Smitten (15 page)

Chapter Eighteen

Hunter-

“I hope you don’t mind spending a little alone time with me.”

Cami smiled. “Are you kidding? This was the best idea ever! Besides, I’ve been starved for time with you.” She flopped back onto the park grass
—our impromptu picnic from Francesca’s spread in between us. I’d been unable to resist the opportunity to recreate our first date. “I can’t believe you got a whole strawberry pie too!”

I chuckled and leaned against the tree providing us a nice shady spot. “I know it’s your favorite.”

“But a whole one? There’s no way we’ll be able to eat it all.”

I loved seeing the smile across her face. She hadn’t been this relaxed in weeks. “Then give what’s left to your parents, or better yet, take it home with you as a treat for later.”

She sighed heavily, her smile slipping. “Do we have to go back? I say we forget about everything and stay here forever. I’ve missed all this.” She waved her arm in a broad arc.

“What? This park?” I teased, trying to get her smile to return.

She rolled to her side so she was facing me, propping her head with her hand. “No. Everything. Home, this town, us—how we were in this town—I miss all that.”

“Shall I call Mr. Adams?” I joked. “We could see if he’ll give us the keys to the darkroom
, and we can go make out in it.” I winked at her.

She giggled. “That was heaven! I had no idea what I was getting myself into back then, did I?”

“Do you regret it?” I asked before taking a sip of my shake.

She sat up and crawled over
, climbing into my lap. She placed her palms on the sides of my face and stared deep into my eyes. “Not for even one second. I love you.”

I’d never get tired of hearing those words from her. I set my shake in the grass and slid my hands around her hips. “Say it again.” I stared at her beautiful mouth, thinking about all the things I liked about her lips.

“I love you,” she said again, obliging me.

“I love you too. Now kiss me.”

She grinned. “You’re bossy today, aren’t you?”

“Are you going to kiss me or not?” I arched an eyebrow, staring at her seriously.

She bit her bottom lip and appeared to ponder. “On our first date here I spent the whole time wishing you’d kiss me with those amazing lips of yours. You fought it, though, and wouldn’t give in. In honor of that day, I think I’ll decline your order and make you suffer like I had to.”

“Wrong answer,” I replied, moving quickly so she was pinned on the ground underneath me. I lifted her hands above her head and held her wrists with one of mine. “If I remember correctly, you wouldn’t admit you liked me
, and I had to do some tickling.”

“Don’t you dare tickle me again, Hunter!” She squirmed beneath me causing my body to react instantly. “If you’ll remember
, you didn’t win that battle either.”

“I did win th
e battle—just not on that day—but I’ll win today.” I grinned as I tickled her side.

She jerked and squealed. “Oh, I’m gonna kill you!”

“
Kiss.
You’re gonna
kiss
me. Get your words right.” I laughed as she tried to twist away. “Give it up, Goody.”

“Fine! You win!” she gasped. “I’ll
do it!”

I stopped immediately, letting her catch her breath for a moment. “See? That wasn’t so difficult, was it?” I grinned triumphantly.

“You’re a . . . a . . . pig!” she countered.

I laughed. “I’ve been called way worse. Besides, pigs are thick skinned, so you’re gonna have to try harder.”

She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and kiss me already.”

“Gladly.” I kept her hands pinned above her as I lowered my mouth to hers. Sparks exploded the moment our lips touched. I’d intended the
contact to be soft and subtle, but it quickly built into something hot and fiery. It amazed me how every time felt like the first time. I’d never known chemistry like this with any other girl, and I wasn’t sure what it was, but Cami seemed capable of turning my insides out. She made intensely lustful thoughts tumble rapidly through my head every time she was near. All I could ever think of was claiming her, keeping her, making her mine in every way possible.

My lips traveled to her neck
, and she moaned my name as I gently sucked at her skin. The scent of her hair was like an intoxicating drug—everything about her smelled amazing. I wanted to lick her—taste her everywhere. She turned her head to the side and arched her back. I slid my arm underneath her, crushing her tightly to me.

“I’ve missed holding you like this,” I whispered in her ear. “I need to be able to touch you. This separation has been killing me.” I nibbled at her skin again.

She sighed. “I know. I’ve missed you too.”

The sound of children running and laughing close
-by broke into my thoughts, and I quickly released her, rolling to my side, sad that it seemed like I always had to pull away from her. I propped my head and stared at her, running my fingers through her gorgeous red hair. “You’re so beautiful.” My gaze locked with hers. “I wish I could carry you off someplace the two of us could be alone together.”

She linked her fingers with mine
, and I lifted them to my lips, kissing them each tenderly. She sighed and closed her eyes. “Are you sure we can’t run away together right now?”

“It’s very tempting,” I agreed. It would be so easy to pick up and leave everything behind.

She sighed again. “I can see the wheels turning in your head. Forget I even brought it up, Hunter. You’re too dang trustworthy, and we both know it. There’s no way you’d abandon this case before it’s through. Your word is as good as gold.”

I chuckled. “Why do you make it sound like that’s a bad thing?”

She smiled. “I don’t mean too. I’m just tired of being frustrated.”

I laughed harder. “I give you my word—I promise to take care of any and all frustrations you may have.”

She rolled her eyes and gave me a pointed look. “Your selflessness overwhelms me.”

I lifted a shoulder casually, laughter still escaping me. “What can I say? I aim to please.”

She huffed. “I give up!”

“Good that’ll make things much easier.”

She made a grumbling noise and shoved away from me, but she was still smiling.

“Oh no you don’t!” I said as I grabbed her around the waist and hauled her back against me. “I’m not finished with you yet. I’m frustrated too, you know.”

She lifted her head and glance around the park to where the kids were playing. “Really? Are you planning on educating the entire playground on the birds and the bees?”

“Okay, okay. I get that this might not be the most appropriate place for a make out.
What if we drive to the spot on the hill overlooking the city? I seem to remember having quite a bit of fun with you the last time we were there.” I gave her what I hoped was a smoky, suggestive stare.

She glanced up at the bright sky.
“Sounds hot,” she replied, having none of it.

“It wasn’t before. I recall lots of wet clothing plastered to sexy curves.” My gaze flitted briefly over her before returning to her face.

“It’s called drowning, Hunter. If we’d kissed any longer in that rain storm we’d have been swept away.”

“No, I’d classify drowning as what you did in the creek.” The mood suddenly became somber. “I’
ve never been so scared in my life. That’s when I first knew my feelings for you ran a lot deeper than I’d allowed myself to believe.”

“I thought I was going to die.” She stared at me and stroked m
y face. “That’s twice you’ve saved me now. I owe you my life.”

I shook my head. “You don’t owe me anything. All I’ve ever wanted from you was your love.”

“You have it,” she answered and lifted her head to my lips, kissing me again.

My phone vibrated in my pocket
, and I slipped my hand down to pull it out, continuing to kiss her until she pulled away from me. I looked at the text with a sigh.

“Who is it?”

“Ripper. He wants to know where I am.”

She gave an exasperated groan, collapsing back into the grass. “And reality comes to find us. Tell him to go away, that you’re making out with your
sister
. See how he enjoys that.”

“Honestly, I’d enjoy nothing more—but I’d prefer to be standing in front of him
, so I could see his reaction.”

She giggled. “Oh, please let me be there for that too! I can’t wait for him to be hauled off to jail. He’s seriously creepy.”

I tapped a reply back into my phone and hit send.

“What did you tell him?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“I told him the truth—said I was spending the day out of town with you and our friend, Russ.”

My phone beeped again a few seconds later.

Keep Russ away from Cami. He’s always around. I think he’s into her.

I almost choked on my laugh.

“What?” Cami asked.

“He thinks Russ is into you. He wants me to keep him away.”

She joined my laugh. “Russ would die if he heard this!”

Dude, U got it all wrong. Russ and Cami R just friends. Trust me
,
I replied.

What—is he like gay or something?

I laughed again.

No, but he’s one of my best friends. He knows the bro code—no sisters.

Ripper responded right awa
y.
If U say so. U & I don’t follow that rule tho. When will u guys B back?

Later 2night.

K. Give me a shout. I’ve got plans 2 tell U about.

What kind of plans?

Car races—for pinks. Hit me up when U get here. I’ll fill U in.

That sounded interesting.
I wondered what was going on.

Will do
,
I answered.

“So what’s Ripper so chatty about?” Cami asked, and I noted she sounded nervous again. It irritated me he had that kind of power over her. She’d gone from relaxed and happy to uptight in a matter of moments.

“Don’t worry about him. He just wants to talk to me about some races.”

“Races?”
She looked confused.

“Yeah, that’s all he said. He didn’t go into any more detail.”

“I’ve decided he’s an adrenaline junky. Everything he does has to be risky.”

“You could be right. It’s a very real thing
, and people can get addicted to the way it make them feel.”

She didn’t reply, instead twisting her hair around one of her fingers.

“Just hang in there a while longer, okay, Goody? The end is getting closer. I can feel it.” I rested my hand on her thigh and squeezed lightly, hoping to reassure her.

“I hope you’re right. I don’t know how much more I can take.”

Me neither,
I thought.

Chapter Nineteen

Hunter-

I glanced over at Cami, the glow from the dashboard softly lighting her features. She’d been asleep for the better part of the ride home. I was happy to see her relaxed again.

“I’d feel much safer if you kept your eyes on the road rather than on your girlfriend,” Russ said sarcastically from the back seat. “
Not much room back here for me to get tossed around like a hot potato if you decide to roll this sucker.”

I stared at him through the rearview mirror. “Have I ever wrecked a car yet?”

“Eyes—road,” he said again, gesturing with two fingers from his eyes toward the windshield, and I laughed.

“Wanna walk the rest of the way?”

“Whatever I need to do to live.”

I chuckled again, shaking my head. “You’re such a dick, man. I’ve missed you.”

“Oh, I’m the dick—me—the innocent, helpless passenger in the backseat. That’s kind of you. At least I’m not a whipped little bitch like you.” He grinned and nodded toward Cami.

“Would you like to drive?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Hell no, what do you think I am? A chauffer? That’s what I have you for!” He leaned forward and punched me in the shoulder.

“Hey now! Hands to yourself or I’m gonna pull this car over right now and beat your ass.”

“Do it,” he replied with a grin. “That’s a slam dunk case for police brutality if I ever saw one!”

“Because you’ve been such an expert witness for police brutality in your life,” I bantered back.

“Yeah, well, there’s always a first time,” he came back with a grin.

“Jerk wad.”

“Douchebag.”

“Hey, dude! My girlfriend’s in the car—chill! Be nice.”

“Oh ho! You can dish it but you can’t take it, can you—got to hide behind your little girlfriend.” He laughed and batted his eyelashes, raising his voice. “It’s okay sweetie. I’ll protect you. Come to mommy.”

“Man, what have you been smokin
’ today?” He was on one tonight.

“Nothing—I swear,” he replied suddenly serious. “Drinking beer and smoking cigarettes is the worst thing I’ve done since I was in the hospital. I guess that
’s one good thing Clay did for me.”

“Scared you straight?” I glanced back through the mirror.

He sighed heavily. “Pretty much, yeah. I don’t ever want to go through that again.”

“I don’t blame you. I’m not gonna lie—I didn’t think you
’d make it. I’ve seen cases like yours out in the field. None of them survived. You were in bad shape.” The memories of Russ foaming at the mouth as he seized in my arms would be something that haunted me forever.

He let out a puff of air. “I’m resilient like that. No way were you getting rid of me that easy,” he replied, immediately lighten
ing the mood again.

“Good, I’m glad. I’m sorry you got caught in the crossfire between Clay and me.”

“It wasn’t your fault. The guy was bonkers. And don’t make it seem like I was the only one who suffered. I’m not the one with a bullet wound in my chest.” He glanced at Cami. “All three of us suffered at his hands.”

“Well, it’s done and behind us. All we can do now is try to move on. Cami and I are going to look into some post
-traumatic stress counseling through the department. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like.”

“Hmm
 . . . I’ll think about it,” he replied. “I don’t know if I’m up to campfires and singing Kumbaya yet.”

I gave a snort. “It’s nothing like that. They’ll
only have us speak to the department psychiatrist.”

“Well, in that case, I prefer the campfire. At least then I can roast marshmallows. That’s got to be way better than chillin’ with a head shrinker.”

“I don’t know . . . you’ve got a pretty big head. It could probably use some shrinking,” I ribbed.

“Hey now! Be cool!” He slugged me in the shoulder
again, and I flinched away, jerking the wheel slightly and causing the car to swerve.

Cami lurched awake, her hands flying to stabilize herself as she looked around wild-eyed. I quickly reached out to reassure her.

“It’s okay, Goody. Everything’s all right.”

“What’s happening?” she asked, still looking dazed.

“Hunter’s trying to kill us,” Russ said dryly. “Maybe I
should
drive.”

I shot him a glare through the mirror. “If you’d quit distracting me, I’d driv
e just fine.”

He let out a grunt as he leaned back into the seat. “Yeah,
I’m
the one who’s been distracting you. I can’t help it if I’m so damn pretty.” I could easily see the eye roll he gave me.

“Apparently I missed something,” Cami said, turning so she could glance between us.

“Just Russ being . . . Russ,” I explained. “Go ahead and go back to sleep if you want.”

“No, I’m okay. It looks like we
’re almost home anyway. I can’t believe I fell asleep.”

“I’m glad you did. I think you needed the rest.”

She shook her head. “I wasted the time I had with you.”

“There’ll be more time—so much you’ll be sick of me. This case will be wrapped soon if no new evidence
is uncovered, and we won’t have to worry anymore.”

“I’ll never be sick of you.” She grabbed my hand.

“Please help me,” Russ groaned. “I’m stuck in the car with two incurable romantics.”

Cami and I both laughed. “
You wait. One day it’ll be your turn. You’re gonna fall hard, and we’ll get to tease you about all the mushy stuff you say and do.”

“Not gonna happen,” he replied.

“We’ll see about that.”

“Where are we going?” Cami asked when I turned off the freeway.

I sighed. “To Ripper’s. He asked me to bring you by so he could see you before I took you home.”

“Ugh! Do we have to? Can’t we tell him I’m not feeling well or something? I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good day.”

“You want to call him and tell him that?” I asked. “I’ll back your story if that’s what you want.”

She gave a groan. “No. Just take me there. I wouldn’t put it past him to
come to my dorm later if he doesn’t see me. I don’t want him there.”

“Me
neither. I’d tell you to go stay at my place, but I think you’re safer around large groups of people. The dorm definitely has that. Plus, Russ isn’t far from you and can get there quickly if needed.”

Russ leaned forward. “Cami, you can call on me any time. I’ll drop everything to help you.”

“You’ve already proven that. And thanks, it means a lot. You’re a good friend.” Cami released my hand so she could reach back and pat Russ’s knee. “Do you think it’s safe to take Russ to Ripper’s?” she asked me, concerned.

I shrugged. “I figure he’s already met him and knows he’s a friend of ours, so it would be a natural thing to do.”

“Okay. I was worried after the comment he made today. I didn’t want there to be any friction.”

Russ perked right
up. “What comment? He said something about me?”

I chuckled. “He’s convinced you have a thing for Cami. He asked me to keep you away from her.”

Russ burst into near-hysterical laughter. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“No, not a bit.”

“Man! That dude is seriously trippin’! He’s freakin’ crazy—not to mention blind. How the two of you have managed to pull off the brother/sister thing this long is beyond me. Anyone can tell you’re a couple by watching you for a few seconds. It’s ridiculous.”

“People see what they want to see,” I said. “He wants Cami, so all he can see is that. He can’t see she doesn’t want him. Plus, Cami’s a dang good actress.” I gave him a
sharp glance through the mirror. “You need to make sure you don’t slip up. We’ve got to keep this charade going a bit longer.”

“Don’t worry about me, bro. I got this. I won’t let you down. I’ll even act like I
’m interested in Cami, if that’s what you want.”

“I don’t think that’d be very wise,” Cami spoke. “The police think he killed his partner. I think the less angry you make him, the better.”

“That’s true. I guess I’ll mind my manners then.”

I turned down the street that led to my temporary home. “This is where I live now, in case you ever need to know or come by,” I said pointing it out to him.

Russ craned his head to look out the small window. “Um . . . nice place. Does it come with the drugs or are those extra?”

I couldn’t help laughing.

“I think I could probably get stoned from breathing the air in this neighborhood,” he added.

“You’re probably not too far from the truth,” I agreed. “It’s certainly not a very impressive part of town.”

“The police department really rolled out the red carpet for you guys, didn’t they? Nothing but the finest for their officers—they probably forked out a whole thirty bucks for the place.”

“Yeah, well, that’s part of the joy of being undercover I guess. You get to slum it like whoever you’re
blending with.”

“You need a new beat. Have them send you to spy on Bill Gates or something—maybe some filthy
-rich movie star. At least then you can dress nice and have some good digs while you’re blending in.”

Cami let out a snort of laughter. “You’re hilarious, Russ!”

“Just telling it like it is. If I become a cop, I’ll be asking for the fancy assignments.”

“You’d want to be a policeman?” I asked, surprised.

“Oh, hell no! What do I look like? Stupid?”

I pursed my lips and shook my head. “Thanks, man. I appreciate the love and support.”

He laughed heartily. “I’m messin’ with ya, dude. Don’t take it all personal. Honestly, you make being a cop look cool, but I don’t know if it’s really my scene.”

“What is your scene then?” Cami asked.

He grinned. “I don’t know that either. I’m treading water while I try to decide. I only enrolled in general studies so I’d have something to do here with the two of you.”

“Keep trying new things,” I encouraged. “You’ll figure it out soon enough.”

“Hopefully.”

We fell into comfortable silence as we traveled the rest of the way to Ripper’s. Being in this part of town always made me feel grateful for what my parents had done to
raise Sheridan and me well. We’d taken so much of our lives for granted. We were the exception, not the rule. It made me sad there were so many people who struggled to survive. I couldn’t imagine raising a family in a neighborhood like this. I’d be afraid to go to work and leave Cami and our children behind every day.

I smiled internally
realizing whenever I thought of my future it was always by Cami’s side. I had no doubt we’d marry someday and make gorgeous children together—who looked like their mother. I couldn’t imagine anything better.

I turned into the alley behind the warehouse and parked by the door that led to the living quarter Ripper and Roberta had
arranged inside, versus the garage area he’d want to keep secret from Russ.

“We’re back,” I stated flatly. “Time to resume our roles.”

“Yay,” Cami drawled out in a very under-enthusiastic voice. “Let’s hurry and get this over with so we can go home.”

“I agree.” I secretly hoped Roberta was still gone with her friends. She was beginning to wear on my nerves as well. “For safety reasons
, I think it’s best if we tell everyone we went to see an old friend in the Phoenix area today. I don’t want to direct attention to where you two are really from if we can keep from doing so. If there’s too many questions about what we did, let me take the lead on the answers.”

“Sounds good to me,” Russ replied. “Now get out. My legs are killing me.”

I did as he asked and leaned the seat forward so he could climb out behind me. Cami exited from her side and started walking toward the building.

The door swung open
, and I saw Ripper silhouetted there. “Hey baby! You finally made it back!”

Cami smiled widely and walked right into his arms. “I’m sorry we were gone so long. Time got away from us. We had a nice day
, though. How was work?”

I
nside, I beamed with pride at the way she directed the conversation back to him so he’d be talking about himself instead of asking about her day.

“Oh, it was about the same as usual. I did manage to acquire another car while I was on my shift. She’s a beauty.” He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

Barely suppressed rage filtered through my system, and I clenched my fists as I watched. My attention was diverted however when Roberta came bounding through the door, pushing Cami and Ripper out of the way.

“Hunter!” she squealed in delight. She ran up and launched herself on me, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. I couldn’t even respond before her lips were plastered to mine. She made a great show of kissing me passionately, and I reluctantly gave in to the act, knowing she was thoroughly enjoying th
e performance.