Page 26 of Their Stolen Kisses
Chapter 12
Diana
I could honestly say I’d never seen a single basketball game to the end in my life - aside from possibly five minutes or so of one at a bar or a restaurant that had televisions hooked up around the walls. I could also honestly say that I left the arena far more confused than when I had entered.
Noah was an adorable kid and watching him and his dad cheer enthusiastically whenever the Bulls scored a point made me follow suit, but he wasn’t very good at explanations. I was certain he knew exactly what was going on out there between the two teams, but he didn’t quite have the vocabulary or ability to explain it just yet.
So, I just sat there confused and not caring about my confusion at all. I was happy - no, thoroughly content - to watch Cameron and Noah having the time of their lives and giggling enthusiastically when Cameron tried to explain about a technical foul or what a ‘jump ball’ was. Just being here where I could be a part of their love for the game and spend time with them was enough.
At halftime, we all got up to navigate the crowds and find the restrooms. On the way back to our seats, a food stand caught Noah’s eye. Little cardboard boxes of funnel cake had been laid out neatly in a row.
“Do you want one?” I asked him. He nodded, staring up at the woman behind the stand with big eyes. “I’ll get you one. Can I get a funnel cake, please? We can help him eat it,” I told Cameron, fishing a debit card out of my wallet to give to the woman. “He doesn’t have to eat the whole thing.”
“He will if you let him,” Cameron said jokingly, but let me buy Noah the cake.
All three of us shared it as the third quarter of the game began. The cheering commenced almost immediately as the Bulls tied up the game then pulled ahead a few points. By the time the game ended, the Bulls had a solid lead over the Miami Heat.
Throughout the ride back to Cameron’s house, Noah talked excitedly about the game. Cameron and I didn’t really get a chance to get a word in, but when we caught each other in a sideways glance, our wide smiles kind of spoke for us.
With all the excitement from the game, staying up way past his bedtime, and a tummy full of funnel cake and dinner we had eaten earlier, Noah was half asleep by the time Cameron pulled the car into the driveway. He put up a very half-hearted fight when Cameron took him to bed and insisted that he would only go to sleep if I read him a story.
“Is he asleep?” Cameron asked when I emerged from Noah’s room and closed the door softly behind me.
“Didn’t even get through a page.” We both smiled at that.
“Do you want a glass of wine? I’d rather us talk in my bedroom, though. It’s at the end of the hall so we won’t wake him up.”
I quelled a tiny surge of nervousness - or was it excitement? “Sure.” Noah’s room was right off the living room, so it did make sense not to stay in here…
Cameron picked a bottle from a few options, grabbed two glasses and led the way to his bedroom. I’d never been in here before - when I was nannying, I had no reason to be - so I glanced around curiously while Cameron filled the glasses. The room was big, although maybe not as large as I was expecting. It was sleek, clean, and everything followed a color scheme of whites and grays. The bed had white sheets and a white backboard, and the soft, thick rug on the floor was also white. The comforter was gray, as were the two chairs near the windows with drawn blinds that protected the privacy of the room.
“It’s a little boring, I know,” Cameron apologized. “I’ve been meaning to get some art or decorations to give it some color.” He handed me a wine glass.
“It’s not boring, it’s just… a little bleak,” I said honestly. Even the walls were gray, although not unpleasantly dark. “A change of comforter might help,” I admitted since he had brought up the room’s furnishings. I didn’t want to be too critical, though, and I got the feeling Cameron hadn’t put together most of the decor in the house. “This wine is really good, though,” I told him, trying to get off any subject that could remind him of his ex-wife. Were we just going to talk decor and wine all night?
“I should have asked you to come look at my selection of wines.” Cameron sat on the edge of the bed, still holding his glass. “There are a lot of options.”
“Oh… no problem.” I giggled -I probably wouldn’t have known one from the other…I took a sip of wine to hide my sudden awkwardness as I wondered if I should sit down too - and if so, where. I ended up sauntering over to the window and looking out at the snow coming down again. Maybe if I drank enough wine I’d be able to think of at least one single topic of conversation…
Arms encircled my waist, pulling me away from the chill of the snow outside and into warmth and security. “Have I ever told you that you’re beautiful?”
“Yes,” I managed, the word hardly a breath. “Two times, I think.”
“Standing here, with the light streaming out and illuminating the snow behind you - beautiful.”
It was the most inventive compliment I’d ever received, and it put a happy warmth into my cheeks that wasn’t quite a blush. His breath just stirred the hairs on my neck. When I kissed his lips, I bet they would be just as warm and also soft…
I had to find out, so I spun in his arms and brought our lips together. Mine touched his and found that they weren’t warm, but cool and soothing - like the rims of our glasses. I tasted the wine and smelled it on his breath, but it wasn’t unpleasant. The fumes washed over me, intoxicating me like I had consumed enough already to make me heady.
My fingers slipped from my glass and I shrieked and tried wildly to catch it, only to realize Cameron had smoothly taken it from me. “Unless you want more?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow as he set it down on the entertainment center.
“What I want more of is… you.” The words had been so natural - when had I gotten good at flirting?
His lustful gaze told me I’d said just the right thing. “How much more?” Each of his steps forward matched one of mine back until the backs of my knees knocked against the mattress.
“I want - I want all of you.” I could feel the truth of my words between my legs.
Cameron took my hands in his, and I thought he was going to pull me in for another kiss, but instead, he used his body to push me back on the bed, guiding my hands to the hem of his Bulls jersey.
