"So if you did sell your designs, what would something like this one go for?" he asked casually.
She thought for a moment as she finished packing the container that went into the closet. "It's one of my larger pieces, so I'd probably sell it for about two hundred and fifty dollars."
He didn't even hesitate. "Consider it sold."
Her gaze jerked to his in startled shock. "What are you talking about?"
"I want to buy it," he said simply and lifted the sealed container and put it back into the closet for her.
She watched him, her arms crossed over her chest and her gaze narrowed almost suspiciously. "Why? I really don't think hummingbirds are your thing."
He laughed as he set the stained-glass art he wanted on the drafting table and then slid the other filled container under the bed for her. God, she was so skeptical, as if she suspected he was offering her a pity purchase, which was far from the truth. If her work wasn't top quality, he never would have expressed an interest.
"It's not for me," he said, turning to face her again. "I need a birthday gift for my sister, Claudia, who's turning forty next weekend, and she loves anything with hummingbirds on it. She has a window in her front living room where the sun shines through midday, and that stained-glass picture would look beautiful there."
"Okay," she said and dropped her arms back to her sides, which caused the silky material of her robe to shift enticingly across her breasts. "But I'm not letting you pay for it."
Her nipples puckered, and he slowly dragged his gaze from her chest back up to her face. "Oh, yeah, you most certainly are, because I'm not taking it for free. Consider it your first real sale."
She sighed. "Cam-"
He pressed his fingers against her soft, warm lips to stop what was bound to be the beginnings of an argument. "I'm not taking no for an answer, either."
He watched her give in, an acquiescence that was slow in coming, but it was a victory for him, nonetheless.
Grabbing his wrist, she pulled his hand away and gave an exaggerated huff. "And you think I'm stubborn."
"Stubborn and talented and sexy." Aiming to distract her, he caught her sash and tugged her closer, and the strip of silk gave way in his hand. Her robe parted down the middle, revealing a line of smooth, soft skin from her chest down to her lovely thighs.
Unable to resist temptation, he brushed his knuckles across the hard nipples straining against the fabric, heard a soft purr escape the back of her throat, and a thick knot of lust tightened his groin.
"I'm thinking maybe I need to give you a deposit of some sort for the design," he murmured huskily. "You know, a show of good faith."
She quickly caught on to the suggestive innuendo in his words and played along, sliding her hands around his waist and down to the back pockets of his jeans, where she began to feel him up. "You've got that kind of cash on you?"
He grinned down at her. "No, something better, and far more pleasurable. Check my front pocket."
With playful amusement dancing in her eyes, she patted him down in front, but not where he needed her touch the most.
"A little more to the left," he directed, and the stroke of her fingers along his thickening cock made him groan. "Ahhh, right there."
She cupped his erection and squeezed him tight. "Oh, yes," she breathed seductively. "You do have quite a big, impressive wad right here."
A gust of strangled laughter escaped him. "That was a good one." So good, he couldn't think of a comeback.
He didn't need one because it was apparent they were done teasing. The need and hunger in Mia's silvery gaze glowed hot and bright and urgent as she pushed him back a few steps. The back of his legs hit the bed, and he fell onto the mattress, right where she apparently wanted him. Leaning over his prone form, she unfastened his jeans and stripped them off, then shrugged out of her robe and climbed on top of him until her slender, naked body was straddling his hips.
Without any preliminaries or foreplay, she took him deep inside her in slow, tantalizing increments, surrounding him inch by inch until he was completely enveloped in her tight, wet heat. Once he was buried to the hilt, she arched into him, let her head drop back, and moaned as she rode him like a woman who enjoyed having the upper hand for a change, and control over his pleasure.
The thought made him smile as he reached up and caressed her breasts and gently pinched her nipples, then skimmed his fingers along her flat belly. "I always knew you'd have a thing for being on top."
Her lashed drifted open languidly, and she sucked in a quick breath when his thumb delved between her soft, female flesh and found her swollen clit, slippery wet from her own anticipation and desire.
She splayed her hands on his taut stomach and rocked her hips hard against his, taking him deeper still. "I think I just have a thing for you," she admitted huskily.
Cameron liked the sound of that. He liked the sweet, tender look in her eyes even more as she gave herself over to him physically without inhibitions or the slightest reserve. He finessed her with liquid strokes and the silken glide of his fingers, but she was the one who set the pace and seduced him with her soft, erotic sighs and clench and release of her body. She was the one who drove him wild with the overwhelming need to be a part of her, in every way.
And ultimately, she was the one who pushed him over the razor-sharp edge of release and sent him spiraling into an earth-shattering climax that began with him and ended with her.
Chapter Nine
MIA glanced down at the current stained-glass design she was working on and smiled to herself, feeling a rush of excitement and satisfaction with the way the image was coming together. After her conversation with Cameron the day before about her artwork, and his positive response to the pieces she'd shown him, she was more inspired than ever. She just wasn't sure how Cameron would feel knowing her latest design immortalized the two of them in a very provocative embrace.
She bit her bottom lip and thought about everything she'd shared with Cameron-not only her artwork, which was personal enough, but even the insecurities and doubts she had about making a living at what she loved to do. Not to mention her family dashing her hopes of integrating her stained-glass designs into the business.
She'd never shared that part of herself with another man before and never meant to enlighten Cameron, either. But he'd seen the sketches, and once he'd started prompting her with questions, it had all spilled out so easily. She had to admit it felt so good to get everything out in the open and to let another person see her more erotic pieces. Cameron's enthusiasm had fed her own, and although she didn't believe putting her regular designs in a consignment shop was going to make her enough money to support herself, it would at least provide her an outlet for all the panels and pieces she'd already created. As for the more intimate stuff, well, those designs were most likely going to be a part of her own private collection.
Including the one of her and Cameron. Just looking at the two images lustfully intertwined made her breasts grow heavy and achy and a familiar tug of desire to curl low. Spending two nights in a row with Cameron had been nothing short of sensory overload, and while she should have been physically satisfied, it seemed she was completely and utterly insatiable when it came to him. Not to mention orgasmic. All because she'd opened up to Cameron, trusted him with her body and more.
By the time they'd finally roused themselves out of her bed yesterday, it had been late Saturday afternoon. With Gina gone for the weekend, they'd ordered in pizza for two and indulged in the meal while discussing the vandalism to her car and the fact that Cameron didn't want her going anywhere alone or without him knowing where until the culprit was caught. Such a strict order would normally go against her independent nature, but knowing he was only concerned for her safety and well-being made the request much easier to accept.
After dinner Mia went to take a shower, and it wasn't long before Cameron joined her. He'd washed her hair for her and scrubbed her back, and she was happy to return the favor. Playful
touches and caresses across wet, sleek, soapy skin turned into more sensual strokes and breathy moans of pleasure. They'd barely gotten themselves dried off before they were tumbling back into bed and enjoying another night of fulfilling carnal hungers and sinful, wicked fantasies.
But this morning her idyllic weekend had come to a disappointing end when a call had come through on Cameron's cell phone from a client that had demanded his immediate attention. He'd given her a kiss and a promise to call her later and then he was gone.
In the wake of his departure, and with Gina still not home from Ray's, Mia had been struck with a sense of loneliness, which she'd tried to shake off by reminding herself that she was used to being alone and usually preferred the solitude. But the quiet felt so oppressive, and she'd picked up the phone to give Carrie a call to see how she was doing. Her friend hadn't been home, so she'd left a message that maybe they could get together for lunch or go shopping one day soon. Then, determined to keep herself busy for the rest of the afternoon, she'd returned to her bedroom and immersed herself in her latest stained-glass design.
Now, her stomach growled hungrily, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything since earlier that morning when she'd had a bowl of cereal. A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand told her it was five-thirty and she needed food.
Heading into the kitchen, she decided on a quick and simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk to wash it down. She'd just finished her meal when she heard the front door open and quietly close.
"Gina?" Mia called out as she tossed her paper plate in the trash and set her empty glass in the sink.
When she didn't receive an answer, a sense of unease prickled along Mia's spine. She always kept the apartment door locked when she was home alone, and the disturbing thought flitted through her mind that maybe Gina had given Ray a key-or he'd copied one for himself without Gina's knowledge. Mia certainly wouldn't put something so calculating past the distrustful man.
With her heart hammering in her chest, she cautiously walked into the adjoining living room, but no one was mere. She moved down the hall to Gina's closed bedroom door and knocked lightly.
Again, nothing.
Her hand dropped to the door knob, and she slowly turned it to the right, finding it unlocked. Silently, she pushed the door open, looked inside, and was incredibly relieved to find Gina standing across the room, putting something away in her dresser drawer.
"Gina?" Mia said softly, not wanting to frighten her friend who obviously hadn't heard her enter the room.
Gina gasped and spun halfway around, her eyes wide and startled. She didn't move or speak, just stared at Mia.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Mia smiled but couldn't ignore the instinctive feeling that something was very wrong with Gina. Her eyes were puffy, as though she'd been crying, and her entire body seemed stiff and tense. "Hey, is everything okay?"
Gina nodded jerkily. "I'm fine."
Mia didn't believe her. Her friend's tone and body language were too reserved and distant. "Did you have a good weekend?" she asked and slowly took a few steps closer.
"Mmm-hmmm," Gina replied as she deliberately took a step to the side, retreating farther away from Mia's approach. "Look, I'm really tired and I'd like to be left alone."
Halfway across the room, Mia abruptly stopped, a little hurt and confused by Gina's terse brush-off. "All right."
She turned to go and got as far as exiting the room and nearly closing the door when she changed her mind. Mia just couldn't bring herself to walk away and allow Gina to withdraw further emotionally, not when Mia sensed that her friend needed her-even if Gina wasn't in the right frame of mind to admit as much. And that meant being there for her roommate and making sure Gina knew she cared. No matter what.
She swung the door open once again just as Gina turned, completely facing Mia for the first time. Gina's right arm was wrapped in an ace bandage, from her hand all the way to just a few inches below her elbow.
Immediate concern had Mia striding across the room, wondering what the hell Ray had done now. "Gina, what happened?"
Her friend held up her good hand to hold off Mia, but the panic in her eyes spoke volumes. "It's not what you're thinking."
Mia highly doubted that claim, because she knew with absolute certainty that this recent injury, just like all the others, had been caused by Ray. She'd bet every cent she had on her hunch.
Mia crossed her arms over her chest, doing her best to keep her anger in check-along with the overwhelming urge to reach out and shake some sense into her friend. As calm as she could manage, she said, "Then tell me what happened, because I'm not leaving your room until you do."
"Fine." Gina said defensively. "I sprained my wrist."
"How?" Mia asked, wanting, needing details.
Gina glared at her, a snap of anger raising her voice to a high pitch. "It doesn't matter!"
"Yes, it does," Mia shot right back, furious now. "Did Ray hurt you?" Again.
"He didn't mean it," Gina finally said. "It was my fault. He hit me because I made him angry."
Mia was so stunned by Gina's reply that she felt as though she'd just been slapped, but she quickly recovered. "No man should hit a woman, Gina. Ever."
"It's none of your business, all right?" Gina yelled at her as tears welled in her eyes. "Just leave me alone!"
Gina's words felt like a knife in Mia's chest-sharp and cruel. They were also filled with a desperation Mia no longer knew how to deal with. Ray was turning her friend into someone she barely recognized anymore, and all Mia could do was watch helplessly as Gina allowed him to dominate her body, her soul, her entire life.
"It is my business because I care about you," Mia whispered around the tears clogging her own throat. Then she turned and headed back out of the room but stopped before closing the door behind her.
She met Gina's gaze and saw the pain and misery there. "You need to leave him, Gina," she said softly but didn't sugarcoat her words. "Before he does something to really hurt you."
On that parting remark, Mia left Gina alone and headed for her own bedroom down the hall. Without a second thought, she picked up her phone and dialed the number for Cameron's cell phone. She needed to tell him to step up the investigation on Ray.
Not for her sake, but for Gina's.
"HERE are a few case files for you to review, along with a new client we're scheduled to meet with first thing tomorrow morning."
Cameron leaned back in his chair and watched his partner, Steve, slide the aforementioned documents across the conference room table to the new guy they'd hired the day before. Wesley Donner was only twenty-five, young by both his and Steve's standards, but surprisingly he'd arrived at his interview with five years of P.I. experience under his belt and an eager, go-get-'em attitude. Steve and Cameron had liked him immediately. Wesley was one of those high-tech computer whiz kids and the first applicant both Cameron and Steve had agreed on, without any reservations, so he'd been the one they'd hired on as an associate.
Now, late Wednesday afternoon, they were in the process of handing out some of the newer cases to Wes for him to take home and review, along with familiarizing him with the business, their list of retainer clients, and how they did things. It was such a relief to have a new guy onboard, and while Cameron's workload still felt overwhelming, he was at least able to hand over a few of his easier cases for Wes to handle and finish up.
In the middle of the meeting, Cameron's cell phone rang, and he glanced at the display to see who the call was from. He had every intention of letting the call forward to voice-mail and retrieve it after they were done briefing Wesley, until he recognized the number as Mia's home phone.
He hit the connect button. "Sinclair here."
"Cam, this is Mia. I need to talk to you. Do you have a few minutes?"
The urgency and slight tremor in her voice reminded him of the way she sounded when she'd called him Sunday evening to tell him about her exchange with Gina-and her
growing concerns about Ray. And that was enough to make her a top priority for him.
"Of course. Give me a sec."
Cameron glanced at Steve as he pushed away from the table and stood, all too aware of the huge secret he was keeping from his partner. Mainly, Cameron's affair with Mia.
"It's a client." Which wasn't a complete lie, because Cameron was handling Mia's case. "I need to take this privately."
"Go on and take the call." Steve waved him away with his hand. "I'll finish up with Wesley. We're just about done here anyway."
"Great." Cameron left the conference room and waited until he was behind closed doors in his own office before he spoke into his cell phone again. "Are you okay?"
"Honestly, no." She laughed, though the strained echo he heard made him realize just how vulnerable she was feeling. "I received more pictures in the mail today. I thought you might like to see them."
He swore beneath his breath, hating that she'd been subjected to yet another assault-and that she had to deal with this latest attack by herself. "Yeah, I want to see the pictures."
Unfortunately, his evening was shit tonight, and he had no idea what time he'd be able to make it over to Mia's place. He had a few interviews lined up for a legal case, and Doug Shelton had called him earlier to let him know his wife had an "appointment" at seven p.m. and was supposedly working late. Cameron had no idea how long that surveillance would ran, but he didn't want to leave Mia home alone, considering her current mental state.
A solution came to mind. "Are you free tonight?" he asked.
"Yes."
Perfect. He glanced at his watch to gauge his time frame. "Tell you what. I'll swing by and pick you up around six fifteen, after I finish up with some interviews I have scheduled. I've got surveillance tonight on another case, but because there's always a lot of waiting time involved, we can use that downtime to talk."
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