Page 40 of Camden

I tilt my head to the side, my nose wrinkled. “Why would you offer to cook for me then?”

His cheeks blushed in embarrassment, which was still the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. “I wanted to impress you,” he said the words like it was nothing to go through all the trouble to impress me. My heart kicked up.

“You did?” I asked, my voice full of admiration. I couldn’t help it. Most men would take me out to dinner. Or buy dinner, plate it, and pretend that they did the work.

“I did. I even had my mom over today to help prepare everything so that I wouldn’t accidentally poison us. All I had to do was follow her instructions on when to take the lasagna out. There’s salad and a pie too.”

I placed my hand on my chest because I couldn’t take how sweet this man was. “You had your mother come over and cook for you just to impress me?”

“I did.”

I wanted to lean over and kiss him. “So, when did it all go wrong?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up as he shook his head. “Well, I must have misheard her on how long to leave it in the oven because when I got out of the shower, I heard the fire alarm. I raced down the stairs. Face planted. And then had to use the fire extinguisher.”

“That explains the bloody nose.”

“Yeah. Ever since I broke it for the second time years ago, it bleeds when I barely hit it.”

“That happens. I’m glad it didn’t break again.”

He reached up and gingerly touched the side of his nose. “Me too,” he sighed. “This date isn’t exactly what I envisioned. I completely understand if you want to leave.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because you deserve more than a burned lasagna. And you definitely deserve more than sitting on the ground taking care of me. You should have flowers, a candlelit dinner, soft music, and wine. You should be served and catered. You should be spoiled, and this is not that.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little defeated.

I couldn’t help myself then because his words made my heart burst. I had to kiss him. No one had ever said anything even remotely as sweet to me and I knew, deep in my soul, that he meant every word. I tenderly palmed the side of his clean-shaven jaw and pulled his face toward mine. My lips grazed his, and I paused for a second before pressing them fully into the kiss.

Electricity shot through my entire body.

Everything felt perfect.

Except he didn’t move. He didn’t kiss me back.Maybe I'd read it wrong after all?Pulling back, I bit my lip to stop the tears from forming. I could cry when I got home. Avoiding eye contact, I scurried to stand. “I’m sorry. I-I just... I’ll go now.”

Grabbing my bag, my feet slapped against the dark hardwood floors as I made a beeline for the door. I’d almost reached it when his hand landed on the door next to my head. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply before looking over my shoulder at him. “I—” I stopped talking when he snagged an arm around my waist, turned me around, and pulled me flush against his bare chest. My hand rested right above his racing heart. His fingers tangled in my hair as he angled his mouth over mine. I gasped, and he slipped his tongue in, taking full advantage of my surprised state. The kiss was hard and hot. Claiming. His mouth moved against mine like we had done it a thousand times.

My body melted into his as my palm snaked up his chest and around the back of his neck, holding him to me. He pressed his hard length against my stomach as I ground my hips against him. No one had ever kissed me like this.

Cam cupped my ass, squeezing it before gripping the back of my thighs, lifting me with ease. My sandals hit the ground with a loud thud as I wrapped my legs around his waist. His cock hit just the right spot as he pressed me up against the wall and circled his hips.

A growl tore from his throat as he ripped his mouth from mine and peppered kisses down my neck. Desired pulsed through me, straight to my core.Shit.I needed to slow this down. “Cam.” I meant to stop him, but his name was a moan on my lips as my chest heaved. “Cam,” I said again, this time my voice was clearer. He stopped his ministrations and looked up at me with heat-filled in his eyes. I wanted to grab the back of his head and pull his lips to me once again, but I stopped myself.

“Fuck, Steph,” he mumbled. His lips feathered over mine as we both panted, attempting to catch our breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have attacked you like that.”

“I wasn’t exactly fighting you off.” I giggled and my hands roamed over his shoulders. The muscles tense from supporting my weight. “Put me down.” I had to be too heavy for him to keep holding like this.

“I like having you in my arms.” He squeezed my ass and grinned at me.

I rolled my eyes, tapping his shoulders as I unwrapped my feet from behind his back. “Down, please.” Cam sighed, but did as I asked, not releasing his hold on my butt until I firmly planted my feet on the ground. Still pressed up against all of his hotness, I let the wall help support my weight.

My gaze darted around the room, trying to slow my mind. “What happened there?” I motioned toward the table on the ground.

He chuckled. “That’s the table I took out on my way to the kitchen. The flowers were a casualty.”

Pink and red petals peeked out from under the black table currently laying on its side. Happiness flared in my chest. I don’t remember the last time someone bought me flowers. “You got me flowers?”

“Of course I did. I wanted this to be the best first date you’ve ever had. Guess I really fucked that up.” He gave me a self-deprecating smile before focusing on the floor. His hand rubbing the back of his neck.

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