…

“You mean I can’t even cop a feel? Whoa, you’re tough.” He shook his head, whistled low.

“You want to cop a feel?” Her voice came out as a squeak again. Lord, she was making an absolute fool of herself in front of this man.

“There are so many things I want to do to you, Chloe, I can’t mention them in public, let alone in private. I might shock you.” His gaze darkening, he turned away from her and headed toward the back porch. “Be back in a few,” he called.

Leaving her all aflutter.

…

Cam had moved the portable swing she bought last summer so it sat on the very edge of her brick patio, facing the lake. He led her out onto the patio, his arm guiding her, his pace slow, since she wasn’t moving too quickly. She still felt like she’d been beat up from the inside out.

And now she was a jumble full of nerves. Imagine her gathering the strength to tell him what she really wanted. Imagine him actually agreeing—his one condition that they make sure they were compatible enough via a long kissing session.

She still couldn’t believe this was happening. They’d kissed a few times—she thought they were pretty dang compatible—but if he wanted to kiss her some more, she wasn’t about to protest.

“Here you go.” Cam was ever the gentleman, guiding her toward the swing, helping her lower her stiff and sore body onto the bench seat. At least the cushions were thick and comfortable, and he’d rolled up the shade so she could lean her head back and see nothing but stars.

Exactly what she’d asked for.

“You have a terrific view,” he said as he settled onto the seat next to her, his arm extended along the back of the cushion behind her.

“I know. It was more than half the reason why I bought the place.” She stared out at the lake, the moon shining upon the water, making it shimmer. Above them she heard the lonely hoot of an owl sitting in a pine and the soulful howl of a coyote sounded from the mountaintop to the east.

All sounds she was familiar with, didn’t know how she’d cope in the city if she were ever forced to go back. She’d tried that in college and had been miserable the entire four years she lived in Sacramento. She was a small town mountain girl, born and bred.

Which made her sound corn fed and ridiculously stubborn. All the self-doubt she’d forced out of her system came rushing back. “Why are you agreeing to this?”

His startled gaze met hers. “Agreeing to what? Us seeing each other?”

She nodded her reply.

He studied her for a long, quiet moment, licking his lips before he answered. “Have you ever denied yourself something because you didn’t believe you deserved it?”

“Yes,” she whispered. Longing whispered through her. Was he saying he didn’t think he deserved her?

“And then you finally realized there’s no shame in taking what you want? That maybe, just maybe, you earned that right to have a little fun?”

Her entire body leaned toward his. “Everyone earns the right to a little fun.”

“I agree one hundred percent.” He smiled, the sight of it sending a zing of pleasure into her blood. “Now tell me. How long have you lived here?”

She forced herself to focus on the conversation, forget all of that sexual tension he conjured up between them with a few choice words. “I bought it almost two years ago. It was in foreclosure and I got a great deal. I couldn’t pass it up.”

He toyed with a stray tendril of hair that fell near her ear, twisted it around his finger before letting it go. “It’s one of the original rentals, huh?”

She nodded, his finger brushing against her ear. She bit back the gasp that wanted to escape at his touch. “I’ve been working on it a little bit at a time. Redid the kitchen first because it was a wreck.”

“Impressive. You did it all by yourself?” His finger had abandoned her hair, had moved on to trace down the length of her nape. A shiver stole over her, her entire being focused on that narrow spot he touched.

“Alison and Mac helped me a lot. Especially Mac. Your brother is pretty handy.”

Cameron snorted, his hand dropping away from her neck. Disappointment filled her. She’d made a mistake, mentioning Mac. For whatever reason, Cam seemed jealous of the relationship she had with his younger brother. Which was silly, considering there was nothing between them beyond a fond, long-abiding friendship.

“Next I’m going to redo the bathroom,” she forged on, wanting to forget mentioning Mac. Hopefully Cameron would, too. “That’ll be a long process but I already have a plumber picked out. I think we’ll start it in the fall.”

“Why not now, when you have the time?” His arm slipped so it settled around her shoulders, heavy and warm. She held her breath, surprised when he nudged her closer to his side.

“Well, we were supposed to start this next week but I postponed it because of the accident,” she answered breathlessly. She was nestled so close to him, her thigh pressed against his. He had on cargo shorts that were long, hitting him at the knee even when he sat, but she could still feel the muscular warmth of his flesh through the thick fabric.

She studied him covertly, admiring his handsome features. Strong square jaw lightly covered in stubble, full, generous mouth that knew how to kiss every thought out of her head. His green eyes had smoldered just seconds ago, when he talked about denying himself what he wanted.

Those words had left her hot and bothered. He was definitely something she wanted. She just had no clue he actually wanted her, too.

What made him change his mind?

He remained silent for a long moment, his fingers now stroking along her shoulder, the one bared by her top. She’d chosen the shirt with him in mind, along with the sexy red bra. Wanting to tease, she supposed, which was crazy considering her no-sex rule.

And now he was the one who teased, slipping his finger beneath her bra strap, gently stroking her skin. Her breath hitched in her throat. When was he going to kiss her? He was driving her crazy with need, making her already reconsider that stupid rule she’d established…

He rocked the swing with a push of his feet and they swung back and forth slowly, both of them silent, the sounds of the forest at night surrounding them. Raccoons lived nearby and were probably lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to come out. She knew this because they kept trying to get into her garbage cans and made a mess of things. Deer often came to graze farther down the hill, closer to the lake, but they usually made their visit at sunset.

She loved living here. And she liked that he liked her home, too.

“You have very soft skin,” Cam murmured, drawing lazy circles on her shoulder and upper arm. “Silky.”

She remained quiet, not sure how to answer. Maybe he wasn’t looking for an answer. Perhaps he was trying to seduce her. Which was silly, considering she was a sure thing, kissing-wise.

“Do you own a house?” She felt as if she knew nothing about him beyond his past. Oh, and what she read and saw in magazines or on the Internet. But that didn’t count. And if she was going to reveal bits and pieces of herself, it was only right he return the favor.

“No. I had a loft apartment in Brooklyn but I let the lease go after I had the—after I left Afghanistan.”

He hesitated and she wondered why. “What happened to all of your things?”

“In storage. I didn’t own much anyway. I’ve been on the move pretty much since I left here.”

“I can’t imagine that. I have too much.” She laughed softly. “Too many shoes, too many books, too many coffee cups.”

“You’re a collector?”

She laughed again. “Either that or a hoarder.”

“Ah, I doubt that. You seem pretty neat.”

Chloe glanced up at him. “Have you ever watched that hoarding show? It makes me want to toss out half of everything I own and clean everything else until it sparkles.”

“A good motivator, then.” He looked down at her, his expression full of amusement. Goodness, he was handsome, his light brown hair falling across his forehead, those pretty green eyes locked on her, his mouth soft…sexy. She sorta couldn’t get over it, having him this close. Knowing she’d kissed that delicious mouth and was about to again. “And I’ve seen the show. You are definitely not a hoarder.”

They gazed at each other in the darkness, the moon their only light. It was nice, having a real conversation with him. He was being relatively open, considering who she was dealing with, and the words flowed easily between them.

Not to mention she thoroughly enjoyed sitting so close to him, his arm around her, his fingers lightly touching her. It was…sweet.

Romantic.

“Thanks for humoring me,” she whispered.

He frowned. “Humoring you?”

“With the whole
I want a sweet, romantic summer
thing. It’s silly, I know.”

“It’s not silly.” Reaching for her, he traced the contours of her face, careful of her scrapes and abrasions. “We could have fun with this.”

His hand on her face felt like heaven, absolute heaven. Releasing a shuddering breath, she closed her eyes. “We could?”

“Oh yeah.” He touched her mouth, his finger sliding across her lower lip. “Your conditions will force me to be creative.”

She liked the sound of that. Keeping her eyes closed, she enjoyed his touch, her breath coming faster, her head becoming light. He slipped his fingers beneath her chin and tilted her face up as she waited breathlessly for his kiss.

But he surprised her. Brushing his mouth against her forehead, he pressed sweet butterfly kisses along her hairline that made her heart flutter. She sighed when he kissed the tip of her nose, the very edge of her chin. Then each corner of her mouth, until the anticipation within her was so great she wanted to shout at him to just do it already.

“Open your eyes, Chloe.”

She did as he asked, found him watching her, his lids heavy, his lips parted and damp, as if he’d licked them in anticipation of tasting her. “I don’t want you falling for me,” he murmured. “I don’t want to break your heart. I couldn’t stand myself if I hurt you.”

Oh, lord. She was so sick of everyone trying to protect her. “I’m a big girl, Cam. Didn’t I already say that?” If he turned her away now she would kill him. “Maybe you should be the one who’s worried. I don’t want you falling for me, either.” She smiled and leaned in, his warm breath fanning across her lips.
Let him chew on that for a while
. This couldn’t all be one-sided. Maybe they both could fall for each other…

Completely.

…

Chuckling, he brushed her mouth with his, a brief kiss that he could’ve almost believed never happened. “Too late.” The words left him before he could stop them, not that she was paying much attention.

He kissed her, hot and deep and wet and with plenty of tongue. Lots of tongue, though he was careful not to touch her anywhere else. For fear of hurting her and afraid he’d break her no-sex rule because damn, this kiss could be the perfect prelude to an amazing night between the sheets.

The sexy little sigh that escaped her when they both came up for air had him going back under for another one. This kiss was hotter, wetter, longer than he planned. She tasted so sweet, like passionate, delicious woman and he never wanted to stop. Just keep on kissing her until the both of them were spinning, spiraling out of control.

But he promised he wouldn’t let it go that far. And he wasn’t about to break his promise to Chloe. He needed to do right by her. If her friend Alison knew what he was doing, she’d flip. Probably reveal his dirty little secret, too.

Damn scary. He needed to come clean and soon. Though he wasn’t motivated purely by guilt. Being with Chloe, having her in his arms, kissing her…it definitely wasn’t a hardship. He liked this woman.

Probably too much.

She murmured his name, her hand tentatively brushing his jaw, her thumb smoothing over his skin. Her innocent touch sent his senses reeling, his body hardening, and he took the kiss even deeper.

He wanted to drive her out of his system. Just purge her so he wouldn’t be so damn compelled to do this every time he was near her.

“So do you think we’re compatible?” she asked breathlessly, long, long minutes later.

His breathing ragged, he nodded. Swallowed, tried to calm his racing heart. “Fuck yeah, we are.”

She laughed and kissed him again. This one quick and sweet and heady enough that he cupped the side of her face to keep her there, wanting more. Always wanting more. “I think so, too,” she whispered against his mouth.

“Good.” He kissed her. “Let’s do this again soon.” He sounded eager and for once, he didn’t care.

“Tomorrow?” she asked hopefully.

“Definitely.”

Chapter Seven

“What’s going on between you and my brother?”

Chloe avoided Jane’s question, pretended that she was concentrating on her friend’s Mexican honeymoon photos she was showing Chloe on her iPad, a wedding gift from her husband. Her friend was so happy and terrifically spoiled.

Chloe figured Jane deserved every bit of happiness. She’d suffered much to finally find it again. She couldn’t begrudge her this, ever. “The resort you were at looks amazing.”

“I know. It was.” Jane propped her elbow on the edge of the dining table and rested her chin on her fist. “It was the most amazing vacation I’ve ever had.”

“I bet.” Chloe raised a brow.

Jane’s cheeks turned pink. “Stop. I’m a married woman now—I have no business being embarrassed. And besides, you’re avoiding my question.”

It was Chloe’s turn for her cheeks to turn pink. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You and my brother. Rumors are going around town, you know. About you and Cam.” Jane shook her head, clearly surprised.

Chloe barely restrained from rolling her eyes. “Why does this town love to gossip so much?”

“Because there’s nothing much else to talk about around here,” Jane pointed out. “Trust me, been there, done that. They loved speculating on my relationship with Chris.”

“I remember.” Chloe wished she could talk to Jane about what was happening between her and Cam. But she knew her friend wouldn’t get it. Jane would just worry she’d get her heart broken. “We’re just friends. Kind of.”

“Kind of? You’re either seeing him or not. I always figured you looked at him these days like a rude big brother. You know, exactly how I feel about him,” Jane said.

Chloe wanted to laugh. The feelings she had for Cam were the complete opposite of brotherly. “Not really,” she muttered.

“So it’s true. You’re dating Cam.” Jane shook her head. “I can’t believe it.”

“Why?” Why was it so hard for anyone to fathom they could be a couple? Not that they were, not really.

Cam had kept his word, as had she. They spent time together, platonically in public, a bit more scandalously in private, though it never went beyond lots of kissing and the occasional grope session. Not that she let him go too far, though he seemed to take more liberties now that her ribs were mostly healed and her bruises and cuts had faded.

Truthfully, it had been the most exciting, thrilling three weeks of her life. On the Fourth of July, she’d spent the day with her family, then eventually headed over to the McKenzie house for an evening barbecue.

Cam had been there, sending smoldering glances her way with his entire family surrounding them, making her knees weak every time he looked at her. He’d caught her unaware when she went inside the house to grab something to drink, since everyone was outside.

He’d backed her into a hall closet and kissed her hard and long enough to wipe her bright red lip gloss off. They’d had to stop when one of Cam’s nieces came looking for him, calling his name as she wandered through the house.

Not to mention during the fireworks show, when they’d snuck off to hide among the trees. He’d settled on the ground and leaned against the trunk of a mighty pine and she nestled in between his legs. His front to her back, his arms wrapped loosely around her, his chin settled on top of her head as they watched the fireworks go off over the lake.

It had been a spectacular show, made even better when he leaned in and kissed her stupid. His lips had this magical way of stealing precious brain cells every time they settled on hers…

“I never imagined the two of you together. You drove him crazy when we were younger.” Jane studied her, probably noted the dreamy expression Chloe knew without a doubt she wore. Thinking about Cam had that sort of effect on her. “I know you used to have a major crush on him, though I never dared ask you about it.”

Something flitted through her mind. A flash of a conversation between her and Cam, though she couldn’t remember where or when.

I never told anyone I had a crush on you.

You didn’t have to. It was pretty obvious…

She frowned. Had that conversation really happened? Or had she dreamed it?

“Well, we’re hanging out. Not really dating,” Chloe said, which was the truth. What they were experiencing had no definition. It was an adventure, pure and simple.

“Huh. Sounds like every so-called relationship Cam has had his entire adult life.” Jane rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me he’s got you under his spell, too.”

“No,” Chloe said too defensively, jealousy flaring inside her. Silly, considering she knew he had a past. So did she. Probably not as extensive as his, but still.

Her phone buzzed and she grabbed it from where she’d left it on Jane’s table, checking her text message. It was from Cam.

Where are you?

She quickly texted back.

Your sister’s house looking at honeymoon pictures.

“Who was it?” Jane asked.

“Ali,” Chloe lied, keeping her anxious gaze on the phone.

“You two have plans tonight?”

“Maybe.” The message came seconds later.

Meet me at Mitchell’s in thirty minutes.

Excitement buzzed through her as she quickly typed:
Why?

Taking out my dad’s boat and I want you with me. Wear your swimsuit.

Excitement bubbling within her, Chloe glanced out the window, saw Jane’s three children playing in the backyard with Jane’s new husband. They were happy, seemingly well adjusted now that their mom was married to Chris. Chloe liked him. He was solid, dependable, and when he looked at Jane, his love for her was written all over his face.

Chloe wanted a love like that.
Not with Cam
, she told herself quickly.
Never with Cam.

Okay, maybe a little bit she wanted it with Cam.

“Want to stay for dinner? Mindy and the kids are coming over later.” Jane shook her head as she opened the refrigerator door and peeked inside. “Easing back into cooking meals every day hasn’t been fun. I was spoiled on my honeymoon.”

Chris chose that moment to walk in the house, an easy grin on his face. “I’ll make dinner.”

Jane flashed him a smile in return, pressing her head against his chest when he came to where she sat and gave her a quick hug, kissing her forehead. “And I won’t refuse your offer.”

“Not a surprise,” he said, glancing at Chloe. “You staying for dinner?”

“I’m afraid I can’t.” She needed to go see Cam.

“Another time, then. We’ll have a big family barbecue next time I’m off shift and invite everyone,” Chris suggested.

“That sounds great. Let me know when.” Chloe stood and went to her friend, kissing her on the cheek. “I’d love to stay but I can’t tonight. How about sometime next week?”

“Sure.” Jane looked startled at Chloe’s abrupt pending departure. “I haven’t seen you much since I’ve been back.”

“It’s only been what, a week? You’ve been busy! I bet the kids were glad to have you guys home.”

“Yeah, they were.” Jane studied her, her gaze narrowed. “And I hardly saw you at the barbecue on the Fourth. You disappeared for a while. I went looking for you.”

Everyone had gone looking for them. They’d hid in an excellent spot. “I was there, watching the fireworks. There were so many people around, it’s easy to lose sight of each other, you know?”

“Uh, huh.” Jane sounded like she didn’t believe her. Chloe couldn’t worry about it, though.

She had a date with Cameron to get to.

…

Cam hopped into his dad’s old fishing boat, tossing the giant backpack he’d brought into the bow. Inside he’d packed a couple of water bottles, towels, and a thin blanket.

Pretty much the same things he’d pack when he used to take Melanie on his dad’s boat. When they would go as far out as they could, closer to the dam where hardly anyone went. Where the water was deep and cool and the sun settled along the horizon, bleeding pink and gold across the sky until it finally disappeared behind the mountains.

It was a favorite spot, tainted by memories of a shitty girlfriend who’d broken his stupid teenage heart.

He wanted to erase the memory of taking Melanie out on the boat and replace it with Chloe. She was helping him erase all those other old memories, too, creating fresh and exciting new ones.

Like the night they’d grabbed a couple of ice creams at Mitchell’s store and spoon-fed each other in the back of his old truck. It had been one of the most erotic experiences he’d ever had. Licking the ice cream from her spoon as she fed him, his gaze had never strayed from hers. The hitch in her breathing when he’d leaned in and licked the melting creamy substance from her lips, their tongues cool and sweet as they slid against each other…

Yeah, he could break out in a sweat just thinking about it. And what made it worse—or better, depending on his mood—was the fact that it was mostly innocent, the time he spent with Chloe. He’d hardly touched her, certainly had never dived under her shirt or slipped an eager hand inside her panties.

Not that he wasn’t tempted, because holy hell, he was tempted daily, hourly, every minute, every second he was with her. All this innocent handholding and secret kissing sessions also meant they spent a lot of time with each other actually talking.

She was smart. Funny. Interesting. Quirky and shy one minute, sly and daring the next, she was a constant contradiction. He wanted to know more. Chloe was a mystery he wanted to solve.

And he wasn’t much of a mystery lover. Rarely had the compulsion to solve anyone or anything beyond what he photographed. Even then, he was more of an observer, always watching life go by and not ever really participating in it. He always felt like he was surviving, not living.

The realization rendered him completely still and he settled his ass on the bench seat at the front of the boat so hard, he rocked the vessel, making it bump against the barriers that flanked either side of the slip.

Spending time with Chloe made him feel like he was actually living again. Spending time in his hometown, surrounded by his family…that helped, too. Tremendously.

Glancing up, he saw her headed down the walkway from across the road, where she’d parked at Mitchell’s Landing. He watched her, appreciated the sway of her hips, the bounce in her step. She practically vibrated with excitement, even from this distance, and he liked how unrestrained she was. No games, no bullshit. She was simply Chloe.

She caught sight of him and waved, picked up her step. He hopped out of the boat and waited for her, ready to help her in when she approached. She had her sunglasses on top of her head, her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she wore a turquoise strapless dress that revealed thin, bright green straps that wound around her neck.

He hoped like hell it was a bikini.

“Hi.” The smile she gave him would’ve lit the entire sky, it was so bright. “This is your dad’s boat, huh?”

“Yep.” He wanted to kiss her. There were people milling around—employees of Mitchell’s, tourists bringing in their rental boats for the evening, a few locals who were also coming back from a day on the lake. And he still wanted to kiss her; it didn’t matter who saw. “You look pretty, Chloe.”

She basked in his compliments, her reaction always making him want to offer more. “Thanks. You said to wear my swimsuit.”

“I did.” She also usually did whatever he requested, no questions asked. He liked that, too. Felt rather possessive of her, which he knew was ridiculous, but every time he held her, kissed her, the word
mine
ran through his head.

Crazy.

“Do you need help with anything? I brought snacks.” She held up a small cooler and a grocery bag. “A couple of beers and some chips.”

“Mmm, that’s my girl.” Leaning in, he kissed her. A friendly, smacking kiss that wasn’t enough, so he kissed her again, slipped her a little tongue.

Left her breathless when he broke it off, which made him grin, encouraged by her reaction. That he could render her into that dreamy state every time his lips touched hers pleased him to no end.

“Omigod, I think Art saw you kiss me,” she whispered, her cheeks flushed.

He glanced to his right, saw Art Mitchell standing a few feet away outside the marina office, watching them with a puzzled expression on his face. He was the owner of the marina, a longstanding Lone Pine Lake citizen, and no doubt, he was confused by what he just saw.

But Cam realized he really didn’t give a crap.

“Don’t worry about it. Come on.” He took Chloe’s hand and helped her into the boat, then hopped on after her. “Relax. We’ll leave in a few.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

“Just sit there and look pretty.”

She looked away, casting her gaze out over the water, a little smile teasing the corners of her lips. He chastised himself as he prepared the boat. Needed to stop talking like a lovesick fool and worse, looking at her like a lovesick fool. Do it enough and he’d have himself convinced he was halfway in love with her.

So not going to happen. He wasn’t sticking around Lone Pine Lake, no matter how much he was enjoying himself. The end of the summer, he was out of here. His agent e-mailed him almost daily, asking when he was ready to go back to work. He needed to appease him and get on with his life.

But he also needed to spend a little more time with Chloe. He couldn’t let her go. Not yet.

Within minutes they were pulling away from the marina, Cam steering the boat with ease past the returning ones. As the late afternoon turned into early evening, most everyone brought their boats in. That was Cam’s favorite time to take his dad’s out. The lake was less crowded, the sun not as intense.

They ended up in a cove not far from the dam, a neatly tucked away alcove that not many people knew about beyond the locals. It was darker here, the trees that surrounded the shore thick, cutting off the sunlight. The water was a dark, calm greenish-blue and deceptively deep. A perfect fishing hole his dad had scouted out years ago, when Cam had been young and tagged along one early, early morning with his dad and Patrick.

It was one of his favorite spots in all of Lone Pine Lake.