29. Cam

CHAPTER 29

CAM

M oving out was the right choice. Now that I have my own space out at the lake, Sloane and I can be together as much as we want. Any place, any time, any way we can think of.

We’ve taken full advantage.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had her on the kitchen island, both sofas, the dock, and of course, in the enormous clawfoot bathtub. I think that was my favorite time of all. There’s something innately sexy about water—especially when you’re naked with someone as gorgeous as Sloane.

“Is your new motto ‘Leave no stone unturned,’ Cam?” she teases, pulling the skirt of her dress back down.

“More like ‘Leave no orgasm ungiven.’” I grin, glancing up from between her thighs and wiping my mouth on my sleeve. “You tasted better than the pancakes.”

We finished breakfast an hour ago, but the plates and silverware still litter the dining table, the stack of leftover pancakes now cold. She giggles, pulling me up from between her legs.

“Well, you can check kitchen bench off the list.” She leans back against the cushions, cheeks rosy from the pleasure I delivered. “That was amazing.”

“They do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I wink and she shakes her head, laughing.

“You’re something else, Crawford. How’s everything going with the team? I haven’t seen much of my dad, between working at the library, sneaking in girls’ nights with Gracelyn, and spending time out here with you.”

“The team’s shaping up. They look decent for pre-season. Coach gave them homework—memorize the playbook over the holiday weekend. Langley will be solid on that. Could give the kid an edge.”

“I’m sure that would make his mom happy. I know she’s pulling for him to play QB this year.”

“He’s a good kid. He can absolutely win the spot, as long as he’s on during tryouts.”

“Speaking of tryouts—have you heard anything from your agent? Any leads on a new team?” Tucking her legs up, she twirls a dark strand of hair around her finger.

The familiar squeeze of anxiety grips me in the gut. “No. I need to reach out to Troy today, before he disconnects for the long weekend. See if he has any bites.”

“I can’t believe nothing’s come up yet.”

The squeeze turns into a squash, sour bile rising at the back of my throat.

You should tell Sloane about the video. Come clean right now, no secrets.

The edges of my vision darken and my chest’s tight, like I can’t get enough oxygen. Everything’s buzzing and I’m suddenly nauseous as hot shame rolls through me .

I can’t do it.

I don’t want to hurt her and she won’t get it, won’t understand the pressure I was under at the time. How the stress of the season built up to that night and I made a bad choice.

That’s all it was. Drunken sex with fangirls, fueled by a heady cocktail of testosterone and fame.

A dumb fucking move and now I’m paying for it.

It’s better if I say nothing. Keep quiet about the incident and she’ll never find out. The two of us can move forward and leave the past where it belongs—firmly in the rearview. That sordid chapter of my life’s behind me now and the last thing I want to do is revisit it.

“Grace invited us to the town’s Fourth of July bash tomorrow. Want to go?”

“Sure. The only thing I have on the agenda is getting you naked. As long as we can still do that, I’m game.”

Her giggle floats through the kitchen, hitting me straight in the chest. She’s so sweet, so innocent.

No way can I tell her about that video.

“What did you have in mind, exactly, Cam? What’s your next move to get what you want?” She leans forward and places her elbows on the table, giving me a clear cleavage shot. Now I’m rock-fucking-hard for her.

“On second thought, I don’t think that plan can wait until tomorrow. We have—” I glance at the clock on the built-in wall oven. “Three hours before practice. That’s plenty of time for me to execute.”

Her eyebrows rise in curiosity as I offer her my hand. Taking it without hesitation, she places full trust in me and my throat tightens.

Do not hurt this girl.

But telling her the truth would surely be worse ?

Shoving that idea from my mind, I slide her out from the banquette and throw her over my shoulder.

“Cam!” she shrieks, slapping at my back. “Put me down!”

I chuckle. “Nope. Time to go outside. It’s a beautiful, sunny day. And I’m hot. Aren’t you?”

She’s laughing and kicking and screaming all the way across the lawn, down to the lake.

“Cam Crawford, if you don’t put me down?—”

“What, Trouble? What are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know, but you’re not going to like it.”

I snicker. “That I doubt.”

Setting her feet down on the dock, she rights herself, smoothing her dress and adjusting her ponytail.

“Not sure why you bothered with that.” I fix her with a heated stare and she licks those full, pink lips, driving me wild.

In one swift motion, I lift her dress off her body.

“Cam!”

I shed all my clothes and scoop her up in my arms quickly, before she realizes what’s happening.

Then the cool water pricks at my bare skin, the lake swallowing us as we sink below the waves. She thrashes about as we break the surface and she’s laughing and scowling all at once, pushing any worry and doubt about the sex video from my mind.

The only thing that matters right here, right now, is me and Sloane. The sun, the wind, the water, our bodies and how good we make each other feel.

“Cam Crawford! I’m going to get you!”

I shove out of her grip, swimming away from her as fast as I can. Splashing noises sound behind me as I kick across the lake, trying to escape her playful wrath .

“Don’t think so, Trouble,” I tease, slowing my strokes so she’ll catch me.

A few minutes later, she jumps on my back, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

“Got ya!”

Breath warm on my neck, she presses her body against mine. “Now you’re mine.”

I spin around, gripping her by the waist, and she sucks in a sharp breath.

“Trouble, I’ve been yours.”

Brushing a wet strand of hair from her eyes, I lock my gaze on hers. Trying to tell her how I feel without saying the words. Cool water laps around us, a delicate pulse fluttering in her neck.

I slide one of my hands from her waist to her ass, splaying across the round peach and pulling her up tight against my chest. Pressing my hips to hers, my cock twitches eagerly against her bare stomach. Then I touch my lips to hers lightly, like a soft, gentle breeze. She hums against my mouth and I lick along the seam, tasting the syrup from the pancake breakfast.

Opening to me, I shove in. No longer tentative or gentle, my kisses turn frantic, urgent, as my cock lengthens.

“How attached are you to these panties?” I murmur, toying with the lace edge.

“Right now? Not at all.”

With a quick snap, I tear the fabric from her body and toss it toward the shoreline. The sopping pink lace flies through the air, landing close to the dock.

“We’ll get it later.” I cup her chin, tipping her face toward mine. Then I seize her lips in a hot, possessive kiss. Everything around us melts away, and it’s just the two of us out here, alone with the wind, the sun, the water.

She wraps her legs around my hips, heels digging into my back. The heat from her core burns against me and she wriggles suggestively.

I need her. Need to feel her tight muscles wrap around my cock, need to bury myself deep inside her until I can’t remember my own damn name.

“I want to fuck you. Here, right now.” I kiss along her jawline, down her neck. Licking and sucking at the clear droplets of water beading on her skin. Palm her breast and rub at her nipples through the satin of her bra until she moans beneath my touch.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” I suck at the tender skin of her collarbone, caressing the smooth flesh of her ass.

“Yes. I’m on the pill. And got a check-up after everything?—”

“Shh, it’s okay,” I cut her off, not interested in having her remember anything about the last loser. “I had a physical right before I left Chicago. So we’re good.”

Sloane smiles up at me, a soft blush shading her cheeks. The bright sun highlights the apples of her cheeks, the golden tan of her skin. She’s so damn beautiful it’s almost painful being this close and not being with her, in her.

Pulling her body up against mine, I ease into her tight pussy. Her eyes flutter closed as I sink in further, her muscles clenching around my cock.

“Fuck, you feel so good.” I smash my lips to hers. She’s sweet and a little salty from the lake and everything’s so good right now, so amazing. Rocking her hips with the rhythm of the water, I meet her thrust for thrust, our bodies slapping together in unison .

“You’re so perfect, baby. So fucking tight.” I piston harder, balls tightening. But somehow I hold on, waiting for her to get closer. I press against her clit with my thumb and she shimmies against my hand.

“Yes—” she moans and I rub the sensitive nub, moving in a circle, pinching until she squirms.

“That’s it, baby. Let go for me, that’s a good girl.” The words fall from my lips and I watch as her eyes squeeze tight, then she shatters around my cock.

I don’t hesitate, pummeling into her hard and exploding.

“Oh my fuck—” I hold her body tight to my chest as she shudders against me, both of us tensing and riding out the release. Rubbing her shoulders, down her back, she relaxes against me.

“Cam—” Her voice is soft and quiet and I kiss my name from her lips, swallowing whatever she’s about to say.

“I love you.” The words fall easily into the air between us and I pause, waiting for her to say something.

She doesn’t move, says nothing.

Fuck. Too soon.

Her hand smooths over my deltoid and she sighs contentedly, resting her cheek on my chest.

“I love you, too.”

Tipping her face up, I capture her lips with mine. Kissing her hard and long and deep, like she’s the only woman I’ll ever kiss again.

Because she’s it for me.

It’s taken me a while to realize, but now I see it.

Sloane’s what I’ve been looking for. All this time she was right here, right in front of me.

Waiting.

Now that I have her, I don’t plan on letting her go.