Chapter 11
Stone
Movement across the street catches my eye.
An unfamiliar car crawls down the street and stops in front of Camilla’s soon-to-be bakery.
A dark-haired man of medium build, for a human, gets out and looks around suspiciously as he approaches the glass window.
Holding his hands around his eyes like a shield, he peers through.
“Son-of-a-bitch!” My insides rumble like I’m a maraca in a food processor. Something’s not right.
I remember the sight of Camilla in the early morning coming to the door in her too-short pajama shorts and shirt.
That image provokes the same unsavory thoughts now as they did then.
What if he’s having the same ideas about exploring the expanse of her bronze skin?
About how easy it would be to snake one arm around her waist while the other inches under her shirt to her round mounds and perky nipples.
Then sliding his hand below her belly button, slipping it beneath the waistband of her skimpy pajama shorts to her panties.
“Fuck, Camilla.” I need to shake this image. Watching this imaginary movie in my head makes my chest ache. “I need to stop thinking of you.”
What if she’s in there right now, at this very moment, unknowingly putting on a show for this menace of a man, without even knowing it? Red-hot anger coils in my gut and possesses me. Her coffee skin is for me to see and touch, and me alone.
I need to get to her. To warn her. Above all, to protect her.
“Stone, watch out!”
Erik’s voice pulls me from the single-minded trance I’m under, just as I step off the roof.
I’m brought back to the moment just in time for me to unfurl my wings and glide down to the street level instead of falling and crashing into pieces.
Before I land on my feet, the unwelcome intruder retreats to his car and drives off.
I look back at the roof of the bank where I stood a few seconds earlier to find Erik and Magnus leaning over the edge with worried looks on their faces. I consider following the stranger and sending him a message that whatever he’s doing here in Erie Cove, he isn’t welcome.
I remember that Camilla has a problematic ex and wonder if that could be him. I’ll need to get more information about what happened between them, but I have to be careful. Without meaning to, I already insulted her. I don’t want to chance that again, or have her think I’m nosy and shut down.
“What the hell was that about!?” Erik yells, now next to me at street level.
I shake my head, embarrassed by my behavior. “Sorry.” It’s all I can say. How can I explain that I had no choice but to get to Camilla when I stumbled off the roof?
“This is too dangerous for you to have your head up your ass,” he yells, pointing back up at the roof.
I don’t say anything because he’s right. What’s worse is that I don’t care that he’s yelling at me. All I can think about is getting to Camilla and making sure that she’s okay.
“You can’t be watching a woman and working at a height like that at the same time, Stone. The two don’t mix.”
“I’m sorry, boss. I’m not sure what happened, but it won’t happen again.”
“It better not!” After a few angry breaths, Erik shakes his head. “I know what happened. She’s the one, dumbass,” he whispers, shoving my shoulder. “Go get her. Don’t come back until you’re head’s on straight. And whatever you do, don’t fuck this up.”
“RAVEN,” I CALL OUT, striding into The Mummy’s Tomb with purpose. I need to remain calm, or I’ll frighten Camilla. Lord knows the tension in my body is scaring the hell out of me.
Camilla wasn’t at home when I calmed down enough to amble across the street and check on her.
I have to be in control when I see her. I don’t want to trigger every tripwire connected to her fight-or-flight reaction.
If she returns to her parents’ house, I may never see her again, and I can’t let that happen.
I’m not keeping tabs on her, but I need to see her for myself and warn her that she may be in danger.
“Have you seen Camilla this morning?” I ask once the crowd at the counter clears.
“Good morning to you, too.” She teases.
“Yeah, yeah, good morning and all that. Please, Raven, I have to know.”
“Buddy, relax,” Cayden chimes in as he approaches from the kitchen. “You’re so intense, you’re going to scare the poor thing off. You can deny—”
“We’re not doing this right now.” I need to stop my friend. I have something much more important on my radar. “Have either of you seen Camilla?”
As if he’s worried I’m unhinged and a threat to his girl, Cayden wraps his woman in his arms, and for the first time ever, it hurts to witness the love and care he takes with her.
Not because I have any interest in Raven, but because there is a beautiful woman I want to wrap in my arms and keep safe, and my arms are empty.
I want her with my whole being, and I’m terrified I might have realized that too late.
“I think I already scared her off,” I admit.
“Then win her back,” Raven says.
“It’s not that easy. I’ve been trying, but every time I think I’ve made progress, I turn into the same blockhead with his head up his ass that I was when we met.”
“Take it easy,” Cayden reaches across the counter and squeezes my shoulder. “You’re a good man, Stone. Let her see the real you.”
“You don’t understand, my head was up my ass, and I came across like a real shithead. She’s skittish around me, for good reason, but I’m trying to fix it. I thought maybe I did.”
“What could you possibly have done?” Raven asks.
I shake my head. “It’s too embarrassing. You guys are lucky. Love doesn’t always happen so easily for the rest of us.”
“Easily?” Cayden asks. “Did you forget that my father-in-law tried to kill me and almost killed Raven by mistake?”
Okay, he has a point. “No.”
“Yes, Raven and I love each other very much, and Drake found his mate. I see how you might feel left out, but who’s to say she’s yours? You probably haven’t met your mate yet.”
I stare at my friend, but I can’t stay silent. I can’t deny it, pretend that I wasn’t desperate to stop that man from moving into Camilla’s orbit. That I’m not frantic for a reassuring glance at her to know she’s safe.
“It’s her, man. I feel it. She’s the first female I felt compelled to protect.
I spent the night priming her walls so that I could be close and keep her safe from danger.
Then, this morning, some guy I’ve never seen around town stopped and looked in the store window.
I almost shattered on the ground across the street from her apartment. ”
“Is primed her walls kinky gargoyle talk?” Raven teases with a smile.
“Not funny.” I hold up my pointer finger at her, hoping to convey I’m not in a teasing mood.
“She’s teasing you, buddy. Trying to lighten the mood. I’m sure Cami’s fine. She’s a beautiful woman, and I’m sure you’re not the only male who’s noticed.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” My breathing becomes loud and heavy. I’m not in the mood for their needles and jabs. Not until I see for myself that she’s safe. “This isn’t a jealous tirade, Cay.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Cayden teases. “Look, maybe the guy might have been interested in checking out the store to see if it’s still for rent.”
“Was she here or not?” With one arm crooked on the counter, I lean in and ask one last time. Before Raven can answer, I spot little signs made from paper and toothpicks in their display case. Cami’s Confections. “She was here, wasn’t she?”
Pulling away, I move so I can take a closer look. “These are hers?” I ask, pointing at the cake and pastries.
“Yes.” Raven smiles. “Those are leftovers from yesterday, but they’re still fresh. Have you sampled any of her desserts yet?”
“No.”
“Try this burnt cheesecake. It’s delicious.”
Raven reaches into the display case and pulls out a precut slice of cake with a brown topping. After plating it and grabbing a fork, she hands it over to me.
“What are you waiting for? Dig in!”
I let out a low growl. She’s a pushy little thing. I’m surprised my friend puts up with this. Probably goes back to his mommy issues.
I stick my fork into the pointy end of the delicious-looking triangle, gathering a good bite.
I bring it to my mouth and am met with an explosion of flavor on my tongue.
The thin top coating bursts with the sweet taste of burnt sugar, much like a creme br?lée.
As I swish it around in my mouth, it’s met and complemented by the rich, velvety flavor of cheesecake.
“She made this?”
“Good, right?” Raven asks, leaning over the counter.
“Best I ever had,” I answer, taking another bite. Now I understand why she wants the crystal chandeliers and marble floor. They’re a representation of a superior product. Classy and beautiful, like her.
“I have to run, but Raven, if you see Cami, tell her I’m looking for her, and save a sample of anything else she brings for me.”
“You’re not even going to say goodbye to me?” Cayden asks.
“You’ll get over it.”
“Stone, don’t forget,” my friend calls as I open the door. “The dance off is tomorrow.”
I shake my head. “Sorry, man, I have better things to do.” Like winning Cami over.