Page 95 of Penalty Kiss
My stomach clenches. The moment I've been dreading—Cedar Falls learning who I really am.
"The town deserves to know," I whisper as my stomach knots. The moment I’ve dreaded—the town I love most learning the secret I’ve fought hardest to hide. They deserve honesty. But how do I make them see it never my intention to deceive?
The call ends with promises—Laurent and Max handling Julien, us holding Cedar Falls. As the screen goes dark, I sag against Cam’s chest.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur. “For dragging you into this mess, for lying,for—”
“Stop.” His hands rubs my neck. “You didn’t lie. Tara, Taralyn—same heart. Cedar Falls will get behind you, love.”
I kiss him hard, pouring years of fear and loneliness into his mouth. He tastes like coffee and home, certainty and heat, and it unravels me.
Cam doesn’t stay still—he never does. One big hand cups the back of my neck, angling me deeper, the other sliding down to grip my thigh and drag me across his lap. My breasts crush against his chest, the friction delicious, and when his thumb brushes the swell of one, my gasp breaks the kiss.
“Mmm…” His mouth claims mine again, hungrier this time. His palm squeezes my ass, grinding me against the thick outline of his cock straining against the cotton of his sweats.
For half a second, my brain sputters—a good round of sex would be the perfect distraction from homicidal cousin and family secrets.It’s reckless, ridiculous, and exactly what my body is voting for.
When we finally surface for air, I’m flushed, straddling him, lips swollen, his eyes gone dark.
“Not that I’m complaining about this gratitude,” he rasps, voice gravel and heat, “but we should call my parents before I forget how to speak.”
Twenty minutes later, I'm listening to Hana Wilder cheerfully rearrange her entire business schedule while Cam loads their bags into my car.
"You think I'm leaving when evil men are sneaking into kitchens and ruining good pots of gamjatang?" she declares. "Please. I'll start cooking for an army."
"Mom, you don't need to—" Cam starts.
"Cameron." Her voice carries that particular maternal authority that transcends cultures. "My future daughter-in-law is threatened. I am making bulgogi, and some banchan.”
Future daughter-in-law.The words spark straight through me, warm and dizzying. Cam’s hand brushes mine on the trunk latch, deliberate, his thumb grazing like a secret promise. My pulse stutters.
"Listen to your mom," Erik's voice adds, dry as dust, “it’s good to fight with a full stomach. And mom’s cooking is the best…’
"But Dad," Luke mutters, half-grudging. “Still doesn’t mean Cam should push himself.”
"Luke," Cam interrupts, grinning at me. "I love you, but shut up."
An hour later, the men are hauling suitcases upstairs while Hana surveys Lily’s communal kitchen like a general eyeing the battlefield.
"This'll work," she announces, rolling up her sleeves. "Tara, darling, what does your friend Lily think about me commandeering her commercial space?"
"I think," Lily says, appearing in the doorway with baby Linden on her hip, "that having a professional cook take over sounds like heaven. Welcome to Cedar Falls chaos, Mrs. Wilder."
“Auntie Hana,” she beams, already pulling spices from the fridge and her tote like a magician. “And this isn’t chaos. It’s strategy. Feed everyone, then we fight.”
Cam appears behind me, arms circling my waist. "Every family crisis ends with food," he breathes against my ear. "By dessert, we'll be plotting coups"
Before I can melt into him, the loft door bangs open and Levi strides in with Karla and Scott. Everyone’s talking over each other—security, timing, who’s watching the doors—until Karla lifts a hand.
"Wait. Howexactly are we getting the whole town together here at the Lofts, without looking suspicious?"
"How about a birthday party?" Lily suggests. "Yours, Karla. After Candy Jar closes.”
Karla grins, her organizational brain clearly spinning. "Finally, my fake birthday is good for something other than free dessert."
"We'll make it believable," Lily continues. "Just don't let Scott sing, or we'll blow our cover."
"Hey!" Scott protests. "My voice is an asset to this community."
