AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He looked relaxed, happy, and sexy as ever in his board shorts and white shirt. His hair was wet and there was a towel around his neck making me think he had just come from a swim. He smiled at us as he approached but his eyes lingered on me for a second and I could feel myself blushing. I looked down and took a few deep breaths, hoping that when I turned to look at my friends the blush would be gone.
“Good morning, ladies. Are you ready to enjoy this fine beautiful morning?” He asked as he sat down.
“Someone is in a chipper mood? Did you have a nice night?” Alison asked.
“Probably one of the best nights of my life,” Cameron said as he took his napkin and put it on his lap.
“Oh really? Do tell,” Laura said.
“I don’t think I will. This one I want to keep all to myself, at least for now,” he said to Alison and then looked at me and gave me a wink before adding, “I missed you last night.”
He held my gaze and I knew he wasn’t talking about me leaving dinner but how he had woken up and I wasn’t there. I looked him directly in the eyes when I said, “I thought it was best all things considered.”
“Let’s hope you’re able to stay the whole evening tonight. It would be a shame for you to miss all the fun,” Cameron said.
I knew what he was implying and I couldn’t respond. I didn’t know what I would say and I didn’t want Alison and Laura to know what had happened between us last night. It wouldn't happen again and I didn’t want anything to change between all of us. If I had my way, we would pretend like it never happened and we could move on with our lives.
“What fun do you have in mind?” Laura asked.
“Did you two decide what you’re going to do today?” Cameron asked, avoiding Laura’s question.
We spent the rest of the meal discussing what Laura and Alison wanted to do. Alison decided that she would see about going snorkeling and Laura agreed to go with her. They asked me to go but I bowed out. I wasn’t one who liked being in the middle of the ocean as I wasn’t that strong of a swimmer.
“They give you floaties so you don’t have to swim and there are lifeguards all over the water keeping you safe,” Laura said.
“You know me. I don’t like fish or the thought of fish swimming around my legs. You two go and have fun. I think I’ll hang by the beach and read my book,” I said.
“Cameron?” Alison asked.
“Maybe next time,” he said.
“Your loss,” Laura said as they went off to the docks to book the trip.
“I don’t think it’s my loss at all,” Cameron said as soon as they were gone. “I’ve been waiting to get you alone all morning.”
He leaned in and whispered in my ear. “You were incredible last night.”
I closed my eyes and savored the feeling of him being so close. I could smell the ocean and the faint hint of his aftershave. His breath sent shivers of desire through my body. I could sense his lips were inches from my neck and I longed for him to kiss it like he had the night before.
It took everything in me not to lean into him. All I wanted to do was turn and bring my lips to his. I longed to tell him that the night before had been one of the best nights of my life too. I wanted to have him pull me in his arms and take me to his bedroom and not come out until the vacation was over, if ever. But I couldn’t do that.
“Cameron,” I said with a sigh.
He leaned back immediately. I could feel him tensing up. I pushed back in my chair and looked at him. His expression was neutral as if he was trying not to give anything away. But I knew him well enough to see the slight trepidation behind his eyes. I could see how his shoulders had tightened ever so slightly and he pushed his lips together as his eyes held mine.
“I know that tone of voice. Don’t tell me I did something wrong last night. From where I was, I think we both did everything right, and then some.”
My original plan had been to lie to him. I thought it would be easier if I told him that while the night before had been great, it wasn’t that great. I thought I would tell him that I only thought of him as a friend and there was no future for us. I thought it would be easier on both of us. But as I looked at him, as I saw how he was looking at me, I knew I couldn’t lie about any of it.
“Last night was great. You were great. That might have been the best night of my life, too.”
“Wonderful, let’s see if I can make tonight even better. Or better yet right now.”
He reached up to take my hand. He gave it a soft squeeze and I returned the gesture. I didn’t want to be cruel and I wouldn’t lie to him. I wanted him to know that I cared about him, that I always would. If things were different, I was sure we would be having a very different conversation, but that wasn’t the case.
I moved my hand away from his and sat up taller in my chair. I took a deep breath and hoped that I could find the courage to tell him what I needed to.
“It would be great if we could do that. Understand, you are one of the best people I know. Last night was incredible and I will always think of it and you fondly. But you have to know Cameron that no matter how much we might want this to be something, what happened between us last night can never happen again.”
