Page 35 of Only If You Dare

“You never texted me back. Are you busy?”

His voice sent a vibration humming through me.

“Santana and I are making our last stop before I meet you back at the hotel.” I checked the time on my phone. It was 11:30 am. We had enough time to grab some shoes, so I set forth to the store with the phone to my ear.

“Cameron?” I heard Santana say.

My head snapped up, and there he was, standing in front of me like a ghost manifesting out of nowhere. Cameron reached out and grabbed my wrist, but I pulled back.

“Cameron, what are you doing here?”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Have you been following me?”

Cameron sighed. “No.”

“Let me guess, you just happened to run into me again.” I put a hand on my hip.

“Bella.” Julian’s voice brought me back from the anger I was about to release on Cameron.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” I said to Julian.

“I’m coming to you. Tell me what store you’re in.”

“That’s not necessary.” I glanced back to Cameron, and he stood there watching me with hopeful eyes.

“No,” I said to Cameron. “We’re not doing this again.” I rounded him, and he reached out.

“Desiree, just hear me out.”

“I’ve heard enough of what you have to say for a lifetime. If I see you again, I’m putting a restraining order out on you. If you don’t believe me, try me.” I retreated inside the store, and Santana hurried in behind me.

“I’m sorry, Julian.”

“Check this out,” Julian said. “Instead of meeting here, we’re going to leave from the mall. I’ll be there to pick you up shortly. Do you have everything you need?”

My mind wandered. “I have some things, but I could use a few others.”

“We can shop once we reach our destination,” he said smoothly.

“I don’t have basic necessities with me, like toiletries, underwear…” My face heated after speaking those words.

“Bella, your needs will be met. Trust me. You’ll be ready in fifteen minutes, yeah?”

Although his voice was as smooth as a caress, his words were demanding. Once again, I amazed myself by wanting to go along with whatever Julian asked without resistance. I tossed a glance over my shoulder, but didn’t see any sign of Cameron.

“Sure,” I said. “Fifteen minutes.”

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