Teach Me

by Danielle Burton

  “I ain’t playing, girl, I’m serious as hell.” I chuckled and pecked her lips. “I don’t want to add sex to the equation right away. I wanna spend time continuing to get to know one another. As hard as that may be.”

  For a long moment she just stared at me before a soft smile curved her lips. “You really have changed.”

  Bringing my hand to her face, I pushed the soft curls away from her cheek. “Still in the process of that. I like to think I get better with time, and I’ll never be done learning.” I dropped my hand to her thigh, then thought better and moved it to the arm of the chair. “I’ve never been with a woman where it wasn’t all about sex. From what I hear, relationships are a hell of a lot more than that. I want to try.”

  “I like that idea,” she spoke softly, laying her head on my chest. “I wanna try, too.”

  As much as I wanted to keep her in my lap, aa a little past midnight we retired to our separate rooms.

  Cam stood on her toes, stretching her body as far as she could to reach me.

  I met her halfway, kissing her gently. “Good night, Cammie.”

  “Good night, Benji.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  The next morning I knocked on our adjoining door to find it unlocked and cracked open. Peeking inside I glimpsed Cam flung across the bed still asleep.

  Quiet as a mouse, I crept in, rolling the room service cart behind me. “Wake up, sleepy head.” I leaned over her and brushed her hair away from her face. She was going to throw a fit when she realized she’d forgotten to tie it up.

  After shaking her a few times and getting no response I climbed into bed beside her and pecked her lips. “Cammie.” This girl could sleep through a damn apocalypse. “Caaaaamie.”

  I lifted a strand of her hair and poked it inside of her ear.

  She inhaled sharply and sprang straight up, slapping at her face.

  I had to bury my face in a pillow to muffle my uncontrollable laughter.

  A hard thwack to my bare bicep calmed me down. “That is not funny. You scared the hell out of me.”

  Looking up at her, I put on my most innocent smile. “Aww, I’m sorry. Come here.”

  She pushed my opened arms away and folded hers. “No. I’m mad at you.” She fixed me with a glare and crinkled her little nose at me. “And what are you doing in my bed?”

  “What? I can’t lie next to my woman?”

  Her eyes softened, the anger in them ebbing. “That really did happen, huh?”

  “Yeah, now bring your lil self over here and hug me.”

  A smile tugged at her lips as she filled my arms, resting her head on my chest. “Good morning.”

  “A very good one. Did you sleep well?”

  “Until someone interrupted my dream.” Her eyes hardened into another glare, and she swatted my arm. “Don’t ever wake me up like that again.”

  Chuckling, I pulled her closer. “You don’t have to dream about me, I’m right here.”

  “You’re a mess, you know that?”

  “Well now I’m your mess so you have to deal with it.”

  She chuckled softly then sighed. “It took me awhile to get to sleep last night.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Thinking.”

  “Yeah?” I titled her head up so I could see her pretty face. “What about?”

  “DeMarco Von.”

  Heat clinched my heart.

  It must’ve showed on my face because she lifted a hand to my face, caressing the stubble on my jaw, and said, “Not like that. I checked out his website. That tour...it’s everything I’ve been dreaming of since I discovered my love for photography. Not only would I get to go on a six-month world adventure, but of the ten chosen, one would become his apprentice. Working side by side with him on amazing projects. I was so excited, ready to enter and everything, until I realized I couldn’t go.” Her eyes, filled with moisture, dropped to my chest. “Not that I’d get picked anyway.”

  Propping myself on my elbow, I lifted her chin so she’d look at me. “First of all, stop being hard on yourself. You’re amazing. Second, why exactly is it that you can’t go?”

  She turned onto her back but kept her head toward me. “Um, hello, budding relationship. The tour starts in September. That’s two months from now.”

  “And?”

  “What do you mean, and?”

  “Cam, this is your dream we’re talking about. When you get chosen, you’re going. Don’t let anything hold you here. Not even me.”

  “But what about us?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.” I scooted closer to her and turned her so her body was against mine. “Keeping you from your dreams is something I’d never do.”

  Her eyes searched over my face before she leaned closer and pressed her lips to mine. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you, for those lips.”

  Giggling, she rolled out of my arms then stood up and stretched.

  “Where you going?”

  “To the bathroom. You mind?” She made a face at me before turning away. “Don’t be so clingy.”

  “Clingy?” I leapt out of the bed and chased behind her.

  She let out a high pitched scream and took off, scurrying into the bathroom and slamming the door.

  “Yeah, you betta run.”

  While she took care of her business I straightened the bed a bit so we could have breakfast there. I placed my meal on one of the nightstands then went to the other side for Cam’s.

  Her phone lay on top of it alongside a black and gold business card.

  Sitting down her food, I took a seat on the bed and picked up the card, turning it over in my hand. The thought of her leaving caused pain to rise in my chest, but I could never stand in her way, especially knowing how much it meant to her. Photography wasn’t only her thing, but her father’s, so in a way she’d be fulfilling both of their dreams. Who was I to deny her that? Cam deserved the world, whether it was me who provided it or not. This woman had stood in my corner when I was at my worst. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to see her happy.

  After breakfast we checked out and began our drive back home. Every few minutes I’d glance at her then she’d glance at me and then we’d smile at one another. I was floating on cloud nine, but with an undercurrent of nerves because I had no idea what I was doing when it came to relationships. My thoughts paused as I stopped at a traffic light. Damn…I was in a relationship.

  Cam lifted her phone to her ear while staring out of the front window. Her smile slowly died, a wrinkle forming on her forehead.

  “Is everything okay?”

  She hung up the phone and turned to me. “I don’t know. That was Gabi. She answered when I called but didn’t say anything. There was a lot of yelling in the background.”

  “Her and her mom?”

  “No, her and Jay.”

  I took off when the light turned green and pulled into a gas station. Hitting the speed dial button on my phone, I called Jay.

  A gruff voice that barely resembled him came through the receiver. “Yeah.”

  “Yo…what’s going on over there?”

  He smacked his lips. “Some bull shit, that’s what.”

  “You and Gabi good?”

  The line was silent for a good minute. “I’ll be home sometime today. I’ll talk to you then.”

  “Uh…alright. Drive safe.”

  “Yup.” The line clicked off and I hung up.

  “What’d he say?”

  “Not much,” I replied, tossing my phone in the center console. “He sounded pissed off. Said they’ll be home today.”

  Cam wrung her hands and looked out of her window. “I hope everything is okay.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  The rest of the trip was spent playing a trivia game and speculating as to what the world’s cutest couple could be fighting about.

  When we arrived home Pops was in the backyard overseeing the installation of the pool. While Cam went to change clothes, I stepped out
back.

  “Looking good out here.”

  Pops glanced over his shoulder, a smile wrinkling the corners of his eyes. “Hey, son. How was your trip?”

  I greeted him with a hug then stood beside him looking out at the construction. “Pretty damn good if I do say so myself.”

  He cast me a sideways glance. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, you and Jay ain’t the only ones with the romantic trait.”

  Chuckling, he shook his head. “Boy, what you know about romance?”

  “Plenty.”

  “Yeah, alright. You just make sure you treat that girl right. Don’t do nothing stupid and mess around and lose her.”

  “Trust me, Pops, that’s not even on the agenda. I know I don’t have the best track record with women, but I’ma try my damnedest not to screw up.”

  “That’s all you can do.” He gave me a firm pat on the back. “Have I told you how proud of you I am?”

  “Yeah, but it doesn’t hurt to hear it again.”

  A knock on the glass door interrupted our laugh.

  Cam waved then beckoned me inside.

  “If you’ll excuse me.” I slid open the door then stepped in. “What’s up?”

  “Have you talked to Jay again?”

  “Nah, he’s probably on the road.”

  “Gabi’s not answering.” Cam smoothed her hand over her hair while chewing her lip.

  I took her hand and pulled her to me. “Don’t worry. They’ll be here soon.”

  She nodded against my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist. “It was weird hearing them fight. I’ve always seen them as this perfect couple.”

  “No couple is perfect. We’re all human. Besides, you know those two. They’re probably not answering because they’re too busy screwing.”

  She giggled into my shirt then looked up at me. “Those two go at it like rabbits.”

  “Right. Horny asses.”

  Her gaze locked with mine as she bit gently on the side of her bottom lip.

  Bending to her height, I took that lip into my mouth and nibbled it before seeking out her sweet tongue. My mind drifted back to her smooth legs wrapping around me at the hotel. Easing my hands past her slim waist, I gripped her hips then moved around to her supple ass cheeks and kneaded them. Good God Damn she was soft. I had wanted to squeeze that since we met.

  She broke away from me and took a step back. “You should finish talking to your uncle. I’m gonna go watch some TV.”

  I swallowed down a ragged breath and nodded. “Yeah, that’s…probably a good idea.”

  She slid past me, heading toward the basement.

  I tried in vain to calm myself as that gorgeous body disappeared down the steps. “Behave, Benji. Not yet.” Leaning against the counter, I groaned at the massive tent in my basketball shorts. I had a feeling I was going to use up a lot of baby oil in the weeks to come.

  ~ ♥ ~

  Later that evening Cam and I relaxed on the porch swing. She sat on one end while I lay on my back with my head in her lap. “So what’s your idea of the perfect first date? I need to start planning.”

  Her eyes twinkled and a smile formed on her lips. “Yesterday was pretty great. Something like that.” She ran her fingers through my hair while staring out at the neighborhood.

  “Hmm.” Taking her free hand, I held it against my chest. “What about the Food Fest downtown? I know my baby loves to eat.”

  “I love that idea. Just don’t complain when I get fat because you’re the one who keeps feeding me.”

  I chuckled then kissed her fingertips. “More of you to love.”

  Her gaze dropped to me in widened stare.

  Uh oh. I hadn’t meant to use the ‘L’ word. I hoped she didn’t think I was professing my love to her. Not that I wouldn’t or didn’t plan to, but we were far from being there and I didn’t want her to start having second thoughts.

  Remaining silent, she looked out at the front yard.

  I cleared my throat, hoping she wouldn’t start to wall herself off again. “So…when did you want to go?”

  “Next weekend, since I’ll be off work.” She looked down at me, a small smile giving way. “So, official first date, huh?”

  “Yeah…nervous?”

  “A little.” She searched over my face then ran her index finger down my jaw. “You know, if someone told me a year ago I’d be going on a date when Benjamin Creed, I’d have laughed in their face…after gagging.”

  “Damn, it’s like that.”

  A boisterous laugh bubbled out of her. “I said a year ago. And to be fair, I didn’t know you back then. I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years that you were so…”

  “So what?”

  “Kind, sweet...caring.”

  Familiar and unwanted heat crept to my face. I bit my lip trying to keep that damn blush at bay. Never in my life had a woman ever had that effect on me.

  A car door slammed and I sat up.

  Jay shambled to the walkway with a straight face. Gabi didn’t follow, because there was no Gabi.

  What the hell?

  I stood as he climbed the steps and stopped him before he passed. “What’s going on, man?”

  He shook his head then entered the house.

  Cam was right on my heels as I followed him in.

  Pops looked up from his book as Jay flopped down on the sofa. “What’s the matter son? Where’s Gabrielle?”

  “Still in Chicago.”

  Cam stepped around me, frowning down at him. “You left her there?”

  “What? No.”

  “Then why isn’t she here? I heard you two fighting.”

  “I didn’t leave her. She chose to stay.”

  “What the hell for?”

  “Because,” Jay sighed and ran his palm over his face, “She called off the wedding.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  ~ Camryn ~

  “What do you mean she called off the wedding?” I dropped onto the sofa beside Jay, narrowing my eyes at him. There had to be more to the story. Gabi wouldn’t just do something like that without reason. Her love for him was irrevocable.

  Jay leaned back against the sofa and crossed his arms. “Just what I said. She let her parents put ideas in her head and now the wedding ain’t happening.”

  Benji took a seat on the arm of the sofa. “What’s that mean for the two of you? Are y’all…over?”

  Jay shrugged. “Who knows.” Leaning forward, he rested his face in his hands, and mumbled, “This is exactly what I was afraid of.”

  With a slow shake of my head, I rose to my feet and paced toward the stairs, determined to get to the bottom of this. As I entered the bedroom my phone rung from its place on the dresser. I rushed over to it and answered Gabi’s call.

  “What the hell is going on, and why are you just now calling me?”

  Her sniffles came through the receiver. “Cam…I did something really stupid.” Her next words came out in an incoherent whimper.

  “Gabi calm down. Why did you call off the wedding? Did Jay do something?”

  “You know?” She sniffled a few times then blew her nose.

  “Yes, I know. Jay’s here.”

  “He is? Thank goodness. I’ve been worried sick.”

  “Wait, I thought you knew he was coming.”

  “I did, I just didn’t know he’d made it yet because he refuses to talk to me.” Her sniffles began again, followed by soft sobs. “I really screwed up, Cam. I think he hates me.” Her emotional distress had me on edge. It hadn’t even been this bad during all the Brooke drama.

  Sighing, I took a seat on the bed. “You and I both know Jay could never hate you. Now can you please tell me what happened? What’s this about your parents?”

  She took a few deep breaths before speaking. “My parents and I were talking yesterday while Jay was out and they think it would be best if he and I wait until after we graduate to get married. I agreed so when he got home I told him that I wanted to wait.”


  “Okay…I’m not seeing what the big deal is.”

  “It wasn’t at first. He accused me of letting them make up my mind for me and then we got into an argument. I demanded that we wait. He got pissed about me making the decision without including him. Then…I may have flown off the handle and told him if he couldn’t wait then the wedding was off and that he should go home.”

  “You may have or you did.”

  “I did?”

  “Gabi.”

  “I didn’t mean to. I let my temper get the best of me and now he won’t even take my calls. When he left he didn’t even say good bye, barely looked at me.”

  My shoulders sagged and I’m sure my heart broke just a bit. Jaybrielle being at odds wasn’t something I thought would ever come to pass. They were the definition of ‘meant to be.’ If they couldn’t make it last, what’d that mean for the rest of us? “He’ll come around, sweetie. And if you ask me, he has a lot of nerve being mad when it comes to decision making after all his crap last year.”

  She blew out a rough breath. “Jay and I don’t live in the past. We acknowledge it happened but don’t let it rule the decisions we make today. Besides, now that I know the whole story I can see that although his execution was all wrong his heart was in the right place. But the past belongs in the past so that’s where we leave it. If more people did the same, oh how happy the world would be.”

  I lifted the phone from my ear and stared at it for a second before putting it back. “Now who’s all grown up?”

  A tiny giggle escaped her then she sighed again. “What am I going to do, Cam? How do I fix this?”

  “Talk to him for starters.”

  “And if he won’t listen?”

  “Strip naked. That’ll get his attention.”

  “Cam.”

  Chuckling, I stood and paced the room. “I’m the wrong person to get relationship advice from. Just find a way to make him listen. Talk it out and come to an agreement.”

  “I’ll try…Cam?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Do you think he’s right? About me letting my parents make up my mind for me?”

  “It’s hard to say without knowing all the details of your conversation with them.”