Page 92 of Things We Fake
The quiet weight of his words settled between us, and I reached for his hand instinctively. He squeezed mine back, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.
“Cam, that’s incredible. It’s so generous of you.”
He shrugged, looking embarrassed. “It’s what anyone who can afford to spare a few bucks should do. The world would be a much better place if we focusedon things like these instead of wars and power struggles. But I want to do more than just write a check, so we’re launching an awareness program too. Omega is developing an AI-based app to help people quit smoking. We’re partnering with hospitals to offer it for free.”
I stared at him, feeling something shift inside me. I had always known Cam was smart, charismatic, ridiculously attractive. But this? This was something else entirely. This was a man who wasn’t just successful—he actually cared. He was the kind of man who turned grief into purpose and loss into action. And that, more than anything, made me fall a little harder.
“Wow,” I whispered. “The world desperately needs more people like you.”
He smiled at me, his eyes crinkling warmly. “And like you. Born educators who believe in unicorns.”
I laughed, raising my glass of wine in a toast. “To unicorns.”
Conversation flowed effortlessly as we enjoyed our meal. We talked about ourselves, avoided the subject of our families or tomorrow’s dinner, and somewhere in-between bites of pasta and stolen glances over flickering candlelight, I forgot about the world outside this little bubble.
By the time we finished, my stomach was pleasantly full, and my body was warm—not just from the wine, but from the way Cam looked at me. I could swear I was the only thing in the world that mattered to him right now.
He stood, collecting our plates. “You sit tight. I’ll clean up.”
I arched a brow. “You’re going to clean?”
“Yes.”
“Please don’t do to my kitchen what you did to my spice rack—”
“Go relax,” he cut in smoothly, taking the dishes to the sink. “I have plans for you.”
I leaned back in my chair, watching him disappear around the corner. His ass in those tailored slacks was truly a work of art. Poor Irma would hyperventilate trying to sculpt him naked.
My skin prickled in anticipation of his plans. Whatever it was, I hope it involved getting naked together. I was flexible about the rest.
A few minutes later he reappeared, wiping his hands on a towel, that mischievous glint still in his eyes. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Trust me.”
“Said the spider to the fly.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sue
He took my hand, guiding me toward the bathroom. When I stepped inside, I gasped. The room was transformed. The bathtub was filled with steaming, lavender-scented water, rose petals floating above. Candles flickered on every available surface, casting the space in a soft, golden glow. A plush towel and a silk robe I didn’t recognize were draped over the counter.
I turned to Cam, stunned. “Did you—”
“I did.” His voice was low, rough around the edges. “Thought you might need a little pampering. I know it’s a cliché, but… it’s a cliché for a reason.” His mouth quirked in a sensual smile.
Once more I was speechless. How could I find the right words? No one had ever spoiled me like this. I didn’t care it was a cliché. I hadneverbeen clichéd like this. The fact that he’d gone to all this trouble for me blew my mind.
“Thank you,” I managed eventually. “This is exactly what I needed. It’s as if you’ve read my mind.”
He stepped behind me, his fingers brushing my shoulders as he leaned in to whisper against my ear. “What you need is my priority.”
A shiver ran down my spine, as though his hot breath was caressing my skin all at once.
I turned to face him, tilting my head. “Are you getting in with me?”
