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“Look, I know you want me to tell you I’m sorry, but I don’t like your father and it has nothing to do with whatever background he has with my dad. What bothers me is the way he treats you, like you’re his possession, not his daughter. Then that jerk who really believed you were going to listen to him. I’d break his nose all over again.”
I hadn’t realized during my dissertation and the way I was frothing at the mouth she’d moved closer. When she put her finger across my lips, I took a deep breath. Then she did exactly the opposite of what I thought she’d do. She rose onto her tiptoes, capturing my mouth.
There was something cathartic about the electricity that soared through us. I wrapped my arm around her waist, dragging her against my chest. I couldn’t seem to get enough of her, the taste as sweet as ripe cherries. When she pressed her hand against my chest, I pulled her all the way off the ground, sweeping my tongue inside.
Holding her in my arms was entirely different than it had felt on the night I’d carried her to safety. I was no longer surprised how my body reacted around her, my cock aching and my balls tight, but tonight I had a sense that I would protect her no matter the odds. It was the most unusual feeling I’d had in a long time.
When she pushed away, she took a deep breath.
Then she slapped me across the face, backing away instantly.
“What the hell was that for?”
“That,” she huffed, “was for making a scene at my sister’s rehearsal dinner. Do you know what that girl has suffered to get to this point? Cancer. She was on death’s door for years. Now, she gets a chance to live her life.”
“No, I didn’t think, I—”
“That’s what I mean. You didn’t think. That’s not you. You barge into a situation as if you own the place, pretending to be something you’re not. Then you take control, the big he-man planning on conquering the world. “
“Well, tell me this,” I challenged, my tone gruffer than I’d wanted it to be. “Why did you bother asking me to take you to this soiree in the first place? Because I’m nothing but a goddamn smokejumper? No couth. No money?” I could tell by the way she sucked in her breath I was right. Fuck. I’d worried about women liking me for my money. Now this.
“Okay, so I wanted a normal guy that my father couldn’t challenge with politics or the latest stock prices.”
“You could have told me. That wasn’t cool, lady.”
She took another deep breath, nodding several times. “No, you’re right. That was cruel of me and what you did was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Coming up against my father isn’t easy. He lords his position over everyone, including his own family, but you almost brought my sister to tears. And I’m certain I did. What was wrong with me?”
“You did what you thought was right.”
“I’m not in tears, sis.” The other female voice came from directly behind. “In fact, I was trying to keep from laughing the entire time. That was the best present you could have ever given me.”
Wren took a deep breath, still glaring as me as she turned around to face her sister. “You’re really okay?”
“Oh, hell, yes,” Cammie laughed. “You should feel glad you have a man in your life who has no fear about challenging Daddy.”
I looked away, uncertain what the hell to say at this point.
“I guess I should say something conciliatory,” Wren said a few seconds later.
“Don’t do it,” Cammie stated. “I came here to tell you that your presence is wanted, without your date of course, but I’m going to say right here, right now. Leave. Go enjoy your evening. I’m just fine. In fact, I’m going to call off the wedding.”
“Wha—at?” Wren almost choked on her words.
“All that crap you saw with Marcus, you know, the lovey-dovey shit. I was faking it. I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. I mean heck, I’m a girl with no one else who’s interested in her. Right? Mother made certain to remind me of that dozens of times. I have a limp because of the cancer, my organs are more fragile than normal, and the possibility I’m going to be able to have children is about ten percent. So, I settled. Marcus doesn’t love me. He loves the money and power our marriage will bring.”
“Wow. Oh, Cammie. Why didn’t you tell me?” Wren asked, anguish in her voice.
“Don’t be sad for me. I’m elated. I finally broke free of my shell. I might not live to be fifty or have kids, but I am going to find a man who loves me for me.”
I had to admit, even to the gruff side of the man I’d turned out to be, the moment was touching as hell. As Wren moved forward, wrapping her arms around her sister, I leaned back against the car.
“I’m so proud of you, baby sister. So very proud.” Wren pulled away, brushing hair from her sister’s face. “Do you need me to stand by your side?”
“Nope. I need to do this all by myself, just like you need to get out of here and go somewhere with that man standing right there waiting for you. I witnessed more chivalry in Phoenix in five minutes than I ever witnessed in our father. Go. Just go.” Cammie squeezed Wren’s arm then headed for the door. Then she stopped and turned toward me. “But I will say this, Mr. Smokejumper. If you ever hurt my sister, I will kill you myself. Is that clear?”
I had to chuckle. “As a bell.”
“Good.” Cammie threw back her head and walked inside.
