“Me?”
“Yes, you,” Byron said jovially. “You’re the reason my wife won’t stay anywhere else but the Duke resorts when we’re in California.”
“But I’m…” Julia shot Cameron a look of puzzlement, then stared at Byron. “Why?”
Byron slipped his arm through hers. “Because of those chocolate croissants you make for the Dukes. We can’t get them anywhere else.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet.” Julia laughed as she patted his arm.
Byron leaned closer. “Personally, I’m partial to your apple fritters. My goodness, I could eat them all day long.” He frowned and slapped his gut a few times. “I think it shows.”
“I like those best, too,” she confided.
As Cameron watched his stunning wife interact with his friend, he felt a wave of tenderness so overwhelming he almost stumbled backward. Suddenly, his chest felt so full of emotion, he could hardly breathe.
What the hell was that?
Was he having a heart attack? He didn’t think so. He wasn’t in pain. Quite the opposite, in fact. He felt warm, fulfilled, happy. Bizarre.
Hell, he didn’t know what was going on, but he knew he needed to move.
He left Julia and Byron chatting while he walked to the bar and ordered a shot of good Scotch. As he sipped the drink, he decided the best thing to do right now was to get Julia and slip out of here, take her back to the room and make love. And tomorrow, he couldn’t wait to drive home and see Jake. He didn’t know when it had happened, but he’d become a family man, and Julia and Jake had become the most important part of his life.
Cameron felt someone touch his shoulder and he turned.
“Hello, Cameron.”
His back went rigid. “Martina.”
“Don’t you look handsome,” she said, her voice as sultry as he remembered. She wore a black-lace dress that barely covered her impressive cleavage, which she used to great advantage by leaning close to him as she batted her eyes. “I was hoping I’d see you here tonight.”
Cameron gazed at her with detachment. He had loved Martina once, or so he’d thought. Now, he looked at her and felt…nothing.
“So, where’s Andrew?” he asked. And more important, where the hell was Julia? He peered over the heads of the crowd, trying to see where his wife and Byron had disappeared to.
Martina’s lips curled in a pout. “Andrew’s not coming. It’s just as well. I’ve missed you, Cameron. How have you been?”
“Couldn’t be better,” he said tersely.
“Oh, I’m glad.” She walked her fingers up the lapel of his tuxedo. “To be honest, I was hoping I’d find you here alone. Maybe you and I could go somewhere and…and talk, or perhaps…”
“Or perhaps what?” he said, and carefully removed her hand from his jacket. “Perhaps cheat on your husband? Make him jealous? I don’t think so.”
“Oh, Cameron, don’t be bitter,” she said, and gripped his arm. “I-I can’t pretend anymore. Andrew and I are divorcing.”
“Sorry to hear it.” He didn’t look at her, but instead continued to scan the room, searching for Julia.
“I think you should know,” Martina said in a low voice. “The reason we broke up is I…I’ve never gotten over you, Cameron. I want you back.”
He choked on a laugh. “That’s rich.”
“There you are,” Julia said brightly, touching his shoulder. “Byron’s such a doll. Oh, hello.”
With some relief, Cameron turned and wrapped his arm around his lovely wife. “Martina, this is my wife, Julia.”
“Your…what?” Martina opened her mouth, then shut it. A wise choice.
“Hello, Martina,” Julia said graciously, though Cameron could feel the tension in her body. She had to have seen the other woman hanging on to him.
“How do you do?” Martina said coolly, but Cameron saw two red spots appear on her cheeks. He’d seen her get angry before and knew the signs.
He leaned closer to Julia and whispered, “I think our half hour is up.”
“All right,” she said, then smiled at Martina. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, same here.” Martina did an about-face and faded into the crowd.
Julia gazed up at him. “A friend?”
“Hardly,” he said. “Let’s get out of here.”
They took the long way back to their suite, walking along the beach. It was a typical, late-spring evening in California and a mild breeze tickled Julia’s skin. The tide was out and the waves lapped softly on the shore. She carried her heels in her hand and waited for the right moment to ask Cameron about Martina, the woman he’d been talking to. Julia had heard the last of their conversation. She knew the woman wanted him back.
Her words had sent dreadful chills of fear down Julia’s spine. But then Cameron had laughed at Martina, and Julia could only hope that tonight would be the last they would ever see of the woman and her imposing cleavage.
“Let’s go this way,” Cameron said, taking her hand and guiding her to the stairs that led up to the hotel. When they reached the top, he veered off the path toward a large grove of trees. As they got closer, she heard water rushing.
“Is that the waterfall?”
“Yes,” he said, pointing. “It’s over by those trees.”
She squeezed his hand. “Let’s find it.”
Clouds moved in the night sky, revealing a full moon as they wandered through the forested area. After a few minutes, they came to a rock-covered hill. Carved into the base was a small, stone-lined pool. Water cascaded over the smooth boulders and splashed into the pool, which was lit from under the surface, giving the water a mystical blue glow.
“It’s beautiful, like a tropical lagoon,” she said, and gazed up at him. “Can we go in?”
Touching her cheek, he smiled at her. “I was hoping you’d want to.”
She angled her head to catch a glimpse of something across the pool. “It looks like there’s light coming from behind the waterfall.”
“That’s the grotto.” He grinned and pulled her close. “It’s every man’s fantasy. Want to see it?”
Shooting him a dubious look, she said, “Do I want to see every man’s fantasy? I’m not sure.”
With a laugh, he ran his hands up and down her arms. “It’s really just a spa, but it’s awesome. Secluded, warm and well-lit.”
“How do we get there?”
His lips curved up. “We swim.”
She laughed nervously. Glancing around the smooth rock terrace, she saw a wide chaise longue with towels and bathrobes laid out. “Are those for us?”
“Yes.”
“Will anyone see us?”
“No,” he said confidently. “I’ve made sure of it.”
That brought a smile to her face and her shyness disappeared. “Then let’s go swimming.”
He kissed her bare shoulder as he reached for the zipper of her gown and slowly lowered it. “I want to make love with you.”
She shivered from his touch. “I want that, too.”
“Are you cold?”
“Not at all.”
“Good.” He let go of the burgundy silk and it slid down her body. She stepped out of the dress and Cameron picked it up and draped it over a chair. He turned and stared at her in her high heels, a red thong and matching red strapless bra.
“You take my breath away.”
She closed her eyes on a sigh. “Touch me, please.”
He complied, but took his time, first running his hands down her spine, up her arms, then down again, shaping her hips and thighs lightly with his fingers. He stood behind her, kissing her neck and back as he moved his hands over the soft skin of her stomach. He stopped to toy with her tiny, jewel-encrusted belly ring, then his hands glided up to skim the sides of her sensitive breasts.
She groaned. “Cameron, I need…”
“I know, baby. I need that, too.” His hands molded her breasts and he used his thumbs to massage her responsive nipples to a hard peak. When she moaned
, he unlatched her bra and let it fall. She writhed in his arms as he pressed his hard length against her lower back. Then, turning her, he knelt and slowly slipped off her thong before parting her thighs.
“Oh,” she gasped, as he kissed her inner thigh. He brushed his lips against her most sensitive skin, then used his tongue to touch her deeply. She was trembling with desire, didn’t think she could take any more, when he stood abruptly and lifted her in his arms.
“We’ll swim later,” he growled, and gently laid her down on the soft chaise. Watching Cameron rip off his jacket and shirt, Julia experienced a moment of potent clarity as she realized her feminine power. It was exhilarating to watch him peel off his trousers to reveal his enormous erection.
She held up her arms to welcome him. He knelt on the chaise and paused to slip on a condom. Then he pinned her arms over her head and aligned himself with her body. Under the night sky, she lifted her hips to allow him to glide into her depths and once again claim her for his own.
Later, in the quiet stillness inside the grotto, Cameron lay replete once again in Julia’s arms. After making love outside on the chaise, they’d spent time playing under the stars in the warm pool. Then, with much laughing and splashing, they’d dipped under the rushing waterfall to enter the hidden grotto. After floating in the sparkling waters of the heated cave, they made love again on the very private bank of the inner lagoon.
Cameron grinned as he lifted his head and kissed her. “You realize you just fulfilled my greatest fantasy, right?”
She laughed. “I love you, Cameron.” As soon as the words were out, she gasped and covered her mouth.
Cameron froze. What did she expect him to say? He wasn’t about to tell her he loved her. He wouldn’t do that to her, knowing it would ruin everything. And just in case he’d thought he might have a chance to live and love like a normal man, Martina’s appearance earlier that night had reminded him that things would never change. He would always be a terrible risk.
“Well, I guess I said the wrong thing.” Julia stirred away from the warmth of their combined body heat. She grabbed one of the towels stacked nearby and wrapped it around her. Then she stood and looked down at him.
“Wait,” he said. “Don’t go.”
“Why would I stay, Cameron? Look, I didn’t mean to say it, but now that I have, I’m not sorry. I’m in love with you. But you’ve completely closed down. How do you think that makes me feel?” She tightened the towel around her. “I’m going back to the room.”
He grabbed her hand. “Julia, I care about you.”
“I know you do. But I’m not sure that’s enough. Not anymore.”
“Julia, I can’t…” Hell, what was he supposed to say? He’d told her before, he would never love her. Now she was trying to change the rules, but he couldn’t let her. She didn’t know the consequences. And what she didn’t know could hurt her. He pushed himself up and stood at the side of the pool. “Look, I told you from the beginning that I won’t…”
“I know, I know. You don’t do love.”
Her tone was flippant enough that he grabbed her arm. “That’s right, and you should be glad of it. You-”
“Let me guess,” she said softly, sadly. “I broke the rules, right?”
He ground his teeth together. “Yeah, you did. We had a deal, remember?”
“I don’t remember any deal, Cameron.” She removed the towel and tossed it on the rocks, then took the steps one at a time, her glorious, long legs sinking deeper into the water.
“I’ll go with you,” he said.
“I’d rather be alone for a while.”
“Too bad.” He slid into the water and grabbed her hand.
“Cameron, I think you’ve said all there is to say.”
“No, I haven’t.”
Turning to glare at him, she said, “What else is there?”
“Just this.” He stared into her eyes because if he looked at her gorgeous breasts, he’d probably begin to whimper and admit something he’d be sorry for later. “I’m glad you’re in love with me, Julia.”
“What?” Her forehead crinkled in confusion. “Why?”
“Because it’ll help our marriage run more smoothly.”
Her mouth gaped. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just that if you’re in love with me, you won’t be tempted to give up on our marriage. And that’s a good thing for all of us.”
“Listen, you arrogant bigheaded fool,” she said, and jabbed his chest with her finger. “I was never tempted to leave you, but you’re pushing it. And don’t for one minute think that I don’t know the truth.”
“What truth?”
“That you’re just as much in love with me as I am with you. You can fight it all you want, deny it all you want, but someday you’ll admit I was right. I just hope it won’t be too late.”
Then she dove under the water and swam away.
Ten
She was in love with him.
Cameron would never admit it out loud-because he valued his body parts-but he was more than thrilled to hear Julia say she loved him. Yeah, he could see she was a bit annoyed with him, but she would get over it. After all, he reasoned, she was in love with him. Now they could go on from here with an even stronger marriage and a great family life. Maybe someday, they’d give Jake a little brother or sister. Who knew?
Did that make him arrogant, as Julia had accused him of being? Cameron chuckled as he switched the power level on the hose in order to wash down the cars. It had been two days since they’d returned from Monarch Dunes. Two days since Julia had confessed she was in love with him, then turned around and told him he was arrogant for insisting that this was a good thing.
No, he wasn’t arrogant. He was smart. Smart, for recognizing that what Julia wanted most in life was a family. Smart, for deciding that Julia and Jake should live with him and be that family together. And smart, for avoiding the fall into love that had ruined his parents’ lives and left Cameron wary of ever getting too close to anyone for fear that it might destroy them.
And if he’d ever had second thoughts about opening his heart and accepting that he might be in love, it had only taken the unexpected and unwanted presence of Martina at the party to remind him why that was a bad idea. Had he honestly thought, way back then, that he was in love with her? She was an empty shell compared to Julia.
But seeing Martina had stirred up other memories as well, ones he truly didn’t want to revisit. Memories of the myriad mistakes he’d made in ever thinking he was worthy of love. Memories of Wendy, his high school girlfriend, who had upended the notion of love so badly that it had almost ruined his life.
Cameron turned off the water and reeled in the hose. Then he grabbed a chamois and began to dry off the cars.
No, he thought. Whether she knew it or not, Julia was much better off without his love. She could have his affection, his respect, his admiration. Hell, she could have his body, too. She could have just about anything she wanted, but she would never hear Cameron admit to loving her. Doing so would just lead to another disaster his heart couldn’t afford.
It wasn’t enough for her. Not anymore.
Julia folded the laundry, then opened the dryer to toss in yet another load. She usually didn’t mind these household chores. In fact, she generally enjoyed the quiet simplicity of such uncomplicated tasks. But today, nothing was making her happy.
It had been a week since that night in the grotto, and Cameron was still acting as if nothing had happened, nothing had changed. And maybe nothing had changed-for him. But for Julia, the whole world had shifted.
She had thought it would be enough to go through life married to a considerate husband and a wonderful father for her baby. She had agreed to the wedding, agreed to move into his home. Now she wanted more.
Maybe he was right, maybe it wasn’t fair of her to change the rules in midstream. But she couldn’t help it anymore. It wasn’t just that the rules had changed. It was that Julia herself had ch
anged. She had told him she was in love with him and now she needed him to admit the same.
But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. They’d discussed it again last night and she had demanded to know why. What had happened in the past that made him refuse to love her now?
She’d even swallowed her pride and asked him if his feelings had anything to do with that woman she’d met at the formal party. Martina. Was he still in love with her?
Cameron had laughed and brushed off her question, saying only that she was barking up the wrong tree, and left it at that. He wouldn’t tell her anything more, wouldn’t give her any reason for it.
And now she could actually feel her heart breaking. For herself and for him. And for Jake. All this time, she’d tried to convince herself that it was enough to have a family, an attentive husband, a darling baby. But she’d finally come to the realization that it wasn’t enough. She wanted it all. And she deserved it all.
The following Saturday, Adam and Trish threw a small party for a few friends to celebrate their pregnancy. Julia brought homemade breads and dessert and helped Trish with the dinner. Later in the kitchen, she stacked the dessert plates.
“Can I wash the dishes?” Julia asked.
“No, no,” Trish said easily, hanging the potholders on their hooks. “Adam and I like to clean up the place by ourselves once our guests go home. It’s fun to spend the time together, talking and laughing about the evening and planning our next get-together.”
Just then, Adam walked into the kitchen and slipped his arms around Trish’s waist. “I missed you. Are you done in here?”
“Yes.” Trish beamed at him and he kissed her, then laid his cheek against her head.
Later, on the ride home, she turned to Cameron. “It must be wonderful for you to know your brother Adam is so happy.”
Cameron glanced at her sideways as he drove down the highway. “Never really thought about it, but I suppose it’s nice.”
“Nice?” She laughed. “Cameron, the man is so head over heels in love with his wife, he can’t see straight.”
Sweet Surrender, Baby Surprise Page 13