Justice Falling (17 page)

“I missed you.” His voice was smooth as silk and just as soft. I closed my eyes and took a breath, not capable of uttering a word. “I’ve had some time to think.” He took a long breath. “Think about us. And you know what I’ve decided?”

Everything that
could be
depended on this decision. “Tell me,” I whispered not trusting my voice. I held my hand to my heart. It thumped so loudly in my chest I worried he might be able to hear it.

“That you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.” I choked on the emotion his words hammered through my consciousness. He heard my reaction. “That I want to know you better. Every part of you. Including your wants, dreams, desires.” His tone took on that gravelly sound that shot a bolt of pleasure between my thighs.

“I want to know and be a part of everything in your life, Camille, get to know Jin, and, most importantly, Tanner.” That was it. I couldn’t stop them. The tears poured down my cheeks ruining my makeup. I didn’t care. He wanted to know Tanner. “How does that sound, Precious.”

“Sounds…like a d-d-dream come t-true,” I stuttered through my tears.

“Don’t cry love, I’m not there to kiss away your tears.”

“I wish you were,” I said without thinking.

“I can be there in fifteen minutes--”

I cut him off. “You can’t. I have to work tonight.”

A long drawn out inhale and exhale was the only sound I could hear through the line. “Then I’ll come to the club where you work.”

A cold sweat broke across my skin. Nate at Gems was not an option. “No! You can’t!” I said too forcefully. An Alpha like Nate didn’t take too kindly to orders or boundaries for that matter. If his track record was anything to go by, if it involved me, he’d push his way in regardless of being invited. It’s what made that place in me thrum and go molten all over.

“And why not?” His voice had a scary edge. One I hadn’t heard before.

“I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with you there.” That wasn’t exactly a lie. If Nate was there, all thoughts of dancing in front of other men for money would float away and disappear like a wish said into a breeze.

His laughter ringing through the receiver was glorious. The best sound I’d heard all week. “Alright, love, you win. For now. I want to take you out. You and Tanner.”

You and Tanner.
Could any words ever sound sweeter? Nate Walker wanted to take me and my son out.

“I’d like nothing more,” I said honestly.

“Alright then. Saturday?”

I shook my head then realized he couldn’t see. “I watch Zach on Saturday. How about Sunday?”

“You’re going to make me wait three more days to see you? That’s downright brutal.”

I laughed, stood and started to fiddle with my makeup, clearing away the remnants of smudged mascara.

“Lunch tomorrow?” he said with longing. If he were here, I’d wrap my arms around him and never let him go.

Unfortunately, he was going to hate my answer. “I have lunch plans with Aspen and Oliver.”

“Not for long…” he deadpanned.

“How about you come with us? I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.” Actually I was downright certain they’d be delighted. The entire reason for the lunch was so that Aspen and Oliver could grill me about Nate. With Nate there, they’d be on their best behaviors but could still enjoy watching me squirm.

“Smashing! I’ll see you tomorrow, Precious. Until then, I’ll be thinking of your soft lips, and how I want to kiss them. About your sexy body lying under mine.” He took a deep breath and I could feel him exhale as if he
was
laying over me, my body naked, his breath skating over my feverish skin.

“Nate…not fair,” I warned.

“It’s not fair that I have to wait to touch you, wrap my arms around you, and show you exactly what I’m feeling.”

“And what are you feeling?” I asked wracked with fear of his answer.

“Love, Precious.” Hearing those words shook me to my core. No man had ever insinuated that he loved me. In the month I was with Tyler, he’d never once told me he loved me, though I’d believed I loved him. I was wrong. So, so wrong. Nothing compared to hearing the words from the man I was falling for.

Still it was too much, too soon. “Nate you don’t know that.”

“Has to be. I’ve never felt anything like this for a woman. Ever. Only you.”

“It’s too soon. You barely know me.”

He wasn’t having it. “I know enough. I know that after three days without you, I don’t want to be without you anymore. Not knowing if you were okay. What you were doing. How you were. Kiss your lips. Stare into those emerald eyes that make my heart pound.” His voice calmed, slowed, “It hurt, Camille. No more. You’re mine. We’re seeing this thing through.”

“Through what?” I asked though uncertain I wanted to know the answer.

“Through forever. I’ll accept nothing less.”

***

Lunch turned into an event. When I texted Oliver that I was coming to lunch with them, he informed me Hank was coming along. Hank called me and gave me the weirdest third degree about not playing with Camille’s heart. I assured him that my intentions were honorable even though my track record had not been.

He was shocked to hear that Camille had a child. I tried to downplay it even though I wasn’t sure how I felt about it myself. I liked kids, but had no idea what it was going to be like to have one around all the time. It definitely added limitations on the times I could take Camille out, spend time alone with her, and get her back in my bed, for the love of God.

Once I arrived at “The Place,” the staple restaurant for our group, I was delighted to see Collier and his girlfriend, London, sitting at a table with Hank, Aspen, Oliver, Dean, Tripp, and my sister Emma. It looked like the whole gang was there. I made my way through the wrought iron patio gate and walked up behind Camille. She hadn’t seen me yet. I knelt behind her, placed my hands on her shoulders and nuzzled her neck. Her shoulders tightened for a second before I swept her hair away, and kissed the side of her neck where shoulder and head met. That spot on her body smelled wonderful and was incredibly addicting.

“Hello love,” I whispered against her ear. She turned toward me. Her eyes sparkled green with the bits of gold standing out against her yellow blouse. Her smile was a bright true ray of sunshine. I couldn’t bear not kissing it. I leaned in and took her lips in a slow, lazy kiss. She hummed along my lips and placed a cool hand against my cheek. The gesture was so simple yet meant so much. It touched me, deep down where the hope that I’d ever find the woman for me was buried and forced it to the surface.

“Bugger all, you two! Get a room,” Collier joked then tossed a napkin, knocking me in the head. I pulled away, smiling. I petted my girl’s perfect bottom lip now reddened from my kiss.

“I missed you,” I said, cupping her jaw.

“I missed you more.” She smiled shyly. It was beautiful, lovely and all for me. I was on top of the world. I took the seat next to her and clasped her hand, twining our fingers firmly together, then set them on my thigh. She grinned and swept a lock of unruly hair behind her ear. Christ, she was a vision.

My brother Collier caught my eye and nodded his head. He mouthed the word “stunning” and tilted his head toward her. I grinned wide, put my hand around her chair, and tugged Camille a little closer to kiss her temple. He shook his head with a huge smile. That’s right big brother, I’ve taken the plunge.

London’s eyes darted to Collier’s then to mine. She clasped her hands in front of her and giggled with barely contained glee.

Over the next fifteen minutes everyone ordered their food and boisterously talking over one another, as usual. I loved having Camille participate, being a part of what I considered my dearest friends. For the first time, I wasn’t alone. I had someone to share in this joy. It was bloody awesome.

After the food was delivered, Collier and London kept winking at each other, sharing secrets in each other’s ear in between bites of their lunch. Then I spotted something I never expected. London’s left hand held a thin gold band on her ring finger. No diamond, nothing special about it but the same flash of gold glinted on my brother’s hand.

Holy fucking shite.

“Colly, you got something you want to share, brother mine?” I asked then looked down at his hand. His jaw clenched, and he put his arm around London. The irritation in my voice could not be cooled. The entire table went dead silent. Forks and knives were set down and all eyes were on the conspicuous couple across the table.  

“Wanker,” Collier gritted through his teeth then grinned. “I guess now’s as good a time as any. You all remember a couple weeks ago when London and I went to Atlantic City?” Most the heads around the table nodded back to taking bites of food, sipping their beverages as they paid attention. “You see, London and I had a wild hair--”

“Spit it out already, my food’s gettin’ cold,” Hank encouraged, then placed an arm around his wife. She leaned into his side automatically.

“Hmm, how do I say this…,” Collier faltered.

“Oh honey, come on. Men!” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “We got married!” London squealed then held up her hand. The simple gold band gleamed in the sunlight.

Collective gasps ricocheted through the group. Tripp stood, walked around the table and tapped Collier on the shoulder. He looked up at Tripp then stood once he saw the menacing look on the man’s puss.

“How could you, Bond!” He shoved Collier. London stood and got between the two. “I can’t believe you’d do that. Not fucking cool!” He roared. Tripp, London, and Collier had a weird dynamic, especially after Tripp donated his kidney to save my brother’s life. For the past few months though, they’d been the three amigos. I would never have expected him to have a violent reaction. My hackles rose ready to get up and defend my brother.

“Tripp, sweetie, really it’s not his fault. It was my idea!” London yelled. He stared at her, his eyes showing a world of hurt.

“You fucking eloped, Bridge?” Tripp locked his jaw, then turned around.

I hugged Camille to my side and watched the show. Standing behind Tripp, Aspen did not look pleased. With her hands on her hips, her giant pregnant belly protruded in front of her like a shield. She flicked her hair behind her and narrowed her eyes at London and Collier.

“What in the world would make you think it was okay to run off and elope?” The couple looked at one another, mouths opening and closing like fish out of water. “How could you not think about how that would make the rest of us feel?” The waterworks started. “That was incredibly selfish. Every single person here would have been honored to watch two people that we love bind themselves to one another. But no! You took the easy way out.” She shook her head back and forth, then clutched at her stomach and keeled over. Her expression turned pained.

Camille jumped up and ran to Aspen’s side. “Where do you feel it? Back? Abdomen?”

“All over.” Aspen gritted her teeth.

“No, no, no. It’s too fuckin’ early,” Hank growled, then escorted his wife back to her seat. “Deep breaths, Darlin’.”

Camille stood in front of Aspen, talking quietly. She asked if she could touch her belly and Aspen nodded. Then she looked at Hank, waiting for his approval. He nodded and looked at her as if she was the sweetest woman in the whole world. Probably because she was.

She laid a hand on Aspen’s belly. “Hold my hand Aspen. When you feel a contraction squeeze my hand, okay?” Camille was all business. I loved watching her. The issue with my brother and London’s untimely nuptials were forgotten in Aspen’s obvious condition.

London was around the other side of Aspen, whispering in her ear, apologizing, kissing and nuzzling her hair. Aspen focused on her baby and squeezed Camille’s hand when warranted. Camille looked at her watch. “Was it stronger, the same, or lighter.”

“It was lighter. It didn’t hurt all over.” Aspen took a deep breath. Hank watched, his sharp eyes flicking to Aspen then to Camille. Oliver stood behind them pacing back and forth, his ear to a phone.

“Yes, contractions. We don’t know!” he roared into the phone.

“Buddy, keep it down. You talking to the doctor?”

“Yeah,” Oliver said, phone plastered to his ear. Camille shared some specifics with Oliver which he reiterated into the phone.

After thirty nail-biting minutes, it was determined that Aspen had been having Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labor. Her breathing returned to normal, the baby settled down, and Hank hovered near his wife like a lion protecting his cubs.

“When’s he ready?” Hank asked Oliver.

“Half an hour. Let’s jet.”

“Darlin’, we’re going to go to the doctor.” Hank stopped his wife from speaking with a finger to her lips. “Angel, I swear by all that’s holy, we’re going, you’re not arguing and once we get a clean bill of health for you and our daughter, we’re going home for the day.”

“But…”

“No buts about it. I’m taking care of my girls and that’s that. Oliver, you know what to do.”

“Already done. Canceled everything. Nothing’s more important than Pen,” Oliver said to Hank while in the arms of Dean, Oliver’s significant other.

Dean held Oliver’s face and wiped his eyes with both thumbs. Oliver shoved his head in Dean’s chest. Oliver truly loved Aspen, maybe even as much as Hank, only in an entirely different way. The same way the angered brooding Tripp Devereux felt right now about London and Collier’s eloping. Emma spoke quietly to Tripp as he stood in the corner. She whispered in his ear and slid her hand up and down his bicep in a soothing gesture. Made me wonder for the millionth time what the two had going. They claimed that they were just friends but I wasn’t so sure. Mentally I noted I needed to have a chat with my baby sister.

Hank nodded at Oliver then addressed Camille. “Cancel everything for the rest of the day, Cami. And…,”He took a strained breath. “You proved yourself. I’m waiving the six months trial period. You’re official starting Monday; benefits for you and your son start first of the month. And a raise. A big one!” He pulled her into an allover hug; one only a man of his size could do without me want to take him out. As it was, it took extreme patience watching another man put his hands on my girlfriend.