“Cameron, you aren’t listening to me.” Kara said firmly.
“I am. Terrible things happened to you on that swing, and on this porch. We can move if it will make you more comfortable.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“Stop it.” She said and pushed him back. “I don’t want to leave. I want to be here. I want to come out and sit on the swing and watch the sun set. I need to do this for me. If you can’t be here, I understand, but I will do this.” Without looking at him, she went to the swing, and sat down. Her whole body shivered, but she took a deep breath and pushed the fear away.
“How can I help you?” Cameron asked her softly.
“Will you sit with me?” She patted the swing beside her.
He sat beside her, and put his arm across the back of the swing. She used her good leg to rock them. As she sat staring out at the trees around them, her body started to relax. She could feel the fear starting to melt away. She sighed and leaned against his shoulder. He kept the swing at a slow easy rock.
“Is this helping?” He whispered above her head after they had been rocking for a while.
“Yes.” She said and leaned back so she could look at him. She smiled wishing she could tell him how much this meant to her.
“Kara.” He whispered as he cupped her cheek in his hand. He leaned in and rubbed his nose against hers. Kara brought her hand up to his face. She liked the prickly feel of his stubble. He groaned, and she opened her eyes to find his whiskey colored eyes had darkened. She gasped at the feeling those eyes caused in her. She wanted this man. She could feel his breath against her lips. He rubbed his nose against hers again, but this time it felt sensual, and sent waves of need through her. His lips gently rubbed against hers as he moved. Kara licked her lips, but he was so close, her tongue flicked across his lips too. With a growl, he sealed his lips to hers.
Kara slid her hand to the back of his neck, and ran her fingers through the short hair there. The arm around her back pulled her closer. The thumb on her jaw gently coaxed her mouth open for him. His tongue swiped across her bottom lip, then flicked against hers. This man had to be her fallen angel. He was gorgeous, and perfect, but he kissed like the devil. She had only kissed one other man, but it had never been like this. She knew he was being gentle with her, but his kissed consumed her. She pulled on the back of his neck demanding more, and he gave it to her willingly. She caught a metallic taste, and knew she had split her lip open. His hand slipped into her hair and he pulled carefully, tipping her head back giving him better access to her mouth. She trailed her hand from his hair, down his neck, and on to his chest. The hand on her back tightened, putting pressure on her tender ribs and she gasped. Cameron pulled back with a last gently kiss on her lips.
“I’m sorry, you make me lose my head.” He said as he rested his forehead against hers.
“Ditto.” She whispered. She tipped her head and kissed his lips.
“I need to check on dinner.” He whispered against her lips.
“Mm Hmm.” She hummed rubbing her nose on his.
“I can’t think when you do that, Kara.” He groaned.
“Thinking is over rated.” She said rubbing her hand on his chest.
“Yep.” He said it like a curse and kissed her again. This was another long drugging kiss. Her heart was racing, and she could feel his pounding beneath her fingers. She heard something beeping, and he pulled away. “Dinner is ready.”
“Okay.” She whispered.
“Come on. I’ll go take it out so we can eat.” Cameron said nudging her up.
“Can’t.” She shook her head.
“Why not? Are you hurting to bad?” Cameron’s voice filled with concern.
“Nope. Just can’t move my legs.” Kara said with a smile.
“As an officer of the law, and your husband, it is my job to carry you to the table then.” Cameron said as he scooped her up.
“Even if it’s your fault?” Kara was trying for a serious face, but the way his lips were twitching, it wasn’t working.
“Just how do you get that this is my fault?” His voice was full of indignation, but his lips were smiling.
“You are the one that kissed me, are you not?” She asked with a raised eye brow.
“Guilty as charged.” He nodded at her. “But what does that have to do with your legs?”
“It’s simply really. Your kiss drugged me, acting like a paralytic. There for, it is your fault.” She said in a mock doctor voice.
“So what you’re saying is that my kiss paralyzed you and you couldn’t feel anything?” He narrowed his eyes at her. “And remember, you are under oath here.”
“I don’t remember swearing on a Bible, but fine your honor. Your kiss made me feel too much, and shorted out my legs. There, is that enough of an ego boost for you.” She snapped at him, not wanting to admit it to him.
“No, Kara. It’s not an ego boost. It’s humbling to know I can affect you even a tenth of how much you affect me. Now sit here, and let me get dinner out before it burns.” He sat her down and kissed her forehead before going to the stove.
Kara sat with her mouth open as she reeled from what he said. Heaven help her if he cared even half that much. She was quickly becoming lost to this man. Her body melted into him already, her heart was too close to the edge for her sanity, only her mind seemed to be cooperating, or was it the other way around? Was her mind what was wrong? Was her body and heart what should be leading her? Watching that man now, she wished she could let go and follow them.
They ate dinner quickly. Kara was hungrier than she thought. Cameron was a good cook, but it bothered her that she couldn’t help him. Cameron took his shower first this time while she took her pills and got her stuff together. He was gonna have to cover her arm so it wouldn’t get wet. She remembered the wrap on her ribs, and lifted her shirt trying to see if she could undo it herself. Of course, it was her luck she wasn’t alone.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what are you doing sweetheart?” His husky voice asked from the door way. She looked up, and froze at the sight of him in the doorway in only pajama pants. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed hard. “Kara, you okay?” She nodded and let her eyes follow the muscles in his chest and abs. “Eyes up here, Kara. I can’t handle you looking at me like that right now.”
“Like what?” She licked her dry lips looking into his eyes.
“Like you want to lick me with your perfect pink tongue.” He growled walking toward the bed.
“I-I-I…” She stammered, but the only thing she wanted to say was yes, please.
“The things you do to me.” He whispered dropping to his knees in front of her.
“Yes, please.” Her mouth said without her brain filtering it.
He leaned forward pressing his lips to hers. She opened willingly. She heard a noise, and it took her a minute to figure out it was coming from her. She wrapped her arms around him the best she could in this position needing him closer. There was a light pressure on her legs and she moved them. As she felt him get closer, she realized it was him. His hands slowly slid up the outside of her thighs as he crawled closer. Right now, she was glad she had been shot in the calf. Even with him on his knees, she had to tilt her head back to kiss him. It did put other things in the right places. Kara ran her good hand down his back, digging her fingers into the muscles there. He rocked against her, and Kara struggled to get closer. She forgot about her leg in her lust filled haze, and tried to wrap her legs around his waist. She cried out, and he pulled back, carefully lowering her leg.
“It’s okay, I just forgot about it.” Kara said boldly running her hand up his chest.
“Kara.” He caught her hand as he growled her name. The sound of her name in that gravely tone made her shiver. “We can’t do this.” His words froze her.
“Of course, I’m sorry.” She pulled back. He was right. She looked like the walking dead. He had never said that he actually wanted her physically.
“Stop it.”
He snapped at her. “I want you, Kara, all of you, but not at the risk of hurting you.”
“It wasn’t bad, I’m fine.” She whispered looking down.
“Soon baby, I promise. For now, we will get to know each other, starting with what you were doing when I came in.” He sat back on his heels and looked at her.
“I was trying to see if I could get to the end to unwrap my ribs.” She said propping her good leg on his thigh. She had the crazy need to be touching him. It was almost like a compulsion.
“I don’t know how the nurse wrapped it. Let me see it.” He said gently tugging her shirt up.
“First you say no, now you want to see my boobs. You are a very confusing guy.” She huffed making him laugh.
“First of all, I’m a guy I always want to see those. Second, if you weren’t hurt, you would be flat on your back with me as your blanket.” His voice got husky at the end, and he was rubbing the leg she had propped on his thigh.
“That doesn’t even involve my leg, so it would be fine.” Kara’s body was lit up like a Christmas tree. She moved her foot up his thigh.
“Kara.” He growled in warning. She had no idea where this brave seductress was coming from, but she was going to embrace it.
“Right here.” She said as she pulled her shirt over her head.
“Damn, you could tempt a saint.” Cameron whispered trying to keep his eyes on her face.
“I don’t want anyone but my husband. Come to think of it, a marriage isn’t fully legal until it’s consummated, so I guess I’m not really married.” She knew saying the marriage wasn’t real would push his buttons. At this point she would try anything. His hand squeezed her leg, and his eyes narrowed.
“I know what you are trying to do, but it won’t work. I need you healed before we try this. I don’t know how gentle I can be.” She felt a moment of panic at the thought of what he might want.
“Cameron, I don’t think I can be what you need. I never was into the kinky stuff. After all that’s happened, I know I can’t handle it now.” She had started to believe they had a future. She would do almost anything to keep him, but she couldn’t make herself be okay with being hurt.
“Kara, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that I want you so bad I don’t think I will be able to hold back. I would never physically hurt you. I know some people are into that, but not me. I have wanted you for so long, but not like this. Do you understand?” Cameron asked, as he gently rubbed his hand up her thigh.
“Yes.” She whispered. Her heart was racing at the thought of him wanting her.
“Will you stop pushing this?” He asked his eyes locked on hers.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Will you stop saying this isn’t real?” There was a hard edge to his voice, but it didn’t scare her.
“Yes, sheriff.” She said pushing against his chest with her foot.
“Good. Now, let’s get this wrap off.” He said then glanced down. “Dear God. Kara, baby, you have to help a guy out here.” She could hear the strain in his voice and looked down confused.
“Sorry, I couldn’t wear a bra with cracked ribs.” She said reaching for her shirt. She had forgotten she didn’t have anything covering her.
“Just cover them, and try to keep me from hitting them.” This is pure torture. She heard him mumble, then watched his throat work as he swallowed hard.
“Cameron, I didn’t do this on purpose.” She said trying to wrangle the globes and pull them out of his way.
“I know, sweetheart. I’m only human, and you are pure temptation, so I’m trying for sainthood tonight.” He said as he pulled the wrap off and gently traced the bruises there.
“Thank you.” Kara said touching his cheek.
“Go take your shower.” Cameron said and followed her to the bathroom where he wrapped a trash bag around her cast. “If you need me, yell.” He said then left.
Kara carefully got in the shower and washed off. Her thoughts wondered. Cameron was the epitome of a southern gentleman. His life’s goal was to protect people. He was going above and beyond to take care of her. By some miracle, this perfect man seemed to want her. She swore to herself she wouldn’t push him anymore. He had a strong moral guide line he followed. She wouldn’t do anything to upset that. Cameron held himself to higher standards than he did others.
When she was dry and dressed, she called Cameron to wrap her ribs. He was quick and efficient, making sure it was tight enough without hurting her, after he was finished they went to bed. Once she was comfortable, Cameron cuddled close to her. He rested his hand on her hip, and squeezed it as he kissed the back of her head and mumbled goodnight.
Chapter 7
The next two weeks passed by quickly. Cameron was still on administrative leave, so he was always with her. They spent the days talking and laughing. He was always touching her, and the times he wasn’t, she was touching him. Today she had to go get a check up on her ribs and to see how she was doing after everything that happened. She hadn’t wrapped her ribs in a couple of days, and hadn’t had to take but a few of the pain pills after it first happened. The bullet wound had healed well too. She was hoping to get the all clear to go back to work. The cast would make things harder, but not impossible.
“Ready, baby?” Cameron called from the front door.
“Yeah.” She walked by him and got in his truck.
“The SBI called while you were getting ready.” He said as he backed out.
“Is it over yet?” They knew it was protocol, but Kara could tell Cameron was ready to go back to work.
“Yeah, I go back Monday.” His smile was blinding.
“Hopefully I can too.” Kara said quietly.
“Don’t push yourself. You can stay home forever if you want too.” Cameron said reaching for her hand.
“Cameron…” She started.
“I know. You want to go back. I just want you to be safe. Even if they let you go back, you will have restrictions with the cast.” He said as he glanced over at her.
“I know, but I would feel better if I could do something.” She said then turned to look out the window.
“Kara, what’s going on?” Cameron squeezed her hand and she sighed. “Talk to me.”
“I feel useless. With this cast I can’t even help much with the house work. I’m right handed, so with that arm broken, it’s making everything harder.” She was tired of feeling like this.
“Kara, I know you are used to doing everything by yourself, but you don’t have to do that anymore.” Cameron sounded frustrated.
“I will always take care of myself. Being married to you won’t change that.” She snapped at him.
She heard him sigh, but he didn’t speak again. She was suddenly itching for a fight, but he wasn’t going to give it to her. She had been so happy these last couple weeks. She had no reason to be mad. Things with Cameron were great. He hadn’t kissed her again like the first night, but there were lots of quick kisses. Maybe he had changed his mind about wanting her. She pulled her hand out of his, trying to put some space between them, but he put his hand on the top of her thigh. Fine, now wasn’t the time to get into this. She would talk to him when they got home, remind him he could end this whenever he wanted. At the doctor’s office, he kept his arm around her. She wanted to fight him, but she took a deep breath and resisted the urge.
“Mrs. Denton.” A nurse called and she followed her to a room, Cameron was only one step behind her. “The doctor will be right in.” She said as she shut the door.
“Stop it.” Kara snapped.
“What?” Cameron looked confused.
“Stop being so nice. Stop touching me. Just stop.” She was definitely in a mood today.
“No.” Cameron’s voice warned her to stop, but she didn’t want to listen.
“Yes.” She glared at him.
“We will settle this later.” He glared right back at her as the doctor came in the room.
“How are you feeling, Mrs. Denton?” The doct
or asked.
“Fine, please call me Kara.” She could see Cameron’s jaw tense and she fought a smile that she finally got to him.
“Okay, Kara, let’s take a look at your ribs.” The doctor said, and she laid back to give him access. “They look good, do you have any pain?” He asked as he pushed on them.
“No, sir.” Kara replied.
“Good, now the leg please.” He said and she lifted it and pulled her pant leg up to show him. “Looks good, do you have any pain with it?”
“Sometimes it aches, or burns, but it’s nothing too bad. Ibuprofen usually works on it.” Kara answered him honestly.
“Good. Do you have any questions?” He asked.
“When can I go back to work?” Kara asked quickly to keep Cameron from stopping her.
“I think you should be fine to go back Monday, just be careful with the cast.” The doctor said, then left them alone.
“Let’s go home, Mrs. Denton.” Cameron snapped at her.
The ride back was quiet. Cameron didn’t touch her and to her surprise she missed his touch. She glanced over at him and noticed he had a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel, and his jaw was clenched tight. She felt bad for how she had behaved and reached out to touch him.
“Don’t.” He snapped.
“Cameron, I’m sorry.” She said and tried again.
“No, Kara. We will deal with this when we get home.” He never took his eyes off the road as he spoke to her.
“Cam…” She started
“No.” His tone scared her, and she scooted against her door as if it would protect her. “Kara, don’t. You know I would never hurt you.” His tone was a cross between frustrated and worried. She didn’t respond, he had made it clear he didn’t want anything to do with her right now. As soon as the truck was in park, she jumped out and took off for the house. She forgot she didn’t have her key, and she had to stand back and wait for Cameron.
As soon as he unlocked the door, she pushed it open and tried to run to the bedroom. Cameron wrapped his arm around her and spun her so that her back was to the door. The look in his eyes make her shiver. Those whiskey colored eyes held frustration and desire.
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