17. Cameron
Cameron
‘You didn’t mention you had a private jet,’ Mary said, from the other side of the aisle. She had a glass of champagne in her hand and still looked stunned, which was a welcome change from the women Cam knew who would expect nothing less.
‘It’s not mine, it’s leased between a group of business colleagues. I flew over with Aer Lingus, but this was available to get back.’
‘That was handy,’ Mary said, sounding slightly strangled.
‘Your first time?’ Cam asked.
She sent him a duh, yeah look. Cam bit back a smile. He was enjoying her reactions so much. He was enjoying her. And he couldn’t wait to enjoy her even more, hopefully before they landed in New York. But they’d just taken off, so he could pretend to be a little civilised.
They’d stopped by her family home first to pick up some things and Cam had offered to come in and help her, but she’d said no.
In truth, he’d been a little relieved. Family homes …
full of all the stuff he’d never had, aroused in equal parts envy and that very deep yearning. He didn’t want her seeing that.
He’d always been on the outside looking in and he’d come to terms with that long ago. It wasn’t for him.
She took a sip of champagne and then looked at him. ‘You’re rich, aren’t you? Like, I thought you were wealthy because of the hotel, and the suits and the attitude, but I think you’re probably legitimately …’
‘Stinking rich?’ Cam finished for her. ‘Yes, I am.’ He felt no sense of triumph, though, when he said that. He’d started giving away money more and more, asking himself what was it all for if it was just for him? He wasn’t an extravagant person. He didn’t need much. He’d never fetishized money.
Mary held up her glass. ‘Well, good for you. Considering your childhood, I think you deserve every cent.’
Cam held up his own glass, whiskey, Irish, a souvenir. ‘Haven’t you heard money can’t buy you happiness?’
‘I’m getting the distinct sense that you’re not enamoured of your wealth.’
Cam’s insides lurched a little. This woman saw him and got him to reveal things in a way that was a little unnerving. He shrugged minutely. ‘I’ve seen real poverty and I know how easy it would be to end up there again. I’m under no illusions.’ He looked at her. ‘You don’t want to be rich?’
Mary shrugged now too. ‘I’m not saying I wouldn’t like to win the lotto like everyone else and have no financial worries, but then what would we work for, or strive for? I think we need to have that. Or maybe I do.’
Exactly what Cam thought and what he struggled with himself.
The fact that he no longer needed to work, but wanted to.
Hence his philanthropy, making him the new darling of the Manhattan social scene.
He immediately wondered what Mary would make of that social scene.
She’d have it sussed in an instant. And she wouldn’t be fazed or take it too seriously.
The thought of having her on his arm at an event was seriously seductive and he had to catch himself.
Was he losing it completely? He’d just done the most spontaneous thing he’d ever done in his life. He needed to remind them both of what was happening here. ‘You know this is just some fun … right? I’m not looking for anything serious.’
Mary’s eyes went wide and her cheeks went a bit pink. ‘Oh, God, yes, I mean, I don’t want anything serious either. I’ve just got my life back.’
‘So … no strings attached. Some fun and then we go our separate ways.’
She nodded vigorously, ‘No strings attached, absolutely, couldn’t agree more.’
Cam didn’t doubt Mary’s sincerity. Of course she didn’t want anything heavy, not after what she’d been through. So why didn’t he feel relieved?
Because he was thinking too much instead of doing, he chastised himself.
And because he hadn’t felt this kind of chemistry with anyone in a long time.
Ever, whispered a little voice. He ignored it and put out a hand.
‘It’s been almost ten hours since we touched and that needs to be rectified immediately. ’
Mary went pinker. She looked around. ‘Here? What ahout the flight attendants?’
Cam curbed the urge to grin. Man, she was adorable and he was going to enjoy every single spontaneous second with her. ‘Don’t worry about them.’