Page 20 of Call It Home

“Still want to work with me?” I asked.

Her brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I? Is your brother going to come after me?”

I snorted. “If you ever snoop through his cabinets when he gets out, maybe.”

“Areyougoing to hurt me? Or anyone else?”

“Only if they’re doing the hurting first.”

“Then I don’t see a problem, other than I’m sorry for what you’ve both been through.” She took another bite, then pointed her fork at me. “You better eat. I still want to get started going over some things.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * *

“And this is the Grandview Lodge and Resort. It’s the key attraction to the area, although there is a lot of history in the surrounding area. It’s a high-end ski resort, but it offers great views during the other seasons, as well.”

I’d spent the past hour staring at Cam’s computer screen as she flicked through one picture after another of Randolph, Colorado, where we would be filming. A notebook filled with pages and sketches sat next to it.

“Of course, I don’t know what the houses we’ll be working on look like, but at least we have a sense of the general market. Obviously, the highest-selling houses feature a rustic luxury feel, so that’s what I think we should aim for, as well. What do you think?”

I’d been quiet nearly the entire hour, but Cam had gone on with ideas and visions enough for the both of us. “Seems like you have a great grasp of the area and what you want.”

“But do you have any thoughts?”

Honestly, I’d only been half-listening, nodding my head whenever it seemed appropriate and making “Mm-hmm” sounds.

Being this close to her, feeling her warmth and smelling her light floral scent, had been very distracting. I’d been thrown ever since her general acceptance of what I’d told her about Trey.

I’d always found Cameron to be beautiful. Any man with blood running in his veins would. I also knew nothing could ever come of it. But tonight, just for a few minutes, I wanted it to be different. To know what it felt like to let her silky, blonde hair run through my fingers before fisting it to pull her head back so I could kiss her. I wanted to feel her warmth, to run my nose along her soft skin, breathing my fill of her sweet perfume before kissing the pulse between her shoulder and neck.

“Mac?”

I mentally shook my head from what would only ever be fantasies. “It’s your design process.”

Her head cocked to one side. “But this is your project, as well. I thought maybe you’d have some ideas to add.”

Once again, she surprised me. “I thought I was just your workhorse.”

She made a tsking sound. “Mac, I want you for more than just your body.”

I grinned, feeling lighter than I had in I don’t know how long. “You’re admitting you want me for my body? In that case, let’s continue the discussion.”

“What? T-that’s not w-what I meant,” she stuttered, her face flushed. “I mean, I value your ideas, too. Of course, you’re there for more than just physical labor.”

I didn’t expect that. But I couldn’t help but tease her some more. I loved the way a faint pink bloomed across her cheeks and down her neck before disappearing underneath the T-shirt she wore. “But to be clear, you do want my body.”

Her eyes rolled, but a small smile played around her pink lips as she threw the pen she’d been using to make notes at me. It bounced off my chest and onto my lap. I watched her eyes follow its path, lingering where the pen rested on my crotch. Her flush grew even rosier before she tore her gaze away. Was that desire hidden in her beautiful blue eyes?

I wondered if she was remembering the day she showed up at my house. She’d tried to hide it, but she’d stared then, too, when I wore sweatpants that didn’t happen to hide my junk.

I leaned against the arm of the couch, not hiding anything. Cameron always seemed so in control of herself, and I loved knocking her off her guard. A little perverse, perhaps, but fun. “So, you don’t want just my body. How very mature of you.”

“More than you, apparently.” Then she stuck her tongue out at me.

“Yep. Very mature,” I teased.

She shook her head, but she was smiling as she returned her attention to her laptop screen.

---