Perfectly Shattered (27 page)

To celebrate their love, Bradan and Cami spent the day together. He called work to let them know he had personal matters to attend to, and went back to the penthouse just long enough to shower and change.

While he was gone, Cami got ready. She dressed for a day outdoors and wore minimal makeup. Though it had been cool in the early morning, the sun was breaking through the clouds, promising a rare day of pleasant temperatures.

She wore a light jacket, just in case, and fished in her purse for the tie she wanted to use for her hair. She touched the plastic prescription bottle and pulled it out. Since Bradan had followed her to Walla Walla and they’d made up, she hadn’t taken the pills.

Realizing she didn’t need them anymore, Cami opened the lid and let them slide in a cascade into the trash. Watching them fall was visual evidence of her confidence. It wouldn’t be easy. She would always be sorry for the tragedy that befell her first love.

But Cami didn’t want anything to darken her love with Bradan, and she swore to do whatever was within her power to be strong. He would help her. She knew he would. Together, they could move forward, never forgetting the past but not letting it overshadow their future.

Bradan was back in less than an hour, and she was ready. They hadn’t wanted to be apart at all, and separating that short time was still too long. When she opened the door to her apartment and saw him smiling, Cami fell into his arms.

“What took you so long?”

He laughed. “Better be careful or I’ll never let you go.”

“Promises, promises.” Cami kissed him. “Where are we going?”

Bradan grinned. “You’ll find out.”

She was even more curious when their first stop was to rent a car for the day. That opened many possibilities. Too many for her to guess what he had in mind.

*****

One of the natural gems just north of Seattle was Whidbey Island. It formed the northern boundary of Puget Sound. The south part of the island was a paradise of gentle hills covered with thick forests and green valleys, dotted with lakes.

Colorful flowers were ablaze, evidence that spring had come despite the still-cool temperatures in Seattle. Bright yellow daffodils and pink tulips caught Cami’s eye. She even spotted some vineyards and remembered that the white wines there were made from grapes grown on the island.

They stopped at South Whidbey State Park and stood beneath the massive cedars and Douglas firs. It was majestic, and compelled them to walk the trail named after the husband and wife who had mobilized the public to protect the 250-year-old trees. In awe, they walked the path that wound through the impressive grove, admiring the untainted forest.

There was almost a mile of shoreline in the park area, and Bradan held her hand while they walked along the rocky beach. The sun dipped behind clouds but reappeared before it got too cold. A ray of light broke through, and Cami looked over at her love, noticing how handsome he looked out in nature. He smiled at her, and she felt truly happy.

The tranquility of the park seeped into her, leaving her renewed. “It’s soothing here,” she said.

Bradan squeezed her hand, and she looked out at the placid water, feeling peace, which had eluded her for so long. Being with the man she loved felt timeless, and in a way it was. She would always love him, and didn’t doubt that he felt the same.

They walked for a while. At several points, they could have detoured to take one of the quiet forest paths, offering many miles of hiking. Cami knew they’d return another time to do that. Not far along there was a picnic area at a trailhead, and Bradan headed that direction.

They sat side by side at the one lonely table and pressed against each other. Bradan put his arm around her and Cami squeezed his thigh. Sitting next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder, a moment of clarity stuck her.

“You know, I’ve often felt that life battered me. Like a boat in a storm, I bashed against the rocks. I had nothing to anchor me.”

Bradan stroked her hair, and she continued. “Now I do. I have you, Bradan.”

“You will always have me,” he said. “Our love is strong.”

She lifted her head to look at him. “I believe that too.”

His expression turned serious. “You have to do something, though.”

Cami looked at him, not sure what it could be.

“You have to forgive. Not that it’s the same, but I was bitter toward Amber. Then I realized that wasn’t right. I’ve made mistakes, done things that hurt others. Life is…well, it’s just like that. And I forgave her. I don’t hold anything against her anymore. But you haven’t forgiven.”

“Who?”

Bradan held her gaze. “Yourself. Your guilt was keeping us apart. You have to let go of the guilt, baby. You need to forgive yourself.”

Emotion swelled within her. “I will…I will try. For you. Because I love you, Bradan.”

His kiss told her that he had faith in her, that he loved her and would help her be strong. It was enough. And Cami knew her life would never be the same. Bradan’s love had changed it.

The mood was lighter after that. They stopped at a café and ordered cioppino. The savory chunks of seafood and assorted shellfish in the tomato broth arrived steaming and tasted good, especially after being outdoors. They talked and laughed while they ate and drank. They stayed for dessert, since they were unwilling to pass up the key lime pie.

After lunch, they hiked one of the easy trails in the mild afternoon sun. Before heading back, they made a point of stopping at Whidbey Coffee Company for espressos. The fresh air and exercise had revived them, and heavy matters of the heart were less pressing.

Being in love was a great thing, Cami decided. She felt light and happy, grateful to be with Bradan and enjoy simple pleasures. When she saw the same joy in his eyes, it meant a lot to her. His happiness was hers; the two could not be separated.

Once back in Seattle, they had no intention of parting. They still had the whole night ahead. Cami hadn’t thought to ask what he had planned, if anything. Then she noticed he was leading her in a different direction, not toward her apartment or the penthouse.

But he refused to tell her. Bradan just grinned, and she tried to tease it out of him. He wouldn’t give in. “Try to have patience,” he said, laughing at her.

He took her into a building she didn’t recognize and they rode up to one of the top floors. Bradan had keys to the place, and then she suspected. Of course, the penthouse was a temporary arrangement and he needed an apartment to move into.

But when he opened the door and Cami went inside, she gasped with delight. The windows faced the water. It had a wide terrace of polished tile, and the view was stunning. But that wasn’t even the best part.

When she walked into the kitchen, her mouth dropped open. “Oh. My. God. Bradan.”

She went straight to the huge gourmet stove and ran her hands over the surface. Spinning around, she looked at the restaurant-size refrigerator and the stainless-steel ovens. The room was so spacious it easily housed a rectangular island in the middle, covered with a thick wood for chopping. As if all that weren’t enough, skylights overhead let in tons of light.

Bradan just stood there grinning.

“I’m jealous,” she squealed. “You have the most amazing kitchen. And you don’t even cook!”

He just kept on grinning, like he had some big secret.

She put her hands on her hips and said, “What?”

He moved close and wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t cook, but
you
do.”

Cami heard him, but was slow to understand his meaning.

“It seems a local chef used to live here, and as you can see, it is a dream kitchen.”

She smiled. “Totally.”

He held her a little closer. “So when I found it, I knew it was perfect. I want you to move in with me, Cami.”

She was stunned, but only for a second. There was nothing she wanted more.

Bradan’s blue eyes gleamed. “I love you, baby. You are a wonderful, brave, amazing woman…and sexy as hell.”

Cami looked at him, no longer needing to hold back her feelings. “I love you too, Bradan. So much.”

He kissed her lightly. “I want you near me. I want to fall asleep every night holding you. And I want you next to me every morning when I wake up. That will make me a very happy man.” He paused. “What do you say?”

Cami giggled. “I wouldn’t waste an awesome kitchen like this. I know
you’ll
never use it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him closer.

“I’ll take that as a
yes
.” His eyes turned a deeper blue. “How do you feel about being naked on granite countertops?”

“Sounds delicious,” she whispered, and he kissed her deeply, leaving no doubt he intended to make good on his promise.

What to read next in this series?
Perfectly Flawed (Sean & Adrianna’s romance)

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Perfectly Shattered by Emily Jane Trent ©2014 All Rights Reserved

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Books by Emily Jane Trent:

Touched By You series
:

(Dark Desire, Naked Submission, The Heart’s Domination, Bound By Love, Deep Obsession, Forbidden Pleasures, Raw Burn, Desperately Entwined, Fierce Possession, Intimate Secrets, Whispered Confessions, and Vivid Temptation)

Adam & Ella series:

(Captivated, Charmed, Cherished, and Craved)

The Passion Series
- a short story collection

Perfectly Flawed
– a new adult romance novel

About the author:

Emily Jane Trent writes steamy romances about characters you’ll get to know and love. The sex scenes are hot, and the romance even hotter! If you are a fan of stories with a heroine that’s got spunk and a hunk of a hero that you’d like to take home with you, these stories are what you’re looking for. The Touched By You series will let you escape into a fantasy, and you won’t want it to end—ever.

Note
: This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.