Page 79 of Lady and the Camp
I took her cues and pulled her closer. Her scent was distinctly her. Sweet, fresh, possibly expensive. Her lips tasted like everything I’d hoped for but didn’t know was within reach. She made no sense for me. Right now, I could think of no one else. Of nothing I wanted more than this moment, fossilized and forever captured.
Gently, I covered her back with my hands, wrapping slowly around her. A hug and an embrace. A circle of protection. All that I could offer.
I spoke with my kiss to prove I intended to be there for her. I would protect her. I would ensure her safety.
When we came up for air, I looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Okay.” She blinked. “What for?”
For so much. For being hard on her. For not looking into her situation sooner or connecting the right dots. I felt responsible, even though she’d left out details and bore responsibility there too. Everything felt out of place and I liked neat rows. Scratch that, rows reminded me of spreadsheets which I hated. “I’m sorry for what happened to you.”
“Oh.” She danced her fingers along my arm. Mindless maybe, but my body reacted in a pleasing shiver. “Did you read any of the stuff online?”
I nodded. “A little.”
“And?”
“I can see why you needed to be somewhere away from it all. Why you kept details to yourself. And why the agent advised you to stay off the internet.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry too.”
It was enough. I took her hand. “Come on, let’s head back to camp.”
We walked side by side. “You know, I’ve been starting to get used to this place.”
I laughed. “You took to camp almost immediately. In your own way.”
“Me? No.” She laughed too, a musical sound I wanted more of. “I didn’t know what to expect when I first walked in. But the kids are funny, even though there’s always a drama queen or two in each cabin. And Maggie’s lack of fashion sense is tough to witness on the daily, but her heart is so in the right place all the time. It’s made me consider my friendships the past few years. People who on the surface seem supportive, but they’re focused on making famous connections more than deepening actual friendships. And I became just like them.”
I knew less than nothing about her world and the friends she’d had. “Seems like you’re getting on track with the friendships that matter.”
“Yeah. This weekend was great. Despite the parts that weren’t.” She slowed when we reached the office. “I like seeing you with your family and friends. It’s a different side of you.”
I scrubbed my free hand across my beard. “As soon as they got here, it was like old times.” I’d been shouldering so much on my own. “I have people to lean on. This weekend reminded me of that.”
“Same.” Her smile brightened. “I would say it was like old times seeing the Mavens again, but it feels different. New. We’re different.”
“The Mavens?”
“It’s this thing we’re doing. We gave ourselves a group name and set personal goals. Life goals. There are notebooks and stickers.” A blush colored her cheeks. “Anyway, it’s got to be tough running a camp. No wonder you’re stressed.”
Stress. Not a word I’d used much in my life to be honest. I’d always had simple interests. Jobs requiring sweat and hard work but not reallystress. Being responsible for people’s lives, for children? This job made me feel stress.
And even more now that beefing up security measures became a top priority. I needed to get to the office and make some calls. “I should get to work.”
“The counselors will be here soon. And campers.” She sighed heavily. “The whole cycle starts again.”
“Soon, but not yet.” I pulled her in for another kiss, memorizing every detail.
Chapter 26
Hudson
Thevibeforcamparrival day hit decidedly different than past weeks.
“Uh, what are all these teenagers doing here?” Lucas joined me in the parking lot for the latest arrivals, standing a safe and professional distance from me.
“It’s teen week.” He should have known that, right?
