by Nella Tyler
“Alright, let’s go,” Anna declared.
“What?” I laughed. “Now?”
“Now. I’m starving, and nothing in your house is going to satiate me. We’ll grab lunch and go shopping.” Anna was already marching out the front door.
Hours later, after running all over Birmingham with Anna, my house was freshly scrubbed, my fridge and pantry fully stocked, while my feet were killing me.
It was only seven-thirty, but I was bone-tired and in bed. Even on my day off, I had to be productive, I thought to myself, chuckling.
However, I couldn’t read or go to sleep or even watch Netflix on my laptop. My entire body had the jitters. I couldn’t do anything but lie there and daydream about tomorrow. Then my phone rang, interrupting me, and I answered it with a sigh, expecting my mom, grandmother, or Anna to chatter my brains out for the next hour. I’d been having such a nice daydream, too.
“Hey there. Did I catch you a bad time?” came a deep, masculine voice with a bit of a sleepy growl to it. One that caused goosebumps to break out across my entire body.
“Kris!” I gasped and sat up. “No, not at all. I-I didn’t check to see who was calling. I thought you were one of my friends or relatives needing something.” My cheeks burned. Oops.
“Well, I do need something,” he admitted, and my toes curled at his tone.
“What’s that?” I asked, my voice squeaking a little.
“First, to tell you how excited I am about tomorrow.” Kris chuckled.
“Me too,” I said softly, plucking at my blankets with my free hand. “Come hungry.”
“Oh, am I going to be treated to some genuine Southern hospitality?”
“You have no idea,” I said, thinking about the menu for tomorrow.
I could hear the grin in his voice as he replied. His cheeky, satisfied, patented Kris Boldin grin. “I will not be late, I’ll tell you that much. So, second, do I need to bring anything?”
“Kris, did you call me to ask that?” I laughed. “No, of course not.”
He laughed too. “Of course. Well, that and I needed to hear your voice.”
A throb went through me, and I bit my lip. No words came.
“Cammie, you still there?” Now I could hear the smirk in his voice, along with a note of triumph and a slight edge of anxiety. Wondering if he went too far.
“Yes!” I exclaimed. “Um…”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night, beautiful,” he said. “Good night.”
“Good night,” I said and hung up. Squeezing my phone in both hands, I fell back on my pillows and stared at the ceiling. Excitement was now dancing through me, far and away beyond what it should have been. I almost couldn’t breathe.
Now how am I supposed to fall asleep? I wondered as I tried not to squeal out loud.
Chapter 23
Kris
“You’re asking me?” Max asked, and a grin spread across his face. “Seriously?”
“Hey, I know I’m a comedic genius, but yes, I’m asking you.” I grinned at him. “Producer.”
“Man, it’s been a minute since I’ve been out in the field.” He let out a long sigh. “But hell yes!”
I clapped him on the back. I didn’t think Max would say no, but now that he had two kids, going out on long shoots would be a lot harder to manage. However, I also knew he was eager to get out of the office more, burning out on paperwork and dealing with cranky staff.
We’d been discussing the notebook all morning, and it was now past eleven. Together, we’d come up with the outline for my documentary idea. It wasn’t a biting political piece or a challenging, introspective one, but a moving, honestly human story. The kind my father loved.
In a way, I almost regretted he wouldn’t get to make it.
But at the same time, I was itching to see it done and done right. There were plenty of young, hungry filmmakers out there. Once the story idea was solidified further, I would bring create the team. Energy hummed through my veins as Max and I high-fived again.
For once, the rest of the day flew by, and I was heading out the front doors of Bold Pictures, trying not to skip or run to my car. I’d left early, and I had more than enough time to get home and get ready. Then Cammie’s scent seemed to tease by me on the wind, and I picked up my pace.
After all, I didn’t want to be late.
Walking up to Cammie’s house, I clenched my fist around the flowers I was holding, the green cellophane sticking to my palms. With my free hand, I fixed my hair. I’d just seen her five days ago – why on earth was I so nervous?
Maybe it was because Cammie had invited me over to her house. I had a feeling she didn’t do that with many dates. Then the thought of Cammie dating someone else made me feel like the world was tilting off its axis and hurtling through space.
I stopped and took a deep breath.
Or maybe it was because the last time we’d been alone like this, things had – no, I stopped myself again. Tonight was about Cammie.
Knocking on her door, I gazed around at the small porch and grinned as Cammie instantly pulled open the door. She was breathless, her curly hair a bit wild around her face as she ushered me in, saying, “Hi, hi, sorry, doing too many things at once. Oh, Kris,” she beamed as I handed her the flowers. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said.
“Come on,” she began walking down the hall and we entered her kitchen, from where mouthwatering smells were emanating.
“Damn. Something smells amazing, Cammie.” Then I stopped and stared, shaking my head. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Cammie had set up a small, round table with candles, steaming dishes, plates, and cutlery all laid out. No girl I’d ever dated had gone the extra mile like this.
I wanted to kiss her right then and there.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” she glanced over her shoulder as she put the flowers down and pulled a vase out from underneath her sink.
As she filled the vase, I took the chance to look around. It was a cozy place, neat and simple, with Cammie’s delicate touches everywhere. Mason jars with tea lights along the fireplace mantle, light green curtains, and vintage furniture. It was a small house, though, and I felt a bit like Godzilla standing there. Then I glanced back at Cammie and felt even more like I was all hands and feet.
She was wearing a pink top that slipped off her shoulders and a flowy, white skirt that hit her knees. Her hair was pinned back from her face, curls tumbling down her back.
“Wow. You look so lovely. And your place is great,” I said, smiling down at her.
She set the flowers on the counter with a flourish and stepped up to me. “Ha, thanks. Sorry it’s so small. Especially compared to your place.” Then she winced. “Did that sound as awful as I think it did?”
“Not at all. But, please, don’t apologize. You have nothing to worry about.” I both wanted and didn’t want to tell her that I liked the small space because it made that much more intimate. It held us close as we sat down at the table and tucked into the meal she’d prepared.
“This is the best home-cooked meal I’ve ever had. Don’t tell my grandmother,” I said, as I went for my second helping. “Although, come to think of it, she’d love you. Probably would want to take you under her wing and teach you her secret recipes.”
“Where does she live?” Cammie asked, taking a dainty bite of a biscuit.
“Her and my grandfather live here, but they also have a house in Pensacola. That’s where they are now. Needed some space after…” I hesitated. “Anyway, I’ve been meaning to get down there.”
“Oh, they’re your dad’s parents?” she asked, her eyes curious.
By now, I knew Cammie must have picked up on how I never talked about my mother. It was a habit I shared with my dad. He’d buried his love for her deep after she died.
It had been hard for my dad to talk about her. So much so that it became difficult for me.
“Yes,” I said simply.
From the look on Ca
mmie’s face, she could tell there was more, but she didn’t push me. All sympathy, she instead turned the conversation to how excited she was about showing me the house tomorrow.
“It’s really lovely, Kris. Built in 1802, it has the best bones I’ve seen in a house in Alabama that’s that old. The last owners were big on updating it, but not harming the integrity of it. And they did such an amazing job. Seriously, they should have their own show. Good property tax value, too.”
I nodded, hiding my amusement. I didn’t want her to think I was laughing at her, but she was killing me with how cute she was, trying to get me hyped about architecture. “I’m looking forward to it. I never saw myself as a Redmont Park guy, but it’s a beautiful neighborhood.”
“Plenty of space away from the neighbors, too. Lots of land. It’s a little unusual in that regard. So just keep that in mind.” Her voice became serious. “There is upkeep involved.”
“Okay, I will,” I said, failing to hide my grin.
“You think I’m going overboard, don’t you?” She made a face at me. “I’m trying to be a good realtor. Honestly.” She tossed her hair. “You did have the opportunity to work with someone else.”
“I didn’t want anyone else,” I said, leaning forward. “I was not going to deal with Clambrains when I could have the best person for the job.”
“Clambrains? Carter?” She burst out laughing. “Oh God, I’m going to think of that every time I see him from now on.”
“You’re welcome.” I winked at her.
After dinner and cleaning up a little, both of which I tried to spin out for as long as possible, it was starting to get late. I knew I should have probably left by now, especially since I didn’t want Cammie to think I had expectations. But it was hard to pull myself away, and Cammie didn’t seem in any rush for me to leave.
After we’d finishing piling up dishes in the sink, she turned to me and said, “Leave the rest.”
“Cammie,” I held out my hands, and she took them slowly, her gaze curious. Pulling her a little closer, I squeezed them and smiled at her. “Thank you for having me over.” Not kissing her was almost impossible, so I quickly added, “It made my day getting that invite, you know. And you did a really nice job making your house a home. In fact, is this place for sale?” I teased.
My words seemed to linger in the air as Cammie glanced around. Tugging one of her hands free, she took a few steps back, pulling me out of the kitchen. “Want a tour?”
Heart leaping around in my chest, I sternly reminded myself to keep it in my pants this time around, no matter how much that coquettish glint in her eye was turning me on. I hesitated, wondering if I should say no.
“Yes,” popped out instead.
“Okay, so that was the kitchen. Has a gas range that likes to not work sometimes, bit of a personality you could say.” Pulling me with her, we went into the living room. “The living room. Gets the best light in the late afternoon, all pretty falling through the trees.”
Walking closely behind her, I followed her into a small spare room that was serving as a study and extra closet. Followed by a tiny bathroom.
Then, her bedroom. Pale pink walls, long curtains at the windows, and her perfume on the air. Blood was starting to rush headlong through my veins, and I gently let go of her hand. It was getting hard to think straight. But all I could do was stare her bed, heaped with pillows and a fluffy comforter – all of which was far too inviting. It was a bed made for cuddling and then some.
Mouth dry, I tried to focus on what she was saying when I realized she’d stopped talking.
Looking down, I saw that I’d moved in close behind her and that she was looking over her shoulder, her eyes cast down and her lashes long on her cheeks.
Resolve vanished. I traced my hand up her spine and cupped the back of her neck. With that, Cammie turned, her eyes saying everything I’d hoped they would. Lifting her arms, she looped them around my neck and kissed me, slowly and sweetly. I wrapped my other arm around her waist and deepened the kiss, stroking the inside of her mouth.
The lyrics from a song I’d heard on the ride over poured through my head.
Hold, hold onto me.
‘Cause I’m a little unsteady.
A little unsteady…
Cammie’s hands were in my hair then, her body arching into mine as she stood on her tiptoes. With that, I held onto her even tighter, dipping her over backward. My thumb was dragging along her jaw, and our breathing was becoming harsh.
Breaking apart as we straightened, Cammie gazed up at me and smiled. Glancing over my shoulder, I reached back and shut the door. In the dimness of her room, her eyes seemed to glow, and I found myself reaching for her, almost afraid she’d vanish.
Almost afraid this was another dream.
But her skin was warm and real underneath my fingertips as I traced them up her arms and found her shoulders. Then I walked her backward. Now she was smiling at me in a way that seemed to light a fuse low in my gut, and our lips crashed together.
Heat was burning between us. Cammie slid her hands under my shirt and across the bare skin of my stomach. I gripped her, my hands splayed across her back. Every touch intensified that heat until I was aching inside of my pants, and she was letting out sexy moans into my mouth.
Breaking apart, I pulled off my shirt and watched as Cammie shed her top as well. Then I grabbed her, tossing her onto her bed and immediately covering her body with mine. Kissing her again, I let my hands explore her body, getting her bra off and her breasts in my hands.
Breaking the kiss, I kissed her neck as I massaged those soft mounds, the nipples pebbling under my touch. Cammie was writhing now, gasping and arching, and I was hard as a rock.
Trailing my lips and hands down further, I laid kisses across her stomach as I let my fingers drift up and down her bare thighs. Then I was tugging her panties aside and slipping into her silken folds, tickling and teasing.
“Kris! Oh, oh.” I looked up to see her eyes were closed and hands were gripping the headboard above her head. “Don’t stop.”
Still pumping in and out of her, I leaned up and brushed a kiss along her jaw. Her eyes opened. “You know I’ve been dreaming about this, Cammie?” I asked in a husky voice.
She nodded, and I began to work harder, finding that deep nub of pleasure. Her eyes never left mine as she gripped the headboard harder, crying out, “Oh, yes! Yes, yes!”
“All of that has nothing on the here and now,” I murmured, watching her skin flush with heat and eyes go dark with pleasure.
Her back arched off the bed as she clenched around me and her entire body shuddered. A low moan escaped her throat. That sound ramped my hunger up another notch, and I pulled her skirt and panties off. In another second, she was naked, and I stared down at her.
She was so beautiful. Her breasts heaving up and down, nipples still hard and rosy, freckled shoulders and a cloud of dark hair tossing on the pillows. I wasn’t sure when her hair had become unpinned, but I was glad it had.
Sitting up, Cammie kissed me, hard and fierce. Then she pulled away and smiled. “Take your pants off, Kris,” she ordered, slipping out of bed and standing there, hands on her hips.
Raising my eyebrows, I stood up as well, smirking a little. “Alright then.” Gazing at her, I shook my head. “Beautiful and full of surprises. Is it any wonder I can’t stop thinking about you?”
Chapter 24
Cammie
My breath caught at Kris’s words and heat slammed between my legs at the way he was looking at me, playing with his belt. There was almost a full moon outside the window, lighting up this scene, but suddenly I wanted more.
Feeling bold, I tossed my hair. “Of course not. Go ahead.”
As he got undressed, I opened a drawer, finding a lighter. Then I lit all of the candles on my bedside table. Warm, flickering light sprang up in the room, and I turned back to see Kris straightening. His eyes reflected the candlelight and the smile had left his face. Now he looked inten
se, the light made the hard lines of his body look even deeper and stronger. I shivered.
“You look like a goddess,” he said as I walked towards him. “Hestia of the Greeks, lady of flames.” His hands tangled in my hair as he kissed me. “Am I playing with fire?”
“Maybe a little,” I teased, pressing a kiss to his chest. He hadn’t been expecting it, and his muscles jumped under my touch. Emboldened, I went lower, and a low groan escaped his throat.
Now on my knees, I looked up at him as I took his hard length into my mouth. I’d only done this a few times, but at this moment, I felt comfortable and confident. Twisting my hands around the base of his shaft, I bobbed back and forth, tracing my tongue along the veins.
Kris’s voice was strained, “Cammie, woah.” Then he sucked in a sharp breath as I picked up the pace. I could sense he was close and then he shuddered under my touch, letting out a harsh, deep cry of pleasure.
Triumphant, I got to my feet. Suddenly, Kris’s hands were gripping my waist, and we tumbled into my bed together. Somehow we got under the covers, sitting up and wrapped around each other. I was straddling him, my legs wrapped around his waist and his cock was brushing against me. As we kissed hungrily, he slid in. I let out a soft whimper into his throat as he began to move without restraint, pinning me in place against him.
Gasping, lost in this spiral of bliss, I held onto him tightly. Our bodies were in perfect harmony, responding to each movement as though it were a dance. Slick with sweat, we slid against each other, closer and closer to shattering.
Then we came together.
I felt every muscle contraction, my toes curling, my center clenching and fingers digging into his broad back and pleasure filled every last cell. Our foreheads were pressed together as we gasped for breath. Kris’s hard body was burning to the touch, his muscles knotting up as he groaned my name, then going loose as he came down from his own bliss.
Side by side a moment later, Kris let out a small laugh and propped himself up on his elbow to look at me. “I was not expecting that.”