Page 5 of The Man in Mom's Bed
But Cam is something else entirely. He’s controlled, contained, with a vision for life so sharp it could cut throughsteel. And he looks at me like I’m precious and terrifying at the same time.
“I saw your notebook,” I tell him. “I know how close you are.”
His eyes narrow. “How in the—”
“I pay attention,” I reply, proud of myself, stepping even closer now. His eyes track my every move like I’m prey and he’s a predator. “You need fifty thousand for your down payment on the garage.”
He braces himself. “So you’ve been going through my things?”
“You leave your notebook out sometimes.” I shrug. “Can’t blame me if I pick it up.”
I take another step. I can smell him now. Manly soap, coffee, oil, and of course that underlying scent that’s justhim. “I see you working sixteen-hour days, eating peanut butter sandwiches and driving that old beater truck to save money.”
“Katie.” He shakes his head. “Stop.”
I should, but I can’t. I’m blinded by his presence, and the words just continue to pour out of my mouth.
“I saw your blueprints. Your plans. You’re going to make it happen, Cam. I know you are.”
My excitement is unstoppable, like this unquenchable thirst inside—a desire so hot it burns like the sun. I want to reach out and touch him. Throw myself into his arms. What would it feel like to have him holding me against his body? The broad muscles of his chest heaving against my breasts?
And for a brief moment, from the way he’s looking at me, I actually think he’s going to act. Going to snatch me up like I belong to him and take me away, far away from here.
But then, in a flash, he spins away from me, gripping the counter like he’s about to snap it into dust. “I’m dating your mother, Katie,” he says simply, as though that ends the conversation.
“We both know you’re not here for my mother,” I reply. “You never were.”
My center tingles with excitement. I shift side to side ever so slightly and become aware of just how soaked I am. My arousal is dripping down my thighs. Cam might just see how turned on for him I am—if he doesn’t already know.
I let my eyes flicker down for the briefest of seconds and see the swollen knot between his legs, a massive bulge held back by the button fly of his jeans. He just absolutely oozes masculinity, dominance, and sex. And his restraint is killing me.
“I’m still your mother’s—”
“What? Her boyfriend?” I ask bitterly. “Have you two ever even touched each other?” His silence speaks volumes.Thank God.I was right.“Isee you, Cam. Who you really are.”
He shakes his head. “You see me as your way out of here.”
“No!” I snap, snatching his arm. “I seeyou. And the way you look at me—”
“Stop it,” he growls, pulling away. It’s like a vacuum forms between us. “I have to go to work.”
“Cam—”
“Lock the door behind me. And stop going through my things. I’m not right for you, Katie. You deserve someone…better.”
I open my mouth to reply, but before I can, he’s gone.
Better?There’s no way he believes that. For some reason, he’s trying to resist, and he thinks putting distance between us will help. He thinks he’s being noble, doing the right thing. But since when has torturing yourself been the right thing to do? I should know, after all.
I hear Mom moving around in the back. In a few minutes, she’ll stumble out and demand some of the coffee Cam made, then say it tastes like crap.
But for now, in this brief moment, I let myself imagine a different future. One where Cam’s projections for his garage work out. Where I stand beside him as he opens the doors to new customers, ready to support him in ways my mom could only ever dream of.
My coffee grows cold in my hands, but I don’t care. All I can think about is how long it will be until he’s home again. Until we do our little back-and-forth dance again, every interaction stripping away another layer of his self-control.
He thinks by doing what he’s doing he’s protecting me from himself. What he doesn’t know is I’d gladly let him destroy me in any way he wanted.
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