by Hadley Quinn
“Teague?” Camryn finally spoke.
“Yeah?” he replied softly, pulling back to search her eyes for something wrong.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He shook his head and held her close again, enjoying the way she smelled and the feel of her hair against his lips. “You don’t need to be. I just… It surprised me when I found out you left and then you never called.”
“I just…didn’t want to say goodbye and avoiding it was my way of…”
“Not making it happen. I know. I wished you would’ve talked to me about it, though. I already knew you’d be leaving, Camryn. I was thinking about coming with you.”
Her eyes widened as she pulled back to stare at him again. “You were?”
With a shrug he said, “Yeah. I mean if you wanted to spend more time with me as much as I wanted you to, I could’ve spent some time down here. The thought of you leaving… It didn’t settle with me. We’ve barely begun.”
“Yeah, so are you sure you don’t want to get out while you can?” she teased.
“Hell no,” he replied, pressing his forehead against hers. “There’s no way I could’ve let you go that easily.”
Truth was, he truly was a goner when it came to Camryn. He knew nothing about her except everything he needed to know: how she made him feel. She put a light in him that had been absent for a very long time. In fact, Teague wasn’t even sure if he’d ever felt so happy. When he was with Camryn, he could put everything else behind him. He didn’t have to think about his disappointed family or the career he walked away from, or the heartache that he harbored all alone. When he was with Camryn he felt…
Whole.
That was the only word he could think of. He felt like he was himself again, only better.
“Teague?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m starving.”
He lightly laughed as he nodded his head. “Okay. Let’s go eat.”
“First let me go find my sister. Will you come in and meet her?”
“Yeah, of course.”
***
Camryn looped her arm through his and they re-entered Trimble’s. Her thoughts were finally starting to catch up to her feelings, and she knew she felt perfectly content after kissing Teague. Her life with Zach was over. It had been painful to get to this point, but after climbing that difficult mountain, Teague had been there to help her over it.
It was time to move on, and she finally felt at peace with that.
“Oh my God, there you are!” Melanie’s voice screeched through the noise. She had Lynn and two other friends with her. “Where have you been?! It was midnight and I—” She suddenly realized that Camryn was not alone, and she froze in mid-sentence when she caught sight of who was with her. “Inferno?” she asked her sister.
From the smirk on his face, it was obvious Teague was amused. Melanie wasn’t aware that he’d already cracked the code.
“Mel, this is Teague,” Camryn introduced. “And this is my little sister Melanie.”
“Okay,” Teague nodded. “I can put a face to a voice now.”
Melanie giggled. “Well hell, so can I. And good God, you’re better looking than I thought! How is that even possible?”
Camryn looked between the two of them until Teague answered her silent inquiry. “Your mom gave me your phone number but I wanted to see you in person,” he said. “We got a hold of your sister instead to see what you’d be doing tonight.”
“You were conspiring behind my back?” Camryn playfully accused Melanie with narrowed eyes.
“Hey, we made a deal,” Melanie pointed at her defensively. “If you came tonight, I wouldn’t pester you about Inferno. I kept my end of it. You never said anything about not talking to him.”
Camryn rolled her eyes but could hardly be upset. She didn’t regret the way things worked out because getting to know Teague the way that she had was the one thing she’d needed.
Teague pulled her close to him and his deep, sexy voice whispered in her ear, “I’m dying to kiss you again, so unless you want all of these people to watch me stick my tongue—”
“We’re gonna jet,” Camryn smiled to everyone, trying not to laugh. “I need something to eat.”
“There’s food here,” Melanie teased knowingly. “What’s the rush?”
“I’ll leave you my car,” Camryn said, moving on. “Tell me where you’re at tonight, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Camryn nodded, gave her sister an informal goodbye, and then turned to leave. As Teague led her away, Camryn glanced back at Melanie without him seeing.
“Did you kiss him?” her sister mouthed.
Camryn smiled and nodded her head.
“She’s everything you’ve described,” Teague said lightly as they headed for the exit.
“Ball of energy, right?”
Before he could reply, one of the charity workers approached Teague and said, “Again, thank you so much, man.”
“Uh, yeah, no problem,” Teague smiled. The guy shook his hand and then joined the other workers back at the donation table.
“What was that about?” Camryn asked.
Teague barely shrugged. “I had to do something while I watched you fight off the men so I started giving away money.”
She stared at him for a second. “You made a donation? Aw, that’s sweet, Teague.”
“Don’t commend me for it. I wasn’t in my right mind.”
She started to laugh, just as another figure breezed up to them, but he wasn’t as gracious.
“Camryn?” Brandon asked, the uncertainty in his voice apparent. He was looking at Teague and the fact that he had his arm around Camryn as they headed for the exit.
“Oh, Brandon, this is Teague; Teague, Brandon,” she introduced.
Neither of them made an attempt at a friendly handshake. Camryn could clearly feel Teague’s disapproval, and Brandon looked confused.
“He’s who I met up north,” she informed him, remembering that she’d never shared a name.
Still Brandon looked unsure. “You said nothing came of it.”
“Well obviously it has,” Teague pointed out.
Brandon looked at him and narrowed his eyes. Teague’s possessive behavior was pushing the wrong buttons on him, and Camryn knew it.
Brandon looked at her and said, “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she sighed. “I thought I messed things up but he came down to see me. We’re going to go get something to eat, you don’t need to worry.”
It was evident that Brandon wasn’t convinced when he smiled sarcastically and shook his head.
“Brandon,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “Trust me, okay?” she said quietly. “It’s okay. And you better tend to your new woman because she looks absolutely pissed that you’re here trying to convince me not to go with another man,” she smiled.
He glanced over at Angela, practically snarling at the sight of them.
“And really,” she added, “if either of us needs to be worried about the other’s companion, it should be me worried about yours and how damn annoying she is. I’m gonna kick her ass if she gives me that look again.”
Brandon laughed but he nodded his head with agreement. “Yeah. Fine. Got it. And she’s annoying the shit out of me too, so maybe a chick fight would end the night well.”
Camryn grinned but gave him a wink. “You’re on your own. I’ve got better things to do.” She gave him a quick hug and said, “Talk to you soon.”
She didn’t look back because she knew if she did, she’d notice that protective part of Brandon that reminded her so much of Zach…
Chapter Sixteen
“So who did you steal this beautiful truck from?” Camryn asked when they approached it again.
“It’s mine,” he said, looking over his truck. It was a charcoal gray F250 crew cab with all the bells and whistles. Chrome running boards, nice wheels, custom lights, clean a
nd shiny. He knew it was a pretty machine and liked the fact that Camryn seemed to be fond of it. “The Jeep belonged to my friend that owns that house. I told you that.”
“And you just kept this lovely thing hidden away? Wait, it’s got California plates. Did you just buy it or something? I’m already impressed with you, Teague. You didn’t have to buy me a sexy truck.”
He smiled at her teasing but didn’t answer right away. Things needed to progress slowly so he’d be able to build something real with Camryn, something he could trust and believe in. Some aspects of his life needed to be introduced at the right time for his own piece of mind.
Step by step.
“I do have a major confession to make,” he said as he unlocked the passenger’s door for Camryn.
She stepped up and sat on the edge of the seat, knees facing out. “Oh? Am I going to love it or hate it?”
“Hate it,” he smiled, putting his hand on the top of the frame as he leaned toward her.
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, and when their lips met, she opened her legs so he could stand between them. With her skirt hiked up her thighs, he couldn’t resist running his hands along her smooth skin. He wanted to touch and kiss her all night; it felt incredible.
“Is this to help with the confession or distract me from it?” he smiled against her mouth.
“Whatever works for you.”
“Well it’s not exactly something I can hide from you.” She pulled away and lifted an eyebrow, but before she could jump to conclusions, Teague said, “I couldn’t stop smoking.”
Camryn stared at him for a few seconds and then lightly laughed, sounding relieved. “Oh. Well I already told you that I didn’t expect you to. I mean I’d prefer it if you did, but I know how hard something like that is to change.”
“I know, but I was doing it. Until a couple days after you left. Then I couldn’t handle it anymore. I needed something to…comfort me.”
“I’m sorry,” she frowned.
“It’s my own fault. I’m weak, I know. I’ve cut way back, though. I know I can do it eventually, and I’ve done it once before, but this time it’ll be for good.”
She smiled and then slid off the seat to stand. She lifted her arms around his neck and said, “I have tons of weaknesses. You’ll learn them soon enough if you haven’t already.”
“We’ll learn together, apparently. You’re just getting to know me.”
“True. Which causes me to ask… What are your plans down here? Are you going to stay with me?”
“I’ve got a place to stay,” he told her. “You don’t have to house a vagrant.”
She smiled as she softly kissed his lips, and Teague appreciated the simple beauty in that. He loved her mouth and couldn’t get enough of it.
“What if I asked you to?” she whispered against his mouth.
He raised an eyebrow and gave her a crooked grin. “Then I’d have to consider it.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“Will you take me home right now? I want you to stay with me.”
The idea of that completely thrilled him and scared the shit out of him at the same time. He considered a response for a few seconds as they kissed again. Finally he pulled away and said, “If I stay, I’m not collecting on the bet. It’s void since the circumstances changed.”
“Well I was already in your bed, Teague. So I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.”
She was trying not to smile and it was pretty cute. But Teague knew she would mention that, even though he still wasn’t prepared with a response in the least bit. He had no idea where the two of them stood.
“I’m saying that there are no expectations,” he told her. “Camryn, I just want to be with you, and I’d rather pretend that those words were never exchanged. You’re better than a bet. What we decide together is what I want with you.”
“Teague, if you keep saying shit like that I’m going to tie you up and never let you leave.”
He raised both eyebrows and added another lopsided grin. “You promise?”
She placed her hands on both sides of his face as she examined his features. “Well you certainly make it tempting. But can you take me home now? Food first, then home.”
He kissed her softly at the corner of her mouth and then along her lips. “Of course.”
Teague helped her in the truck again, and before shutting the door, kissed her once more.
Kissing Camryn had become a necessity he wasn’t going to do without ever again…
***
“Oh my God, he totally looks like a Fucktard,” Teague smiled when he first saw Melanie’s bird.
Camryn laughed out loud and kicked off her heels. Teague was bent at the waist peering into a damn birdcage and it was oddly one of the cutest things she’d ever seen. “I know, right?”
“What kind of bird is he?”
“A Blue Crown Conure.”
“Blue Crown? Why’s he green?”
“I don’t know. Apparently their heads can be bluish, I think.”
Teague looked back at the bird. “Well maybe you really are a fuckup,” he quipped.
The bird squawked and then added, “Hey fatty!”
“Ha! I’m not the only fatty in the house!” Camryn laughed.
“Hey, asshole,” Teague glared at the bird. “I know how to de-feather a bird pretty damn good. And I don’t care if you’re dead or alive.”
“Hey fatty!” he squawked again.
“Fucker,” Teague murmured.
“Hey, you’re gonna teach him naughty words.”
“You said he already knows ‘fucktard.’ That’s all on you, sweetheart.” He sauntered over to stand behind Camryn and slid his arms around her, placing his lips against her neck. “Do you need help out of this dress?” he asked, running a finger softly along her arm.
Camryn’s heart started to race for the usual reasons, but she wanted to fight her nervousness. Teague said he didn’t expect anything from her, but maybe she was ready to try. She was a dancer, confident with her body, and was used to changing in a dressing room full of people. Surely she could convince her heart to get on board and be comfortable, too.
“As a matter of fact, I do need help,” she answered. “I’m also going to jump in the shower to get rid of this makeup if you want to join me.”
She heard him suck in a breath of air. Exhaling, he turned her around to face him. “That’s hard to pass up, but I don’t think so, hon. But this is what I will do… I’m going to lay in bed with you and hold you until you fall asleep. But then I’m going to leave.”
“Really?” she eyed him carefully. “You’re going to leave?”
“Yep,” he nodded.
She thought for a moment as she studied him. “Is this my punishment for being such a bitch to you?”
“No,” he chuckled. “I’m punishing myself for not treating you like I should have.”
“I don’t understand.”
With a sigh he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I just feel like we started out on the wrong pretenses, maybe. I mean I enjoyed every second of it, but we went about it like…”
“A fling? Minus the sex.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“Well isn’t that what you were intending?” she challenged knowingly. “With the sex.”
He was visibly caught off guard with that one. She knew she called him on it right to his face. “Well, yeah… I mean… Hell, I don’t know, Camryn. Yeah, I was looking for something I didn’t have to commit to but…”
She frowned at him. “Teague, I don’t think any less of you. You’re here, aren’t you? Do you think less of me because of the bet?”
“No, of course not. I think more of you, now that I’ve gotten to know you. That’s my point.”
Camryn considered that for a moment, and she supposed it did make sense. She thought more of him too, but maybe he was right. Maybe, for once, a guy had his head on straight when she didn’t. Her physical n
eed for Teague was off the charts, but she liked what he said earlier about making decisions together, and that was definitely a major one. Teague had every right to feel however he did. And just because she was finally able to kiss someone didn’t mean she was ready for everything else.
But she sure as hell wanted to be.
With Teague.
“Okay, unzip me so I can head to the shower.” She turned around so he could have access to her back.
He slowly unzipped her dress, and when the zipper stopped above her waist he said, “I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.”
Camryn smiled and stepped away from him but didn’t say a word as she slipped her shoulders out of the dress and let it drop to the floor.
“Fucking hell,” Teague murmured behind her. She could feel his eyes taking in her backside in a black bra and panty set as she walked toward the hallway.
“You said no sex, but nothing about being naked in front of you,” she said, her hands reaching behind her to unclasp the bra as she walked away from him.
“You beguiling woman,” she heard him say as she entered her bedroom. Laughing to herself, she headed for the shower.
***
Teague waited a minute before he scooped up the dress and slowly headed for her bedroom. He paused at the partially opened door where her bra hung on the knob. He shook his head with a smile, but because he could hear the shower running, he peeked inside. The bathroom door was closed, so he entered the room.
He dropped onto the bed and grabbed the remote from the nightstand, but not before noticing what was right next to it.
His heart. His stupid little carved soap heart sat on her nightstand.
He grinned. Why that thrilled him was beyond his understanding, but he quite liked the fact that it was there, right by her bed.
Teague turned the TV on, at least glad he’d have something to distract him if she walked out completely naked. Hell, who was he fooling? If Camryn came out naked, of course he’d gawk at her. He’d seen half of her naked before and it was fucking amazing.