Page 31 of Things We Fake
“Don’t forget my chenille robe and wine mask.”
“Don’t pick on the robe, I liked it. It made me wonder if you had anything under it.”
Nowthatwas flirting.
I gulped. “Don't forget the bunny slippers.”
“Those were the hottest touch.”
“I can’t imagine anything less sex goddess and more...ingénueCatholic school girl.”
He lowered his voice. “That’s the sexiest part about an innocent woman. Makes a man wonder how quickly and how badly he can corrupt her.”
Mamma mia... I felt that low, vibrating growl in his tone all the way to my panties. My lower body seemed to liquefy.
I cleared my throat, pushing away the need to fan myself. “I decided to show you I can look glamorous too if I have a week’s notice.”
“I think you’re adorable in anything, but you do look spectacular tonight. Blue suits you.”
“Thank you. It’s my favorite color.”
“Mine, too.” He gestured lightly at his dark blue suit. “Another thing we have in common.” He leaned back in his chair, studying me.
Self-consciously, I reached a hand to my faux sapphire pendant. “Is it crooked?”
Cam’s gaze lowered to my chest, caressing the top of my cleavage.
“It’s perfect.” His voice was so husky he had to clear his throat as he lifted his eyes back to mine. “So, the other day you mentioned you had a date for lunch. Was it your boyfriend?”
“If I had a boyfriend I wouldn’t be here with you.”
“It’s hard to believe a woman like you is single.” His eyes were direct and honest. “You mentioned breaking up with your brother’s friend before coming to New York. Surely there’s been someone special since then?”
“It was a messy breakup,” I admitted. “It was nearly ten years ago. Neil and I were engaged, but a couple of months before the big day, I caught him with Sally, my best friend. They were not playing cards.”
Cam shook his head, looking genuinely puzzled. “What an idiot. Why would any guy cheat on you?”
“I suppose monogamy isn’t in most men’s DNA. Besides, Neil has the biggest business in that area, and I guess it went to his head. He wanted more of everything, including women.”
“What does he do?”
“His family specializes in rare crops, like truffles, saffron, that kind of thing.” I bit my lip. “My friends call him The Truffle Prince.”
Cam burst out laughing. His chest rumbled with it, and guests at other tables threw us curious glances. He couldn’t care less.
“That’s worse than Mr. Cameroon. I wonder what nickname your friends would give me.”
Sir RAM Me Hard? Mister Byte Me? The Man with the Golden Dongle?Somewhere betweenDebug DaddyandCertified Hunk ware, I cleared my throat.
“Time will tell. But Neil deserves his. He loves to flaunt his money.” I shrugged. “I was never impressed by that stuff. Money’s never really mattered to me. There are so many other things that should come first in a relationship. I’m grateful to Sally now, because I realized Neil wasn’t the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. After I canceled the wedding I decided to move to New York, go to university, and follow my dream of being a teacher. I was a late bloomer.”
“Did you always want to be a teacher?”
“Pretty much, yes.”
He smiled, looking impressed. “That’s the rarest personality trait, you know. People who have a genuine calling and love for teaching others. The educator.”
I smiled back, warmed by his genuine appreciation. “I knew that, although I don’t consider myself specialfor it. When I moved to New York I was so damn lonely, but I’ve come to love it here. I’ve made some wonderful friends, embraced my independence, and I love my job—food fight, bitchy boss, and all. As for other men in my life, I’ve dated some, but… Let’s just say I didn’t find my soulmate yet.” I crossed my legs under the table. “What’s your story? How come you’re still single and now living in New York? Assuming that youaresingle.”
