Camden

by Xio Axelrod

  "There you are," he said, one-half of his mouth curving up. "Had me worried you'd run off."

  "Nah, I'm stuck to you like glue."

  He smiled then. "I like it."

  Yara found a few inches of space at the end of the bar, close to the cash register. Cam hovered, cleaning glasses in a small sink and racking them for use. The other bartender had grabbed two before Cam had even finished placing them all.

  "Is this a typical Sunday night?"

  Cam nodded, leaning close to her as he looked out over the crowd. "If we're lucky."

  "You love this, don't you?"

  He turned to look at her. "The pub?"

  "Yeah. You seem comfortable here. More comfortable than at...you know."

  "The office?"

  Yara nodded.

  Cam reached down and took her hand. "Follow me."

  He led her down a small hallway.

  "What about the bar?"

  "Vic can handle it for a few minutes."

  The noise dulled as the moved away from the front, buffered by the thick plaster walls. Only the murmur of the patrons and the bass of the music reached them.

  Cam stepped through a door, pulling her with him. He let go when they got inside and closed the door behind her.

  Yara found herself spinning before she was caught up in his arms, her mouth under attack.

  He kissed her like he'd been starving for it, and she gave just as good as she got. It was intoxicating, being the object of Cam's desire. He did nothing by halves.

  When they broke apart, he leaned down to touch his forehead to hers, tightening his arms around her waist. She was practically on her toes.

  "I've wanted to do that since we got here." His voice was low, quiet in the solace of the room.

  "What stopped you?" A shiver passed through her as he softly rubbed his nose against hers.

  "If I did that in there, with my staff around, we'd never hear the end of it. They'd want to know everything about you."

  "Ah."

  He leaned back, peering down into her eyes.

  "And we can't have that. Not yet, anyway." His gaze focused in on her mouth and Yara went up on her toes, tilting her chin up in invitation.

  Cam accepted, dipping his head to kiss her again. Slower this time, more gentle. If anything, it was more intense than the blinding hunger of only moments before.

  "Hey." He grinned down at her when they parted.

  "Hey."

  Camden set her back on her feet. "I had more than one reason for bringing you back here."

  "Oh?"

  Releasing her, he walked over to a wall fitted floor to ceiling with shelves. They were packed with books, stacks of paper, various knick-knacks, and a few framed photos.

  Cam took one of the frames and brought it over to her.

  She accepted it, leaning in to inspect the photograph.

  It showed twin boys, about twelve years old. They stood in front of what looked like a pub, on either side of a dark-haired man.

  "Is this your father?"

  "That's my Da, yeah.” Cam stood behind her, slipping one arm about her waist as he looked over her shoulder. "And that's Pierce and me. Can you tell which of us is which?"

  She tried.

  They were nearly identical, down to the hair and the clothes. But there was something about the one on the right. He stood slightly apart from the other two as if embarrassed to be there.

  Yara pointed to him. "Pierce?"

  She felt Cam nod against her cheek. "How'd you know?"

  "He doesn't seem to want to be there, and you're the one with the pub now."

  He chuckled softly. "Very astute, young miss. Yeah."

  Cam took the photo from her and stepped to her side, studying it himself.

  "Pierce hated the pub. We were ten when our Da put us to work there. Day shift on weekends and during the summer break. We'd wash the dishes, make sure the pint glasses were always clean and ready to go for the customers. Sometimes help out in the kitchen."

  "It was a family business, then?"

  "Da hoped it would be but my Ma, she was never about that life. And Pierce, well, I suppose he took after her in that regard."

  She looked up at him. "But you loved it."

  He nodded, smiling a little. "I did. I loved the chaos and the quiet. It was a simple life, for a time."

  "Does your dad still have it, the pub?"

  Cam's expression darkened. "No."

  He walked back over to the shelf and put the frame back where he'd found it.

  "The Swan and Gill, that was the name, came between my parents in the end. Ma never stepped foot in the place, and it was everything to Da. They lived separate lives, but that's not so unusual for that generation. You know?" He looked at her.

  Yara nodded. "Sadly, yes."

  "Yeah, so, Da found someone else to support him in his dreams."

  "Oh."

  "Barmaid. Samantha. Half his age."

  "He left you?"

  "He left Ma. Age old story, really." He ran a hand through his hair. "I think if they'd met in a different era, they might not have ever married. They were never really a good fit, you see. Ma is very much a philanthropist, Da just likes to socialize. Be the center of attention."

  Cam rubbed the back of his neck. The movement emphasized his bicep and Yara lost the thread of the conversation.

  "You're beautiful."

  Cam's gaze flashed to hers. A smile curved his generous mouth.

  "You think so?"

  Internally, she cringed. "Did I really say that out loud?"

  Cam moved slowly toward her. "Ye did, lass. And I asked if you were telling me the truth."

  He stood over her, looming like a sentinel of sex. God, he was too much man for her. Almost.

  "I did. I do. Mean it. You're beautiful."

  His eyes softened. A warm hand landed on her waist, fingers teasing up the edge of her shirt. It was an "I love Philadelphia" tank that they'd picked up at a souvenir shop. She'd need to get some real clothing soon.

  "Yara, I'm a little overwhelmed by you," he confessed.

  "By me?"

  He nodded, circling her waist with his enormous hands.

  "You're almost too good to be true, lass. Beautiful, smart, fierce, talented, I could go on."

  Yara grinned up at him, smoothing her hands over his broad shoulders. "Please do."

  Cam pulled her into his body. Jesus. So hard everywhere.

  Everywhere.

  He dipped his head until his lips ghosted over hers. He spoke against them.

  "You have no idea what you do to me, the things I want to do to you." He leaned back. "But I don't want to rush things. I don't want this to be over before it starts. Last night was..."

  "If you say it was a mistake..."

  "No," he cut her off, kissing her hard and fast. "Never."

  "Good."

  "Very." He held her gaze. There were volumes behind his eyes, so many words unspoken.

  Had it really only been a few days?

  "This is crazy, yeah?"

  "A little," she conceded. "But I'm okay. Are you?"

  A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "More than. Just need to keep you safe, get your shit back for you. Fuck up Kaine's little operation."

  "Easy peasy."

  He chuckled. "My mom says that."

  Yara pushed against his chest. "Did you just compare me to your mother?"

  Cam laughed. "I did, didn't I? Smooth. Though doesn't every little boy dream of marrying a woman like his mum one day?"

  His laugh died off as he seemed to realize what he'd said.

  "Not that you and I..."

  "No, of course not."

  They fell silent. For the first time since she'd met him, Cam looked petrified.

  "Relax," she said, leaning up to peck him on the lips.

  He exhaled and nodded, letting her go.

  "I better get back out there." He hooked a thumb toward the door.

  There was a
small, leather love seat under the window. It looked too inviting to pass up.

  "Mind if I stay in here? Maybe catch a cat nap? I didn't get much sleep last night."

  Cam actually blushed. "Yeah. Sorry about that." He grinned down at her.

  "I'm not." She winked.

  Cam chuckled as he closed the door behind him.

  Yara stretched out over the length of it. The leather was soft and the cushions as fluffy as a cloud. She sank into them.

  Taking in the room, a typically cluttered back office, her gaze landed on the back corner of Cam's desk chair. It was hardwood, one of those 1940s-era beasts one might find in a police station or a courthouse. Mint condition, by the looks of it, but that's not what had drawn her attention.

  Hanging from one upright corner was a gun holster, one crafted to hold something much bigger than her little Smith and Wesson J-frame.

  It was a reminder that Camden Skinner may have been sweet and gentle, kind and generous with her and with his staff, his family, but there was more to him. More that she didn't know about him than did.

  She asked herself if she wanted to, and the answer came quickly.

  Hell yes.

  Fifteen

  It was nearly three by the time they got back to his building.

  Cam should have been exhausted, but he was anything but. He had an image in his mind that he couldn't shake.

  Yara stretched out underneath him, moaning with pleasure.

  It was like a song stuck in his head on a loop. The sounds she'd made when she'd come the night before, he needed to hear them again.

  But she'd been asleep when he stepped back into his office after closing. Poor thing was wiped out.

  Only, she didn't seem too tired right then. In fact, her eyes seemed to be drinking him in as they rode the elevator to his floor. When she bit her lip and met his gaze, he groaned.

  "You can't look at me like that, Yara, and not expect me to get ideas."

  "Ideas?"

  She licked the bitten lip and Cam gripped the safety bar hard enough to dent it.

  She smiled, and it was wicked.

  He growled.

  It was involuntary, and he would have been embarrassed if it weren't for the flush of red that crept into her cheeks. She looked positively edible.

  "Are you teasing me, Yara?"

  "Maybe."

  Maybe. The word intrigued him. Maybe was a window left open. A door left ajar.

  "Disappointed?" She challenged.

  "No. Curious."

  "About?" She swept her tongue across her bottom lip again, bringing his attention back to her mouth. That fucking mouth.

  Cam shut his eyes and took a breath, but it didn't matter. He could still see her plump lips parting, her sweet, pink tongue darting out to tease him.

  "Cam..."

  He looked down at her.

  The doors opened, and she backed out of the elevator, walking slowly as he followed. She leaned against the wall next to his door.

  Cam fished his keys out of his pocket. His goddamn hand was shaking.

  "Hurry," she whispered, and he used every bit of strength not to slam her up against the wall and strip her of every scrap of clothing.

  He hurried.

  They were barely inside when she jumped into his waiting arms. The keys fell to the floor as he kicked the door shut behind them.

  "Fucking want you," she breathed into his ear, kissing and nibbling it. His neck. His jawline.

  "God, baby..."

  Cam took her mouth, plundering it for so long that he had to come up for air. He walked them into his bedroom and followed her down onto the mattress.

  Yara was wild, pulling at the hem of his t-shirt and fumbling with the button on his jeans.

  He was just as desperate. He snapped one strap of her tank top trying to get at the skin underneath.

  "Fuck. Sorry."

  "I'll get another," she panted.

  He snapped the other side. "I'll buy you ten."

  Leaning back, he pushed the fabric down her torso. Yara was probably the most beautiful woman he'd ever had the pleasure to touch this way.

  That she let him, wanted him, felt the same, inexplicable, overwhelming need, it floored him.

  Palming one breast, he covered the other with his mouth, worrying her hardened nipple with lips, teeth, and tongue.

  God, the sounds she made for him.

  "I'm in danger of coming in my pants," he confessed into her flesh.

  Her laugh was breathy. Sexy as hell.

  "Get them off, then."

  She reached for his fly.

  Cam moved away from her questing hand. "Hang on, love."

  He nuzzled and licked her breasts, first one then the other as she squirmed.

  "What are you waiting for?" She was almost whining.

  He loved it.

  "There's something I need to do first."

  Cam had been thinking about it all day. Longer, if he admitted it. He needed to taste her, to feel her on his tongue.

  Sitting back on his knees, he unbuttoned her jeans and slid them over her hips. He tossed them on the floor before smoothing his hands up her legs.

  Yara watched him with hooded eyes.

  "So fucking beautiful, ye are."

  "You're wearing too many clothes," she whispered into the dimly lit room.

  "So are you." Cam removed the scrap of fabric covering her sex. He slipped the garment down her legs and let it join her jeans on the floor.

  She was bare before him. This time, instead of hiding, Yara arched her back and folded her arms beneath her head.

  "You're a bloody work of art, Yara."

  "Too many clothes," she repeated.

  Cam whipped his t-shirt over his head and tossed it away.

  Yara lifted her feet to his waist and helped him push down his jeans with her perfect fucking toes. It was one of the sexiest things he'd ever seen.

  The smile on her lips was worth everything to him at that moment.

  He left his boxers on, and Yara pouted.

  "Later," he assured her before positioning himself between her thighs. "I have things to do first."

  She cried out at the first sweep of his tongue against her slick, wet cleft and Cam almost came. He ground his erection down into the mattress, hoping to relieve some of the pressure. His cock was insistent though, and his hips didn't want to stop.

  He dove into her flesh, licking and sucking like a man possessed. She tasted earthy, salty, and a little sweet. It was an addictive combination.

  He gently sucked her taught, little bundle of nerves into his mouth and flicked the tip of his tongue across. Once. Twice.

  She shuddered.

  "Cam..."

  He moaned into her flesh, slowly circling her clit as her legs shook on either side of his head. She came with a gasp, her body going rigid.

  "Oh God...oh my God..."

  Cam licked up every single drop he could find and was hungry for more. One taste and he'd become insatiable. It was crazy. She'd driven him crazy.

  "Can you go again?"

  "I...I don't know," she replied after a breath.

  "Let's find out."

  Sixteen

  She'd been wrong all along.

  Camden Skinner was the one trying to kill her. With pleasure. After giving her one of the strongest orgasms of her life, he already had her on the brink of another.

  His mouth was a menace, put on this earth to drive her out of her head. She was certain of it. And then she wasn't certain of anything at all because he had her there.

  Right there.

  Right. There. Again.

  "Fuck, Cam!"

  Yara thought her back would snap when she arched into the bone-melting pleasure. Didn't think she could handle any more. But then Cam was between her legs, hard and insistent, and parting her flesh with ease.

  She hadn't even registered when he put on the condom but was glad one of them had the presence of mind to remember safety.

&n
bsp; He drove in hard and stayed there, holding her on the precipice while her aftershocks threatened to turn into a lot more.

  "God, you feel so good."

  "Cam..."

  Her words were gone. Her mind was gone. She was gone when he finally moved. It was a true out-of-body experience as he pressed into her again and again.

  He whispered feverishly into her ear, words she couldn't make out and not all of them in English.

  Yara's arms felt like lead weights, but she wrapped them around his back and pulled him down.

  "Don't wanna crush ye, lass."

  "Want to feel you," she confessed, sliding her fingers into his hair.

  "Yara..."

  The rhythm was brutal. And if she hadn't just had two earth-shattering orgasms, Yara knew she wouldn't have lasted long. But she had, and so she tried to make it good for him.

  She met his thrusts, arched into him, whispered encouragement. Before long, he was screaming into her hair where it spilled out on the pillow. A spike of warmth touched her inside as she felt him release.

  "Fuck," he huffed, breathing like he'd just run out of a burning house. "Fuck, woman. Fuck."

  "Enchanting," she teased, and he chuckled.

  Cam lifted his head to look down at her.

  Yara ran both hands over his hair, smoothing it back from his forehead.

  "You canna expect me to be eloquent when you've just shagged my brains out."

  She couldn't stop the smile that sprang up.

  "What am I going to do with ye?" He asked, rubbing his nose along hers.

  It was a sweet gesture, one he seemed to be fond of. One she could easily get used to.

  He slipped out of her, and she felt the loss acutely.

  "Let me get cleaned up."

  When Cam returned from the bathroom, he gathered her into his arms. Apparently, the gun-toting investigator-turned-bar owner was also a cuddler. So many contrasts wrapped up in one guy.

  Yara loved mysteries, and Cam was the biggest she'd ever come across.

  She wanted to know him. Everything about him.

  "I can hear you thinking." He spoke softly, drawing shapes on her back with his fingertip.

  "Sorry."

  He hugged her closer. "Don't be. Anything you care to share?"

  "I was just thinking about the turn my life has taken." She propped her chin on her hand to look up at him.

  Cam ran his hand over her hair and down her back. "You've been through a lot for someone so young."