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A Devil's Hand: A Billionaire Romantic Suspense Novel (High Stakes Book 2) Shilo West
You must love and care for yourself because that is when the best comes out
Tina Turner
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
Chapter30
Chapter31
Chapter32
Chapter33
Chapter34
Chapter35
Chapter36
Chapter37
Chapter38
Chapter39
Chapter40
Chapter41
AbouttheAuthor
AlsobyKateBreitfeller
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
LIVING IN A LUXURY HOTEL HAD ITS PERKS, JAMES THOUGHT. HE HADN’T ORIGINALLY PLANNED ON TAKING ANYONE TO HIS ROOM tonight, butthe blonde had made a beeline for himthe minute she’d stepped into the bar. Restinghis hand onthe hip ofthe womanattemptingtocrawlintohislap,Jamesswirledtheamberliquidinthecrystaltumbler Theliquidrefractedunderthe lights,castingakaleidoscopeofcoloracrossthewoodenbar.
What had she said her name was again? Something with an L? Lexie.
“Whywould Iwant that?” James tried to hide his frown. It wasn't her first commentabout who she knew and whyshe assumedhe'dbeimpressedwithhersocialconnections
James shifted his knees, forcing Lexie to step back, and lifted his chin at his favorite bartender, Annie. With a neutral expression,sherefilledhisglass
Jamesrarelyorderedasecondscotch,butbetweenthebrayingnoisefromthecornerandLexie’sheavyfloralperfume...he was annoyed Mostlyathimself Heshouldhaveseenitcoming.
If his identical twin hadn’t fallen so ridiculously in love right on the heels of their younger sister Cara’s whirlwind marriage,Jameswouldn’tevenbethinkingaboutsappythingslikethat Foryears,one-nightstandshadworkedperfectly,but afterseeinghowhappyhissiblingswere,thebriefencountershadbeguntofeelempty.
Severalmonthsago,Luke’sgirlfriendDahliabroughtittotheBloomfamily’sattentionthatthe Murder She Spoke podcast hadcoveredapoisoningthatsharedseveralsimilaritiestohisfather’sdeathalmosttwoyearsago Jameshadvolunteeredto look into it, hoping they would find something to help prove their stepmother Courtney had killed David Bloom, thereby nullifyingthenewwillthatlefteverythingtoher
Whatchoicedidhehave?Hewouldratherbeskinnedalivethanadmittohisfamilythatthethoughtofasking her forhelp madehimill
So,hehad.
Andbeenturneddown Humiliating.
“Sorry Madison and Camellia don’t share their work ” Jameshadtoconsciouslyrelaxhisjawatthememory.
“Noway!”Annie’sfacelitup.“Ilovethatpodcast.”
“Youlistentothatcrap?”
Annie made a face. “It’s not crap. It’s fantastic!Madisondoes suchanamazingjob, and her co-host Camellia is really good,too She’sdoingmostoftheresearchontheirlatestcase”
“Nothing.”Jamesliftedhischinathisnowemptyglass,andAnnierefilleditwithoutcomment.“I’vejustneverunderstood people’s obsessionwithtrue crime I’ve seenthousands of crime scene photos and spokento hundreds of victims How is someoneelse’ssufferingentertainment?”
James’seyesreluctantlyswungtothegroup.Afewofthecrowdwerenowstanding,andastheyparted,hesawKipJordan reacharound the waistofthe womannextto him. She clearlyhadn’tbeenexpectingthe move because, whenhe tugged her closer,shestumbledintohim,herdarkhairfallingfromtheclipthathelditup,makingthejackasslaughharder
Inslow motion, the womanstepped out ofrange ofthe chefand tucked her hands behind her back, barelyavoidingthe man’s efforts to catch them. James wanted to tear his eyes away, but it was as if a magnetic force had caught himand he couldn’t
Kip Jordan ducked his head to say something in her ear, and James’s breath sawed harshly in his chest, his heart hammering Heforcedhiseyesbacktotheglassinfrontofhim,vaguelyawareofAnnietalkingtotheyoungbarback “Bebackinaminute,”Anniesaid,steppingaway.
Don’t look
Buthisbodydidn’tobeyhisbrain.Anniemadeherwayacrosstheroomwithasmile.Jameswastoofarawaytoseethe chocolate eyes, buthe easilyremembered how theyused to sparkle, her entire face practicallyglowingwiththe lightinside her
Evenas James remindedhimselfthatitwas none ofhis business,thathe didn’tknow her anymore,didn’t want to know her Thosebreathtakingeyesliftedandmethisacrosstheroom
Pain, sharp and sudden, flared behind his breastbone, butJames kepthis expressionblank, evenas her eyes widened in recognitionandherlipspartedinshock
James turnedtoface the bar andsignaledtoAnnie for his check,butthe bartender’s gaze was onsomethingbehindhim. The flashofsurprise inher expressionwas his onlywarningbefore a hand rested onhis forearmand warmbreathcoasted acrosshisear,settinghisbodyonfirethewayonlyonepersoneverhad. “Please,”shebegged “Bemyboyfriendforafewminutes”
Jamesmetherpleadinggaze,andforthesecondtimeinlessthanfiveminutes,hislungsseized. Cami fucking Messina.
CHAPTER TWO
KEEP SMILING, CAMI, SHE TOLD HERSELF. RE-SIGNING CELEBRITY CHEF, KIP JORDAN TO AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE podcast would be a game-changer for them. Their contract was up soon, and for her and Madisonto reachtheir goal, they neededhimtorenewhisexpensiveadcampaign
Cami sighed. Madisonwas tryingto be nice so as to notwreckthe deal, butenoughwas enough. She watched her best friendscoottothesideofthesmallsofatoavoidthejerk,buthecontinuedtoinchcloser.
All righty then
“Hey, Madison, don’t you need to get home?” Madison lifted her eyebrows. “I know Jax has been keeping you up at night ”
Madison brow wrinkled briefly before understanding dawned, and her eyes twinkled. “He does have a temper,” she agreed,comingtoherfeet.
She looked downatKip’s crestfallenface “I’msorryto cutthe eveningshort, butI’msure youunderstand ” Madison grabbedCami’shand,pullinghertoherfeet.“Thankyousomuchformeetingwithustoday.We’relookingforwardtoworking withyouagain At Home Meal Kits isaperfectfitwiththe Murder She Spoke audience”
“Youcanallgo.”Hewavedhishanddismissivelyatthefiveassistantshetraveledwithandhisbusinesspartner,Kevin. Theassistantsallsprangtotheirfeet,eagertokeeptheirfamouslytemperamentalbosshappy Oh no. That can’t be good.
“That’s a fantastic idea!” Kip drained the small amount left in his pint glass. However, when he straightened, his arm brushed Cami’s breasts, and she stepped away, certain it hadn’t been an accident, but her knee bumped the table causing severalglassestotoppleover.
Cami arranged her face in disappointment and smiled apologetically at the young women who appeared and began sweepingupthemess “Unfortunately,Ido HegetssuperjealouswhenI’mlate,soIshould " “Ifhe’ssuperjealous,whyareyouwithhim?”
“What? I’mgiving Camellia a compliment No one wants a stick in bed You need something to hold onto” His hand suddenlycurvedoverherassandsqueezedhard,makingherjump.CamifeltherclipgivewayevenasKiplaughedandtugged herintohisside,hisarmamanaclearoundherwaist.
She could handle Kip What could he do? They were in public, after all Cami caught sight of the heavily-tattooed bartenderheadingtheirway.Therewasasmileonherface,buthereyeswerepissed.
“Are youreadyfor the check?” she asked, thoughwhenher eyes metCami’s, whatshe was clearlyaskingwas “are you okay?”
Kiplookeddownhisnoseather.“Let’sgetanotherround.”
The bartender waiteduntil Cami noddedandsmiledbefore steppingaway Maybe ifKipgotwasted,he’dwanttogoto bed.But,asshewatchedthebartenderwalkaway,awarenessprickledupCami’sspine.Hereyesscannedtheroom,comingto restonthejaw-droppinglyhandsomemanatthefarendofthebar
Kip’s breathreeked ofbeer whenhe whispered inher ear. “Itfeels like you’ve gota lotto hangonto. This could be a mutuallybeneficialworkingrelationship.”
Kip’s brows dove over his nose. Cami had to play it cool. She needed to turn him down without jeopardizing the partnership Theyneededthemoney,butsleepingwithKiptosealthedealwasasteptoofar
“Why didn’t you say that when Madison left? If you needed to go to this jealous boyfriend… ” He made air quotes. “Wouldn’tyouhaveleftwithher?”
“That’ssilly.”WhenKip’seyesmethers,shesaw thatheknew shewaslying,andnow inretributionforherrejectionof him,hewasgoingtohumiliateher Shecouldkissthisadcampaigngoodbye “Okay, buthe doesn’tlike surprises,” Cami said, before settingoffas quicklyas she could toward the bar, conscious of Kipcloseonherheels.
AfantuggedatKip’s arm,buyingher the extra seconds Cami neededtoreachJames first Wouldhe playalong? They’d beencloseonce beforehe’ddisappearedfromherlifewithoutaword.
Get your hormones under control It’s not real, Cami He’s just doing what you asked Kip’s face slacked as Kevinapproached themwarily. Kevinwore the resigned expressionofa manwho knew he was goingtohavetocleanupyetanotheroneofthechef’smesses
“It’snicetomeetyou,”Kevininterjectedintothetensemoment James’shandglidedoverherbareshoulderanddownherarm.Herbreathcaughtasthecaresssentashockofelectricity along her nerve endings, and goosebumps rose on her arms Kip’s eyes zeroed in on where James leisurely stroked his fingertipsupanddownherarm,creatinghavoconhernervoussystem.
There is something seriously wrong with me. This is not supposed to be a sexy moment. “Iwouldn’thavekepthersolate.”Kipleered.“Camididn’tseemlikeshewasinahurrytoleaveme.” Jamesstiffenedbehindher
Cami movedtostand,buttoher shock,James’s armsnakedaroundher waistholdingher securelyagainsthim.The hard musclesofhisthighsflexedashescootedhercompletelyintohislap
“Yes,ofcourse”Hegentlyranhisfingersthroughtheendsofherhairbeforetuckingthestrandsbehindherear Cami bither tongue hopingthe painwouldfocus her onthe conversationandnotthe mindmeltingsensations James was creatingwithhiscasualtouches
“Thanks againfor tonight.” Cami cleared her throatwhenthe words came outmore breathless thanshe’d expected. “It’s always greatwhenwe geta chance to meetinperson.” She gave her bestprofessional smile. “Hopefully, we canmeetthis weekforyoutosignthecontracts”
And I can order more ads for Amy’s story. Kevinnodded,butKipwaggedhisfinger “Allbusinessthisone”HesentaconspiratorialsmiletoJames “Enoughofthat Let’sparty.”
Her temperature ratcheted up whenJames’s chestmolded firmlyagainsther spine “Stop moving,” he hissed inher ear Pressingatenderkisstohertempletohidehiswords,helookedupatKip.“Camiisright.It’sgettinglate.”
“It’snotcomplicated”Jamessoundedbored “I’mnotparticipatinginabachelorauction Theconceptisludicrous” Shannon blinked at him several times. “But you have to. Atlanta Insider’s last issue named you number one on their Atlanta’sTopBachelorslist Thetoptenalwaystakepart It’sforcharity”Shesaidthelastbitslowly,asifJamesdidn’tgrasp themagnitudeofwhathewassaying.
“I’llwriteacheck.”
“Well,ofcourse but ”Alannashookherhead,clearlybaffledbyJames’sattitude “Hecan’tbeinitanymore.”Kip’seyesslidslylytoCami.“He’snotabacheloranymore.Right?” Oh no!
“Um, I didn’t say that… I… um…” Her stomach swirled. The two women’s gazes bounced between her and James, disbeliefclearontheirfaces.
“Really?Lastmonth, Atlanta Insider saidyouweresingle”Shannonputherhandonherhiphereyesnarrowed Say something, Cami. Think!
There had to be a wayto politelyextricate her and James withoutcompletelyhumiliatingherself because ifthese two womencaughtherinthelieandfiguredoutwhoshewas,itwouldbealloversocialmedia…NottomentionKipandKevin’s reaction.
“I…uh…Imean…”
James’s hand slid fromher side to her stomachand pressed, the heatsearingher throughthe material ofher dress. Her mouthsnappedshutaselectricsparkssurgedthroughher
I’m about to be outed as a giant liar, and instead of thinking about a way out of this, I’m turning into a puddle. What is wrong with me?
Camitwistedinhisembraceandangledherheadtostareupathim,butJameswasn’tlookingather.Heraisedaneyebrow at the two women. “I never asked to be featured in a magazine or to be put on some asinine list. But, as he said,” James continued,inclininghisheadtowardsKip,notbotheringtonamehim,“Ican’tpossiblyparticipatebecauseI’mnotabachelor.” Shewascloseenoughthatshecouldseethehardlinesatthecornersofhismouthtwitch Shehadthesuddenoverwhelming andcompletelyinappropriateurgetopressherlipstothoselinestoseeifthey’dsoften.
“No, buthe is openinga restauranthere. Plus,” Cami intentionallywidened her grin, winkingatKip. “He’s a celebrity. Thatwouldbringinatonofmoneyforthecharity”
Kippreened.“I’dbehappytohelpyouladiesout.”
“Thatwouldbehuge!”Alannaexclaimed,Jamestemporarilyforgotten “Letme buyyouladies a drink, and we cangetto know eachother better,” Kip said, throwinghis arms around the two women’sshouldersagain
“So,um,thankyouIguess”Hisfacecouldgivegranitearunforitsmoney Camitriedagain “It’snicetoseeyou” That seemed to annoyhimfurther because his jaw clenched. Disappointment flared. Theyhad beenfriends once. Good friends
“So…howwasyourdecade,James?”
Jamesblewanangrybreathouthisnose
“Look, Iknow thatwas weird, and I’msorryIputyouinthatposition, butyoudon’thave to be a jerkaboutit,” Cami huffed,turningtogo.“Haveanicelife.”
Her smile still determinedlyinplace, Cami climbed onto the tall bar chair nextto him She closed her eyes and tooka small, appreciative sip. She gave a small humofpleasure as the smokyflavor filled her mouth. Scotchofthis qualitywas typicallyoutofherpricerangetoorderatabar,andshedidn’tdrinkenoughtojustifyspendingsomuchonabottletokeepat home.
Whenhereyesopened,shenoticedthatJameswasbreathingalittleharder,hislongfingersflexingontheglassinfrontof him WatchingJamesoutofthecornerofhereye,shewasoverlyconsciousofhow hisbroadshoulderwasonlyinchesfrom hers, heatradiatingoffhim. There were small lines atthe corners ofhis eyes, and stubble had formed alonghis strongjaw, temptinghertotesthowroughitwouldfeelagainstherfingertips Desirebloomedlowinherbellybeforesheshookherhead, laughingatherself.
Incollege, Cami had anentire libraryoffantasies thatrevolved around James. Studyinghimwhenhe satnextto her in class,or inthelow lightofthetelevisioninhisapartmentwhentheyhadalate-nightmoviemarathon Fantasiesshe’dnever beenbraveenoughtoacton.
“How about we say we helped each other?” Cami kept her tone light, hoping to coax a smile out of him, but he only grunted.
Cami tookanother small sipofthesmokyliquid.“Younever usedtobethis grouchy.Imean,youhadyour moments,but youusedtobefun.OldJameswouldhavethoughtourlittlecharadewasfunny.”
James caught her arm, pulling it down. “You’re making a scene.” He hissed. “It’s just one old friend buying another a drink?Youdon’tneedtobesodramatic”
Sherolledherlipstokeepfromlaughingathisoutragedtone “You’vebarelysaidthreecivilwordstomeinthelastfew minutes,andyou’vegot…”shesaid,drawingacircleintheairinfrontofherface,“…thiswholebroodystareinthemirror thinggoingonratherthanlookatme And now we’reoldfriends?”
“Hm, let me thinkabout it.” He rubbed his lip withhis finger, pretendingto be deep inthought. “Oh, now Iremember, Aesop Theywerehisfables”Grayirisessparkledather,andCamicouldn’thelptheelationthatspreadthroughher Therehewas.TheJamessheremembered.
WHY HAD HE ASKED HER TO STAY? HE SHOULD HAVE LET CAMI GO WHEN SHE FIRST MENTIONED IT. ALREADY, HE WAS succumbingtohercontagiousjoy.Thinkingaboutwhathecoulddotohearthatgiggleagain.
Itwaslikeitwasher superpower Nomatter how stressedhewasover anexamor somethinghappeningwithhisfather, Camiwouldsaysomethingridiculousandmakehimsmile.Itwasimpossibletobeinabadmoodaroundher.Evenwhenthe worldfeltatitsdarkest,herlightmadeitbearable
And then those two women The absurd amount of attention he received started as soon as he’d moved to Atlanta last spring.WithLukehappilythrownoutasbaittothesinglewomenofthecity,Jameshadbeenabletomostlystayofftheirradar. NowthatLukewasinarelationshipwithDahlia,theAtlantasocietypageshadturnedtheireyestoJames.Hehatedit. Notsimplybecausehedespisedtheintrusivepress WhatJameshatedmostweretheendlesscomparisonstohisbrother Heshouldhavejustsaidnoandstuckwithit.
Afterwhathappenedontheironeandonlydate,Jameshadvowedtoneverseeheragain.Now,herehewas,sittingnextto her, doinghis bestnotto stare ather impressive cleavage inthatred dress, and wonderingwhatshe would looklike as he peeleditoffher.
Then again, he doesn’t know what happened or the role Luke himself inadvertently played Jamesclearedhisthroat “TheAlvarezcase Herhusbandpoisonedherwithaheavymetal,right?Thallium?I’vedonea bit of research, but I hoped that since your podcast already put in the time, you might have information on how it could effectivelybeusedtomurdersomeoneandwhyAlvarezthoughthe’dgetawaywithit”
“You’re a defense attorney now.” The hint of pink was back before her mouth turned down. “I don’t remember seeing anythingonthenewsaboutathalliumpoisoning.IhaveGooglealertsforthatkindofthing.Thalliumisn’tasuperpopularway tokillsomeone,thoughitisoneofthebestforgettingawaywithmurder”
“Let’scallitaworkingtheory.Whatdoyouknowaboutit?”
“That’sprettybroad What’syourcaseabout?”
James foundhimselfmomentarilymesmerizedbyher fingertipdelicatelytracingtherimofher glass.Wrenchinghis gaze away,heforcedhimselftobedispassionate “Anelderlymandiedafterashort,indeterminateillness Thesymptomsbeganin hisgastrointestinaltract.Afterroutinetesting,thedoctorsstillcouldn’tnaildownadiagnosis.Later,informationcametolight thattherewasgoodreasontobelievesomeonepoisonedhim.”
“Whatinformation?”
“That’snotimportant.”
“It is if you want me to help you,” Cami smiled, but he recognized the stubborn line of her jaw “Your client is the accused?”
He pushed his glass forward and nodded at Annie “I know it has to be ingested, but inthe last weeks of his life, the deceasedonlyingestedfoodanddrinkpreparedbysomeonehetrusted.”
“Goodpoint Sonotthroughthefoodanddrink”Camitracedtherimoftheglasswithherfingertipagain,herplumplips pursed. “There have beencases where the victimcontinued to be poisoned evenwhile inthe hospital. Or, it could be that enoughofthe heavymetal had alreadybeenadministered before the victimsuspected something, and the damage was done Withlong-term,low-doseexposure,it’spossiblethevictim’sorgansweretoodamagedtorecover,evenifhewasnolonger exposedtothepoison.It’sirreversibleafterapoint.”
James’s lips thinned. She was right. Agroup ofyoungmenhad migrated downthe bar, crowdingclose behind her. She glancedoverhershoulderatthemandthenhoppeddownfromherchair
James spread his hands wide. “Look, I live in the hotel. It’s more like an apartment there are two bedrooms, two bathrooms Youcantakeaquickshower,andbythenyourdresswillhavedried” “Idon’tthink…”Shepeekedupathimthroughherlashes.
It’s not like he’s a stranger. I know him… or used to. He’s not going to murder me.
Plus, it will stop the endless ‘what if’wondering He might be terrible Then the spell James Bloom has always had over me will be broken. Who am I kidding?
There is no way in hell James Bloom is mediocre at anything.
Thedoordingedsoftlyopen,andthethickcarpetingofthehallwaymuffledtheirsteps.Cami’sheartbeatsohardshewas halfconvincedhecouldhearit Buthisexpressionremainedcool,impassiveeven,astheyreachedthedoortohissuite When theheavymahoganydoorswungopen,CamisawJameshadn’tmisledher.
“Thisisreallynice,thoughIwouldn’thavethoughthappybirdswereyourstyle”Shegesturedbackatthefoyerwallpaper James’sforeheadcreasedinconfusion,asherestlesslytappedhisphoneagainsthisoppositehand.“Ididn’tdecorateit.” Cami struggled to keep a straight face Obviouslyshe’d beenjoking, but he seemed to have takenher literally Was he regrettingaskingherup?
“Kip and his business partner Kevinsigned a short-termadvertisingcampaignwithus Now thatit’s comingto anend, we’rehopinghe’llsignonfortherestofthisseason,aswellasthenext.Withhismoney,wecanrunmoremarketingspotsand elevatethepodcast’svisibility”
Cami avoided his gaze as she found the bedroom he mentioned. It looked completely unused. Shutting herself in the bathroom,sheleanedherhandsagainstthecounter.
I’m actually in James Bloom’s hotel room How the hell did this happen?
“Maybealittle,”Camiadmitted Maybe a lot Shepluckedatoneofherstickystrandsofhair “Hangonasec I’vegotto getthisdressoff.”
Madison’s objection was muffled as Cami set the phone on the vanity and swiftly pulled her dress off over her head, frowningwhensherealizedthedrinkshadsoakedthroughtoherbraandpanties.Shetuckedthephonebetweenhershoulder andneckjustintimetohearMadisonsay,“CamelliaMessina,youbetteranswerme!”
Afterendingthecall,Camisteppedintotheshoweralreadysteamingupthebathroom Asshelatheredherhair,shethought aboutwhatMadisonhadsaid.Shehadn’thadanorgasmwithoutbatteryassistanceinsolong,Camicouldn’tdenythataonenightstandwithsomeonesheknewwouldn’tleavehertiedupinaclosetwastempting Plus itwasJames Her breasts tightened as she imagined slippinghis pristine dress shirtoffhis shoulders and exploringwhathad feltlike impressivemusclesunderneath.Anarrowoflustslammedthroughher.
Sheshookher head Thiswasridiculous Whatwasshegoingtodo?Walkoutthere,dropher towel,andsay“takeme” Cami snorted, turned off the water, and squeezed the excess water out of her hair. But when she reached for the still wet underwear,shehesitated
AFTER CAMI DISAPPEARED INTO THE GUEST BEDROOM, JAMES RETREATED TO HIS OWN ROOM AND TRIED NOT TO PICTURE WHAT was happening on the other side of the hall. Cami peeling off that red dress. Naked in the shower. Suds running over her breasts Hernipplespeekingthroughthebubblesastheysliddownherbodyandbetweenherlegs Jameshardenedpainfully Hepridedhimselfonhiscontrol,anditwasinfuriatingthatshewasstilltheonlypersonwhocouldmakehimloseit.
What is she doing in there? Is she planning to wait in the bathroom until her dress dries?
Heignoredthestabofdisappointment,assuringhimselfthatitwouldbeeasieriftheydidn’thavetomakesmalltalk I don’t want to talk to her.
His brain froze as Cami emerged fromthe hallway dressed in a fluffy white robe, her dark hair hanging wet over her shoulders.Hisheartpoundedagainsthisribs.
Perfection
But then she always has been Thehotel robewasfar toobigonher,andCami heldituptowalk,givinghimaglimpseofpinktoenailsasshepadded acrosstostandinfrontofhim Shegavehimatinynervoussmile,andall theair wassuckedfromtheroom Itfeltintimate Erotic.
“CanIgetoneofthose?”Shenoddedathisglass
JamesdidhisbestnottostareatthesmoothskinofhercollarboneexposedintheVoftheterrycloth.Hepouredameasure ofscotchinto a glass, careful notto brushher fingers whenhe handed itto her. The robe gaped a bitas she tookthe drink, revealingevenmoregorgeousskin
Fuck!Is she naked under the robe?
He swallowed hard Cami dropped onto the sofa, tuckingher legs underneathher, and swiftlytugged the robe over her knees,hidingatantalizingglimpseofroundthigh.
She nodded, her eyes holding his. “I thought it would be nice to see old friends.” Awry smile twisted her lips. “I’d forgottenhowbigourclasswas.Ididn’tseeanyoneIknew.” “YouknewIwasn’tthere.”
Hercheeksflushedasifsheonlyjustrealizedwhatshe’drevealed “Someonementionedit” “Iwas busy.” Notlongafter he’d received the letter aboutthe upcomingreunion, the Bloomfamilydrama was splashed across the internet Every tabloid news outlet covered the scandal following their father’s sudden death and the Bloom siblings’subsequentdisinheritance.
He didn’t Alreadyhavingher atsuchproximitywas playinghavoc withhis control He halfwanted to haul her into his armsandexploreherlusciousbodyuntilshebeggedformercyandhalfwantedtothrottleherforsononchalantlybringingup thepast
Silencestretchedbetweenthem.James fearedhis non-answer was all theanswer Cami needed.She’dalways seemedto know whatitwas he wasn’tsaying. Itused to be a comfort, thatshe knew himso well, butnow he feltexposed. He either neededtochangethesubjectortellhertoleave “Whataboutyou?”
She shookher head witha chuckle. “Youaren’t totallywrong. Iwas primarilywiththe College ofPsychiatrystudents. Mostare PhDs now. I’mjusta lowlypodcaster, so other thansome pityinglooks regardingthe waste ofmydegree, itwas fine”
James snorted and reached for his glass. “You were always twice as intelligent as any of them. They’re probably just pissedthattheysitinaboringofficeallday,andyou’reactuallydoingsomethingyouloveandarehugelysuccessfulatit”
“Never got married?” His brain was in overdrive, ordering his body to put on the brakes, but his blood was already pumpingfuriously,andhefelthiscontrolslipping.
Cami’seyelidshooded,andhertongueslippedouttowetherlowerlip “There’snothingwrongwiththose” His erection jumped and her eyes dipped. There was no way to hide his reaction to her in the thin material. His skin buzzed,andhe couldfeel his pulse jackrabbitingthroughhis chest.Butnomatter how muchhe wantedtograbher andbury himselfinher,hewouldn’tmakeiteasyforher Notthistime.Thistimeshehadtosayit.
Cami leaned forward slightlyso thatthe robe gaped further, revealingthe delicious valleybetweenher full breasts His mouthdried,unabletolookawayevenashehopeditwouldslipabitmore.He’dalwaysimaginedhernipplesasaduskyrose ratherthandelicatepink.Suddenly,itfeltasifhislifedependedonhimfindingouttheanswer.
His words hunginthe charged air betweenthem James concentrated onhis breathing, tryingnotto letonhow muchthe feralanimalinsidehimwantedhertosayyes.Waswaitingfor any signthatitcouldpounce.
“I could” The sultry tone of Cami’s voice reached down and wrapped itself around his cock She stepped around the coffeetable.
James surged to his feet. Words he’d onlyever dreamed about fell fromher lips, settingthe beast free. He plunged his handsintoher hair ashismouthcrashedintohers Shemoanedintohismouth,her nailsdiggingintohisback,throughhisTshirt.
James saw a briefflashofuncertaintyinher eyes, a vulnerabilityhe hadn’texpected. He did his bestto reinhimselfin fromseizingherlikeacaveman.Hishandsrosetocradleherribs,histhumbsbrushingtheundersideofherfullbreasts. “Areyousure?”
“IfIdoanythingthatyou ”Hisfingersflexedagainstherheatedskin,suddenlyawareofhowsmallshereallywas How large his hands were onher. He dragged a thumb across a puckered nipple, lovinghow her breathhitched evenas the rosy flushdeepenedacrossherchest
“Tell me whatyoulike,” James growled, pullingbackand slidinghis fingers throughher slickfleshbefore sinkingtwo fingersinside.“Isthiswhatyouwant?”heasked,thrustingagain,admiringhowherskinflushed.
“Yes!” The keeningcryfilled the suite settinghimonfire, and as muchas his ownbodydemanded release, James was determinedthatthefirsttimeshecameitwouldbeonhistongue.
“Please.Ohgod…don’tstop!”Camipantedwhenhesuckedhardonthebundleofnervesandhisfingerscurledinsideher. James continued strokinguntil she was wild and her legs trembled beneathhis hands. He didn’trelentuntil her sharp cries threatenedtowakeupanyoneelseonthehotelfloor.
James strode rapidlyto the bedroombefore droppingher onthe bed witha slightbounce Her face had a delicate rose flush,andforasplitsecond,hismindtriedtorationalizethatthiswasCamiandnotoneofhiscountlessdreams.
“DO YOU NEED A RIDE SOMEWHERE?”JAMES BRUSHED A HAND ACROSS HIS MOUTH. PART OF HIM WANTED TO MAKE AN EXCUSE TO keephernear,buthissenseofself-preservationremindedhimheneededtogetawayfromherassoonaspossible.
ThefirstthingJamesfelt,whenhewokethatmorningandrealizedtherumpledbednexttohimwasempty,waspanic And momentslater,whenherealizedCamihadonlygonetotheguestbathroomtoshower relief.
Alarge weddingpartywas fillingthe hotel lobbyaround them, withseveral photographers issuingorders to the bridal party Jamesscowledwhenafacethatlookedvaguelyfamiliarwavedathim HeplacedhishandonthesmallofCami’sback andguidedhertotherevolvingglassdoorthatledtothestreet.
“Ithinkthat’sforme”Sheconsultedtheapponherphoneandangledherheadtowardasilversedanatthecurb Her warmeyes looked up athim, and inthe brightlightofmorning, he could see the tinyflecks ofgold. Atinge ofred stainedhercheekbones
Shit. He’d forgottenthe entire reasonhe was supposed to have contacted her inthe firstplace. Thatwas a bad sign. He neededtostayfocused
CamisuddenlygrabbedthefrontofhisT-shirtandyankedhisheaddowntohersbeforesmashingherlipsintohis.Instant heat shot up his neck, and his hands rose to cradle her head, but before he could deepenthe kiss or pull her closer, Cami steppedback,asunnysmilelightingherface
James ran a hand over his hair, suddenly aware that a group of people were watching him stare after the car, now disappearingintraffic.Hegavethemadarkglarebeforestalkingbackintothehotel.
Onthe elevator ride to the parkingdeck, he thumbed outa textto his siblings, lettingthemknow thathe’d contacted the podcast host and that he hoped to have more information soon He should probably meet with Cami again to review her
He’d spent far too many nights imagining what it would be like to finally hold her It didn’t help that last night had surpassedanythinghe’dever envisioned.Hisbodyhardenedas herememberedhow his fingers haddugintoher hips as she rockedoverhim,herheadthrownbackandthedeliciouslybreathysoundsshemadejustbeforeshe... Fuck!Jamesshovedbackfromhisdesk This is pathetic!
Heexhaledaharshbreaththroughhisnoseandglaredatthepapershe’dknockedaskewonhisdesk.Slowly,hebreathed throughhisnose,countingtothreeoneachinhaleandexhaleuntilhisbreathingcalmed,andthenheslowlystraightenedeach stack of papers before slipping theminto their appropriate folders. Only after they were neatly put away did the agitated feelingsubside
