Chapter 19
The bathroom was filled with steam whenever Cam stepped out of the shower. Emma hadn’t made it back yet, but he knew they were all meeting for dinner tonight and he needed to get around for it.
After their little escapade in the water, a memory that he was sure would make his cock twitch every time he thought of it, Lulu came splashing into the ocean not too long after and the intimate little bubble they had created out there all alone had popped. They were back in reality with all of the other vacationers and though Lulu decided not to conduct an interrogation about whatever it was she could pick up on between them, her presence was enough to have them keeping a little bit of distance.
Not that Cam cared if she or anyone else saw him with Emma. He’d sooner let a truck run him over before feeling shame over how he had come to feel about this incredible woman he’d met. Maybe it was the hopeful and romantic side of him, but Cam couldn’t help but feel that their lives were meant to cross, especially in the way that they did.
They’d spent the rest of the morning on the beach and swimming with Lulu, Lauren, and Asher until lunch. Besides the flirtatious comments and compliments he couldn’t help but throw Emma’s way, he managed to keep his hands off of her. Even if he never stopped thinking about how good she felt in them.
They all had lunch together, and since the spa didn’t have any openings for massages, the women decided to spend time together and receive some pampering this afternoon.
Cam grabbed a towel from the bathroom rack and began drying off before wrapping it around his waist.
He was glad Emma was getting to spend this time with her friends. He hoped this trip was proving more relaxing and fulfilling than she’d initially thought it would be. He still remembered how stressed she’d sounded regarding it back in Dallas.
He opened the bathroom door and walked into the empty room. She still hadn’t made it back yet, so he decided to get dressed and respond to his friends’ messages and a few from coworkers before heading downstairs. A small part of Cam worried that once word got out about who he was vacationing with, his colleagues would judge him or some might be jealous thinking he had an in with Henry.
He’d never use this time as a way to take advantage of that working relationship. Of course, he wanted to make a good impression, but that was no different here in St. Croix versus on a company phone call. However, Cam could tell it wouldn’t matter if he had cunning intentions or not in terms of climbing ladders and networking. He knew Henry wasn’t the type to fall for manipulation easily, outside the fake dating anyhow.
He blew out a breath. Hopefully, that was something that would remain under wraps, both for his reputation and Emma’s sake. He hated the idea of anything coming to light that would humiliate her.
As he made his way to the door, the knob turned before he could grab it. A very bright smiling Emma swung it open and took a step in before coming to a halt.
“Oh,” she expressed. “Sorry.”
Cam smiled and took a step back so that she could pass. “You’re good. I was going to head downstairs for something to do.”
She entered the doorway and headed straight to her suitcase. Cam could almost feel the serenity and joy radiating off of her.
“I’m sorry it took so long. I hope you weren’t too bored.”
“Not at all,” he said, leaning against the wall and taking her in. Her dark hair was swept up into a bun on top of her head, the soft lounge shorts and tank she’d changed into screamed comfort, and he could see her freshly painted toenails in the flip-flops she wore. She was glowing, he thought.
Emma grabbed a sundress and undergarments and headed toward the bathroom, giving Cam a quick and apologetic smile as she passed. “I’m just going to rinse off and change, and then I swear I’ll be ready. It won’t take but five minutes.”
He grinned, not that she’d seen it before the door closed and he heard her turn the shower on. Cam walked over to the bed and kicked his shoes off to get comfy and turn on the TV. He knew better than to believe she would be ready in five minutes. He’d already learned her nature. She’d likely be dressed and swipe on a quick bit of makeup in less than five minutes, leaving her hair pulled up or braided back. However, it was the shower that’d take longer. Once she stood under that hot water, it’d be a solid twenty minutes before she reemerged.
He chuckled, not at all phased by the blooming of something warm and cheerful in his chest as he laid back, relaxed, and waited.
◆◆◆
Dinner had been delicious and Emma was thankful she wore a dress because she knew she’d be ready to unbutton her pants at this point. Unfortunately, she’d held everyone up because she couldn’t for the life of her turn off the water in the shower. It felt way too good. But thankfully it was vacation and no one seemed bothered as they sipped on their drinks in the bar downstairs until she and Cam had arrived.
Henry had picked out a restaurant in town and she could have sworn it was the most delectable food to ever grace her tongue. So was the wine. Something she could have likely laid off from a bit, but it was vacation and she was among friends and family.
The spa day had been refreshing and now her belly was full and they were about to enter the casino. She tried to refrain from reminiscing on this morning too much, which proved easier said than done. But that, too, was an amazing part of this day. She’d done her best not to gawk too much at Cam the remainder of the morning, but she was sure he could feel her eyes on him multiple times, having turned to give her that slow sexy smile.
“Does Henry like everyone to join him at a table together or do you all sort of split up?” Cam asked as they walked inside the generously sized casino.
The sounds of slot machines, conversations, and winning immediately engulfed them.
“We tend to separate and find one another throughout the night.” Emma was looking around, taking it all in. “Sometimes I’ll snag a seat next to him if one’s available, but he just likes knowing we’re all having fun.”
Cam nodded.
“Want to start by getting a drink?” Emma asked, pointing toward the bar.
Cam raised a brow, his mouth quirking up. “Someone’s getting loose tonight.”
She crossed her arms. “I do not take kindly to the word loose.” Emma smiled at her own joke.
“Trust me, baby. You are anything but loose.”
She gave him a playful smack that belied the impact his comment had on her. “We’re going to the bar then are going to see what luck we have,” Emma said to everyone, receiving acknowledgments and bouts of good luck before they went on their way.
Once they took a seat and placed their orders, Emma pushed back in her chair, stretching over the back of it. “When I had my facial earlier, the woman did a small neck massage and now I feel like my body is craving the real deal. Don’t get me wrong, hers was amazing, but I couldn’t stop thinking about spending an hour relishing in it.”
Cam really wanted to make a joke about the massage he gave her but decided against it. He didn’t want Emma thinking he only wanted to get laid, especially since he cared about this woman. “I’m glad you got to do it. You seemed so alive and woken up when you got back today.”
“Me too. Do you ever get massages?”
“Not really. I’ve had one before because I wanted to see what it was all about, but I’ve never gone out of my way to get them.”
“Did you like it?” The bartender slid their drinks across the small bar and they thanked her before continuing.
“Yeah, it was nice.”
“Good.” She gave him a broad smile. “Because I scheduled us a couple’s massage for tomorrow.” Then watching his brow raise, she added, “It’s just what they call a massage where two people go at the same time, even if it’s two friends.”
Cam chuckled as he took a drink of his beer. “I know what a couple’s massage is. Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.”
Her smile faltered and she cursed herself for caring. “Is that the massage you’d had before? With a girlfriend?”
Cam swiveled in his chair to fully face her. “No.” He felt his male ego take pride in the light reentering her eyes at his admission. “Looks like another first for me to share with you.”
Emma couldn’t stop the smile spreading across her lips so she looked down into the giant bloody mary glass she was holding. She took a drink from the straw then her head popped up. “Wooh,” she let out. “Between the mimosas during my pedicure, the wine at dinner, and this bad boy, I have a feeling you’ll be carrying me into the room tonight.”
The idea of carrying Emma to bed did exciting things to Cam, but the thought of carrying a drunken Emma to bed just made him make a mental note to stop downstairs for Advil and extra water bottles for her in the morning. And probably some snacks. He noticed she was a late-night snacker so far this week.
“What are you smiling about?” she asked. “Don’t you be getting any ideas,” she teased.
Cam tilted his beer back. “If you’re drinking that much tonight then I assure you the only kind of lucky I’m getting is if I win at any of these slot machines. When I get lucky with you, you best believe you’ll be as sober as a Sunday sermon for it.”
How could Cam admitting he wasn’t going to lay a finger on her tonight send a pulse down her spine and out through her fingers and toes? She ignored the eclectic humming he caused her body and instead asked, “You don’t play Blackjack?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “Can’t say I ever have or that I know how.”
Emma sat straight up. “Are you serious?”
The sparkle in her eyes made him smile. “Yep.” Before he knew what was happening, she was slipping out of her barstool and onto her feet, her drink in one hand and her other entwining through his own.
“It’s time you learn,” she beamed, headed straight for the open tables.
◆◆◆
She had not been lying about the state she’d be in by the time they returned to the hotel room, Cam noted with amusement, one of Emma’s arms draped over his shoulder as he steered her down the hallway.
“Your shirt is so soft,” she was murmuring and giggling as she kept petting his chest like a house cat. “But not here,” she poked his peck. “That’s hard. Very hard.” She laughed as if she’d invented the funniest joke ever told.
Cam would’ve lightly removed her hand from his chest if he wasn’t worried she’d pivot and run back to the elevator the moment he let go of her waist or the arm around him. He’d bet money on her trying to return to the snack bar. He already had a box of cookies and brownies–thanks to the employee who took pity on him in the lobby and brought it to him without being prompted–tucked under his arm.
“Anyone ever told you that your jokes match that of a high school boy?” he asked humorously. Emma stopped laughing, her head tilting up to look at him. Oh, the beauty that carefree and joyous face held.
“Were you a funny high school boy?” she asked as if it were the most serious question in the world.
He did his best to prop her up against him as he snaked one of his hands into his back pocket for his wallet to dig out the hotel key. “I don’t think you would’ve noticed me in high school.”
“Why not?”
“I’m sure you would’ve been too busy dealing with all the guys throwing themselves at you. Showing off those newfound hard pecs they had,” he said with a wink and opened the door.
“No,” was all she said as he opened the door and helped her in.
“Do you need the bathroom first?”
“I’m not a child,” she giggled.
Cam gave her a face to suggest otherwise, though he was joking and enjoyed the goofy smile he received in return. Truth be told, she was a hilarious drunk. Quite generous too, offering to buy everyone at the bar another drink. Cam didn’t think he’d ever felt his abs grow so sore laughing alongside Emma tonight.
He’d be lying to himself if he hadn’t been a bit nervous about discovering what she was like completely plastered, or worried about her spilling the truth regarding their situation. He’d met plenty of women who lost all inhibitions and class with each glass, some even growing aggressive or ugly-natured, their true colors and insecurities shining out. He’d never been a fan of a sloppy drunk, but if the worst Emma could offer were innuendos, giggly humor, and a deep desire to eat every piece of sugar in sight and befriend everyone she talked to, he wouldn’t mind tossing a few back with her again.
However, he’d chosen to only drink a few tonight and let her have all the fun. He didn’t mind being the more responsible one if it meant he knew she would be safe and sound in their room by the end of the night.
He guided her further into the room and asked, “Are you okay with sleeping in your dress?”
She gave him what he could only assume was a face to say she was thinking about it. “Would you change me if I said no?”
“Like you said, you’re not a child.” He smiled at her eye roll.
“The dress is fine,” she deadpanned, then smiled broadly and shot for the bed, pouncing onto it like she was five. “Dibs on the bed, sucker!”
The amount of glee he saw on that beautiful face had Cam smiling bigger than he had in a long time. He laughed at how happy she was at the stunt she thought she just pulled over on him, especially since he was going to give her the bed anyway.
“I’ll take the cookies now,” she said sweetly.
He placed the box on the nightstand for her. “Are you good?” he asked.
She moved to the top of the bed, crawled under the covers, pulled them up to her chest, and placed the box on top of her. “Yup.”
“Alright, I’m going to change real quick.”
“Be my guest,” she cooed while wiggling her eyebrows at him.
He didn’t bother hiding his laughter because he loved the attention she’d been giving him all night, even if he couldn’t indulge any further in it. A man could still appreciate though.
He grabbed ball shorts and a t-shirt and took them to the bathroom, shaking his head through grinning lips as she heckled him for being too modest. By the time he changed and brushed his teeth, he came out of the bathroom to find a sleeping Emma, her head tilted to the side, mouth wide open, and already drooling with one hand still holding a partially eaten cookie.
The word cute came to mind. He grabbed the box and moved it, took the small trash can from under the desk and put it by the bed just in case, then quietly slipped out of the room to go get water bottles from downstairs. He had a feeling she was going to be out all night.
Yet he hurried downstairs because he didn’t like the idea of her waking up and him not being there for her. If there was anything he knew for sure, it was that he wanted Emma to know she could rely on him.