Chapter 12
Cameron
I’ve had some good ideas in the past.
Persuading Juli to give in to our teenage urges that one night? Best decision ever.
Convincing her—and myself—sex on the sand would be fun? Epic failure.
She wasn’t kidding about the “sand in places.” To her credit, she’s holding it together pretty well, not letting on how much it’s bothering her.
Me? Not so much.
I tried to get most of it off with a dip in the ocean, but yeah. Should have stuck with a place way less natural.
The ride back to the marina seems to take forever. Every time I move, the sand shifts. I don’t know how I’m going to completely rid myself of it, even at home in the confines of my shower.
What the hell was I thinking?
The answer to that is I wasn’t.
Because I wanted her alone. As if we weren’t alone in her hotel room or my house.
I wanted her to have a story. Accomplished that, though I’m not sure who she’ll share this with.
I thought it would be romantic. It’s anything but.
At lunch yesterday, she offhandedly mentioned something some characters did in a book she once read. It sparked an idea. Should have left it up to the fictional characters.
By the time we’re saying goodbye to Axel, it’s all I can do not to make a run for my car. I cringe at what running would actually do to make this worse.
I feel it with every step, rubbing against the shorts, but more severe, it made its way into my ass crack. And I can’t deal.
“Remember when I told you you could trust me? Kinda thinking I lied.”
I had to be the hero, didn’t I? Prove a little sand wouldn’t hurt me. What have I proved? Not to make any rash decisions.
And be more annoyed with sand.
She doesn’t laugh or say I told you so. Even though she must be thinking it. How could she not?
“Maybe we never speak of this again.”
“That’s probably for the best.” At the car, I unlock the doors and toss the bag in the trunk, making a note to have it detailed soon. I don’t need any evidence of this in my life. “I’m sorry, Jude. This was one of those ‘better left undone’ ideas.”
Her expression softens. I don’t deserve her kindness. “No big deal, Cameron. The sand will wash off.”
“I’m not convinced.” Forgoing my boxers, it irritably rubs against my shorts in the worst of places.
“You must be coming out of your skin right about now.” How she keeps any malice or ill will out of her comment is beyond me.
Resting against the seat back, I close my eyes and blow out a breath. Thankfully, this mistake happened with Juli. I’m still embarrassed as fuck, but she’ll let it go, knowing how stupid a decision I made for myself. Other women might not be so generous with their tolerance.
“I should hand over all the reins to you. Let you make all the decisions over the next few days.” Nothing she could concoct could be worse than this.
“Be my date for the wedding.”
It flies way too easily off her tongue, like this isn’t the first time she’s had this thought. Crooking my neck, I open my eyes, only to find a look of hope masking her face. If I wanted to, I couldn’t say no.
“Who did you intend to bring?”
She nibbles her lip, not wanting to share the truth.
“Originally, there was this guy I was seeing, so I RSVP’ed for two.
The day after I mailed the invite, he called us quits.
I wasn’t devastated, but it slipped my mind I had included someone else.
When Erica mentioned it in a text a few days ago, I figured I could convince Preston to join me. A win-win for me.”
“I’m sure he could make the time.” The doubt in her expression alerts me she’s not convinced he could. He should, that’s for damn sure. He seems to have something extra on his plate, even busier and more aloof than normal.
I’m ignoring the whole “there was this guy.” He doesn’t seem like a problem.
As if this lasts longer than Monday, anyway.
“Even if he could, I don’t want to spend that time with him.
I’d rather go with someone who won’t be checking his phone all night long.
Who will actually dance with me. Who wants to spend time with me.
” Her words are laced with sadness that her brother can’t be that person for her. His loss is my gain.
“I can be that person for you.”
A grin parts her gorgeous lips. “I’d like that.”
Having used up every ounce of resolve left in me, I start the car. Without warning, I put it into gear and peel out, needing to get home and into the shower.
The closer we get to my condo, the more irritated I get. My butt barely moves, but sand still rubs. All parts of my skin burn, even if there’s no sand to be found.
I don’t bother with the garage, killing the engine and hopping out. The bag remains in the car, along with Juli, who doesn’t move as fast as me. I’m up the front steps in a flash, keying in the code as I undress. By the time I turn the water on in my shower, I’m about ready to crawl out of my skin.
Selfishly, I spend a good ten minutes scrubbing and detoxifying, ridding my body of every tiny morsel of sand. I give no conscious thought to anything but the task at hand.
When I emerge from my shower in a towel, Juli sits on the edge of my bed.
“Feel better?” she asks, her voice full of concern. I try to find traces of anything else, but it’s lacking.
“Yes. Sorry I bolted.”
“No worries. Can I shower?”
“Of course. I’ll leave a clean towel on the vanity.”
She stands but doesn’t immediately move. Instead, she shifts from foot to foot. “Despite the sand, today was fun.”
I let out a snort. “Considering the sand was a huge culprit of today not being fun, I’m going to disagree with you.”
She comes over to where I stand, leaving a foot of distance between us. “Your bed seems comfortable.” Her eyes don’t leave mine.
I swallow the lump building in my throat. “Memory foam. Top of the line.”
“Mind if we dirty the sheets?”
“Not even a little. But you have to shower first. You’ve got sand in places that must be uncomfortable for you.
” I smooth back wayward strands of hair.
“But I’m also not taking any chances.” I spin her around, my hands on her ass, pushing her to my bathroom.
“Take all the time you need. I’ll keep the bed warm. ”
My cock twitching behind the towel, I turn and leave her there, hoping she doesn’t quite take my comment literally.
Two hours later, we’ve showered for a second time, though this one is quicker and more efficient. My overnight bag is packed with clothes for a few days.
“You got the condoms?” Juli asks, peeking out from the bathroom.
“I got a box. The rest had expired.” Whatever it implies, I’m being truthful. Though they only expired a few months ago.
“A big box?” she asks hopefully.
“We often get to Costco around here,” I deadpan. “A regular box, but there were originally twelve, so maybe there’s seven.”
Something flashes through her eyes, and if I had to guess, it would be akin to jealousy. And I get it. Hello, “there was a guy.” But there’s no changing our past. Hell, our future next week. All we can do is be present in the here and now and enjoy each other’s company.
My cock is happy with this logic. My heart, not so much.
As if it gets a say.
“Seven it is,” she responds with a little cheer.
I mentally check off what I need.
Clothes—check.
Condoms—double check.
Toothbrush—check.
Laptop—check.
Razor.
“Need to grab my razor.” I scoot past her into the bathroom, but she appears in the doorway.
“Do you need to shave? I kinda like the rugged, scruffy look you’re sporting today.”
“By Saturday, it will be an untamed disaster.”
Juli’s eyes bat. “If, say, Saturday morning you decided you needed to shave, the wedding isn’t until later in the day.”
Three days. The girl’s had her hooks in me for three. Days. And I’m already succumbing to her every whim.
“Fine.” I’ve done it before, gone longer even, but I prefer only like one or two days. Since I can, I raise the stakes for Juli. “But for that, before the wedding, I’m going down on you and leaving my mark.”
Her eyes widen, and a wicked smile appears on her dainty lips.
“You drive a hard bargain, but fair.” She holds her hand out, waiting for me to shake it. Of course, I oblige her. I can always shave mine off if needed. Her legs will be roughed up the entire time we’re at the wedding.
I can hardly wait.