“First of all, there is no us. There never was, and there never will be. And secondly, I’m not slumming it with Riley. She’s the best person I’ve ever met. It doesn’t matter what’s in her bank account, or mine for that matter. I’m with her because she’s good and beautiful and smart. Why would I give all that up for you? You’re none of those things.”
I thought I saw a tiny flash of hurt cross her face, and I almost felt bad about it, but then her porcelain façade fell back into place and she was fake as fuck again. “We both know she’s just a phase, Camden. And even though I don’t appreciate the way you’ve spoken to me, I know you’ll come crawling back when you realize what a mistake you’re making.”
I had no response to her insanity, so I chose to walk away and try to find Riley. I pushed past Sophia and bolted in the direction Riley had gone, but couldn’t find her anywhere. I weaved through the kitchen, back up to the main ballroom, I even looked in the coat check room, but I couldn’t find her. The only place I hadn’t looked was the bathrooms, and I didn’t think it was a good idea to cross that boundary. If she was hiding from me, it was probably better to let her cool off before we spoke. But we would speak.
I grabbed a glass of champagne off the tray passing by and drank it down in one long gulp. The memory of Riley’s face when Sophia mentioned coming to my office flashed through my mind, and I wished for a stronger drink. I’d wrestled with telling Riley about Sophia’s random visit, but it meant nothing and would have caused her more stress. I was realizing now that perhaps I should have told her at the time, that we could have avoided all of this.
I thought I’d been doing a good job over the past few months of convincing Riley that whatever abyss she imagined between us, the big black hole she attributed to my family’s abundance of money and her lack of it, was a nonissue. Nothing would have stopped me from pursuing her after that kiss at the basketball game and listening to her smart, sassy mouth. She was the complete opposite of every woman I’d ever dated, and I fucking loved it. I loved her. Obviously, some part of her had never let it go, never believed me when I told her that I wanted her for her, and for no other reason. I walked to the bar and ordered a whiskey. I’d just dropped a bill in the tip jar when I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Your girl’s doing a fantastic job, Camden.” My stepfather’s words were full of praise and sincerity, but I couldn’t appreciate them in that moment.
“Did you invite Sophia and her family here tonight?”
A look of confusion passed over his face and his eyebrows drew together. “Not personally, no. They’re on the list of contacts who automatically get invited to all our functions. Her father is a friend of mine.”
“Did you invite them on purpose to try and put Sophia between Riley and me?” My tone was angry, and I wanted more than anything in the world for him to be honest with me. “Just tell me the truth.”
His hand came back to my shoulder and he gave it a squeeze. “I would never do that to you, Camden. And I’m sorry that you think I would. Sure, I wanted you to date Sophia, but your mother and I have never seen you as happy as you’ve been with Riley. I would never try to sabotage you in that way.”
Fuck me, he looked sincere. I was glad he felt that way about Riley, but it almost was worse because it meant that Sophia was a crazy bitch and she’d been purposely trying to cause trouble. I ran a hand down my face then took a deep swig of my drink.
“She said something to Riley and now, shit, I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Sophia said something to Riley?” His expression moved from concerned to curious, and I was about to jump into the story, but Riley appeared beside me.
“I don’t want to talk about anything right now, but I need a favor.” She looked miserable, as though talking to me was painful and the last thing she wanted to do.
“Anything,” I said without hesitation. It was the truth, I would have done anything for her.
“The player from the Renegades can’t make it for the auction, but the organization would still like to offer the experience. We just need an escort. Do you think you could do it?”
“Do what?”
“Get up on stage and be the person whose company we auction off for the experience. You’d have to take whoever bid the highest to the arena and then go to the game with them.” The entire time she was talking she never looked me directly in the eye. She was either looking over my shoulder or down at her shoes. I wanted so badly to grab her and make her talk to me, but I knew it wasn’t the right time or place. “You’d get to sit in the suites, and I’m sure you’d get a free jersey or something.” It hurt that she thought the box seats and swag would be the reason I would help her. I wanted to help her because I fucking loved her.
“I’ll do it on one condition,” I said, using my finger to tip her face up to meet mine.
“What’s that?” she asked, her voice practically trembling, as if she were close to tears.
“You have to let me take you home tonight and we have to talk this out.”
She held my gaze, never wavering, and eventually asked, “That’s the only way you’ll help?”
“Yeah,” I said, purposefully running my thumb over her bottom lip, using the way her shoulders shivered as proof that she was still affected by me even in anger and hurt. That gave me hope.
“Fine.” She turned and walked away before I could respond, and my heart sank a little as I watched her go.
“She looks like she’s in a lot of pain, Cam. She looks like she loves you.” Andrew’s words pulled me back to reality and I turned to look at him.
“Here’s hoping.” Raising my glass, I clinked it against his.
The next hour passed without incident. I stood around with Andrew and my mother, trying not to look as though my dog had been run over by a car. But in truth, I was miserable. I needed the party to be over so I could take Riley home and talk to her, explain to her what happened with Sophia, get everything out in the open, tell her that I loved her and wanted nothing more in the world except for her to be with me and to love me back.
I wasn’t sure what she was going to say to all that, but I knew I would never be happy unless I laid it all out there for her. She needed all the information and then I’d let her make the decision. But I’d be damned if I was going to let Sophia be the last person she listened to when it came to our relationship. Fuck that noise.
The party continued and eventually one of the girls I recognized from Riley’s office came to me and said, “We need you upstairs for the auction.”
“Sure thing,” I mumbled, swallowing the rest of my whiskey—my second whiskey anyway. I followed her up the stairs, leaving my empty glass on the tray of a waitress as I passed her by.
“We really appreciate you stepping in like this, Camden. I hope it’s all right if I call you that. I’m sorry, I’m not usually this babbly.”
“Camden is fine. You’re Rachel, right?”
“Yes, hi. Like I said, we’re grateful. I know Riley didn’t want to ask you to do it, but it was kind of an emergency situation.”
“Well,” I said on a sigh, “Riley knows I’d do pretty much anything for her. I’m happy to help.” Rachel led me backstage and explained the process. My personal auction would be last—kind of like the big finish.
“So, you basically hang out back here until you’re announced by Jasper, and then walk out on stage, smile, and try to look like you’re excited to hang out with whoever buys your time.”
“Got it,” I said, giving her a half-assed smile. I just wanted to get this part over with and take Riley home, make her talk to me, make her see what she meant to me.
“Listen, she’d probably kill me if she knew I said anything, but I just want you to know that Riley is really upset. Whatever happened between you two tonight, it upset her. She cares a lot about you and I hope you two can work it out. I’ve never seen her as happy as she’s been the last few weeks.” Rachel looked genuinely concerned for Riley, and that made me s
often a little toward her.
I forced a small smile and tried to reassure her. “I’ll work it out with Riley, don’t worry. And I won’t tell her you said anything.”
“Thanks,” she said, half laughing and half sighing. “Like I said, wait until you hear your name and then go out there and smile. You’ll knock ’em dead.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
She smiled again but then left me standing backstage with a few other people. After a few minutes, I could hear more people starting to trickle in, the noise level of the room rising, the murmurings of conversations floating backstage. I was suddenly tired. Exhausted, even. I rubbed at my temples, aggravated by the dull throb emerging there.
“Are you feeling all right?” I heard Riley’s voice, and my head snapped up. Just seeing her face made me feel better, but then I noticed she looked even more tired than I felt.
“No, I’m not.” She looked around and then motioned for me to follow her and she led me to the corner of the backstage area where only the light from the stage was present, making it dark and quiet. “I don’t like whatever is happening between us.” She listened, but her head dropped down and I wanted so badly to reach out to her, to draw her close, but I didn’t want to anger her or push her farther away. I waited for her response, for her to give any indication that she felt the same way, and I got my answer when she reached her hand out and looped her pinky finger around mine. I accepted that little inch she gave me, but then I took a mile, threading my fingers through hers and pulling her into me, my other hand cupping her cheek.
“Why didn’t you tell me she’d come to your office?” she whispered, eyes searching mine, full of hurt I knew I was responsible for.
“Because it didn’t matter. And because I didn’t want to stress you out.”
“It can’t be both, Cam. It either wasn’t a big deal, or it was and you knew it would bother me.”
“It didn’t matter to me, but I knew it would matter to you. I knew you would be upset about it and it would cause friction. But it wasn’t worth it to me to cause that kind of trouble with us. I’ve hardly gotten to see you these past few weeks, and when I do see you, I want it to be about us, not about her. She’s nothing.” I bent my knees to bring my face level with hers. “She’s nothing.”
Riley met my gaze and kept it, locking her eyes with mine for a long moment. Finally she let out a large breath. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone, Camden. I’ve fallen in love with you and it’s scary. I’m scared you’re going to realize I’m not the right person for you, that we’re too different, and that you’re going to end it, and where will that leave me? Completely and desperately in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way. So, it scared me when I heard she’d been to see you and you didn’t tell me. Her, of all people.” She let out a sad laugh, using a finger to wipe the tears from her eyes. I moved my hand to the back of her neck, wanting to pull her close. “I’m not used to feeling insecure, but she does that to me.”
“You love me?” I asked quietly, watching as she pulled her face back to see me a little better.
“After that whole speech, that’s your first question?”
“Do you love me?” I asked again, bringing her hand up to my mouth and kissing the back of it, waiting for her answer.
“Yeah, I do.” Her eyes were darting back and forth between mine, and I could tell she was frozen, waiting for me to say something that would either make her happy or break her heart. I knew I would never be able to break her heart, but now I had to make her see that as well.
“I knew the instant we spoke I was going to fall in love with you so hard, Riley. I might have been in love with you the minute you refused to give me your phone number. I love that you’re spunky and hilarious and witty. I love that you’re soft and kind and good. You’re the best person I’ve ever met, let alone been with, and I love you so fucking much, I’m just glad you’ve finally caught up with me.”
She laughed again, a real laugh, and a few tears slipped down her face. I wiped them away, hoping they were the last ones of the evening, and then I pulled her close.
“Can I kiss you?”
“You better.”
She tipped up on her toes to meet me halfway, and our mouths touched. I kissed her, loving the way she tasted salty and sweet, the way she arched into me, and the way I could feel her love in the kiss. I wrapped one arm around her waist and picked her up off the floor, turning us so my back was to the stage and she was pressed against the wall, both of us hidden in the shadows of the ballroom.
I pressed into her, using the force of my body to hold her up, freeing my hands to roam over her body and the smooth fabric of her dress.
“Cam,” she said on a breath, “I have to go back out there. The auction is about to start.”
As she spoke, I moved my mouth to her neck, nipping her there, loving the way her heartbeat pulsed beneath my tongue.
“I can’t wait to take you home,” I rasped against her neck.
“Me either.”
I moved my mouth back to her hers, kissing her deeply but letting her feet fall back to the floor. When I pulled away, I rested my forehead against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Before I’d met Riley, I never would have thought those three words would affect me the way hearing her say them did. My heart soared, my pulse thundered, and my mouth smiled. It was the best feeling, hearing her say those words. I wanted to listen to her saying them forever. I kissed her again, but only a small, fast one, then stepped back.
She looked like the happy Riley I’d spent the last eight weeks with. She looked like the woman I fell in love with.
“You have to leave because otherwise, I won’t be able to control myself any longer.” I kissed her forehead, trying to appease my need to feel all of her but respect the fact that she needed to work.
“Okay.” She smiled. A brilliant, dazzling, sexy as fuck smile, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have her, to be the one she chose to love and let in. I was a lucky bastard. “I’ll be right off the stage to your right during the auction. Jasper is the auctioneer. After it’s over the band is up, and then I am a free woman.”
“You still owe me a dance.”
“I know.” She smiled again, then turned and started to walk away, but I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. My hands framed her face and I searched her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything. I’ll never keep anything like that from you again.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I love you, and I forgive you. I’m sorry I pulled away. I’ll work on running to you instead of away.”
“That would be amazing,” I said, pressing a kiss against her lips one last time before I let her go again.
Chapter Nineteen
Riley
Holy fuck.
He loved me.
I walked through the dark backstage area, my fingers pressed against my lips, smiling, and floating on a fucking cloud.
He loved me.
And I loved him too.
We were in love.
Holy fuck.
I saw Jasper and walked to him, trying to wipe the stupid grin off my face. I failed, obviously, because he lit up when he saw me.
“Well, you look a lot happier than you did an hour ago. Did you let your boyfriend tap you in the bathroom?”
“What? No!” I laughed, partly because Jasper was funny, but also because I was so happy, laughter was simply falling out of me. I had no control over my happiness.
“Well, whatever he did to you, tell him to do it all the time. Every day. You look good happy.”
“Thank you,” I said, blushing. “So, are you all ready to go?”
“I am. Is it weird that doing this is fulfilling some sort of weird western, cattle ranch auction fantasy I’ve always had? I want a good old-fashioned bidding war to break out. I want paddles flying and people yelling.”
“First of all, we don’t have paddles. Secondly, you’re
insane. This isn’t a cattle auction. This is a sophisticated event, and I’m sure everyone will act accordingly.”
“Party pooper.”
“Okay, I think you’re up, Jasper. Knock ’em dead. Make sure you wring all the money you can out them. Be your charming self and hit them in the wallets, right where it hurts.”
“You got it, boss lady.”
Jasper took to the stage and commanded everyone’s attention. I knew he was an attention whore and that’s why I knew this part of the job would be perfect for him. He thrived when he knew everyone was watching him.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am sure you’ve all had enough time to loosen your inhibitions and your money clips.” He paused for the laughter that he knew was coming, and I had to admit, the audience ate him up. He had them in the palm of his hand. “Tonight we have some excellent packages for you all to bid on, and remember, all these packages are donated to the Angel House, so 100 percent of your money goes directly to the cause. There are no middlemen, no red tape, no hoops to jump through. Your money will immediately go to help women and families who have been affected by domestic abuse, so let’s open those wallets and have a good time.”
Polite applause filled the room and I smiled at Jasper, so grateful for his help.
“The first package is dinner for four at Portland City Grill. Your package includes a five-course meal, dessert, and all you can drink service. A limo will pick you up and take you home, ensuring everyone has a safe and pleasant evening. The bidding for this package will start at seven hundred and fifty dollars.”
Hands flew up immediately and Jasper did a great job keeping the momentum going and goading people into bidding again when they were on the fence. In truth, that was a great price for the package to begin with, but when the bidding got up to two thousand dollars, I was practically jumping up and down with excitement. The bidding slowed, but Jasper pressed on, squeezing another five hundred out of the top bidder.
Kiss Cam (With A Kiss Book 1) Page 21