Take Me in Your Arms

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

She ran inside and heard the mower start up again. She didn’t stop until she reached her bathroom, where she stripped, showered and changed into red shorts and a black T-shirt in record time. Twenty minutes later, he knocked on her kitchen door and she let him in.

  “The lawn looks great.” She glanced around him at the neatly trimmed grass. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He sat down at her tiny kitchen table and stretched out his long legs in front of him.

  “Cold drink?”

  “I’d love some water.” He watched as she took out a glass and filled it with ice water before returning to sit across the table from him. “Thanks.” He took the glass and downed the contents in one long gulp.

  “More?” Her hand gravitated toward his empty glass.

  “No, thanks. I’m good.” He intercepted her hand and entwined her fingers with his, sending goose bumps up her bare arm.

  “I can’t believe you mowed my lawn.” She attempted a laugh, but it came out airy. “My neighbors will be as delighted as I am.”

  “I didn’t do it for your neighbors.” He stared deeply into her eyes, and she felt raw. “You know that. Don’t you?”

  Lord, he could undo her with just a simple look or an innocent touch. “What are your plans today?”

  His teasing smile let her know he was aware she was trying to change subjects. “I don’t have any.” His fingers continued playing with hers. “Why?”

  “I was...” She took a deep breath for courage and then continued, “I was wondering if you’d like to spend it with me.”

  “Are you asking me out?”

  “I guess I am.” Her heart thudded while she waited for his response.

  He smiled. “How can I refuse?”

  “Good. Go home and change and then come back.”

  He released her hand and glanced at himself. “I need a shower, huh?”

  She laughed. “I didn’t say that.”

  “No, but I do.” He chuckled, standing. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be waiting.” She stood and walked him to the door.

  “You won’t have to wait long,” he promised, and squeezed her fingers before leaving.

  She watched him load the white twin-cab pickup with the lawn mower and other yard tools. He climbed into the cab and waved at her before driving away.

  Angela leaned against the door with what she knew was a sappy expression on her face because Cam, by taking time out of his day to do something nice for her, had demonstrated—without fanfare and without expecting something in return—that she mattered to him. He effortlessly made her feel special, and that was a feeling she could definitely get used to, if she allowed herself to.

  Cam was masterfully chipping away at the carefully constructed walls protecting her trampled heart, and as of yet, she hadn’t found an effective means to counter his sensual, protracted assault. More importantly, did she really want to? Sighing heavily, she ran fingers through her hair as she thoughtfully chewed on her lower lip.

  Did she want to keep fighting her attraction to Cam? That was the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question. Wasn’t it?

  Chapter 7

  Two-and-a-half hours later, they walked up to the movie box office to buy tickets for the recent sci-fi flick they both had been wanting to see.

  Angela frowned when Cam took out his wallet. “What are you doing?”

  “Paying for the tickets.”

  “Nope, I invited you.” She handed her credit card to the attendant before he could, and received their tickets. At his distasteful expression she reminded him, “These are your rules. You said when I took you out, I could pay.”

  “I know, but if my mother finds out I made a lady pay for our date, she’ll skin me alive.”

  “I won’t tell her,” Angela promised, taking his hand and leading him inside. “Come on, let’s get some snacks.”

  “Okay, I’ll pay for those.”

  “Oh, no, you won’t.” Angela shook her head when Cam sighed heavily. “Get used to it, buster. Today you’re not paying for anything.”

  “This isn’t my idea, Mom. I promise,” Cam whispered, mortified.

  “Come on.” Angela steered him toward the snack bar with a laugh.

  After buying their snacks, they entered the theater and were delighted when both expressed their preference for sitting in the back. The theater was half-full, but they were the only ones in their row.

  “I can’t believe you’re a sci-fi buff.” Angela sipped her diet cola as the first preview flitted across the screen. “I can never find anyone to go with me to see sci-fi. All of my friends like horror or romantic comedy.”

  “You won’t have that problem anymore.” He offered her some popcorn. “Anytime you want to go, just give me a call.”

  “What if you’re busy?” Angela plopped a few pieces of popcorn into her mouth and chewed.

  “I’ll never be too busy for you, Angela.” She swallowed hard at his easy assertion. “Remember that.”

  He placed his drink in the armrest to his right and flipped up the one dividing them. Then his arm snaked around her shoulders, and he pulled her closer to his side. She didn’t think of resisting because it felt too good to be so close to him. He was warm, strong and inviting, and he smelled great—like spice and bergamot. She wanted to bury her nose in his neck and overdose on his scent. Instead, she settled for laying her head on his sturdy shoulder and settling in to watch the movie.

  The extra-large bucket of popcorn they shared quickly disappeared as they voraciously munched on it. Angela’s fingers encountered the bottom of the bucket, scraping salt, butter and a few stray unpopped kernels. She looked for a napkin to wipe her fingers and frowned when she didn’t find one.

  “Did you get napkins?” she whispered to Cam.

  “Uh-uh. I thought you did.”

  “I may have some tissues in my bag.”

  Cam watched her while she rummaged in her bag and triumphantly pulled out a pack of tissues. After she cleaned her fingers, he took her hand in his, and at her questioning gaze, he deliberately brought each finger to his lips, placing a tender kiss on each, ending with taking a nip out of the tip of her index finger with his strong white teeth.

  Her heart fluttered at the feel of his warm breath and soft lips against her skin.

  “Mmm, you taste delicious.”

  “Um...thanks,” she whispered breathlessly.

  Without saying another word, he winked at her, placed her hand on his thigh and turned back to watch the movie.

  Oh, my God, how could something so innocent be so sexy? She fought with everything in her to stop from straddling his lap and capturing his mouth with hers. Somehow, she forced her eyes from him and also returned her attention to the movie, willing her heart to cease its rapid beating. After a while, her pulse rate settled down and her concentration returned, allowing her to enjoy the rest of the movie.

  * * *

  “That was fantastic!” Angela said as they left the theater two hours later hand in hand.

  “Better than I expected,” Cam agreed. “I loved the first one, but I didn’t think the sequel could live up to its predecessor.”

  “Neither did I, but it did.”

  “Where to now?” he asked as they walked to his car.

  “Do you like baseball?”

  “Are you kidding?” He grinned. “I’ll have you know, I played in high school and in college.”

  “Well, Washington has a game today, and I have tickets.” She dug in her cross-body messenger bag and showed him. “Wanna go with me?”

  “You have to ask?” He opened the car door and helped her inside before walking around and climbing behind the wheel. “You’re my idea of a dream date.”

  And he was hers. As usu
al, she was having an effortlessly wonderful time with him.

  They arrived at the ballpark an hour later and took their seats, which were close to the field. Once the game started, the stadium was really crowded and noisy as fans cheered their team on. Cam and Angela soon got into the festive spirit themselves.

  “Are you crazy? He was safe!” Angela yelled at the umpire before sitting back down. “That guy needs glasses.”

  “He’s wearing glasses.”

  “Well, he needs to have his prescription checked,” she mumbled.

  “You’re really into it.” Cam laughed at her. “Aren’t you?”

  “Did you expect me not to know anything about the game?”

  “Nope.” At her dubious glance he admitted, “Okay. Yes. I’ve just never met a woman who really likes sports.”

  “How can you not like sports?” Angela sipped her water. “That’s just plain un-American.”

  “I completely agree.” Cam suddenly sprang to his feet. “Slide! Slide!”

  “I’m not the only one who’s into it,” she teased.

  “Derrick refuses to go to games with me.” He grinned as he sat down. “He says I embarrass him too much.”

  “What’s the sense of going to a game if you’re not going to get involved in it?”

  “Exactly,” Cam agreed.

  “Anytime you want to go, just call me,” she offered.

  “I definitely will,” he said. The look he gave her stole her breath away.

  “How about some peanuts?” She raised her hand to signal the peanut seller.

  “Look.” Cam grabbed her hand, lowering it to her lap and pointing to the giant screen on the scoreboard. “We’re on kiss cam.”

  “So we are.” Angela turned from the screen to stare at him suspiciously. “Did you arrange this?”

  “How could I?” He shrugged innocently, but she still had her suspicions. When the people around them began urging them to kiss, he said, “We can’t disappoint everyone.” His hand curved around her neck, pulling her close, his thumb beneath her chin tilting her head up. “Can we?” Without giving her time to answer, his mouth captured hers.

  She expected a quick peck but, boy, was she wrong. Cam’s lips played with hers before fusing tight as his tongue invaded her mouth, engaging in a heated game of hide-and-seek with her tongue. Her nails dug into his sturdy shoulders, trying to anchor herself to the world as she reveled in the heated thoroughness of his kiss. He kissed her long and hard, and everyone around them started whistling and teasing them the longer the devastating kisses continued, but none of that forced Cam to end their embrace which, if possible, grew more intense.

  When he reluctantly released her mouth, the crowd and the game were forgotten—everything except their consuming hunger for each other, which was threatening to obliterate anything and everything standing in the way of them feeding it. She realized that despite her best efforts, she was very close to forgetting her reasons for keeping Cam at arm’s length, because when she was with him, her past hurts, unwavering commitment to her career—everything suddenly paled in comparison to the overwhelming need Cam unleashed within her.

  She liked her life the way it was, didn’t she? She didn’t want to become dependent upon anyone, and she didn’t want anyone depending on her—except her patients and her staff. Yet here she sat on another date with Cam, having a great time, wanting him with every fiber of her being.

  Cam grinned at her as if he could read every thought and emotion racing through her, and she got the distinct impression he couldn’t be more pleased with her obviously weakening resolve where he was concerned. She tore her eyes away from his and tried to focus on the game while she wondered how she had lost control so quickly, and pondered what she needed to do to get it back. The answer to both successfully eluded her.

  * * *

  “Thanks for inviting me to dinner, Angie.” Alesha glanced around the crowded, quaint Italian restaurant. “We’re long overdue for a girls’ night out.”

  “Yes, we are, and I’m glad you could make it.” Angela needed a night out with her best friend to stop herself from obsessing about her ever-growing feelings for Cam and the complications said feelings were creating in her carefully ordered life.

  “Derrick was thrilled to get me out of the house so that he can spoil D.J. without me chastising him.” Alesha shook her head and laughed when Angela chuckled. “He’s worse than I am.”

  “He does love his little one.”

  “Yes, he does.” Alesha sighed happily, and Angela grinned at the complete look of love on her friend’s face. “I sound like a sap. Don’t I?”

  “No, you don’t,” Angela said, squeezing her hand. “You sound like a woman very much in love, and I’m thrilled for you.”

  “Thanks. I never thought I could be this happy.” Alesha slyly predicted, “You’ll know the feeling one day.”

  Angela smiled tolerantly at her matchmaking friend and said, “I’m already happy.”

  “You know what I mean.” Alesha sipped her water. “How are things with you and Cam?”

  “Good.”

  “Just good?”

  “Yes, just good.” Angela laughed at Alesha’s audible sigh. “I keep telling you that we’re just...” Angela’s voice trailed off as her breathing stilled.

  “What’s wrong?” Alesha frowned.

  “Um, nothing,” Angela whispered, her eyes still glued to the other side of the restaurant where Cam was sitting with another woman. He had told her he had a business dinner tonight. She inwardly huffed. Some business!

  Alesha followed Angela’s gaze. “Is that Cam?”

  “Yes.” Angela tore her eyes away and refocused on Alesha. “That’s him.”

  “Who is that with him?”

  “His date, I guess.” The words were ripped from Angela’s mouth. She forced what she hoped was a dismissive shrug and coolly replied, “We’re not exclusive. He’s free to date whomever he wants, and so am I.”

  “But you don’t want him dating anyone else, do you?”

  “I don’t care what he does.” She perused the menu. Feeling Alesha’s eyes on her, she assured her friend, “I’m fine, Alesha.”

  “We can leave.” Alesha’s sympathetic tone revealed she didn’t buy Angela’s cool assertion for a second.

  “No, I’m hungry and they have wonderful food here.” This was the restaurant Cam had introduced her to. It really irked her that he had brought another woman here.

  Oh, God, she silently bemoaned. I do care that he’s out with another woman. I care a lot!

  “Angie, I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. Why don’t you go over there?”

  “No.” Angela shook her head. “Let’s grab a waiter. I’m starving.” She had been starving, but her appetite had gone right out the window upon seeing Cam with his “date.”

  She tried to keep her eyes away from Cam and his dinner companion; Lord knows she did, but more than once, she felt her eyes straying across the room, willing him to see her, but he didn’t. He was very focused on his much younger date, who in turn was absolutely enthralled with him. They talked nonstop, laughing frequently, and his touchy-feely companion beamed at him like a love-sick puppy!

  By the time she and Alesha left the restaurant, she was incensed and angry with herself for feeling that way. She had set the ground rules and insisted to Cam on numerous occasions that they were just friends, just casually dating with absolutely no strings attached to either of them. However, that truth didn’t stop her from feeling betrayed.

  How many times was she going to have to learn the painful lesson that serious relationships weren’t for her?

  * * *

  Angela bristled when Cam breezed into her office the next morning unannounced, treating her to one of his gorgeous smiles that sen
t her pulse racing even though she was upset with him. Why did he have to be so handsome, and why did she have to be so susceptible to his devastating charms?

  “Hi, gorgeous.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  He frowned at her cold, angry tone. “I missed you, and I wanted to see you.” He walked over and sat on the corner of her desk. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” She stood and gazed out the window, placing some distance between them and showing him her back.

  “Are you okay?” He walked over to stand beside her. “You seem mad.”

  Give the man a cigar!

  “How was your business meeting last night?” She hadn’t meant to say that, but now that the question had leaped from her mouth, she turned and treated him to an accusatory glare.

  “It was very good,” he answered automatically, though his face held confusion.

  “Great.” She turned to walk away, but his hand on her upper arm halted her. “Let go!”

  “What is the matter with you?” His fingers tightened on her arm when she tried to pull free. “Did I do something to upset you?”

  “Why would you think that?” She glared at him. “Guilty conscience?”

  “No.” His frown increased. “What do I have to be guilty about?”

  “What indeed?” Freeing her arm, she sat back down behind her desk. “Would you please leave?”

  He crossed his arms stubbornly. “Not until you tell me what’s going on with you?”

  “I’m fine.” She turned her attention to her laptop. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.” He covered her hand with his, and she snatched her hand away, prompting a raised eyebrow from him.

  “What is wrong with you?”

  “I saw you, okay!” The words burst from her mouth like steam from a pressure cooker.

  “You saw me where?”

  “At dinner last night with your date.” She stood and walked over to the coffeepot, tossing over her shoulder, “Alesha and I were at Giovanni’s, and imagine my surprise when I spotted you.”

  “You were there?” He stood and walked over to stand beside her. “I can’t believe I didn’t see you.”