Page 62 of The Executive Assistant

Suddenly, he nodded, taking a deep breath. “I do,” he said. “I’ve missed you, Alison.”

My heart skipped a beat. “You did?”

Cameron nodded. “That night in the office, I wanted to tell you, but I chickened out. But then, as I was heading out, I told myself to take a chance and tell you the truth. So I came back to the office, but then I saw you on the floor.” He shook his head. “I’d never felt so scared. I thought I was going to lose you.”

I took his hand. “You won’t lose me.”

“Riding in the ambulance with you…waiting by your bedside…I was terrified,” he admitted.

“My friends told me you stayed by my side all night, until they kicked you out.” I squeezed his hand. “That means so much to me.”

“Did they tell you I pretended to be your husband?”

I chuckled, and some of the tension in my body loosened. “They did.”

He squeezed my hand back. “I do want you. I want togive this relationship another shot,” he said. “I have been looking at other jobs because I had the same idea as you. I love working at Firth Marketing, but…” he trailed off.

“I’ll write that reference,” I promised. “Besides, over the years, you’ve built a good network, haven’t you?”

Cameron had charmed every client who walked through the office doors. He was friendly with everyone at business events. I had no doubt his connections would help him find an excellent job.

“I have,” he agreed.

“I’m sure you’ll be snatched up quickly,” I said. Whoever picked him up would be incredibly lucky. They would get to have one of the kindest, sharpest people in the city working for them. “I’ll support you however I can,” I promised.

Cameron smiled at me, but it quickly wilted. He glanced away, and it was one of the few moments he looked uncertain. “But am I the kind of guy that you want to be with? I don’t have a fancy apartment. I don’t drive an expensive sports car. I know Russell MacArthur’s a dick, but…isn’t he more on your level?”

My heart ached as I heard the vulnerability in his voice. How could he think he wasn’t good enough for me?

I placed my hand on his cheek, making sure that he was looking me in the eye. “I don’t care about apartments or cars or expensive things. I know that’s easy to say when I have them all, but it’s true. Someone like Russell wouldonly see me as an accessory. He doesn’t see how much I care about my company. He doesn’t respect my career, the way you do. I love how down to earth you are,” I continued. “You never brag, and you don’t need to impress me. You have everything I want — you’re sweet and gorgeous and you have my back. You listen to what I say and you make me laugh, and sometimes you know me better than I know myself.”

His face softened. “You’re the most incredible woman I know, Alison. You’re beautiful and successful and smart. I know you don’t need anyone to look after you, but I want to. I want to take care of you. I want to cook dinner with you, and watch TV together, and go on holidays.”

I wanted all of those things too. “You helped me realise what I should’ve learned a long time ago. There’s more to life than work, and I don’t want to miss out on this.”

“Me neither.”

I felt like with happiness. “So that’s a yes? We’re doing this —”

My words were cut off as Cameron leaned forward and kissed me. Immediately, I melted into him, relishing the familiar feel and taste of his lips. I clutched his arms, feeling the strong body I hadn’t touched for weeks.

“I’ve missed this,” Cameron murmured against my lips, one hand cupping the back of my neck.

“Me too. So badly,” I told him.

He lowered his hands, placing one on either side of myhips, and pulled me onto his lap. “When you were in the hospital, I realized how deeply I care about you.” His voice was tight, and I could only imagine how he had felt. If it had been Cameron in the hospital bed, I would’ve been wrecked.

“It won’t happen again,” I promised. “The doctor gave me a stern talking to, and I’m going to take care of myself.”

Cameron tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m glad you’re okay now.”

I flattened his hand so that I could press it against my cheek. I’d never felt so happy before. It’s like my body wanted to explode with love, relief, and joy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

We kissed and kissed for what felt like an eternity. I savored the sensation of his lips against mine, his body heat, his sturdy body. Eventually, though, our kissing got more heated — he placed a hand on my breast, squeezing possessively, while I rocked my body slowly over his lap, feeling his erection grow harder and harder.

At one point, he tipped his head back and groaned. “Alison.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I want to show you how much I missed you.”

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