Chapter 22
Juli
Cameron’s lips cover mine for the second time in a short span. I’ve died and gone to heaven. It’s better than before. Which I know seems highly impossible, but it’s true.
The way his mouth dominates mine. I might have wanted to start it, but he’s getting it done.
The faint flavors of coconut and coffee on his tongue.
His tongue politely parting my lips open, seeking permission to enter.
My legs bending to accommodate him still sitting, my arms loop around his neck.
I don’t want this feeling to end. How I melt into him, moans tripping from my mouth as he kisses me deeper.
Only a nearby clearing of a throat does the trick.
Cameron registers it first, pulling his mouth off mine, his lips not yet to the stage of properly kissed. I smile as I think, they’ll get there.
Dropping my arms, I take a step back. Right into my brother.
“A little decorum would be nice.” The faint smile contrasts his imposing tone.
“Sorry. Can’t help myself.” Cameron stands up, laptop in his hands, and leans in. “See you soon, cutie. Meet me at The Drift in an hour. I’ll work fast.”
The proximity to Cameron and promise of food awaken parts of me lying dormant over the past couple of weeks. Actually, dormant isn’t the right word. It’s crestfallen. Better yet, they’ll be more satisfied later.
A chaste kiss to my cheek, a nod to my brother, Cameron skirts away from the table, whistling as he walks through the lobby to his office.
“It’s going to take some getting used to.”
“What is?” I ask my brother.
“You and him. All lovey-dovey. Maybe keep the PDAs to a minimum, especially in the lobby and other public places.”
His permission all but granted, I light up with delight. “Can do, big bro.”
“Come to my office. You’ve got some explaining to do.”
I place my hand over my chest. “I’ve been here less than thirty minutes, and already you’ve got time for me? Sweet heavens. Who are you?”
Preston’s arm comes around to my side, pulling me flush against him. “Missed you, Juli.”
His comment makes me pause, sliding from his grasp. My hand waves up and down over him. “No, seriously. Who are you?”
Chuckling—Preston Langley chuckling! Who would have thought—he goes to retrieve my bag, then waits for me to join him.
“You have somewhere to stay while you’re here?”
“Lissy booked me a room for a few nights. She’s prepared to add more nights if that’s something I’ll require.”
The comment implies so much, and he takes until we’re walking into his office to understand it.
“Got it.” A shudder rolls through him. “Those details can be kept to yourself as well.” He takes a seat in his high-end executive ergonomic chair behind his mahogany desk, pointing out the option for me.
My butt falls into the cushy seat, my thighs splaying open. “Start talking.”
I explain how Elisa left so abruptly Friday night, leaving orders for our “road trip.” Her text message yesterday listed a time to be ready. When I asked for further clarification, she ignored every message.
With nothing better to do with my time and my curiosity aroused, I packed a bag with a week’s worth of clothing, my laptop, and my Kindle. I can’t afford to take more time off, but work comes with me. I’m not complaining one bit about my new “office.” Even if I’m stuck inside for a bit of the time.
When she picked me up this morning, she gave nothing away. Not when I begged and pleaded. I had an inkling we were headed for the airport for our “road trip,” but I said nothing.
Elisa parked in long-term parking, and we shuttled over with our bags. Or what I thought were packed bags. Turns out, when we got to the check-in counter, her hands landed on my shoulders.
“Tell that man you don’t want a vacation fling.
Make him work for a relationship. But not too hard because you don’t want to scare him away.
” Confused, I was going to ask who the heck she was talking about, but then I noticed the destination on the ticket she shoved at me.
“Tell our big brother I said hello and to call me!” Making sure I was checked in, she grabbed her empty bag and bolted back out the airport doors.
As much as I contemplated leaving, the thrill of getting on a flight and coming back to paradise—seeing Cameron—won out.
“I took a car from the airport, and here I am.” I finish the comprehensive tale, Preston hanging on my every word. He didn’t look away to check his phone or computer. Color me impressed.
“She’s got spunk, I’ll give her that much. And you said she booked a room for three nights?”
“Four.”
He nods. “And what about a return flight?”
“It was a one-way ticket. I only noticed that once I was on the plane.”
He leans forward, more enthralled. “How does she expect you to get home?”
“Her exact words were, ‘Who says you’re coming home?’ Crazy, right?”
“Insane. But so Elisa.”
“Oh my god. Yes. Totally an Elisa thing to do. I’m surprised I didn’t catch on sooner.”
His assistant at the door interrupts our conversation.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Langley, but Garrick Fassone is on line one. It sounds urgent.”
“Sure thing.” He looks my way. “Track me down. We’ll have dinner. Not like you’re leaving soon.” His chuckle hits me in the feels, a sound I don’t hear nearly often enough, and now I’ve been lucky to hear it twice today.
Standing from my chair, I note the time. I still have half an hour before I have to meet Cameron. Might as well check in, find out where my room is, drop my bag, and freshen up. Change out of the leggings and oversized T-shirt I wore to travel.
I kiss his cheek. “See you soon,” I whisper as he picks the phone off the cradle. His “Garrick” meets my ears as I exit the office.
Check-in runs smoothly, and Elisa did well. Gotta love having access to Daddy’s credit card. She booked me a two-room suite. What am I possibly going to do with two bedrooms? Though I guess one could be a temporary office for a few days.
Inside the suite, it has a similar layout to the last one, with an additional bedroom and bathroom. I smile at the stack of fresh towels in the guest bedroom.
In the primary bedroom, I undress and take a quick rinse in the shower. Memories of the last time I was in a comparable shower batter my brain, bringing nerves, butterflies, and all kinds of emotions of being back here.
Of seeing Cameron.
Of kissing him.
Of knowing what’s coming next. As soon as we get back to my room tonight.
After we talk, of course. Because he’s right. We need to talk. We need to discuss what this is, how we’re defining this relationship between us, perhaps set some ground rules this time.
As miserable as I’ve been the last two weeks, it was cathartic in a way.
I don’t know what the future holds, whether Cameron and I have a real shot at making something tangible come out of our connection.
But if we don’t try, I’m going to regret it for the rest of my life.
The question of “what could have been” will haunt me throughout any relationship I embark on.
If we can’t make it work, at least we won’t wonder. I won’t wonder. Maybe Cameron feels differently. If the two kisses we’ve shared today are any indication, he’s on the same page as me. He wants more.
“Everything. It changes everything.”
His words from earlier ping-pong around my brain, excitement warming me more than the heat of the water.
I towel off, debating what to wear. Elisa gave me no real hints of what to pack.
“Summer casual, maybe a dress or two.” At the last minute, I threw in two sundresses.
I’m bummed I don’t have any cute lingerie.
Not that Cameron will care, but could she have at least given me a heads up not to toss in any old undies and bras?
She’s going to get a piece of me when I text her later with an update.
A loud knock sounds on the door. Tightening the towel’s knot around my chest, I scurry to the front door. On tiptoes, I peek through the peephole, an excited gasp rushing out at my visitor.
“This is not The Drift.”
“I couldn’t wait. Are you going to let me in?” Cameron’s muddled voice filters through the door.
“No, I’m not dressed.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Are you shy? Like I haven’t seen it all before.”
Before registering what I’m doing, the door opens. Still running on autopilot, without hesitation, I fist his T-shirt and yank him inside. “Don’t say shit like that in public,” I hiss, letting the door slam.
“There wasn’t anyone around.” His eyes rake down my body, lingering a little long at my chest area and the apex of my thighs hidden under the towel.
The left side of his lips picks up in a sly smile as his eyes meet mine.
Damn, I missed those eyes. “You could have waited for me. I would have made time to join you in the shower.”
“We have plenty of time for that.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Do we?”
Ignoring his question, I inquire, “How did you know which room was mine?”
“Tapped into Reservations. Duh.”
Right. The man has connections here.
“I’m thrilled to see you, Juliana.”
“You have no idea how happy I am to see you.” My teeth gently gnaw the inside of my inner cheek.
“So happy, you dressed for the occasion.”
With a flick of his wrist, the knot comes undone. I don’t bother endeavoring to catch the towel before it falls to the floor. Standing naked in front of him has the butterflies returning. Not so much because of nerves, but more from excitement.
The possibilities of what this man will do with my naked body are endless.
I can’t wait to give myself over to him.
He clears his throat as his eyes sweep my body again.
“What time are you done working today?” I haven’t a clue what time it is.
“Now.”
“Brilliant. You brought condoms?”
Delight morphs to despair. “Why am I always so unprepared for you?”
“Good thing your ‘I’ll make it up to you’ is a promise you keep well.” I grab his hand, leading him to the bedroom. “How about some foreplay to start? Finish what we started in the lobby?”