by Rita Sawyer
“My sister and I are tied.” He may not have known about the lodge or her sisters, but she was really shocked he didn’t know that.
The chair slammed to the floor, and he grabbed onto the edge of the desk, probably to stop himself from falling forward. “You’re a twin.”
“Yup. Alec didn’t tell you much about me, did he?” She couldn’t believe he hadn’t filled him in on every little detail about her and her family.
“Just the important stuff. You’re the only one who could help me, and you’re the best at what you do. At the time, it was all I need to know, but now I have to say I’m interested in finding out more.” The way he stared at her matched with that comment, it occurred to Joey that anyone who overheard him might get the wrong idea.
“I don’t think it’s necessary for you to dig into my life for me to do my job.” She knew it sounded rude, but he was strictly a client, and she wanted to keep it that way.
Cameron took her rebuff with a smile and pushed himself back into his precarious position and said, “Maybe it’s a trust issue.”
Joey sucked in a deep breath so fast it made a high-pitched noise. She slammed the documents in her hand down on the desk and got to her feet. Not even sparing him a glance, she grabbed her bags from the floor and started to pack up her laptop and other personal stuff. If he thought she was untrustworthy, which was something no one had ever accused her of before, he could find someone he felt more secure with.
“Where are you going?” he asked, lurching to his feet, which effectively blocked the door and her escape.
“Since I don’t seem trustworthy to you, I’m just going to get out of your way so you can find someone better suited.” She gently slid her laptop into its case, wishing she could slam it. It would have made her feel a hell of a lot better.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” He had the nerve to reach out and cover her hands.
“Then exactly how did you mean it?” She pulled her hands out from under his and crossed her arms, tucking them out of his reach.
“Well, it’s just that you’re learning a lot about me, and I’m a pretty private person. So, I guess I’d feel better learning about you at the same time.” What he said would probably sound reasonable once she calmed down, but right now she wasn’t ready to hear his excuse.
“Like you already said, all you need to know is I am capable of helping you. But not anymore today. We’re done.” She reached for her bags, but he grabbed them first.
She glared at him, not sure what he was up to now. He motioned with his arm toward the door. Joey marched out into the kitchen where she encountered Mrs. Whiskers. The cat hissed, and she stilled just for a second then did something she figured Cameron never would have expected. Joey bent over scooped the cat up and held it out at arm’s length.
She turned the cat until she was staring into its green eyes. “I’ve about had all I going to take from you, too. Now go take care of your babies.”
The cat meowed as she released it but did as she said. It ran into the living room and hopped into the box where her babies were sleeping soundly. Joey opened the door and walked to her car, not even bothering to look back and see if Cameron followed. Joey opened the passenger door and stepped back so he could put her bag in. Cameron gently put them on the seat and, instead of stepping out of her way, he just stood there. Not for the first time, probably more like the tenth, Joey wished she had refused to work with him.
She started to walk away, but he grasped onto her wrist and yanked her to a stop. “Joey, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean to. It’s the last thing I wanted to do.”
“It’s fine.” She tried to gently tug her hand away, but he held on. “Let’s just pretend this didn’t happen.”
As Cameron closed the small distance between them, Joey tried to ignore the way his nearness made her stomach flutter. “Can you do that?”
“I’m a professional. I won’t let it interfere with my job.” She didn’t recognize the harsh, cutting tone in her voice.
“I don’t doubt that, but is my lack of tact going to be a black cloud hovering over us every day?” His question brought on all kinds of thoughts rolling around her mind.
Could she continue to spend so much time with him and not lose it again? Not if he kept touching her. She looked down at his hand on her wrist and then back up at him. He took the hint and loosened his grip. He didn’t pull his hand away, though. Instead, he slid it down slowly. Their palms brushed, and her skin tingled. A shiver crawled across her shoulders.
She could have pulled her hand away, but neither of them moved or even blinked until their fingers lost contact. His gaze never left hers, but his eyes widened, and his lips parted just a little. Joey wondered if he was feeling the same odd sensation she was. Yeah, touching of any kind definitely needed to be off limits. She took a step away, breaking the hold over them.
“Joey, I think we need to talk about this.” She ignored his lame protest.
If he sat there with his mouth shut and only spoke when she asked him something, that would make it a lot easier, too. After spending the past week with him, she knew the chances of him being quiet for more than fifteen minutes was the best she’d get, and that would be a stretch. He kept asking questions, or when she’d ask him about a receipt or document, he’d explain it in great detail. Normally, it would lead to a story about why he needed whatever it was. She had to admit some of his anecdotes made her want to laugh.
She walked away, rounding the front of the car and not answering him. He swung the passenger door shut as he followed her. Joey needed to get some distance from him and reevaluate her plan for working with him. Her hand lifted the door handle at the same time his closed over the top, holding it shut. The glare she gave him usually had her sisters giving her space, but he actually got closer. He kept coming until her back was pressed against the car, and he stood mere inches away.
“You don’t want to talk, that’s fine, but I have something to say. Before we go any further, there’s something I have to do. If you don’t come back, I’ll understand.” He leaned in and covered her mouth with his.
Joey froze for a second then her body’s natural instincts took over. His tongue touched her lips, and they parted, only partly from the shock. Cameron’s kiss brought on an unwelcomed surge of passion. Her hands found his chest, and she felt the rumble of his groan under her palms. Too soon, his lips left hers and he stepped away. She wondered if he thought leaving her wanting more would make her come back. He didn’t say anything else to try and convince her not to quit. Instead he just walked away. She stood there in a fog and watched him go into the house and close the door.
She’d never felt so twisted before. Joey had never felt such a strong pull of desire for a guy, never mind one she knew she shouldn’t get involved with. She got in the car and just sat there for a minute, wondering how everything had gotten so out of her control. Maybe he was right about them not being able to work together any more. She should find someone else to help him and keep her distance while he was here. And if he decides to stay?
Chapter Four
Cameron’s absence should have been a relief, but Joey actually found herself missing him. He hadn’t explained why he had to leave for a few days. Not having an explanation only made things worse, because her mind kept drifting off, wondering where he might have gone. All he’d told her was that it was really important and it had nothing to do with the way she kissed. She groaned, remembering the way she bristled when he’d laughed. Joey looked down at the cat sitting by her feet and wondered if she was missing him, too.
Some strange being had taken over her mind and mouth and offered to care for the angry little beast while he was gone. After all, she was still coming over to work while he was off wherever, so she might as well do it. He had no idea how bad she suddenly wanted to dig around his stuff and find out more about him. She didn’t, of course, but the thoughts were still there. Why did he have to kiss me?
She�
�d had guys steal kisses before, and they were usually forgotten before he could get up off the floor. Daddy had taught them well. This time, she just couldn’t block it out and move on. She thought about stroking the cat’s head but figured it might bite her for spite. Finished for the day, Joey grabbed her stuff and headed for her car. The drive to her office only lasted about fifteen minutes, and Joey spent all of them trying to figure out what it was about him she missed. Maybe if she talked to her sisters, they would be able to help her figure it out. She pulled into her normal parking spot at the side of the building and got out of the car. They all had so much going on right now that she didn’t want to bother any of them.
She could and would find a way to handle things between her and Cameron on her own. Before she could reach for the door, it swung open. Joey didn’t ask Georgie why she was there but just walked right by her and into her office. Georgie followed, of course, and dropped into the chair across from her desk. Joey put her bags on the cabinet behind her desk. She could have stalled by unpacking her laptop and stuff, but instead she slid into her chair behind the desk and looked at Georgie, inviting her to go ahead with whatever she was planning.
“Are you ready to talk yet?” Georgie’s knowing smile irked her more than it should.
“No, because there’s nothing to talk about.” There. Now Georgie could go back to work and leave her alone with her thoughts.
“Try again.” Joey wanted to tell her to just leave it alone, but when Georgie got something stuck in her craw, she didn’t let go until she ripped it apart. “First, you were walking around grumbling about working with this guy, who seemed to be a real pain in the ass. Then, all of a sudden, you’ve gone way too quiet.”
“Okay, so maybe I’ve been a little cranky, but I’ve had a lot on my mind with the remodel and everything.” Joey watched her sister’s mouth curve into a smile.
“I’d buy that from anyone but you. I can see right through that mask of yours. Something is going on, and it’s more than work.” Georgie obviously wasn’t about to let this drop.
“Fine, what do you want to know? Ask me anything.” Maybe this would help her figure out what her next step with Cameron should be.
“Since you’re still leaving at the break of dawn, I assume you’re still spending time with him?” Georgie laid a little groundwork, probably leading up to what she thought was some big aha! moment.
“Yes, I’m still working with Cameron.” Did the way she stressed working cause the glimmer she saw in her sister’s eyes.
“Has something happened?” Joey ignored her question, knowing better than to try and lie. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. Why would you assume if something has happened it would be my fault?” It rankled a bit that she was partly right.
She had overreacted. Maybe if she had been a little more in control of her emotions, she would have been prepared for his reaction. It was Cameron’s simple, innocent touch that had brought on the kiss. Damn him and that kiss. She told herself it may have been something that was bound to happen, but knowing she put it into play irked her almost more than missing Cameron for the past few days.
“You know, you never were at your best in the morning.” Georgie laughed, and Joey groaned softly and nodded, admitting it was true. “I just figured since, as you said, you’ve been cranky, maybe you said or did something. Besides, it’s not like I’ve met Cameron, so I can’t judge him.”
Joey got the feeling Georgie was setting her up, but she didn’t know for what. “Well, I didn’t do anything.”
“Okay, what did he do?” Georgie asked.
It would be so simple to just tell her. Joey had no idea the can of worms it would open, so she decided to keep it to herself. Before she talked to anyone, she and Cameron would have to come to an agreement. One with no touching and definitely no more kissing.
For now, she needed to get Georgie to ease back and give her some space to work this out. “Listen to me. I don’t need you to get all overprotective. If Cameron, which I haven’t even confirmed yet, does something, you know I can handle him.”
“Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?” They both laughed, and the heaviness of the atmosphere in the room lightened.
“I see. This is more about you wanting to make sure Cameron knows what he gets if he tries to become anything more than a client.” Now it all made sense to Joey, and if Georgie was this gung ho to check him out, she could just imagine how the rest of her sisters would react.
“That’s what sisters are for.” Georgie got to her feet, wiggling a little in her new tight jeans.
“Not to worry, he’s just a client.” A client who kissed me senseless.
“Whoa!” Georgie shouted pointing at her. “You almost had me. I know that look. You wore a look like that for days after Mike Day kissed you in the third grade.”
“You’re crazy.” Joey laughed, but it sounded harsh and forced even to her own ears.
“Oh, no.” Georgie shook her head. “Either you spill right now, or I’m going to find this Cameron Elwood and ask him what’s going on?”
“Good luck, he’s out of town.” The pitiful little whine she heard in her voice pissed her off.
From the curious look Georgie gave her, Joey figured she heard it, too. “Damn it. Just tell me if you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. I know where we live if I need backup.” Luckily, the phone rang, saving her from being questioned anymore.
She lifted the receiver and said, “Hello.”
Georgie waved as she headed for the door. Thankfully, she had reprieve for now. And hopefully she’d have things worked out before Georgie or one of her other sisters decided to dig a little deeper.
“You need to get home. Now.” Bobbie sounded really upset.
Joey said, “Georgie, wait.”
She shot to her feet. Georgie rushed over, and Joey hold the phone so could listen too. “Bobbie, what’s wrong?”
“Frankie and Hal. I don’t know what happened exactly, but he’s looking for her and she’s nowhere to be found. She’s not answering her phone, either.” Bobbie’s breathless rambling made no sense.
“Do you want me to come get you first?” Joey asked not wanting her driving if she was upset.
“No, I have a quick stop to make. I’ll meet you there.”
“Bobbie, where are you?” Georgie asked grabbing the phone and pulling it more toward her.
“School. I had to drop of an assignment. Would you two stop worrying about me? Get home and see if Frankie’s there. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She clicked off, leaving the two of them standing there, staring at each other.
“I have to grab some stuff I left in my office,” Georgie said running for the door.
“Okay, I’ll call and cancel the rest of my appointments for the day and meet you at the house.” Joey knew her clients wouldn’t mind her not grilling them for not following their self-imposed budgets.
She was right. Seven out of nine seemed happy to reschedule. One of the others called her before she could call him. The only one who had seemed put out was Mr. Gringly. The seventy-two-year-old man was worried his grandson wouldn’t get the twenty dollars he mailed him every birthday and holiday, including strange ones like Earth Day. She guaranteed him she’d take care of it.
A good half-hour had passed by the time she finished making the calls. She grabbed her bags, grateful that she hadn’t unpacked them, and ran for the door.
* * * *
Cameron’s hands were shaky, and his palms were sweaty. This nervousness wasn’t something he was used to. He had dealt with dangerous wild animals with big teeth and sharp claws and had never felt the urge to throw up. The thought that he could’ve, and probably should’ve, waited until tomorrow morning when she came to the house to apologize for skipping town had occurred to him, but he pushed it out of his mind. Now that he was pulling up in front of her building, it managed to start niggling in the back of his mind. Still, he didn’t want to wa
it.
The truth was he missed her. Though he had only been gone for three days, it felt much longer. Not calling her while he was gone was torture. If he’d been able to come up with a lame excuse for calling, he would have. Somehow he knew if he heard her voice just for a few minutes, he’d be able to take the edge off missing her. He climbed out of the truck and headed for the door. Joey came barreling out of the door and right into him. He wrapped his arms around her and held tight. She looked up at him with wide, surprise-filled eyes.
“Easy there.” He felt her tremble and a strange protective instinct surged through him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She eased out of his arms and readjusted her bags.
“Joey, I can see that you’re upset.” He decided right then and there that he refused to let her hide her feelings from him. “Talk to me.”
“I really don’t have time right now.” She took a step to go around him, but he grabbed her hand and she stopped.
“Well, you can either tell me,” he shrugged his shoulders, pretending a nonchalance he didn’t feel, “or I’ll just follow you and find out for myself.”
“Look, I’ll tell you everything in the morning, okay?” The pleading tone matched with her pledge swayed him to wait.
Joey looked around, and he followed her gaze. A few people were milling about with their gazes locked on them. He wondered why she cared if they were watching? She looked down at his hand then back to the gawkers. Cameron let her hand go but turned, placing his hand on her back. He applied a little pressure, and when she started walking forward, he stayed glued to her side. When they reached her car, he reached around her and opened the door.
Having her trapped in the small space between him and the car he was tempted to kiss her again. She made a strange noise, something between a whimper and a frog like croak. He knew the gentlemanly thing to do would have been to step back giving her some room to move. He felt kind of guilty that he didn’t, but he wanted to see how she reacted. Not that it would give him any insights to whether or not she had decided to keep working with him. Then again, if he kept acting like this, it was probably going to push her into quitting.