Chapter 5
Lacey
I spent the rest of Saturday hanging out with my bestie, gossiping, and eating dinner with Riley and Beckett.
It’s clear they’re madly in love, and there’s a special connection between them.
As I walked back to my room at Starlight’s Lodge, I wondered what it would be like to have someone truly love me for me.
And who would support my goals and ambitions too.
Most importantly. I wonder what it would be like to have someone who’d sacrifice for me instead of expecting me always to bend.
What would it be like to have someone who’d stick around and not be gone on long tours of duty all the time? Or incommunicado missions?
Too bad Cameron’s not that kind of guy.
I like him. He’s protective but empowering at the same time. The lessons he’s given me make me feel more in control, even though I’m a newbie at them. But at least I’m doing something since the cops haven’t found Adrian’s murderer
A flash of memory when I worked on my blocking skills brings Cameron front and center to my brain. Not only is he protective, he’s hot. Sexy as sin with all those muscles, the ink on his strong arms, and a six-pack of drool-worthy abs.
Throughout the night, I toss and turn again with dreams and fantasies featuring him. Featuring me. And featuring the two of us together in multiple steamy ways.
When I finally do roll out of bed the following morning, I give myself a stern lecture to dropkick the man out of my head once and for all. As I finish getting dressed in jeans and light blue top, I hear my cell phone ping and quickly check the incoming message.
Beckett’s agency is flying a sketch artist in from Virginia. We’ll hook up at noon to start the work.
Cameron finds me on the lodge’s front porch just before noon. He moves with that calm, commanding energy I’ve started to associate with him, the kind that makes people stop and pay attention.
Unfortunately for me, it also makes my stomach do flips every time he’s near.
“Beckett said the sketch artist is ready for you,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I’m here to walk you over to our command center.”
I force a small smile. “I guess we’ll finally start making progress. I hope.”
He doesn’t respond right away, just studies me with that laser-sharp focus of his, like he can see past my words. “You’re doing everything you can, Lacey. That’s more than enough.”
“Is it, though?” I swallow hard, ignoring the knot in my stomach. “I’m the only one who saw the guys in the shop that afternoon. And I can barely remember any of their faces. Other than the muscle guy with a dimple. What if that’s not enough information to go on?”
Cameron takes my hand, squeezes it gently and releases it. “You’ll be surprised by what you do remember,” he says firmly.
Before I can reply, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, glance at the screen, and groan.
“Bad news?” he asks.
“Work,” I say, trying to sound calm even though my pulse is spiking.
“The head honchos at Barringtons need me back at the shop in Atlanta tomorrow. Apparently, a big client is coming in and the world will end if I’m not there to make sure he’s got everything he needs.
Including our tailor, who tends to be late. ”
“They reopened the shop?”
“Yeah. Atlanta PD wrapped up that part of the investigation. Now they just need me to come through with some sort of recall about the three suspects. I wish our security cameras hadn’t gone on the fritz.”
“When do you have to go in?”
“Tomorrow morning. Which means I’ve got to head back to my condo after I work with the sketch artist.”
He straightens, crossing his arms, and the intensity in his gaze makes me take a step back. “You’re not going back.”
I blink at him, surprised by his blunt tone. “Cameron, it’s work. I don’t have a choice. If I don’t go, I might lose my chance for my promotion.”
“And if you go, you might lose more than that.”
His tone is sharp, but it’s not anger, it’s concern. The kind that makes my chest tighten. Suddenly, my heart rockets into gear, my skin grows too hot and the hair on my arms prickles. A sizzle goes straight to my core, making me hungry, starving in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
I tell myself to slow down. Just pour ice on this need, this wanting.
Otherwise, I’ll act on the desire, the electricity pinging between us.
Finally, after my pulse settles into a decent, calm rhythm, I hold his sexy gaze with mine.
“I’ll be careful,” I say, crossing my arms. “I’m not going to walk into danger with my eyes closed. ”
“Careful isn’t enough. As the only witness, you’re a target.”
The reminder makes my skin grow cold despite the warm spring air and bright overhead sunshine. I hate that he’s right. The idea of going back to Atlanta alone shoots ice through my veins, but I can’t let fear control my life. Not when I have so much hope riding on that promotion.
“So, what am I supposed to do?” I hug myself a little tighter. “Hide out here forever?”
“No. You let me take you back. I’ll stick to your side until this over.”
My breath catches, and for a second, I can’t tell if it’s from the determination in his voice or the heat in his eyes.
My mind whirls as I weigh my options. The protectiveness I hear in his tone and his intense gaze makes my heart skip several beats and my pulse races with heightened awareness.
Can I let him take care of me, even it’s only temporary?
It’s been a long time since anyone had my back in a real way.
“You’d do that for me?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.
“I don’t leave people hanging.”
Part of me wants to say yes immediately, to let him take charge and protect me. But the other part, the one that’s been hurt before, hesitates. What if letting Cameron help me, I start a different kind of problem?
“You don’t have to do this,” I say. “I’m not your responsibility.”
He grins, an easy smile spreading across his face.
That grin has the power to make me melt all over again.
“I know I don’t have to,” he says. “But I’m between gigs, and you still need me.
You’re a quick learner when it comes to self-defense.
But you still need someone watching your back.
I’d never let any of Beckett and Riley’s friends face danger alone. So yeah, you’re stuck with me.”
His words strike something deep within me, break through my barriers. Maybe letting him in isn’t such a bad idea after all.
“Okay,” I say finally, lifting my chin in determination. “But don’t think for a second this changes anything between us. You’re only doing this to protect me, nothing more.”
He nods solemnly. “I won’t cross any lines with you,” he promises.
I believe him, but a small part of me can’t help but wonder what would happen if we did cross those lines. He can protect me from physical danger, but can I truly protect myself from the magnetic pull and undeniable chemistry between us?