Smolder (St. Martin Family Saga) (8 page)

BOOK: Smolder (St. Martin Family Saga)
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Noting the look in her eyes, Camp knew there was nothing he could say that she would listen to. Not tonight. But he was done listening to her beat herself up for being a human in situations that would break the average man or woman. He was done letting her heap blame on herself. He scooped her up, put her in his truck, and started the drive home. She fell asleep next to him. Exhausted.

When they returned to the estate, Camp called Clay to check Andrew’s status. No change.

Camp told his brother he’d found Jenny and related that she needed to be taken care of. Clay would stay at the hospital as long as Camp needed him there.

Camp started a bath. He stripped Jenny from her clothes and lowered her into the water. He heard her soft voice ask, “Camp, why do you want to be with me?”

“God, Jenny, there are so many reasons. Let me see if I can get you to understand it as I do.”

He rested his chin on his hands at the side of the tub, praying for the right words, knowing that words straight from the heart were all he had to offer.

“I want to be enveloped in passion, but passion isn’t easy. It’s manic, it’s obsessive, it’s angry, it’s compulsive. Passion can even make a man suffer and agonize. But in passion is life. If our lives were easy, they wouldn’t be full of passion. Before you, my life was easier, but I hated every day. My life was apathy and indifference.”

Camp leaned over Jenny in the tub and turned off the water. “You have great passion. You have fight. Hell, when I met you, we were fighting. You stood your ground next to me and fought for what you thought was right. You challenged me. You were responsive to me. When I met Andrew, I saw all of those qualities in him too. I couldn’t wait for us to start our lives together, the three of us. I believe Andrew will fight to get back to us. And when he does, we will be there together, you and me, to welcome him back.”

She cried a little at his admission or maybe at her brother’s situation—he didn’t know which. But over the last several weeks he’d learned her nuances and rhythms, and he knew she was done asking questions and laying the blame at her own feet. She soaked in the heat of the tub, and he helped her wash. When it was time to dress, she was still upset, so he quietly offered his help there too. When they arrived at the hospital, all of Camp’s family was still there supporting and waiting.

Cash and Isa came up to them and distributed hugs all around. Isa shared a knowing look with Cash and then pulled Jenny over to a quiet spot in the corner. He offered up a little prayer for Isa and thanked God she was at the hospital. It was clear after only a few minutes that she’d eased Jenny’s lingering anxiety. Jenny was smiling at something Isa said when other members of his family migrated toward the women.

He knew Jenny was overwhelmed by the love they had for Camp and by proxy, for her and Andrew. But it was a gentle, supportive love. And he recognized when she noted that very thing. She relaxed and allowed the rest of his family to see to her needs, bringing her coffee and food and even pillows.

At around four in the morning, there was an update. Andrew was coming around. The doctors said he would be moved to a regular room and they would be permitted to see him, but no more than two family members at a time.

As they walked down the hall to Andrew’s room, Jenny looked nervously around. The nurse told them he was in room 112 and Jenny stopped walking to ask Camp why he thought Andrew had tried to jump Dreamer. He didn’t know why, but told her they would ask him.

“Do you think… Was it to hurt himself like that time at the railroad tracks?”

“No, baby. I don’t think he’d do that with Dreamer. Not to hurt himself. Not to hurt her.”

They walked into Andrew’s room, and Camp gave Andrew the Tennessee walker resin figurine that he’d loved as a boy.

“There you go, buddy. Now you’ve got a horse in here with you.”

Andrew said, “Tennessee walker.”

“That’s right.”

“Camp?”

“Yeah, Andrew?”

“Is Dreamer dead? Is she not coming back like Mom and Dad?”

Jenny flinched at his question.

Camp looked down at Andrew, as pale as the sheets he lay against, and smiled. “Andrew, Dreamer is fine. She’s worried about you, is all. Why were you trying to jump her? You know that’s against the rules.”

“Jumping is against the rules.” Andrew looked down at the figurine in his hand. “Mr. Camp?”

“Yes, Andrew?” Camp sat on the bed facing Andrew.

“I was going out for the pancake stuff. I was going to come back.”

“Pancakes?”

“It was pancake day. I wanted to make Jenny happy because she’s always mad.”

Jenny’s body shuddered and tears fell from her eyes. She walked up to her brother in the bed and kissed his cheek. Then she turned to Camp.

“Today is the anniversary of our parents’ deaths. We’d started having their pancakes on the anniversary of that day.” She hummed softly, stroking Andrew’s arm until his eyes closed and his head tilted to the side.

Still looking at Andrew, still stroking his arm, she spoke to Camp.

“Andrew was good with numbers. When that date came around, he would get upset. It was the only thing I could think to do to keep him from having a meltdown. Since we started the tradition, he’s dealt better with that day.

Camp caressed her arm, much as she stroked Andrew’s.

Jenny might not know it, but she’d given Andrew a priceless gift, one that no doubt cost her plenty in terms of peace of mind. She would never be allowed to put that day behind her. But her gift had given Andrew something other than death to focus on.

His woman was generous beyond measure.

9

 

 

A
fter a week
in the hospital, Andrew was released. They brought him home to the estate, and Camp took him to visit Dreamer in the paddock. Dreamer greeted Andrew with a nicker, and then she blew air in his face.

Jenny watched the exchange between Camp and Andrew from the porch. Mr. St. Martin, Cliff, joined her.

“Andrew’s a good boy,” he said.

Jenny smiled at Cliff. “Camp is good with him.”

“He is. You know there are people in this world who need to have a purpose, a reason to exist.”

Jenny didn’t understand where he was going with his comment, so she just kept quiet. It had been a while since she’d gotten fatherly advice, but she recognized the approach.

“Camp is one of those people, always has been. That’s why I was able to groom him for the family business. He organizes his mind and focuses it to achieve an intended outcome. In one case, it was to one day run our contracting company. I can see that same determination and focus now, with you and Andrew. He’s always been a quiet brooder, and he’s obsessive about what’s his. He can get controlling and be consuming. He needs a woman who would appreciate those qualities and not stifle them. When he flourishes, he does great things. I only say this, Jenny, because if you are looking for a future, that future is here. Not only would you gain Camp, but you would also have the St. Martin clan to help you. You wouldn’t have to be alone any longer.” Cliff looked into her soul and asked, “Will you think about it?”

“Cliff, I love your son. And I agree with every word you just said. But he deserves someone fresh, someone with a clean history. Someone without baggage. It’s because I love him that I should set him free.”

“Bullshit.” He snapped his fingers. “He needs someone with passion, someone who makes him feel alive. He needs someone who can accommodate a love like his. It’s deep, strong, and too intense for most. But not for you. I’ve seen you with him. You need him just as much as he needs you. You and Andrew came to him with nothing, with no one. Now you have all of this.” He waved his hands across the landscape. “I sense you pulling away. Don’t do it, Jenny. You are part of this now. Part of him. And he is part of you. If you leave, you leave one half of each of you behind.”

Well shit. How’d he know she was planning on bolting? Would have already, but with Andrew things took extra time. She thought over Cliff’s words. It was all very practical and it made sense. Her body, her mind, her heart all wanted to believe in this life they offered her, but there was a quiet small part of her that wouldn’t.


Camp jogged up to the porch, joining Jenny and his dad. He bent to kiss Jenny on the cheek.

“Hey, baby.”

He studied them. They seemed intent. “What’s up?”

“I was just telling Jenny that Andrew seems to have made a full recovery.”

“Yeah, he has.” But no damned way was that what had the two of them so solemn.

Campbell Lee St. Martin was no fool. He knew Jenny was restless. She was overwhelmed by what she hadn’t known for years: friends, family, love, hope. And overwhelmed people searched for a way out.

But Camp had a plan for her. Clay, Cash and his father had been instrumental in helping him get the plan quite literally off the ground.

When his father recognized the connection Jenny and Camp had, he’d told Camp he was happy for him and confided that he’d been wrong to encourage him to marry Kim. Camp knew that everything his dad did for the family, he did out of unquestioning love and devotion. He’d only wanted to see Camp happy.

Now his dad smiled and said, “I’ll bring the truck around so you can get loaded.”

“Get loaded?” Jenny inquired.

“We’re taking a trip.”


“Camp, when can I take the bandana off?”

Camp had needed to blindfold Jenny in order to carry out his plan. She hadn’t minded at first, but he sensed her growing frustration.

“When I say you can.”

“But we’re in a plane.”

They
were
in a plane. His father had secured a private flight for the two of them. Camp was taking her to Las Vegas where he was going to marry her and where, if need be, he would buy a tracking device to hook to her in place of a ring. Whatever it took to keep her from running.

When they landed, a limo waited to take them to the apartment Cash kept in town. Cash, with his connections, had helped set up everything, down to the dress.

In the apartment the blinds had been drawn, and Camp removed the bandana from Jenny’s eyes. She immediately started looking around. He walked to the refrigerator and found the champagne his brother had ordered. He uncorked a bottle and poured them each a glass. Camp hadn’t really thought through the next stage of his plan because it depended on what inducements Jenny needed to go along with the plan. He hoped she’d agree wholeheartedly with everything, but he wasn’t counting on it. He did think that plying her, and himself, with a little liquid courage couldn’t hurt.

He handed a champagne flute to Jenny and toasted, “To us.” She drank that down and Camp refilled her glass.

She eyed him suspiciously. He sat on the sofa while she wandered around the living room, fingering various knickknacks. When she crossed in front of the couch, she asked, “So, Camp, what are we doing here?” She ran her index finger across his collarbone through the thin T-shirt he wore. Then she backed out of his reach.

“Come back here and I’ll show you.”

Eyebrows raised, she stepped between his legs.

“Take off your shorts.”

Jenny swallowed the contents of her second glass of champagne and did as he commanded.

“Panties too.”

Once she was bared from the waist down, Camp patted his lap and she crawled up and he cradled her in his arms. He closed his eyes, inhaling her scent. The familiarity soothed him, but he wondered if he shouldn’t have poured himself a second glass of champagne. His future was wrapped up in this woman. What if she didn’t want what he wanted? What he needed?

Camp set his fingers on her sex and worked his fingers in. She was hot and already wet. He stroked her clit with his thumb while massaging her slit with his fingers. When he’d worked her into a lather and had her panting for breath, he slid out from beneath her and laid her out on the couch. Her eyes were hooded, her body fluid.

“I’ve brought some toys.”

Her eyes grew wide and snapped to life.

Camp reached behind the couch to retrieve the bag he’d carried in with them. Clay had selected the toys.

Jenny sat up.

“Lie down or I’ll tie you up, spank you, gag you, or blindfold you. Whatever it takes.”

Jenny inhaled a ragged breath and lay back against the cushions.

“Good girl.”

Camp tapped her clit with his fingertips. Jenny gasped.

“Pull your legs to your chest.”

She pulled her knees in close to her body.

“Spread your knees.”

Jenny spread her knees so that she was completely exposed to Camp. God, every time she did that and he saw all of her, he thought
that belongs to me
. He was obsessed with her.

“Stay like that—don’t move—or I’ll bind you, I swear it. Do you understand?”

Jenny whispered, “Y-yes.”

Camp wondered if he was pushing too hard but when she licked her lips, when he watched her eyes follow his every move, he bit back a satisfied grin.

Camp poured oil into his hands before applying it to Jenny’s body. He massaged her hips and her thighs and when she started to writhe, he massaged the oil into her pussy. Then he pulled the cold, egg-shaped metal vibrator from the bag. He rubbed it between his hands to make it slick with oil. When it touched Jenny’s sex, she gasped. Camp worked the tip in first. When the egg was almost halfway inside, Jenny contracted and her walls swallowed up the egg.

“Fuck,” Camp cried. He was instantly hard.

Now he had to insert the bullet vibrator into her ass. The bullet was wider than any one of his fingers, which he knew to be the only thing ever to penetrate her ass. And with the egg in her pussy, there wasn’t as much room to work with as usual. Still, he wanted to use both toys. Clay had said any woman would consent to anything if she was on the brink and her partner used the remotes to activate the vibrators at an opportune moment.

Camp oiled his fingers and rubbed a good amount of oil into Jenny’s bottom. When he slid his middle finger slowly into her bud, she moaned. He could feel the hardness from the egg in her cunt. She was already contracting. When she did, her ass dilated, and he added his index finger, widening her sufficiently. Jenny growled his name low in her throat. Shit. Camp was leaking precum and he vaguely wondered about his ability to get through the ordeal without creaming in his pants. Clay hadn’t said anything about
him
being unable to hold back when he was teasing Jenny this way. He forced his mind to think about an upcoming project and the problems he’d already anticipated for it until he had his body under control.

Then he turned back to Jenny.

Her body was thrumming with energy as Camp pumped his fingers in her ass. He thought she might be close, but it wouldn’t do to bring her to release just yet. He removed his fingers and brought the bullet vibrator to her oil-slicked bud. He pushed the tip through the muscle, and she contracted. He pushed the vibrator until it was fully seated inside her.

“Jenny?” He looked into her eyes. They were glazed over. “Baby?”

In a hoarse whisper she said, “Camp, I’m so full. Please… I need you.”

“I know, baby, we’re almost there.”

Moaning, she dropped her head back on the couch. Camp pulled her legs down and she shuddered and quivered. Camp soothed her, running his hands over her, then he gently kissed her lips and her closed eyes.

“Sit up.”

Camp helped her upright and dressed her in the cream fitted cocktail dress that Cash had ordered from one of the hotel’s boutiques. Jenny didn’t make a sound or ask a question. She just watched him with hooded eyes.

He led her to the bathroom and she brushed her hair and teeth while he dressed quickly in black dress trousers and a blue silk shirt.

When he was ready, he patted his pocket to ensure he had the rings and the vibrator remotes. He ran a shaking hand down Jenny’s arm, traced her lips.

“We’ve gotta walk now, baby.” He helped her to the elevator. The high-rise Cash lived in was connected to a large casino. They went down to the lobby level and passed through the veranda shops.

When they arrived at the wedding chapel, Camp took her hands in his. “Jenny, you look beautiful.”

He wanted to get down on one knee, but he was afraid that would give her too much wiggle room and he didn’t want her to bolt, because he feared she’d never come back. Even he had to admit he was a little intense. Still, his girl was unflappable. She was constantly fighting him and anyone else who got in the way of what she needed to accomplish. She would make a great St. Martin.

“Jennifer Roberts, we’re going to walk through these doors and our lives are going to forever be changed. You’re going to marry me. Now. Here. You will say yes and I do. Those are the only options. Tell me you understand.”

The color in her cheeks was dark, and her eyes were liquid fire. They narrowed to slits as she smoldered at him. But Camp was no longer afraid. Her eyes didn’t burn with anger, they raged with love. A fierce, active, ever-flaming love. He grinned back at her. His baby girl was going to fight him all the way to the altar, but it was a battle they were both going to win.

Camp pulled the door open and escorted Jenny through. The room was set up like a small traditional chapel, with six pews on each side and an aisle down the center. Elvis waited for them at the end of the aisle. Camp and Jenny walked to the front, hand in hand, consensually. He caught a grin on her face when they stopped in front of the make-do alter.

When the time came for Jenny to answer the question
Do you take this man
, Camp had his hand in his pocket, one finger on the remote. She shook her head and opened her mouth, and Camp turned on the egg-shaped vibrator inside her pussy. She made an incoherent sound, and Elvis asked the question a second time. When she opened her mouth again, Camp turned on the vibrating bullet in her ass. His poor baby girl. If she would just comply, he wouldn’t have to do this to her. He could see the energy charging through her body. She closed her eyes and swallowed back a growl. Elvis asked if she was feeling ill. She denied sickness. He asked again if she’d take Camp, and this time she said yes. Smart girl. Camp turned off the egg vibrator, but left the bullet on at its lowest setting.

The rings were exchanged and they were proclaimed husband and wife. When Camp bent down to kiss his bride, she bit down on his lip hard enough to draw blood. He grinned, wanting instead to laugh.

Signatures were required on the marriage certificate and when Jenny only tapped her pen against the paper, Camp turned up the setting on the vibrator in her ass. She signed the paper and slammed the pen to the desk. And then she winked at Elvis. Evidentially she’d been playing him. He’d get her back for that later on in the apartment.

BOOK: Smolder (St. Martin Family Saga)
6.84Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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