by Aliyah Burke
Cameron didn’t dally in the shower and was soon shoving into a pair of dark blue sweats. His phone rang and he went over to snag the receiver off the base. “Liaci,” he said.
“I heard what happened. Tried calling you before, you okay?” Carter’s voice crossed the line.
Cameron grunted and sat on his bed. “I’ll be fine. Good news is we didn’t lose Tyler.”
“Shit bro, I was worried, why the fuck didn’t you call me?”
“I just got home and snagged a shower. That’s why I didn’t answer when you called. I’m assuming you called before and that’s why you’re sounding so snappish now.”
“I didn’t want to call you,” Carter snapped at him.
Cameron smiled. He loved his brother even with his interfering ways. “It was Gina who told you to call and check on me. I knew it! She loves me more than you.”
“Shove off.”
He’d been glad his brother and Gina had worked things out. They made a good couple in his mind. “I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow but right now, I need to sleep.”
“Okay, call if you need anything. And, Cameron…I’m glad you’re okay.”
Carter hung up the phone and Cameron killed the call and flopped back on the bed. Exhaustion owned him and he closed his eyes, inching his body up along on the platform bed until his feet no longer hung off.
Knock. Knock.
Are you fucking kidding me? Who the hell is here?
Sure, he’d brought women here but this wasn’t one of those nights. Rolling to his feet, he padded out to the living room and yanked open the door. “What?” he snapped only to have his breathing halt at the sight before him.
Riya.
His body hardened just from the pure proximity to her. Instantly, his pain fell away.
She stumbled back from the ferocity in his voice and she put the jacket up to her chest. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. You left this. I just wanted to return it to you.” Riya held it out to him.
Cameron didn’t take it. Instead, he smiled. “You, sweetness, are no disturbance. Come in.” He stepped back and stared at her, waiting for her to come inside his place.
“I don’t think I should,” she began.
“You should, you wouldn’t think of letting an injured fireman be all alone, would you?”
Her gaze flickered to the sling cutting along his bare torso.
He didn’t miss the questioning look in her eyes. “I’m fine, beautiful. Come in.”
She made her way by him, careful not to touch him then stopped just inside the door.
He pushed the door shut and bent his head in to whisper in her ear, “Welcome to my home.”
“Where should I put the jacket?”
“Are you trying to pretend you don’t want to look around this place?”
Riya tossed his jacket on the back of his brown microfiber sofa. “You would be wrong.”
God help him, he longed to undo her hair and sink his fingers into the silken curls that would tumble down her back. Wrap those same tresses in his hand and angle her head to where he could easily plunder her mouth until she sagged against him. “Care to put a wager on that, sweetness?”
She whipped around and glared at him, sparks shooting from her eyes. “I’ve had enough of your wagers, Cameron. I don’t need any more, nor do I want to be part of anymore of them. We’re done here.”
That wasn’t expected. He didn’t believe they’d made any wager in the past. Spinning with her as she stomped past, he reached for her and groaned when his shoulder reminded him—for a very good reason—why it had been put in a sling.
She froze and glanced back, concern immediately on her face. “Are you okay?”
Sure, he was, but was he going to say that and let her think so? Hell no. If this was what it took to have her stay with him a bit longer, he had no qualms about milking it for as long as he could. “A bit lightheaded. You go, I’ll be fine.”
Riya scoffed and came closer. “I’ll help you to the couch.”
Somewhere in the back—far, far back—of his mind he knew he should have regrets for using her good nature like this. But with her curves pressed against him and her arm around his waist, that regret was shut up like a fat kid with cake.
Cameron gave her some of his weight and allowed her to assist him.
“What happened?”
“A part of the roof we were on collapsed and my arm got dislocated when I grabbed Tyler to keep him from falling.”
Her body stiffened but she kept moving until he was sitting on the sofa. “That’s from today, the Merchant’s building that was on the news?”
“That’s the one. You watched it?”
“Heard it, Todd had the news on in the back.”
“And here I thought you were worried about me.”
“I always worry about all of you.” She covered him with his blanket and stood, gazing down at him. “You have a dangerous job.”
“It can be, but we’re good at what we do. Stay with me a bit?” Cameron put a bit of pleading in his tone and nearly held his breath to see what she would say and do.
She took a swift peek at her watch before claiming an oversized chair across from him.
Not where he wanted her, but better than her leaving all together, so he’d take it. Plus, she’d never been in his place before and he would be lying if he said he didn’t like her here, in it with him.
“Is there something else you need?” she questioned, however this time there was no snark in her tone. “Can I get you something to drink? Eat?”
“I didn’t want you here to serve me, Riya. I just wanted some company.”
Her gaze shuttered and he had the deepest belief he’d just said something wrong again, but she didn’t elaborate on what had upset her.
Quite the opposite, she settled back in the chair. “I’ll stay for a bit, but I have to get home. I still have some work to do.”
“Work? You do more things once you leave the diner?”
She nodded and ran her fingers over the arm of the chair, matching his sofa in hue. “I’m in school as well and have homework to do.”
“School here? Or online?”
“Online for my masters in cyber security.”
He whistled. “Impressive.”
“Thought I was just a waitress didn’t you?” Her voice held no anger in it, she just made it a statement.
“Well, to be fair, it’s not like we have lots of conversations. I mean, you’ve never been here before.”
“No reason to. You fucked me at my place and walked away. What possible reason could I have to come here? This is where you bring females who have more than one shot with you, otherwise you do as you did with me, go to their place.” She got to her feet. “I think I should be going.”
“Damn it,” Cameron bit off as the door shut behind her.
So, it was true, everything she said but it’s not what he wanted it to sound like. He’d gone with her to her place because he didn’t want her where those others had been. He wanted it special and had thought of it as such since.
Apparently, she didn’t.
Just another thing Cameron needed to make up for in regards to Riya Hendrickson.
Chapter Two
“I hear Cameron kissed you in the diner yesterday.”
Riya sputtered around the coffee she’d tried to swallow and shot a look at the woman with her, Gina Moyer.
Gina chuckled and merely passed along some napkins.
Dabbing at her chin to mop up what she’d lost, Riya shrugged. “Who told you?”
“Doesn’t matter, what does is you’re not disputing it. Are you two a couple?”
“God no, Gina. I haven’t a clue why he did that. And it wasn’t a really long kiss, more like a peck. I’m sure he would have done it with anyone who’d been near him at the time.”
“Is that what you’re telling yourself?”
“Sure, you don’t want to try and hide the doubt just a bit more in your sarcastic
tone?” Riya uncapped her drink and moved the stir stick around a few times. “Or should I just pretend you mean the best?”
“By all means, pretend because we both know me hiding the sarcasm isn’t going to happen. Not to mention, I personally think that you and Cameron make the perfect couple and if you two get together we can be sisters.” A wide grin. “We could have a double wedding.”
“Stop, please stop.” She held up a hand. “We’re barely in a room together before we start fighting and you’re planning a wedding for us? That’s crazy, even for you, Gina.”
“I’m happy again, and I want you to be as well.”
“It’s a life you know, but it scares the hell out of me. And two, before you even get that look in your eye about me saying what I did, there’s nothing between the two of us like there is with you and Carter. You two have a history, have chemistry.”
“Are you seriously, sitting there telling me that there’s no chemistry between you and Cameron? Come on, Riya. I’m not dumb. Anyone can see it who’s around the two of you for more than a minute. You two can’t keep your eyes off each other, he’s forever picking on you, and—”
“He’s forever sleeping with other women,” she interrupted, wishing she didn’t give a damn who he went out with and potentially slept with.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Gina said, in a softer voice. “I think he puts on a good show but I don’t think he’s fucking each woman he takes out. He’s waiting for the right one. You.”
“Not buying it, sorry. He had me and like I told him last night, he came to my place which means I was only good for one night. If he wants a repeat, he takes them to his place.”
“Last night?”
“Yes, I was at his apartment dropping off his jacket that he left at the diner.”
Gina cocked an eyebrow.
Riya groaned. Not what she’d planned on telling anyone. “Nothing happened. I dropped it off and left.”
“Sounds to me like you’re trying to convince yourself of this. Let me know how it goes. I have to get back to work, thanks for having coffee with me and honestly, Riya. Give him a chance. He does care about you but he’s a man and a Liaci which means he’s going to fuck it up. Look at what Carter and I went through.”
“Yes, but at one time, you knew he loved you. All I know is that I was only good for one fuck. Not exactly helping my low self-esteem.” She stood and put the top back on her drink. “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Have a good one.”
The women walked out together and headed in opposite directions. Riya cast a final glance over her shoulder in time to see Gina slip behind the wheel of her coupe. Facing forward once more, she walked up the street. She loved to walk. It was the time when she got to work things out in her mind. Plan new things and just lose herself in random thoughts.
Gina’s words flitted around in her head but she didn’t focus too much on them. She couldn’t. She’d given Cameron far too much of her life already, years and it was time for her to move up and on.
Finishing her coffee, she tossed the cup in the trash receptacle on the corner while she waited for the light to change. Above her dark clouds swirled and she knew in moments, she’d be soaked through.
So there’s a downside to walking all the time.
The first fat drops fell as she hurried along the crosswalk. She turned the collar of her jacket up and ducked her head. Waiting at the next light, she fought off a shiver. When the temperature had dropped so fast, she wasn’t sure but now she was wet and cold.
A large blue truck pulled up to the curb and she waited for it to move, so she could keep an eye on the crosswalk signal. It didn’t. Frustrated and more than a bit temperamental, she jerked her head up and saw the window sliding down.
“Get in here sweetness.”
How the hell didn’t I recognize that this was Cameron’s truck?
“I’m fine,” the words rolled off her tongue automatically even though she would love to be out of the rain and cold.
“You either climb in on your own, or I come around and put you in.” Behind him, cars hit their horns but Cameron didn’t move, nor did he seem bothered by the fact he was disrupting traffic. “I’m not moving, Riya so you may as well get in here.”
She moved closer. “I’m soaking wet, I’ll ruin your interior.”
“If I have to get out of here and put you inside, then I’ll be wet too, and you’ll have to dry me off.”
If it was a threat or a promise, she wasn’t sure and while she would love to have her hands on him again, she didn’t think her heart could take it. So, she grabbed the handle and opened the door, climbing up.
Cameron had shut the window before she could close the door, blocking out even more rain from slamming into her.
Trying her best not to chatter her teeth when the heat hit, she swallowed and buckled her belt.
Cameron reached behind him to the backseat and tossed a towel at her then drove off.
“Thank you,” she forced out between the clacking of her teeth.
“Stubborn,” he muttered, reaching out and turning up the heat.
She burrowed her face in the towel, allowing herself a few seconds to inhale his scent and make it seem as if she were simply drying off. Damn, he smelled good.
It took her a moment to realize this direction not only wasn’t the way to her place, but it was to his. “You can just drop me off here,” she prompted.
“No.”
She snapped her gaze to him and found him watching the road but there was a tic in his jaw.
What the hell is he so upset about?
Riya ran the towel over her arms, soaking up the liquid hanging out. By the time, he pulled up to his apartment she had stopped shivering.
“Wait,” he ordered before climbing out.
It barely sunk in when he opened her side, with an umbrella, and reached around her to unlock her belt, since she’d yet to do that. His dark hair brushed along her face as he leaned in and she bit the inside of her lower lip to keep her whimper contained.
The moment she was free, he grasped her upper arm and escorted her out of the truck and to his place. He only released her when they got inside the building and he folded up his umbrella.
Cameron remained silent as he unlocked the door to his place and propelled her in.
Sure, she’d just been there last night but it didn’t stop her mind from whirling with the possibilities of what could happen here. What had happened here with many other women that weren’t her. Anger began to grow as she had to take a deep breath and calm down.
He pushed her to the bathroom and inside the spotless room was a huge, gorgeous shower. “Warm up. I’ll leave some clothes for you to change into.”
She shook her head and tried to back out of the room. “I don’t need to shower here. I just need to go home.”
“You’re damn near freezing. That cold front came in and lowered it below freezing. It’s going to be snow before long. You’re colder than you know. Either you do it, or I will.”
She met his gaze. “What? You going to strip me and put me in the shower?”
His gray eyes were blazing as he stared back at her. “Do you really want to challenge me on this, Riya?”
Part of her did, just to have his hands on her once again. But she wasn’t about to scheme just to have a man touch her. Even if it was the man, she’d dreamt about and longed for when she was allowed private thoughts.
“Well?” Cameron stepped closer to her.
Then Riya had to tip her head back to maintain eye contact. So this is how a deer feels being hunted and cornered by a predator. She gulped and shook her head. “Not necessary. Wouldn’t want you to have to touch me and all that.”
Poke. Poke. Poke. For whatever reason, she just couldn’t let it go and felt the need to jab him.
Dangerous warnings flashed in his gaze and his nostrils flared. “Go shower before I show you just how much I want to touch you again. I meant every word of what I said wh
en I told you that before, I always want you to come and I wasn’t lying.”
Her insides quivered at his deep timbre and she gulped before glancing pointedly from the door to him and back again.
He took her silent order and backed out, closing the door behind him.
Riya opened the shower door and turned on the water. Part of her wanted to lock the door but part of her didn’t. However, eyes on the door, she stripped quickly and stepped beneath the heated water falling. Instantly, a groan fell from her lips.
Okay, so the man was correct, and she needed to get warmed up. This…this was divine. She kept an eye on the glass for the first few moments then just shut her eyes and enjoyed the heat. It was clouded glass and to be honest, the man had already seen what she had to offer.
αβ
Cameron opened the door slowly after knocking lightly on the hard surface. While he didn’t expect an answer, he didn’t want to just barge in on her. Okay, so perhaps he did but somewhere in the depths of his caveman mind, there were remnants of something his mother called manners.
Stepping into the bathroom, he couldn’t help the swiftness in which his gaze snapped to his large shower. One of the reasons he’d rented this place was the size of the walk-in shower. All he could see now was her figure, faintly in the swirls of steam billowing up from the water and hiding her most efficiently.
Not that I need to see her because there’s no way I will ever forget that body. Those curves. That perfection.
Although, this fact didn’t stop his desire to see it all over again. His cock hardened and pushed against his jeans. Setting down the clothes he’d chosen for her on the corner of the sink, he backed out before he did something stupid like joining her.
He had to be better this time. He needed to do what was necessary to keep her. This time around would be different. Therefore, he slipped from the room and made his way back to his, where he changed out of his own wet clothing into something dry and warm. Then he popped on the television and flipped it to the news, checking on the weather.
This cold front had done a number on things and they were expecting snow within the hour. Not just flurries but a heavy accumulation. Cameron moved to the window and stifled some laughter.