Page 92 of Best Part of Me

“I’m about to check something else off my bucket list.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“Sex in another public place.”

I waggle my brows. “I got the blanket.”

She snorts a laugh, and I tug her in close to me. She lowers her lips to mine, and I devour her mouth eagerly.

* * *

Thanksgiving dinnerwith an erection is new.

Especially since I’m surrounded by old people. Gigi, Rosie’s grandma is on my right and Grandma Nettie and Grandpa Pete are across the table. But the hard on is not my fault. Camille is sitting across from me, dressed in a low-cut sweater highlighting her incredible cleavage. She keeps flashing a dazzling smile at me and giving me adorable cartoon eyes.

I want to be sitting next to her, holding her hand in my lap. This dream is, of course, all it can be. Jones and her dad would never approve. After that evening, when she showed up at my apartment, we agreed sneaking around was better than not being together at all. We both saw how impossible that was.

We’ve been practically inseparable ever since.

“So, Maverick,” Jack says as he passes the mashed potatoes to Jones on his right. “Jones tells me you visited eight national parks in ten days. What was that like?”

My eyes flick to Camille’s without thinking. “It was busy. But amazing. I got the opportunity to see a lot of beautiful sites. I only wish I would’ve had more time at each park.”

That evening Camille showed up at my apartment, after a long session of foreplay followed by the best sex that’s ever happened in my bed, she helped me choose the final pictures to use for my national park’s piece so I could meet my deadline. Her opinion has always mattered to me, but now it holds even more value.

“Maybe someday when I retire, I’ll get to see the sights.” Jack stuffs a forkful of potatoes drenched in gravy into his mouth.

“I hope you do.”

Jack points his fork at Camille. “Maybe I’ll bring Cammie along, she’s hardly been out of Colorado.”

My eyes flash to her, and guilt presses down on me. I clear my throat. “I’m sure she’d love that.”

“But then, who would hold down the fort here at the store?” Cammie asks.

“I can run the store,” Grandpa Pete chimes in.

Jack frowns.

“Don’t give me that look, Jackie. Who do you think ran that store before you? Me, that’s who.”

Rosie perks up in her seat. “I have the best idea. A girl’s road trip.”

“I suppose Jones could.” Jack scratches at his chin, ignoring Rosie.

“I don’t know, Dad. This road trip sounds like fun. Maybe we should all go?” Jones says.

Cammie and I hold eye contact from across the table. My mind goes back to those nights with her on my lap in front of the fire, her writhing on top of me while the glow from the moon lit her up, the beautiful way her face shone underneath the starry sky while we skinny-dipped in the hot spring.

We must be telepathic, our minds on those treasured memories because she gazes at me. Suddenly her foot is sliding up the inside of my leg, finding its way to the bulge in my pants and stroking it. I choke on my bite of turkey and immediately chug my water, glancing over my shoulder at Gigi to see if she’s noticed.

But her, Jack, Jones, and Grandma Nettie are all too busy arguing about road trips and national parks. All but Rosie, who flashes me a devious grin. The last thing I need is Cammie getting me off underneath the table during Thanksgiving dinner.

I shove her foot away, and she snorts behind her glass.

“Okay, who’s ready for dessert?” She pushes her chair out and stands, clearing her and Jack’s empty plates from the table.

“It looks like Maverick’s ready for dessert,” Rosie says slyly.

---