Chapter 23
Ten minutes later, they stepped into the hallway and headed for the elevator, Cam having changed into nicer shorts and a collared shirt and Emma into her dress and sandals. She clipped the front of her hair back and let the rest hang long.
Cam had held the door open for her to exit first and once it closed, she smiled inwardly as she felt his large hand slide down to entwine with hers. She liked the way his fingers felt.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Emma smiled up at him, noticing he was already looking at her. “Thank you. You don’t look half bad yourself.”
He chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze as they made it to the elevator. They were quiet for a moment as they waited for it to arrive. “Do you have any regrets?” Cam knew Emma had been more hesitant about them getting involved than he’d been. He couldn’t help but believe things could work out if people were willing to try, but in the aftermath, he didn’t know if she’d start having second thoughts.
She knew he wasn’t asking about life in general. She let go of his hand and turned toward him, her palm finding his cheek. “Not even a little,” she said, then leaned upward and kissed him.
If she thought it would be a small kiss, boy was she wrong, because as Cam deepened it, her hand slid behind his head, her mouth matching his, and her heart not wanting it to end. She felt his hands hold her tight and if it was possible to infuse herself to him, she would’ve thought she was doing just that.
They barely registered the elevator ding, but they did hear the voice that came out of it.
“Good grief, you two are like dogs in heat.”
Emma pulled back in surprise. She gave Lulu a pointed look that said she didn’t find her comment funny before entering the elevator. Cam followed in behind her, giving Emma a guilty look of pleasure which she couldn’t help but return.
Lulu let out a groan.
“You have terrible timing,” Emma remarked to her friend. “Has anyone ever told you that? And why are you up here again?”
“To make sure you two didn’t get sidetracked,” she responded. “Which was clearly smart on my end or you’d be going at each other in the hallway by now.”
Cam rubbed at the back of his neck not commenting but also not denying it. He couldn’t get enough of Emma, even feeling her soft lips desperately seeking him out was enough to keep him turned on. He had no doubt that if it were just the two of them here, they’d lock themselves in the room the rest of the trip, only coming up for air when they were hungry.
“What are you smiling about over there?” Lulu asked in his direction.
He looked up, and Emma knew exactly what was going through that mind of his. He may have those puppy dog eyes she liked to admire, but the man was far from sweet and innocent behind closed doors.
She gave him a grin and he matched it, unable to take his eyes off her as he appreciated the sparkle and glow about her. Lulu made another sound of disgust which only resulted in their laughter as the elevator approached the main level.
“I’ll only say this,” Lulu said as they exited.
Cam tensed, not sure what to expect.
“About damn time. You two are perfect for each other.” Then she led them in the direction of the music.
Emma shook her head, but Cam saw the smile still lingering on her lips. He slipped his hand into hers again as they followed her friend.
The event was being hosted on one of the outdoor patios where the hotel’s building and restaurant wing bordered two sides, while one of the pools and the views of the ocean bordered the other two. Tables and chairs had been spread out along the edges, leaving a giant dance floor in the middle and a band set up on a small raised platform at the far end.
He nodded his head in acknowledgment as they came to the table where Henry, Asher, and Lauren sat, all of them with plates in front of them.
“I’m glad you decided to come down,” Lauren said by way of greeting.
“Lulu didn’t give us much choice.” Emma took in the setting, now glad that she’d been dragged down here. If she’d had her way, she’d be finishing what her and Cam started. She smiled in response at the thought of them in the bathroom.
She wasn’t sure if it was going to be awkward afterward, but if she had any worries they’d disappeared as they quickly fell into the comfortableness they’d developed this week.
Henry laughed. “Well go grab yourselves some food. They have everything you can imagine in there.”
They both nodded and headed in the direction of the restaurant’s side door. Immediately, Cam saw they rearranged the tables to allow for several rows of buffet setups. They got in line and grabbed plates to begin picking and choosing between the delicious-looking options.
By the time they took their seats, there were already drinks for each of them. Cam wasn’t sure who knew to order him a beer, but he smiled in appreciation. He was beginning to feel like he knew these people. For the first time, the guilt that normally sprang up was replaced with something more hopeful.
As the conversations began around him, he couldn’t help but steal glances at Emma eating at his side. He had to admit he was thankful for the food because he hadn’t had dinner yet, not that he noticed the moment Emma had come into the bathroom, her decision made.
He reached for his drink and took a swig and his heart felt like it grew a size when her brown eyes met his and she gave him the sweetest smile he’d ever seen.
He was in for it if this all blew up in his face. He’d been lying when he said he didn’t care about the risks of getting involved because the truth was, he knew he was a goner for her. If in three days she decided whatever this was happening between them wasn’t to leave St. Croix with them, he knew it’d hit like a sledgehammer to his heart. But he hadn’t been lying about wanting whatever she’d give him because Cam knew deep down this was more. He just hoped she would want to explore it further and see what it turned into, but that was her decision.
If he only got her for this week, then he’d give her the best of him and pray it was enough.
“It looks like the band is picking up its pace,” Emma was saying.
He leaned back in his chair to watch as people started making their way to the dance floor. His hand found her knee and he saw the corners of her mouth lift in his peripherals. He caressed a small circle with his thumb, feeling pretty damn content to be sitting here on a beautiful night with Emma by his side.
“Let’s go dance,” Lauren said to Asher.
“Let me finish eating and get a few more beers in me.”
Lulu tossed a couple of fries at him. “Don’t be a scaredy cat. We won’t make fun of your two left feet.”
He tossed them back. “I can dance just fine, thank you.”
She gave him a look to suggest she disagreed.
“Stop giving him a hard time, sis. He’s still eating.”
Emma slid her hand under the table to squeeze the top of Cam’s. She wanted to stay here and savor this peaceful moment with him. She felt a sense of calm even though the atmosphere around her was anything but. Yet she knew Asher wouldn’t be giving in and dancing anytime soon. He tended to wait until he was a few deep first.
“I’ll go dance with you,” she offered.
Lauren was already scooting her chair back before she responded, causing Emma to laugh. Lulu decided to join them too and Cam watched as the women made their way amongst the growing throng of people. The music was upbeat and fun, one man twirling the woman he was dancing with, others dancing in groups.
Cam took another bite, unable to keep from watching after Emma, noticing how happy and carefree she appeared with her friends out there. The band started a new song, a familiar and popular one right now, and he saw the excitement bloom across her face as she let loose and swayed her hips with the best damn rhythm he’d ever witnessed. Or maybe he was just that taken up by her, he didn’t care either way.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she laughed and danced and drew him in like nothing he’d ever felt before. When he went to take another bite, he caught Henry’s glance who was watching him carefully through those eyes that Cam sensed didn’t miss much. He almost felt the need to squirm a little, but instead, he withstood the man’s analyzing stare then Henry gave him what felt like a slight nod before turning his head.
Cam didn’t give himself much time to think about it as the band transitioned to something slow enough that had him popping out of his seat and saying, “Excuse me, gentleman. But I’ve got a beautiful lady to dance with.” He saw Henry’s smile before turning for the dance floor, approaching the three women and sliding his hands around Emma from behind, luxuriating in the way she turned her head, grinning wide, then melting into his body and arms like she knew she belonged there.
“Sorry ladies, but I’m cutting in.”
“Of course you are,” Lulu said, although her smile belied her insult.
He just smiled and spun Emma around to face him, where she looked up at him with a glowing radiance that he was beginning to think only she held. He slid one hand around her waist and captured her hand with the other as she followed his lead and they began moving with the music.
“Someone’s good on his feet,” she teased in awe.
He gave a half shrug. “I can dance.”
She tilted her head back and raised a brow. “Is that so? And do you like to dance?”
“I don’t mind it. Especially if it means I get to hold you close.”
“You’re smooth, aren’t you?” She’d be lying if she said she didn’t eat it up.
Cam looked into her eyes, feeling like he could drown in their depths and never want to be saved. “Only for you, Emma. Only for you.”
Her smile took over and as he slowed them down further, she leaned her head on his chest.
“Do you like to dance?” he asked.
“Yeah, actually. I do.”
“Actually?”
She winced. She didn’t mean to say it like that or have him pick up on it. She didn’t want to bring up the past with him. Whenever she was with Cam, it felt like nothing and no one else mattered. “My previous relationship didn’t include a lot of dancing. But that’s okay,” she quickly added. “I have no problem dancing with the girls.”
He refrained from looking over at Asher, something Henry had said on the boat earlier popping into his mind. It was another example of her ex suffocating the light that so clearly shined within her. Cam tightened his hold on her, wanting to replace any thoughts of another man.
“Good thing I’m a natural then,” he joked to lighten the mood. “Stick with me and I promise I’ll give you a lifetime of dances.”
Emma swallowed as her heart fluttered. A lifetime. And Cam didn’t strike her as someone who minced words or made false promises. Instead of responding, she gave his shoulder a squeeze under her hand and let the music and merry of her surroundings swoop her up. Nothing else mattered in this moment as she smiled against him, felt him hold her tight, and moved with the rhythm.
They continued like that until the band switched gears, deciding to pick up the tempo, and Emma had to admit she felt relieved and excited whenever Cam stayed on that dance floor with her.
She bet he was a sight to see in his younger days, that reckless and boyish energy breaking out from the responsible and mature shell he’d come to build. She liked it. She liked him. Everything about him, she realized, and for the first time, she didn’t feel that flicker of fear or worry trying to slither into her heart. Instead, it felt like a well of possibilities and excitement, daring her to be open and welcome something new.
The night’s hours flew by as they danced and sang and snuck more food and drinks. Eventually, Henry came out and joined them, his smile widening when a woman left her friends to join him for a dance or two. Emma watched with what could only be described as joy as her friends, these people who were also her family, were smiling and laughing and having a good time. Even Asher eventually left his chair and swooned Lauren right off her feet and all over the dance floor.
As the night carried on, the music continued to be fun and upbeat. The kind that got everyone out there and moving at some point. The good vibes were too contagious for anyone to sit on the sidelines for too long. She danced with her friends and spun around a time or two with Henry, but her favorite was dancing with Cam, seeing that goofy smile on his face, the way his eyes stayed trained on her, swearing they danced to their own beat when she met his gaze, and how incredibly relaxed and right it felt to be here enjoying this with him.
To think, he wasn’t even supposed to be here. The craziness of it all, how he’d wound up here, how they met, all of it made Emma laugh. Then she couldn’t stop it and as Cam looked at her with a quizzical expression it only grew louder until she was wiping tears from her eyes.
“Dare I ask?” he said against her ear so that she could hear him over all the wonderful chaos surrounding them.
“No.” She smiled up at him, a warmth cascading over her body. “Just dance with me.”