Except for the man who could make this complicated.
After dinner, we took the scenic route down along the Hudson, up through the West Village, past late-night diners and glowing marquees.
Cami lit up at the neon signs, asking which places were worth it, which were overrated, which served the best midnight fries. Her eyes sparkled, the whole city showing off like it had been saving itself for her to come home.
And the second we stepped inside my apartment, we were on each other. Hands everywhere, mouths tangled, clothes peeling off in a trail we’ll probably trip over tomorrow. Even the kittens scattered, bolting for cover under their playpen like they could feel the heat rolling off us.
Cami had me against the window first, her new favorite spot, palms flat on the glass as she took my cock hard and fast, before pulling me into the shower.
And now we’re here, spent and breathless, lying nose to nose in bed, the glow of the city slipping through the blinds and washing her skin in silver.
“So…” I hook her knee over my hip and ease closer, my hand slipping along her thigh beneath the sheets. “Where did we leave off at dinner?”
Cami breathes me in, kissing the side of my neck. “Our hopes and dreams…”
“Right.” My hand glides up her spine, thumb brushing her shoulder. “And mine’s simple.” I meet her gaze. “You.”
“Knox…” She looks away for half a beat, a flustered smile tugging at her mouth before she meets my eyes again. “You can’t just say things like that. I’ll never recover.”
“I’m serious.” A smile pulls at the corner of my mouth, the one she always brings out of me without even trying. “Three months ago, I never would’ve imagined wanting anything other than to bury myself in work.” I brush my fingers along her jaw. “But now…I see my future so clearly.” I hold her gaze, letting the truth settle between us. “And it’s you.”
For a second, I wonder if I’ve said too much. If laying all of that out there is going to scare her. But the truth is, after almost losing her, holding it back scares me more.
“Three months ago…” She lets out a shaky little laugh, eyes darting away for a second before she brings them back to mine. “My only goal was to take a breather. Heal a little more. Then come here for this job and just…launch a new me.” Her words spill out in a hush as if the room might be listening. “But now…after Crystal Cove…falling for you…and Vermont, and your family, and the kittens—God, the kittens—” Long lashes flutter as her eyes gloss. “It all made me crave a whole different me. A me where I’m eventually a wife, a mom. Things that have nothing to do with my PhD or what my dad expects from me.”
I brush my thumb beneath her eye, catching a tear she’s trying to blink back. “And what does he expect of you?”
She exhales, a shaky breath against my chest, like saying it out loud makes it too real. “He wants me to take over for him,” she says, strained and unsteady. “Beaumont Group. All of it.”
“Cami…baby.” My thumb sweeps her cheek. “What doyouwant?”
She meets my gaze for a long beat, searching for something. Courage, maybe.
“Both,” she finally admits, her laugh breathless. “I want both versions of me.”
“Then you don’t choose between either version,” I whisper. “You choose both.”
She scoffs. “Both? Knox, my dad would combust if he knew about this version of me here with you.” She exhales, a moment of frustration and fear tangled together. “He’s never let anyone get close. The only reason I even dated my ex was because Dad wasn’t around, and that turned into its own disaster. He’ll make it very clear to you that I’m off-limits.”
“Already has.” I chuckle. “At the gala. When you excused yourself to the restroom.”
Cami groans under her breath, head shaking. “See? Oliver Beaumont is controlling and beyond overprotective.”
“Hey.” I catch her chin gently, just enough to bring her eyes back to mine. “Remember when we took Stripe and Shadow in for their first checkup?”
A small smile tugs at her mouth as she nods.
“You watched them like a hawk,” I remind her. “Parental instincts on full blast. Didn’t even want to leave them with Dr. Ochoa and Dex. Point is, parents are overprotective. It’s their job. And when your kid stands to gain as much as you do? There’s a hell of a lot at stake.”
Her gaze dips, lips pressed together in that familiar way. My girl’s processing.
“I met your father a year ago,” I say quietly, brushing a knuckle along her jaw. “At that same gala. Jenna wanted to network. Mont,Oliver, walked right up to me and asked about Luxe. Wanted to know how I landed such profitable acquisitions.” I huff a laugh. “I explained my experience in risk analysis, and after a few meetings post-gala, he offered to bring me on as a Strategic Acquisitions Partner.”
Cami’s eyes flick back to mine, curious, her fingers tracing idle circles against my forearm.
“Your father calls me when he’s not sure if a company’s a gold mine or a sinkhole,” I continue. “My job is to dissect a potential acquisition and lay out the facts. No ego, no gloss. I analyze the risks, model the future, and figure out if we’re about to buy something smart…or light a billion dollars on fire.”
Gaze warming, Cami lets out a slow breath. “Guess that explains why he wants you to mentor me…”
