“Oh, God,” she purred against his mouth at the same moment someone knocked on the door. They broke apart, both breathless and panting, and Veronica leaned her forehead on his shoulder. “Shit.”
“Just a minute,” Cam called to ensure whoever it was didn’t barge in.
“It’s Trina, sir.”
“I said just a minute.”
Veronica swayed and Cam steadied her.
“You know how to knock a girl off-kilter.”
Cam kissed her earlobe. “You know how to make a man forget where he is.”
She pressed a finger to his lips. “We had a better location yesterday, but you left.”
“I won’t make that mistake again.”
Setting her away from him, he rose to his feet. “I like the lace.”
“You should see the matching panties.”
She was playing dirty now. “We’ll explore those another time.”
Uncertainty in her eyes, she said, “Really?”
As she’d said, Veronica wasn’t asking him to marry her. He saw no reason they couldn’t act on their mutual attraction for the next week. Provided she agreed.
“Only if you want to.”
An erotic smile curved her lips. “I want to.”
“Good.” Cam stole another quick kiss. “So do I.”
He circled the desk, grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair, he held it in front of him. “Come in, Trina.”
The door opened, and the lead server said, “Did you need me to run something for this couple out here?”
“It’s a special event,” he replied. “I’ll take care of them.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, then disappeared down the hall.
“What about figuring out what this is going to cost?” Veronica asked as they made their way toward the door. “That’s what we were supposed to be doing.”
She’d underestimated him. “I ran the figures in my head before I sent them to the bar.”
“So you just wanted to get me alone?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“You’re awfully bold, and I find that oddly appealing.”
“Good.”
Chapter Eight
Veronica was floating in wedding planning hell made all the worse because it kept her from seeing Cam.
She’d left with Ash and Jesse on Wednesday, looking slightly more disheveled than when she’d arrived, and likely wearing a ridiculously mind-blown expression. My God, the man could kiss. Ash had given her an I-know-what-you-were-doing look when she and Cam finally met them at the bar.
Thursday was flower shopping with Ash, while Jesse hunted down a dress with her mother and some friends. Thank heaven Veronica had been excused from that nightmare. As expected, several florists turned them away due to the short notice, but the fifth option had just received a miraculous cancellation. Veronica felt bad for the bride who had nixed her nuptials, but her loss was Ash’s gain.
It wasn’t until they’d settled the bill that things went south. The florist assumed that Ash and Veronica were the happy couple. Ash had nearly outed her as his ex-wife, until Veronica kicked him in the shin, and he changed his response to best woman. A title she still didn’t like, but it was better than looking pathetic in front of a total stranger.
Friday started with a whirlwind of activity, but at least tonight she’d see Cam. They needed to pick up where they’d left off before she broke her battery-operated boyfriend. The little guy was getting a workout, and she desperately wanted the real thing. Soon. Consummating the fake relationship probably obliterated the fake part, but she was choosing not to overanalyze this new development.
Better to live in the moment, and the moment was feeling really damn good.
After helping Ash assemble an amazing band—consisting of a dream team of session players—for the wedding, Veronica went suit shopping, which she’d insisted on doing alone. The Dillard’s at Cool Springs Galleria provided the perfect ensemble. Feminine enough to show off her curves, but androgynous enough to befit the occasion. She was the only groomsman—groomswoman, rather—that Ash would have, so at least she didn’t need to match anyone else.
Tonight was the combination bachelor and bachelorette party, which was being held at Veronica’s house. She’d assumed they’d skip this part, but Ash was determined that Jesse have the full experience. That would have been easier if they hadn’t insisted on shoving everything into six days, but she understood the reasoning and offered up her place. A quick trip to the liquor store—with Ash’s credit card—had filled the bar for the night, and Veronica had lucked into booking her usual bartender, Jae-ho Lee, due to another last-minute cancellation.
The finger foods had been delivered, Jae-ho was setting up in the kitchen, and Veronica was upstairs digging through her closet for the right outfit. She wanted to look sexy for Cam, but not as if she was trying to show up the bride-to-be. Not knowing what Jesse would be wearing only added to the conundrum. Three dresses had been discarded because she’d worn each at different events with Ash. The next three were either too casual, too slinky, or not casually slinky enough.
Number seven was a contender. A beautiful azure blue that matched her eyes, the shirt dress offered three-quarter length sleeves and a casual flare that said she was comfortable with her ex moving on. The bonus was that she could leave just enough buttons left undone so that Cam could catch an occasional glimpse of the new lacy number she’d snagged at Victoria’s Secret during her shopping spree. Semi-annual sale for the win.
If he played his cards right, the matching set would be on full display by morning.
After slipping into suede ankle boots with a reasonable wedge, Veronica hurried downstairs to check on Jae-ho. Before she reached the last step, the doorbell rang. She’d told Ash there was no need to arrive early. This party was her duty, and they had plenty of other tasks on their plates.
Opening the door, she said, “I told you not to. . . Oh, it’s you.”
Cam stood on her porch dressed in his typical all black. “You said come any time after seven.”
“Is it after seven?” How had she lost track of time?
“Not for another half hour, no.” Eliminating the space between them, he cupped Veronica’s face and kissed her senseless. His scent, pine and spice and a musk that was all his own, filled her senses as his seductive mouth robbed her of the ability to breathe. Slowly drawing back, he murmured, “That’s why I’m early.”
Veronica clung to the lapels of his coat. “I don’t mind.”
Strong hands caressed her hips as he whispered against her forehead. “Can I come in?”
“Hell, yes.” She pulled him inside with the intention of making positive use of the next thirty minutes, but Jae-ho picked that moment to stroll into the living room, reminding Veronica that they weren’t alone. Damn him.
“Sorry to interrupt,” he said, revealing exactly how much he’d seen. “I’m just looking for the extra cups. I doubt these two small packages are going to be enough for the night.”
“Crap.” This is why she should have made a list. “Let me have Ash pick some up on his way over.” She spun around looking for her cell phone. “If I can just find my. . .”
“The coffee table,” Cam said as he slipped out of his coat and slung it over his arm.
Sure enough, the phone was on the table. Veronica looked from the device to her date. “You’re good.”
“At many things.” The innuendo sent a shiver down to her toes. “You’re welcome to test me later.”
This was going to be the longest party of her life.
For a millisecond, she considered asking him exactly what this leap forward in their relationship meant. If they took the step they both appeared more than ready for, would they still be over after the wedding? Was this simply a fringe benefit to playing the pretend couple? At her parents’ house, he’d said that if they weren’t affectionate, their act wouldn’t be believable. But the majority of their affection had taken place witho
ut an audience. That seemed like a good indication that Cam saw this as more than a thorough performance.
Or did he? Did she even want more? They still knew little about each other, and Cam showed no signs of opening up to her. Why push her luck? Better to enjoy the adventure and deal with the fall out if and when it came.
“Where do you want this?” Cam asked, holding up his coat as she retrieved the cell phone.
“They go in the back bedroom at the end of the hall past the kitchen. Hold on and I’ll take it back there.”
“No need.” He pressed a kiss to her temple as he passed, and Veronica’s cheeks warmed.
The touch was casual, caring, and confused the hell out of her. If she wasn’t careful, more than her new panties were in danger of melting.
* * *
Cam knew local council members, state legislators, and businessmen like himself who pulled down million-dollar deals over a casual lunch. Countless musicians passed through his club, and many big shots in the music industry were his neighbors. But he’d never seen this many Music City power players in one room.
From songwriters and session musicians, to label owners and media personalities, they’d all gathered to celebrate with the happy couple.
“I thought this was a bachelor party,” he said to Veronica on one of the rare occasions she wasn’t running off in another direction. “This looks more like the after-party for an awards show.”
“You think?” She glanced around as if unaware of who was in her house. Cam had watched her greet every guest at the door. By name. “This isn’t a typical crowd for one of my parties, but Music Row is a small world, and everyone loves Ash. Plus, Jesse’s popularity is growing from the looks of things.” Veronica nodded toward a small crowd in front of the Christmas tree that included Clay Benedict, Chance Colburn, Dylan Monroe, Jesse Gold, and two women Cam didn’t know.
Benedict was a fellow member of the Governor’s Club, an exclusive country club and golf course in Brentwood. Cam didn’t love the game, but in his line of work, dabbling was necessary, and he’d encountered Clay more than once in the clubhouse. Benedict also owned Shooting Stars Records, a relatively new label experiencing substantial success with both Colburn and Monroe. If there was any doubt about Jesse’s future success, it didn’t show on their leader’s face.
“Did you know how many people would be here?”
Veronica smiled and waved to a guest near the stairs. “I had no idea,” she mumbled. “The one waving is the woman I went out with on Christmas Eve. Her date is the man she picked up that night.”
Cam assessed the pair. “He looks familiar.”
“Part of a duo. And married.”
“Is the wife here?”
“Last time I spotted her, she was stepping outside for a smoke with the other half of the duo.”
Interesting. “Running interference?”
“Or one-upping each other.” The woman approached, and Veronica’s voice rose a full octave. “Melanie, I’m so glad you could make it.”
The brunette eyed Cam as if he were a Tiffany’s gift box. “You know I wouldn’t miss Ash’s send-off. What happened to you the other night? You disappeared on me.”
“I moved on to another club.”
Sensing Veronica’s unease, Cam said, “She came to meet me.”
Narrow brows arched. “I don’t blame her.” She squinted as if trying to place him. “Haven’t I seen you before?”
Veronica tucked her hand around his elbow possessively. “Melanie, this is Cameron Rhodes. Cam, this is Melanie Turnbull. She runs PR for Foxfire Records.”
He didn’t extend a hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Turnbull.”
“Wait.” Recognition dawned. “You were in The Tennessean magazine. In the eligible bachelors article.”
There were few choices Cam regretted, and that article was at the top of the list.
“Yes, but I’m less eligible now.” He shifted their position to drape his arm around her waist. Playing along, his date tucked in tight against his side. As the publicist’s brows arched higher, Cam pulled Veronica closer, realizing this was no longer a game to him. He wasn’t pretending.
“I didn’t realize. . .” Melanie said.
“You might want to check on your date,” he pointed out, and she turned to see a beautiful redhead reenter the house and wrap her arms around the greasy-looking musician in the ridiculous hat.
Clearly uncomfortable, she spun back around. “Don’t be silly. That isn’t my date. He’s a married man.”
“My mistake.” Cam navigated Veronica past her friend. “If you’ll excuse us.”
Veronica, who had remained silent during the exchange, leaned up and kissed his cheek. “That was spectacular.”
Squeezing past an animated group near the couch, he found an empty spot at the base of the stairs. “We need to work on your friend list.”
“Melanie’s a minor acquaintance.”
“Then why did you choose her to go out drinking with?”
Her gaze dropped. “I have more acquaintances than friends.”
“You said you throw parties like this all the time.”
She nodded and sipped her wine. “I do. They come. They drink. They go home saying they were here.”
“Veronica, it’s clear that people in this room respect you.”
“They’re coworkers in the industry. As you can imagine, it isn’t easy being a woman producer in this town. I put in a lot of work to build relationships.”
“And Ash?” The man of the hour was holding court with a large group near the pass-through to the kitchen. “He’s producing now?”
Delicate fingers toyed with a button on Cam’s shirt. “There’s room for both of us.” Her eyes lingered on the man who’d never been what she needed.
“You deserve better,” he growled.
“I’d like to think so.”
“What time is this party over?” The sooner the better.
Her head pressed against his sternum. “Not soon enough.”
Cam’s thoughts exactly.
* * *
Veronica would not have survived the evening without Cam by her side. He handled a drunken dispute without a fist being thrown or a drink being spilled. When she tensed from one off-handed reference to when she and Ash were married, he eradicated them both from the conversation with economy and grace. And when the clock reached two in the morning, Cam made the last call announcement, and not a single person argued.
A good time was had by all, and tomorrow she could relax. The rehearsal would be on Sunday morning, so the bar could open at noon as normal, leaving Veronica with one entire day when she didn’t have to see the couple, assist the couple, or celebrate the couple in any way.
All things considered, this endeavor had been a virtually painless process. Multiple elements had fallen into place through sheer luck, and Jesse was even starting to grow on her. She wasn’t the bossy tyrant the gossips had made her out to be. Veronica should have known as much. Ash was a better judge of character than that.
“Jae-ho is finishing in the kitchen, and there’s a car outside for the last three guests.” Cam stood close behind her and slid his arms around her middle as she watched the last partygoers climb into a Tahoe and drive off. “Are you okay?”
She was. Thanks to him.
“You were a huge help tonight.”
He kissed the back of her head. “I’m used to dealing with crowds.”
Veronica turned in his arms. “It was more than that. I’ve asked a lot of you in the last few days.”
“Nothing too difficult.”
Humble to the end.
“You spent several hours with my family. That alone should earn you hazard pay. Then you gave Ash and Jesse your club.”
A warm hand splayed across her back, distracting her. “Only one floor,” he corrected.
“That’s more than most would do for a stranger.”
Cam tipped her face up. “You aren’t a stranger, Veronica.”
“No?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“I’m out of here,” Jae-ho said from the front door.
Veronica hadn’t heard him enter the room. She tried to step back, but Cam held her in place. “Thank you for doing this on such short notice,” she said.
“No problem. You kids have a good night.” Sincerity shown in his warm smile, and Veronica realized she did have a friend in attendance.
Now that they were alone, the house was silent except for the tick of the large clock on the dining room wall. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with peace and quiet and Cam. She could get used to this.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he murmured against her ear.
“I didn’t want to look like I was trying too hard.” She leaned into him, savoring his scent and heat. “Like I’m competing with Jesse.”
His large hands trailed slowly up her ribcage until his thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts. “There’s no comparison.”
Veronica lifted her face, and their lips met, warm and wet and more intoxicating than anything served tonight. His tongue dove in deep, and she clutched his shirt in her hands as he swallowed her moan of pleasure. Vaguely aware that they were still near the window, she pressed a palm against his chest and felt the racing of his heart.
“I need to know,” she panted, giving in to the voice of self-preservation chanting in the back of her mind. “Is this part of the act?”
“No.” Cam slid her hand down to cover his fly, showing her the proof of his words. “Tell me this is real for you.”
The confidence she’d grown accustomed to was tinged with a layer of vulnerability. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she saw the man behind the wall.
“Very real.” Taking his hand, she led him toward the stairs, and he locked the door on their way by.
Always the protector.
They reached her bedroom in silence, and she kept walking until they reached the bed. When she turned, Cam slid a hand along her cheek.
Among The Stars: A Shooting Stars Novella Page 7