Where There's Hope_A Well Paired Novel

by Marianne Rice

  It saddened him that he wasn’t the least bit tempted to talk to her. Curious as to why she was in Portland, Maine, sure, but he had no desire to trudge up the past. To be reminded how his family turned on him, threw him to the wolves, and washed their hands of him. For good.

  A bitterness that he worked so hard to exterminate from his body worked its way back into his head. He turned from the door and focused on the group of girls who’d entered the lobby. Their hair still in tight buns, makeup on their faces, and smiles that lit up the stage.

  “There’s my princess,” Rich said as he hurried across the lobby to greet his granddaughter. “You were the prettiest and best dancer out there.” He hugged Delaney tight and kissed her nose.

  “Don’t say that, Dad. It’ll go right to her head.”

  “It’s true.”

  “Thank you for coming to my performance. Again,” she said to Cameron.

  “Hey, third time’s a charm, right? Can’t wait for tomorrow’s show. Maybe the mouse will pull out a lightsaber and Thor will fly down from the rafters with his hammer. That seems to be the craze these days. Blending superheroes together.”

  “The Nutcracker isn’t exactly a superhero.” Hope rolled her eyes and took her coat from Cameron’s arm.

  “He is to Clara.”

  Yeah, Delaney had his back. He smirked at Hope, and she stuck her tongue out at him. “Mom, Dad, where would you like to eat? Delaney’s told me fifteen times in the past twenty minutes how hungry she is.”

  “I’m up for anything,” Diane said.

  “There are quite a few restaurants that are a quick walk from here. I saw a few you might like,” Cameron offered.

  “Lead the way.” Rich held out his arm and Cameron headed for the doors, holding them open until his family made it outside.

  His family.

  Not the woman who had similar DNA who disappeared into the crowd without a word to him, but the Windwards. Delaney shared his blood and Hope had his heart.

  Yes, they were his true family.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  ALL THE TRIPS TO PORTLAND, the long hours of practice, the scheduling and asking for favors to bring Delaney to and from practice and rehearsal, were all worth it. Hope listened to her daughter’s chatter with a smile in her heart as she watched Cameron lean in with intense concentration, obviously trying to follow along to the stories from one topic to another.

  Her parents were used to Delaney’s bouncing around and lack of transitions and took it all in stride, as did Cameron. He was a natural and his interest in his niece was real, not just a way to get to Hope. Although seeing him be so attentive to Delaney totally melted her insides.

  She wished for their late lunch to be over soon so she could have some time with him. Her mother had suggested taking Delaney shopping around the Old Port and giving Hope and Cameron some time alone together. She didn’t know if she wanted to use the time in the bedroom or walking hand-in-hand, strolling the cobblestone roads and window shopping. She’d let nature take its course.

  But from the way Cameron’s hand stroked, rubbed, and massaged her thigh under the table, she had a feeling they’d be testing out his bed before shopping, if they went out at all.

  “I’ll take that.” Her father reached for the bill the waitress had left, and Cameron shifted in his seat.

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to pay for lunch.”

  “Actually, I do mind. You’re doing us a favor spending the weekend down here, keeping an eye on our girls. The least we can do is buy you lunch.”

  Cameron took out his wallet anyway. “At least let me cover the tip.”

  Hope watched her father contemplate the request. It wasn’t a power struggle between the two men, more of an honorable gesture, taking care of the ones they love.

  “I suppose. If you insist.”

  “I do.” Cameron took out some bills and placed them under the salt and pepper shakers.

  “I’m sure you two are anxious to have some time alone,” her mother said as she took out her lipstick from her purse and applied it to her lips. “We have your key card so no need to hurry back. You kids enjoy yourselves.” She capped her lipstick, tossed it in her purse, and smiled knowingly at Hope.

  “Thanks, Mom. And, Dad. Delaney, you were absolutely stunning today. I won’t be back too late, but don’t wait up. You have another long day tomorrow.” She scooted across the bench and hugged her daughter. “I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Hope stood and put her arms through the coat Cameron held out for her. “Call me if you need anything. We won’t be far.” She leaned down and gave her father a quick one-armed hug and reached over him to rub her mother’s shoulder.

  “Have fun,” her father said as they headed out of the restaurant.

  Cameron held the door open for her and then reached for her hand, tugging her tight against his body. “Anywhere in particular you want to go or to see? Something you want to do?”

  “Actually.” Hope turned right at the end of the sidewalk and said casually, “I want to go to your hotel room, see you naked, and make wild, passionate love.” Cameron stopped walking and yanked her back to him. “Is there a problem with that?” she asked coyly.

  “Hell no.” This time Cameron took the lead, and Hope did all she could to keep up with him as they raced down the sidewalk toward the hotel. She laughed as the crisp air, which did nothing to cool down the heat in her core, blew against her face.

  She would’ve loved to get things started in the elevator, but another couple was in there with them. Cameron’s foot tapped repeatedly as they waited for their floor. The doors weren’t even all the way open before he had her out the elevator and in front of his hotel room.

  Last night she’d wished they had adjoining rooms instead of him being five rooms down, but now she was grateful. It would be mortifying if her parents heard them making love when they returned.

  Once the door unlocked, Cameron ushered her into the room and had her pinned against the wall. “You sure about this?” His mouth hovered inches above hers.

  “Totally.” Her knees went weak as he touched his lips to hers, slowing the movement, even though she knew he was as anxious as her to get naked.

  His hands crept slowly up her front, their jackets causing too thick a barrier. Hope reached for the zipper on his coat and slid it down, reaching around his body with her arms.

  The warmth and hardness of his body calmed and relaxed her. It was like coming home after a long day of work and soaking in a bubble bath with a glass of wine. Only it was Cameron. And so much better.

  He undid her coat and scarf, dropping them to the floor before working his hands up under her sweater and cupping her breasts. She moaned with pleasure and relaxed into his body.

  They hadn’t touched each other like this in weeks, not since their first time in his sleeping bag in his apartment. Cameron moved his hands away and slid them down to her waist, to her butt, then dipped his body, lifting her in his arms and carrying her to the bed.

  “I’ve been dreaming about making love to you in a bed for a long time.”

  “You didn’t like the sleeping bag?”

  “Sweetheart.” He kissed her deeply and set her on the bed. “I’ll never forget the sleeping bag, but this time I want to see you. All of you. I want you splayed out on my bed, your hair across my pillow, your legs tangled with mine. On top, on bottom, sideways, and spread eagle. I want you every and any way I can have you.”

  It was a good thing she was sitting or she would’ve fainted. He had a way of looking at her so openly and honestly, of making her feel like a princess and his lifeline. He built her up and gave her a sense of power and control, not over him, but over herself. She couldn’t explain it, but being with Cameron made her feel...like an independent woman.

  She wasn’t relying on him to make her happy, he simply did. When she was with Cameron, she believed in herself, believed she could accomplish her goals and dreams, and not beca
use she needed him to be there to help her. He gave her a strength and positive energy that she didn’t have before.

  And he asked for nothing in return. Well, except to be splayed naked across his bed. Which she’d gladly do. Anytime.

  “I’m yours, Cameron.” She loosened his tie and flung it across the room, then gripped the bottom of his shirt and yanked it over his head, tossing it to the floor.

  “Damn, you’re beautiful.” He caressed her cheeks with the back of his knuckles, reading her eyes, touching the contours of her face, not rushing to get her naked. Not that she would’ve minded.

  Hope gripped his shoulders, warm and muscled from hard, manual labor, and dragged her fingertips down his chest and stomach. “I like touching you.” He wasn’t built like a bodybuilder, but had sculpted muscles that came from years of physical work. His body was lean, most likely from all his running, and matched with Hope’s perfectly.

  She’d never been fond of her body, but not to the point where she was embarrassed by it either. She wasn’t skinny, but wasn’t overweight. Her boobs and butt were average. Not heart-stopping or worth a second look from a stranger walking down the street, yet Cameron made her feel like she was.

  The time he took studying her, caressing and kissing, made her body sing as he worshiped her. Cameron’s gentle touch lowered to her arms, softly rubbing up and down, followed by a trail of kisses. His heavy body lumbered over her, yet she didn’t feel squashed. She reached for his waist and pulled him closer to her.

  “I think you should take my clothes off now,” she said breathlessly. “Our time is limited, and I don’t want to waste it wearing a sweater and leggings.”

  Cameron lifted his head, his lips twisted into the most devilishly sly grin. “In a hurry, sweetheart?”

  “Kind of.” She wiggled her hips up toward his, grinding herself into him.

  Amusement filled his face and he sat back on his heels, trapping her lower body under his. “I suppose since my shirt is off yours should be too.”

  “That’s what I’ve been saying.”

  “Well then.” Slowly, too slowly, he lowered his big, strong hands to her hips and squeezed gently before inching them higher under her long sweater. When he finally touched her skin, she sunk back into the pillow and sighed. “You like that?”

  “I like it when you touch me.”

  Cameron’s hands slid higher until his fingers toyed with the bottom of her breasts. “Where?”

  “Anywhere. Everywhere. Just don’t stop.” Hope closed her eyes and let her hands trail across his thighs. She couldn’t reach his back anymore but didn’t think she had the energy to lift her hands anyway.

  When he grazed his palm over her nipples she arched her back, pressing her breasts into his hands. Mustering up energy she didn’t know she had, Hope reached behind and undid her bra.

  “Patience isn’t your virtue, is it?”

  “No. That’s more your thing.” She pulled her arms through her sweater and did the rest on her own, tugging off her top and bra and tossing them on the floor with Cameron’s shirt and tie. “That’s better.”

  The cool air tickled her skin, but she didn’t have time to be chilled. Cameron lowered his body over her, taking one of her breasts in his mouth while toying with the other with his hand. He took his time with each, sending Hope into a frenzy of need. She couldn’t wait much longer. Her body needed him. Needed him closer.

  “Cameron,” she begged. “Please.”

  “I don’t want to rush this,” he said, trailing more kisses across her torso.

  “It’s been like four hours, and we’re both still half dressed.” She tried to take her boots off with her feet but with the pressure of his thighs on her, she couldn’t move much.

  “Four hours?” Cameron lifted his head and checked out the clock on the nightstand. “More like twenty minutes. But if four hours is what you’re after, I can make it last—”

  “No! Twenty minutes is plenty. Please. Take your clothes off.” Hope struggled to sit up, but Cameron straddled her lower half. “I don’t have your patience, Cameron. Can we do this my way first and then you can take your time? I’m dying here.” That familiar twinkle shone in his eyes again. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Torturing me?”

  While her body wanted to be infuriated with him for making her wait, her heart and head loved him even more for it. He was one hundred percent selfless, and a million percent perfect. Perfect for her, perfect for Delaney, perfect in every possible way. Her heart hammered away at her chest in anticipation of his next move.

  “Is this really torture?” He cupped her breasts and kissed her lips.

  “Mmm.” Hope wrapped her arms around his shoulders and brought his body closer. She loved his kisses. How they were never rushed and always felt like the first time. An exploration of lips and tongues and hands. She’d never get enough of him.

  Knowing she needed to take charge if they were ever going to make it to third base—but it was the home run she was aiming for—Hope pushed him backward. They fell sideways on the bed, and she had just enough wiggle room to free her legs and kick off her boots.

  “Strip. Now.” She had her leggings and underwear off with one swoop while Cameron was still working on his laces. “Men,” she muttered. She dropped to her knees at the foot of the bed and pushed his hands away, tugging off his shoes.

  Cameron propped himself up on his elbows and watched her make quick work of his shoes. When she looked up, she saw he hadn’t even unbuttoned his jeans.

  “You’re painfully slow.” Hope climbed up his legs, naked as the day she was born and not a bit shy about it, and undid his jeans, then worked his zipper. “Lift your tush.”

  He complied, and she shimmied his jeans over his butt and down his thighs. She dropped to the floor again, tugging his pants until they were completely off. He sat up, and she rested on her knees on the floor in front of him.

  Holy hell it was like a scene out of a kinky romance novel. She’d always been pretty straight-laced when it came to sex. Granted, her experiences were limited not only in how many, but when and where.

  Now, on her knees in front of Cameron, both of them finally naked, erotic thoughts and images that she’d never experienced before flooded through her head. Her gaze lowered to between his thighs.

  “Hope,” he warned. “I’m a patient man, but if you do that, all bets are off.”

  Her heart raced, and she could feel her skin break out in a fine layer of sweat. “What kind of bets?”

  “I want this to be about you, not me. If you touch me now, I...I’m going to completely lose it.” He reached out and touched her hair, stroking it softly. “Come here.” He held onto her shoulders and guided her up and over him, their naked bodies slithering against each other.

  His skin against hers felt too. Damn. Good.

  “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.” He draped his leg over hers and pulled her body closer. When their lips met, he made love to her mouth for what felt like hours, his hands stroking her back and butt.

  Hope followed his lead, absorbing his heat and rubbing his back and shoulders as well. It was later, much, much later, after he’d lowered his hands between their bodies and made her scream out in ecstasy that they became one.

  Cameron’s patience only lasted so long and he tensed, joining her in climax, shouting out in relief shortly after.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “STILL GLAD WE RUSHED it?” Cameron twirled a strand of Hope’s hair around his finger and rubbed his foot against her calf.

  “Rushed?” Hope perched herself up on her elbows, looking down at him, her eyes big and round. “If it wasn’t for me, we’d still have our pants and shoes on.”

  “If it wasn’t for you,” he said, flipping her to her back. “I wouldn’t be here at all.”

  “Hm. Where would you be? In some other woman’s bed?”

  He knew she was playing with him, but her question wouldn’t have been too far
off base if the past decade of his life hadn’t happened. If he hadn’t caused the accident that killed his brother, he’d probably still be bed-hopping, drinking, doing drugs.

  “Cameron?” Her voice trembled, and he could have kicked himself for making her worry. Even if he hadn’t been in that accident, Hope had ruined any future date for him. She’d tilted the world on its axis all those years ago, changing his view on women and relationships forever.

  “Never. You’re it for me, Hope. I love you.” He kissed her, savoring her taste, the softness of her lips.

  When her arms came around his body and those silky moans escaped her lips, he knew he’d never want another woman again. Hell, he realized that with their first innocent kiss back in her college days.

  Over the years Cameron had learned to never take life for granted, to appreciate every opportunity that knocks on his door. And this was one hell of an opportunity he appreciated.

  It wasn’t until the sun set and they grew hungry that they dressed and left his hotel room.

  “If we see my parents, I’m running the other way.” Hope tucked her hair under her knit hat and pushed the down arrow in the elevator.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Wrong? Nothing. But they’ll know we’ve been up in your room for the past three hours and, well, it’s my mom. And Dad.”

  Cameron chuckled. “Getting busted by the parents at thirty-one. Ever happen in high school?”

  “Never. You?”

  Talking about his past was the equivalent to drinking radiator fluid. Same feeling in his gut. Or so he assumed that’s what drinking it would feel like.

  “Nope.” Had his parents been around they would’ve caught him dozens of times.

  “Sorry. I know you don’t like talking about your family. I’m just curious about your girlfriends.”

  Which was a natural question to ask. He wanted to know about the past men in her life as well. The elevator dinged and they got out, walked through the lobby, and stepped out into the cold night air.