39. Gabrielle
Gabrielle
It should be Cam who’s exhausted. He’s the one who’s been through hell—the chemo, the transfusions, the constant poking and prodding, the endless tests. His body has been worn down, his energy levels should be at an all-time low. So why am I the one struggling to keep up?
I groan into my pillow, my limbs feeling like jelly. The sun is barely creeping through the curtains, but I can already feel him awake beside me.
Cam—who should be resting. Cam—who should be recovering. Cam—who is now hovering over me, his warm breath ghosting across my skin. I blink up at him, half-conscious, and I find his beautiful, deep brown eyes locked onto me like I’m the only thing that exists to him.
He dips his head, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, then one to my cheek, then my lips. I sigh against his mouth, but before I can fully respond, his lips move lower.
My neck.
My collarbone.
Right between my breasts.
My stomach.
I arch, my fingers gripping his shoulders as he makes his way lower.
Then—
A sharp bite against my inner thigh.
“Cam,” I gasp, my breath hitching as his hands grip my hips, pinning me down.
He smirks against my skin. “Morning.”
I groan, tilting my head back, trying to get a grip before I let him pull me under again. “You have entirely too much energy for someone who just got out of the hospital.”
His lips graze over the spot he just bit, his kiss soothing the sting. “Guess you should’ve exhausted me more last night.”
I shove at his shoulder, laughing. “Cam.”
“What? I feel good. Really good.”
I close my eyes for a second, taking in the moment.
He’s home. Finally. Out of the hospital. In his own bed, comfortable again, without nurses waking him up every couple of hours. And he’s still Cam. Still teasing. Still playful. Still mine.
I sit up slightly, resting on my elbows. “I have to get ready for work.”
Cam groans dramatically, dropping his head onto the top of my thigh, pouting. “Nooo.”
I laugh, running my fingers over his head where hair is just starting to slowly grow back. “I’m already going to be late because of you.”
He turns his head, his cheek pressing against my skin, looking up at me far too smugly. “Think they’ll notice you limping at the clinic today?”
I smack his shoulder. “You’re the worst.”
“Sounds like you said the best wrong,” he teases.
I roll my eyes and start to slide out from under him, but before I can get far, his arms wrap around my body, pulling me right back in.
His voice drops, turning serious. “I’m happy to be back home with you, even if it’s just temporarily.”
I pause, my heart squeezing. His tone isn’t playful anymore. It’s soft and vulnerable.
I smooth my hand over his jaw. “I’m glad you’re home too, Cam.”
For a second, he just holds me, his head resting against my stomach.
I lean down, pressing a kiss to the top of his head before finally standing up.
He sighs dramatically again, flopping onto his back, sprawled across the bed. “Fine, abandon me for work.”
I roll my eyes as I head toward the bathroom, but the second I turn around—
A sharp slap makes me yelp.
I whirl around to find Cam smirking down at me, completely unrepentant. “That’s for leaving me here to suffer all alone today.”
I shake my head, biting back a smile. “This level of energy is very alarming.”
“I didn’t hear you complaining last night,” he says, grinning.
I pick up a pillow and toss it at him before disappearing into the bathroom.
When I come back out, fully dressed, Cam is still lounging in bed, shirtless, looking at me like he’d much rather be the only thing on my schedule today.
I grab my bag and walk over to him, leaning down to kiss him. “I’ll be home before your parents get here. Your mom and I are cooking dinner for everyone tonight. My mom is also coming.”
He groans. “So much family time, not enough me and you time.”
I smirk but ignore him. “Oh, Kinsley and Wes are coming too.”
That makes him perk up, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Ah, so I get dinner and a show with those two?”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s been pretty entertaining lately, huh?”
Cam grins, but then his expression softens. “Drive safe, okay?”
I nod. “I will.”
He stands up, following me to the door. Before I can reach for the handle, he leans against the frame, blocking me.
And you know, even with everything his body has been through, even without his usual defined muscles, he still manages to be the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
I swallow, my eyes betraying me, flicking over his broad chest, and the sweatpants hanging just low enough on his hips.
His lips twitch. “Gabrielle.”
I blink, snapping my gaze back to his smug face.
He smirks, tilting his head. “Are you ogling me right now?”
I scoff, trying to play it off. “Absolutely not.”
“Mmm.” He smirks wider, reaching up to run a lazy hand through my hair. “I feel pretty objectified right now.”
I roll my eyes, shoving his chest lightly. “Well, I do think the whole cancer-fighting, tough-guy thing might make you a little hotter.”
Cam bursts out laughing, shaking his head. “Get out of here before I make you miss work.” Then he winks at me, and it’s so sinful and tempting.
I grin, reaching for the doorknob again. “Bye, babe.”
He grabs my wrist, stopping me one last time, and then tugs me closer for a kiss.
“Love you,” he murmurs against my lips.
My heart smiles. “Love you too.”
He finally lets me go, watching me as I walk out.
I forgot how embarrassing it is to be so obsessed with someone like this.
I haven’t since him.
I don’t think I ever could after him.