Twist and turn, p.14
Twist & Turn, page 14
It was when I reached back for the last file that I realized I wasn't alone. The small, stuffy, cave-like room suddenly felt like a dungeon. A cold hand rested on top of mine and startled me, tipping my nerves to a ridiculous state of anxiety. My sharp squeal didn’t quite escape the back of my throat.
My eyes flashed up, through long dark lashes, to see the man standing over me. "Cam." I pulled my hand away from his with an agitated snap.
He slowly retrieved his hand, seeming hurt by my sudden withdrawal. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
Ignoring that, I lifted the last file from the table. "If you'll excuse me,” I said, and awkwardly scuffled past him. “After I put this file back, I’ll be out of your way." I whirled away and frantically searched for the file's place, wanting desperately to escape from that suffocating room.
"Please don’t run off.” He took a step closer to me, and then another. He was much too close now. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," I said, only referring to my gut. My heart was sobbing as we spoke. "You?" I asked without turning to look at him.
"Not very well," he said smoothly, without elaborating.
I ordered myself not to believe for one second that it was because of me. "Sorry to hear that."
When I found where the file went, I slipped it into place, just as one of our new coworkers appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Clarke. I'm sorry to interrupt, but there’s an Ashley Clarke on line two."
Cameron turned his head toward her, his body unmoved. "Thank you. Can you please tell her I'm busy?" he said, in a firm authoritative voice. His eyes returned to mine. “What are you up to tonight?"
"I, uh, uh…," I stuttered, scouring my brain for a decent lie. "I guess nothing much."
A smile returned to his eyes, though his low brows still heavily shadowed them in the poorly lit room. I glanced over his shoulder to see that we still had company. I pressed my lips together and covered my mouth with one hand, my other resting on my elbow as I glanced toward the floor.
Cameron spun around and gave the girl a deep shadowed stare. “Yes?”
"I do apologize sir, but she thought you might say that and insisted that it was quite urgent. She really wouldn’t take no for an answer," she explained, with a blush.
He closed his eyes and sighed. The girl remained in the door, frozen in place, waiting for his instructions.
"You'd better go,” I said, then ignorantly brushed past him. “We wouldn't want to piss Ashley off."
He eloquently grabbed my elbow with his well-groomed fingers. I cranked my head around to glare at him, my shiny brown hair dramatically fanning from my head. He had effectively stopped me in my tracks and held me in place with his arresting eyes.
Without releasing me from his haunting stare, he raised his voice so the girl knew he was talking to her. "If you will be so kind, please tell Ms. Clarke that I’m busy and will be sure to call her when I’m free."
"Yes sir," she replied, and immediately scurried away.
I smiled inwardly, imagining Ashley's fury when the poor temp girl delivered her the message, until Cameron’s eyes burrowed into mine.
"Dinner. My place. Meet me there at 6:30 and I won't take no for an answer."
His orders left me with an aching desire that both intrigued and disgusted me. My inflamed heart was beating wildly from my chest and I only hoped he couldn’t hear it, being so close to me. Air was forcing in and out of my swollen wind pipe, as a heightened awareness honed through the length of my body.
Could we really be back on, just like that? I could’ve sworn I saw it in his eyes.
His hand released my arm and his skillful fingers briefly brushed my cheek, before he stormed away, leaving me standing there in total shock.
Long after Cameron was out of sight, he was still on my mind. Consumed by a mixture of anxiety and exhilaration, I hurried home to get ready for my date. I picked out my cutest outfit and applied a darker coat of makeup. I dabbed my lips with a fruity red gloss, brushed my cheeks with a rosy shimmer and heavily shadowed my eyes with a rainbow of darkness.
My mood followed suit, fueling a sassy attitude that was sure to show him what he had been missing out on.
When I arrived on his doorstep, fashionably late, I lightly tapped on his ravenous red door. I heard him shuffling around inside, then it became silent for a few seconds. I wondered if he had suddenly changed his mind. I shivered from a cool, unexpected breeze, but it fired up my intrigue. I even considered kicking down the door with my spiked heel, if necessary. I was going in.
Just then the door swung open and Cameron stood before me, looking drop dead gorgeous, a charming sweetness spilling from his face. His sleeves were folded back to his elbows and he had a dish towel thrown over his shoulder, which I found incredibly sexy.
"Hey," I said. No matter how hard I tried to be a selfish bitch, I couldn't deny my attraction to him and his charm made it difficult to be so callous.
"Come in," he replied.
I flashed him a smile and a lash-full glance, as I brushed past him.
He closed the door behind me and then froze in place, as I bent over to remove my shoes. "You look amazing,” he said, softly.
While I had planned on confronting him immediately and demanding an explanation, he warmed my cold heart, making it difficult for me to be rude. Since he didn’t make any move toward the kitchen, I boldly took his hand, pulled him past the elephant in the room and led him there myself. "What's for dinner? I'm starving."
A grin curled onto his lips, the beginning of a very handsome smile. Once we reached the kitchen, I stopped in the entry, stunned to see that the table was empty. I glanced at him confused. He pulled the towel from his shoulder and tossed it onto the countertop. His smiling eyes led me to another doorway I hadn't noticed before.
"Come," he said, his hand still in mine as he led me to the small, but cozy, dining room.
My eyes immediately zoned in on the candles of all sizes, thoughtfully decorated as the table centerpiece. More candles were sprinkled around the room, the dim glow sensually setting the mood. I absently gasped at the stunning romantic gesture, my sparkly cheeks flushed with a warm glow of disbelief.
Cameron watched me, smiled, and let go of my hand to pull out my chair.
As I took my seat, it became obvious that dinner was ready and I was late. I nibbled on my glossy lower lip, suddenly feeling a bit impolite for being tardy. "It looks lovely," I admitted, as I admired the two place settings.
"I’m glad you like it." He rounded the table and the flames all seemed to magnetize to him.
“Where's Pheobe?" I asked, curious to know.
Cameron took his seat and poured me a glass of wine from the chilled bottle. "I wanted you for myself tonight."
That statement delivered a chilling intrigue that set me right back in the office, in the darkness, with that kiss. With a deep inhale, I appreciated the aroma of the expensive wine and the tantalizing words coming from the sexy man who poured it. I took a sip as he filled his glass, then he lifted the lid from the pasta dish.
"Help yourself," he said.
I did, and it was delicious. The pasta was covered in a rose blush sauce and had slices of blackened chicken breast on top. It smelled divine. I took another bite and I closed my eyes to fully appreciate the flavour. It was even tastier than it looked. "Mmm, this is really good Cam. I’m impressed." My tongue darted out over my lower lip and when I opened my eyes, I realized Cameron was studying me.
"You’re not the only one," he said, in a low, velvety voice. His eyes sparkled in the dim candlelight.
The combination of the fruity wine and his attention, sent good vibrations spiralling through me. Without losing contact with those eyes, I took another sip from my glass.
The rest of our dinner was rather quiet, as I tried to tamp down the desire exploding through my insides. Despite my efforts, a restless charge arched through the room and unnerved my body.
"I didn't know you were such a romantic," I said, as I slid out of my chair to help clean up.
Cam smiled at me from across the table and it fired up those feelings again full force. "There's a first time for everything," he replied, leaving me immersed in a special place.
I headed to the sink with my hands full of dirty dishes and a smile on my face. Cam rushed up behind me and took them from my hands. "I can get the rest of the dishes later," he insisted. One of his hands lingered on mine as he put the dishes in the sink with his other hand.
Before he could woo me further, and avoid the subject of what the hell happened the morning after Owen’s party, I spoke up. "There's something we need to talk about." I paused, wondering how to say it nicely. "You never did tell me why you've been avoiding me. I have to tell you it wasn't a very good feeling to be shunned like that."
There I said it. The elephant has been exposed. Now what? My heart took to a gallop as I waited for his response.
He slowly slid his hand off of mine and hesitated even longer before he answered. "I guess I owe you that much," he said. "I just hate to throw her under the bus like that."
My stare told him he better damn well tell me right now, but I remained tight lipped.
He took my hand back into both of his and gazed at me, his eyes growing as dark and deep as a well. "Ash really does mean well," he said with pause. "She just felt that I would be better off without a woman in my life right now. Without you. She thought I should establish myself at the firm first."
A breath left my lungs and it felt as though I might never breathe again. I wanted to cry, one tear welling in my left eye. He’s not looking for a relationship. Then what the hell is this?
His eyes swirled with darkness when he looked deeper into mine. "She was wrong."
The light instantly touched my lungs with a breath of fresh air. Sure, life isn't a game but: Yay, I win! Score one for me beotch!
Cameron pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, with a promise of more. I needed so much more than that. His parted lips slowly trailed across my skin, until he had a taste of my mouth. I melted into him, willing to take everything and anything that he had to offer.
He left me hanging, hot and bothered, as he swiftly glided to the fridge and pulled out another bottle of wine. He tucked it under his arm, reached into his cabinet for another pair of wine glasses and stretched his free hand out to me.
I took it, feeling a little weak in the knees, as he nudged a pair of his leather loafers toward me. I slipped them on then let him pull me through the screened gazebo, out past the patio and deeper into his backyard.
We walked down the long flagstone pathway in silence. Solar lights lit up the path like a meandering landing strip. The trail crept through the landscape, rounding big old trees and cutting through the thick blue lawn.
I noticed a clearing up ahead and, after passing through an ivy covered arbour, I could see the entire flagstone space stretching out the entire width of the yard. It was like our own little garden getaway and I had him all to myself.
A heady excitement sharpened my senses, as a cool breeze rushed past me. I watched Cameron flip some switches until flames began to flicker from the built-in fire pit. Large flat-topped rocks flanked the fire and acted as permanent seating. I went to take a seat, but he stopped me, quickly retrieving a soft, neutral cushion from a cute wooden garden shed.
When he returned to my side, he filled his empty wine glass rather full and placed it on an exquisite table nearby, then snatched up my glass and filled it to the brim.
When I finally sat down, I was giddy from all his efforts at romanticizing me, and was fighting hard to hide it. “You don't have to do that you know," I said, unintentionally fluttering my eyelashes.
He offered me my wine glass. "Do what?"
I took a sip of the tasty wine. "Mmm. The wine. Don't get me wrong. It's delicious. But I like you just fine when I'm sober."
He sat beside me, just as he had at the office, our knees touching. A quick reminder of our scorching kiss flashed through my memory and warmed my blood. The wicked smile that played on his lips did things to my heart and another region due south.
His eyebrows hung low over his eyes, shadowing his charming stare. "I’ll do anything if it’ll up the odds of keeping you here longer," he said, drawing me into his mesmeric gaze.
I took another sip of the warming liquid and sighed. I didn’t want to feel so damn content. I stared into the flames for a long while, until an uncomfortable silence fell between us. I chewed on my bottom lip and Cameron seemed to notice the distress that began to settle in my posture.
"Everything alright?" he asked.
"Actually, I hate to say this but, we still need to talk."
"Uh oh. Am I in trouble?"
I sighed, a bit flustered by his mischievous behaviour. I doubted the onset of intoxication was helping my situation. "I'm serious. This is serious."
He straightened himself and his face fell blank. He reached for my hand and gently caressed it with his thumb. "I'm sorry. Go on."
My skin moulded into little bumps and his hand massaged up my arm chasing the chill. "I know you gave me an explanation, and I'm happy to hear that you'll be making your own decisions from now on, but…"
My voice began to tremble, like my nerves. I tried to pull myself together, but my hesitation only made things worse. "I thought everything was going good after Owen's party, and even over brunch,” I said. “Then you got that call." I paused again, choking on my words.
He sat there all attentive and concerned, looking so god-damned gorgeous, waiting patiently for me to finish. His seductive fingers continued to caress erotically over my skin like a strip of silk.
"It was like we were done. Your goodbye kiss was cold. You never called. I don't know that I’m ready to go through that again,” I admitted, as I pulled my hand free of his. I hated that I was boo-hooing after such a short relationship, but I had already let him get to me.
When Cameron tipped my chin up, I was toast. A tear slipped from my eye. I hated that. He took in a deep breath and exhaled out loud, his face now wrought with tension, as he carefully considered his words.
"Honestly, I invited you here tonight so I could explain." The fire flickered higher, licking the night sky, casting shadows across his face. Cameron’s voice shook with trepidation, when he usually thrived under pressure. He took another careful breath and shook his head, confused by his own reaction. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm just a little nervous." He took a healthy swallow of his wine.
The damn liquor was testing me, pulling out emotions that I thought were bottled up for good. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and shout it to the world how amazing he made me feel. I felt like such a goof, fighting to stifle those evil innards from exposing my weakness.
"It was Ashley, Abigail. It was her on the phone that morning at the diner. She told me that Pheobe was sick and needed me. I panicked."
"And was she?"
"She had an upset stomach. She was crying for me. Nothing Ash couldn't have dealt with, but I felt incredibly guilty. She suggested I obviously don’t have time in my life for family, work and you…"
"Particularly me," I interrupted, the liquor controlling my big mouth.
He swallowed and nodded reluctantly. "I thought I was being selfish, taking time away from Pheobe to spend it with you. Ashley had me convinced that I wasn't being fair to her. It's bad enough she has to grow up without her mother, but for me not to be there for her when she needed me. It was too much."
“And now?” Another tear dripped down my cheek and Cameron quickly smeared it away. I hugged his arm and pressed my lips into his warm shirted shoulder, absorbing his heat as his hand stroked gently over my hair.
"I know that you're not going to take me away from Pheobe,” he said softly, next to my ear. “I’ll never leave her. She's my blood; the most important little person to me in the whole world."
I tilted my head to gaze into Cameron's sad, sad eyes. "I would never try to separate you from your daughter. I know that you two are a package deal.”
When Cameron smiled, I nearly fell backwards, but it only made him clutch onto me tighter.
He weaved his fingers into my hair. "That's just it. Ash doesn’t get it. Pheobe may have a large piece of my heart, but there’s a certain vacancy there that can't be filled by my little girl."
Reflecting on his words, I focused on his dark brooding eyes. "Do you have another girl in mind?" I asked, softly.
When he smirked this time, his forehead wrinkled. "Well, actually, there is this one girl,” he said. Then, slow and careful, he leaned down to kiss me.
His warm, soft lips set my body ablaze. "Mmm, I can't get enough of her,” he growled. “Her skin’s so smooth.” His fingers whispered over my arm. “Her lips are so soft.” He brushed his mouth softly across mine. “She's really quite a looker; intelligent too. You wouldn't know her," he teased.
I giggled at his playfulness. Oh, I like this side of him. He dipped in for another devastating kiss.
Cameron cupped my cheek and his gaze turned serious. "You don't have to worry about Ashley anymore. I’m done with the blank stares at work and being a zombie at home. I refuse to punish the people I love like this. It's not fair to Pheobe and it's not fair to you."
I sat there dumbfounded, but didn’t take my eyes from his. Did he just say love? No. I must have misunderstood. But no woman in her right mind could be angry at a man who was only doing what he thought was best for his child. For me though, I had to know for sure.
"Are you positive you're ready to move on?"
A gust of wind passed between us and I shivered, little goose bumps returning to my arms. Though the wine was keeping my cheeks warm, and the constant flicker from the fire kept my feet toasty, my body was frigid, an icy realization hounding my thoughts.
All nightmares and run-ins with my monstrous late sister had all but vanished ever since the day I met Cameron. Peculiar.
I should have felt relieved, but instead I felt harassed with worry. Cameron wrapped his arm around my shoulder, his body heat instantly warming my mass and my heart. When he squeezed me close, it was difficult for me to think about anything but him in that moment.
