CHAPTER Ten
Camille was exhausting herself, looking in her rearview for a big, red truck on her tail, and before she did anything else, she would go out of town and trade off her Explorer for something else.
Then she had to talk to Ross, and her heart was breaking just thinking about it.
At least her dad would be happy that she got a new car, but she couldn’t enjoy it one bit because her upcoming conversation with Ross weighed heavily on her mind.
Camille upgraded her Explorer for a used Ford Bronco.
It was practically new and practical for her line of work.
Camille loved it, and now she wondered why she hadn’t listened to her dad sooner.
With a new computer, a new place to stay, and a new vehicle, Camille headed out toward the state park lake roads, back to Ross’s.
She would usually be excited to see him, but she dreaded this visit.
All she could think about was how much she loved being in his arms, and now it would have to wait weeks, maybe more, before this cold case was closed.
Ross heard the gravel crunching and knew Camille was back. He looked at his watch, and it was later than he thought. He hoped that meant she had more good news.
But when he saw a red Bronco come around the curve instead of Camille’s Explorer, his back stiffened, and he grabbed his pistol.
His breathing returned to normal when he saw Camille at the wheel, but he sure had some questions.
Then he noticed her unmistakably sad face, and his lungs felt like they were collapsing.
“What’s with the new ride?” he managed.
“It’s a very long story,” Camille said. “Let’s go inside. I’ll tell you everything.”
For the next twenty minutes, Camille recounted her entire morning, and Ross was worried.
“Simpson is on to you, and after you?” he questioned. “Yes, he’s on to me, and I think your lawyer is a rat.” “What? Nolan?”
“Yes, he’s the only other person besides Sam who knew the details of my investigation.”
“And how can you be so sure it’s not Sam?”
“I just know. He’s done too much to help. There’s no way he’s dirty,” Camille defended.
Ross had an irritated look on his face. He wasn’t buying it.
“Let me ask you this,” she said. “Do you feel Mosser did everything he could to clear your name? Did he exhaust every lead, debunk every accusation?”
Ross thought for a moment, and he had to admit that he was often perturbed with Nolan for not being thorough and aggressive enough. Maybe Camille had a point.
“No, he was kind of sloppy and lazy,” Ross agreed. “I just don’t understand what his motive would be.”
“Jenkins is visiting him. We might know soon,” Camille added, knowing she only had one more piece of business to conduct, but her palms were sweating just thinking about it. She had no idea how to start the conversation.
“There’s something else I have to tell you.” Ross didn’t like the way this sounded.
“I think we need to stay away from each other until this case is closed.” Ross’s face was a combination of anger, sadness, and disbelief.
“But—” “Let me explain. Public opinion of you isn’t good as it is, and we’re trying to improve it.
If people know I’m sleeping with you, they’ll think I’m biased, and whatever Sam and I bring to light will be suspect.
If this happens, the whole effort implodes to nothing. ”
Ross knew she had a point, but he was a little confused.
“But as you explained last night, your focus has nothing to do with me. Your focus is on justice for Kelcee and to make her killer get the punishment he deserves. In your own words, your efforts help me, but that’s a side effect, not your purpose.
If you stay focused on your purpose and the public eye sees that, no one can say you’re biased. ”
“But, Ross, you and I both know the public will pick this apart, and you’ll never receive the redemption you deserve.”
“I don’t give a fuck about that anymore.
I took your words to heart last night, and this is not about me.
Now, if you were just blowing smoke up my ass and didn’t mean any of that, well, I can see your point here.
But if your conviction is strongly aligned with justice for everyone involved, who cares what people think as long as the truth is uncovered? ”
Camille could see the desperation in his eyes, and she knew he was right.
But Sam also had a point, and she had to consider him in this whole mess.
They were aligned as partners, and she knew she couldn’t go rogue.
That was her rule to protect herself in case Sam was dirty.
Now her words and rules were coming back to haunt her.
“But I have to consider Sam, too. We agreed to work together. I’m the one who made that deal because I needed his help. I can’t break my own rules of our partnership and just do what I want without considering how it affects him.”
“How can it possibly affect him?” Ross’s desperation was building. He didn’t want to lose her.
“He’s afraid the credibility of the article we eventually write will be compromised by a conflict of interest.”
Ross was done arguing. He could see her mind was made up. Part of him was impressed by her loyalty to her job, but the larger part was crushed that he was losing the only woman he had ever been interested in besides Janelle.
“I don’t want to be separated from you, but I can’t stop you from doing what you think is right.”
With those words, Ross kissed her on the forehead and went outside to start chopping wood. Camille sat there with that pesky tear forming in her eye. She had to get out of there and close this case so she could be back in his arms.
Without looking in his direction, Camille hurriedly got in her Bronco and headed up the long, winding lake road. Ross watched as her taillights disappeared into the woods, and he had never felt such a sinking feeling, not even that night when Janelle returned only to leave for good.
With tears now rolling down her cheeks and loud sobs coming from deep in her chest, Camille was almost on the main road.
Her thoughts were scattered, and she had no idea how she would be able to focus on the case.
His explanation for being together kept resonating in her head.
He was right. If she meant what she’d said the night before, she should be choosing Ross over Sam’s suggestion to stay apart.
By leaving, she was telling Ross Sam’s credibility was more important than their budding relationship, and it was that thought that made her turn around and head back down that long lake road.
Ross’s chopping was violent and loud. He didn’t need more firewood; he needed an outlet for his overwhelming feelings.
In a lull between swings of his axe, Ross thought he heard a car coming, so he waited and listened, and sure enough, Camille was returning, and he had never felt such a huge relief.
He dropped his axe and hurriedly walked up the hill to his drive.
He watched as she exited the car and ran toward him.
When they met, Camille jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist and her arms around his neck.
Without words, their open mouths met, and the decision was final.
There was no way Camille was separating herself from this man.
And Ross was never so grateful for anything in his whole life.
“I’m so sorry. I was so stupid. YOU are my original partner in this ordeal, and if Sam can’t handle that, I’ll let him go,” she promised, kissing him again, this time slowly and tenderly as if to say: I chose you. I will always choose you.
Camille’s passionate kiss aroused a feeling in Ross that he had not felt in such a long time.
He was falling in love with this woman. When he thought he was losing her, Ross was at his lowest. There was something extra tragic about knowing the sweetness Camille Hargrove possessed and then losing it.
As Camille wrapped her arms around his neck tighter and hugged him, he wasted no time carrying her into the bedroom for a sweet, slow progression of one discovery after another.
“I don’t know what it is about you, Ms. Hargrove, but every time I see you, I’m a little more under your spell, and before long, you aren’t going to be able to get rid of me.
” Ross’s words were playful but sincere.
She watched as he slid down between her legs, kissing her sweet skin all the way to his destination.
“I will never want to get rid of you.” Camille’s voice was a little strained, and she felt goosebumps forming all over her body.
The sexy smile that won her over to begin with was confirmation that Ross liked her reply.
“Now, if you don’t mind—as much as I love that sexy smile staring up at me—I’d like for you to get to your business down there before I lose my ever-loving mind.”
Ross took his orders and pushed his fingers up and down over the top of that sensitive gem, making Camille arch her back and let out a barely audible moan.
It was all so sexy—his slow, gentle fingers, her complete exposure, and a gripping pressure in all her sensitive places.
When his warm, smooth tongue first touched her, Camille knew that she never wanted to be without Ross—ever.
Her legs instinctively opened farther, and Ross touched her tenderly. “You’re perfect,” he said, placing light kisses in sensual places. “How in the fuck did I get so lucky?”
Camille could feel the pressure rising from deep inside her as she listened to his sensual praise. His words were followed by slow, gentle sucking on her treasured places, and Camille relaxed into the most wonderful place.