Page 71 of Lust & Lollipops

“I’m a pretty simple woman,” I said. “A genuine apology does wonders. When I gave Cameron a chance to explain himself, he told me the truth about not being allowed to share anything he knew. He had his mind combed before he came, to make sure nothing about guarding me gave him an advantage. If anything, it gave him a disadvantage because all of you knew he knew me. Some of the guys targeted him at the beginning, remember?”

Kyle nodded, though his expression was tight.

Frustrated, too.

“So, if I apologized…” He trailed off, waiting for me to finish the sentence.

“You’d have to know what to apologize for.” My lips curved upward just slightly.

He grimaced.

“I think you know as well as I do that we wouldn’t be happy together, Kyle. You’re a pain in my ass, but you’re not a bad guy. You deserve to find a woman you’d actually fit with. Maybe someone… cheerier than me?”

“I helped Cam get here. At least the bastard will owe me after this.”

I gave him a knowing look. “You helped him get here because you didn’t think there was a chance I’d ever consider choosing him.”

“Maybe,” Kyle grumbled.

I smiled. “Definitely. Have you ever thought about going on Bachelorette? I think you’d do pretty well there.”

“Would if I could. The possessiveness is too dangerous.” He shook his head. “I’ll just have to come back here and win the next girl.”

“Well, don’t give up,” I said.

He raised his eyebrows at me. “You do know who you’re talking to, right?”

I laughed. “I know. It just seemed like the right thing to say.”

“Cassette looks like he’s ready to strangle me. What do you say you kiss me, just to get back at him for using me?” Kyle said, flashing me a devilish grin.

A snort escaped me. “In your dreams, buddy.”

With that, I strode back to Cameron.

Kyle called after me, “If you meet the next girl, put in a good word for me!”

I flipped him off over my shoulder, and he laughed loudly.

Eventually, he’d be a great mate for someone who liked a loud, confident guy.

But he’d have to prove that to her himself. I sure as hell wasn’t getting involved.

There was a crease between Cameron’s brows when I walked back to him. “What did he say?” Cam asked, draping his arm over my shoulder and pulling me back to his side.

“We’re in love, and I’m going to carry his children.”

Cam growled, his grip on me tightening. “Lolli.”

My lips curved upward. “He knows you outsmarted him. He asked me to put in a word with the next girl, if I meet her.”

“And?”

“And I’m sure you saw me flip him off. If he wants a mate, he’ll have to win her over himself.”

Cam nodded.

His mood was more reserved than it had been when we were on the yacht and the speedboat, though.

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