Page 17 of Stray for You

He heaves a sigh. “They had a guitarist, but he flaked on them. They were desperate when they put up the ad. I auditioned and the vibe was right so they brought me on.”

“I’d guess it was more than a vibe,” I say. “You’re really incredible. I mean it. That bar the other night went silent when you started playing. I don’t know if they even breathed until you were done.”

Cameron’s throat bobs. He casts his eyes down, pushing a bit of fish around his plate, and my heart clenches at this accidentally charming display. I can turn on the charisma as needed for my job, but with Cameron, it’s all natural. He couldn’t fake it even if he wanted to, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to when the person across from him is me.

My chest is so tight I could be back in that bar struggling to breathe as his fingers fly along the neck of his guitar. I need a moment to gather myself before I can speak again.

“You guys are going to be famous some day.”

He shakes his head. “We can barely get a gig at a festival. It’s just for fun.”

“You say that, but people notice talent like that,” I say. “Some day, the right person will be in the crowd, and then you’ll be destined for the big time.”

Cameron scoffs, but he doesn’t actually argue with me. He’s studying his plate, his dark eyelashes hiding his eyes from me. I want to peer closer at him. I want to brush his hair off his forehead for a better look. But I’ve already made enough missteps tonight.

The server returns and collects our plates. I send her away with the company credit card, but the realization that this night is coming to an end settles heavy as lead in my chest. I stillknow so little about Cameron’s life out here. He’s barely allowed me to scratch the surface, and my stomach is rumbling from the crumbs he offered me tonight.

The server comes back way too quickly. I sign the check. Cameron and I sit awkwardly at the table, the obvious end of the meal weighing on us. This should be the moment when I make some kind of offer or swing in with a smooth line, and normally that would be no problem at all for me, but tonight my tongue glues itself to my mouth. Cameron stands, and I jerk up like I might have to chase after him. He seems ready to leave, but loiters at the table. Maybe he’s being polite, but when his eyes meet mine, a wild hope swirls in my chest.

“My hotel room is right down the block,” I say. “If you wanted a nightcap.”

My mouth is numb. My legs are numb. My heart stops beating as I wait for his response.

At first, Cameron stands there looking at me, his dark eyes as inscrutable as ever. This night was miracle enough already; I’m greedy to ask for more.

But then he nods.

I don’t know if he doesn’t want to hear himself say yes or if he can’t bring himself to speak, but either way, when I head out of the restaurant, Cameron follows me — to my hotel.

Chapter Nine

Cameron

I MUST BE SOME sort of idiot to find this dinner charming. The wine was incredible. The fish was perfect. Even the conversation was good. I mean, it was okay, but at times it was sort of good. Julian threw his money around, or his company’s money, I guess, but he was a little less annoying than I expected. Only a little.

None of that explains why I’m following him to his hotel.

He walks half a step ahead of me, his shoulders broad in his tailored suit. Everything about him is calculated and clean, from his tidy hair to the way his belt matches his shoes. He’s always been this way, even before it was his job. The Julian I grew up hating always knew what to say, when to smile, how to bullshit his way out of any situation. That slickness stuck to my skin like oil, a film I couldn’t wash off.

Tonight was … different. He was different. I almost cracked and actually answered his questions about me and Mom, but that’s not information I’m willing to put in his hands. Even if this is a new and improved Julian Brooks, I’m not ready to trust him. That guy who badgered me relentlessly when our moms were dating is still in there somewhere.

Which Julian is leading me toward this nice hotel downtown? He holds the door for me when we reach the entrance, his hand grazing my back for a moment to steer me toward the elevatorbank. That fleeting touch sizzles through me, as powerful as that kiss outside the bar the other night. Maybe this is how he acts when he wants something. Maybe this is that charisma that’s gotten him so far in his career. Anyone could step into this elevator with him, and he’d turn the very same smile on them.

We stand at opposite sides of the elevator as it shudders upward. Julian holds the bar behind him, leaning back, open and easy, his suit jacket unbuttoned. He loosens his tie and unbuttons his shirt, and my traitorous eyes go right to that chaste little V of skin below his neck.

He must catch me at it. When the elevator stops, he’s wearing an irritating smirk as he pushes away from the wall and leads me out of the elevator and down the hall.

Our footsteps thud through the hall, amplified by the thumping of my heart. My opportunities to run from this are shrinking, especially when Julian stops before a door and pulls out a key card. He glances back at me, uncertainty dancing in his blue eyes. Is he as weirded out by this as I am? That kiss was one thing, but this … this would be…

“Are you going to open it or not?” I say.

It’s like the words come from someone else, someone who isn’t terrified of this before it’s even started. Julian startles back into motion, finally opening his door.

I’m on him before it shuts.

Fuck it. If this is going to happen, then let’s cut the bullshit and do it. I don’t know what this temporary madness is, but it has me throwing Julian against the wall before the door has even shut. Maybe it’s because this is temporary. He’s leaving. In less than a week, he’ll be three thousand miles away. For now, letting years and years of pent up frustration boil over feels too damn good to deny.

He hits the wall with a grunt that turns into a sigh when I seal my lips against the side of his neck. I kiss my way down to theplace where he loosened his tie, that V of skin that taunted me in the elevator. His hands roam as I kiss and suck. He groans when I nip at him, his hips lurching at me.

---