Chapter 21

twenty-one

Fiona walked out of Maple Ridge Yoga Studio, carrying the yoga mat she'd borrowed from her mom. Rolling her shoulders and neck in the sunshine, she sighed her satisfaction after an amazing workout. "That was a great class. It's probably one of the best I've been to."

Melody nodded as she fell into step beside her on Main Street's busy sidewalk, wearing black yoga pants and a snug raspberry-colored tank top. "I really love this place. I try to come on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons when life isn't too busy. Renee's my favorite instructor."

"She's great. Consider me your tagalong for Wednesday if that sounds good."

Melody beamed, hooking her arm through Fi's. "It's a date. I'm sorry I can't stick around to grab a smoothie. We're meeting Ezra's parents for dinner in a little while."

"No problem. I'll pick us up a couple tomorrow. We can sip on spinach, strawberries, and bananas while we tackle your classroom."

Melody's smile returned. "That sounds awesome."

Fiona opened her mouth to say something else as her cell phone started to ring. Glancing at her screen, she grinned. "Let me get this real quick."

Melody nodded. "Sure."

"Hey, stranger," she answered with a smile. Then she rolled her eyes because that was hardly the case. She had bumped into Cam and Brady at Target less than two hours ago, and she'd been in Cam's bed several hours before that.

Not much had changed in the week since Brady started day camp. The three of them spent time together whenever their schedules lined up, which was nearly every afternoon.

"Hey. I'm sorry to bug you. I know you said you were meeting Melody for a yoga class."

"We actually just finished."

"So you're still wearing that outfit, then? Because I really dig that outfit, Fi."

She laughed as she glanced down at her dark-pink yoga pants and the matching waist-skimming crop top with its ruched front and racerback straps. "I'm still wearing it."

"Maybe you can still be wearing it when you head out this way."

She rolled her eyes again as she grinned. "I promise you want me to shower before I see you. I'm sweaty."

"That's a damn shame."

She huffed out another laugh. "What do you want, Cam? Because I have a hard time believing you called to talk about my clothes."

He chuckled. "I'm realizing I forgot the cheese for our burgers tonight. Can you swing by the store?"

"Sure. Do we need anything else?"

"No, I don't think so. The fridge is pretty stocked."

"Did you eat all of the chocolate ice cream?"

"Nope. I saved the last couple of scoops for you and Brady."

"Thanks. I'll head your way in a little bit." Then she gasped as she remembered Brady's latest back-to-school item. "I almost forgot to tell you that Brady's backpack arrived. The mailman dropped it off just as I was heading out the door to meet Melody. It's super adorable, Cam."

"I can't wait to see it."

"I'm waiting on a couple of surprises to put inside. When I checked this morning, the tracking said they would be delivered tomorrow."

"He's going to love whatever you picked out. He always does."

"Aw," she said as her heart melted. "I'll see you soon."

"Okay. Feel free to shower and put that outfit back on."

She laughed. "You're ridiculous."

"Yeah. Ridiculously cute ."

"Possibly. Bye." She hung up, chuckling. Her smile dimmed as she looked at Melody looking at her. "What?"

"Oh, Fi. That look in your eyes… I haven't seen it in such a long time."

Fiona shook her head. "Please don't."

"I have to." Melody nudged Fiona out of the flow of foot traffic toward the alley. "I'm not going to shut my mouth this time. Because did you hear yourself? You two sound so happy . You're not just having fun. You're a couple, Fiona. You can't go back to Seattle."

Her eyes popped wide as she took an automatic step in retreat. "I have to go back."

"Then Cam and Brady can move to Seattle."

Fi adamantly shook her head, horrified by the idea. "I would never ask him to do that—either of them. Cam hates the city. Ellie and Danny are here. His career is here. And his beautiful house…"

"Okay, fine. Whatever." Mel dismissed Fi's explanation with an impatient wave of her hand. "That's geography. That's semantics. You love him. You love both of them."

Fi nodded as her eyes grew teary. "And I can't have children. Or most likely, I can't."

Melody frowned. "What?"

Fiona nodded again. "I found out a few months ago. I haven't wanted to talk about it yet."

Melody's eyes filled now. "I had no idea. I'm so sorry, Fi."

The tears she tried to blink away trailed down her cheeks. "He's always wanted a big family. That's what we always used to talk about."

Melody shook her head. "He's always wanted you ."

Fiona shook her head as she swiped at her cheeks. "He hasn't said so. Not this time. We promised each other simple. I'm going back to Seattle. In exactly two weeks, Leo and I will be up to our eyeballs in that wedding."

"You have to tell him you love him, Fi. You owe it to yourself to see where things stand. Promise me you will."

She stared into Melody's compassion-filled eyes for several seconds. Because the idea was terrifying. The idea of Cam not wanting what she did—of him not wanting her because of what they both knew—was more than she could bear. Enjoying a summer fling was one thing. The reality of her situation and what that meant in the long term was entirely different. But she nodded. "I'll talk to him at some point. When it feels right."

"Okay." Melody hugged her hard. "I love you, Fi. I always want you to be as happy as you were on that phone call."

Fiona hugged her best friend back. "I love you, too."

Melody eased away. "Now, let's get out of here so we can go see our hot men."

Fi grinned. "And I imagine we'll pick this conversation up sooner rather than later whether I want to or not?"

"You can count on it. Let's both figure on tomorrow."

They both laughed as they linked arms again, heading to their metered spots down the street.

Cam came downstairs after tucking Brady into bed, staring at Fiona while she wiped down the kitchen counters. She'd changed before she headed over to the house, looking just as delicious in a simple white T-shirt and short shorts as she had in her yoga outfit.

She looked up, sending him a smile as he walked down the hall. "That didn't take long."

He shook his head. "We barely made it through the first book. Swimming all afternoon usually does it."

"I can imagine," she said as she smiled again. But she didn't meet his eyes as she turned to rinse out the dishcloth.

His brow furrowed as he stared at Fi's back. She'd been here for the past couple of hours. She and Brady had chatted and laughed while they shucked the corn and prepared a monster-sized salad while Cam had been back and forth to the grill. Conversation had been fairly normal as the three of them ate dinner on the patio, but something was off.

Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "You're quiet tonight." He kissed her temple. "What's up?"

She shook her head as she turned in his arms. "I'm fine. I have some work stuff on my mind."

"The wedding?"

She nodded.

He kissed her lips this time. "Are you up for being distracted?"

She grinned. "I am."

He snagged her hand, walking with her to the couch. "Let's park it over here for a little while."

She took her phone out of her back pocket before she sat on one of the center cushions. "Sure."

Settling on his knees in front of her, he held her gaze as he sandwiched himself between the V of her legs. "I was thinking about watching a little TV before I made my move and tried to make out with you. But now I think I'll just go for it."

She laughed, locking her arms around the back of his neck. "I like your new plan."

Leaning in, he captured her lips, deepening their kiss by degrees.

She hummed in her throat, following his lead as she pressed herself closer against him.

Tugging on her bottom lip with his teeth, he eased back. "This seems to be working for you."

She nodded. "Very much."

"I think it's safe to say you won't need your shirt for our make-out session."

She grinned as she lifted her arms for him to take it off. "Probably not."

"And it wouldn't hurt if we ditch your bra."

She glanced toward the hallway. "You're sure Brady won't come downstairs?"

He shook his head as he flicked the front clasp, exposing Fi's gorgeous breasts. "He's definitely down for the count. And he usually calls from the top of the stairs when he needs something at night."

"Okay, then." She lifted his shirt up and off. "This should go, too."

With his shirt on the floor, he unsnapped her shorts and tugged at the zipper. "Since you're half-naked already, we shouldn't stop there."

She smiled, settling back against the cushion. "This is starting to feel like more than a make-out session."

He nodded, pulling on her shorts, bringing her panties with them. "This idea just came to me. I like it better."

She laughed.

Grinning, he trailed his gaze down Fi's excellent body. "You're amazing, Fi."

"Thank you."

He let his hands wander to her breasts, teasing her nipples, watching them respond to his touch.

"Mmm," she said as she snagged her bottom lip. "We're off to a great start."

Waggling his brow, he skimmed his palms down her waist. "I'm glad you think so."

"I do."

"How about we do this?" He lifted her legs by her ankles, letting her knees fall open as he rested her soles on the cushion, staring at her perfection. "God, you're pretty. Every single inch of you."

Her cheeks turned rosy, and her breathing came faster as their eyes met again. "What should we do now?"

"How about you tell me what you want."

She swallowed. "I want you to taste me."

He groaned, eager to do exactly that. "My pleasure." Yanking her closer, he trailed kisses down her inner thighs, then her soft skin before he traced her with his tongue. "Delicious."

She moaned as her hands wandered into his hair.

Then his mouth went to work, lapping her with long strokes before he suckled at her bud.

"Cam," she whispered with a shudder before she gasped. "Put your fingers in me, too."

He held her gaze, groaning as he slid two fingers deep. "You're so wet , Fi."

She nodded as she shuddered. "Because you turn me on."

Moving his fingers in a slow rhythm, he focused on the spot that always made her hot. "How about I make you come?"

She whimpered, already trembling. "Yes."

He bent his head again, using his mouth and fingers to bring her up slowly.

Her thighs shook while her stomach muscles clenched as she exhaled a trembling moan. "Cam."

Knowing Fi's tells—that she was on the edge—he suckled her harder.

And then she let go, crying out as she pulsed against his tongue and throbbed around his fingers.

He kept her high with every thrust and lick, loving the way she squirmed and bucked.

Eventually, her body relaxed as she came down. "I want you," she said, reaching forward, pulling at the snap of his jeans. "I want you inside me."

Yanking on the zipper, he finished the job, quickly shoving his pants and boxers down, freeing his erection. Teasing them both with a rub of his tip against her center, he steamed out a breath, watching as he inched his way into Fi, disappearing into her tight heat.

Her sexy whimpers were back as she shuddered. "Move nice and slow."

His hands wandered up to play with her breasts as he followed her directions.

Her eyes closed as she moaned. "Move faster. But just a little because you feel so good."

He clenched his jaw as their eyes met again—as he made sure each thrust hit her just right.

Her hips began to move to his rhythm—to jerk as she reached for his hands, clutching at his fingers as her breathing picked up in the way that it did when she was close.

"Come, Fi."

And she did, arching her back as she rode the next wave.

"Look at me."

Her eyes met his as she panted out each breath. "Give me all of you. Right now, I want all of you."

Ready to explode from her throaty demands, he pumped faster, holding her gaze as she tensed again, orgasming for the third time, her body enticing him to follow with each rhythmic contraction.

He moved to grip her hips, thrusting deep as he gave Fi what she asked for, groaning as he struggled to hold himself still while he emptied himself inside of her.

Their gasps and pants filled the silent room.

Reaching for him, she wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him as they each caught their breath.

He eased back, looking into her eyes. "I really like it when you're bossy."

She grinned. "I prefer to think of it as assertive."

"We can call it whatever you want." His mouth moved back to capture hers. "Do you want to hang out with me upstairs?"

She nodded. "I do."

Pulling himself free of her, he picked up his shirt and handed it to her. "You can put this on so we don't have to spend a whole lot of time taking your stuff off again."

Chuckling, she pulled his top over her head. "I like the way you think."

He gained his feet, pulling up his pants. "I want to carry you upstairs—to be all romantic and stuff—but we'll have less explaining to do if we wake Brady up and you're walking on your own."

She nodded as she stood, scooping up her clothes and her phone. "That makes a lot of sense. Although he might question my new dress. He's very observant."

He nodded, staring at his shirt skimming Fi's sexy upper thighs. "You bring up a good point." Then he scooped her up, giving in to his need to give Fi the sweet gestures he so desperately wanted to but so rarely did.

She grinned as she hooked her arm around his neck. "What about Brady?"

"I'll tiptoe."

Nodding, she chuckled. "Sounds good."

He headed for the stairs. "I hope you're ready for round two. Because when we close the door, there's a good chance you'll be pinned up against it."

She waggled her brow. "Bring it on."

They grinned at each other as he quietly made his way up the steps to the bedroom.

A couple of hours later, Fi rested her head against Cam's shoulder as they lay tangled together in his sheets. Nuzzling closer, she hummed in her throat, breathing in the scent of his skin.

"Agreed," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Smiling, she stared at their fingers intertwined on his sexy stomach. These were the moments she savored—the quiet stretches of time when they snuggled and talked before they got lost in each other again.

But as she glanced at the clock, she knew it was time to head home. "Thanks for distracting me so thoroughly tonight."

"Anytime." He brought her fingers to his lips. "Sex is always better than thinking about work."

She nodded her agreement, feeling slightly guilty for not exactly telling Cam the truth. For the majority of the evening, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about her conversation with Melody. She'd promised her best friend she would confess her feelings to Cam. But how was she supposed to do that?

Lifting her head, she adjusted herself so she held his gorgeous gaze. "I'm going to miss this."

He nodded. "Me too."

She wanted to tell him she loved him as she stared into his eyes. She wanted the words to somehow make everything easy. But nothing about their situation was. "You and Brady should come visit me in Seattle," she said instead. "After Leo and I pull off this wedding."

He slid his knuckles along her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear. "We can do that. Maybe during his fall break."

She smiled because their occasional visits were most likely their future reality. Until that stopped working for one or both of them… "I can show you guys everything Brady has read about in his Seattle book: the Space Needle, the aquarium, the Ferris wheel. We can go to the zoo and the arboretum. There's tons of stuff to do."

"That sounds nice."

She nodded. "Maybe Leo and Felix can babysit one night. We could go out for dinner or something."

"Sign me up." He exhaled a quiet breath before his smile returned. "I was thinking about taking Brady to that massive indoor water park in Connecticut next weekend. It's a bit of a drive, but I thought it might be fun to do a long weekend away before school starts. If you want, you can join us."

She grinned as she nodded, wanting to pretend that next weekend wasn't their last before she had to go. But since it was, she wanted to enjoy every happy moment they had together. "I would love to. He'll be so excited , Cam."

He chuckled. "I can't wait to see the look on his face when we tell him. I'll make the reservation tomorrow."

She kissed him. "I still need to bring over his new backpack. I told Mel I'd help her get her classroom ready, but I can swing by after that."

"Yeah, definitely. Come by whenever you want."

She glanced at the clock again. "It's getting late. I should get home."

He nodded as he nudged her head down, kissing her. "Or you could stay a little longer."

Needing little convincing, she crawled on top of him, playing her tongue against his. "I guess I could."

His mouth moved to her throat as he slid his hands up her back. "Since you're already straddling me, how do you feel about giving me a ride?"

She chuckled as she felt his erection against her leg. "I'm all for it."

He grinned. "That's my favorite answer."

Laughing, she sat up. "Are you looking for fast or slow?"

He shrugged. "I'm looking for whatever you want to give me."

"That's good to know." Rising up, she sank down on him, moaning from the exquisite rush of their joining. There was no better feeling than being full of Cam.

Groaning, he closed his eyes, gripping her butt as she began to rock her hips slowly. "You're so tight , Fi."

She picked up her pace as she met his gaze, eagerly watching him get lost in his pleasure. "So you like this, then?"

"Hell, yeah." Clenching his jaw, he squeezed her harder. "I can't get enough of you."

Settling her palms on his chest, she moved faster yet as she whimpered, already finding herself on the edge. "Touch me. Now, Cam, touch me."

He moved his fingers, rubbing them against her bud.

And then she froze as she gasped when the rush of heat engulfed her, calling out with her climax. Grabbing Cam's hands, she pressed them against her sensitized breasts, picking up her pace as she orgasmed again.

" Fiona ," he groaned as his abs flexed and shuddered with each unsteady breath. Then his hands tensed against her skin as he let himself go, moaning loudly as he jerked up several times.

"Damn," he said as he fought to breathe, pulling her down so her face was inches from his. "Damn, Fi."

She kissed him, struggling for her own breath. "Was that what you were looking for?"

He nodded, trailing his fingers up and down her spine. "I love it when you ride me."

"I know," she said as she smiled. "You tell me so every time. Your favorite position has never been much of a mystery."

He laughed. "Any position involving you is my favorite." Then his smile faded as he brushed her hair back from her face. "Stay a little longer. Snuggle up with me for a while. I'm not ready to let you go."

She kissed him, savoring his words, letting the tender moment play out. "For a little while longer."

"Let's do this," he said, breaking their connection and rolling to his side, nestling her so they lay wrapped up together face-to-face.

Warm, content, and cozy, she stroked his cheek. "I like this."

"Me too."

"Don't let me fall asleep."

"I won't." He kissed her forehead. "I want you one more time before we have to say goodbye."

She grinned. "You're insatiable."

"For you, absolutely."

She smiled again, staring into his eyes, not wanting this moment to end.