Page 35 of Sophia & Cameron

Sophia shrugged. “Never thought that the Ferris wheel would be fun. I thought it looked… boring.”

Cameron couldn’t help it. He tossed his head back with a laugh. “Of course you did. You don’t strike me as the sort of person who does anything by halves. Let me guess. You preferred the rides that set your heart racing.”

“Exactly,” she said with a smile, but then it fell away and her gaze turned serious. “You ruined me, you know.”

“What?”

“You ruined me for other guys. Every date I went on, I compared it to that one.”

He didn’t know whether to be heartbroken for her or intrigued by where she was going with this conversation. Hecould sense she was nervous, and the best thing would be to lighten the mood. Leaning close, he murmured, “I thought you didn’t date.”

Sophia snickered and pushed at his chest. “No second dates.”

“Except with me.”

Her eyes flicked up to meet his for a long moment. “Except with you,” she agreed.

Man, how his heart soared at that comment. “Does that mean you’ll agree to go out with me again?”

The Ferris wheel lurched forward, and she clutched his hand a little harder. Sophia chewed on her lower lip, tilting her head to the side for a moment before nodding. “I don’t know. It’s gonna be hard to top this one.”

He groaned with exaggeration. “Don’t break my heart, Red—” Cameron cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry, I guess I shouldn’t call you that…”

She leaned forward so her lips nearly grazed his ear. “I like it.” Then she moved to his cheek and brushed a whisper of a kiss to its surface. “And I’d love to go out with you again.”

Pulling back to make sure he heard her right, he searched her eyes for any indication she was pulling his leg but saw none. A smile tugged at his lips, but the fear was still rooted deep in his gut. “Do I need to be worried that you’re going to disappear for five years?”

Sophia released a laugh and swatted at him, but he caught her wrist before she could make contact. Her eyes locked with his as he tugged her closer.

“Because this time, I know where you live,” he whispered huskily, “and it’s gonna be harder to escape me now that I have you in my sights.” His eyes dipped to her mouth before lifting to her eyes. She nodded. Then he closed the distance between them as he brushed a kiss to her lips.

The tease of his skin against hers was excruciatingly delicious and he wanted more, but he forced himself to hold back.

Sophia stared up at him with surprise, and he gave her his most charming grin. “Just in case we don’t get that date you promised me.”

15

Sophia

That kiss.

Goodness gracious, that kiss had been something she’d never experienced before. It had been sweet and hot all at once, and he’d barely even touched her.

Sophia’s skin practically buzzed as she grabbed the coffee mug that she’d just filled with her favorite brew. The rest of their date the night before had been perfect. They’d played a few games, and Cameron had won her a stuffed horse. He got her a deep-fried Twinkie, and it almost felt like they had been together for years instead of… well, instead of the two dates they’d been on.

Mateo entered the kitchen and yawned. It was early yet, but Sophia figured Cameron would already be out in the barn making the rounds. She smiled at the thought of seeing him and couldn’t help but wonder what he would plan for their next date.

Maybe she should be the one to pick their outing. Then again, she had a tendency to pick the same old things. She couldn’t helpit if she enjoyed dancing and eating junk food. Those were her comforts.

And yet, she had absolutely felt seen when he’d taken her to that pottery studio.

“What’s that grin about?” Mateo asked, his brow arching.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she peered at her brother over the edge of her mug. “What? Nothing.”

“Right,” he drawled. “Please tell me that you’re not messing with Cameron. I know he has a contract and all, but I’d really rather he didn’t get his heart broken.”

She nearly coughed on the inhale of coffee she’d been intent on drinking. “What? Why would you say that?”

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