Page 15 of Innocent and Sweet

“You’ll keep being my teacher?” If so, they had a chance.

“No.”

“What?” Her heart sank. He’d just said he cared. “Why? What did I mess up? I’ll keep trying.”

“You didn’t mess anything up.” His tough-guy façade slipped a bit. “I did. I knew better than to get involved with you, but I couldn’t stop myself. I got in over my head.” He brushed his thumb and fingers across her bottom lip. “I deserve whatever trouble I’m in. I knew the rules and broke them.”

Voices echoed in the hallway and the door clicked. The hinges creaked as it opened. “You’re damn straight you did.”

Anissa froze. Oh, fuck. Where was the blanket? The last thing she wanted was for her father to see her naked for any longer than possible.

* * *

Kameron covered Anissa and wiped the cum from his chest. He stuffed his dick in his pants, then zipped. “Sir.” He hadn’t heard her father enter the suite. Damn it.

“I knew I’d made a mistake when I hired you.” Mr. Dunn shook his head. “This is unacceptable.”

“Daddy, wait.” Anissa clutched the comforter. “This is my fault. Punish me, not him.”

“Who says I won’t punish both of you?” her father asked. “I can’t believe either of you. You both knew the consequences.”

Kam left the bed. “I knew this would happen.”

“Oh, you did?” Mr. Dunn’s face reddened. “Do tell.”

“You knew I’d fall for you?” Anissa asked. “Kam?”

“I knew the moment I met Anissa that she’d be special to me. Not just as a package or client, but as a friend and lover.” Kameron sighed. “I can’t say I’ve loved her all along. I haven’t. I’ve admired her and cared so much. When I’m with her, I take my job more seriously. She’s the only one who matters to me.”

“Then you understand why I can’t have you working here. Good,” Mr. Dunn growled. “Anissa, get dressed. Mr. Stone is leaving, and I expect you’ll want to see him out. It’s the last you’ll see of him.”

“No.” She kept the comforter tight around her body. “I’m not letting him go.”

“No?” Mr. Dunn snorted. “You’re not in charge of this decision.”

“I’m not? It’s my life.” She stood tall between Kameron and her father. “You keep trying to fix me up with the sons of your friends and other men you deem suitable. I don’t like them. They’re boring and only see me as a means to line their pockets. They want your money, and the only way to get it is by being nice to me. It’s crap. Kameron sees me for who I am. Anissa Dunn. Clumsy girl who doesn’t want your money.”

Kameron grinned. He admired her pluck. If she did opt to take over her father’s position as the head of the factory group, she’d be damn dangerous and smart as hell. He wanted to be the man beside her. The man she held at night and the one she turned to at the end of the day.

“You don’t know him at all,” Mr. Dunn said. “This fine young man only signed on as your personal bodyguard when he negotiated a larger salary. He demanded extra cash, sweetheart. He said he’d only work with you because he had to. You can believe the shenanigans and allow him to use you, but I won’t. Kameron Stone wants your -- our -- money. He’s just as bad as the others. Where I know the sons of my friends, I can’t guarantee Kameron won’t prove to be a gold digger, too. He’s already begged for cash, and I don’t trust him.”

Kameron sank onto the bed. He’d forgotten about his childish demands. Back then, she’d been a snappish sixteen-year old, and he hadn’t wanted to hang around with jailbait. The money seemed less and less important compared to being with Anissa. They’d both grown up and weren’t the same people. He’d changed, but would she believe him?

“Then why keep him on?” she asked. “If you knew, then why allow him to be around me?”

“Because you liked him so much. I thought you and Evan would hit it off. Once you were engaged to him, you’d tire of Kameron and the problem would go away.” Mr. Dunn shook his head. “I’ll have John remove him. Stay here.” He pulled his phone from his jacket.

“I’ll go.” Kameron left the bed. “It’s time.”

“Kam?” Anissa stared at him. “But…”

Kameron picked his shirt up from the floor, then located his shoes. He wanted to kiss her, but he didn’t dare. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. You deserve more than me.”

“Did you do that? Did you want me for my money?” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “Kam?”

“I messed up.” He ducked his head and left the room. He couldn’t look back. If he did, he’d ignore his better judgment and return to her.

“Did you start… this… because I could be a gateway for you?” Tears slipped down her cheeks. “I trusted you.”

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