“Not long.” I lean back into his hard body and warm as his hold on me tightens.
He brings his mouth to my neck to nip and then soothe with a soft kiss. “How’re you feeling?”
My cheeks heat. Last night after I ate and had a few beers, I was eager to show my appreciation. Not for the meal, but for the fact that he keeps showing up. And I did that by begging Cameron to go rough. He let go, gave it to me in every way I’d asked and new ways I’d never thought of. It was gorgeous, punishing, and beautiful at the same time. And although my body is a little tender, my heart is fuller than it’s ever been.
Which scares the ever-loving shit out of me.
“I’m good. You?”
He chuckles low and warm against my skin. “You fucking kidding me, doll? The way you let me in last night? No rules, no objections. Shit.” He squeezes me hard and drops a long, lingering kiss below my ear. “Blew me away.”
My whole body warms at his approval. I grab his hands to loosen his grip and spin in his arms to face him. He’s dressed in the black T-shirt and jeans he wore last night, the hair around his face is a tiny bit damp, and his scruffy jaw smells like soap.
I run my hands up his arms and lock them behind his neck. “I was thinking . . .” My stomach flips and flutters at what I’m about to say, but it’s important I get this out while we’re together. “This thing between us . . .”
He blinks, and his jaw goes rigid. Shit.
“Do you think we’re to a point where we don’t necessarily have to keep it a secret from everyone?” I brace for his reaction, expecting him to tell me that we need to keep things quiet for the sake of his job or some other excuse that will hurt but I’ll accept.
His hand cups my jaw, and he runs his thumb along my cheekbone. “You ready to go public?”
I blink up at him, shocked at the sincerity I see in his eyes. “Am I . . .? Fuck yeah, I’m ready to go public.” I slam my mouth closed. Eager much? I mentally groan.
The corner of his mouth jumps a tiny bit. “Not sure you fully understand all we’ll be takin’ on.”
A cloud of worry settles over my brief excitement. “Explain it then.”
“Media attention, reactions from your friends—”
“My friends?” I’ve already told him I don’t have a lot—or any—friends.
“The Slades.”
Well, except them. “I’ll talk to them. They just want me to be happy and”—I shrug—“being with you makes me happy.”
“Our age difference is going to be a problem for a lot of people. I’ll do my best to shield you from that, but you need to know there’s gonna be talk, and that shit will not be pleasant.”
“Do you not know me at all? I can handle a few harsh words, Cameron. But I do love”—his eyes change for a split second, like shutters automatically dropping down over them before he realizes it and pushes them away—“the fact that you want to protect me from that.” I rake my fingers through his hair.
“All right then. Public it is.” There’s worry in his eyes, but he’s giving me what I want, so I ignore it.
I’m sure he’s concerned about how the announcement of our hanging out is going to go down. I just hope he’s not too worried that he backs out.
“I’ll talk to Raven today.”
He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I’ll talk to Slade at the gym.”
Oh crap, this is really happening: a real public relationship or at least the most real and public relationship I’ve ever had. My heart beats faster and my palms get sweaty.
He pulls his phone from his pocket, and once it’s in his hand, I hear it vibrating. His eyebrows pull together before he locks down his jaw.
“I gotta get this.” He releases me and turns away, moving out into the living room. “’Li, what’s up?”
My stomach plummets. The front door opens and closes. He’s taking a phone call from his ex-wife and moving outside for privacy. So whatever he has to say he doesn’t want me to hear.
A weight of jealousy mixed with curiosity presses in. I fill up my coffee cup and move to the wall closest to the front door to see if I can pick up words or maybe a tone. The low rumble of Cameron’s voice comes through. I lean closer, close my eyes, and concentrate.
“. . . sounds good. I’ll see you after I get off.” He pauses. “I’m at home, why?”
My gut lurches into my throat. He’s not telling his ex-wife where he is. Why the motherfuck not?
“Ry said he was going out with some friends last night.” Another long pause. “Look I gotta run. We’ll talk when I come by later.”
My eyes fly open, and I race as fast as I can with a cup of hot coffee back to the kitchen. Awareness overtakes me as he strolls back inside. I’m standing in my kitchen, wearing an old tee and sleeping shorts while the guy I’m dating, kinda, I guess, is talking to and making plans with his former supermodel turned seriously fucking gorgeous older lady, D’Lilah Monroe. Who, by the way, he lied to about where he was. What the fuck is that?