22. Cameron
twenty-two
Cameron
The green sauce in the pot bubbles, splatters my shirt, and burns me through the fabric. “Fuck!”
“Ooh, Uncle Cam said a bad word,” Rhys shouts in the background. “Now, you owe me a present.”
“Why should I buy you a present?” I lower the heat on the pot like Rylann instructed and step back, giving my attention to my iPad propped up along the side of my stove.
Rhys shoves his face in front of the camera. “You live too far to put money in a swear jar, but you can still send me presents.”
My sister-in-law stifles a laugh as she tousles his shaggy hair. “Okay, enough of you, little mister. You don’t need more presents, and I need to finish helping your Uncle Cam make the sauce for enchiladas.”
“No fair. I want to talk to Uncle Cam. He’s my favorite.” My nephew pouts, and I swear my heart melts.
Rylann catches the look on my face, and she shakes her head.
What? I mouth.
She glares at me, but she knows she’s helpless. A present will definitely be on its way to him soon. I spoil Rhys. So what?
“Do me a favor, little man. Sit on that stool, and you can help your mom boss me around. You know what to do next, right?” I ask, ignoring Rylann’s evil eye .
He nods, a grin on his face. “Yes. Put a cover on the pot and let it sit. Then, put the chicken from the crock pot into a bowl and shred it.”
Rylann’s eyes mist over—her irritation with my indulging her son with gifts forgotten—as she watches Rhys instruct me on cooking the chicken and prepping the rest of the ingredients for her famous enchiladas.
An hour later, I have the cheesy goodness prepped and ready to go into the oven.
“Thank you for helping me.” I wipe the sweat off my forehead and take a sip of my water.
“You’re welcome. This was fun,” Rylann says as she wipes down the kitchen counter. She looks off screen, checking where Rhys disappeared to before speaking again. “I don’t mean to pry, but what’s the fuss over dinner for? Or should I say who?”
Busted. Not that I was being stealthy. I just didn’t bring it up. Eli is the only person who knows about Talia. It would be nice to get Rylann’s point of view on things.
“Are we alone?”
“Yes. Jace is still at work.”
I shake my head. “I’m not worried about my brother. It’s your big-mouthed best friend I’m wondering about.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “You’re right; she has a big mouth. But I love her. Scarlett took the girls to dance class. Your secret is safe with me, Cam. Now, tell me about her.”
“She’s … special.”
“What’s her name?”
“Um. Let’s not use names.” I rub the tension forming at the back of my neck. I don’t know if Talia will be at the family picnic this weekend. It’s probably best if I don’t say. I can’t have anyone slipping. It’s bad enough Eli knows and will watch me like a hawk. “It’s complicated. We shouldn’t be together.”
“It’s always complicated. ”
Truer words have never been spoken. My sister-in-law is no stranger to enduring heartbreak and unimaginable loss.
“Is it complicated when you’re together?”
I smile and shake my head, my shoulders relaxing. “No. She’s all I think about. When I’m with her, everything is simple. Right.”
“Aww, Cam. I’m so happy for you.”
“It’s not that easy, Ry. Being with her, out of our bubble, could very well set our world on fire. I’m not sure if she wants us to take the next step. When we are together, it’s great. But sneaking around? I fucking hate it.”
Rylann tilts her head with a pitying smile.
“Ugh. Don’t look at me like that. I sound like a pathetic tool.”
“No, you don’t. You sound like you want more from your relationship with her. Like you might love her?” When I don’t confirm or deny, she grins. “Tell her how you feel. Honesty always wins out.”
“Yeah.” My head’s all fucked up trying to figure out how I feel about Talia. How do I know if it’s really love? Does she want more?
“I know it’s scary to be vulnerable, but if you hold back, there is a bigger chance you can lose out on being with her anyway. I held back, and I spent a lot of time without Jace. Don’t do that. Take the risk. And when all else fails, use that Miller charm to win her over.”
Rylann is right about one thing. If I don’t talk to Talia about where I’m at, I run a bigger risk of losing her before we have a chance to figure out what we are to each other. My hope is that when I see her, I’ll just know.
“Thanks, sis. I will.”
“Anytime, bruh.” She scrunches her nose in disgust as I bark a laugh. “I can’t pull that off, can I?”
“Not at all.”
I adjust the candles and refold the napkins for the hundredth time. It’s been a month since Talia and I have been in the same room, and I’m nervous as hell. My conversations with Rylann, Mason, and Eli didn’t help, and now I’m overthinking everything.
Wiping my sweaty palm down my thighs, I take another look at the table set for two on the patio by the pool. I’ve spent the day ensuring everything is perfect for tonight—for her—from the meal to the twinkling lights under the deck.
Not too shabby for a guy who’s never planned an at-home dinner date before.
I wasn’t kidding when I told her I missed her. We talk and text, even video chat, but it’s not the same. She’s coming to my home. Women don’t come here.
Talia is different. She’s not just some woman. She’s the woman. The one who’s constantly on my brain. She’s my last thought before I fall asleep and my first when I wake up every morning. If my head isn’t on baseball, it’s on her. Her smile. The sweet, peachy scent of her skin. How she moans my name when she comes. The feel of her wet mouth wrapped around my cock.
My dick twitches behind my zipper as the front gate alarm buzzes on my phone with an alert.
She’s here.
With a deep breath, I will my cock to deflate before I open the gate from the app and make my way through the house to the front door. My heart pounds like a bass drum in my chest as I lean against the frame and watch the driver exit the car.
An older gentleman with more white than black hair, dressed in a black suit, walks around to the rear passenger door and opens it. White sneakers come into view, then a pair of tan legs, and finally the sexy pixie herself.
My mouth waters at the sight of her. She’s wearing a soft-pink summer dress that hits her mid-thigh and accentuates her perky tits perfectly. She has woven her raven hair into an intricate braid that I can’t wait to wrap my hand around .
Fuck, she’s gorgeous.
My breath stalls in my chest as her steel-gray eyes meet mine. A slow grin spreads across her face. Electricity blasts me in the chest, spreading through my veins and bringing me to life.
Ungluing my feet from the floor, I rush to her, wrapping my arms around her waist, and lift her up, pulling her tight. Her arms and legs circle my body as she hugs me back. I bury my face in her neck and breathe in her sweet scent.
“You’re here,” I mumble.
“I’m here.” She pecks my cheek.
I kiss my way up her neck and over her jaw before covering her mouth with mine. Her sugary lips mold to mine, moving in perfect unison then parting on a moan, allowing me to deepen the kiss.
She tastes as sweet as I remember. Gripping her ass tight, I pull her closer, exploring her mouth with a feral hunger.
Fuck, I missed her so damn much.
A throat clears, popping our blissful bubble. Talia drops her forehead to my shoulder with a giggle as she disentangles her body from mine. I place my girl on her feet and look over her shoulder.
“The lady’s bag, sir.” The driver smirks at us and holds a small tote for me to take.
“Thank you.” I take Talia’s white and pink bag by the handles.
“You’re welcome, sir.” He pulls out a business card from his lapel pocket and hands it to me. “Should you need my services again, Mr. Miller, please ring me personally. I’d be happy to be of service. Compared to some of my younger colleagues, I am … discreet.”
“Duly noted.” I read the card, finding what I need. “Cliff.”
“Have a good evening.” He tips his head to me and Talia, then gets in the driver’s seat of his car and drives away, the gate closing behind.
I place the card in my back pocket and turn to Talia. Her cheeks are pink, and her lips are swollen from my kisses.
“Hi. ”
“Hi.” She bites that damn sexy bottom lip of hers, and I can’t stop from dropping one last kiss on her.
“I like this.” I tug at the dress strap, grazing her soft shoulder. Goosebumps break across her skin at my touch. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Really?” She kicks out a leg, showing off her shoes. “I forgot sandals.”
“I like the sneaker look.” I wink at her and grip her small hand. Leading Talia up the steps to my front door, I pull her inside and drop her bag by the door. “Welcome to chez Miller. Please make yourself at home.”
She looks around, taking in my space before taking off her shoes. “This isn’t what I expected when you said you lived in Malibu.”
My home is on the smaller side. I went for location, not size, when I picked the contemporary space. I liked the open-concept kitchen and living room. The place still has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It’s large without being intimidating.
It’s simply decorated with white walls, black furniture, and varying pops of blue. Above the gas fireplace hangs a sixty-five-inch flat screen TV. Framed pictures and a few pieces of art decorate the walls. A huge black micro suede sectional and matching ottoman fill the living space. The pool and patio are visible through the floor-to-ceiling glass pocket doors that adorn each side of the fireplace.
It’s modern and simple, but this place has everything I need. I’ve only had family over since I bought it a little over a year ago.
I chuckle. “What did you expect?”
Talia shrugs and walks down the steps to the couch. She runs her palm over the soft fabric, observing every aspect of the room with meticulous eyes. “I don’t know. A bachelor pad? Leather couches. Mirrors.”
I bark a laugh, following behind her. “Thanks, babe.”
She smirks at me over her shoulder. “I’m kidding. But I should have known you’d be full of surprises.” She picks up the blue pillow on the couch, and her eyes snap to mine. “The house in Arizona is yours, isn’t it?”
I knew she’d figure it out eventually. My mom decorated this place too. Both spaces are aesthetically identical. “Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” She tilts her head to the side, waiting for me to answer. It’s so fucking cute when she does that.
“Do you think your brother would have stayed there if he knew?”
“Hell no,” she exclaims. We both burst out laughing. “He wouldn’t have stepped a foot inside, let alone let me stay there if he knew.”
I pull her into my arms and tilt her chin up. “That didn’t work out too well for him, did it?”
She shakes her head. “No. It didn’t.”
I duck my head and press my lips to hers in a soft, languid kiss. Talia melts into me with a sigh. We break apart far too soon for my liking, but I have plans.
I place my hands on her hips as she sways, dizzy from our kiss. “Are you hungry?”
Talia’s stomach growls, answering for her. She blushes a sexy shade of pink. “I can’t say no now, can I?”
“Nope. Come on.” Hand on the small of her back, I guide her outside through the right pocket door, where I have the table set under the upstairs deck. I pull out the chair for her to sit.
“Such a gentleman.”
“For now,” I whisper in her ear.
She shivers at the contact.
“I’ll be right back.” Returning to the table with two plates filled with enchiladas, I place one in front of her and one beside her for me. “I hope you like Mexican. I got the recipe from my sister-in-law.”
“It smells incredible. You made this?” She twists the plate, an awestruck smile on her lips.
“Don’t look so shocked, itty bitty. I know how to cook. ”
“See? Full of surprises.”
“I thought you hated surprises.”
“Hmm. I guess when the surprises come from you, I don’t hate them as much.”
My chest puffs with pride. Totally worth all the time to fill and roll each tortilla.
I take a bite. The savory sauce bursts on my tongue in a cascade of flavor; onion, cumin, garlic, cilantro, poblano pepper, and tomatillo mix in delicious unison.
We dig into our meals, catching up. Talia moans around a bite, and the sound calls to my dick. The bastard stirs to life as I watch her eat the food I made her.
“These are so good. You did an amazing job, Cam.”
I grunt, adjusting my half-erect cock. She’s so fucking sexy. How the hell am I going to make it through the night without bending her over and eating her instead?
I reach for a bottle of water chilling in the champagne bucket and hand it to her. “Is water, okay? I can get you wine instead.”
“No, water is perfect. I have late shifts for the next two nights, so I can have Friday off. For the Evaders’ family picnic.” She takes the water from my hand, avoiding eye contact.
“I’m glad you’re going. I wanted to ask, but…” I didn’t want to sound desperate. The last thing I want is to push Talia too hard, too fast. We need time.
“Is it going to be weird?” she asks, pushing the last of her food around the plate.
“Why would it be weird?”
“Because I have to act like I don’t know you.”
“I didn’t think about it like that.” Uncapping my water, I take a few gulps, gathering my thoughts. “I hate that we have to pretend, but I want you there. At least I’ll get to see you, even if I can’t touch you. Plus, you’ll get to meet my nephew.”
“You want me to meet Rhys?”
No, I want her to meet my entire family, but I know that’s not possible right now.
Soon .
Being in uncharted waters with Talia is a little scary. Rylann was right. Being vulnerable is scary as fuck, but I don’t think I would take the chance if it wasn’t Talia.
It sounds so lame, but she’s extraordinary. She has this magnetism about her that attracts me to her. I want to know everything about her. I want to spend every available minute I have with her.
“Of course I do.” I turn her chair to the side and lift her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. “I know we have to keep us a secret. For now. But we’ll get there. One base at a time.”
Talia giggles, the spark returning to her eyes. “Baseball puns, really?”
“You started it.” I let my fingers graze her skin as I push her thick braid over her shoulder.
She moans when I drop a kiss on her shoulder. “I guess I did.” Her chest heaves as she watches me pull her chair closer, trapping her knees between mine, like that night in the restaurant.
Tell her. You can do this.
I lean over and kiss her bottom lip. “I really like you.”
Chicken shit.
“I really like you too.” Her voice is all rasp as she grins up at me.
I kiss her again, slower, licking the seam of her lips before pulling back. “I might more than like you.”
Talia stands, her chair scraping the concrete floor. She straddles my lap and twines her fingers in my hair. My cock swells at the heated contact with her pussy.
“How much more?” she asks, finding her confidence.
It’s fucking hot when she lets go mentally and lets her body do the talking.
I grip her ass in my palms, pulling her closer, dragging her hot center over the ridges of my hardened shaft. “So much. There is no one else. Just you.” Her breath hitches as I kiss the sensitive skin behind her ear. “I only want you, Talia. ”
“I want you too, Cam,” she whimpers as I run my lips up the line of her neck.
“Only me?”
“Only you,” she pants, her eyelids fluttering closed.
“Good.” I lick her earlobe, getting a taste of her sugary skin. Her knees squeeze together as she grips the side of the chair. “Because you’re mine. I don’t share.”
“Does that mean you’re mine too?”
The words fall from my lips without hesitation. “Baby, you own me. Heart and soul.”
Her voice cracks on my name. “Cam.” Those steel-gray eyes glass over as my words register in that big, beautiful brain of hers.
Fuck it. I’m just going to say how I feel.
Sliding my hands up her body, I cup her face and stare into her mesmerizing gray orbs. “I think I fell in love with you, itty bitty.”
“Think, huh?” she teases. She arches her back, her tits pressing against my chest, driving me crazy. “Maybe.” She plants a kiss on my scruff-covered jaw. “I think.” Her lips brush against mine as she whispers, “I fell in love with you too, big guy.”
Holy fuck. Talia loves me too.
I slam my lips to hers in a hungry kiss. My tongue tangles with hers as I devour every inch of her mouth, pouring everything I feel into this kiss.
Love.
Affection.
Desire.
Sweet moans escape Talia’s mouth; I swallow them whole, sucking and nipping at her lips. We make out in the chair as my hands roam her delectable body, touching every inch of her I can.
Talia breaks away, fists bunching my shirt around my chest, and tugs. “Off. Take this off.”
I rip the offending material over my head and throw it to the ground. Her eyes are wide, pupils blown, and her small hands explore my hot skin .
“Like what you see, baby?”
She nods, biting that sexy bottom lip of hers. “So much.”
She trails wet kisses over my neck and chest as I slide my hands up her legs and under the soft fabric of her dress. Her skin is silky smooth.
I can’t stop from inching closer to her center. She bucks in my lap as my thumbs reach the sensitive spot between her thigh and pussy. The feel of wet heat radiating from her cunt centimeters away drives me wild with need. My cock jerks, attempting to break through his jean jail.
Knock it off, you asshole.
“Cam.” Talia moans. “More. I need more.” Her hips twist as she grinds down on my cock, searching for the friction she needs to come.
“Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”
“Touch me. I want you to touch me.”
“Where?”
“You know where.”
“You know I like to hear the words. Now tell me where you want me to touch you.” My thumbs inch further toward her center, her arousal coating the tips.
She grunts in frustration like an angry little kitten. “Stop messing with me and make me come, Cam. Touch my pussy. Please.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” I jump to my feet.
With Talia in one arm, I use the other to sweep the table clear. Plates clatter to the floor as I lay my woman out on the table, flip her dress up, and spread her legs wide.
Talia watches me with rapt attention, her hands clenched at her side. Her white lace thong is drenched, begging to be ripped off .
Hooking my finger around the strip of fabric, I tug it to the side. “Look at this pretty pink cunt. So wet and ready for me.”
Her pussy spasms, needy and primed for me to devour. Arousal drips from her tight entrance to her asshole, making my mouth water .
“Lift.” Talia obeys, raising her hips off the table.
In one quick motion, I slide her panties down her legs and stuff them in my pocket. With the crook of my ankle, I capture the leg of my empty chair and slide it closer, taking a seat.
“Where were we?” With one finger, I stroke up and down her soaked center.
Talia’s soft whimpers fill the air, feeding my appetite. She wiggles her ass. “Please,” she pants.
“Not yet” I shake my head and throw her legs over my shoulders.
For the first time in my life, I want to go slow. Talia is the first woman I have ever loved. I want to show her. Bask in the power she’s so freely handing over to me. Revel in the way her body reacts to my touch. Make her feel so good that she comes screaming my name.
My eyes bore into hers, pleading with her to hear me. “I want to take my time with you tonight. No rushing. I’m not going anywhere, itty bitty. You’re stuck with me now.”
“I want to be stuck with you, big guy.” She props herself on her elbows, knees wide, and grabs my hair. My cock weeps in my boxers at the rough tug. “But if you don’t put your mouth on me and make me come right now, I swear I will finish myself off and won’t let you touch me for the rest of the night.”
To prove a point, I watch as she slides the hand that was in my hair down her stomach and over her pussy. The pad of her index finger dips inside her entrance. She moans, teasing me.
“You think you’re punishing me, but all you’re doing is making my dick harder.”
She arches a brow at me. “Prove it,” she commands with pure sass and fire in her voice, igniting my blood. Her finger slides an inch deeper, her heels digging into the top of my back.
I don’t know where this little vixen was hiding, but I am so fucking down with it. If my girl wants to play, we can play.
I unsnap the button of my jeans and drag down the zipper. Reaching into my boxers, I grip my cock and unleash it from its confines. A bead of precum pools at the head of my thick shaft as I stroke myself from root to tip.
She swipes her tongue across her bottom lip as her gaze follows my fist.
I stop. “If you stop, I stop.”
“This wasn’t what I wanted,” Talia whines, but she does as she’s told.
Gaze locked, she begins to ride her hand as I return to stroking my cock. There is no way I’m going to let her come without me, but my little vixen needs to learn a lesson.
Her fingers find her clit as she rubs tight circles over the swollen bud. Her thighs shake, warning me of her impending orgasm. I swat her hand away.
Her body falls back against the table, eyes wide in shock. “Did you just slap my hand away?”
“Yes. Problem?” Without taking my eyes off her, I pull her knees apart and lean forward, licking a line up her wet pussy. I almost blow my load at the taste of her sweet, tangy flavor on my tongue.
My plan to tease her ends with one taste. I eat her like a man starved. My mouth is everywhere, lapping, sucking, and plunging. I can’t get enough of her.
Talia gasps for air as she chants my name. Her knees clamp around my head as she fucks my face, smothering me in her sweet pussy. If I were to die right now, I’d die a happy man. Death by pussy is always the way for a real man to meet his maker.
“I’m going to come. Don’t stop.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Giving her clit all my attention, I flick that fucker as fast as I can and push a finger deep inside her pussy, curling it forward, searching for the spot that makes her detonate like a bomb.
I watch as Talia lets go, her pussy dripping and body coiled tight; she snaps as her orgasm rips through her. She comes with a gush on my tongue and my name on her lips.
My name never sounded better .
My cock is a lead pipe, bobbing in the air as I watch the woman I love come down.
I swipe my tongue across her clit, lapping at her sensitive flesh. She giggles, swatting me away. I pump my fingers inside her, continuing my slow assault.
“I can’t, Cam. No more.” She writhes beneath me.
“You can take it, baby. Concentrate. Let me take you over the edge again.”
Her knees fall open; she trusts me with her body.
I make good on my word and take her over the edge two more times before scooping her up and plunging us into the pool.