Chapter 6
Chapter Six
S askia woke up on the couch, encased in strong, muscular arms. Her back was pressed to Cam’s body, his morning erection against her butt.
She felt safe and warm.
She squeezed her eyes closed. How was it possible to move so quickly from experiencing one of the worst times of her life, to now, one of the best ones?
She savored the feel of him, the warmth of him, and the sound of his steady, even breathing.
When she felt him stir, she stayed still and relaxed. His hand flexed on her hip, and she heard him draw in a sharp breath.
“Morning,” she said.
“Morning.” He shifted to sit upright. “Sorry, I didn’t plan for us to sleep on the couch.”
“It’s fine.” She sat up as well. “It’s the best sleep I’ve had in a long time.”
A groove appeared on his brow. “Me too.” He rose, rubbing the stubble on his jaw. “Ah, I’ll just use the bathroom, then make us some breakfast. How are you feeling today?”
She smiled. “You know, I feel much steadier. A good night’s sleep is excellent medicine.”
He nodded, then strode out.
The way those jeans hugged his ass…
She bit her lip. A good night’s sleep in Camden Morgan’s arms was the perfect medicine for her.
She wandered over to the fancy sound system and fiddled with the controls. Music poured out of the speakers.
Instantly, she smiled. She rocked her hips, her worries falling away. The music moved through her, and she lifted her arms above her head.
She spun, lifted her leg, then danced. For those precious moments, nothing existed but pure joy.
She twirled, and saw Cam watching her from the doorway.
“Oh.” She stumbled to a stop and pressed a hand to her chest. “Sorry. The music started and I—” She waved a hand.
“Lost yourself?”
She nodded. He was watching her like a hawk. His gaze dropped to her bare legs before it jerked back up.
The heat she saw in his eyes turned her legs to cooked spaghetti. Her fingers curled, her nails biting into her palms. He wanted her. She’d sensed it from the moment they’d met, but sometimes she wondered if he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Saskia didn’t believe in love at first sight. Love—true love—took time.
But she believed in potential at first sight.
And the more she learned about this tough, scarred man, the more she’d liked. He wasn’t selfish, worried about wearing the latest fashions, or getting his picture taken at the hottest new club.
He was real, solid, true. He was strength and integrity.
He stepped around her. “I’ll start breakfast. Scrambled eggs all right?”
She watched him, that controlled movement of his powerful body. He seemed to have no trouble ignoring the attraction. She sighed. Maybe what she felt was stronger.
“Saskia?”
She looked up. He was watching her from the kitchen island.
She pinned on a bright smile. “I love scrambled eggs.” She headed his way. “What can I do to help?”
“You can be in charge of the toast.”
“That’s probably a good idea. I’m not much of a chef. I eat very light and healthy when I’m dancing. Yogurt is my staple.”
“Are you cold?” His gaze was on her legs again. “I can probably find a robe.”
She frowned. “No, I’m not cold. And you don’t strike me as a robe-owning kind of man.”
His lips quirked. “I have one. A gift from my mother. I have a whole cupboard full of things she’s given me that I’ve never used.”
“I’m fine.” There was something about a man who didn’t want to upset his mother and kept gifts he wasn’t interested in.
Saskia set to work getting the bread from the bread box and putting some in the toaster. Cam started pulling ingredients out of the fridge.
“I’ll need to call my director today,” she said. “And buy some new clothes.”
“Don’t overdo it. Take your time to recover.”
She bit her lip. The terrifying memories tried to crowd her head, but she pushed them away. “I’ll call Addie, too. See how she’s doing. God, those poor women.”
“They’re safe now.”
She nodded. “Thanks to you. You’re my hero. If you hadn’t realized something was wrong…”
The music changed to a fast pop song and she danced across to the fridge. When she turned with the juice, Cam was staring at her.
Everything else disappeared, narrowing to just the two of them.
“I’m not a hero,” he said.
“You are to me. I know you saw some terrible things—” she hesitated, setting the juice down “—and probably did some terrible things. I’m grateful for that. You fought so I never have to face that. You sacrificed so I never have to, and I can never thank you enough.”
Emotion crossed his rugged face. “I don’t want thanks.”
She tossed her head back. “I know, but you’re getting it anyway. And extra thanks for coming after me.” She closed the distance between them and pressed a hand to his T-shirt. “I will only ever see the hero, even if he’s a little battered and dinged.”
He made a sound, a low, muted roar. He dropped the wooden spoon he was holding, and his arms clamped around her waist.
Saskia’s pulse went crazy. Their bodies collided.
He cupped the back of her head, his mouth taking hers.
Oh. God .
He tasted like minty toothpaste and man. She opened her lips and his tongue slid in.
The kiss went wild, needy. Desire—hot and burning—exploded in her belly.
She moaned, sliding her hands across his short hair. Cam made a sound that arrowed right between her legs. If she’d been wearing panties, they’d be drenched.
His arm moved lower, cupping her ass and he lifted her.
Her heart thumped. He lifted her so easily, like she weighed nothing. Her thighs touched cool stone as he set her on the counter, his mouth never leaving hers.
The kiss deepened and she pulled him closer, between her spread legs. There was nothing sweet or nice or lovely about this kiss.
It was hot, sexy, wild, and she needed more.
His hand slid up her thigh. She shivered. She felt the intoxicating scrape of his calluses. His hands were not soft or pampered. His strong fingers brushed the skin of her inner thighs and she gasped.
“Fuck, you’re naked.” His tone was gritty.
“I…had to handwash my panties.”
He growled. “You’re so damn beautiful.” His fingers brushed her folds, and she jerked. He stroked her.
Oh, God . It felt so good. Saskia couldn’t think, she was just a ball of pure feeling. She kissed him harder, writhing. She sucked on his tongue.
He slid his finger inside her, then his thumb found her clit.
She gripped his biceps, grinding against his hand.
“Don’t stop,” she panted against his lips.
Another finger stretched her, and he circled her clit. Saskia detonated.
As she cried out, shuddering through her orgasm, she held on to him.
Her shelter. Her safety.
“ Christ .” He kissed her again. “Gorgeous.”
Panting, she reached for the waistband of his jeans.
He grabbed her wrist. “Saskia.”
His tone made her look up, and all the pleasant sensations fled.
Oh, no . His face was tight, conflicted. He stepped back and she closed her legs, suddenly feeling cold.
“Cam…”
“I’m an asshole.”
“No, you’re not,” she said.
“I shouldn’t have done that.” He looked at the floor, his chest heaving.
“I wanted that.”
He raised his head. “I can’t give you what you deserve. I wish I could, more than anything, but I don’t have it in me.”
She bit her lip, pain flowing through her. His face… So much pain.
So desperately, she wanted to argue with him. To ask him to fight for them. But she realized that she was making it worse for him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, voice tortured.
She clasped her hands together. “You told me from the beginning you…weren’t in the right place for a relationship.” But she’d pushed, hoped.
But it wasn’t going to happen.
God, all they’d shared was one hot kiss and talked on the phone, yet this felt like a blow. It was worse than her last breakup.
“You’re amazing, Saskia. You’re warm, beautiful, talented, a good friend.”
Ugh . This felt even worse.
“I’m sorry if this—” he lifted a hand between them “—made you think I could.”
He was a good man, and he was trying his best not to hurt her.
He didn’t need to know that she was shattering inside.
She jumped off the counter. “You’re a good guy, Cam.” She tried for a smile. “I’m so grateful to you for finding me, taking care of me.”
He pressed a hand to the back of his neck. “I wish I’d met you before I was in the military. Before…”
“You’re still my hero.”
His face twisted. “I’m not.”
“You are, but I get that you can’t see it. I see the man too, you know. He’s just as fascinating as the badass.” She closed the gap between them and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “I hope you find what you need. What makes you happy.”
Even if that wasn’t her.
He just stared at her, his eyes turbulent. “I’m sorry.”
“I know. I’m going to shower.” She backed up, keeping her smile in place, although she was cracking inside. “Then I’ll call Savannah.”
* * *
Cam stalked into his office at Norcross and dropped a file on his desk.
He had shit to do. They always had plenty of jobs at Norcross Security. He blew out a breath and shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants. He was finding it hard to concentrate.
You’re my hero, Cam.
I’m not.
You are, but I get that you can’t see it. I see the man too, you know. He’s just as fascinating as the badass.
Was she okay? She’d been subdued when Savannah had picked her up from his place. He’d walked her downstairs and put her in the car.
Goodbye, Camden.
Her tone had been so damn final.
She was taking a day or two to regroup before she flew back to New York.
New York . On the other side of the fucking country.
He’d done the right thing. For her. He had to keep reminding himself of that. She deserved a man who could give her everything.
It wasn’t him.
A muscle ticked in his jaw. As much as he wished differently, it wasn’t him.
So why the hell did it hurt so much? He stared at his desk, trying to get a lock on things.
“You okay?” a deep voice asked.
He turned. Rome Nash was standing in the doorway. The big bodyguard was watching him carefully.