Chapter 26
By the time Emma and Lauren had arrived back at the hotel, she’d already received a message from Cam saying that he’d be on the beach. As she walked into their room to change into a swimsuit, she felt the giddiness blooming in her stomach at seeing him again.
Last night had been magical, and surprisingly not for all the reasons she would’ve expected with Cam. Sure, he was still all things considerate and caring during the night which she would’ve assumed about him, but he was also relentless and wild. It drove her mad in the best way possible, unable to stop the goofy smile on her face as she remembered the way he had her body writhing beneath his, how she learned just how creative one man could be with a couch.
Yet she’d never felt so much passion and freedom as she did with Cam. That’s what set it apart from anything she’d ever experienced before. She was able to let go of her reserves, lose herself in the safety that was him. Emma tried shaking the intoxicating thoughts from her mind as she headed for her suitcase. If she kept down this road, they might just be repeating their last ocean endeavors by the time she arrived on the beach.
That actually didn’t sound half bad, but as she approached the desk, she saw the glass holding the fresh bouquet of flowers and a handwritten note lying beside it.
It’s hard to pick out flowers when you’ve met a woman who’s raised the bar for beauty in this world. I hope these put that smile on your lips that I’ve grown so fond of.
With admiration, Cam.
A romantic indeed, Emma thought, as she bent down to smell the gorgeous arrangement. Where the giddiness had blossomed earlier now resided something more, a feeling she wasn’t sure she was ready to acknowledge. Emma gently ran her thumb over one of the pale petals, Cam’s vivid image popping into her mind, that lazy grin of his that made her swoon whether he knew it or not, and those blue eyes that saw more of her than anyone had discovered before.
The lingering emotions of betrayal and annoyance that she’d been battling after her and Lauren’s discussion suddenly felt small and insignificant. Lauren had been right. Everything ended up working out for the best.
She quickly changed and prepped her beach bag to head out the door. It wasn’t until she was sliding on her sandals that she thought to check her notifications and emails real quick so that she could leave her phone in the room and enjoy the rest of the day. There was only one more full day here with everyone before they all flew home on Saturday.
She had wanted to make the most of this time, especially with Cam. However, the moment she opened her emails everything changed.
◆◆◆
It was as if Cam could sense Emma’s return before he could see her. He’d been in the ocean chatting with Henry and Asher when he felt the overwhelming urge to begin looking for that dark hair that shined under the sun’s rays. He had no doubt the other men noticed his sudden distraction and then understood once Emma finally came into view.
Cam’s grin spread across his face as he waved whenever she paused to look for their group. She nodded her head in recognition then continued her walk down the beach coming closer to them.
He turned to the other men. “I’ll be back after a bit,” he said in parting, already headed for the shore. He could’ve sworn he heard a joke from Asher about him being whipped with a chuckle from Henry, but he didn’t even care.
He had it bad, and last night’s events only escalated that. He’d felt pathetic this morning as he’d begun counting down how long until he thought Emma might return. The truth was, he wanted to soak up every second with her, whether alone together or exploring this beautiful place with everyone. He didn’t care, he just wanted to spend his time with her, especially since he didn’t know what was to come after the vacation ended.
Hopefully, they’d try to make it work and see how things played out like they hinted at last night. However, it was a conversation they still needed to have in more detail and he didn’t want to wait until the last minute. Instead, he decided he’d ask Emma if they could do a dinner date with just the two of them and talk about the possibilities of exploring a future together before they were overcome with the heat of the moment they seemed to find themselves in around each other.
The thought made him smile as his feet finally stepped out of the water and into the warm sand that sunk around him with each step. She looked radiant, he thought, as she approached in a sun hat, swim cover, and the same sunglasses she’d worn all week.
“Hi there, beautiful. Would I lose some points if I admitted I’ve missed you?” Cam smoothly slipped his arms around her waist, bending his head under the brim of her hat, indulging himself in that sweet smile and delicate floral scent that was her.
Emma tilted her head up and kissed him, her heart frowning at how quickly it began and ended. Later, she assured herself. She’d revel in this amazing man later in the comfort of their privacy, but that didn’t stop her body from leaning into his embrace, welcoming the familiarity of his touch. “No, I like it,” she said.
“In that case, I missed you more than you could imagine.”
She laughed, then looked at him. “Have you always been honest and upfront about how you feel with women?”
His head tilted as he thought about it. “Yeah, I suppose so. I’ve never been the type to lead someone on or keep my mouth shut when I’m crazy about them.”
“Have you been crazy about a lot of them?”
He shook his head. “Nope. Just you,” he said, flicking her nose and earning another laugh.
Emma felt her heart settle back into place, happy with that answer. “Mhmm, sure. I bet that’s what you tell all of us.”
Cam grabbed her sunglasses on both sides and gently slid them off so he could look at her in those dark and intense eyes. He knew she was joking, yet he wanted her to know how he felt. “There”ve been other women, but there’s never been a you, Emma Cooper, and there never will be. I’m already crazy about you and this is your warning that it’s only going to grow.”
She tried biting down on the ridiculous smile those words caused, but she couldn’t. She saw him eat it up, too. Seeing the way his words mattered to her. She let out a deep breath and grabbed one of his hands. “It feels good to be back,” she said, entwining their fingers.
“To the hotel or with me?” He gave her a wink.
“Both,” she laughed. Then her voice softened. “Let’s go for a walk.”
◆◆◆
Cam listened intently as Emma explained why it took her longer to get down here than expected, about the email that had been waiting in her inbox. His chest tightened as several emotions fought their way into his heart. The first being pure happiness and pride for her. Some of the others were a bit more selfish.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she sighed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders now that she voiced the newfound information and opportunity that fell into her lap this afternoon. Well, far from fell and more like presented itself after years of hard work, even if when she applied she hadn’t thought it a real possibility.
“It’s amazing,” Cam said, blown away at what kind of doors Emma had opened for herself. He knew she was talented, had even looked at her website and portfolio as well as the numerous times she’d been tagged online as the photographer from sites and businesses.
They walked a few steps before she spoke again now that it was all out there. “I didn’t think I would get it.”
He looked at her in surprise. “Why not? I’ve looked at your work, you’re amazing. You have the ability to capture emotions and invoke feelings, and I’m not normally one to feel anything by looking at a photo.” He’d been mesmerized by his emotional response to one of her projects on a trip she’d taken to a long-forgotten and run-down part of a city as if it’d become a ghost land.
“I don’t know. I think because whenever I applied to it, it was more out of the chance to challenge myself and do something I hadn’t done before. It wasn’t like I was applying to some big dream I’d always had.”
He thought about that. “You’ve never wanted to see your name listed as the photographer in one of the top publications and magazines?”
She shook her head easily and huffed a laugh. “No.”
“Then what is your dream?”
She gave a small smile. “To experience life, do the things I love, surround myself with good people. It may sound backward considering how much I travel or the number of adventures I find myself on, but I want a simple life and these all give that to me.”
He nodded in understanding. “I get that.” They kept walking. “What are you going to do then? Will you accept it?”
She chewed on her lip as she thought, thankful he waited and didn’t press her for a quick response. It wasn’t every day that her application to be the photographer to join a publication’s writer on a three-month stint would be accepted. Whenever she’d read about it online, realizing that she could apply, she thought it would be amazing to join on this mission to travel across Europe bringing more knowledge and attention to the archeological digs happening in lesser-known areas. The purpose was to update readers and get the attention of others who might be unaware of what discoveries were happening, what went into this field, and hopefully inspire younger generations to tap into any interest this might spark for them. She loved the idea of being a part of that.
However, she didn’t think she’d be selected. She knew her work was of the skill level sought out, but she’d applied on a whim, ready for something new, a change in her life. She thought this could serve it.
Now, as she walked alongside Cam, she felt herself torn. Normally, she’d jump at this opportunity, but there was a small part of her heart that felt as though it walked beside her rather than in her, like she’d given a piece of herself to Cam this week that she didn’t want to take back. She felt like one of those women she rolled her eyes at for choosing love, or lust, or whatever was sprouting here, over their careers. She wasn’t the type, she told herself, she’d never been that type. But what twisted her gut was that she wasn’t sure what staying or going meant for her.
If she turned down the acceptance, replied and said that she was no longer interested, then she’d miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She would be receiving exclusive access to sites that weren’t open to the public, as well as the incredible chance to hear and learn from the experts themselves. However, she’d also get to nurture whatever it was between her and Cam, explore it and see what might happen.
If she accepted it, she had no doubt there would be other doors this would blast open for her, the career boost it would offer, and she’d have the adventure of a lifetime. But was this really what she would still consider an adventure of a lifetime? And did she want the change in trajectory this type of photography would offer her career? Could she and Cam still explore this spark between them if she was halfway across the world for three months and struggling to make their new schedules coincide just to talk?
There was a tug in her heart suggesting that maybe for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel like the road less traveled was the most desirable. Was there anything wrong with choosing to explore a life shared with someone instead of another country?
The thoughts swarmed and spun round and round in her head like a tornado, threatening to make a natural disaster of her mind. Did a decision like this define who she was? Would it define her career path? Her personal life? She sighed.
Cam squeezed her hand to offer comfort. “Do you have to decide right away? Is it something you can think about?”
She rolled her head back, looking at the sky as she squinted. She’d left this part out so far. “They need to know as soon as possible. I’ve not been checking my emails this week, so I haven’t seen it. With the amount of planning and preparation that would go into the trip, they’d like me to fly in for meetings on Monday, which means I would need to get back home first and prepare.”
Cam didn’t know his chest could restrict any further. He nodded in confirmation. “How soon would you leave?”
“I’d fly home tomorrow. Thankfully, my aunt would be able to help watch over my apartment while I’m gone, but there’s still stuff I’d need to get done first.”
Cam stopped and turned toward the ocean, Emma watching him as their hands drifted apart. He gave her a reassuring smile as he saw the worry and stress sketched into her face. He stuck his arm out, pulling her into him as he snaked it around her shoulder.
They stood like that, watching as the waves rolled in, listening to the background noise of the water, birds, and other guests.
He took a deep breath, letting the peacefulness of the moment drift into him so that he might never forget how good she felt this close. Then he said, “I know you don’t need my input or support, but I still want you to know I feel so damn lucky to now know you and I’m proud of you and this job opportunity.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze and felt as she snuggled in closer, wrapping her arm around his waist. “Whatever you want to do, I’m in your corner. If we need to book you a flight tonight, let’s do it. I want to see you happy.”
Emma felt like crying, trying her best to blink back the tears. His words shouldn’t matter so much, but dammit they did. He did. “What about us?” she whispered, scared to know the answer.
He turned his head and pressed a kiss to the top of hers. “I’ll still be here,” he promised. “Not a day will go by that I won”t miss you, but it’s only three months. We already live in two different states, what’s a country?”
She laughed at his effort at humor, feeling her heart swell. She straightened up and turned toward him, her arms wrapping around his neck. “I know we have a lot to still figure out between us, even before my news.” She looked into those blue eyes, a sense of home cascading her in a blanket of warmth. “But I don’t want to risk losing you.” She swallowed, feeling vulnerable and insecure with the admission. It was still so new between them, but her gut told her not to ignore the feelings inside her. “Would this be too much?”
Cam lightly rubbed her cheek as he cupped her face. “If any part of you wants to accept the offer, then listen to that, because that’s the only thing you’re at risk of losing.” He leaned in, his lips a lingering promise on hers. “I’m a sure thing, Emma. I’m already yours.”
She wasn’t sure when the tears started or how she got so lucky to have found this man, but she was suddenly overfilled with emotions of gratitude, joy, nerves, fear, uncertainty, and hope. She leaned forward to kiss him, and she swore her heart offered up its thanks as she savored this moment with him.