Page 63

Cameron held her face, easing her backward as he kissed her, until she came to rest against the kitchen island. He trailed his mouth along her neck and her need for him burst to the fore.

He ran his hands down her front to grasp the bottom of her vest and lifted it over her head. He grazed his lips against her ear. “I can’t get enough of you.”

There was something burning in his eyes and it sent her heart rate firing at a dangerous pace. He kissed her shoulder and sucked her skin gently against his teeth, causing her to let out an involuntary moan.

Nina grasped the waistline of his shorts and pushed them and his underwear to the floor. He lifted his head to meet her gaze as he returned the favour, her shorts and bikini bottoms falling to join his clothing.

Cameron trailed his fingers between her legs, watching her face intently with each stroke. His movements magnified the ache deep inside her, and when she gasped, he caught her breath with a kiss, biting her lower lip gently.

Nina’s head started to swim with pleasure. Cam broke contact to lift her onto the kitchen side. He lifted a condom from the pocket of his shorts and fumbled with it quickly, then kissed her again as he drove into her.

Every moment intensified both her physical pleasure and her emotional connection to him, overcoming her. She abandoned herself to it, no longer in command of her body. At the back of her mind, she tried to hold on to a sliver of restraint in order to control her voice. She was close to telling him that she loved him, but she mustn’t.

Nina’s climax washed away the last of her conscious thought as she and Cameron were both consumed by their passion. Cam groaned her name against her neck, his body shuddering with hers.

They held each other for a few moments. Nina’s mind cleared and she quickly tried to remember whether she’d called out anything she shouldn’t have. She’d managed to keep a lid on it, despite getting lost in the moment.

Cameron lifted her down and they pulled their clothing back on. He drew her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. Nina listened to the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

The bass of his voice vibrated against her cheek. “I would say that was phenomenal, but I can’t really find an adjective to do it justice.”

Nina laughed against his chest. “That’s okay. I know what you mean.” She lifted her head and dared to meet his gaze. The softness of his eyes threw her. She drew him in to kiss him.

He lifted his hand to cup her face. “Nina, we need to talk.”

Her heart rate spiked. Is this where he lets me down gently? She swallowed. “Okay—”

The doorbell rang and Cameron frowned, checking his watch. “That’s weird.” He glanced at her and she gestured toward the door.

“Go on,” she said, feeling slightly relieved at the reprieve from hearing him say their relationship wasn’t going anywhere. “Answer it. We’ll talk after.”

He smiled and disappeared along the hallway. Nina went to pour them both some coffee and listened to the voices on the doorstep. Cameron’s and a female voice that she could’ve sworn was Ash. The voices started carrying nearer and she paused what she was doing as Cameron came back into the kitchen, followed by Ash.

Nina’s heart rate spiked as she remembered exactly what she had been doing with Ash’s newly ex-boyfriend only a few moments ago, but then she was distracted by the tears staining Ash’s face which sent her anxiety rocketing. She left the coffee to go to Ash and hug her. “What’s wrong?”

Ash held on to Nina and shook her head against her neck.

Nina studied Cam.

He frowned. “She says she needs to talk but I don’t know what about.”

“Ash,” Nina said, “do you need to speak to Cam alone?”

Ash lifted her head. “I’d like you to stay, if that’s okay.”

Nina nodded.

Ash took a breath. “You’d both better sit down.”

Nina shot Cameron a look. She felt sick. What had happened? She took a stool at the breakfast bar next to Cam and they watched Ash pace.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m just gonna blurt it out, so I’m sorry for being blunt.” She swallowed. “I’m pregnant.”

Nina’s heart sank to her feet. She glanced at Cam. The colour had drained from his face. He appeared lost for words, so Nina decided to take the burden of speech from him. “I’m assuming the reason you’re here is that it’s Cameron’s?” Even saying the words was like a knife in her heart.

Ash rubbed her face. “I don’t know. Either Cam’s or Zac’s.”

Reality dawned on Nina. “That’s why you were asking about antenatal paternity testing.”