Chapter 17
Cam heard the splashing of feet running into the water behind him as he made his way deeper into the ocean.
“Oh no, buddy. You’re not leaving me to face her alone.” Emma caught up to him and grabbed the float from his arms.
“Hey,” he exclaimed, instantly sinking under the water. Lulu’s interruption may have stopped things from escalating any further, and thank god since they were fully visible on the beach, but that didn’t put an end to his persistent boner.
Emma laughed, earning her a glare from the sun-kissed man now sunken into the water. She reached out and combed her fingers through his floppy hair. “Don’t worry. It happens to the best of us,” she teased.
Cam grabbed her wrist, pulling her down into the water before she could brace her feet to stop him. She came up laughing and splashing at him.
“Ass,” she said, smoothing her now-soaked hair back behind her ears.
“Mmm, don’t remind me.” Cam’s voice dropped to something dark and dangerous.
She bit her lip at what that sexy sound did to her insides.
“Are you two coming out here or not?” Lauren called from farther out.
“Until next time,” Emma said with a curl of her lips before heading toward their group.
Cam followed beside her, pushing the floaty out with them. “Don’t tempt me, Emma.”
That sent a shiver down her that had nothing to do with the water’s temperature. “And why not? You don’t seem the type to take matters into your own hands.”
The slow look he gave her would send a heart doctor on full alert. “Hasn’t anyone ever taught you not to make assumptions?”
She swallowed. “I don’t think I have anything to worry about.”
“We’ll see about that,” was his only response before pushing the inflatable toward her and swimming out to the people who waited for them.
Emma didn’t know what to think, but she knew for damn sure she wouldn’t need to do any cardio this week with the way her heart was already pumping on a marathon of its own. Did she just challenge the one man who already excelled at making her go weak in the knees? If whatever that was on the beach chair was any indication of what he was capable of doing to her, then she was in for it.
She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading as she continued out further, noticing Cam was already in conversation with Henry and Asher. Lauren was smiling and lying on a long raft, waiting for Emma to come join.
She wasn’t sure if it was the beautiful day or the gorgeous man ahead of her, but she suddenly felt like this was the best beach day she’d ever had. A small part of her warned of caution not to provoke Cam like she had, but she couldn’t help herself. It was likely her subconscious trying to protect her heart, or maybe his, but there was something about the man that was too addictive to turn back now.
“It’s about time you two joined us,” Lauren whispered conspiratorially.
Emma smiled at her and gave a little shrug as if she hadn’t a clue what she was talking about. “Do you think Lulu’s going to come swim or tan?” She hopped up onto the float until she was relaxed into a sitting position.
“She’ll probably tan until something, or dare I say someone, catches her eye. I saw Dan and his friends at breakfast this morning and overheard them mention a beach day. I’m sure she’ll enjoy a stroll or two up and down the shore at some point once she realizes.”
“That’s if he doesn’t scope her out first. I swear, your sister knows how to make them chase her.”
Lauren giggled. “Something she taught us well.”
“And thank god for it.” Emma looked over to their chairs in time to see Lulu spread a towel onto one and lie down, pulling her Kindle from the bag she must’ve brought down. Emma hadn’t waited around long enough to note what Lulu did or didn’t carry down with her. She’d been too determined to escape her friend’s keen eyes at what was taking place between her and Cam.
“Oh girl, he can’t keep his eyes off of you.”
“Huh? Who?” Emma turned back to Lauren, who rolled her eyes.
“Cam, that’s who silly. I don’t think he’s stopped looking at you since he swam over here.”
Emma looked over to where Cam and the guys were chatting, thankfully far enough away not to hear Lauren’s comments, and sure enough his eyes were on her. Those blue hues danced and sparkled in the sunshine as he gave her a slow and sexy grin.
“Oh my gosh.” Lauren let out a sound that made Emma think of the word swooning. “He’s got it so bad. You both do.”
What Lauren was seeing was the total opposite of what Emma perceived. As her friend swooned over what she thought was passing between them, Emma knew damn well that smile was no more than a shark circling. She rolled her bottom lip through her teeth to curb the excitement that sparked through her.
“Nah,” she tried saying. “It’s just new. That’s all.”
“Please. You’re two peas in a pod. Lulu and I are already betting on how long before one of you decides to move to be closer to the other.”
Emma’s eyes widened at that. She hadn’t thought much outside of this week, because why would she? This was all fake. Which was all the more reason she needed to quit encouraging whatever it was that was happening between her and Cam.
“Don’t make that face.” Lauren’s comment brought her back to reality as Emma tried to change whatever expression she currently wore. “Don’t let the idea scare you. There’s plenty of time to figure all that out later. Lulu and I were just having good fun.”
“Fun for you,” Emma retorted.
Lauren sat up on her float, her voice coming out soft. “Hey, I’m sorry if I overstepped. We were just joking around because of how perfect you two seem for each other. I didn’t mean anything bad by it.”
Great, now Emma felt guilty. Of course Lauren wouldn’t understand her conflicting thoughts over the matter because she thought Emma was here with her doting boyfriend, not a man she had only recently met and knew nothing about up until three days ago.
Emma waved her hand to suggest it was no big deal. “No, no. I know that. It’s still new though. So talks of moving and settling down together feel a bit overwhelming is all.” More than she could convey.
Lauren nodded as if she understood, though Emma swore something else settled on her face, too. Before she could think too much about it, the guys swam over.
“It’s decided,” Asher proclaimed.
“What is?” Lauren asked.
“Casino night,” Henry said with a smug smile.
Emma laughed. “When?”
“Tonight.”
“Everyone?” Lauren questioned.
“Of course everyone,” Henry said to his daughter like she had two heads. She smiled at him, not at all surprised.
Henry gave Emma a wink. “Cam’s looking forward to learning how quickly you ladies can clean out a table.”
“I don’t know if I should be worried or not,” Cam said with a chuckle.
“You should,” Emma and Lauren said in unison, not an ounce of doubt in their answer.
“Well, I’ll see you kids later. I’m going to get a little work done before lunch.”
Lauren only smiled at the “kids” endearment. “Dad, it’s vacation. You’re not supposed to be working.”
“Ahh,” he grunted, heading toward the shore. “Better to prevent any fires here and there versus returning to ashes next week. And someone drag Lulu into this water before the day is done. We traveled too far for her to never get in the ocean.”
Emma laughed as he left. “I was wondering when he was going to invite us all gambling.”
“I’m surprised he made it this long,” Asher remarked.
“Technically he’s already been several times,” Lauren added. “Now it’s just all of our turn to go with.”
“He said he taught you well.” More like bragged about how good “his girls” were. Cam smiled at the pride Henry held for all three women. He hoped to be as proud a father as Henry when his time came, which was hopefully a long way off still.
“You’ll find out just how good I am tonight.” The double entendre may or may not have been on purpose, Emma decided, as she smirked at Cam and wagged her brows. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been prepared for how fast the man could move as he flipped her out of the float.
When she resurfaced he was right beside her as he said, “I can’t wait” with a grin that put butterflies where her stomach used to be.
Emma only shook her head as Lauren and Asher laughed. She grabbed onto the tube and flipped it over so that she could float from the middle of it. She tried not to look too surprised or excited whenever Cam lifted himself on the backside right behind her.
“Are you guys doing anything besides this today?” Emma asked the question while turning in the tube so that she was leaning back, her body facing Cam while she looked over at Lauren and Asher.
He only had a moment”s notice to catch the small smirk Emma tried hiding before he felt her wrap those sexy toned legs around his abdomen. She didn’t even bother to look his way, though they both knew the woman was playing with fire.
“I don’t know yet,” Lauren said, looking toward Asher for input.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe we could do one of those couple’s massages you’re always going on about.”
Lauren brightened at that. “That’s a great idea. I wonder how much notice we’d need at a place like this for an appointment.”
Emma tried not to look too worried as she felt Cam slowly drift them farther from the other couple. “I bet they could get you in today if you checked with them soon enough.”
“We should do that,” Lauren was saying to Asher, neither of them aware of the electricity running through the water.
Whenever Cam was sure they were far enough away for what he had planned but not too far to look suspicious, he whispered to Emma. “You sure you don’t want to listen to my warning?”
She cocked her head to the side, feigning innocence as she tightened her legs around the solid muscle between them. She whispered back. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” And then, because what did she have to lose, Emma arched her back and lightly rocked her hips against Cam.
The heat that flashed in his eyes made her grin. There was something intoxicating knowing she had the power to turn him on in an instant.
“What about you guys?” Asher’s voice broke in.
Emma turned toward them, her legs tightening further, although this time involuntarily as she felt one of Cam’s hands on her thigh. “Umm,” she tried getting her brain to work. “Probably this for most of the day. I’d like to get a facial at some point while I’m here.”
“Today could be a good day for that,” Lauren said.
Cam nodded his head in agreement, only so it looked like he was paying attention and not planning how he was going to wreck this vibrant woman who was driving him wild. He followed the curve of Emma’s leg and reached his other hand into the water behind him to unwind her legs from his waist. He could’ve sworn there was a glimpse of disappointment across her face.
Not to worry, baby. She was about to be far from disappointed.