For a moment he just stood there. He’d never forget the smell of her hair, the contours of her body pressed to his, the way she fit him to perfection. The longer he stood there, the tighter she held on. Giving in to need, finally, he put his arms around her and held her close. He’d been afraid to touch her, fearing he’d never let her go.
“Emma was right, you hug like you mean it.”
“Why do it if you don’t mean it.”
She had a point. He lifted her, pressed his cheek to hers as she rested her chin on his shoulders. On her tiptoes, he wrapped her up closer, tighter.
“It’s going to be okay, Cameron.”
He took her in. Her scent intoxicated him, her heat seeped into his soul, the feel of her so right in his arms. “Do you promise?”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. I’ll tell you this though: things have a way of working out in the end. You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you take Emma home and get some rest.”
She pulled away and stood back. It felt too good, too right, to be in his arms. Dangerous to think and feel these things. He was engaged to another woman. No matter who the woman, or her deceit, Marti wouldn’t put herself in jeopardy of falling for a man she couldn’t have. A man who’d bound himself to another woman by, possibly, a child and a promise.
If she was honest, she was already falling for him, and it broke her heart to see him hurting.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow. Meet me at the harbor at eight.”
“We’ll pick you up.”
“It wouldn’t exactly be on your way. I’ll get there just fine. How many people are coming? I know you’re bringing Emma and Shelly, but you mentioned some friends.”
“Jack and Sam, maybe a few more.”
“No problem. We’ll have a great time. I don’t know many people in the city, since I’ve been gone for a while. I was pretty isolated before, taking care of my grandmother. It’ll be nice to meet some new people.”
He looked at her all dressed up, looking like a princess, and couldn’t imagine her isolated or lonely. Her expression said she had been for a long time. He’d see if Elizabeth and Jenna would come along tomorrow. They had the kids, but maybe they could work something out.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He put his hands on her bare shoulders. Big mistake. Her skin felt as soft as he expected and he wanted more, but held back the impulse to let his hands roam over all that creamy skin.
He towered over her by several inches. The heat from her skin flowed up his hands and arms, straight to his heart. “Thank you for what you did for Emma tonight. It seems every time I see you, I owe you for more and more.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I got to spend time with Emma. It’s thanks enough for me.”
He believed her, and it made her all the more special to him. She didn’t need anything in return for her kindness and friendship.
He cupped her beautiful face and lightly traced her cheek with his thumbs. She stilled in his hands and stopped breathing. He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
Overwhelmed with regret and fighting a need like nothing he’d ever felt, he turned and fled the room to get Emma and take her home. If he didn’t get away from Marti, he’d throw her down and make love to her like he’d been dreaming about doing for days.
Chapter Seventeen
* * *
SHE SAT ON the railing by the docks waiting for Cameron and everyone to arrive. The sun warmed her shoulders and head. The group walked toward her through the parking lot. Cameron carried a life vest for Emma, telling her she couldn’t go on the boat unless she put it on and kept it on. Emma did not want to wear the life vest and protested vehemently.
Shelly wore white shorts, a pink tank top, and underneath the thin covering a hot-pink string bikini showed through. The bikini barely covered her, nothing but a few strategically placed triangle swatches. Cameron and the other two men were getting an eyeful. Easy enough to see what Cameron saw in the woman. She had a great body. Too bad when she opened her mouth she spoiled all the beauty.
The two men with Cameron must be Jack and Sam, Marti assumed. Identical twins,