Susan helped stack the wrapped gifts on the table in front of Claudia, and his sister spent the next half hour opening each one. She received her favorite perfume from Heather, a luxurious bath and body gift set and certificate to spend the day at the spa for pampering from Susan, a pair of gold and diamond earrings she'd had her eye on from her husband, and a crystal figurine from their mom and dad to add to her growing collection.
"I didn't forget about you, sis," Cameron said once she was done opening those gifts. Standing, he went to retrieve the present he'd left over in the corner for her to open last and handed it to her. "I actually managed to get you something unique and original this year."
"What, no gift card to a department store?" she teased, knowing Cameron had given up long ago trying to figure out what his sisters wanted or needed and had resorted to purchasing gift certificates to their favorite places to shop instead.
"Hey, it's your fortieth birthday," he said as he sat back down in his seat. "I wanted to give you something special to commemorate you being so old."
She narrowed her gaze at him, though laughter sparkled in her eyes. "After that remark, this better be a great present."
As she eagerly ripped off the wrapping paper and opened the box, Cameron glanced at Mia. She was watching Claudia expectantly and biting her lower lip in that adorable way of hers that told him just how anxious she was feeling.
He understood how important it was to Mia that his sister like the gift, but Cameron already knew she had absolutely nothing to worry about. And moments later, after Claudia had removed her present from the protective bubble wrapping, his sister's gasp of pleasure confirmed what Cam already knew. Claudia loved her birthday gift.
"Oh Cameron, this is absolutely stunning!" Claudia said' in awe while his other sisters and his mother all oohed and ahhed in feminine appreciation over the delicate, colorful hummingbird design. "Where did you find such a beautiful stained-glass design?"
Cameron couldn't have hoped for a better opening, and he waved a hand toward the woman sitting across from him. "Mia made it."
All eyes immediately shifted to Mia, whose face flushed pink from all the direct attention. She shrugged as if it was no big deal, and because he was coming to know her well, he could sense the insecurity running beneath the casual gesture.
"It's just a hobby and something I do in my spare time," she said, downplaying her talent because that's what she'd been doing for years.
"A hobby?" Susan exclaimed incredulously. "If the quality of your other work is even close to this piece, you're wasting the kind of artistic ability most of us would kill to possess."
"I couldn't agree with you more," Cameron said, backing up his sister before glancing at Claudia and setting his plan in motion. "In fact, I was wondering if your friend, Amy, might be interested in something like this to add to her gallery? Mia has a dozen or more unique designs that are equally as amazing."
"Oh yeah," Claudia said, nodding enthusiastically. "Amy is always looking for new and different art to sell, and I know this would be right up her alley. I can give her a call on Monday, put in a good word, and you can follow up from there with an appointment to meet with her," she said to Mia. "I'll be sure to give you her name and phone number before you leave."
Mia stared at Claudia in wide-eyed shock, obviously thrown by the shift in conversation that now centered around her and the stained-glass designs she created. "I… uh… well…"
"That would be great," Cam jumped in, because Mia had lost the ability to speak. He caught the uncertainty etching her expression and told himself he was doing the right thing. That this was exactly what Mia needed to give her designs the exposure they deserved.
Whether or not Mia agreed with him remained to be seen.
"TONIGHT went well, don't you think?"
Mia leaned her head against the soft leather seat and glanced Cameron's way as he drove his Porsche away from the curb of his parent's house. It was dark out since night had fallen, but the streetlights they passed enabled her to see the satisfied look on his face.
"Quit looking so smug, Sinclair."
"Smug?" he said, oh-so-innocently. "Why in the world would I be smug?"
"You know damn well why." She was still reeling from his ulterior motives and the flurry of excitement and enthusiasm he'd generated with his family over her art. "You set me up, didn't you?"
"How so?"
He was playing hard to get, but she wasn't going to let him off so easily. "By giving your sister one of my designs as a birthday present."
He brought the car to a stop at a streetlight, which allowed him a free moment to meet her gaze. The honest sincerity in the depths of his eyes made her heart thump hard and fast in her chest.
"First and foremost, I bought the hummingbird design from you and gave it to Claude because I knew she'd love it, and she did. Don't ever doubt that."
She lifted a brow. "And she just happens to have a friend who owns a gallery here in Chicago?"
He shrugged as he shifted into first gear and they started moving again. "Yeah, and?"
"And that was your intention all along, wasn't it?"
He flashed her a nonrepentant grin. "Guilty as charged."
She shook her head and laughed. "If I'd known you were going to make me and my stained-glass art the center of attention with your family, I never would have agreed to come with you tonight."
"Which is exactly why I didn't tell you ahead of time."
She knew she ought to be mad at him for interfering in her life and for giving her that initial push she needed to do something with her designs. But deep down inside she was too appreciative of his support and belief in her to summon any real anger.
Still, her own personal doubts surfaced, and her hands twisted in her lap. "I don't know if I'm ready to do something like this." A consignment shop was one thing. A high-end gallery was another.
His brows lifted in surprise at her confession. "Why not?"
"Because…" She drew a deep breath, hating the uncertainty knotting in her stomach. "Because it's just stained-glass art, and I'm sure a gallery owner is looking for something more unique than what I have to offer."
"And you'll give her unique," he said, flashing her a confident grin. "You need to show her your erotic pieces. Those are going to be what sets you apart from any one else who creates stained-glass art."
It was a phenomenal opportunity, so why in the world was she hesitating and so nervous? And then she realized a part of what was holding her back: a healthy does of fear.
If it was just her regular designs, her decision would have been an easy one to make. But she knew it was the more provocative pieces that would intrigue people the most and draw her the most attention. And that's where her fears came into play. Not only would she be putting her art on display for everyone to see, but so many of those erotic designs were like a window into her soul if anyone cared to look deep enough. Those unique creations were filled with her emotions, her hopes, her dreams… and everything she secretly wished for in her life but had been too afraid to embrace as her own.
As if sensing her wavering thoughts, he reached across the console, took her hand in his, and intertwined their fingers. "Just go and talk to her, Mia," he urged gently. "What can it hurt? If you find it's something you really don't want to pursue, then you'll have lost nothing but an hour of your time. But if things with Amy work out, it could change your whole life and future."
And that possibility scared her, too. For as much as she sometimes disliked working for the family business and how restricting it could be, the fact remained that it gave her security and stability, whereas the world of art was so unpredictable and uncertain. And very fickle.
Who would have thought she'd be afraid of anything?
"Promise me you'll at least talk to her, okay?" Cameron asked and gave her hand a squeeze.
She forced her doubts and insecurities away, knowing she had to at least meet with Amy or she'd always regret passing up such a prime opportuni
ty. "Okay."
They arrived at her apartment building, and Cameron shut off the car. "Come on, I'll walk you to your place."
Once she was safely inside her apartment, he closed the door behind them. The kitchen and living room were dark and shadowed, indicating that either Gina wasn't home or she'd already gone to bed. So when Cameron turned toward her and slid his hand along her cheek and into her hair and then lowered his mouth to hers, she didn't hesitate to meet him halfway.
Kissing Cameron was not only a sensual experience, but it was magical, too. With just the touch of his lips, he made her entire body come alive. Her skin tingled, her belly tightened, and her nipples hardened into sensitive peaks. No other man had ever had such an immediate effect on her, and she reveled in the pleasure of losing herself in the softness and heat of his mouth on hers.
Gradually, he guided her back a few steps until her bottom came into contact with the nearest wall. He aligned his hard thighs and lean hips against hers, and there was no mistaking the erection straining between them. He placed his hands on her waist and nibbled at the corner of her mouth, used his tongue to trace the lower curve of her lip, and when she sighed he slipped inside and slowly deepened the kiss.
His mouth took hers, hot and soft and with a languid hunger that said how much he wanted her but was in no rush to take this into the bedroom. It had been so long since she'd just made out with a guy, and Cameron was showing her everything she'd been missing… the heady buzz of anticipation. The slow, agonizing buildup of sexual tension. The simmer of arousal making her restless and needy.
His hands slipped beneath her top and skimmed upward, stroking her skin all the way up to her sheer, lace bra. She waited for him to cup her in his palm, nearly trembling with the desire to have him touch her there, to drag his fingers across her aching nipples. But instead he merely caressed his thumbs just below her breasts, teasing her and making her moan in frustration.
She felt him smile against her lips just before he slanted his mouth across hers and seduced her with more of his slow, soft, erotic French kisses.
An eternity later he finally lifted his head, and they were both breathing hard. Her lashes fluttered open, and she stared into his hot green eyes, her lips wet and swollen from his generous kisses and her legs as weak as a newborn colt's. Luckily, his solid, male body offered all the support she needed.
Making out with Cameron was like enjoying a piece of Godiva chocolate, she decided dreamily… the kind that melted on your tongue, yet the pleasure lasted long after the candy was gone.
"God, that was almost better than sex," she said, amazed at just how much sensual enjoyment this man had given her with just his kisses.
He chuckled. "Mmm, that was nice," he agreed huskily, then sighed. "I should go."
"You don't have to," she said, much too anxiously.
He withdrew his hands from beneath her top, and she instantly missed the warmth of his touch. "I know, but I have a long day tomorrow and it starts early."
"All right." She was definitely disappointed, but she understood and she had to work in the morning, too. "Thanks for taking me to your parents' today. I really had a good time. Your family is wonderful." And after meeting everyone, it was easy to see why he was such a great guy.
Smiling, he slid his thumb along her jaw. "They enjoyed having you there, too."
Just as Cameron had promised, there had been no pressure from his siblings and no speculation about their relationship, which had made it easy for her to relax around them. Then she thought about next Saturday, when both she and Cameron would be at her cousin Steve's for his son's one-year birthday party, and wondered how they were going to pull that off with everyone believing they were still adversaries.
She expressed her concerns. "Today was easy enough being your friend, but how are we going handle next week with my family?"
He leaned his forehead against hers and grinned. "Very, very carefully."
MIA knocked lightly on her brother Scott's office door, then walked inside as Scott and her other brother Alex were discussing an upcoming restoration project they were interested in acquiring.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said as she came to a stop in front of Scott's desk. "Here are those contracts you needed, along with the typed-up estimate for the Franklin Building project that's going to bid tomorrow."
"Great." Scott reached for the stack of paperwork and set it down in front of him to review. "Thanks."
Alex, who was sitting in one of the two chairs in front of the desk, cast a sideways glance at Mia. "I've been meaning to ask you all morning. What's with the button-up suit you're wearing?"
Mia would hardly call her short cutaway jacket, constructed of a soft mint green tweed with braided trim along the lapel, buttoned up. Sure, the matching skirt hit her at the knee instead of inches above it, and the jacket only allowed a small glimpse of her cleavage, but the outfit was casual and comfortable. And most importantly, sophisticated and fashionable.
"What, a girl can't wear a suit to work every once in a while?" she asked.
"Well, sure," Scott said cautiously. "But that one you're wearing is just very…"
The right word seemed to allude her brother, but not Alex. "Nunlike," he supplied for Scott and laughed. "At least for you, anyway. That's more along the lines of what Dana would wear," he said, referring to his wife of a few months.
Scott leaned back in his seat. "I guess we're both used to your more… colorful outfits," he said, and Mia knew "colorful" was his way of softening what should have been termed as flashy or outrageous. "This nice suit just surprised us both."
She gave the hem of her jacket a tug. "Well don't get used to it, because I'm not changing my entire wardrobe." She'd worn the two-piece designer suit today because she had a meeting with Amy at her gallery and she wanted to look her professional best. She hadn't thought about how her brothers might react to the more reserved look.
"Mia…" Scott's tone was tentative, even a little concerned. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine." She went on alert, wondering what, exactly, her brother was getting at. "Why do you ask?"
"I don't know." He shrugged, but he was wearing a slight frown, as if he was trying to figure out what was bothering him so much. "You just seem so much more… subdued lately."
"It's called maturity," Alex cut in. "I think our baby sister is finally growing up."
She stiffened. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Stop bristling," Scott said, smoothing things over between her and Alex before a war could ensue. As the oldest of the family, Scott had always been the peacemaker. "It's not an insult, Mia, but a compliment. We've just noticed some changes in you the past week or so. Good ones. And you seem happy, too."
"I've always been happy," she said automatically.
"No, this is different. Your overall mood, your personality…" His voice trailed off as he narrowed his gaze on her, as if he couldn't quite put his finger on what had changed. "Is something going on that we don't know about?"
"Or that we need to know about?" Alex added, suddenly Mr. Concern.
She immediately recognized the protective glint in her brothers' gazes, and she thought about everything going on in her life that would undoubtedly set them off. Her affair with Cameron. Being stalked by an unknown person. Her appointment today with Amy and the possibility of exposing her very intimate artwork no one but Cameron knew about.
Scott and Alex would come unglued if they had any clue what she was currently dealing with, and she wasn't about to enlighten them. "Look, there is nothing going on you need to worry about. And as for this suit, I bought it because it was a helluva good deal and it looked good on me."
Scott grinned. "Can't argue with you there."
"So stop reading so much into every little thing." Then she deftly changed the subject. "Is there anything else either of you need today?"
Scott thought for a moment and then shook his head. "I think this is all the important stuff I needed."
"I'm good, too," Alex said.
"Great." She turned around and headed for the door. "I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off."
"What?" Scott said in surprise.
"Why?" Alex asked at the same time, equally startled by her unexpected announcement.
She stopped and pivoted back toward her brothers, her chin lifting a fraction. "Because my work is done and I deserve the time off, that's why," she said matter-of-factly.
"I won't argue there," Scott said. "But it's all so last minute."
She stifled an exasperated sigh. Her brothers were so damn nosey, and it was clear they were waiting for more of an explanation. She debated telling them it was none of their business, but she didn't want to rouse their suspicions in any way. And she wasn't ready to tell them about the possibility of her artwork being displayed in a gallery, just in case it didn't work out.
"I'm going to lunch with a friend and then shopping." It wasn't a lie. She was meeting Carrie for lunch and then she wanted to find a new outfit to wear this weekend. She just failed to mention her appointment with Amy. "And I might just buy something shocking to wear to work tomorrow so the two of you will quit spending all your time speculating about everything I do."
Scott shook his head and chuckled. "Okay, now there's the Mia we know and love."
Alex nodded his agreement, grinning. "Yep, full of sass and smart-ass comebacks."
"And don't either of you forget it," she said and left the office before she was late for her meeting with Amy.
MIA was lucky enough to find a parking spot on the street two spaces away from the storefront of the Brennan Gallery. She turned off the engine, closed her eyes, and inhaled a deep calming breath to still her jittery nerves.
She wanted to be sure she arrived early to make a good first impression, so she pushed aside her anxiety and gave herself a quick, bolstering pep talk. Then she grabbed the leather-bound portfolio holding a few of her designs and a photo album of the others she'd left behind and made her way inside the gallery.
She was greeted by a nice-looking young man with short spiked hair and black framed glasses that were very retro in design. He was wearing black slacks and a black silk shirt he'd left untucked, and as he approached her, she noticed a slight sway to his hips that was more feminine than masculine.
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