Page 48 of Caught in the Middle

Chapter 18

“If the spa can’t get us in for a massage, maybe you three could have a spa day for your nails or facials or whatever,” Asher said, referencing Lauren, Emma, and Lulu, the first two chiming in about that being a good idea, although Cam had a feeling Emma was only half paying attention.

He twisted her around with her legs, the float easily turning with the movement so that Emma was facing away from him and directed toward her friends. Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t getting off that easily. Or at least not in the manner she might be thinking.

Instead, Cam raised himself onto the back of the float to look like any couple casually floating in the water and hanging out together.

Emma felt like her entire body was on high alert. There was something about Cam being behind her where she couldn’t see him that had her frightened and delighted all at the same time.

“I’ve been wanting to do a fun shade of red on my nails,” Lauren was saying, holding up her fingers as she examined the current shade of pale blue she was wearing. “It’d look great with the red dress I want to take pictures in this week.”

“That’s a great idea,” Emma began but quickly halted whatever was going to come next as she felt one of Cam’s hands slide onto her stomach and then a finger skimming under the front of her strapless top, the faint tickle of his touch under her breasts making her nipples harden instantly.

Lauren was looking at her expectantly, but Emma had nothing. All other words had left her.

It was Cam’s turn to wrap his legs around Emma, except instead of going for her waist, he tucked one around each of her legs, widening her stance and causing her to plant her feet in the ground. He smiled, thankful for the anchor in place as he slid his hand down that delicious stomach of hers and began trailing a finger up her side. His other hand was still above water, firmly holding him to the float.

He realized if he wanted this moment to last, then he’d need to get Lauren and Asher talking. “Emma told me you’re an influencer,” he said toward Lauren. “Do you get to do a lot of traveling with that? And does your schedule ever allow you to go with?” he asked of Asher.

Emma only faintly heard Lauren begin divulging into the ins and outs of what her job entailed, Asher chiming in at times because instead, she was trying to keep a neutral face as Cam set her body on fire in this water. Was it possible to combust simply by knowing what a man could do to you, even before he’s done it?

She hadn’t thought so until the moment he pinned her in place, her legs spread wide for him, and knowing there wasn’t much she could do without the two people in front of them catching on. Emma was sure her blood could cause this water to start boiling at any moment.

Then all thoughts ceased the moment his finger stopped trailing her side and instead found its way to her upper thigh below her butt.

Cam leaned forward, letting Emma’s head block him for a moment so he could whisper. “I think I like the idea of finishing what you started earlier.”

She was sure he could feel her heartbeat through her skin, curious if their company could see it about to beat out of her chest.

He rubbed his hand further up until he was cupping that delicious volume of her ass that he was determined he’d be sinking his teeth into at some point this week. He could see the faint muscles of Emma’s back tighten as she squeezed the front of the float tighter. Good, he thought. Time for some payback.

Her breath picked up as his fingers began tracing that curving material of her bikini bottoms, then dipping into the hemline as he traced it to the frontside. He could feel Emma’s abdomen tighten against his skin.

Her breathing turned shallow as she tried to plaster a smile on her face and nod at something Lauren just said, her friend looking toward them now.

“How’d you get started?” Cam asked.

Well, he was clearly less phased by all of this than she was, Emma noted with no satisfaction. We’ll see about that, she thought, doing her best to straighten in the tube to press against him, something that was far harder in reality since his body had the power currently.

Cam knew exactly what she was trying and quickly moved his hand to her lower back and pressed her forward to keep some distance. No way was he letting her take back control in this situation. He’d let her have it later, let her do whatever she wanted with and to him, but right now was his turn.

He moved his hand back to the front of her lower bikini, dipping his fingers beneath the hem far enough to feel her entire body squirm. He ever so slowly caressed his way from one side to the other before removing his hand to place it on the front of her thigh, massaging, circling, and grabbing at the delicious skin.

He leaned to the side to catch sight of Emma’s face, noticing her chest rising and falling in the water, her eyes darkened by her desire, and furiously biting on that lip of hers.

Cam smiled.

“Oh, Emma, I was going to see if you might want to get together Thursday morning to help me shoot content.”

She gave her most nonchalant smile, though she was sure it looked as fake as the models in dental commercials. “That sounds great,” she said.

“I was thinking we could take one of the rental cars into town. I have some spots in mind.”

“I’m in,” was all Emma could manage as Cam’s hand traveled further inward, his fingers toying right there at the edge of her bikini. Suddenly the material felt all too constrictive. “What did you have in mind for shots?” She knew she was going to have to have Lauren repeat everything tomorrow when her brain wasn’t melted mush.

Cam’s pointer finger slid under the fabric as he lightly ran it up and down, the back of his finger grazing Emma’s skin. He could tell her entire body was a tensed-up bundle of nerves waiting for his next touch.

He leaned forward to whisper again, making sure only she could hear him. “Tell me to stop and I will.” He held his breath, no part of him wanting her to utter those words.

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