by Marie Tuhart
In high school, he had found sex education fascinating. He was intrigued how the human body worked and so much more. So he had taken science classes that focused on physiology. When he’d decided to go to college, he focused on the body until one of his professors suggested he start looking into sexual health.
A whole new world had opened up to him. The more Cameron had learned, the more he wanted to teach others. Not only about heterosexuality, but also about homosexuality, alternative lifestyles, and loving your body and yourself.
Everyone had sexual drives. Sometimes, the sex drive was depressed or underutilized, but everyone had one. Even Kristen.
What was she afraid of? Her concern about what his parents would think had thrown him for a curve. His parents loved her. Didn’t she realize that? Maybe not, based on the conversation they’d just had.
Cameron grabbed a cloth and began cleaning the room. How many times had she’d been over for dinner? Countless. Hell, she’d been at his going away party.
She had to know his family thought the world of her. His family had kept him informed while he was in Scotland. Skye had loved to tell him that Kristen wasn’t seeing anyone, even mentioning when customers had flirted with her. Had Kristen waited for him? He’d like to think so.
While Scotland had been good for him, both personally and professionally, his reasons for going still haunted him. Julia’s half-truths had made him doubt himself as a Dom. He’d regained his confidence, but he worried about Kristen.
He’d expressed his desire for complete honesty, and she’d put her foot down on her past before she came to Grant, he wondered why? Was she worried he wouldn’t understand?
Something about her family made her wary. He would find a way past that wariness. But tonight, he’d show her the man he was. How much he wanted a relationship with her and how much his family adored her. Maybe in doing that, it would boost her self-confidence, and she could be more comfortable around him.
Chapter Four
Kristen paced around the café kitchen. Cameron would be here any second, and she couldn’t get out of going to his parents’ house.
Tira McMillan, Cameron’s mother, had called her that afternoon, telling her she was so happy she was coming to dinner. No one said “no” to Tira. Kristen couldn’t go empty-handed, so she’d told Tira she’d bring her favorite dessert—mini cakes. It didn’t matter that they’d sold all of them that day. Kristen had whipped up a quick batch and put them in the oven. She’d finished decorating them right before it was time to close the shop up for the night.
Kristen had run up to her apartment, had taken a quick shower, and had changed clothes. Where she might have worn jeans to Cameron’s place, she wouldn’t to his parents’ house. She slipped on a light, broomstick skirt and a pretty, lacy blouse.
She texted Cameron, instructing him to come to the back entrance to the café. It would make loading the cakes into his car easier. Because she was such an overachiever, she’d made eight cakes, one for each person at dinner—Cameron, his parents, Skye, his three brothers, and of course, herself.
A knock on the back door caused her to jump, and she hurried over to it. “Who is it?”
“Cameron.”
Kristen undid the heavy-duty lock and pulled the door open. “Hi.” He looked absolutely delicious in the button down dark blue shirt and black slacks. His dark hair was neatly combed, and his blue eyes were bright.
“Hi,” he replied and swept her into his arms.
His mouth settled over hers. Kristen melted as he nipped at her lips until she opened them, allowing him full access. His tongue swept inside as her arms crept to his shoulders before curling around his neck.
Heat started in her core and began spreading through her veins. His tongue dueled with hers, sweeping over the roof of her mouth and then her teeth. His arms tightened around her waist as he pulled her closer. When he finally drew back, she gulped in some air, a little dizzy from the excitement of being in his arms.
His fingers were tangled in her hair. “I needed that,” he whispered.
“Damn, you can kiss,” she said, trying to catch her breath.
“Just wait,” he whispered, his mouth next to her ear, “until I have you beneath me, naked.”
A flush rose over her face in a hot wave as she shifted from one foot to the other trying to quell her arousal. “Your parents are expecting us.”
Cameron let out a breath. “Yes, they are, but I won’t always let you off the hook so easily.” He released her.
She forced herself to take a step back from his magnificent body. His chest was firm and his arms strong. If she let herself, she would sink back into his embrace.
He cleared his throat. “Mom said you offered to bring dessert.”
“Yes.” Kristen pulled herself together. Dinner. His parents. Dessert. “Over here.” She strode to the counter where eight boxes were lined up.
“Are we feeding an army?”
Kristen let out a laugh. “You forget I’ve dined with you and your brothers before. You have big appetites.”
“Some bigger than others.” He snapped his teeth at her, and she shook her head.
“Behave.” She handed him two boxes, while she grabbed two. “Let’s load these into the car.”
“As my lady wishes.”
Five minutes later, they were on the way to his parents’ house. Kristen twisted her fingers together in her lap.
“Are you still nervous about what my parents will think about us?” Cameron asked.
“Yes. You just came back from Scotland. It’s not like we’ve been in a relationship or anything.”
“Honey, anyone who had witnessed that kiss you gave me six months ago wouldn’t be surprised you were one of my first stops.”
“But…” Oh, shit. She remembered that kiss she’d given him. Right after she had whispered in his ear about him tying her up on his bed and having his wicked way with her, she’d laid a big kiss right on his lips. She hadn’t thought about anyone else seeing them in the hallway, kissing. Embarrassment filled her.
“No one in my family is judging you.”
“Everyone judges,” she muttered. “And I’m always lacking.” It was a festering wound inside her thanks to her parents. It didn’t matter what she’d done; it was never good enough. She wasn’t good enough.
“Who the—” Cameron cursed and whipped the vehicle to the side of the road.
“The cakes!” she exclaimed as he pulled the car to a rough stop. “Did we hit something?”
“No, and screw the cakes.” He slammed the car into park and ripped off his seat belt before turning to her. His blue eyes were a turbulent sea, and a nerve ticked in his clenched jaw.
“Cameron?” She was puzzled why he pulled over so abruptly.
“Who the hell told you that you were lacking?”
If his eyes didn’t give her a clue to how upset he was, his voice certainly did. “It’s not a big deal.” She looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. Old fears welled up in her. What would Cameron think of her? Would he find her lacking? Her heart clenched at the thought.
“That’s a lie. Honesty, remember?” A warm palm cupped her chin and turned her face to him. “You are not lacking in anything, and anyone who has said so has very bad judgment.”
While his words warmed her heart, her brain reminded her of past mistakes. Going to the BDSM party with a boyfriend, then confessing her needs to her ex-fiancé. She had lost some of her dreams, but not all of them. “Cameron, I’ve come to terms with it.”
At least, she thought she had. After her grandmother died, the knowledge her family would never support her choices had caused her to leave and change her last name. She didn’t want any association with them. But old feelings simmered to the surface.
She cleared her throat. “We’re going to be late for dinner, and you know your mom hates tardiness.”
He studied her for a minute. “I don’t like leaving this to fester. You will tell me why you feel
this way eventually. But no one in my family will judge you, and neither will I. You are special and unique.” He released her chin and refastened his seat belt.
Kristen’s heart pounded at his words. Her world brightened; maybe she could relax and be herself. Cameron pulled back onto the road and began discussing how crazy his life would be in a week when classes started. She smiled and nodded, happy to have a mundane conversation with him as her mind processed his words about being special and unique.
She drew in a deep breath when he pulled up to his parents’ home. Their home always did that to her. She loved the McMillan house—two-story colonial with a wraparound porch. The faux stone made it look older than it was. She remembered how Tira had told her about driving the contractor nuts because she’d wanted everything just right.
Kristen pushed the car door open and met Cameron at the rear of his vehicle. He frowned at her, but she chose to ignore it.
Ian, the youngest brother and in college, came bounding out of the house and down the stairs, stopping next to Kristen. “Hi ya, doll.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “What’s cooking?”
“I’m good, Ian. How are classes going?” She reached into the trunk.
“Okay. Let me help you.” He took two of the boxes she pulled out. “Be right back.”
“Scamp,” Cameron muttered.
“He’s just being helpful.” She pulled two more cakes out and waited for Ian to return.
“He wants your cakes.”
“And you don’t?”
“What I want—” Cameron started.
Ian returned. “Mom says to hurry up, dinner is ready.” He slipped the boxes from Kristen’s hands and took off for the house.
Kristen picked up the last two boxes, unsure if she was happy that Ian interrupted Cameron or not.
Cameron closed the trunk. “We better get in there before she sends out a search party.” He gestured with his chin to the front door.
She started up the walkway. Tira was waiting by the door.
“Kristen, honey, you outdid yourself as always.” She took one of the boxes from Kristen.
“It was nothing.” She admired Tira’s reddish brown hair pulled back in a set of elegant silver clips.
“I know better. Skye told me you baked them especially for us,” Tira said.
“Skye is a tattletale,” she muttered.
Cameron laughed. “You’re just figuring that out?”
“Smart ass,” she whispered as his mother led them down the hallway.
“This from the woman who wiggled her ass all the way into the house.” He pushed the front door shut with his foot.
“I did not.”
“Be careful, or I’ll spank it.”
“Promises, promises.” She sashayed down the hall to the kitchen to tease Cameron. What had gotten into her? She never flirted with anyone like that. The thought brought her up short. Why did she feel so comfortable with Cameron? Maybe because he’d told her she was special. No one had ever told her that, and he allowed her to be herself. Kristen spied a grin on Cameron’s face before she made her way into the kitchen.
“Let me take those,” Tira said as she took the boxes and set them on the counter.
Cameron walked in a minute later, and his mother turned and enfolded him into a hug. It didn’t matter that he was more than six inches taller than her. A wave of envy swept over Kristen. Her mother had rarely hugged her, had barely shown her any attention. If it hadn’t been for her grandmother, she would have had a childhood devoid of love.
“I’m so glad to have you home,” Tira said. “We missed you at Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
“I’m happy to be home, Mom.”
Kristen went across the room to talk to Skye, letting son and mother have some privacy. “You told your mom about the cakes,” Kristen said.
“Was it a secret?” Skye’s face filled with concern. “I didn’t think…”
“It wasn’t.” She smiled.
Skye’s eyes lit up. “You’re teasing me?”
“Yep.” A weight lifted from Kristen’s shoulders. She didn’t feel judged here. The family accepted her as they always had. She has a future here, with her café, friends, and maybe with everything Cameron could offer her.
Tira clapped her hands. “Let’s get a move on. Dinner is waiting.”
****
Several hours later, Cameron started his car and pulled away from his parents’ home. Dinner had been lively and good. Before dinner, he had been glad that Kristen had been talking to Skye when his mother told him there would be no talk about him going back to Scotland. She had missed him while he was gone.
He assured his mother he hadn’t made his decision yet, and talking about it over dinner wasn’t an option. He hadn’t said anything to Kristen yet about possibly going back. He wanted to see how this attraction between them played out. He was hopeful they had a future together. The lure of Scotland was there. The university had offered him a nice salary if he would teach there, and there was much more sexual freedom, but it didn’t have Kristen.
“I’m so stuffed,” Kristen said. “Your mom’s roast beef always comes out so tender.”
“She’s a wonder in the kitchen.” Cameron reached over and took Kristen’s hand in his. “And your cakes were a big hit. How did you manage to bake eight different cakes this afternoon?”
“It wasn’t hard.” She glanced out the window.
“From someone who can’t bake worth a crap, I think it’s pretty miraculous.” She seemed somber, and he wanted to lighten the mood.
Her laugh in response was light, and it went straight to his dick. He wanted to hear more of her laughter.
“How did you get into baking?”
The change in the air was instant. She started to pull her hand from his, but he tightened his hold. Why was she so defensive? He hadn’t asked about her family.
“Cameron,” she started.
“Why are you upset? Don’t freeze up on me. I just want to know more about you.”
“Sorry, the question surprised me.” She shook her head. “I took up baking because it was fun, and I enjoyed it.”
Cameron pondered her answer then decided to try another track. “Tell me about your ex-boyfriends and ex-fiancé.”
“That’s even worse.”
“You promised me some sexual history.” He glanced over at her. “If we’re going to explore kink together, it’s something I need to know.”
“Damn,” she whispered. “What do you want to know?”
“How many boyfriends?” He’d start with the simple stuff.
“Before or after high school graduation?”
“After. I’m sure they had no clue what they were doing before.” Most teenage boys didn’t. They were more interested in getting their own pleasure.
“You’re not kidding there.” She shifted in her seat. “My first boyfriend after high school was more into impressing my parents than me, so he was dumped quickly.”
Now that was an interesting tidbit about her family life. She didn’t seem bitter but matter of fact.
“After that, I didn’t date for a while.”
“Why not?” Were the boys blind? How did they miss seeing the sensual creature inside Kristen?
“Because I wanted someone who wanted to be with me.”
Cameron mulled this over. She was dropping little clues. He’d put them together as he got more of the pieces. “What about your next boyfriend?”
“Karl.” She bit out his name like it was poison.
He glanced over at her. Her jaw was tight, and her lips pressed together.
“Not a pleasant memory?” What had the man done?
“No.”
“Another one who wanted to kiss your parents’ ass?” He might need to hunt this one down and make him pay for hurting his Kristen. His gut tightened. Yes, he considered Kristen his already.
“I wish.”
Cameron pulled his car behind her café, turned off the engine, and tur
ned to her.
“Well, good night.” She reached to unfasten her seat belt.
Cameron caught her hands. “You’re not getting out of this talk that easily. I’m coming in.”
“Damn male,” she muttered, and all he could do was grin.
He followed Kristen up the stairs to her apartment, thinking about the man who hurt her. He wanted to beat the crap out of the man and soothe her bad memories away. His reaction made him pause. She’d gotten further under his skin than he’d thought. Not that it was a bad thing. It just meant he would need to watch his reactions around her. A kinky relationship was new to her, and the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away.
Kristen unlocked the door, pushed the door open, and stopped for a moment before stepping completely inside. The first thing he noticed was a lamp was on. Was someone in her apartment? He grasped her upper arm.
“What is it?” She glanced up at him.
“Did you leave the lamp on?”
“Yes. I don’t like returning to a dark home.” Her gaze went to his hold on her arm and then back to his face. “You thought someone else was here?”
“A woman living alone can’t be too safe.”
“True. Which is why I have an alarm system.” She jerked her chin back toward the door. Cameron glanced over his shoulder. So that was what she had done; she disarmed the alarm using the keypad when they’d entered. “Would you like some coffee?” she asked.
“I’m fine.” He released her arm and shut the door. Her living room was laid out nicely with a beige sofa and overstuffed chair. A big, colorful throw rug covered the floor. A TV was tucked against one wall, and bookcases lined the other.
“Have a seat.” She gestured toward the sofa.
“So…Karl?” he asked as he settled on her sofa in her apartment.
“Karl was a bit self-centered, but he liked to tie me up.”
“During sex or other times?” Was that her first time with kink? He suspected it was.
“Both. He was the one who took me to a couple of kinky parties. The private parties.”
“Where you felt unsafe?” He hated she’d experienced BDSM in a bad light. There were some who didn’t care how they portrayed the community. It’s amazing that such an experience didn’t sour her on the whole kink aspect.