Page 75 of Hot Commodity (Banks/Kincaid Family 1)

Cameron turned away, muttering under his breath. He grumbled to himself about annoying friends, neither denying nor confirming Boston's bold statement. Finally, he spun toward the driver's seat. "She's gotten under your skin, hasn't she?" he accused. "Seeing her naked has really turned you into her personal—"

"No," Boston cut in steadily. "She's gotten under your skin, pal. If she were under mine, I'd have finished those papers months ago and had you two separated by now so I could have her myself."

"So, what's the deal then?"

"She's good for you."

"Good for me?" Well, what about how awful he was for her? Didn't Boston realize he was going to end up destroying her if she stayed with him? Didn't he care?

Frowning, he said, "You know, I can always go to another lawyer. Hell, Helena will write me up an annulment today."

Boston wasn't the only lawyer in the family. Boston's sister, Helena, was a lawyer who actually specialized in divorce and family suits. He usually hated it when Cameron teased him and threatened to get advice from her. But this morning, he merely shrugged, obviously unconcerned by the threat. "Do whatever you want. I still refuse to have anything to do with your annulment from Livy."

"Oh, so it's Livy now, is it?" Cameron sneered, jealous that his buddy was using the pet name he'd given her. No one else was supposed to use it. "See my wife naked in bed one time and you think you can start calling her Livy, huh?"

Boston shrugged as he pulled into the executive parking spot in front of EarnNet and cutting the engine. "Hell, if you don't want her, I'll definitely take her." He grinned at Cam with a wicked curve of his lips. "I'd even stoop as low as to accept your leftovers for a shot at Olivia."

"Screw you," Cameron muttered, so mad that he leaped out of the car and stormed away, slamming the door shut as he went.

~ * ~

Olivia had supper ready and on the table when Cameron made it home from work. She'd called Allison half a dozen times with all sorts of cooking questions and for the first time, she hadn't burned one thing.

More than once, she'd heard Cameron's mother comment that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach. At this point, Olivia was ready to try anything. She'd failed the whole sex thing. Cameron hadn't made one move toward her since the moment she'd denied him after meeting his parents.

He still wanted her, she knew that. He looked at her like he wanted to gobble her whole. Yet he kept his distance.

Even last night, she'd awakened to feel him slipping into bed next to her, but he hadn't tried anything. She faked sleep, waiting to see what he'd do next. But other than gently slipping the sheet down far enough to get a peek at her naked breasts and pouting nipples, he hadn't touched her. He'd been gone by the time she woke up this morning.

So, today she'd try Allison's answer for the ultimate cure-all solution.

A home-cooked meal.

She was determined to get to Cameron one way or another. This strange distance they'd erected between them was freaking her out. It wasn't the Cameron she knew. The Cameron she knew invaded her personal space and butted his way into her life. This new guy was stepping back and behaving oddly polite, disturbingly distant.

Well, it was going to stop. She had a plan.

She'd never mention the annulment again, act like she'd completely forgotten about it, and then she'd flood Cameron with wifely adoration, feeding him and loving him like he'd never been loved before. After a few years of growing comfortable together and falling into a nice, pleasant rut, she'd one day mention it in passing, saying he didn't have to worry about the annulment after all. They could stay married if it made no difference to him.

Olivia jumped when she heard the front door open. He was home. Yanking off her apron to reveal the short dress she had on underneath, she quickly smoothed her hands over the fabric.

"Livy?" she heard him call.

"Back here," she answered, sliding her hands through her hair to give it one last fluff before he appeared.

And then, there he was. Rumpled and sexy as hell, Cameron paused when he saw the elegant setting around the table, even pulled back a surprised step.

"Dinner's ready," she announced needlessly.

He turned at the sound of her voice. She almost went to him, but stopped herself at the last moment. He looked exhausted. Deep grooves bracketed his mouth and eyes.

"Uh, it looks good," he said quietly. Politely.

Olivia's hands balled into fists behind her back. She didn't want polite Cameron. Distant Cameron. This wasn't the sarcastic, witty, vivacious drunk she'd met in Vegas. This wasn't the man she loved.

"Well, let's eat," she said uncomfortably, gesturing toward the chairs. He cleared his throat and seated himself across from her. The quiet, tense meal began.

"I have some good news," he said, putting all his attention on the linguini noodle he swirled around the tines of his fork.

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