by Aurora Rey
“And you? Are you feeling ready?”
Even if she wasn’t, Cam would have faked it. She wanted nothing more than to give Lauren just a fraction of what she’d given everyone else. Fortunately, she didn’t have to fake it. In that moment, Cam had not a shadow of doubt that everything would go exactly as Lauren wanted it, and that the pub and the inn and the town and her gin would all be better for it. “Utterly.”
Lauren gave her hand a squeeze. “Let’s do this.”
* * *
Lauren paused for a second. She took a deep breath and tried to absorb the moment—the pub, packed with close to a hundred people. But more than the people, it was overflowing with energy. Good energy.
She’d taken Cam’s advice and not done anything special in terms of lighting or other “special event” paraphernalia. Since the point was to showcase the Rose & Crown for what it was, it had been the right call and made the evening feel more like a party among friends than some glitzy who’s who.
It also showed off the changes that had been made. The new furniture was warm and inviting, no longer sagging and worn. The light fixtures she’d added were vintage and looked as though they’d been there all along. And the portrait of Albert couldn’t have been more perfect—for her, but also for the space, and for the patrons who’d known him for the better part of fifty years.
She worked the room, smiling and shaking hands. She asked questions and accepted compliments, giving one variation or another of her elevator pitch at least a few dozen times. It had been months since she’d been in full networking mode, but it felt as familiar and natural as breathing.
It helped that everyone seemed genuinely enthusiastic, eager almost. The locals were decked out like it was New Year’s Eve, and the twenty or so guests from out of town didn’t stand out like a sore thumb. Even Anja, in all her edgy hipness, seemed to fit right in. That’s what she loved most of all. Yes, it was about making money, but it was about so much more. Creating a place where people came together—that made it feel like she’d done the right thing.
A couple of travel bloggers had accepted her invitation, along with Alejandro from Traveler. Lauren lavished them with extra attention, making sure they sampled Carriage House and met Cam face-to-face. If their enthusiasm was anything to go on, she’d be seeing some really nice write-ups in the coming weeks.
Anja sidled up next to her and slid an arm around her waist. “How are you feeling about things?”
Lauren nodded. “Really good. Everyone seems happy. Like, everyone.”
“A far cry from New York, isn’t it?”
For all that she loved about the city, Lauren had to concede the point. At least in the circles she moved in, everyone had an agenda and, as a result, drama and backstabbing were par for the course. She didn’t have that with her closest friends, obviously, but acquaintances and colleagues were another story.
Like Philip. His leering smile lurched into her mind, and she quickly shoved it aside. She’d booked a flight to New York for the following week, but not yet told Cam. She would, she just didn’t want it to put a damper on tonight. She wanted tonight to be perfect.
“Hey, you okay?”
Lauren nodded. “Sorry, just a little overwhelmed I guess.”
Anja gave her a squeeze. “Is it because you’re, once again, a smashing success? Or, perhaps more likely, it’s that gorgeous woman staring at you from across the room with stars in her eyes?”
She followed Anja’s gaze, although she already knew who Anja was talking about. Cam stood at the opposite end of the pub, talking with Alejandro. But even as Cam gave him her attention, she stole glances in Lauren’s direction. “I don’t know about stars, but she seems to want me.”
“Seems? Have you lost your mind? She’s gone over you. Completely.”
“Yeah.” She’d been hesitant to believe Cam might reciprocate her feelings, but the last few days—the photo shoot, the stolen moments, the portrait of Albert—all of it had begun to add up. She couldn’t quite picture what it meant for their future, but it gave her this warm, safe feeling she could only describe as hope.
“So, let’s go with smashing success and thoroughly smitten.” Anja rested her head on Lauren’s shoulder for a second, then let go of her waist. “You deserve both, you know.”
Lauren smiled. “We all deserve it. Or, at least, whatever version of it we want.”
“I’ll drink to that. Speaking of drinks, I need one. Can I get you one, too?”
“No, thanks.” She’d managed to greet everyone as they arrived, but there were still a handful of conversations she wanted to have. It might be a party, but it was work, too, and she wanted every drop of focus to make sure good impressions were made.
Anja stole a glance at the bar, or perhaps more accurately at Charlotte, before giving Lauren a wink. “Go get ’em, tiger.”
Lauren chuckled at the phrase and sent Anja off to get her drink and flirt. Then she turned her attention to the travel agent from Dublin. She got the sense he handled corporate clients and not just older folks still leery of the internet. Not that she wouldn’t happily welcome both with open arms.
As the crowd began to thin, she allowed herself to make her way over to Cam. She’d been almost as popular as Lauren had, chatting with guests and writers and a couple of the business owners Lauren invited from adjacent towns. She’d held her own, but at the moment, was looking a bit peaked. “How are you holding up?”
Cam nodded. “Good.”
“You don’t have to pretend to enjoy this, you know. It’s work.”
She chuckled. “I enjoy it and it’s work. It’s hard to complain when there are people who want to talk to me about Carriage House.”
“You do seem to be in high demand.”
“I think my face hurts from smiling. Is that normal?”
Lauren laughed. “Completely normal. And it looks like people are starting to clear out, so the end is in sight.”
Cam leaned in, her mouth close to Lauren’s ear. “Does that mean I get to take you to bed soon?”
The effect of Cam’s words was immediate and intense. The rest of the room faded to a blur, and all she wanted was to drag Cam to her room and rip off all her clothes. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, she was a professional. And being turned on did not make her guests or her responsibilities disappear. She turned, bringing her own lips close to Cam’s ear, letting them graze Cam’s neck for a fraction of a second. “Soon.”
Chapter Twenty-four
Cam stood off to the side as Lauren bid the final guests a good night. Despite being on her feet and going nonstop for the last ten hours, Lauren’s smile was wide and her enthusiasm unwavering. It left Cam with a strange mix of emotions. Awe and desire for sure, but something more, something deep in her chest that was possessive and protective at the same time.
Lauren flipped the lock on the pub door. She turned and gave her attention to Charlotte, who was overseeing the cleanup. They settled on what could wait for morning, and she encouraged Charlotte to head home. Charlotte didn’t argue, making Cam wonder if she’d made plans for after the party.
After what felt like an eternity, Lauren’s hazel eyes settled on Cam. The smile remained, but Cam saw the fatigue in her eyes. “You were incredible tonight.”
Lauren slowly crossed the room. “You were, too. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Cam slid an arm around her waist. God, it felt good to do that. “I find that hard to believe, but thank you.”
“It’s true.” Lauren leaned in and kissed her jaw. “You and your cocktails were half the draw. People couldn’t stop talking about them.”
Cam shrugged. “I do make a mean cocktail.”
“It was more than that, though. You being here, being a part of this, it means so much to me.”
“Ms. Montgomery, are you getting sentimental on me?”
She’d said it to keep the conversation light, but Lauren didn’t laugh. Instead, she looked at Cam with such intensity, Cam
actually felt her knees weaken. “Maybe I am.”
Cam swallowed. What was she supposed to say to that?
“What? You think you have a corner on that market?” Lauren asked.
There. The mischief was back. That was a relief. She knew what to do with mischief. Why, then, did it leave her disappointed? “Oh, no. I’ve learned never to underestimate you.”
“That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Was that true? She had a stab of regret for how hard she’d been on Lauren when she arrived. “Clearly, I need to start paying you more compliments.”
“Be careful. It might go to my head and make me unbearable.”
Cam shook her head. “I’m not worried. I’ve decided I can bear you quite well.”
“I do like the sound of that.” Lauren looked around the room, as though assessing whether there was anything left to do, then looked back at Cam. “Take me to bed, please.”
Cam didn’t need to be asked twice. She took Lauren’s hand and led her through the door connecting the pub to the inn. Around the office and down the hall to the room she knew now belonged to Lauren. “It feels strange this is the first time I’m staying here.”
Lauren stopped at the door. “Wait. With me, or ever?”
“Ever. I live a mile away. What cause would I have had to spend the night?”
Lauren nodded slowly, as though absorbing the logic of that statement. “No, that makes perfect sense. If anything, I’m realizing it’s strange you haven’t stayed here with me.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay. My place is a little more,” she paused, searching for the right word, “private.”
“I’ll give you that.” Lauren slid the key into the lock and opened the door. “Still, I’m glad you’re here now.”
“Me, too.”
Lauren flipped a switch and a small lamp by the bed came on. She kicked off her shoes and let out a loud sigh. “God, my feet hurt.”
Cam turned Lauren around and eased the zipper of her dress down. She took her time with it, enjoying the slow tease of newly exposed skin. She pressed a kiss to each of Lauren’s shoulders, taking pleasure in the way Lauren’s head dropped to one side. “How about you let me draw you a bath?”
Lauren turned, the motion causing the dress to fall at her feet. “Only if you join me.”
It took Cam a second to find words. Despite being with Lauren at least a dozen times, the sight of her—golden skin, matching bra and panties in deep purple—took her breath away. “An invitation I couldn’t possibly turn down.”
Cam led them both into the bathroom. Thanks to her work hanging new towel bars, she’d at least seen the space before. She pulled back the curtain around the tub and turned the water on. When Lauren reached around her to squirt in a generous dose of bubble bath, she chuckled. “I hope that doesn’t smell too girly.”
Lauren quirked a brow. “Just vanilla. You’ll live.”
Cam reached over and gave Lauren’s rear end a pinch. Lauren swatted at her, but without any force. She slipped off Lauren’s bra and slid the panties down. She pointed at Lauren, then the water. “You, in.”
“So bossy.”
“That’s me.” Cam shed her clothes while Lauren situated herself in the tub. As much as she wanted Lauren’s body pressed against her, she positioned herself at the opposite end, nestling her feet on either side of Lauren’s hips. “Give me a foot.”
Lauren obliged, lifting one soapy foot from the water. Cam took hold of it with both hands and started to rub. Lauren’s head fell back and she moaned, making the whole thing more sensual than Cam would have expected. Without lifting her head, she said, “If there’s something you want me to agree to, now is the time to ask. I’m pretty sure I’d say yes to anything.”
Marry me. Stay here forever. The thoughts popped into Cam’s mind unbidden. She shook her head. She was just tired and, despite teasing Lauren about it, probably a little sentimental herself. “I won’t take advantage of your compromised state.” She switched to the other foot, rubbing the arch and pressing her thumbs along the ball. When Lauren seemed completely relaxed, she set that foot down as well. “Come here.”
Lauren shifted, settling her back against Cam’s front. She slid down, resting her head on one of Cam’s shoulders. “Oh, this is nice. I could stay like this all night.”
Cam slicked her hands over Lauren’s breasts, reveling in the way her nipples hardened on contact. “Well, maybe not all night.”
“If you keep touching me like that, I’m not going anywhere.”
Cam had plenty of other things in mind, but she wasn’t in any hurry. She massaged Lauren’s breasts, trying to figure out exactly what combination of motion and pressure caused her to make those perfect little sounds.
After a while, she couldn’t contain herself any longer. She slipped her hand down Lauren’s torso, into the sudsy water, and between her legs. Lauren gasped. “Cam.”
Cam had to swallow her own gasp at how hot and slick and utterly perfect she was. “You are so beautiful.”
Lauren lifted her head. “I—”
“Shh. Relax. Let me enjoy you.” For all her confidence, Lauren seemed profoundly uncomfortable being the center of her undivided attention. The vulnerability of that, hidden where few if any saw it, stirred the deepest parts of Cam’s heart. But instead of fighting them, tonight she just let them be. Just like everything else, her feelings would be waiting for her in the morning.
For her part, Lauren didn’t argue. She settled back against Cam and sighed. She draped one of her legs over Cam’s, giving Cam better access. Cam didn’t say anything more. She slid her fingers over Lauren, easing two inside her. She felt like velvet, soft and hot, but also strong. The way Lauren enveloped her, pulled her in, made her feel whole.
Lauren grabbed one of Cam’s thighs. Cam continued to stroke her, using her free hand to trace lazy circles over her nipples. Lauren undulated slowly. Each movement of her backside against Cam sent arrows of lust right to her core. Cam quickened her pace, not wanting to rush, but also thinking if she didn’t get Lauren out of the tub and into bed soon, she’d lose her mind.
She abandoned Lauren’s breasts, sliding her other hand down. She stroked Lauren’s clit in time with her thrusts. Lauren moved with her, her head rolling from side to side, eyes closed. Cam clenched her jaw, trying to ignore the incessant throbbing between her thighs. The bath water sloshed, threatening to spill onto the floor. Cam couldn’t bring herself to care.
“Cam.” Lauren’s voice was as restless as her body—seeking, begging.
Cam quickened her fingers, willing Lauren to come. “That’s it. Let go. Come for me.”
Lauren stiffened. Her back arched and her hips lifted. Cam stayed with her, pressing into her and holding two fingers against her pulsing clit. Lauren slumped against her, panting. Cam was short of breath, too, almost like she’d had an orgasm of her own.
“Cam.” Lauren whispered her name this time, with something resembling reverence.
Cam swallowed the emotion that bubbled up in her chest. “Come on, let me take you to bed.”
They got out of the tub. She handed Lauren a towel, wrapped a second one around her waist. “You all right?”
Lauren smiled. There was almost something shy about it. “Do you mind if I wash my face? I’m sure my makeup is a mess.”
“You’re gorgeous, but I understand. Go ahead.” Instead of going to the bedroom, Cam stayed. Something about watching her felt intimate. She stood behind Lauren at the sink, pulling pins from her hair one at a time. “I can’t believe you did this yourself.”
“Lots of practice.”
Cam counted seventeen pins before Lauren’s hair tumbled down. She ran her fingers through it. “It looked great, but I have to confess I’m partial to this.”
“I’m partial to your hands in it.”
“Yeah?” Cam figured it was something she did for her own pleasure more than Lauren’s.
“I love the way i
t feels. I really love when you give it a nice pull.”
Cam felt herself flush. Whether it was embarrassment or arousal, she couldn’t be sure. “You do?”
Lauren lifted a shoulder. “I don’t confess it to many people because they usually take it the wrong way.”
Cam swallowed. Just when she thought Lauren had no more surprises up her sleeve, she had to go and say something like that. “You are an infinitely fascinating woman.”
“That’s much nicer than calling me a bundle of contradictions.”
It was hard to tell if she was kidding. “You’re complex.”
Lauren made eye contact with Cam’s reflection in the mirror and raised a brow. “Coming from you, I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”
“You know, it’s grown on me.”
She turned, wound her arms around Cam’s neck. “I’ll take it.”
“Good.” Cam slid her arms around Lauren’s waist, pulled her close, and kissed her.
Without breaking the kiss, Cam walked them into the bedroom. Lauren’s tongue teased Cam’s bottom lip. Cam pulled it into her mouth. A little voice in the back of her brain told her she’d never get tired of this, that it would never get old.
Cam ignored the voice but gave Lauren’s towel a tug, sending it to the floor. She loosened her own and they tumbled into bed, a tangle of still-damp limbs on the cool sheets. Cam propped herself on her elbow and stopped kissing Lauren long enough to look down at her. “You really are gorgeous.”
Lauren smirked, and before Cam realized what was happening, she wiggled free and rolled away. And then Cam was on her back and Lauren on top, straddling her thighs and looking like a Valkyrie poised for battle. If Cam wanted to protest the abrupt shift, the sentiment—not to mention the words—were lost in how fucking sexy it was.
Lauren leaned in and kissed her. “I think, by rights, it’s my turn.”
Cam opened her mouth, but still, she had no words. Taking her silence as all the agreement she needed, Lauren kissed her again. She made a trail of kisses along Cam’s ear, bit gently on the lobe. Cam let out a moan.