Page 13 of Strong Coffee

Holding my cell in my hand, I kept checking it to see if I got any new texts from Camden. A part of me feared that he was going to change his mind and cancel our datetonight. I wasn’t usually this paranoid but my confidence was seriously lacking and I wasn’t sure how to get it back where he was concerned.

Shoving those annoying thoughts to the back of my mind, I opened the Uber app and ordered a ride. I could have driven myself but with the way I was currently feeling strung out with anxiety, I thought driving might not be the best idea.

While I waited for the car to pick me up, I put my phone away and rubbed the back of my neck. I took several deep cleansing breaths, trying to ease the nerves rushing through me.

It had been a long time since I had been on a date. And I definitely never dated Shane. We fucked and that was it. While it worked for most people, it didn’t work for me, but I had no idea how to tell him that. Not until it was too late, and we went our separate ways without actually talking about our…issues.

Before I could dwell any more on the matter at hand, my Uber pulled up in front of me. When I sat in the car, the driver tried making small talk. I answered as best I could, carrying on the conversation that I knew I would forget about once I saw Camden. It was your typical small talk.

How was your day?

What do you do for a living?

This weather is nice today. Wouldn’t you agree?

What’s your favorite sport?

When the driver pulled the car up in front of the Korean restaurant, I couldn’t even remember the answers I had given him.

I quickly muttered, “Bye,” and left the car. Looking around me, I couldn’t see Cam anywhere. I checked my phone and saw that he hadn’t called or texted me.

Leaning against the brick wall near the entrance, I took a moment and played a game on my phone. It wassomething that kept my mind at ease. It was my little way of meditating. It got my mind off of anything that stressed me out, case in point, this date.

“Hey, handsome.”

My stomach flipped, my head slowly lifting to find Cam stalking toward me. My mouth fell open at the sight of him. He wore black pants and a blood red dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showcasing thick forearms. It had crossed my mind to walk up to him and give him a hug, but I wasn’t sure how he would feel about that, so I stood back and waited.

He tilted his head, probably wondering what the hell was going through my mind. The longer he stared at me, the more nervous I became. Could we just skip dinner and go back to his place? Or even mine? While I wanted to get to know him better and I was hungry, I just needed that physical touch from him more. I couldn’t explain it and I didn’t even bother trying.

Camden took that final step toward me. He was close enough that I could smell a hint of his spicy cologne.

“You’re nervous,” he murmured, his voice low and deep. His eyes dropped to my mouth, his nearness practically pulling a moan from my lips.

“I haven’t been on a date in quite some time.” I thought a moment. “In fact, I don’t even know when the last time I went on a date was.”

“The last person I dated, was my ex-wife.” Cam reached for my hip, pulling me closer. “But I already told you that.” He took a step forward, pushing me back until we ended up in the shadows of the alleyway.

“The last person I fucked before you, was my best friend.” I wasn’t sure why I said that but with the growl that left Cam’s lips, I couldn’t help the way my dick jumped at the jealousy rolling off of him.

“Do you miss him?” Camden asked, pushing me up against the wall.

“Do you miss your ex-wife?” I threw at him, pressing my fingers against his tight stomach.

“You trying to make me jealous, Brady?” he asked, tilting his head.

“I don’t think I need to try that hard to make you jealous.” I hooked my fingers into the waist of his black dress pants and pulled him closer.

He chuckled, leaning his forehead against mine. A slow breath left him, almost like he was trying to regain control. Control neither of us had.

“How’s your ex-sister-in law?” I asked, enjoying being this close to him again.

“I just got off the phone with Beverly before you showed up. She said her sister is doing well and that the baby is perfectly healthy. It was a false alarm.”

“Oh good. I’m glad.”

“Me too,” he murmured.

“What are we doing?” I asked him, my skin tingling over my muscles.

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