Page 99 of Devious Temptation
Pushing my boobs up, I secure them before spritzing my perfume over my neck.
You’re getting all dolled up for another man. This is next-level petty and something someone his age would never do.
I’m tempted to take a photo, maybe with Cameron’s arm tattoo in the shot, and post it to Iconic.
Seriously, knock it off, Lucy. You’re better than this.
I blow out a breath as I return to the living room, and a smidgeon of pride flows through me at the way Cameron’s eyes rove my body as he lets out a low whistle. “You definitely understood the assignment. Shall we?”
Taking his offered arm, I ignore his comment and let him lead me out into the cooling night air, even allowing him to help me into his rental.
All the while, the voice in my head screams that this is a bad decision, but I ignore that, too.
Apparently, I’ve been making bad decisions for the last few months. What’s one more?
Cameron makessmall talk as he drives us to a restaurant I’ve never heard of, not that far from my apartment. It’s packed, with a line of people waiting outside the gray stone building—various couples clinging to each other beneath the maroon awning.
Cam is a perfect gentleman, opening the door for me and ushering me inside with a gentle palm against the small of my back. The faintest touch from Lawson would normally set my insides on fire. But the most Cameron elicits is a slight tingle between my legs when he draws me closer as we wait our turn to be seated.
He whispers against the sensitive spot beneath my ear, “You know, you can always come work for me in New York.”
There’s no time to reply as we step forward, and he gives the hostess his name. I can’t really read him. All his actions say he wants a lot more than just dinner tonight, but I honestly don’t think he’d do that to Lawson, and I wouldn’t either—regardless of what my outfit says.
A sharp screech of a chair on the hardwood floor sounds across the restaurant. As I glance up to see whatever commotion is breaking out, Cameron steals my attention by blocking my view as he ushers me forward. “Our table is ready.”
We follow the hostess through the buttery light cast from dripping crystal chandeliers, twining through black leather booths and golden chairs until we reach our table.
“I mean it,” he says once we’re seated. “I think you’d like the city.”
“I’m not moving to New York, Cameron.” I browse the menu, finally realizing just how hungry I am.
Onecannot live on ice cream and tequila alone.
“Well, what are your plans? You know M.I.G. is willing to help you get a job anywhere else. They really don’t want a lawsuit on their hands.”
Cameron doesn’t even bother to look at his menu. His eyes keep darting over my shoulder, but when I start to turn to see what’s caught his attention, he reaches for my hand, drawing my focus back to him as he tangles our fingers together.
Another screech sounds across the room, and for some reason, my heart hammers in my chest as Cameron’s intense blue eyes crinkle at the corners, and he lifts my hand to his lips.
“What are you doing?” He’s acting so weird, and I’m suddenly highly aware that I don’t really know this man. I just blindly trusted him because he’s Lawson’s friend.
“That took longer than I expected,” he murmurs against my knuckles.
“What did?”
“Three… Two… One.”
A wall of black infiltrates my peripheral as the familiar, yet angry, timbre of the man I love fills my ears. “What the fuck is going on here?”
Cameron’s thumb sweeps along the top of my hand as I stare up at Lawson, who is angrier than I’ve ever seen him. He looks like he’s about to murder his friend, not bothering to grace me with his darkened storm cloud gaze.
“Hey, Law. We’re just having dinner. Same as you and Jules.” The words are innocent, like us being together shouldn’t be a big deal. “I’m trying to talk her into comingto work for me in New York.” He flashes a smile that one would give an adversary, not a friend.
Lawson finally turns his gaze to me. “Care to explain, Lucy?”
The anger in his tone sparks my annoyance. “I mean, Cameron just did, Lawson. We’re having dinner. Just like you andJules.I’m not sure why you care. You haven’t said a word to me all week, and then I find out you're out to dinner with someone else.”
His composure softens, eyes lightening a shade as he stares down at me. “It’s just Jules, Lucy.”
