Page 83 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
“Oh…Well, that’s good.”
The line is silent for a handful of heartbeats, long enough for my elation to deflate.
Crap, what if she was calling for a bad reason and that’s why she wanted to leave a message? Did she call to break up? Not that it can even be called a breakup if we’re not dating yet, but if she rejects me, that’s what it’ll feel like.
“Whatever you want to say, I want to know,” I say thickly, attempting to reassure both Camille and myself. Knowing her answer has got to be better than waiting around with the uncertainty hanging over my head.
“I spoke to River on Monday and he, uh…he told me you and Ambrose would still like to court me.” Her tone provides no indication of how she feels about that offer.
I squat down next to Dolly, scooping her up to hold her awkwardly against my chest. She lets out a little groan of protest since I don’t normally carry her around with her wheels on. But I need her soft, furry body to keep me calm as I brace myself for whatever Camille is going to say.
“Yeah, he mentioned that. Did you, uh, have any thoughts about that?”
Camille releases a wry chuckle. “Oh, I have a lot of thoughts. Too many, really.”
“Were any of them good thoughts?” I prompt, stomach clenching with anticipation and dread.
Her voice is warmer when she speaks again, the sound oozing through me like honey, soothing all the scratchy, irritated parts of my mind. “Yes. That’s why I’m calling.”
“Oh, thank fuck,” I blurt. “I was worried for a second you were calling to say no.”
Once again, absolutely no chill. Oh well. Hopefully she finds that charming.
“I… I want to try. Maybe it’ll be a disaster, but I’d like to see you again.”
“I’d like that, too. I’ve missed you. Shit, sorry, is that weird to admit?”
Her laugh this time is less restrained. “Maybe. But I missed you too.”
I can imagine her saying that to me while looking up at me through those thick lashes, a hint of pink coloring her freckled cheeks. My dick twitches at the image.
“Are you free now?” My voice is thick from the twinge of arousal, and I clear my throat. “We could go get lunch. Or, if you’re busy, I could take you to dinner whenever you’re available.”
“I was actually wondering if you’d be willing to go toNesting with me sometime. I need to go pick up some things, but the idea of going alone is…intimidating.”
I perk up, eager to be useful. “Oh! Yeah, absolutely. I’d love to go with you. Though, fair warning, I don’t know shit about making a nest beyond what I’ve encountered at work. Ambrose might be a better choice to bring.”
I mentally chastise myself as I tack that last part on. She calledme. I don’t want Ambrose to take my place, even if he’d be more knowledgeable.
“No, it’s good that you don’t know much!” Camille replies quickly.
My brow furrows. “It is?”
“Yeah,” she says with a small chuckle. “It’s more than a little embarrassing how clueless I am, but if you’re there with me…”
Ah! I get it. “You’ll look good in comparison,” I finish for her.
“No, no. Shit, that came out wrong. We’ll be equally clueless, and I won’t feel like you’re silently judging me. I’m sure Ambrose wouldn’t do that, but I’m more comfortable being a mess with you.”
I laugh, delighting in the fact that she’s the most comfortable with me, even if it’s probably because she knows I’m also a mess. “I like you messy, gorgeous,” I reply, infusing a hint of heat into my voice.
“Oh, god.” She chuckles, sounding a little breathless. “You can’t say shit like that while we’re at the nest store.”
I grin to myself. “Why not?”
“I’ve changed my mind. This was a bad idea,” she groans.
“Okay, okay, no teasing at the nest store. I promise.” I’m sure as hell going to tease her as much as she’ll let me when we’re not in there, though. I’m obsessed with the way she reacts to me riling her up.
