Cammie Healy (Mitchell/ Healy #8)

by Jennifer Foor

Before I could open my mouth to tell him how corny his statement was, he started laughing. “Seriously, Cam. You need to chill. He’s not going to hunt you down. If anything, he’ll know you’re in good hands. I can tell him you’re here safe, if it will make you feel better.”

  “No. You can’t.”

  “Cammie, I’m not hiding the fact that I gave you a ride. It’s ridiculous. You all need time to calm down. Your safe. I’ll take you home in the morning if that’s what you want.”

  “Don’t tell them I’m here. I’ll call home in the morning to tell them I’m fine. Please. I want one night where I don’t have to worry about them. Ever since I found out about my relationship being a joke I’ve been a wreck. I need some time to myself. I just want to close my eyes and regain my ability to focus. I hate living like this.”

  He placed his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll tell him I left when you ran upstairs. It’s sort of the truth.”

  “What about Callie? You should probably call her and apologize.”

  “For what?” he seemed annoyed I was suggesting it.

  “You two were in the hallway. I saw you.”

  “You saw her trying to lure me into her bedroom. It wasn’t going to happen. I wouldn’t be an asshole like that, especially not to you. I’m not going to make out with you and then spend the night screwing around with your crazy sister. I mean, she’s probably a good time in the sack, but I’m more of an intellectual connoisseur. I prefer women who challenge me; ones with extra large brains.”

  I shoved him in a playful way, appreciating the smile he’d put on my face. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

  For a moment we stood staring at each other. I expected him to try to kiss me again, but he didn’t. He simply walked over to the couch and turned on the television with the remote.

  I made my way up the stairs, deciding to take a hot shower in hopes it would calm my nerves. The beads of water ran down my body, immediately relieving the pressure from crying so much. I was still upset, but for some reason I felt safe; untouchable even. It was almost like being at Wes’ house made my problems nonexistent, at least temporarily.

  After my shower I changed into his clean clothes. They smelled like him, and for a few moments I took in the aroma, appreciating how it reminded me of our time at the swimming hole.

  When I went downstairs I could hear him on the phone, and gathered he was talking to my brother. “Yeah, I know. I saw her go into her room. She was freaking out. I left right after that though. I hope you find her. She’s probably hiding out somewhere. You know how girls are. One of your cousins must be covering for her. Yeah, I’ll catch you later. We’ll get together next weekend or something.”

  It wasn’t until he hung up that I let my presence be known. I sat on the couch next to him, bringing my legs up under my butt to get more comfortable. My hair was sopping wet, and even though I’d put my bra back on, it was pretty obvious I was a bit on the chilly side. Wes noticed right away. I motioned for him to look at my face and not my tits. “Hey, eyes up here.”

  “Sorry. It’s a natural reaction. Would you like a blanket to cover those things up? It’s awfully bright in here.”

  I tossed a pillow in his direction. “Jerk. Yes, I’d like a blanket.”

  He pulled one off the back of the sofa and handed it to me with a ornery grin on his face. “Here you go, even though the extra lights weren’t bothering me at all.”

  “Keep it up and I’m going to bed.”

  “Just pretend I’m not here.”

  I rolled my eyes. “That’s kind of hard to do. You’re sitting next to me. I can smell you.”

  “Smell me?” He seemed worried. “What the hell do I smell like?”

  “Let me see.” I tapped on my lips. “Dryer sheets and cinnamon.”

  “I’m not even going to ask where you came up with that.”

  “We should play cards,” I suggested.

  “Strip poker?”

  “Rummy?” I countered.

  “Strip poker is way more fun.”

  “So, you brought me here to see me naked? Do you have cameras in the bathroom upstairs? Do you invite women here to watch them shower and shave? Does it turn you on when we bend over to wash our feet?”

  He gave me this look like I was clinically insane. “Are you being serious? That was a little detailed.”

  I giggled. “Sorry. That was the last guy I was involved with.”

  “It’s too bad he was such a douche. If you would have dated me first your life would still be on track.”

  “How do you figure? You live across the country. There’s no way we’d ever see one another.”

  “We’d figure it out. I’m open to a long distance romance. Remember that for when you get things worked out and realize you had fun when you were with me.”

  “You do make it easier.” I agreed.

  “So, about that strip poker. Is it a definite no, or a possibly yes?”

  I laughed and shook my head. “Go get a set of cards and I’ll give you my answer.”

  It was wrong to be smiling so soon after having it out with my dad. I think it was my body’s way of coping. If I wasn’t carrying on with Wes I knew I’d be crying myself to sleep. Since I didn’t want to keep doing that, the end justified the means.

  Chapter 21

  It was surreal how she was sitting in my living room‎. Had I known I was going to have company I would have done a better job hiding my collection of nude magazines and porn. Thankfully, Cammie hadn't gotten up to snoop. As soon as she decided to head to bed, I'd put them under a mattress to avoid an awkward discovery.

  The last thing I wanted was for this beautiful woman to think I was some kind of pervert. Of course I'd done a pretty top-notch job so far when she came down from her shower with rock hard nipples. What man wouldn't draw attention to them? They were perfect, and if I was being ridiculously inappropriate, I'd say I'd like to see them in the flesh. However, I'd already come to the utmost conclusion that Cammie was worth too much to take for granted. She needed a friend, and as much as I would have liked for her to end up in my bed, I knew not to push my luck.

  After locating a deck of playing cards, we leaned forward to play on the coffee table. I dealt each of us seven and fanned my hand out to organize what I was holding.

  "So, how do we play strip rummy?" I teased.

  "We don’t."

  "Come on. It's no fun if we don't wager something."

  I could tell she was going over her options. "If I win, you have to take off an article of clothing."

  "And if I win?" I questioned.

  "I suppose it's only fair if I play by the same rules. I'll tell you right now, I don't plan on losing."

  "I think I can sweeten the deal. If I win I'll give you a choice. You either have to remove something you're wearing, or kiss me with tongue. I don't want the kind you give to Grandma."

  Her smile was one of the most attractive things I'd ever seen. Maybe it was her lips, drawing me in for another taste.

  I didn’t think she’d take the bait. Cammie was determined to distance herself from any kind of new relationship. I’d even said I wouldn’t continue with the taunting, but I just couldn’t help myself when I was near her.

  “Picture that centerfold you hang over your bed as a teen. You become a man. Things change in your life. Then, when you least expect it, that centerfold in the flesh walks in the room. What man with a brain and a dick wouldn’t pounce on the opportunity?

  Cammie was my centerfold. She always had been.

  Her answer was pleasing, to say the least. "Fine. Let's play."

  Two hands later I was down to my boxers. ‎Cammie was right. For a game that was nothing but dumb luck of the hand, she was kicking my ass. I suppose there was some kind of strategy I didn’t know about. Maybe it was possible she was counting the cards, narrowing down what I had in my hand, if that was at all possible. With her IQ I wouldn’t put it past her.

&
nbsp; "I really don't want to sit here naked. This hand has to be better," I mentioned while dealing.

  Cammie was confident as she looked at her cards, rearranging them in her hand. ‎"You're going down."

  "When you get me naked, do I have to sit here next to you with my junk out? I don't want to scare you away by its size."

  "Why? Is it extra small?" She asked.

  "Quite the opposite." I was pleasantly amused by the way her face retorted to being shocked and curious.

  Cammie cackled loudly. "So you're not only rich, but you have a giant cock? Am I hearing this right?"

  "It's true. I'm the perfect guy," I taunted.

  "Whatever. Finish your turn so I can take you down."

  I placed my card in the pile as I spoke. "You don't have to win this hand if you want to see it. I'll gladly give you a peek."

  "I bet you would. It's too bad I'm not interested. I’ll tell you a little secret anyway. I haven't been with a man who was hung. Medically speaking, it's proven the larger the penis the more easy it is for a woman to orgasm. What do you think? In your experiences would you say it’s true?"

  "Do you want to find out firsthand?"

  She placed her palm on her chest and spoke in a sarcastic tone. "I wouldn't be able to handle something so big. It might kill me. I might be frightened."

  "I don't think it's scientifically possible to kill someone because you have a huge cock. If a baby can fit, so can a dick, medically speaking of course," I teased.

  Finally, she wasn’t crying, or sniffling, or breaking down. Her smile was genuine. She was amused, happy even. Without makeup Cammie was just as beautiful. She giggled at my comment. "Are you always this amusing?"

  "Nope. I'm a total dick. Why do you think I'm still single?"

  “Maybe your giant package scares the girls away,” she suggested.

  “Nah, they always come back for more. It would seem I’m too picky. I don’t like the idea of wasting my time on a woman who I know I can’t get serious with.”

  “When was the last time you were in a serious relationship?”

  “It’s been a while.”

  Her next question was a little unnerving. I could tell she was asking for her own benefit given her current situation. “Did you love her?”

  “I don’t know, Cam. At the time maybe I had strong feelings for her. We had fun together, and quite a lot in common. She was a nice person, definitely marriage material, just not for me.”

  “Did you ever lie to her?”

  I shrugged. “I suppose I might of. I don’t know. I didn’t have reason to. I’d never sway a woman because I was being selfish. Everyone lies though, so I guess it’s possible.”

  She nodded and kept to herself while she took her turn, laying all her cards down at once. “I’m out.”

  I tossed my hand on the table and ran my hands through my hair, before reaching down to lower my boxers.

  Cammie’s hand came over and stopped me before they were below my hips. “Don’t. That’s silly. I told you I would win. You don’t need to take off your shorts. I believe you’re hung. It’s all good.”

  I sat back down, feeling like the mood had changed from playful to serious again. “Was it something I said?”

  “No, of course not.” She stuck her hands in her lap. “We don’t have to play anymore.”

  “I was just warming up.”

  She smiled. “I bet.”

  “Damn, I was hoping to win one hand so I could see what option you’d go for.”

  “Which one do you think?” She inquired.

  “Either would be equally epic.”

  “I shouldn’t have come here with you tonight, Wes. When we’re alone you make it seem like my problems don’t exist.”

  “It’s what I do,” I offered.

  “Most guys would run away from a pregnant train-wreck.”

  “I’m not most guys, and you’re definitely not most girls. Cammie, you’re THE girl. I know you think I’m jumping to a conclusion prematurely, but I’ve never been more certain about anything. I’m not a romantic. I never thought love at first sight was possible, but now I’m wondering if it is. Perhaps time has only made it more true.”

  “Please don’t talk about love, Wes.”

  “Sorry, you want someone who can be honest all the time. A part of me has loved you since I was a teenager. That’s the God’s honest truth. Getting to know you now is beneficial to those old feelings, but there’s nothing in my life I’ve ever been sure of.”

  I expected her to get up and go to bed, where she’d lock the door and stick a chair in front of it so I wouldn’t be able to break in and ravage her.

  Instead, Cammie reached for my hand and laced it with her own. We sat there for a few seconds looking at each other. I stared into her eyes silently pleading that we could stay like it forever. I wondered what she was thinking and if by some chance we were finally on the same page.

  “If things were different I think we could be good together, Wes, but you and I both know it’s just a fantasy. I’m in a heap of shit. I can’t add to my problems.”

  “What if I’m not a problem? What if I’m part of the solution?”

  “Life isn’t that fair.”

  “It could be. What do you have to lose? Give me a shot. Let me show you you’re worth it. I’m not asking as the horny teenager who beat off to your image. I’m asking as the man who thinks you’re flawless inside and out.”

  Her lips parted with no words coming out. She was thinking about what I said, coming up with the perfect way to let me down easy, so it seemed.

  With her eyes welling up with fresh tears, she stared at me. “I don’t understand how you could still want me. What if once you get what you want you decide it’s not that great? I can’t afford to get hurt anymore.”

  “You’re crazy if you think I’d do that. Come on, Cam, it’s me, Buck, the guy you made fun of when we were kids. I’m not some loser trying to get into your pants because it’s on my bucket list. My life is set in stone. I know where I’ll be in ten years. There isn’t uncertainty it’s solidity. How will we know if it could be good if we don’t give it a try? You say it’s not the right time, but when will it ever be? Take a chance, Cammie. Take a chance on me. Give me a week. Give me one damn week to prove you and I could be great. If it’s not what we expected than you can walk away without regret, and I swear I’ll let you go. It’s seven days out of your life. In fact, it’s seven nights. I’ll be at school during the day, and you’ll be making calls and managing your issues. Seven nights. I won’t expect anything sexual.”

  She laughed at that.

  “It will kill me, but I’m serious. No sex. Let’s be friends and see where it goes.”

  “We’re already friends, Wes.”

  “Then it’s already a step in the right direction,” I noted.

  Cammie nodded. “It’s a step.”

  I unlaced our hands and held out both of my arms. “Come here. I think you need a hug.”

  She didn’t hesitate. Cammie nestled her body up to mine and let me hold her. I took in the scent of her shampoo as I leaned my chin against her head. This felt right. It was exactly what she needed. Maybe it was exactly what I needed as well.

  Chapter 22

  He let me cry in his arms until I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer. I needed my parents, but they were too shocked and betrayed to offer condolences for what I was going through. Maybe Wes was right. They needed time to let it all sink in.

  He was offering a safe place while I waited; a place to figure out everything, including what was going on between us.

  No sex, I’d heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.

  “I think I better go to sleep.”

  “I’m not complaining. If you’re comfortable we can stay here.”

  I smiled and stood up, stretching my arms out. “As nice as it sounds,” I started to yawn. “I think I want to be in a bed.”

  “Okay. I guess I’ll see you in the morning.�
��

  Maybe I should have gone upstairs and called it a night. The thing is, when I was in his arms life didn’t seem so bad. I knew if I went upstairs alone I’d toss and turn with worry. “Actually, is there room for me in your bed?”

  He snickered. “I sleep naked. Will that be a problem?”

  I put my hand over my mouth and started to giggle. “You aren’t serious.”

  “You won’t know until you see for yourself,” he teased.

  “I’ll cocoon myself in a blanket to stay safe. Whatever it takes to keep that massive penis away from me.”

  He motioned for me to follow him. “Yeah, he’s got a mind of his own once you come in his territory. I can’t make any promises.”

  Wes was obviously joking. He held his hand out and led me into his room, pulling down the covers for me to climb in. While I got comfortable I spotted him on the opposite side. He plugged his cell phone into the charger and set it on his nightstand. Then he climbed in beside me, wearing only a pair of boxer shorts.

  It was funny how I’d been cuddled up to him on the couch but never noticed he was almost naked. It was also apparent that he wasn’t as perverted as I once suspected, or else I would have felt his excitement pressing against my skin.

  He adjusted his pillow and turned on his side to face me. “Are you comfortable? Warm enough?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Do you want separate covers so I don’t accidentally touch you?”

  “Should I be afraid that might happen?”

  He smiled, and even in the dark area I could see how white his teeth were. “You know, this isn’t the first time we slept together. Remember all those times we camped out in the barn? It would be all us kids in a row in sleeping bags. We’d try to stay up as late as possible.”

  “I remember.”

  “I miss those days. When we moved away I never had close friends like Josh, Jake and Jax. We had the best times.”

  “There were so many of us. At any given time you knew someone would be around to hang out with.”

  “I always looked forward to seeing you. I think it’s funny how you’d do everything in your power to stay away from us.”