Page 35 of Under My Skin

I do know that when his hands are on me, I feel like I’m on top of the world, and no one ever made me feel like that. I told Lia I wanted a spark—this is a whole inferno. He makes me feel beautiful and wanted, and I’m done running. I can’t deny the attraction and connection between us, and I don’t want to.

So, I make a decision that scares the hell out of me and is exhilarating all at once. I place my hand on top of his, and he laces our fingers together.

“Don’t resist me then. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give.”

His eyes are intense as he keeps taking big breaths like he’s trying to calm himself down. After a minute, he finally speaks. “Tell me you’re sure, Lizzie. Because we’re only ever going to be friends with benefits. That’s it. That’s all it can ever be for me. And I want?—”

“I’m sure, Cameron.”

“No, no. You’ve got to think about it longer. Take a couple of days and we’ll talk about it again. Okay?”

He seems almost desperate in the way he’s asking this of me, and I realize he really cares. I understand he needs to be careful, and a couple of days will probably be good, but I’m also frustrated.

So, knowing I’m acting like a petty schoolgirl but unable to help it, I shake my head, straighten myself in the seat, and say, “Fine.”

“Fuck it.” That’s all he says before he reaches out and grabs the side of my neck, pulling him to me, before he slams his lips against mine. I move my hands to his chest to steady myself against the delicious onslaught. He runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, and I let him in. His breath is minty and fresh. Being able to finally touch him is intoxicating, and I never want it to end. As he deepens the kiss further, I let out a small moan, which only seems to encourage him. His hand on my thigh moves further up between my legs as his other hand wraps around my head to fist my hair. I’m ready to unbuckle this fucking seat belt and jump onto his lap when, as quickly as it started, he moves away.

My hand is still fisting his shirt, and we’re both breathing heavily. I felt the way he wants me, but my brain is starting to freak out and telling me maybe I did something wrong.

“I need to take you home, Lizzie.” He runs his hands through his hair and then down his face before taking my hand and kissing it. “Two days. Think about everything. In the meantime, let’s keep things how they’ve been. No pressure.”

“Right. Yeah. Okay.” I take a deep breath as well and move back into my seat. “I’ll think about it all.”

Cameron looks at me, and like he’s able to read my mind, he adds, “Believe me, Lizzie, I didn’t want to stop. My dick is as hard as a steel pipe right now and driving with a hard-on is gonna be tricky.”

I laugh in return, feeling super turned on and a little crazy but also lighter than I have in a while. When I’m with Cameron, things just feel right and easy, even if they are a little complicated.

“Alright, let’s get out of here before I ignore everything I just said and start kissing you again.”

He reaches down and adjusts himself before buckling his seat belt. The bulge he’s sporting is leaving little to the imagination, and I can’t help but stare. My tongue comes out to wet my lips and he clears his throat.

“Keep looking at me like that, Lizzie, and I’m going to find a place to park somewhere so I can show you exactly what you do to me.”

“I kind of like looking at you though. And don’t threaten me with something I want. That won’t work.” Part of me feels embarrassed that I just blurted that out, but the other part is turned and ready for him to have his way with me.

“You’re trouble, Lizzie Montgomery. So much trouble.”

He starts the car and then begins to drive for a couple of minutes before pulling into the drive-thru of a burger joint.

“This by no means makes up for the meal you would have eaten at Crest Steakhouse, but I need to feed you and myself without giving everyone in town a peek at what you do to me. So here we are. I still owe you a fancy dinner, though.”

I laugh. “Well, lucky for you, this place is my favorite, and I think fancy dinners are totally overrated.” I’m not even saying this to make him feel better. I really do prefer burgers and fries over just about anything.

We order our food through the speaker and then park with our bag full of fried goodness and eat in the car. We fill the silence between bites with small talk like we do when we’re lying under the stars, and it’s easygoing and comfortable like it always is.

Nothing changed, and yet so much has.

Once we’ve finished our food, we pull out of the parking lot, and he reaches over and takes my hand in his. He never lets go once on the whole way home. It feels unreal, but the warmth of his hand and the beating of my heart remind me to enjoy this moment.

Not long after, Cameron’s pulling down our road and parking on the side of his house. I see his sister’s car parked out front, reminding me that Morgan is babysitting.

We’re obviously friends since we grew up together and are only a few years apart, but what would she think if she found out what her brother and I were discussing? Would she look at me differently? Would she approve of whatever this is?

I’m up in my head again as Cameron comes around to get my door, so I decide to stop overthinking the moment he helps me down and places a hand on the small of my back. I look down and smile. “Seems like yoursituationhas sorted itself out.”

“And it’s going to become ahardersituation again if you don’t stop. Didn’t I tell you not to stare?” He pulls me closer just as we hear the side door of his house open. We both turn toward the noise and find Morgan with her head popping out, as if she has a sixth sense or something.

“Hey, lovebirds,” she says with a huge smile on her face. “Interesting seeing you two come home together since you went out with different people tonight. Hm, how does that work?” Cameron groans and shakes his head. “By the way, Liz, I saw Brian pick you up earlier. He couldn’t even get out of the car and get the door for you? What an asshole.” She turns to Cameron and wiggles her eyebrows. “Am I right, Cam?”

---