"I'm popping the question tonight,” Cam said, again stealing the air from Edwin’s lungs, as Cameron reached for the small bulge in his pocket. “And if she says yes, she'll be my wife."
"If," Edwin snapped, his single word hanging in the air between them like a dangling noose.
Cam pulled out the dainty, black, velvet box, ignoring Edwin’s uneasiness. “I couldn’t leave it in the room. Abby almost stumbled on it earlier today, but I want my proposal to catch her by surprise. I don’t think she has a clue.” He cracked the delicate box open and examined the large, white rock in the light.
"Whoa, you mean business!" Hunter hollered, from across the room. He roved to Cam's side and admired the sheer size of the diamond. "I don't know a woman that could turn that baby down," he said, slapping Cam on the back. “You have bigger balls than me, brother.”
Edwin couldn’t believe his ears. Who knew Cam would step up to the plate so soon? Not him. And he certainly didn’t know how to feel about it.
"What do you think she'll say?" Cam asked Hunter.
"I told you. No bitch'll say no to that rock.”
Cam hardly knows her. It should be me! "How are you planning to do it?" Edwin asked, trying not to sound like he actually cared.
"I was thinking I'd wait until after the countdown, when everyone else is celebrating, and flash her the ring without saying a word." He raised a brow in question.
"Oh, yeah. The ladies are suckers for that kind of shit. She'll definitely go for it," Hunter said.
Edwin fumed. She would love that. But it's not me. "She'll hate it."
"Really?" Cam was confident.
"She's always dreamt of an old-fashioned, man on his knee, professing his love to her kind of event," Edwin admitted. Shit! Why did I just tell him that? Now I’m helping the damn guy.
"Don't listen to him. He's just jealous," Hunter said. "You do what you want to do.”
Cam looked uneasy, pinned beneath Edwin’s direct scrutiny. "Yeah, I think she'll say yes."
Edwin was practically foaming at the mouth. "We'll see about that." He bumped into Cam with his massive shoulder and stomped past him toward the door.
"What's your problem?" Cam snapped.
Edwin turned back for only a second, but he made his point crystal clear. "You hurt her and you're a dead man."
***
AFTER A DAY OF pampering at the spa, instead of feeling completely relaxed, as the New Year drew closer the terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach became increasingly worse. Everything seemed to be coming together in my life. If Cam were to agree to have children with me, my life would be perfect; and that was exactly what was causing my panic.
It seemed whenever life got really good for me, fate always had a way of body slamming me back into reality. I swear if I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. I started to believe that I wasn’t allowed to have a happy ever after; that it just wasn’t in the cards for me.
Back in Maddie’s room, I watched Edwin as he snuck out of the hotel room without a send-off; as if we weren’t going to notice, just because we were all consuming the most delicious room service ever. Edwin insisted that he wasn’t hungry. That only made me secretly suspicious.
After our feast and a few glasses of wine, me and my ladies congregated in the small bathroom, fighting for the mirror to improve our makeup. I darkened my mascara and puckered my glossy lips. Stunning. That was the only word that came to mind when I saw myself in the gorgeous, red dress that Cameron had bought me for Christmas. It fit like a glove, highlighting my tiny waist and curvy hips.
"Damn, I look good," I announced, knowing it would spark an interesting conversation.
Aliah gave me a once over and shrugged a shoulder. "You look alright," she mocked, then broke into a fit of laughter.
Maddie pouted her lips. "You would wear that, while I'm over here looking all fat in my dress." She flailed an arm at me dramatically. "Next to you, I'll look like a total cow for sure."
“Maddie. That’s just not true. You’re the most beautiful pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” She'd found a dress that draped delicately from her little baby bulge, showing that she was pregnant, but far from fat. Gorgeous. But there was torment in the poor girl’s chocolate-brown eyes. She couldn't see how great she looked and she definitely didn’t know how jealous I was.
"You look absolutely amazing, Maddie." I glided my hand over her baby belly. It was perfect.
Maddie smiled. "Thanks. I hope the men look at me the same way you do. This pregnancy is doing a number on my sex drive."
We all laughed, except for Maddie.
"I’m not kidding. I have to get laid tonight!"
Aliah pressed her lips into a firm line, not finding that statement quite so funny. "Don't even think about it."
This time it was Maddie who laughed. "Oh, Ally. I wouldn't dream of it." There was no way she would risk her relationship with her baby daddy, for one night of sex with Hunter.
"Maybe if you drop the negativity for the night, you might pick up a stud,” Aliah said, her tone changing. “Beer goggles.”
Maddie didn’t take offence. "I certainly hope so, cuz I could definitely use a good lay."
Laughter filled the room, as Jessica opened the door and fled the small space.
"I'm with you, Maddie," Jessica stated. "We need to find ourselves some fine, young men." She high-fived Maddie, then reached for a fresh glass of wine.
"H-E-L-L-O, ladies," Hunter announced, making us all smile.
Cameron stood up, when he saw me and he didn't take his eyes off the flaming red dress as he reached out for my hands. "Look at you. You look beautiful. And the dress...” He blew out a harsh breath. “It fits."
That was an understatement. "It fits."
He drew his hands up my waist and slid them back down, until he gripped onto my wide hips. His tongue flicked sensually over his upper lip, then he pulled me in for a kiss, smudging my gloss all over his mouth. The way his chest pressed against my skin, lit my nerves on fire. He smiled at me, as he wiped the gloss from his mouth, then reached his arms around my waist.
I licked my own well-kissed lips. "This might be a miracle, but I think I'm actually ready to go."
"Imagine that,” Cameron said.
“Abby ready on time for a change. What's up with that?" Aliah asked.
I felt a twinge in my stomach, a trademark signal of the stabbing pain that would ensue. I turned away from Cam so he wouldn't catch me wincing. Things were good. For now.
"What do you ladies say we make a toast before we go?" Hunter suggested. He handed me and Cameron a glass of wine. "Here's to a night of good times, good friends…"
"...and lots of drinks!" Aliah finished.
We all raised our plastic glasses and bumped them together in the centre of our circle of friends.
Maddie took a sip from her cup. "This is so exciting. I haven't been this thrilled since…well, I'd rather not say with Ally in the room."
I stifled my laugh by tucking my head into Cameron's shoulder.
"Maddie!" Aliah hollered, scowling angrily.
"It's all in good fun," Maddie replied. "I was only teasing."
But everyone knew she wasn’t.
***
WHEN WE FINALLY MADE it downstairs, there was no question where the party was. Partygoers filled the lobby and everyone was heading for the hall. It was dark in the space, but there were flashy lights and sparkly party favours lighting up the room. The music was already going strong and the dance floor was packed with people.
"Oh, yeah. I'm definitely getting laid tonight," Maddie announced, admiring the quality of men on display. She ran her hand over a handsome passer-by and then winked at him.
"You nasty dog," Jessica teased, once he was out of ear shot.
"Do me a favour and steer clear of me when you're talking about sex," Hunter warned, catching the entire incident. "Especially when you're carrying my baby. Any man who’ll stick it in there when you're like that h
as his own issues."
Maddie lifted her chin. "Hey, I'll take what I can get."
"No, you won't," Hunter answered, definitively. "No man will be fussing around in there around my baby. You've got three more months, I think you can wait."
“Hmpf,” she huffed, then realized it wasn’t up to him. "I've got needs too, you know; and the doctor says I'm good to go. I'll do what I want tonight."
If not for Maddie, I wouldn’t have even noticed that there was another man in the place. Cameron looked so suave and sexy himself, that it ignited a fire within me. I would’ve been happy to strip him from that polished, red shirt; and in time I would.
Recognizing my attraction, Cam pulled me closer and kissed me, with slow, wet lips. I moaned, involuntarily, and everyone heard me.
"Save it for midnight," Hunter hollered.
Cameron flashed him a warning glare.
"Speaking of midnight…" Jessica started. "It’s late. Where's Edwin?"
Hunter glanced at Aliah, like they weren’t supposed to say. Interesting.
"Apparently he had a dinner date,” Hunter informed Jessica. “Some chick he met this afternoon. He'll meet up with us later.”
A few hours passed before I found Edwin sitting at the bar, and I didn't see his lovely guest anywhere. Jessica caught me looking at him and headed right over.
"Hey, Eddie. No luck with the blonde bimbo?”
"It didn't work out," Edwin lied. He flashed a glance at the dance floor where the blonde was chatting with another random stranger, then he pounded back a shot and chased it with his beer.
Cameron cleared his throat, to catch my attention, and handed me a fresh drink. “We’ll catch up with you later,” he said to Jessica, stealing my empty hand and pulling me to a dark corner.
I gazed lovingly into his eyes, a soft smile playing on my lips.
Cam took a sip from his drink. "What did I do to deserve you?"
I repeatedly kissed him, his top lip, his bottom lip, the corner of his mouth. Then I slowly pulled my mouth away and my eyelashes fluttered open.
"Look at what you're doing to me," he said, as he tried to privately adjust his pants.
I smirked and sipped from my glass and then back-stepped away from him, drawing him onto the dance floor. I knew I was supposed to wait until midnight to kiss him long and hard, but I couldn't keep away from his charming lips. Lust was definitely in the air.
We danced, and teased, nibbled and canoodled, surrounded by a mixture of easygoing and vivacious partygoers. By the time midnight was upon us, we were all celebrating like raving lunatics.
"It's almost time," Jessica squealed, as she scouted out the single men in her vicinity. The crowd was young and she had a decent helping of eligible men to choose from.
"What time is it?" I hollered.
Maddie glanced at her wristwatch made of black crystals. "11:44," she hollered back.
I hooked an arm around Cameron's neck. "I really have to pee. I'm gonna go now."
"I'll come with," Aliah hollered to me.
"Hurry back," Cameron said, seeming very anxious.
Aliah and I rushed off to the washroom and there were quite a few ladies waiting in line before us. "That'll be our luck, ringing in the New Year in the ladies room," Aliah joked.
The line moved fast and I stumbled into the washroom, exposing my degree of intoxication. Though the skiing pains had eased, the cramps in my side were still there making me want to curl up in the corner and cry. After a quick trip to the toilet, I checked my reflection in the mirror.
"You look hot. Now let's go. We don't want to miss the countdown," Aliah said.
We hurried back with everyone else now piling onto dance floor, readying themselves for the countdown. We squeezed through the crowd and shoved our way back to the others.
"You made it," Cam said, overcome with relief as he anxiously checked his wristwatch.
I pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. “I made it.”
He didn’t respond, physically or verbally. Something was off with him and it didn’t seem good.
All of our friends crowded together, as others tried to squeeze into our tight formation. Maddie and Jessica were ushering the hotties in, with masks concealing their faces and other sparkling party favours in their hands.
For a nice change, everyone in our group was getting along. Edwin had even left me and Cameron alone all night, though he was now hanging close by; likely arranging his midnight mack-up.
Cameron fidgeted, as the crowd tightened up in anticipation of the New Year. There was less than one minute before the countdown and many had already began cheering excitedly. I hugged each of my friends, excluding Edwin, happy that I could spend the last minute of the year with my best friends.
I cheered along with everyone else as the singles bustled around to situate themselves for the countdown. What a great feeling to not have to do that. I sighed and whispered in Cam’s ear. "Love you."
He softened beneath my hands, but didn't respond, just swallowed and grinned.
Okay, something is really up. I pressed a fake smile onto my lips and glanced at Hunter across from me. He had been staring and smiled back, but then turned his face away to whisper to Edwin. Edwin nodded, his face expressionless.
Uneasiness caused me to twitch and Cameron rubbed my arm to soothe me, but it was a little late for that. I watched Hunter and Aliah swaying back and forth in each other’s arms, and how Jessica and Maddie had managed to scam a couple of drunk studs. The room fell silent, then the countdown began and all I could think was, the sooner this was over the better.
As we counted down, "10-9-8-7," Cam looked like he was ready to pass out. People around us waved noisemakers, stared at the sparklers spinning at the head of the room and jumped up and down. "6-5-4…” I was shoved away from Cam by the bumbling crowd of excitable drunks. Before I was able push my way back to him, "…3-2-1!"
Sparks were flying, confetti dropping and some sneaky, blonde bitch beat me to the punch. She was thin, young and beautiful, everything I would imagine Cam would like in a girl. Her long hair dangled over Cameron's red shirt, as she gripped his suit jacket in both her hands, pulling him to her mouth to kiss him.
I gaped at the situation playing out before me, my feet glued to the floor. I watched her hand slide over his chest, her lips on his mouth, and he didn't even stop her. Oh! That's what's up.
Cheers resumed, but my heart stopped, surrounded by others still sharing tongue-filled kisses. I started to feel dizzy, my head spinning faster than my body, as I tried to find a way out of the crowd. Anger fueled me, burning through my veins with a vengeance, masking the sadness lingering just below the surface.
Someone larger than me grabbed onto my arm and spun me around. Without even glancing at the man now facing me, not caring at this point, I reacted to my emotions, closed my eyes and accepted the hot press of his lips against mine. I rested my hands on his hard chest, flanking his silky tie, only feeling in that moment, as his tongue gained access to my mouth. He curled me tighter into his steady arms and I flung mine around his hulking frame, my eyes burning with tears as my mouth covered his again and again.
His lips were soft, skilled and surprisingly gentle. Familiar? No. Stop trying to put reason to my feelings toward this random rebound boy. Man. Definitely a man.
His tongue swept into my mouth again and when I skimmed my hands under his jacket, I scratched my nails over his wide back and massive shoulders. He tasted very good, like cinnamon and flames. I softened against him, snugly fitting against his chiselled body. This man responded to me by sliding his large, capable hands over my curves, moulding me like putty. Familiar. Definitely familiar. But I wasn’t ready to return to reality just yet.
When my tongue skimmed back into his warm, devouring mouth, I finally got a real good taste of him. My knees grew weak with understanding. There was no doubt left in my mind that this random mystery man wasn't random at all, and yet there I was unable to back away.
I kissed him harder, knowing that Cameron was likely watching by now, and only hoping that it would make him hurt a fraction of how much he had hurt me. Then I reluctantly broke the soul-stealing lip-lock and slowly retracted my nails from the man’s back.
Another couple bumped into us, but he didn’t let me go. His hands continued to firmly stroke me and, when I gazed up into his greedy, aqua eyes, I was struck with the realization of what I had done. Disgusted with myself, I tried to escape from Edwin’s arms, but he gripped me tighter, delivering a silent message that only I would understand.
Trying to sort out what the hell I was doing, my chest caved. I crumbled in Edwin’s arms. I had been convinced that I loved Cameron more than I had ever loved another man. But Edwin had a way of testing my resolve. My heart squeezed as Edwin watched me and recognized my regret. I loved Edwin, but there was so much more about Cameron that I still wanted to learn.
When someone tapped on my shoulder, Edwin’s powerful arms loosened and I finally wiggled out of his villainous grasp. I spun away to face the man seeking my attention. Cameron. And he had a look in his eyes that I tried to decipher. Was is guilt? Torment? Reading him was too easy. He was saddened and confused and maybe even heart broken.
Well guess what, buddy, that doesn't even begin to explain how I felt when I saw your lips on that blonde bimbo. My panic rose as quickly as the bile in my throat and tears threatened from the storm in my heart.
“What the hell?” Cameron asked, his expression devastating me.
My eyes flashed back to Edwin and he cracked a smile. Nice. He thought my life falling to pieces in front of his very eyes was absolutely hilarious. I flashed a quick glance at my friends, to gauge their reactions. Their mouths were gaping in shock. The longer I stood there being scrutinized by them, the harder it was for me to confront the situation logically. I was mortified.
I whirled away and hiked my skirt with one hand, so I could escape the party room as fast as I could. Tears instantly streamed from my eyes, as I ran away from my problems. But I couldn’t hide from them. After the hysteria passed, I dabbed my tear stained face and tried to smear away the blackened makeup from under my eyes. I tried to pull myself together, but it wasn’t going to happen. Hearing everyone else still cheering and partying more joyously than ever wasn’t helping.
A Twist of Fate (The Twisted Trilogy) Page 5