Oceans Apart (Ocean Dreams Book 1) (13 page)

He pulled away, looked down at her with a solemn face. “I’m sorry.”

Nodding in appreciation of his apology, Annie just hugged her emotion-filled surfer and rubbed her hand up and down his back. She knew there was more to this little incident but she wasn’t going to push him. That was a conversation for another day.

Cam placed an earnest kiss on top of Annie’s head, grabbed her hand, and walked her over to edge of the parking bay. They stood at the pine railings and Annie was now looking out at the bluest of water she had ever seen. The coastline was almost a perfect arc, which at one end had jagged rocks and scrub, while having the vibrant town and its residents’ homes at the other.

“It’s breathtaking.” Annie was in awe of her surrounds and hoped to herself that they would be here long enough for them to explore a little.

“Yeah. It’s where I grew up,” Cam confessed in a casual statement.

“Pardon me?” Annie wasn’t sure she heard him correctly.

“This is my hometown and this is the beach where I first fell in love.”

Annie’s body tensed and she was taken aback by his statement.

A cheeky smile had appeared across Cam’s face. “Not with a girl, Nashville. Surfing.”

Annie let out a little giggle, wanting to save face over the silly thought he knew first crossed her mind.

“Sure. Of course it was.”

Annie was shocked from his revelation. He had bought her to his hometown. Was there any significance in this action of his? Her mind was whizzing with questions again. She must have had a confused look on her face as Cam chuckled.

“In my opinion, it’s the prettiest place on the coast. Plus there is no better place to learn to surf than right here. And I am bloody determined to have you standing on a board before you go back to the States.”

Go back to the States? Is he thinking I am leaving already? I haven’t even thought of leaving yet. Does he want me to leave?

Annie’s mind wouldn't stop with the questions. They circled in her head until her brain was foggy with over thought.

Cam looked at Annie with a puzzled expression. “I just thought you would like to see it.”

“It’s pretty. Gorgeous in fact. I am glad you brought me here. Thank you for thinking of me. Err….it.”

“Annie. All I ever do these past few weeks is think of you. Christ. I can’t get you out of my mind at business meetings, when I’m out surfing, or even when you’re right beside me.”

Annie could feel the rush of color rising in her cheeks. “That is very sweet of you to say—” she began to reply but was cut off.

“I don’t think you understand, Nashville.” He grabbed both of her hands in his and pulled her close. She could feel his heart beating like a bass drum against her own chest. His blue eyes were fixed on hers and the sarcasm he often showed was replaced with a soft but intense look of desire.

“I’ve never felt like this about someone. I don’t just want to fuck you and let you go. I want to make love to you and have you beside me when I wake.”

The blush of Annie’s cheeks continued to warm as a shy smile grew on her lips.

“Hey. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

Annie licked her lips and took a deep breath in. Releasing it slowly, she pulled back from Cam and looked out to the clear, blue waters lapping against the golden sand of the beach in front of them.

“Annie?”

She closed her eyes when she heard him say her name. The way his accent sounded when he said it made her giddy and weak at the knees. How did he manage to make her feel like that? Was this love? These were the feelings she had always wanted in other relationships; she was under this man’s spell. Could he do a relationship? Maybe it was time to give him and herself a chance.

“Cam, are you asking me to be your girlfriend?”

He swallowed hard and Annie could see his Adam’s apple moving frantically up and down in his throat. ‘
Maybe the word ‘girlfriend’ got to him
,’ she thought.

“Annie, I couldn’t imagine anyone else I would rather have as my girlfriend. From the day I rescued you, the sun grew brighter with each sunrise. Your warmth, your beautiful smile, and your new found zest for life has captivated me. I want to be the last person to see you at night and the first one to see you in the morning. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true.”

Dumbstruck with the honest words that had just poured from Cam’s mouth, Annie just stood in front of him, biting her bottom lip. No one had ever said those words to her. She was scared of being hurt, but she was even more scared of never feeling like this ever again. With an ear-piercing squeal of delight, Annie jumped up into Cam’s arms. Not prepared for the assault of exuberance from his beautiful woman, Cam toppled backwards and onto the ground with a thud.

“Ugh.” A winded Cam managed to smile through the pain of the fall when he looked up at the big, brown eyes staring back at him.

“I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?” Annie tried to move off Cam but he quickly pulled her back down and kissed her. Their tongues wrestled together with a newly found desire and passion for the other.

“I’m good, Nashville. The touch of your sweet lips against mine is enough to make the whole world better in my eyes.”

Annie playfully hit Cam on the chest and laughed. She got up and helped to pull him up. Annie loved seeing the goofy looking grin on his face, but she wished she could replace it with his mouth yelling out her name in the throes of need and passion.

“The look in your eye could get us in trouble here, Nashville. Save it for later.” Cam moved them toward the car. He retrieved her handbag and shut the passenger door before locking it.

“Where are we going?” she asked him as he handed her things to her. Annie was hoping it was somewhere a little private. The butterflies inside had gone to rest and growing need for his touch was emanating from her core.

“To get food. Got to keep our energy up. I’ve got plans for us.” He raised his eyebrows and winked at her. Holding out his hand, Annie took it and held on tight as they walked toward the town to find something other than each other to satisfy themselves

Cam took Annie to a flashy but relaxed looking cafe, which overlooked the glistening waters of Kings Cove. They sat out on the deck, but neither of them noticed their surroundings or the people around them. Annie couldn’t even remember what they ate for lunch. She was too busy rubbing her foot against Cam’s legs or giggling at the goofy expression on his face. She knew she wasn't the only one who was waiting for the moment they would finally be alone and in private. Annie was just hoping it was sooner rather than later.

A loud whistle woke Annie from her daze and she saw a handsome man grinning at them as he walked toward their table. “What the hell are you doing here, mate?” he exclaimed.

Cam quickly stood up almost knocking over his chair.

“Chris, I was going to call you after lunch, man,” he said as he embraced the gentleman in a manly hug.

“Sure you were.”

“I was. Honest.” Cam hadn’t let Annie in on their plans so she had no idea who this guy was or what they were doing.

“So, are you going to introduce me to your girl, so I can then tell her what an idiot she has hooked up with?”

Annie was lost for words. Who the hell was this guy? She was ready to stand up and put this guy in his place, but Cam beat her to the punch.

“Don’t be a dickhead, Chris. Especially in front of my girlfriend.”

Hearing those words from Cam’s mouth, made Annie beam with pride from the inside out and it radiated in her smile. She stood up and her hand entwined with Cam’s in a show of support.

“Sorry, man. Girlfriend? Well, that’s great. Amazing, but bloody great.” He reached out gave Cam a friendly punch to his shoulder.

Annie had had enough. Didn't they realize she had no idea what was going on?

“I’m so glad you two have that all sorted out now, but would one of you gentlemen care to introduce me?”

“Sweet and sassy, too. I like this one.” Annie raised her eyes at him.

“Sorry. I’m Chris. This big shot is my brother.” He held out his hand for her to shake which Annie did. Feeling a little taken aback, she nodded and composed herself.

“You’re his brother? It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Annie Scott, his girlfriend.” She hesitated with the last part of her statement. Girlfriend was so new; but hell, she now felt like screaming it from the balcony so the whole world could know.

“Well, my brother has always been a bit of a dark horse so I really shouldn’t be surprised.”

“Come off it, Chris. I told you I would be here this weekend, and here I am.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t say you were bringing someone.”

“Is that going to be a problem?”

“Don’t be stupid. Of course not. But you do realize Mum is going to flip out.”

Cam exhaled loudly and ran his free hand through his hair with vigor. Annie looked at him and he did look a little stressed at the thought.

“Yeah. That was one reason why I hadn’t said anything. I thought the surprise would shock her, and then she wouldn’t scare Annie away.”

Chris let out a loud laugh that even had other diners stop to look at him.

“Well, better you than me, mate,” he said as he shook his head from side to side. Annie could tell Chris would like to be present at this conversation, but not be involved with it.

“Gee. Thanks, mate,” Cam replied, his voice laced with sarcasm.

“So where are you two staying tonight then? At your place?” Chris questioned them.

“That was the plan. I just haven’t filled Annie in on any of it yet.” Cam was staring at his brother with a look Annie presumed was telling him to shut up.

“All right. All right. Look, as long as you are there tomorrow morning like you promised, I won’t tell anyone you're here tonight. Otherwise, you two won’t have any privacy.”

That statement was enough for Annie to feel the tenseness in Cam’s body go and be replaced with the chilled out man she knew. “Cheers, mate. I’d really appreciate it.”

“You know you’d owe me one?” Chris smirked at his brother.

Cam crossed his arms across his chest. “Bull. Shit. I think you still owe me from that time I hauled your ugly butt outta that bar fight.”

“Whatever, mate. Just don’t be late tomorrow morning, or I will let your secret out of the bag.”

Annie was enjoying seeing the ribbing these two brothers were giving each other. She had never known such fun and banter between siblings. And while she didn’t long for it with Tracey, she did think maybe she had missed out on a special relationship.

Chris turned to her and smiled. “Annie Scott. It was a pleasure meeting you and I really look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.” He took her hand in his and kissed the top of it while winking at her. Annie couldn’t help the giggle that escaped.

“Go on. Get outta here,” Cam said as he pushed his brother lovingly away from his girl. Annie loved that he felt the need to keep even his married brother away from her.

“No worries. See you two lovebirds in the morning.”

As Chris walked back inside from the deck, Annie looked up at Cam and didn’t have to say a thing.

“Yeah, I know. I have some explaining to do,” Cam said sheepishly.

“Yes, sir, you do.” She winked at him and he enveloped her in a huge bear hug in front of their fellow dinners. They laughed together and Annie really didn’t know how life could get any better than it was now.

Cam drove the Jeep out of town in the opposite direction to that of their arrival. The road soon changed from smooth bitumen to a rocky dirt road. They were approaching a high wooden gated property at the end of the no through road. Cam pulled up beside a number pad and punched in a code, which made the gates slowly slide back. Driving through the gates and continuing up the dirt road a little, they came to a fork in the road that was sign posted.

“Hart House.” Annie read from the first sign. An arrow pointed to the dirt road on the left of the sign. Cam turned right and followed the other road that was sign posted as a private road. After a couple of minutes of slow travelling through the scrubby trees and bushes, Annie saw a clearing ahead and the most magnificent house she thought she had ever seen.