by Eva Andrews
Ignoring the comments about that one night, “Goodnight Cameron, and thank you, honestly.”
Shaking his head, he moved closer, “No, no, that isn’t how we say goodbye on our second date.”
Taking my hand, he twirled me around like we were dancing, and dipped me.
My eyes locked with his ethereal blue eyes that I had dreamed about for years, my breath caught in my lungs as he leaned closer.
Brushing past my lips, his lips touched my earlobe as he whispered, “Goodnight Shayne, dream of me.”
Taking his time to stand me up, and being sure to press his delicious body against mine. My senses spark-knocked as I stood there speechless as he gave me a wink, put his hands in his pockets and jogged down my stairs and walked down the sidewalk out of view.
Dream of me.
Hell, I had been dreaming about that man since him and I shared that one night before his deployment. Leaning against my door for support, I punched in my code and fell into the house as my head spun.
Who knew going out for a drink with Jud would land me in the middle of his bar, and face to face with Cameron again? I had mentally prepared for years to run into Cameron again. Now that I had, I had never expected to have the reaction I had.
Everything I had felt for him all those years ago was magnified tenfold. Add in my obvious sexual frustration of not being laid in almost nine months, I was a hot horny mess of emotions.
Cameron Carmichael was back in my life, and I had so much to tell him. The thing was- I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to lay it out on the table. I had gone this many years without telling him, a little while longer wouldn’t hurt.
Chapter 2
Shayne
Groaning, I rolled out of bed and crawled into my marble shower and turned it on. My head ached, and my ankle was sore as shit.
Shuffling into my shower six different shower heads blasted me with water as I willed my body to wake up. Standing like a flamingo to relieve pressure off my wrecked ankle, I marveled at my huge new bathroom. This house was amazing, entirely too large for one person but so perfect.
I need coffee.
I need food.
I need Cameron.
What? Where the fuck did that come from Shayne Marie?
Balancing the best I could, I washed my hair and scrubbed my body, then sat down and shaved my legs. My right ankle had turned a little black and blue from twisting it last night when my overly priced wedge decided to take a shit on me.
Grinning, maybe I owed that poor wedge an apology. Its breakdown got me a ride on Cameron Carmichael’s finely toned back. Oh, I could almost smell him. Gah, I was such a girl sometimes.
He had left me in a state of sexual frustration that made me want to march back out and find a sex shop so I could buy a new vibrator.
Holy shit, Cameron was my own personal Viagra. Just the smell of him made me wet.
I still didn’t understand why my body reacted to him the way it did, but it just did. There hadn’t been another person who made me feel like Cameron had. Sad thing about that was, we had only shared one night, so long ago. That night had brought so much joy, and pain.
Fuck, I didn’t want to think about that. Right now, I just wanted to spend my day the best way I could. Eat a lot of food, and keep my hands and brain busy.
Climbing out of the shower I toweled off and threw some product in my hair, and rubbed lotion on my body. Slipping into my black silk robe, I went in search of coffee, strong coffee.
Learning my new kitchen, I had a cup of joe in my hands in a few moments thanks to a Keurig machine. Mentally remembering to email Anna’s parents and thank them for their graciousness, as usual they spoiled me. They had gotten their cleaning lady to come open the house up and stock it with food for me before my plane landed yesterday.
Wandering around the large house, I went back upstairs to explore. The historic home was spacious and overly elegant, but not snooty. It was tastefully decorated, and it felt like a home. It had that old-world French creole feel to it. When I had arrived, I had fallen in love with the architecture of the historic home instantly.
Granted, the place was ten times too big for me, I did appreciate the solace it provided me from the otherwise noisy city. I knew I couldn’t stay here forever, I needed something more reasonable for just me, not a mini-mansion.
Enchanted by the sun peeking through the balcony windows. I curiously opened the French doors, and found a marvelous balcony that overlooked my tropical looking courtyard behind my home.
Allowing myself to adjust to the humidity, I walked out and took a deep breath. Slipping into one of the comfortable lounge chairs, I laid my head back and soaked up the morning sun before the humidity started to pissed me off.
The sweet sound of the morning was broken by his voice.
Refusing to immediately react, I knew he was close but it made no sense.
What the fuck? How was that possible?
Taking a drink of my coffee, I closed my eyes and listened. He was on the phone; it was a work call. His voice was different; he was all business. It was hot!
Taking my chance, I opened my eyes and turned towards his voice. He was walking on his balcony, wearing nothing but gym shorts and running shoes. He was a sweaty mess, either he just got back from a run or working out.
Damn he was fine, and apparently, my neighbor.
Last night I had seen his arms, and felt the shape of his body, but sweet lord, those abs. His physique had changed so much since I saw him last. The military years had carved his body into a chiseled piece of awesomeness.
Catching eyes with him, I blushed.
Fuck. Totally got caught checking him out.
Raising my coffee cup to my lips, I took a sip and inwardly groaned.
Way to go Shay.
Remembering our conversation last night, he mentioned he ‘lived around the corner’, but he didn’t say we were neighbors. We could see into each other’s impressively unique backyards, but the second floors were close enough you could see into the other’s house, or hold a conversation across the space.
Ending his phone call, he walked to the railing. “Morning sunshine.”
Grinning, I rolled my head towards him, “Morning shirtless, shit, I mean sweaty,” groaning, “obviously, I need more coffee.”
Chuckling, he slipped his phone in his pocket and looked at his watch, “Any plans today?”
Shrugging, “My only plans involve the moving company coming to drop off a bunch of boxes that I don’t plan to unpack anytime soon. Ordering a muffuletta and running down to get some more beignets at.”
“Well, food aside, do you have to be here when your movers arrive?”
Shaking my head, I took another drink of my coffee as the slow breeze dried my hair. I really didn’t have to be present. The moving company had the code, and all the boxes were labeled with the room in which they belonged.
Taking another sip of my chicory coffee, I wondered what that sexy man had up his sleeve.
“I’m heading to the marina to test driving a new boat today, care to join me? Get a little salt air in your hair and sun before you start your new job Monday? I promise, I’ll feed you.”
Headache be damned, and plans for lunch pushed far aside, “For real?” Smiling at the idea of boating with Cameron.
“Of course, I never joke about food.”
Grinning, “Give me thirty minutes and I’ll be ready,” standing up my robe slipped off my shoulder a little. Shrugging it back on, I pointed over at him, “This isn’t a date Carmichael, I just really love the water.”
Shaking his head with a smile, he put up his hands, “Fine, it is not a date.” Then muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like him grumbling about why I didn’t want to go on a date with him.
Grinning wildly, I was stoked.
I loved boats and I loved being by water, and today I got the bonus of going with a drop-dead gorgeous man. Yeah, he didn’t have to twist my arm at all.
> Walking into my serene New Orleans abode, I sat my coffee cup down and went into my room to change. Checking the weather quickly, I fixed up my hair in a messy bun and put a little mascara on.
Grabbing one of my totes, I threw some stuff in it that I might need for the day and heard the doorbell ring. Tossing my favorite black maxi dress on, I hobbled down the stairs way too excited to go with Cameron. I didn’t have much in the suitcases I had brought with me, but I had enough to patch together a decent outfit for the day.
Opening the door with a smile, “I’m ready!”
Looking up at him, I would have tripped had I not been hanging onto my door handle. His dark hair was still damp from a recent shower, and holy fuck did he look hot.
He was dressed in a designer V-neck and casual shorts, and of course well-worn boat shoes. Cameron the causal, was swoon worthy. Seeing the most adorable dog beside him, I immediately dropped down, “Well hello,” looking up at the handsome man saving me from a boring day, “who is this guy?”
“That is Old Max, hope you don’t mind if he joins us. He loves the open water as much as I do.”
Petting the adorably large black mutt, “Of course I don’t mind! I love animals.”
“Well aren’t you just adorably chipper in the mornings? How’s the ankle?” He said with a smirk as he took my bag from me and held out his arm.
Standing back up, I shrugged, “Hard to be cranky when I’m about to go boating! My ankle is a little stiff, but nothing to fuss about.” Slipping my arm in his, we walked down my grand stairs and out to the narrow street where his Mercedes G class SUV sat, gleaming in the sun.
“I figured you for a sports car type of guy.” I said as he opened the door for me.
“Oh I’ve got a few of those, but with Old Max here, I figured you wouldn’t want him sitting on your lap if I was to take one of my two-seaters.”
Sitting down in the passenger seat, I had to laugh when Max jumped into the seat with me and proceeded to sit in my lap. Big old guy was adorable. Wrapping my arms around him, “Yes, your plan worked well.”
“Max, in the back!” He scolded.
Hugging onto the soft black dog, “He’s fine Cameron, I don’t mind.”
Cameron
Driving towards the marina I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the busy road as Shayne sat beside me with my dog, who was half the size of her cuddle up in her lap.
She rolled the window down for him and took in the sights as we drove. Her golden blonde hair had a tint of strawberry in it, it was blowing free of her messy bun piled high on her head. It was hard to ignore the ethereal angel seated next to me.
I guessed Shayne Marie Montgomery to be a staggering 5’2, with the same soft green eyes that had captured my attention all those years ago. She had changed, matured into a curvy woman with the same sharp tongue. Her voice still had that sexy rasp to it like I remembered.
I couldn’t believe my luck, after all these years, she finally landed in my lap. Last night had went from great, to fucking fantastic when I heard the news that she had moved to New Orleans. The woman was not only residing in the same city as me, she was my neighbor and single.
Still dumbstruck on how she ended up renting the multi-million dollar mansion behind me, I had to just chalk it up as fate finally coming through for me. Hell, just this week I had sworn off serial dating.
I was getting too old to play games with women who were clearly interested in me for my money. Granted, it wasn’t like I dated any of them exclusively. Hell, just the idea of settling down with one of those women made my skin crawl.
Last night, before Shayne burst back into my life, I had promised Addie I’d stop wasting my time with the brainless women I had been chasing. She also made me promise that I would put a real effort into finding a woman that was worth my time. To be fair, I only agreed to that, knowing full well there wasn’t a woman around that stood a chance.
That was before I realized the woman who held the key to my undoing had just moved into the neighborhood. Shayne Montgomery was literally the one that got away, or rather, the one I met right before deploying on a secret mission that took me off the grid for almost two years.
Now, here we were. She was back in my life, and I wasn’t about to fuck it up.
Both Jud and Addie reached out to me this morning. They both were busy, but didn’t want Shayne to be alone today, given her ex was going to get married to the woman who broke up their engagement today.
I didn’t blame them; they were protective of their friend. Now that I knew she was single for the first time since I had gotten back on American soil, I was just as protective. Shayne deserved happiness, and for so many years I thought she was happy- so I stayed away
Instead of checking on her from afar, I should have checked on her douchebag fiancé.
The sound of her voice drew me out of my daydream and back into reality. Beside me was the little firecracker who had ruined me for everyone else.
She was intoxicating. Her smile brought you in, and her laugh slayed you. The way her eyes lit up this morning when I asked her to join me was like a punch in the stomach.
God, I could still remember her kneeling down in the bar to wipe off the liquor off my shoes. When she had looked up at me last night on her knees, my dick responded immediately. Then again this morning, she sunk to her knees to pet old Max. I don’t think she realized how much of a walking turn-on she truly was.
Her sweet lips had been damn near irresistible last night. I kicked myself for not taking her up on the nightcap. I’m sure I could have handled it, but another large part of me wanted her desperately. It was everything I could do last night to hit the brakes; I didn’t want to mess this up.
“Thank you for bringing me.”
Glancing over at her, she had dog hair all over her dress and looked sincerely happy. Look at her, already thanking me for bringing her and we aren’t even to the marina yet.
“I’m happy you’re happy. Jud and Addie were busy today, and I actually had a free Saturday for once in a really long time, figured I’d toss it out there for you.” Pulling into the entrance of the marina.
Something played across her face that I couldn’t put my thumb on, and then as quick as it appeared, it was gone.
“Sorry you got stuck with me for the day.” She frowned and looked out the window.
Ah, there it was.
Reaching over, I grabbed her left hand and kissed her knuckles, “Shayne, I did not get stuck with you. There was no way I was going to let you sit inside all day being sad over a man, who you are far better off without. I bet is going to be a shitty wedding anyway.”
Her laugh made me smile, it also etched her a little bit deeper into my heart. Normally, I was one to keep everyone but my family at arm’s reach, but Shayne, well she wiggled her way into that fold awful damn quick and it had started a long time ago.
Finding her in Jud’s bar last night was a wakeup call, I had begun to feel lost, searching for something. My business had never been better, but I was bored. Having her reenter my life, as a single woman who had just moved to my city was like a sign from the Lord above. I wasn’t going to waste my chance again.
Petting Max with her other hand, she squeezed mine, “I don’t know why it upsets me so much. I didn’t even cry when we broke up, not once. I’m sure that shit isn’t normal if you really love someone. I was furious I hadn’t seen his slime ball ways earlier.” She offered, thinking to herself for a moment before adding, “I just feel behind. Everyone I went to school with is married with kids, and I feel like I’m back at square one.”
“Hey, none of us Carmichaels are married yet…and trust me, you aren’t being left behind. Sometimes things don’t work out, sounds like this was a blessing in disguise. Plus, being single is a lot of fun, if you do it right.”
Grinning, “Oh I can do it right.” She teased, laughing at her own joke.
Her humor was refreshing. I had surrounded myself in boardroom meetings and stuffy busi
ness associates that had shit personalities. Yeah, they made me a lot of money, but they were as dry as a desert.
Sure, I had a great circle of friends, but there was something about hanging out with a woman I knew wasn’t after my fortune. I could be myself with her, she knew my family and they all loved her.
Letting go of her hand, I pulled us up to my parking spot, “I remember very vividly how well you do it Ms. Montgomery. Now, are you ready to test drive this boat with Max and I?”
“Super ready.” She answered right away, looking out into the marina- trying to guess which boat was the one we were here for. I could see the delightful blush that crept across her sweet face at my last comment.
Pointing to the ship in front of us, “She’s right there, Shayne.”
Watching her as she slowly looked up, her eyes widened. Her strawberry blonde hair a wild mess from the wind, she shook her head and looked over at me.
“That is not a boat Cameron, that,” pointing to the luxury yacht before us, “that is a yacht.”
“Beautiful and intelligent, impressive Shayne.” I winked at her as we got out of the Mercedes, walking around to her side of the SUV, I took her bag and Max’s leash as she looked up at the huge investment I was considering. I had my share of smaller yachts, and sailboats, but I was ready for something big. Something I could use for work events, or make a transatlantic run if the mood struck me.
“Ugh, Cameron, can you pilot this thing and not kill us?” She asked, her excitement turning to trepidation quickly as she eye just how big the super yacht truly was.
Tossing my arm around her shoulder, “Damn straight Ms. Montgomery,” leaning in, I whispered, “This is one of the things I can do, really well.”
Muttering under her breath, “I’m sure you do everything really well.”
Laughing I walked us towards the dock, before I could reply with something that would make her blush, I realized we had a visitor. Damn.
“Mr. Carmichael, good to see you this afternoon.”