Chapter 17

seventeen

Cam pulled up at the Keene worksite as several members of his crew did. Sipping at the lukewarm coffee he'd stopped off for in Maple Ridge, he studied the work they'd completed over the last few days, satisfied that they were still on pace even after yesterday's shitty weather.

Luckily, the pool house Mom had designed was small and fairly straightforward. The electrical and plumbing had already passed inspection, and the insulation had gone in before the worst of the storms hit.

Today, Ezra and his team would take care of the drywall while Cam waited for the foundation to be poured on the new sunroom project starting at the main house.

Glancing at his watch, he calculated the next few hours of his day, feeling optimistic that he would most likely make it home early. Spending time with Brady and Fi was definitely on the agenda if she didn't already have other plans.

Perhaps they could go for another swim or head into town for dinner and a movie. After he tucked Brady into bed, he and Fi could see where they ended up.

He grinned, finding his body loose and limber after several rounds of good loving. It was still sinking in that he and Fi had been together again.

Getting out of the truck in his typical workday garb, he walked toward his best friend, bringing his hazelnut brew with him. "Are you guys ready to get this party started?"

Ezra nodded, studying the house with his hands on his hips, dressed for the day in work boots, jeans, and a white T-shirt. He'd tied one of his usual kerchiefs around his head. "There's not much to this place. Between the windows, wet bar, and brick finish on the fireplace and in that section of the bathroom, there isn't a lot of area we need to cover. We'll be out of your way by lunchtime. Easy."

Cam nodded, sipping at his coffee as his gaze tracked over the pool house again. "That's what I like to hear. Hopefully, we can get the brick boys in here and get the fireplace mostly finished before we knock off for today."

"Uh-huh."

Cam looked at Ezra, realizing his friend was staring at him. "What?"

Ezra grabbed Cam's arm, nudging him away from the group. "You got laid."

Cam blinked, shocked that it was so easy to tell. " What ?"

"Dude, don't deny it. I've known you our entire lives. You look… relaxed. Satisfied. Like you haven't in a long, long time."

Cam shook his head, turning to walk away. "I'm not having this conversation."

Ezra stopped him with a hand on his arm. "Was it Fi?"

Cam clenched his jaw as he turned back, steaming out a breath. So much for keeping his private life between himself and Fiona. "Yeah."

Ezra nodded. "So, you guys are spending a ton of time together and now you're sleeping together?"

Cam nodded this time. "Pretty much."

"Is she still going back to Seattle?"

Cam rubbed at the back of his neck, certain he'd never loathed a place more than he did the city on the West Coast. "Yeah, she's going back. We're keeping things simple. Just friends."

Ezra raised his brow at him.

Cam's mood darkened quickly. "Don't give me that shit."

"I'm just wondering if you actually believe what you're saying. Because your defensive tone tells me you know it's a bunch of bullshit."

Cam paced several steps away before he walked back. Because he did know it was bullshit. "It is what it is."

"Huh," Ezra said as he nodded.

Cam became more riled up. Because Ezra was saying plenty without saying much at all. "I'm not about to ask her to give up the life she made for herself after I fucked everything up, especially when she's given me zero indication that she wants anything different. She's planning the wedding for the governor of Washington's daughter for Christ's sake."

Ezra still didn't speak.

"If this is what I can have with her, I'll take it. I never thought I would see her again. Early this morning, she was naked in my bed."

Ezra nodded as he gave Cam's shoulder a slap. "You know I love you, man. Just be careful."

"I will. And don't go saying anything to Melody. If Fi tells her about it, that's up to her, but I don't want it to seem like I ran to work to brag and fist-bump you or whatever."

Ezra laughed. "Your secret's safe with me. Just take care of yourself."

"Got it." He and Ezra exchanged the handshake they'd had since they were kids, ending the ritual with a bump to each other's shoulders. "Now, let's talk about work and forget about my sex life."

Ezra walked back toward his truck. "Feel free to grab some tools and get dirty, Project Manager."

Cam debated whether to take the bait and decided against it, choosing to stay clean because he planned to have plans later in the day.

Ezra certainly hadn't been wrong in his observations. Nothing was simple between himself and Fi, but if their new arrangement was what she wanted, he would live with it. Because he intended to savor every second they had before she walked away again.

Fiona sat at the desk in her temporary office at Bennet & Sons, scanning her to-dos for Saturday evening's Sweet Sixteen. She added checkmarks next to the flowers, cake, and food confirmations she'd taken care of while Brady had played with his train set earlier in the day.

Clicking to the next screen, she printed out the final list the two of them would need when they went supply shopping tomorrow afternoon.

Smiling as she sighed, she thought of the quiet morning she'd shared with Cam's son—waffles and eggs that he'd helped her make for breakfast, watching a cartoon together, then partaking in another Lego project before she had to do a little work.

Before too much longer, Brady would head to day camp—the plan all along before his injury. But she would miss their special days together and her party planning helper's infectious energy as they wandered through the stores. Luckily, she would have his assistance for one more event before she was on her own again—next weekend's 50 th anniversary dinner for the Smith family.

She looked up when she heard the front door open, smiling when Cam walked her way. Closing her laptop, she ignored the sudden rush of butterflies in her belly just from seeing him. His jeans, navy-blue T-shirt, and work boots accentuating all of his yumminess … "You're back in town early."

He nodded, stopping in her doorway. "Ezra and his crew finished the drywall, the brick boys did their thing, and the foundation for the sunroom was poured without any problems. That's a wrap for today."

She stood, not quite sure what to do when she wanted to throw her arms around him and give him a noisy kiss. That's what she would have done six years ago, but that wasn't who they were anymore. "You got my text that your mom picked up Brady for some Grammy and Brady time?"

He nodded, frowning a little. "I responded. I guess the text didn't go through?"

She shook her head.

He leaned his weight against the doorframe. "My mom picking Brady up is certainly an unexpected surprise."

She nodded. "I got the impression she was missing him."

He smiled. "I called them on the way home. Apparently, they're visiting Grampy for a while. Then they're giving a homemade gluten-free pizza crust a try."

"That sounds tasty."

"Not really."

She laughed.

He smiled again. "What are you up to?"

"I was making sure everything's ready for the party on Saturday. A Sweet Sixteen. Brady will be excited that we get to blow up more balloons tomorrow. And these balloons will have purple glitter inside."

"That sounds right up his alley," he said as he closed the distance between them, hesitating before he settled his hands on her hips. "Are there any regrets about last night?"

She and Cam had officially crossed a line they couldn't uncross. And she wasn't sorry. Being with Cam again had felt exactly right. "Nope."

"Good," he said as he pressed kisses along her jaw. "I've been thinking about you all day."

She closed her eyes as she slid her hands up his arms, treasuring the feel of him—the familiar scent of his skin—and his voice. "I've been thinking about you, too."

Then he captured her lips in a hungry kiss.

Locking her arms around him, she hummed in her throat, getting lost in Cam.

It wasn't long before his hands moved to her tank top, sliding his palms over her breasts, teasing her with his thumbs.

She shuddered as her nipples turned to hard points.

He went after the snap on her short shorts as he kicked out with his leg, shutting her door with a bang.

Frowning, she pulled back. "Cam, what are you doing? What if someone comes?"

He shook his head as he pulled her back to him, sending her shorts and panties to the floor. "Kathleen works from home. My brothers live in other states, and Dad's still out at the Dawson site. No one's coming. Well, except for you."

She laughed.

He grinned as he unsnapped his button and pulled down his zipper, freeing his erection.

She reached for him, wrapping her hand around his hot, hard skin, watching herself move up and down his thick shaft. Every spectacular inch of Cameron Bennet was a masterpiece.

He clenched his jaw. "You certainly haven't lost your touch."

She'd always loved pleasuring Cam—the heady power of knowing what he liked. "I hope not."

His breath began to steam in and out as he pushed her back two steps, setting her on the desk. "I need to be with you, Fi." Pulling her closer with his hands on her thighs, he shoved himself deep.

She gasped as he stretched her—as the rush of pleasure spread through her core.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded frantically. "I'm good."

And then he began to thrust—to pound himself into her while he clutched at her hips, and they held each other's gazes.

"Cam," she whispered with a shudder, feeling herself building. "Cam," she said again, gripping his cheeks between her palms as she trembled.

"Are you going to come?"

She nodded. "I'm close."

Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he pounded harder.

"Cam," she said louder. And then she couldn't speak when ecstasy stole her breath as she tensed, letting her head fall back while she shuddered. When she was able to breathe again, she cried out, gripping his shoulders.

"Do it again," he demanded, bringing his hand down, playing her with his fingers.

She clutched him harder as his circles and rubs gave her hardly any chance to recover. Falling off the edge, she was unable to stop herself from calling out louder.

He groaned. " God , I love that." And then he pumped faster yet, bringing her up again as he stared into her eyes, jerking several times as he moaned.

Their gasps echoed in the room as he rested his forehead against hers.

"Office sex," she eventually said. "It's a new one for us."

He eased his head back. "And? What do you think?"

She nodded. "It's a shame it took us this long to give it a try."

He nodded this time. "Right about now, I'm feeling pretty pissed at our younger selves."

She laughed.

He grinned, still breathing heavily. "Do you have plans this evening?"

She shook her head.

"Are you up for a bite to eat—maybe some non-gluten-free anything before I pick Brady up."

She laughed again. "Are you thinking of something like pasta or pizza?"

"Whatever you want."

"First, I need to go to the bathroom." She gestured to their current situation—where Cam still nestled himself inside of her. "Then I think we should think about Italian because that sounds really good."

"Do you want to go to Marzelli's? They still serve that eggplant parmesan lasagna thing you like."

She grinned as she nodded with enthusiasm. " Yes ."

"Let's do it." But he captured her face in his hands, kissing her gently, tenderly.

She hummed her pleasure as she let the sweet moment play out.

Then he eased back, pulling himself free. "That was the worst part of my day right there."

She chuckled as she stood, pulling on her panties and shorts before she made a mess all over the desk. "Let's see if some gluten will cheer you up. I'll be right back." Still grinning, she headed for the bathroom, more than content as she went to clean up.