Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Athena

I set my fork down onto my clean plate and stare across the table at Cam.

He's been watching me like I'm a cornered animal about to strike—and I can't really blame him. I've given him more than a glimpse of my temper over the last twenty-four hours, and even though the hangry side of me is tamed, I'm still not thrilled to be stuck here.

I need to get back to work.

There are leads to follow up on, and I can't help but feel that I'm getting close to finding out who was really behind the bust gone wrong last year.

That I'm getting close to finding out who's behind what happened to Tommy.

But I'm not going to crack the case trapped in the mountains with a hot hockey player.

"Cam?" I press. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?" Cream cheese frosting or cinnamon and butter from scarfing down the delicious baked good?

"No," he says quickly. "And nothing's up."

"Then what? Why are you staring? I meant what I said—I won't waste my coffee by throwing it at you."

He shakes his head, lips turning up at the edges. "It's nothing. I'm just…" He sighs.

"You're what?" I press.

He shoves another bite of cinnamon roll into his mouth. "I should, um, go out and check the generator after I finish eating. Make sure it's gassed up and ready to use if we lose power."

If I'm not mistaken, his cheeks are flushed.

" Cam."

His eyes hit mine. "You don't want to know, Ats. You know you don't."

That sends my pulse skittering. I should leave it alone. I know I should.

But I don't.

"Yes," I say quietly. "I do."

Because some part of me already knows, already feels it. And some part of me needs to hear it.

"Athena—"

"Tell me."

He closes his eyes and stares out the window for a long time. "I know you're in love with Lex, so I?—"

I nearly knock over my mug. "What?"

"—know this makes things complicated." He pushes his bowl away. "But I know you'd never do anything to mess up his relationship with Frankie?—"

" What?" I know I'm just repeating myself, but what the actual fuck is this man saying?

"You're a good person, Ats. I know that. And?—"

"Okay, Cameron Jackson," I snap, slapping my hands on my table and standing. "Stop right there. I am not in love with Lex."

He blinks. "You're not?"

"No. God no." I shudder. "He tried to kiss me once—years ago when he was drunk and before we were partners. It was—" I shudder, swallow down a gag. "He's literally like a brother to me. Like all of you?—"

I stop, unable to finish the sentiment because Cam…

Well, I don't think of him like I do about Lex or Carter or Chance or Caleb or Connor, now do I?

Because I don't think about any of their penises.

Or their asses.

Or how the stubble on their cheeks might feel rubbing along the insides of my thighs.

But Cam…

Well, I woke up in his arms and wanted to roll over and find out…

"I'm not in love with Lex," I repeat firmly. "I never have been. We both knew that early on, Cam."

His gaze locks on to mine and then he slowly slides his chair back, pushes up to his full height.

He seems bigger now, somehow. Taller. Stronger. More .

"You're not in love with Lex," he says quietly, and there's a hint of demand in his tone that has me both bristling and…melting.

This is a side of him…well, it's a side of him that I haven't seen before.

And now I'm thinking about his ass again.

And his dick.

"No," I whisper, "I'm not."

He steps closer. "Not in love with any of them?"

I find myself shifting back. "Any of your brothers?"

He nods, takes another step.

I shake my head. "No," I whisper, sliding another pace away. "I'm not in love with any of the Jacksons."

That has his brows dragging together, a scowl clouding his face. "Well, I am."

"Y-you are?" I ask, sliding back another step, finding my back pressed to the wall, shock rippling through me. He's?—

"You're?" I ask incredulously. "With Lex?—?"

"No." His mouth curves.

"I-I don't understand."

He cups my jaw, fingertips slightly rough, thumb brushing along my cheek. "I'm in love with you, cupcake."