CHAPTER Eight #2
“Well, I met with Sam Jenkins, the reporter who falsely reported a black truck at the scene. After some quick thinking and smooth talking, I turned him over to our side, and now we’re working together.” Camille was pretty proud of herself.
Ross appeared in the doorway in fresh, tight briefs and nothing more. But the look on his face was disturbing. He was fire red with anger, and Camille was too shocked by his expression to notice he was in his underwear.
“What?” His tone was harsh.
“Jenkins and I are going to work on this together and then co-write the story when it’s time.” Camille had no idea why Ross was so pissed, but she was about to find out.
“Why in the hell would you do that?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “That guy can’t be trusted. He’s part of the reason I have to live out here in the woods. I can’t believe you would show your hand to that guy.”
“First of all, I did my research on Jenkins. Other than this one indiscretion, he’s as clean as they come.”
“Yeah, well, this one indiscretion ruined my life.”
“Don’t be so dramatic, Ross. Public opinion was anti Ross Paine before Jenkins wrote that article, and the cops weren’t even interested. It’s only important now because we know there was a truck there, but it was red.”
Ross was gritting his teeth and turned back into the bedroom.
Soon she heard a loud crash. Ross knocked everything off the table in there, breaking several bottles on the floor.
Camille was startled and silent. She didn’t know what to do, and then Ross appeared in the doorway again, obviously agitated.
“So, now I’m fucked!” he said in a tone that made Camille uncomfortable. “You come out here and get me all excited with new evidence that can clear my name and allow me to have a somewhat normal life, and then you piss it all away.”
By the end of his rant, Ross’s voice had gone from hostile to defeated, and Camille was eager to present her side.
“First of all, I need Sam Jenkins. He’s a local, and people know him and will talk to him. They don’t know me for shit! Second of all, I know what I’m doing. This is my job. Don’t tell me how to do it.” Camille was fired up and held nothing back.
“And probably the most important thing I can say about all of this is it’s not just about you.
When I took this cold case, I didn’t know Ross Paine.
I was trying to get some justice for Kelcee Meyer, who didn’t deserve to die, and then didn’t deserve to have everyone just give up on finding the real killer.
The fact that I met you and wanted to help you is not the big picture, Ross.
In fact, I think I’ll streamline my focus and just get the hell out of here.
” Camille was glad she made it through that speech without bursting into tears.
And now she hated it, but she had to get up and walk out before all that grit she just delivered was ruined by getting emotional.
Ross had never felt so foolish. He didn’t want her to leave, but he understood why she was.
He had been an ass. He was too caught up in feeling sorry for himself, and now if Camille left, he would be lost, and not just because she was abandoning his cause on the case.
He liked her. He really liked her, and now he had to find a way to make her stay.
“Please stop, Camille.” His voice was soft. “I’m sorry,” he said, walking toward her.
She was almost to the door when he spoke, but she stopped. She could feel a tear forming in her eye, so she stayed with her back to him, not wanting him to see that he’d gotten to her.
Damn it, Camille! This is no time to be weak and emotional.
When Ross stepped in front of her and saw the tear, he was broken. He had been so selfish. He should have trusted her. Now the tear was rolling down Camille’s cheek, and he had to make things right.
“I’m sorry,” he said again, wiping the tear with his thumb. The rest of his hand cupped the side of her face, and Camille finally got the nerve to look up at him. There was overwhelming sadness in his eyes, and he moved closer.
“Thank you for all you’re doing. I really do appreciate it.” He was trying his best, but none of it seemed to be enough when he stared into those big, tear-filled eyes. He tried again. “I’m sorry I overreacted.”
Finally, Ross could see that her sadness had turned to forgiveness.
Now, all Ross could think about was what he’d wanted to do since he first saw her.
And then, because the opportunity seemed too perfect to ignore, Ross leaned in for a kiss, tender and sweet.
And when their first kiss was over, Camille’s heart was racing.
She was now completely detached from that argument and focused on his next move.
She wanted him to come at her with more fiery passion.
Ross pulled her to him and met her open mouth, this time with all of the wild desire that had been building since he first laid eyes on her.
Their kiss guided them from one sexy move to another. Ross quickly grabbed the hem of Camille’s tank and pulled it over her head. He could feel the lace of her bra on his chest, and he longed for her bare breasts to push against him.
In the next second, Camille unhooked her bra, and Ross watched as her beautiful breasts fell round and full from their confines.
Ross’s eyes moved from their perfectness up to her face.
He seemed to be asking for permission without words.
He wanted to touch them, and her eyes granted that wish.
He ran his fingers over them, lightly at first, but when he rubbed and teased her, Camille closed her eyes.
Pressing her against his chest, Ross kissed her slowly, with his tongue circling hers again and again. His soft lips then moved to her neck, and Camille let out a sigh that spoke to his needs.
With only his thin briefs between her and his growing excitement, Camille slid her hand down his chest and torso, not stopping until she felt him hard and ready through his briefs.
Camille stroked him over the top of the fabric.
But then she craved his warm, smooth skin in her bare hand and boldly slipped it inside his waistband. Ross groaned, and Camille shivered.
Ross unbuttoned her jeans, and she hurried to shove them below her hips. Camille let them fall to the floor and stepped out, making Ross briefly pause. She was amazing. She was gorgeous.
Ross slipped his hand into her panties and pressed his fingers in little circles. Camille went weak in the knees when he slipped his finger inside her and pressed deeper and deeper. His lips trailed up to her ear. She felt their softness and his warm breath on her skin.
“I need you, Camille. I need you in so many ways,” he said as he kissed her neck and continued his gentle tease with his fingers.
She nodded her approval. Ross’s desperate need for her was so enchanting. She took his hand, and he led her to the bed. She watched as he took off his briefs.
“I don’t have a condom,” he confessed. “Not something I’ve really needed these past few months.” His sarcasm was both comical and tragic.
“It’s taken care of,” she said, pulling him to her. Ross had never been so relieved in his life. He wanted her in the worst way. Looking at her naked and so fucking sexy lying there on his bed, he wasn’t sure he could resist her.
Camille opened her legs to make room for him. Ross knew she was more than ready, and when he touched her warm wetness, he closed his eyes and pushed inside her. Camille’s hands gripped the sheet as she felt his fullness slowly going deeper and deeper with each thrust.
“Oh my God, Camille,” he whimpered right before pulling out. Ross knew he had to pause.
“Turn over,” he said. His deep, breathy voice was so sexy.
Camille turned but stayed on her knees, lowering her shoulders and face flat to the bed.
The sight of her like that, so ready, so sexy, was nearly too much for him.
Ross was eager but also gentle at first, and then she could feel him deep inside again.
Her mind was reeling with every push, and soon she could feel that familiar tingle building inside her.
When her spasms gripped him, Ross let go.
Camille collapsed on the bed with him still inside her, not wanting the moment to end. And they lay there in silence just a bit longer.
“Well, you’re definitely forgiven, Ross. Definitely forgiven,” she said, turning to him.
Ross held her tighter, kissed her, and then helped her nestle into his arms. Ross closed his eyes. He knew what he had almost lost, and he would never be so reckless again.