Page 59 of Caught in the Middle

Her eyes narrowed on him. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m the one not wearing any clothes.”

He grinned. “Maybe I’m picturing you without them.”

Emma sat up from where she leaned against the back of the bed. “Whatever happened to the guy that looked ashamed of himself whenever I stated I wouldn’t be having sex with him?”

Cam knew she was referencing that first night they met and he knocked on her door to invite her to dinner. “That wasn’t my intention that night,” he said simply with a shrug, then crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

“And it is now?” That slow grin of his made her nipples harden. Oh god, she was doomed if a smile could melt her that easily.

“Yeah.”

She waited for more but he only looked at her like she was a delicacy he couldn’t wait to taste. The thought made her toes curl under the blankets. “Why now?”

“Frankly, I’ve wanted you from the moment I met you, though I think I tried denying it at first.” At the look she gave him, he added, “But even then, I had no intention of getting you into bed when I knocked on your door.”

“So why now?” she asked again.

“Because I know you now.”

She quirked a brow to suggest otherwise. Cam didn’t move from his perch.

“I know you always order a water at every meal, even if you’re planning on drinking something else. I know you wear sunscreen and reapply it like your life depends on it. I know you don’t care what strangers think about you but you highly value the opinions of those you care about. I know you sleep talk at night, always drool, and when you’ve rolled onto your back there’s guaranteed to be some snoring involved.”

He chuckled as she tossed a pillow at him. “That’s not true,” she argued.

He nodded dramatically. “Oh, yes it is. And I also know that you never felt like you could fully be yourself around your ex because you sensed his judgment, and you sure as hell don’t worry about that with me.”

She wouldn’t deny the first part, but she’d never confessed the second to him. “How do you get to that conclusion?” she asked.

“Well, you eat like a dainty and classy woman in front of him and everyone else, but you hoard your food like a wild beast in front of me. And you can forget about the utensils half the time.” He was joking but it earned him a laugh and eye roll from Emma. It was true though. He’d noticed right away that she either felt relaxed enough with him or didn’t give two shits about impressing him. Either way, he liked it, especially since it felt like something special just for him.

“I also know you don’t let many people in, you’re the strongest woman I’ve met, and besides the obvious factors of your beauty and brains, I’ve also come to know and appreciate your creativity, go-getter mentality, and adventurous side. You try new things and love a good adrenaline rush, and although you may say this whole fake relationship thing was a last-minute effort to avoid everyone pitying you, I’d say it also comes from a place of love and compassion to prevent people you care about from having to worry about you or feel guilty.”

Emma swallowed at that, not realizing how true it was until he spoke the words.

“I find you magnificent and I’m drawn to your magnetic energy, even when it results in something crazy like lying to my boss all week. You bring me out of my comfort zone and make me feel alive when I’m around you.”

“I feel it, too,” she said. “Alive when I’m with you.”

Cam let out a breath he didn’t know he’d held after speaking.

“But I don’t know if this would be smart,” Emma said.

“I don’t think I care,” Cam replied. “I want you and if you want me, even if only for one night, I’ll take what I can get. But I’d much rather have many more nights and days with you.”

Emma’s breathing was shallow, too many thoughts racing through her head as she still sat on the bed, unsure if she was about to make a big mistake or not. Her world paused as Cam moved from his post against the wall. “Where are you going?” she asked, too aware of how panicked she sounded.

“Just to slide on my ball shorts.” Then with a devilish grin, “I don’t want you too distracted and tempted by the sight to think straight.”

He gave her a wink that made her insides feel like honey before disappearing into the bathroom. Emma rubbed her hands down her face. Why was this so hard for her? She’d never had trouble making a decision before, and she knew damn well what she wanted. Cam. She wanted every last inch of him overtop, under, and behind her. She wanted to run her fingers through that thick brown hair of his and know what it would be like to scrape her nails down his back. She wanted to taste his tongue inside her mouth and feel his hands claiming her body.

Why was she hesitating then? Because it felt different. She knew deep down that there was something distinct between them than she’d ever had before, and it scared her. Because she also wanted to wake up next to him tomorrow and the next day and the day after that. She wanted him by her side, exploring the world, and taking on the unknown.

She’d swam with sharks, crossed paths with bears on trails, and jumped out of airplanes, but the idea of Cam, or rather what it could mean for her heart if it went south, was the scariest obstacle yet.

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