Page 32 of Things We Fake
“I am single. I wouldn’t be here either if I weren’t. I hate betrayal more than anything.”
“That’s a strong statement.”
“It is, and I mean it. As to why I’m single… I was told I have commitment issues.”
“Many men do, but few admit it.” I cocked my head, studying him. “Hates betrayal, has commitment issues… Did someone cheat on you too?”
The waiter arrived with our cocktails.
Cam thanked him, took a sip of his cocktail, and returned to my question.
“Not exactly—or not that I know of. I was engaged, too, a few years ago back in Denver. Our relationship was good for a while, but as it turned out, Brittany wasn’t the love of my life. She left me for someone else. Now, I’m grateful that she did, but at the time I felt pretty awful.”
“I’m sorry,” I said truthfully. “Getting dumped hurts, no matter how it happens or who does the dumping.”
I thought any woman who dumped him had to be out of her ever-loving mind, but it was too soon to say that out loud.
Cam shook his head, his shoulders shaking slightly with amusement. “Look at us. Sharing stories of failed relationships isn’t your usual first date conversation, is it?”
I giggled. “Maybe not, but you started it.”
Yep, he’d said it again. This was a date. Woo-hoo! Lying to my family didn’t seem like lying almost at all. And my heart beat just a little faster because he was the hottest guy I had been on a date with in my entire life. Maybe except for Sam, but while he’d been nice to look at, three minutes in his company had put me off forever. Cam hadn’t done a single weird thing tonight—I considered his little quirks endearing instead of weird. Was it sad that this was my new standard?
He ran a hand through his hair, looking abashed. “So much for my dialogue skills. Since I started dating again, talking wasn’t my main focus. I’m only human.”
I cleared my throat at his brutal honesty. Okay, so other women got sex, I got conversation—for now. I supposed it wasn’t a terrible start.
I took a sip of my cocktail. It was surprisingly good—smooth bourbon with a kiss of citrus and just enough bitters to make it interesting.
“My friend Lily says I listen better than I talk,” I said. “If I ever quit teaching I might become a psychologist like her.”
“I’ll lie on your couch anytime, as long as you don’t put any of that pink gunk on my face.”
Giggling, I lifted my glass in a toast and saluted him. “We’ll see. So, tell me a bit more about Brittany. I knew a Brittany once, and she was the most obnoxious creature on earth. Was yours like that?”
He laughed. “Not at first, but after a while… The thing is, Brittany likes money, and my wallet wasn’t exactly brimming at the time we started seeing each other. I was in love though, or maybe in lust, and was blinded enough to want to make her my wife. What’s that Michael Bolton song say?When a man loves a woman, she can do no wrong.”
“Is that true?” I asked.
“Oh yeah.” He took a thoughtful sip of his cocktail. “I refused to see her for what she was. A few weeks before our wedding, my best man won the big jackpot in Powerball. Charles was shy and awkward around women. We’d met Brittany together, and he was in awe of her. She decided he really was the best man and dumped me. I thought she was in love with me, when all she’d wanted all along was someone to provide her with a good living. Besides, she used to complain that my quirks drove her nuts. It was a hard blow, but in time I realized it was for the best. Now I’m glad I’m here with you.”
I lowered my eyes to the V of his throat, heat rising into my cheeks. “I’m glad of that too. I find your quirks adorable.”
Cam reached out and took my hand. His touch was warm and soft, but to me it felt electric, raising the hairs on my body. He traced circles over my palm, using his thumb, in slow, seductive motions.
“There’s something about you, Susanne.” His voice was low, evocative. “Even covered in pink gunk or staring down a roomful of horny guys watching porn, you captivate me. I want to see where this fascinationcan lead us. We’ve got chemistry. I feel it, and I’m damn sure you do too.”
He gazed straight into my eyes, right into my soul. I nodded, wordless. Hell, I felt it in the marrow of my bones!
Cam’s sensual lips curved into a soft smile as he stared deeply into my eyes. “Are you up for a challenge, Susanne? Are you ready to see what chemistry can do with two jaded souls like ours?”
I swallowed with difficulty. His touch, his voice were hypnotizing, sending me into a trance of heat and recklessness. I’d never felt so alive, so adventurous. I let my palm settle over his, marveling at how small my hand was—or how big his was compared to mine.
I chose my words carefully. “I think it would be interesting to explore the possibilities.” I took a huge sip from the strong cocktail, allowing the alcohol to burn away my inhibitions. “But we need to be discrete, since we’re working together. The school’s policy is very strict for us employees, so we must be careful to keep things professional when we’re working—on the software and the committee.”
“You can count on me to be a perfect gentleman.”
“Thank you. Mrs. West is almost as strict as my mother when it comes to relationships and dating.”
