by L A Cotton
“Sunshine?” A slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Y- yeah?”
“Shut up.”
And then he kissed me. Cameron Chase picked me up like I weighed nothing, dropped me on the counter, and kissed me.
“Cameron, wait.” My fingers gripped his shoulders, holding him back as I managed to break away. “What are we doing?”
He gave a throaty groan. “Let’s call it working out our differences.” One of his hands slid over my hipbone and underneath his jersey drawing a soft moan from my lips. “Don’t over-think it, Hailee.”
Don’t over-think it.
Right.
I could do that.
I could totally—
Cameron dived at me again, attacking my mouth. He threaded his hand into my hair, drawing me closer, sweeping his tongue past my lips and into my mouth. And damn him, I went willingly. I’d spent so long fighting, of being on the defensive. I couldn’t deny that, just for once, it felt good to give over. To switch to the offense for a change.
To stop thinking and just feel.
My legs wound around his hips and Cameron dragged my body to the edge of the counter, grinding into me. He was still half-naked and I couldn’t resist reaching for his chest, tracing his abs with my fingers. His body was perfection, the hours of physical training and conditioning evident in the hard planes of his chest, the corded muscles of his neck and shoulders and thick biceps.
“Fuck, that feels good,” he rasped against my mouth as I continued painting patterns on his skin. The knowledge I affected him the way he affected me, was powerful. Heady.
And I wanted more.
I looped my other arm around his neck, anchoring us together, kissing him deeper. I’d kissed other guys before. Guys from The Alley and the odd party we’d gatecrashed. But I’d never kissed anyone like this. It was fire and ice. Two opposites coming together with dangerous consequences.
Cameron rolled into me again, his hard length hitting the right spot. “Oh God,” I moaned, a wave of need crashing over me. He was right. I wanted him.
I wanted Cameron Chase.
There was something very wrong with me to want the one thing I hated. But maybe Flick had been right. Maybe it had all been leading to this point.
“Not God, Sunshine,”—he nipped my ear—“Just Fourteen.”
Gripping his chin, I stared into Cameron’s stormy eyes. “You did not just refer to yourself as your team number?”
“I’m just a conceited jock, remember?” His brow arched, daring me to argue. But I wasn’t looking to go another round of verbal chess with him, so I smashed my lips to his, demanding more. Needing more.
Cameron’s fingers glided up my thighs to the edge of my panties and I froze. Kissing was one thing but letting him touch me... that was something else entirely.
“I need to feel you,” he said huskily. “And I know you want it. You’re practically riding my leg.”
My head rolled back against the mirror as I levelled him with a hard look. He chuckled again, gently sliding off my panties until they were a puddle on the floor. The marble felt cool against my thighs, but when Cameron stepped between my legs again, his boxer briefs tented, I forgot all about the sting. “Are you wet for me, Hailee?”
“Why don’t you find out?” I said, surprising us both. Cameron’s brow shot up as he leaned in to capture my lips again, pushing his tongue against mine with a hungry growl. His fingers slid through my wetness, teasing me.
Cameron broke the kiss, touching his head to mine, his eyes simmering with heat as he slowly worked a finger inside me. I wanted to move, to escape from his intense gaze. But he had me trapped. Ensnared. And when he curled his finger upward and rubbed, I was done. Cameron Chase owned me now, and I’d willingly handed myself over.
“Fuck, you’re so tight,” he choked out, adding a second finger, stretching me.
My eyes fluttered closed as he started working me, long slow strokes, rolling the pad of his thumb over my clit.
“Eyes open,” he demanded. “I want to see you when I make you come.”
I swallowed the snarky reply on the tip of my tongue, moaning instead, as my body began to shudder. “I...” My voice was lost as intense waves of pleasure began to roll over me. “More,” I breathed.
Cameron’s other hand glided up my stomach, brushing the side of my breast. I arched into him, pushing my chest out, needing more.
Needing everything.
“So eager,” he whispered against my lips.
“I’m going to... Oh God.” His finger rolled over my nipple sending a bolt of heat shooting through me. I could hardly breathe but it didn’t matter. Cameron had swept me up in his firestorm and I didn’t mind the burn.
In fact, I wanted to burn.
I wanted to throw myself right into the flames.
“I can feel you, Sunshine.” His voice lingered at the edge of my desire-induced delirium. “You’re close.”
I nodded, soft moan after soft moan spilling from my lips. Cameron did something with his fingers, something deeper, more intense, and my world exploded into tiny white stars. And there, on Cameron’s counter, drowning in pleasure, trying to catch my breath, I realized he wasn’t only dangerous on the field.
Cameron Chase was dangerous for my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Cameron
Hailee’s body melted against me, her breathing rapid and her skin flushed. Fuck, she looked good on my bathroom counter in nothing but my jersey. I’d never let a girl wear my number before, but I had a strange desire to make sure she never took it off. Shit, Chase, get a grip.
“I... Cameron,” she breathed, fighting a smile. “I can’t feel my legs.”
Untangling myself from her body, I backed up, giving her some space. She was all over me and I wanted nothing more than to bring my fingers to my lips and suck them clean, but Hailee was panicking. I saw it written all over her face.
“You okay?” I asked, not caring I had a raging hard on that was impossible to hide in my tight boxers.
“I... that was...”
I braced myself for her smart-assed reply, but instead she caught me completely off-guard.
“Amazing,” she sighed dreamily.
“Yeah?” Sounding far too pleased with myself, I cringed.
But it was her.
Hailee made some of the other shit disappear. The constant pressure. The worry over Mom. About picking a college. And although I enjoyed nothing more than the push and pull between us, I also just enjoyed her.
The quiet moments.
Being around Hailee was like a breath of fresh air, and I already craved another hit.
“I’ll let you get cleaned up.” My lip curved in a smirk. I couldn’t help it. Knowing I’d made her come apart did things to me. Serious things.
Things I hadn’t anticipated.
“Okay.” She gave me a small smile and I left the bathroom.
If we didn’t materialize soon, Xander would come looking. He had questions about my friend. Heaps of questions and I knew I couldn’t trust him to keep quiet in front of Mom and Dad, so when I’d delivered him to the kitchen, I’d given them a brief explanation as to why I had Jason’s step-sister in my bedroom on a Saturday morning.
Of course, they probably didn’t expect me to have my fingers deep inside her and my tongue down her throat.
When Hailee reappeared, she was dressed, if you called wearing my jersey over the top of her dress, dressed. “I, hmm, is this okay?” Her eyes lowered the floor. “I didn’t want to leave the house in just my dress.”
“It’s cool, you can borrow it, I have plenty more.” Hailee sucked in a harsh breath and I backtracked. “I didn’t mean... that came out wrong.”
“It’s okay.” She moved to sit on my bed. “So...”
“Listen Hailee, I—”
Xander’s screams pierced the air and my body tensed. “Shit.” My heart lurched into my throat. “I need to go. Stay here, I’l
l be right back.”
“O-okay.”
I left my room and ran downstairs, taking two steps at a time. “Mama, Mama.” Xander screamed and as I rounded the kitchen my world imploded. Mom was on the floor, pancake batter splattered up the cupboards, streaked across the tiles, and her blouse.
“Dad,” I yelled, rushing to her side. “Mom, Mom, can you hear me?” I gently shook her shoulders. She was out cold, but I saw the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She was breathing.
Thank fuck, she was breathing.
Rolling her onto her side, I glanced back at Xander. “Hey, Buddy, where’d Dad go?”
“The tore o get srup.”
“He left to get syrup?”
Xander nodded, his eyes wide and brimming with tears. “Mama kay?”
“Mom’s going to be fine, buddy. Just fine.” But as I said the words my stomach plummeted. Mom wasn’t fine.
Not even a little bit.
“Oh God.” At the sound of Hailee’s voice, I sucked in sharply. “Is she okay?”
“Ailee,” Xander shrieked.
“Hi, buddy.” She went to him, stroking his hair.
“I know this is probably a lot to ask.” I met her concerned gaze. “But can you get him out of his chair and take him into the other room?”
“Of course. Should we call 911?” Her eyes motioned to Mom’s lifeless body.
“I don’t—”
“Cameron?” Dad entered the back door. “What happened?” He dropped the bag of groceries on the counter, stuff spilling everywhere, and rushed over to me.
“I don’t know, I heard Xander screaming and found her like this.”
Dad ushered me out of the way and checked Mom over. “Karen, darling, can you hear me?” His fingers gently traced her face and she began to stir, and relief like I’d never known before slammed into me.
“C- Clarke? What happened?” Mom tried to sit up but crumpled back to the floor. Dad slipped his arm under her neck cradling her head in his lap. “You passed out, sweetheart.”
“I- I did?” Tears collected in the corner of Mom’s eyes and I was vaguely aware of Hailee’s gaze burning into the back of my head. “Is Xander—”
“Xander’s fine, Mom,” I reassured her, sliding my eyes to Hailee. She gave me a small nod, my brother clinging onto her like a spider monkey.
“Why don’t you and Hailee take him into the den while I call Doctor Kravis?”
“Are you sure—”
“Cameron, now, Son.” Dad glanced down at Mom and I realized he wanted to protect Mom’s privacy and dignity.
“Sure, if you need me, just shout.” I went over to Hailee and Xander. “Come on, let’s show Hailee your toys.”
The second we stepped into the den, Xander wriggled out of Hailee’s arms and plopped to the floor. “Ome on, Ailee. You ike Aze?”
“Aze?” she mouthed at me.
“Blaze and the monster machines.”
“I, uh, I don’t know that one.”
I smiled, watching as Xander grabbed her hand and pulled her further into the room. And it occurred to me I wasn’t the only one smitten with Hailee Raine. She listened patiently as Xan got her up to speed on all things Blaze. When he was absorbed in the game, Hailee crept away, coming over to me. “Is your Mom going to be okay?” she asked.
Moving to the couch, I waited for her to join me. “Honestly,” I confessed. “I don’t know.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“She has postpartum depression and anxiety.”
Hailee’s brow crinkled and I knew what she was thinking. “But I’m not sure that’s all there is to it,” I admitted. “Dad said she’s getting some tests.”
“What tests?”
“I’m not sure.” I buried my face in my hands, rubbing my eyes with the heel of my palms, letting out a shaky breath. I’d seen Mom lose it more times than I could count; I’d seen her in puddles of tears, sobbing about something as trivial as burning the dinner. I’d watched her unable to get out of bed for days on end, complaining she was too exhausted. But I’d never seen her unresponsive like that before.
“Hey.” Hailee’s fingers brushed my arm, coaxing me to meet her steady gaze. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”
I stared at her, lost for words. She’d offered to be there for me, just like that. No judgement. No questions or ulterior motive.
It was more than I deserved and yet, I wanted to take it. I wanted to pour my heart out to this girl.
“Cameron?” Dad’s head appeared around the door. “Can I borrow you for a second?” His eyes went to the girl beside me. “I’m sorry, how rude of me. I’m Cameron’s dad, Clarke. You’re Jason’s sister, Hailee, right?”
“Yes, Sir, it’s nice to meet you.”
“I wish it was under better circumstances. My son said you got into a little bind last night and he helped you out?”
“He did,” her voice was quiet.
“Well I’m glad you’re okay. Cameron?” His gaze flitted back to mine, and I got up, following him into the hall.
“Is she okay?”
“Doctor Kravis wants us to go straight to Rixon General. Katie is coming by to pick up Xander—”
“Dad, I can watch—”
“You should get Hailee home and then go over to the Bennets’, okay?” He gripped my shoulder, squeezing gently. “I’ll call you as soon as we know anything.”
“Okay.” I ran a hand down my face. “I’ll get Xander’s bag packed.”
He nodded. “She’s going to be okay, Son.” Dad gave a little sigh and walked off down the hall. I went back into the den to find Hailee on the floor playing racing cars with Xander. I watched them from the doorjamb, a tightness in my chest. She was smiling, letting my little brother run his red car over her legs.
As if she felt me watching, Hailee’s eyes lifted to mine and she smiled. “Hi,” she mouthed.
“Hey.” I stalked toward them. “Guess what, buddy? Katie’s coming to pick you up.”
“Atie, I ove her.” He gave a little clap and began clearing up the pile of cars. Hailee helped and in no time, there was no evidence of their game.
I scooped Xander up and threw him over my shoulder, toddler-laughter filling the room, easing some of the pain I’d felt at seeing Mom like that. “Are you okay to wait for Katie to come and collect him and then I’ll drive you home?”
“Okay.” Her expression slipped, but I didn’t have time or energy to try to decipher it.
The drive to Hailee’s house was quiet. I was lost in my thoughts; worrying about Mom, feeling guilty over Xander being with Katie instead of his family. Instead of me. And something had changed with Hailee. It wasn’t so much what she said but everything she wasn’t saying.
Hell, who was I kidding? She probably already regretted letting me kiss her, touching her the way I had. She’d softened at my house. Let her guard down. But now we were in my truck, going to her house, and it was like last night, this morning, had all been a dream. A beautiful nightmare where you wake up and realize the amazing memories aren’t memories at all, but an alternate reality your mind created to taunt you.
My fingers tightened around the steering wheel as my emotions crashed over me like a tsunami.
“Cameron?” Hailee’s voice grounded me, and I glanced over at her.
“Yeah?”
The blare of my cell phone cut through the tension and I glanced down at the console to see Jase’s name flashing across the screen.
“Shit,” I mumbled under my breath. Hailee must have noticed his name too because she angled her body toward the window, watching Rixon roll by.
Everything was going to shit, and I couldn’t seem to find a way to smooth it over. I’d wanted us to talk. To figure out what this morning meant to her. To us. But there was no time now.
Hailee’s house came into view and I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized Jason’s car wasn’t in the driveway. “He must be at Asher’s already,” I said.
“
I guess.”
I pulled up alongside Mr. Ford’s truck and looked at Hailee. She was no longer looking out of the window, but she wasn’t looking at me either.
“Hailee—”
“Cameron—”
We both chuckled, her eyes twinkling at me. “You go,” she said.
Where did I begin? There was so much I wanted to say. But I couldn’t seem to sort through my jumbled thoughts, so I said the first thing that came to mind. “You know we can’t tell Jason about this.”
Hurt flashed in her eyes. “Right, of course.” Hailee grabbed the door handle and went to climb out.
“Wait, shit… that came out wrong. I didn’t mean it like it sounded.”
“It’s fine.” She wouldn’t meet my eyes. “I know it didn’t mean anything. It was just us working out our differences, right?” Her gaze finally slid to mine. She was pissed. And she had every right to be. But I couldn’t think straight.
“Hailee, that’s not—”
“I hope your mom is okay, I really do. Bye, Cameron,” she said before shouldering the door and escaping from my truck. Frustration swelled in my chest. She was running. She could pretend it was my fault, but my fuck up was only an excuse—the out she was looking for to run from me. Again.
“This isn’t over, Hailee,” I said, locking my eyes on hers as she glanced back at me, daring her to deny it. Her lips parted as if she was going to say something. Say something, I silently begged.
But at the last second, she shook her head a little and walked away from me.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hailee
After Cameron gave me a ride home, I spent the day holed up in my bedroom, working on the art project for Seniors Night. I’d managed to find enough photographs of the senior players in action from the storage room, to use. There were nine of them in total. Which meant nine individual paintings. Mr. Jalin was right; it was going to mean some serious hours in the studio, but I welcomed it.