Chapter Seven #3
Impressive. "Challenge accepted."
I hadn't played darts in a few years, but it was probably like riding a bike.
Turned out I sucked. Cami was a pro, hitting the target every time.
I couldn’t help checking her out when she was focusing on her aim.
Her curves were so damn sexy and drove me insane.
She was wearing a short skirt that rode up her thigh every time she leaned slightly forward, with those wool tights women are into these days, but I had no problem imagining her bare skin underneath.
She’d taken off her sweater to reveal a tank top that displayed her cleavage when she threw her dart.
The first glimpse had been involuntary.
Every time after was 100 percent voluntary.
She was just too damn gorgeous.
"So, Maddox, is this a very unlucky evening for you? Or do you usually brag about nonexistent skills?" she teased half an hour later.
I liked her sass. Cami definitely knew how to put me in my place.
"Maybe I just wanted you to win." Yeah, right.
She didn’t buy it and shook her head, then waggled her finger in front of me. "You just owned up to being competitive. You can’t fool me.”
I laughed. "I’ll let you in on a secret. I haven't played darts in quite a while. Eight years or more."
"Then why did you agree?"
I shrugged. "I thought it sounded like fun."
"Cami, are you sharpening your skills to beat the shit out of everyone again?" a man's voice said from behind us.
Her demeanor instantly changed. She straightened up and rolled her shoulders back as if preparing for a confrontation, putting her hand on her stomach and sucking in a breath. Whoever this was put her on edge.
"And you must be Maddox Whitley," the guy said. He smiled at Cami before shaking my hand.
"I'm sorry, but I’m at a disadvantage. What's your name?" I asked.
"Bill Smith. I work for the town council. I'm in charge of approving all the new developments in town, hence why I know who you are." He was a geeky-looking dude, and I didn’t like him from the start. And the way he affected Cami bothered me.
"Nice to meet you," I said. Not really.
"Anything you need, this is my card," he said, taking one out of his wallet and handing it to me. I noticed Bill’s gaze travel over Cami, and I wanted to punch him in the jaw.
I slid it into my own wallet, offering him a knowing glare while adding, "Thank you."
He glanced at Cami again with too much interest for my taste. "How long are you playing? I can buy you a beer."
"Thanks," she said, "but I won't stay long. Just enough to beat Maddox. And as you can see on the scoreboard, that won't take much more."
She definitely seemed uncomfortable, especially when Bill gave her a sly smile. I didn't like it. He obviously had an interest in her, and I was going to nip that in the bud.
“We need to get back to our game,” I said.
"I'll see you around, Cami. Nice to meet you, Maddox," he replied before leaving us.
After he left, she grabbed another dart and adjusted her stance to throw it but instead lowered her hand again.
"Is he still around?" she asked me.
"No, he's at the bar. What was that exactly?"
"Um, just… you know… Bill." He really bothered her, and that made me uneasy. It brought out my protective instincts—and protecting Cami would be my honor.
"No, I don't know. I've never heard of the guy before today. You clearly aren't a fan of him."
She shrugged. "Bill is a staple in Essex. His family moved from New York when we were in middle school. They own a lot of property around here. His dad used to be the mayor. Bill didn't follow in his dad’s footsteps and become mayor—mainly because the town didn’t want him to be—but he is very influential on the town council.
Anyone who wants a permit needs his approval.
We went out once in high school, and since then, he’s asked me out a few times over the years, but I've always turned him down.
He's been married four times, and each wife left him because she caught him cheating. He’s very persistent. "
"Cami, if he’s bothering you—"
She cut me off before I could say more. "No, no. It’s not that. I just wasn’t in the mood to deal with him tonight." She looked directly into my eyes. "I’m glad you were here."
I leaned in so close that I smelled her perfume. It was a delicious flowery scent.
"I'm glad I was here too."
She gave a winning smile and then threw her dart. "Will you look at that? I won!" she cried. "Well, this evening has been fun, Maddox."
"I can say the same."
I didn’t get her to confirm what her other reason for not selling was, but it didn’t matter. We’d made progress.
She put on her sweater and turned to look at me. "But," she said in a teasing manner, "I still haven't decided if I like you."
I leaned in closer. "Good night, Cami. I’ll see you around. The hotel’s construction is starting tomorrow."
She sucked in her breath, and her cheeks turned red. Despite what she'd said, I knew she'd decided. She did like me, she just wasn't ready to admit it, not even to herself.
But I’d change that soon enough.