“Are you going into work today?” I ask her, kissing her bare shoulder as she faces away from me on the bed.
“Yes. They asked me to start training immediately.”
“We need to celebrate.”
“No, we don’t,” she says, turning to me with a smile.
“We do,” I insist. “We’ll go to my parents’ house tonight if that works for you, and then I want to take you out on a real date this weekend. I was supposed to do that last night.”
“Last night was a perfect date.”
I shake my head. “You deserve so much more than cookies on the couch, and earth-shattering sex.”
“I happen to love both of those things.”
“Still. I promised to take you out, and I really want to.”
“Dinner and a movie?”
“A surprise.”
“I’m not big on surprises.”
“I promise you’ll like it.”
“I trust you, so okay. Parents tonight, softball tomorrow, and then my surprise. Oh, and lots of that earth-shattering sex in between, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
“Me, too. I wish we didn’t have to work, although if we stay in bed all day, I doubt either of us will be walking tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t be complaining.”
I groan, because I know we need to get going. “Stop trying to tempt me.”
“If your job didn’t involve saving people, I’d do more than tempt you. Since it does, I’m going to be good, and stay wrapped in this sheet until I get dressed.”
“I’ll reward your good behavior later.”
“Deal.”
I force myself to go into the bathroom, and finish getting ready for work, while Camari puts her clothes back on. My job is life or death sometimes, and leaving my shift short-handed is not something I take lightly. I’ll definitely be counting the seconds until I see her again, and maybe we’ll have time for a quick round before we go to see my parents.
“What time are you off today?”
“They said I could be flexible, so what time are you off?”
“Five.”
“What time are we due for dinner?”
“Seven.”
“Plenty of time.”
“You’re perfect. You know that, right?”
“Not even close, but I appreciate you thinking so.”
“Oh, I do.”
I kiss her one more time, and then let her go. I can’t wait for her to meet my parents, because I know they’re going to love her as much as I do. Like, I mean like her as much. That’s what I meant. Or did I?
My morning at work is too busy for me to ponder how deep my feeling for Camari go, but at lunch, I get caught lost in thought by my friends.
“Earth to Lenny,” Brad says with a smirk.
“What? Oh, sorry.”
“He’s thinking of his girl. Kind of fun to see how the mighty has fallen so hard,” Jack tells him.
“Guilty as charged,” I admit, because there’s no use in hiding it.
“Did she get the job at Corrigan?” Mitch asks.
“What do you think?”
“Sweet. Maybe she’ll invite us to that cafeteria of theirs, and you’ll actually go.”
Seriyah invited us all once, as she’s allowed to bring guest twice a month, but I declined because of my vendetta. The guys all raved about it, so I’m looking forward to going now.
“I will. I’ve decided to just accept what everyone else has about the Corrigans, and think of them as helping this city.”
“Cool, because Seri said she’s next out of the secretary pool, so she’ll be getting a placement soon, and she wants us all to come there for lunch to celebrate,” Tim explains.
“We’ll be there.”
“Aww, now he’s using ‘we’,” Brad says.
“Damn straight.”
“This is no fun. I can’t even embarrass you.”
“Nope. I’m happily committed.”
I take a little more ribbing over lunch, and stay busy until my shift is over at five. Camari’s car isn’t in the driveway, so I sit on my porch to wait for her to get home. I’ll admit I’m desperate to see her, and when I get a text from her, saying she’s stuck at work, but will meet me at my parents’ house, I’m more than a little disappointed. At least I’ll have her all to myself after dinner.
10
Camari
It’s nice to be back to work. I know not everyone feels that way about their job, and I was technically doing my job this whole time, but I like this building, and the people I know in it. I like knowing I’ll be able to come back to it once I complete missions, and that I have a place here. A home.
I greet Alex in the Foundation lobby, and walk back to Reina’s office. Ainsley and Audrey are already there, so I take a seat, and tell them what I learned last night. I feel a little bad about revealing Lennon’s secrets, but it explains so much about why he felt he had to bring us all down, and I know I have to tell them. I trust these women to understand like I do, and be willing to try and help.
“I was going to work on the photos you sent today,” Ainsley tells me. “We had to finish mission prep for Darcy, or I would’ve done it sooner.”
“It actually worked out better this way. Camari was able to get the information on her own, and that shows she can work effectively in the field,” Reina says.
“He trusted me, and that’s why he told me.”
I should be basking in her approval, but that little bit of bad I was feeling just turned into more. I used the man I’ve come to care about, and although I didn’t force him to tell me what he did, I made him believe he could trust me. I didn’t lie about how I feel, but I’ve lied about everything else. And I also feel bad, because I was the one they sent in, and I’m afraid I know exactly why I was chosen.
“All of your missions won’t be like this,” Audrey tells me.
“So, you don’t expect me to sleep with them all? I mean, I’ve done that for years, right?”
Reina reels back like I slapped her. “You can’t really think that. Oh my God, no Camari. Never.”
“I know you want to punish me.”
“Can you two leave us alone, please?”
Audrey and Ainsley leave, and once the door closes, she moves around her desk and sits with me.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Is it really how you feel? I thought you knew I was truly sorry for how I treated you in the past.”
“I never loved him. I thought I did, but I didn’t.”
“Even if you did, I wouldn’t punish you. I really thought this would help you, and I can see it has.”
“How?” I ask, even though I already know.
She’s told me why I was sent on this mission, and so has Audrey, but I want to know what changes she sees.
“You did something brave when you left your town, Camari. You did what you had to do to survive, but you also lost who you once were. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, except you lost the girl who appreciated everything she had. In saving—and transforming—yourself, you became a woman who fought for everything, but have had little appreciation for any of it.”
“I know,” I admit, looking away from her.
“I’m not scolding you. I understand, you know.”
I shake my head. “No. You never act like you’re better than anyone else. You wear leggings and sweatshirts, and everyone who meets you loves you.”
“I fight my ego every day. I am so damn proud of what I’ve accomplished, and I consciously force myself to pretend like none of it matters sometimes, because it really doesn’t. Saving lives matters, but accomplishments don’t. I know that, and yet, I have to remind myself that I can appreciate what I’ve helped shape this place into, but I can never take it for granted. And I can never let my quest to do the right thing override my moral code. I walk a fine line more often than not, but if I get too close to crossing it, my friends
help pull me back.”
I don’t know what to say, because Reina exudes power and control. I’ve seen her soft side, but I always thought she fought hard to keep that side down. Now I know she fights to keep it alive. I’ve seen her have to be tough, but I thought she was just naturally that way.
“I didn’t know.”
“I don’t exactly broadcast my faults, or how difficult this job is.”
“You make everything look effortless.”
“That means I’m doing my job.”
“I don’t think anyone could do it better,” I tell her, honestly. “You’re scary, but fair.”
“Thank you for that.”
“And I know I’ve been changing while I’m with Lennon and his friends. I’ve come to like jeans and leggings. I even kind of like wings.”
She laughs. “It’s nice to dress down sometimes. Wings aren’t my favorite, but I love a greasy burger and fries.”
“Thank you, Reina. For hiring me, and for sending me out to find the part of me I’d lost.”
“You belong here, and I knew you’d find your way. I won’t say your desire to be perfect didn’t scare me, but I have faith in you.”
“It’s hard to change the way I think, but I’m trying.”
“That’s all I can ask of any of you,” she tells me, leaning over to pull me into a hug. “Now, let’s call the A-Team back in, okay?”
I nod, and she tells the doors to open. Ainsley and Audrey try to act casual, but I see them looking us over. “We didn’t hurt each other,” I tell them with a laugh.
Audrey shrugs. “We had to check.”
“I looked up the picture while we were waiting. I know what happened to Lennon’s friend, and his family.”
“Don’t keep us in suspense,” Reina says.
“The boy’s father was one of our first.”
“First rescue or first target?”
“Target.”
“He didn’t touch Lennon,” I say, knowing it’s the truth.
“No,” she agrees. “There was a list of boys and women, and also a mention of Lennon and his family. The mother got permission to tell Lennon’s parents, but they were sworn to secrecy. It was thought best that the boys have no contact, but it looks like it was a hard decision for all of them.”
“It’s no wonder he hated Jane. To a small boy, it would seem like she stole his friend.”
“I’ll talk to Jane, and we’ll contact him. Maybe if he comes to town and talks to Lennon, he’ll feel better about us,” Reina says.
“I told you he’s done with all of this.”
“I know, but there’s more at play now.”
“What?”
“I told you about Lennon coming to see Matt after the Sheriff called him in. He’s after us. We’ll talk about that later, but I don’t know how much pressure he’ll try to put on Lennon to change his mind. If his friend can help show him he’s right in giving this up, it might help.”
“I want this to be over.”
“I know, and it will be soon, I promise. We’ll come up with a reason we need you to move into our building, and then you can pursue your relationship with Lennon.”
“I’ll have to tell him.”
She nods. “He can be your one person to tell.”
“He may not forgive me.”
“It won’t be easy,” Ainsley admits. “Zack hated me until he realized he loved me too much to stay angry. Now, he just wants to help all the time.”
“Either way, I want him to know.”
“You will have my permission once this is all over.”
“Thank you.”
With nothing left to discuss, I leave them to visit my doctor. We have a good talk about everything, and I feel okay when I leave. Not cured of all my issues, because that may never happen, but okay with where I am. A quick check-in with my nutritionist, and another with Kendrick, and I’m free to get to work on what I’m actually here for. Classes and studying with my friends keep my mind occupied the rest of the day, stopping me from thinking too hard about Lennon, and what he’ll do when he finds out who I really am.
Lennon
Camari opens her door wearing tan pants that aren’t khakis, and a white top with a zipper down most of the middle. Her hair is in loose waves, she’s got heels on, and she’s clutching a strapless purse. I’m in jeans and a t-shirt.
“I need to change.”
“No, don’t. You look beautiful.”
“I’m overdressed.”
Yeah, she is. “They won’t care.”
“They will. They’ll think I’m stuck up, just like you used to.”
I can see her going into full-blown panic mode, so I grip her shoulders and kiss her. She stiffens for a moment, and then she’s opening her mouth for me. I massage her shoulders while my tongue massages the inside of her mouth.
“Change if you really want to, but you don’t have to. My mom already knows you’re working at Corrigan.”
“They mean a lot to you, and I want them to like me.”
“Your clothes have absolutely no bearing on that. They’re not the type of people to form opinions based on clothes.”
“Of course not,” she says, turning her head away.
“Cam?”
“We should get going.”
“What did I say wrong?”
She turns back to me, and uses her free hand to cup my face. “Nothing wrong. You just reminded me how shallow my family once was, and how I’ve been sometimes myself.”
“I don’t know your family, but I know you, and ‘shallow’ is not a word I’d associate with you.”
“Not now, no, and that has a lot to do with you, Mr. Chase.”
“All I care about is now, Ms. Duke, and trust me, I like what I see when I look at you.”
“I like you, too.”
“Let’s go eat.”
“If you’re really sure it’s okay.”
“More than okay—beautiful.”
The drive is short, and Camari is still nervous when we walk to the door, but she’s trying to put on a good front. I squeeze her hand, and give her a smile. She smiles back, and takes a deep breath as I walk us in.
“Lenny!” my dad yells when he sees me.
He gets up from the couch, and envelopes me in a bear hug. “Hi, Dad.”
“Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful woman?”
I roll my eyes. “No flirting with my girl, Dad.”
“Afraid I’m going to steal her away?”
“Hardly.”
“I’m Camari,” she says, holding out her hand. “Feel free to flirt. It’ll keep him on his toes.”
“I like you already, Camari. I’m Jimmy.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Dinner is almost ready,” my mom says, coming out of the kitchen. She’s in a dress, and I couldn’t love her more right now.
“Mom, this is Camari. Cam, this is my mom.”
“Dottie,” she says, pulling Camari into a hug. “We’re so happy to have you here tonight.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you inviting me over.”
“She loved the cookies you sent home with me yesterday.”
“You shared?”
“You act like I’m selfish.”
“With those cookies, you were,” Camari says with a laugh.
“I gave you some.”
“Three. You let me have three.”
“I’ll send some home with you tonight, Camari.”
“Thanks, Dottie.”
“And me too, right?”
“I think you had enough yesterday.”
“Really, Mom?”
“No. You know I’m giving you cookies.”
“Because you’re the best.”
“I didn’t have to suck up to get cookies,” Camari says with a smirk.
I want to remind her that she sucked something for that third cookie, but I know I’ll get smacked upside the head by my mom if I say it. I give her a look, and she blushes, so yea
h, she remembers.
“Why don’t you give Camari a quick tour while we finish up in the kitchen?” my dad asks.
“You’re going in the kitchen, Dad?”
“Well, I’ll set the table.”
“Every little bit helps,” my mom tells him, kissing his cheek.
“Are you sure we can’t help?”
“No, Camari. Go with Lenny.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
I pull her up the stairs, and into my room, closing the door, and leaning against us. She looks around at all my teenage stuff, smiling at some things, and smirking at others.
“So this is what teen boy’s room looks like.”
“You say that like you’ve never been in one.”
“I haven’t.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Oh, well now I feel pressure.”
“Where?”
“Huh?”
“Is the pressure against the zipper of your jeans, Lenny?”
Fuck. I’m totally turned on having her in my room, and we both know it. “We’ve only got a few minutes.”
She sits on my bed, and crooks her finger at me. I don’t hesitate to lock the door before walking over to stand in front of her. She runs her hand over my erection, and squeezes.
“How many times did you lay in this bed, and think about one of those girls in the posters sucking you off?”
“Every night.”
Her hands work my jeans, and then she’s holding my dick in her palm. “I’m not on one of those posters, but if you need to pretend it’s one of them, go for it.”
“All I want is you.”
She smiles, before lowering her head, and taking me all the way in. I’m not shocked that she can take it all, like I was last night. She has skills a man could only dream of, and I refuse to think about how she got them. I told her I only care about now, and I meant it. Now is perfect.
“Just like that. God, Cam.”
Pulling down the zipper on her shirt, I reach inside and play with her tits. I want to bury my hands in her hair, but I hold back, because a messed-up hairdo will be a dead giveaway that we were doing more than touring the house. Camari was nervous enough about coming here, and I’m not going to add to her discomfort.
Society Girls: Camari Page 8