Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 95676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
"Then why me?" I ask, sniffling. "I'm just a teacher, Cam. Why did they pick me?"
He frowns, his brows furrowing as if he's looking for an answer or some explanation that will make sense. There isn't one though. "Is there anyone who has a grudge against you? An ex-boyfriend? A former rival?"
"No, no one. My friends are great. They're supportive and caring. I can't imagine any of them doing something like this to anyone, let alone to me. I haven't had a boyfriend since college. I haven't even been on a date in over a year. I doubt Patrick would do this. I don't think his wife would, either."
"Who the fuck is Patrick?"
I tilt my head back and close my eyes. "The last guy I went on a date with."
"You dated a married man?" Cam growls, letting go of me.
"I didn't know he was married!" I yell, flinging my hands up in the air. "We went out twice, and I haven't spoken to him since I found out he lied. Last I heard, him and his wife were trying to work it out." I don't even think she knows about me, at least not by name. I was too mortified to seek her out to apologize face to face, so I sent her a letter, telling her how sorry I was for what I'd done to her. She deserved to know that her husband was a lying, cheating jerk.
Cam stares at me, his eyes narrowed.
"Stop looking at me like that," I whisper, the surprised look on his face twisting in my chest like a knife. "I didn't know he was married."
"I sure as hell hope not."
"What does that mean?" I demand, not liking his tone or the way he's looking at me like I did something awful. I know I did something terrible, and I still feel horrible about it. Patrick lied, making me complicit in something I wasn't okay with. He turned me into a homewrecker without my consent. I still haven't gotten up the nerve to try dating again since then.
"Nothing." Cam sighs and holds his hands up in surrender. "It means nothing. You just took me by surprise, that's all."
"Yeah, well, imagine how I felt when I found him at dinner with the woman I soon found out was his wife of two years." I rub my temples, trying to ease the headache rattling around in my brain. I didn't even stick around to ask questions. By the time he called me, Erin and I had already hunted down the truth. I sent him a copy of his marriage license and his house deed and then blocked him.
"So, you haven't dated in a year?" Cam asks, hooking an arm around my waist and hauling me toward him.
I dig in my heels, not sure I'm over being upset about him judging me.
"C'mere," he coaxes with that sinful voice of his. "Your head hurts; stop being stubborn."
I reluctantly let him march me to the sofa and sit me down. He settles beside me and then picks me up and turns me around, putting my back to his chest.
"Relax," he whispers in my ear, positioning me where he wants me.
"Stop manhandling me," I grumble.
He chuckles instead of responding and nuzzles his face into my neck, pulling a soft sigh from my lips. Within seconds, he's worked the rubber band free of my hair, sending the thick mass cascading down my back. He plunges his hands into my hair, massaging my scalp and neck.
"You aren't playing fair," I mumble.
"Don't remember agreeing to play fair, kitten."
"Stop calling me that."
"Why?"
I open my mouth to tell him I don't like it, except…I think maybe I do. The pet name doesn't sound silly in that smooth, dark voice of his. It sounds sensual, sinful.
"Relax. I pissed you off. Let me make you feel better."
"I didn't know Patrick was married," I say again for good measure and then moan loudly and go limp in Cam's arms. "Your hands are incredible."
His soft laugh rolls over me. "I think you like having my hands on you."
I do. I so do. No way am I telling him that, though.
"You didn't answer my question."
"What question?"
"You haven't dated in a year?"
"Oh, nope."
His hands stall. "Were you in love with him?"
"God no."
"Then why haven't you dated?"
I think about his question for a moment as he digs his fingers into the muscles of my shoulders, kneading away the tense knots. "He told me he was single, and I believed him," I say honestly. "When I realized he'd lied to me…I felt awful about it. I still do. Being in that position isn't something I ever want to go through again, so I decided to take a break from dating for a while."
"You were too good for him."
"I know. So is his wife. What about you?"