Page 74 of Just a Client

The loyal, loving friends and family surrounding Cameron were a big part of why I’d fallen so hard and fast for her. I loved that they looked out for Cameron. But I didn’t want them to castrate me before I could prove my good intentions. I crossed my legs uncomfortably in the hard chair.

“What are your plans for my mom?”

“Tonight, dinner at Bowie’s.”

My short-sighted answer caused an epic teenage eye roll and sigh of exasperation. “Be serious.”

“I’m planning on dating the hell out of your mom if she will let me. Then maybe more.” The idea of more, while slightly terrifying, excited me in ways I’d never experienced. A life together. A wedding and permanency. Pictures of us in a field of bluebonnets mailed out to friends and family for no good reason other than to share our happiness. I couldn’t wait for more.

“I can accept that answer. If you don’t screw it up.” Vassar wasn’t ready for this girl. Bailey would break hearts and bust balls at college. She was a dangerous blend of her mom and Lara.

“I will do everything in my power to keep my promise to you.” And to Cameron, I silently added.

“You’re buying Blue Star, putting down roots here?” Lara’s question dripped with distrust.

“Yes.” I held her gaze, willing every ounce of sincerity that I could muster into my answer. These women held a crucial place in Cameron’s life, and I wanted them to approve of me.

“You hurt her, and I’ll get my uncle to put you in jail.” Bailey wasn’t joking.

“And I’ll send Jude’s boys from Beautiful Hills after you armed with more than a few darts and a jalapeño martini.” The angry curl of Lara’s lips promised violence.

“Fair. I’d expect nothing less.” If I hurt Cameron, I’d deserve all that and more. Tie me up, boil me in hot oil, and skin me alive. Or the worst punishment: send me back to LA alone. The thought hit like a punch to my solar plexus.

At the sound of footsteps, we all turned. Cameron bolted down the stairs barefoot, her shoes in one hand. Her soft blond curls bounced around her shoulders. I stood without planning to. She drew me toward her like a magnet. I took her hand and lifted it to my lips for a kiss.

“Evening, Cameron.” The sexy baritone I’d slipped into was nothing like my normal voice, but she was nothing like a normal woman.

“Wilson. You’re here.” Her breath caught when my lips touched the back of her hand, and goosebumps flared on her forearm.

“I am.” I missed her.

We’d spent the rest of the day after the shoot at the Historic Charmer in each other’s arms at my rental house, but she’d left to be home in time for dinner with Bailey. I’d not seen her since. Text messages weren’t the same. I couldn’t smell her or taste her. The brief exchanges only made me want her more.

“Why didn’t you two call me downstairs?” Cameron looked from her daughter to her friend.

“We needed to speak with him,” Lara told her.

Cameron’s eyes widened, and she stamped her bare foot. “Please stop helping me. Will everyone please stop?”

“We weren’t helping you; we were threatening him.” Lara popped a chip from a bowl on the coffee table into her mouth and chewed very, very aggressively. Ouch.

Cameron groaned and buried her flaming face in my chest. “We should go before they embarrass me more.”

I wrapped my arms around her and savored the press of her body against me. The rightness of her in my arms struck me anew. She was my person. I brushed my lips over her temple and wished I could do more, but I wasn’t sure how our audience would react if I bent Cameron back and ravaged her mouth like a starving man.

I offered her my elbow. She took it and put her shoes on one at a time. They were the same ones she’d worn for the TV shoot a few weeks ago. Red, tall, and sexy. She leaned on me for support, ignoring the nearby banister. I loved how, without hesitation, she knew I’d keep her steady. My chest tightened, and the urge to kiss her senseless multiplied exponentially.

Shoes on, we set off for the front door. She collected a small handbag off the hall table as I reached for the door.

“Bailey, keep Lara out of trouble. She doesn’t get nights off from the bar often. There is a real danger she might overdose on Sex in the City reruns. There is Grandma’s mac and cheese in the fridge for Tyler when practice is over.” Cameron spun to talk to them. The navy skirt of her wrap dress swirled against my pant legs. I stole a glance down at the tantalizing display of cleavage her dress offered and had to suppress a groan. One little bow at her waist was all that kept me from her gorgeous body. I wanted to untie it with my teeth.

“Have fun!” Lara replied around another bite of chips, accepting that a teenager had been left in charge of her and her son.

“I don’t expect to see you until tomorrow!” Bailey chirped in the all-knowing smart-ass teenager voice they all seemed to have mastered.

“I’m not sure I should leave them unsupervised,” Cameron whispered.

“We could call your brother.” I offered when the front door latched behind us.

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