Chapter 11
Juli
At the spa, Cameron checks in with the front desk, assuring things are running smoothly.
He scans the appointments for the next few days, but unfortunately, there isn’t an opening for a couples massage before I leave.
Oh well. He registers me for yoga on Friday and balks when I ask him to join me.
Probably for the best. I don’t want to get too attached.
This, whatever it is we’re sharing, has an expiration date.
I push the thought completely out of my mind, focusing on the present.
Cameron’s rapport with the staff shines like a beacon in a storm.
His easygoing nature translates to being a kind-mannered boss.
And though there aren’t any problems he has to attend to, it’s easy to see they respect him, listening attentively to his suggestions and ideas.
It totally confirms my decision to put up the money for his share. This is exactly where he’s supposed to be in life. My heart swells with pride in giving him this opportunity.
Finished there, we head for the breakfast buffet. In which my first stop will be coffee. With all the orgasms and waking up with Cameron in my bed, it didn’t faze me I haven’t had a cup yet. But stepping inside the restaurant, various delicious smells accost me, coffee leading the pack.
“I need coffee.”
“Sure thing.”
I love how he’s so agreeable. How he puts my needs first. Not just in the bedroom, but in other places as well.
The way he’s pampering me feels more than a fling.
If that’s what you’d call this. Because hell if I know.
Maybe it’s consensual sex between two old friends, a way to scratch an itch for me, and whatever he views it as for him.
But no, it’s more than that. Because his hand is on my back again, and it feels way more affectionate than if Preston or my best guy friend at home were touching me.
Granted, Maverick swings the other way, so maybe not the best example.
The hostess leads us to a table in the back, letting us know our waiter will be Lester. When she’s out of earshot, I lean across the table. “His name is Lester?”
“Unfortunately for him, yep. He hasn’t been with us long.
Maybe six months? He seems like a good guy, from what I can tell.
I don’t have much to do with the hiring or firing of the staff except for those who work directly under me.
I know him only because the breakfast buffet beats eating alone in my kitchen every morning. ”
There’s melancholy in his voice, though his expression doesn’t change. From what I’ve seen of the rest of his life, he seems genuinely happy. If having to eat breakfast at an all-you-can-eat buffet every day is the worst thing going for him, I’d say he’s doing quite well.
“There’s a small café about half a mile from my house.
I tried hard not to make a habit of going there every day, but inevitably, I end up there for either lunch or breakfast about five times a week.
I rationalize that at least I’m working as I eat and I walk to and from, so I’m getting my exercise.
Supporting a small business is also a benefit.
” I leave off the part about the baristas having my order ready for me when I walk in, no matter what time of day I show up.
He doesn’t need to know every little detail about my life.
Lester appears at our table. He’s bubbly and gay as the day is long.
“Hey ya, Cameron. I see you’ve found yourself a woman to join you.” He peruses me over his black-rimmed glasses, ones more for show than functional. “I approve.”
“Um, thanks?” I stammer.
“Oh, definitely.” Lester nods his head. “You’ll do just fine for our boy.”
Our boy?
Who is this twenty-something-year-old who dresses like James Dean and acts like he’s from the 1950s?
Cameron grabs my hand, dragging my attention to him. “Ignore him.” To Lester, he says, “Two coffees, cream or milk on the side. Not these mugs.” He points to the ones on the table. “We’ll take the larger ones.”
“So bossy. I’ll see what I can do.” He waves behind him. “You know the drill. Plates are up there. Help yourself when you’re ready.” Lester meanders away, glancing back over his shoulder at least once.
“He’s . . . something.”
“Exactly that.” Cameron stands from the bench, waiting for me to do the same. “There are pancakes. Have at them.”
Giddily, I lead the way to the buffet bar.
He wasn’t lying when he said to come hungry.
Waffles, pancakes, French toast, followed by eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, and fruit.
There’s a carving station with ham, turkey, and an omelet station.
After loading my plate with pancakes and bacon, I head there next.
“What can I get you, miss?”
I survey the ingredients. “Egg whites with all the veggies.”
I hadn’t noticed Cameron behind me until he speaks. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Figured I’d feed my stomach something other than carbs and fried foods. So it doesn’t completely hate me.”
“Whatever floats your boat.” He leaves me to it, and I can’t help staring at his ass as he walks away.
“All set, miss.” A deep voice draws me back to the omelet station, where the chef has my food plated and holds it out in the air.
“Thanks. Looks delicious.”
“Much appreciated, ma’am.”
The connotation of “ma’am” hits differently here than back home. Like the South’s redheaded stepbrother who keeps showing up in a Myrtle Beach T-shirt.
I’m giggling as I approach the table. “What’s so funny?” Cameron wonders, taking hold of the plate of pancakes.
A girl could get used to this.
Yes, Juli, a girl could. But not this girl.
I’ve distracted myself and have no clue what Cameron asked. “What?”
“You. You’re giggling at something.”
“I do that from time to time. It’s probably not funny to other people, but I’m the queen of cracking myself up.”
“At least you keep it to yourself. I’ve spewed things aloud to no one in particular, and nobody ever gets the joke.”
“Sucks.”
“That it does.”
I eye the coffee mugs sitting on the table. “Smart choice asking for the big cups. These little ones do nothing.”
“Stick with me, sweetheart. I know all the best tricks.”
I’m about to agree with him and say some things that are definitely not breakfast-in-public appropriate. Instead, I tuck into the food, eating almost everything on my plate.
A hand on my full stomach, I slump back against the back seat of the bench. “I’m so full. I’m probably good until dinner.”
“Are you day drinking today?”
“I’m on vacation. That’s a given.”
“Then you’ll be eating lunch.”
My mouth opens, ready to refute his statement. No, his order, but I think better of it. The man’s right. If I’m drinking, I’ll need more food. Add sex to the mix, and I might as well take an entire plate of food to go.
Never did I imagine this vacation going this way. I figured I’d hang out with Erica and Jonah, catch some rays by the pool, do some reading, have a meal with my brother, and attend the wedding. Spending time with Cameron has been a nice bonus.
Scratch that. Nice isn’t the word.
I could do nice with anyone.
Spending time with Cameron has been exceptional.
The bonus has been the orgasms.
Thinking about the way he played my body, pulling them out of me one by one, has my insides tingling and yearning for more.
“What’s our plan after this?”
“I booked a cruise around the different islands. The boat leaves at two.”
I don’t want to sound like a spoiled brat, but a cruise? That wasn’t what I had in mind when I told him I wanted to be out on the water. Guess I wasn’t clear enough.
“That sounds . . . fun.” I bite out the last word. It sounds the opposite of fun.
“I thought it would be nice to see some of the other islands from the ocean.”
“Um, okay.” Bitterness infuses every syllable. I have to snap out of it. He booked the cruise and cleared his schedule for me. I should be more gracious. “And after that?”
“We’ll make a stop at my place. I need to grab a few things—”
“Like condoms?” I interject.
“For starters. Some clothes, my laptop. A toothbrush, deodorant. The essentials.”
“Glad you’re planning on outstaying your welcome,” I deadpan.
Cameron doesn’t take the bait. “You’re stuck with me, baby.”
His use of “baby” makes me laugh. “You’ve called me like ten different pet names since yesterday.”
“I can’t decide which one I like,” he counters, as if he had the answer all prepared.
“So you’re trying them on for size?”
“Something like that. Do you have a preference?”
Not having given it much thought, I actually don’t. “Not particularly. Though Jude has definitely grown on me.” I shrug.
When he first called me it, I made him explain.
I can’t recall his exact words, but it was something like, “Jude, like one of the guys but also still a girl.” Recalling the conversation now doesn’t help clear anything up, but whenever he says it, my heart flips, not caring about the rationale behind it.
“Jude it is, sweetie.”
“Nah. Definitely not that one. Keep trying.”
Lester returns, asking if we need anything more. “Do we have time for a mimosa?”
“Sure. I told you, the cruise leaves at two. We should probably leave the resort by one in case of any traffic or snafus.”
I grab Cameron’s wrist to see the time. “Oh, we’ve got time for one, if not two.” I’ll need to run to my room to grab my bikini, something he mentioned earlier. “Wait. Why do I need a bikini for a cruise around the islands?”
Cameron’s expression gives nothing away. “Just ‘cause.”
“You won’t tell me, even if I beg, right?” He was always good at keeping secrets, which has worked to my advantage. However, right about now, I wish he wasn’t.
“Not a chance. Glad you’re not going to try.” He looks around, then leans in. In a whisper, he mutters, “Save the begging for the bedroom, diva.” The word doesn’t settle on his lips before he’s scrunching his nose in disgust. “Definitely not diva.”
I can’t help but laugh.