their last kiss, but it was as if she’d been starving for his lips for years. His firm mouth moved over hers in a gentle caress, his arms tightening around her. Tonight, she thought. She had to have him tonight or she’d go crazy. But first …
“Everything okay?” he panted when she pulled away. “Didn’t you like it—”
“Oh yes, I did.” She nipped at his lip. “But … we need to go down to the carnival, now!”
Grabbing his hand, she tugged him back toward the park. They laughed and giggled like teenagers as they made their way to the main carnival area where there were various booths set up as well as food trucks, concession stands, a skating rink, and even a carousel and Ferris wheel.
“What would you like to do first?” he asked.
“Everything,” she laughed. “C’mon.”
They went to the rink first, and J.D. couldn’t help but crack jokes about polar bears and ice skating, especially when Cam fell down twice. Then they lined up for the Ferris wheel where they made out the entire time, and afterward, checked out some of the craft booths. Cam, despite being grumpy because she wanted to look at every stall, insisted on buying her every ornament she glanced at.
“I’m starving,” she declared. “But I also want you to win me a stuffed animal at the games.” The carnival always overwhelmed her, but having Cam with her this year made her extra excited. “And—oh look! I think I see Jason and Christina Lennox.” She pointed toward the Christmas tree where the younger of the Lennox dragon twins was standing with his mate. “Geez, she looks ready to pop,” she noted, seeing Christina’s protruding pregnant belly. “Let’s go say hi.”
“Uh …” Cam stuck a finger in his collar and pulled at it. “How about you go and say hello, and I’ll get us some food and drinks. Then afterward, we can check out the games, and I can win you the biggest stuffed animal they have.”
“Ooh!” She clapped her hands together. “I have my eye on that purple dragon at the milk can game.” Leaping up, she kissed him on the cheek. “All right, champ. I’ll meet you there, okay?”
He seemed oddly relieved. “Yes. And, J.D.?”
“Yes?”
“Afterward … tonight …”
“Yes.” She winked at him. “Why do you think I let you drive and left my car at the garage?” She already knew they wouldn’t be needing two cars to go their separate ways tonight.
Desire glittered in his eyes. “Yes, that too. But … we should also talk about other things. More … details you should know before we …”
“Cam,” she began and curved her hand on his cheek. “Unless you’re going to tell me you’re a homicidal maniac, there’s nothing you can say that would make me not want you.”
Earlier in her office, she had seen the signs of fear and anxiety on his face and body language. She had recognized it because Damon had been like that when he came home from the Special Forces, though Cam’s case was mild compared to her best friend’s PTSD. When she dealt with it, she had figured out that it was best for Damon to open up to her without any pressure and reveal only the pertinent details. “So, don’t you sweat the small stuff, okay?”
Closing his eyes, he covered her hand with his and kissed her palm. “I don’t deserve you.”
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered. “Oh, you … now go get my food,” she said, playfully pushing him away. With one last smile, he turned and walked toward the concession stands.
She stood there, watching him disappear into the crowd, anticipation making her giddy for tonight. Her cat mewled impatiently, but she told it everything would be worth it.
Whirling around, she frowned as she realized that Jason and Christina were no longer where she last spotted them. Maybe they walked around to the other side. Shrugging, she strode toward the display. Even if I don’t get to see them, I haven’t seen the tree yet and—“Hey!” Someone brushed past her, making her tumble forward. As she wobbled to regain her balance, hands grabbed her to steady her. “Thanks—oomph!”
The wind whooshed out of her as she felt a blow to her abdomen, sending pain shooting through her. Her feet lifted off the ground, then everything turned upside-down.
Shock and confusion paralyzed her. Her cat, on the other hand, hissed at her to get it together.