Page 51 of Caught in the Middle

Cam smiled and took a step back so that she could pass. “You’re good. I was going to head downstairs for something to do.”

She entered the doorway and headed straight to her suitcase. Cam could almost feel the serenity and joy radiating off of her.

“I’m sorry it took so long. I hope you weren’t too bored.”

“Not at all,” he said, leaning against the wall and taking her in. Her dark hair was swept up into a bun on top of her head, the soft lounge shorts and tank she’d changed into screamed comfort, and he could see her freshly painted toenails in the flip-flops she wore. She was glowing, he thought.

Emma grabbed a sundress and undergarments and headed toward the bathroom, giving Cam a quick and apologetic smile as she passed. “I’m just going to rinse off and change, and then I swear I’ll be ready. It won’t take but five minutes.”

He grinned, not that she’d seen it before the door closed and he heard her turn the shower on. Cam walked over to the bed and kicked his shoes off to get comfy and turn on the TV. He knew better than to believe she would be ready in five minutes. He’d already learned her nature. She’d likely be dressed and swipe on a quick bit of makeup in less than five minutes, leaving her hair pulled up or braided back. However, it was the shower that’d take longer. Once she stood under that hot water, it’d be a solid twenty minutes before she reemerged.

He chuckled, not at all phased by the blooming of something warm and cheerful in his chest as he laid back, relaxed, and waited.

???

Dinner had been delicious and Emma was thankful she wore a dress because she knew she’d be ready to unbutton her pants at this point. Unfortunately, she’d held everyone up because she couldn’t for the life of her turn off the water in the shower. It felt way too good. But thankfully it was vacation and no one seemed bothered as they sipped on their drinks in the bar downstairs until she and Cam had arrived.

Henry had picked out a restaurant in town and she could have sworn it was the most delectable food to ever grace her tongue. So was the wine. Something she could have likely laid off from a bit, but it was vacation and she was among friends and family.

The spa day had been refreshing and now her belly was full and they were about to enter the casino. She tried to refrain from reminiscing on this morning too much, which proved easier said than done. But that, too, was an amazing part of this day. She’d done her best not to gawk too much at Cam the remainder of the morning, but she was sure he could feel her eyes on him multiple times, having turned to give her that slow sexy smile.

“Does Henry like everyone to join him at a table together or do you all sort of split up?” Cam asked as they walked inside the generously sized casino.

The sounds of slot machines, conversations, and winning immediately engulfed them.

“We tend to separate and find one another throughout the night.” Emma was looking around, taking it all in. “Sometimes I’ll snag a seat next to him if one’s available, but he just likes knowing we’re all having fun.”

Cam nodded.

“Want to start by getting a drink?” Emma asked, pointing toward the bar.

Cam raised a brow, his mouth quirking up. “Someone’s getting loose tonight.”

She crossed her arms. “I do not take kindly to the word loose.” Emma smiled at her own joke.

“Trust me, baby. You are anything but loose.”

She gave him a playful smack that belied the impact his comment had on her. “We’re going to the bar then are going to see what luck we have,” Emma said to everyone, receiving acknowledgments and bouts of good luck before they went on their way.

Once they took a seat and placed their orders, Emma pushed back in her chair, stretching over the back of it. “When I had my facial earlier, the woman did a small neck massage and now I feel like my body is craving the real deal. Don’t get me wrong, hers was amazing, but I couldn’t stop thinking about spending an hour relishing in it.”

Cam really wanted to make a joke about the massage he gave her but decided against it. He didn’t want Emma thinking he only wanted to get laid, especially since he cared about this woman. “I’m glad you got to do it. You seemed so alive and woken up when you got back today.”

“Me too. Do you ever get massages?”

“Not really. I’ve had one before because I wanted to see what it was all about, but I’ve never gone out of my way to get them.”

“Did you like it?” The bartender slid their drinks across the small bar and they thanked her before continuing.

“Yeah, it was nice.”

“Good.” She gave him a broad smile. “Because I scheduled us a couple’s massage for tomorrow.” Then watching his brow raise, she added, “It’s just what they call a massage where two people go at the same time, even if it’s two friends.”

Cam chuckled as he took a drink of his beer. “I know what a couple’s massage is. Thanks, I’m looking forward to it.”

Her smile faltered and she cursed herself for caring. “Is that the massage you’d had before? With a girlfriend?”

Cam swiveled in his chair to fully face her. “No.” He felt his male ego take pride in the light reentering her eyes at his admission. “Looks like another first for me to share with you.”

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