21. Lizzy #2
“What do you mean?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
“She walked into my office and simply stated, ‘Cameron, I know you don’t know me, but you’re the only person I’ve slept with since losing my virginity to Justin Ames my senior year of high school.
“The way she said it made me believe her. What drove her point home was when she told me she originally had planned to get an abortion. But her parents were extremely religious and convinced her to put the baby up for adoption instead. She told me there was a family picked out at her church, but she couldn’t go through with the adoption without letting me know first.”
The weight of the room is heavy as he takes in another deep breath and continues, “She already felt guilty enough walking away from her unborn child… But she’d made the choice and was determined to follow through with her decision.
She had goals for herself and knew being a mom at her age wasn’t what was best for the child. ”
“So, why did she come to you?” I ask softly.
“She couldn’t go through with the adoption without at least letting me know I have a child in the world.”
“Well… that’s… commendable,” I mutter.
Fuck, is that the right word?
Cameron ignores my comment. “I later found out that she’d been accepted into med school that fall.
She had an eight-year plan in place… And one night with a stranger wouldn’t ruin it for her.
Since she truly didn’t want anything from me other than to let me know of the baby’s existence, I had no choice but to believe her. ”
He glances my way and answers the question on the tip of my tongue before I can even ask. “Of course, a prenatal paternity test was done. But long story short, I knew within a week the baby was mine. Before she could travel home, she went into labor. The next thing I knew, my daughter was born.
“Every doubt I had disappeared the second I saw Emilia. Not only were her eyes identical to mine, but instantly, I felt a connection I still can’t describe, and I couldn’t let her go.”
He looks at the ceiling and shakes his head at a memory.
My heart aches for this man.
“What happened next?” I prompt.
“Immediately, I filed for sole custody. Thank God, I’d already consulted a lawyer and had everything in place. Heather wanted to have a sealed record of her birth. In that, she signed all legal and parental rights away. From the day Emilia was born, she’s been mine.”
Whoa, I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t this. My head spins as I process everything. His words from before play through my mind, and it finally makes sense.
Why did he think I would think less of him?
I don’t get it. If anything, hearing their story makes me fall harder for him.
I can’t imagine my life changing on a dime and running with it as well as he’s done. In less than a week, he went from single and carefree to a dad, doing it on his own. Most have nine months to prepare. Cameron had days.
“You’re freaking incredible,” I mutter as I think of all he went through for the sake of Emilia.
“I… Uh… Wouldn’t say that. I’ve been faking it until I make it from the start… Trust me.” A low chortle escapes as he admits, “Thank God for my mom. Without her, I’m not sure where we’d be.”
“What I don’t get is why would you worry I’d think less of you for any of this? Is there more you haven’t told me?”
“You got the condensed version, but I’m not keeping anything from you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Cameron, you’re one of the most incredible humans I’ve ever met. What part of this could possibly make me not like you?”
Running a finger along his nose, his chin drops. “The part where I was a player… Hell, I didn’t even know Heather’s last name.”
“Uh, last I checked,” I draw out for emphasis.
“Most guys in their early twenties are. Scratch that… We’re all supposed to have fun in our twenties, not just the guys.
Now, if you’re in a committed relationship, that’s different.
Why would I judge you for living the single life to its fullest?
Trust me… I’ve heard stories from Finn and Ryker about being on tour.
Jax is an anomaly because he wasn’t on tour until after he was dating Sloane. ”
His brows knit together, and his lower lip rolls under his teeth. Irritation rolls off him when he snidely asks, “Does this carefree single life apply to you ?”
Of all things, he chooses to focus on that ?
I quickly remind him, “I wasn’t a virgin or anything when we met. You know that, right? But I…”
“Wait!” he cuts me off, then grumbles, “I don’t wanna hear about you sleeping with other men.”
A smile plays at my lips. “Good to know. But the truth of the matter is until I met you, I’d never slept with anyone I wasn’t committed to.”
Squinting his eyes, he barely looks at me when he asks, “Was there a lot of… commitments?”
“No, you jealous fool.” I push at his shoulder and laugh. “There haven’t been many.”
Relief washes over his features, and he takes my hand in his. “For the record, Elizabeth, you’re the first person I’ve pursued since Emilia came into my life…And if I have anything to say about it, you’ll be in a committed relationship soon enough, and there will be all the sex… Trust me.”
God, this man.
“Good to know.” I chuckle. He’s adorable. “Speaking of Emilia, what does she know about her mom?”
“I don’t intend to keep the truth from her, but it hasn’t come up yet, so I haven’t crossed that bridge. How the hell do I tell my daughter her mom didn’t want her?”
“I have no idea,” I admit. My chest squeezes tight at the thought of Emilia hearing those words.
“Since the day she was born, my goal has been to show her how loved and wanted she is. Hopefully…” he sighs heavily then continues, “when the time comes, and I tell her the truth, my love will be enough.”
My heart aches for both of them.
“Oh, Cameron.” I sigh, then stand, needing to squeeze him tight.
I’m a ball of emotions, and I’m just a bystander in this situation. I can’t imagine what the last few years have been like for him.
Turning on the stool, he faces me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me to stand between his muscular legs.
Then he hugs me back. It’s one of the best hugs I’ve had in forever.
It’s fierce and filled with intense emotion.
So many unspoken things pass between us, but I hope with all my heart, he knows he’s an amazing dad, and Emilia is so lucky to have him in her life.
I can’t imagine how hard this has been on him. Not only is he handling the roller coaster of being a single dad, but someday, when he least expects it, she’ll ask about her mom.
How will he tell his sweet girl her mom didn’t want her?
If put myself into Heather’s shoes, I’m not sure what I’d do.
I see where she was coming from—especially since she literally only knew Cameron for a few hours.
How would two practical strangers have known they made a life-altering decision that day.
For all I know, Heather could be on her way to being the best doctor who will save hundreds of lives.
As a broke college student, I can see Heather was putting her daughter’s needs first. She knew giving Emilia up would give her a better chance at life.
I also commend her for at least letting Cameron know about their child.
She didn’t have to tell him. She could’ve let the adoption go through, and Cameron would’ve never been the wiser.
But fuck, Cameron would’ve never known how amazing his daughter is. He wouldn’t have held her as an infant, watched her first steps, or heard her first words. He would’ve missed out on all the firsts—Hell, he’d miss out on all the wonderment and joy that beautiful girl brings to this world.
As he holds me tight, something else hits me like a ton of bricks.
His love is enough—it has to be.
Pulling back to look him in the eye, I assure him, “Emilia’s loved by everyone who meets her. I’m sure a part of her will be sad for what she could’ve had with a mom, but she’ll never doubt your love for her. You’ll be enough. I’m certain.”
“I know, but it’ll always remain my biggest fear,” he admits solemnly.
The pain behind his eyes slays me.
How do I show him he’s enough?
Running my thumb along his cheek, I stare into his navy-blue eyes until I can’t take it any longer. His emotions are raw and even though he’s not saying anything, I can see them bubbling on the surface.
“You’re enough, Cameron,” I whisper, bringing my lips to his.
One way or another, I will prove this to him.
Unbridled emotion burns between us as our kiss deepens.
Soon, he’s leading us back to his bedroom.
Unlike last night, there’s no sense of urgency. We’re no longer frantic or playful. In fact, we’re not even talking. Our passion is slow and sensual, but the heat between us burns just as hot.
When he enters me, I can only describe our connection as making love.
In all too short of time, my climax barrels through me like a freight train. The moment I stiffen, Cameron takes this cue and picks up the pace, chasing his own orgasm. Just as I tip over the edge, he plunges into me and stills.
“Fuck…” Cameron’s roar fills the room.
Now that he’s no longer moving, my focus is on his glorious cock pulsing relentlessly inside me. It’s so intense, I can barely hold onto any thought.
The last thing I remember is him slowly kissing along my jaw to that place just below my earlobe. “You’re so fucking perfect, Elizabeth.”
“So are you,” I remind him.
Then he turns my face to lock his eyes on mine. A slow smile spreads across his face as he claims, “You’re mine.”