Then You Happened (14 page)

Chapter 25

Sierra

I scooted down the stairs because it was impossible for me to walk. My legs had used muscles I didn’t even know existed.

“What are you doing?” Cameron asked with a smile as he stood at the bottom of the staircase.

“I can’t move. I’m dying, Cameron.”

“Come on,” he said as he helped me up and carried me to the kitchen. He reached in the cabinet and took out a bottle of Motrin. He shook two orange pills into his hand and then handed them to me.

“Take these. You’ll feel a little better,” he said as he handed me a glass of water.

He went upstairs and grabbed our bags and took them to the car. I walked outside on the patio and took one last look at the lake. It was truly beautiful and peaceful. Jolene came running down the stairs at the speed of light to say goodbye. She threw her arms around me and I almost fell over.

“It was so great sharing a room with you. Thank you,” she whispered in my ear.

I wasn’t quite sure what the thank you was for. I suspected it something had to do with her finally accepting she was a lesbian. I felt bad for lying to her, but I’d probably never see them again anyway, so what the hell.

“Always be you and nobody else.” I smiled at her.

“Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked just as Cameron walked up to say goodbye.

“Yeah. Her name is Kirsty and she’s hot!” I pulled out my phone and showed her a picture of the two of us from my birthday party.

“You two are a beautiful couple.”

Cameron looked at me and shook his head. I shrugged my shoulders. He hugged his little sister goodbye and we walked out to the car where Luanne and Jerry were waiting for us.

“It was so nice to meet you,” Luanne said as she hugged me. “I wish Cameron would meet someone just like you. Well, except the lesbian part.” She laughed.

I gave my fake-as-hell laugh and hugged Jerry goodbye. “So long, sugar. You keep making people happy by making that awesome coffee.”

“I’ll try.” I smiled as I climbed in the car.

I pulled out my phone and looked at it. Nothing.

“I need service!” I exclaimed as I shook my phone.

“Relax, sugar. You’ll have service soon.” Cameron smiled as he looked over at me.

I held up my finger. “No. No. Don’t you ever call me that again.”

He chuckled and placed his hand on my thigh. “You don’t like it when we southerners call you ‘sugar’?”

“Very funny.” Then it happened.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Ding
. The beautiful and glorious sound of text messages and emails came through loud and clear.

“See. Are you happy now?” he asked.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“You’re not having an orgasm, are you?”

“YES! I think I am!” I smiled.

“I’ll leave you alone so you and your phone can get reacquainted.” Cameron smirked.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Cole. We appreciate it.”

I scoured through my text messages. Nothing of real importance. Just a few from James and Kirsty pretty much making fun of me. Another one from Delia asking why I didn’t text her back.
One from Royce asking for sex the minute I got back and one from Bradly, another suit, wanting me to attend a corporate gala with him at the Ritz-Carlton. The rest were just minor business ones.

“I’m alive!”

“Thank God. I missed your sorry ass.”

“Thanks, Kirsty. Remind me to fire you when I get home.”

“There’s something you should know.”

“What?”

“Ryan moved back to Los Angeles.”

My stomach started doing sick flips because I had forgotten that text message he sent me.

“He sent me a text message and told me. I actually forgot about it until you just mentioned it. Why did he move back?”

“I don’t know. He came by the office and said he needed to talk to you. I face palmed him after calling him a few choice names and told him never to come around again. I think he got the message.”

I swore I felt a single tear rise up in my eye. But I wasn’t going to let him do that to me again. Enough tears had been shed over his small cock and I refused to go back to that place.

“Good for him. He’s my past and the ex-files are staying closed.”

“Good girl, but you aren’t fooling me. I’ll talk to you when you get home. Have a safe flight.”

I set my phone down on my lap and looked out the window.
Why was I letting this affect me?

“Are you okay?” Cameron asked.

“Yeah. I’m just really sore still. Oh, and that reminds me,” I said as I sent a text message to Kirsty.

“Book us both massages tomorrow during lunch.”

“Awesome. I love massages.”

We reached the airport and turned over the rental car keys. We slowly walked to our gate, which was on the other side of the airport, since the goddamn tram was down. Of course it was.

“I can get you a wheelchair if you want,” Cameron said as he walked next to me.

“Ha ha. That actually sounds nice. Or how about one of those scooter things?” I smiled.

We got to our gate and they had just started to board the plane. Cameron and I took our seats in first class and I immediately ordered a glass of white wine, then two and three.

“Don’t you think you should slow down?”

“Don’t you think that you should not pay attention?”

The truth was that I was trying to forget about the fact that Ryan had moved back to Los Angeles and the chances of running into him were greater than ever.

“I’m not carrying you off this plane,” he said.

As I sat there and looked at him, I couldn’t help but smile on the inside. My whole body felt alive when I was with him.

“You won’t have to.” I smiled. “Do you mind if I lay my head on your shoulder and close my eyes?”

“Not at all,” he said as he kissed the top of my head.

****

Cameron

I couldn’t help but stare at her as she slept on my shoulder. I had a great time and I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday. I still wasn’t sure what she really thought of my hometown. I got the impression that she still pretty much hated it, even when we left. But I’d never forget the look on her face when she got to the top of that mountain and saw the view. Just like I’d never forget the look on her face when she caught her first fish. She probably would never admit it, but I thought she had a great time. Soon, we’d be back in Los Angeles, back in her world and, to be honest, it scared me a little. I didn’t know where this was going or even what this was. Was it more than just sex for her?

****

Sierra

I opened my eyes and let out a long yawn. As I lifted my head from Cameron’s shoulder, I cringed from the pain in my neck.

“Oh my God,” I said and I took my fingers and rubbed the cramped area.

“What’s wrong?”

“My neck has a cramp in it.”

He smiled as he told me to turn my head and he massaged the back of my neck with his strong builder hands. I couldn’t help it, but I felt turned on. Soon my panties were going to be in need of changing.

“Okay. Stop! Sorry, but you’re turning me on.”

“Is that a bad thing?” He laughed.

“Right now, yes.”

“How much longer until we land?” I asked in anticipation of finally being able to touch the ground of Los Angeles.

“We have another hour.”

I held up my hand and summoned for the flight attendant. “Can I please get another glass of white wine?”

“Sure,” she said with a friendly smile.

Just as I was about to say something to Cameron, I saw Lowen walking up the aisle. I gasped.

“Sierra Adams.” He smiled as he stopped in front of my row.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Long time no see, doll. Where have you been playing?” he asked.

“Lowen, it’s nice to see you again. I didn’t know you were on this plane.”

“I saw you earlier and I was going to say hi, but you were sleeping. I didn’t want to wake a sleeping beauty.”

Lowen was a freak. He was a suit that I fucked a few times but stopped returning his calls because he just got way too freaky. He wanted to do things that I didn’t even know existed. One night, I went to his penthouse on Park Avenue and, when I walked in, he was standing in the middle of the living room, completely naked, with a pair of handcuffs around his balls and penis.
What the fuck was that?
I instantly sent a text to Kirsty, telling her to call me immediately. I told Lowen I had a family emergency and I high-tailed it out of there really fast, never to look back. And now, on this plane back to L.A., I looked back and I didn’t like it.

“That’s very kind of you, Lowen.” I wanted him to go away. I didn’t want him saying anything in front of Cameron.

“Who’s this?” Lowen asked.

It’s none of your fucking business,
I thought to myself. “This is my friend, Cameron.”

“Boyfriend?” he asked.

The nerve of this perv. “Did you hear the word ‘boy’ in front of ‘friend’?”

He sighed. “Still a smart ass. That’s what I love most about you, Sierra. You haven’t returned my calls since that night you had a family emergency. I hope everything was all right,” he said as he looked at me from his black-rimmed glasses.

“Oh yeah. Delia just had a nervous breakdown and I had to commit her to a mental hospital,” I said with the wave of my hand.

“Oh. Sorry to hear that. Well, let’s hook up when we get to L.A.”

“Didn’t you know?” Cameron interrupted.

“Know what?” Lowen asked.

“Sierra’s a lesbian now.”

The look on his face was priceless and I know for damn sure it would have gotten at least a million hits on
YouTube.

“For real, Sierra?”

I looked over at Cameron, who was smiling at me.

“Yeah, I’m dabbling in the lesbian ways now. Dick just wasn’t doing it for me anymore.”

“Well, then. It was nice seeing you. I’m just going to go back to my seat,” he said nervously.

“Bye. Bye, Lowen.” I waved. “You’re good.” I smiled at Cameron.

“I didn’t like him and I could tell by the look on your face you didn’t either.”

“You’re very observant, Mr. Cole. I may just keep you around.” I winked.

“Are you going to tell me about him?”

“No. Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

He shook his head and laughed as the flight attendant handed me my glass of wine. I wasted no time finishing it off and, before I knew it, we were back in the land of the living.

Chapter 26

Sierra

I walked through the LAX airport with a huge grin on my face. I couldn’t help it. I was happy to be home. Cameron and I went to baggage claim and I saw James and Kirsty waiting there for us. Kirsty squealed when she saw me and hugged me tightly.

“So glad you’re home,” she said.

“Me too. It’s good to be back.”

James smiled as he hugged me and then shook Cameron’s hand. James and Cameron walked over and waited for our suitcases to come around while Kirsty and I talked.

“So, how was it?” she asked.

“Let’s just say I’m happy to be home where I have unlimited phone service. That was brutal.”

“You look great. Why are you walking funny? Did you and Cameron have too much sex?”

“Umm. No. He made me go hiking with him and climb a small mountain.”

“Yeah, right.” She laughed.

“I’m serious. My body is screaming in pain and my muscles are asking me why I had to do this to them. I really feel bad for my poor aching muscles.”

“That’s why you had me book the massage tomorrow. Well, you look great.”

“Thanks. I don’t think I’ll fire you today.” I smiled.

Cameron and James walked over to us with our bags and we headed to the limo. While we were driving home, Kirsty asked to see pictures. I pulled out my phone and showed her a few that I had taken of the lake, the mountain view, and me and Cameron.

“Wow, that place looks really pretty.”

“It’s beautiful. Isn’t it, Sierra?” Cameron asked.

I didn’t know what to say about it. “Sure. It’s pretty there. Just as long as you know what you’re getting when you get there. Like no phone service and no internet.”

“But you survived, right?”

“I don’t know. Did I?” I asked. “I seemed to complain a lot.”

“Yes. Yes you did complain a lot, but I think, overall, you enjoyed it.”

I didn’t say a word because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I just smiled.

“Sierra knew someone on the plane. Some guy named Lowen,” Cameron said to Kirsty.

“Oh my God. Isn’t that the guy who had the handcuffs around his dick?”

Thank you, Kirsty
.

Cameron’s eyebrow arched as he turned and looked at me.

“Forget she said that. I told you that you didn’t want to know. Anyway, Cameron told him I was a lesbian.”

“Huh? Why?”

“It’s a long story. One I don’t want to discuss right now, but Cameron’s sister, Jolene seems to think me and you are a hot-looking couple.” I winked.

“Huh?” she asked again in confusion and James smiled at me through the rearview mirror.

“Sierra, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live without being a part of your crazy life,” he said.

We pulled up to the house and I headed straight to my room and fell back on my plush, king-sized bed. I ran my hand over the comforter, taking in the softness and beauty of being back home.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you,” I said to it.

“You talk to your bed?” Cameron asked as he walked in the room with my suitcase.

“I sure do. This bed never fails me and I’m happy to be lying on it.”

“You’re weird.” He smiled.

“I know. But somehow, I think you like my weirdness.”

“I do. I don’t know why, but I do. Don’t forget to call Delia.”

“Why did you have to ruin my moment?” I pouted.

“She’s your mom and she wants to celebrate your birthday. So call her now!” he commanded.

“Wow. Who put you in charge?”

He laughed and winked at me just as Rosa came into the room.

“Welcome home, senorita.”

“Thanks, Rosa. It’s good to be home.”

Cameron said he was going to go to the guest house and that he’d get back to work on my bathroom first thing in the morning. I watched him as he walked out of the room and Rosa looked at me.

“You better have been nice to him,” she said.

“I’m always nice, Rosa. What the hell are you talking about?”

“I know exactly where you were and it’s a small place. Not much going on, like here. I could just see you swearing up a storm and complaining about every little thing.”

I looked away from her. Damn it. I hated when people knew me too well.

“It was different, but sort of pretty, and I kept the complaints to a minimum,” I said as I tried to get up from the bed. “Help me, Rosa.”

“What’s the matter with you?” she asked as she took hold of my arm.

“I went hiking and it was brutal. Now, I can’t move.”

“You? Hiking?” She laughed.

“Spare me, Rosa. I’m hungry. Will you make me something? I’m going to go in the hot tub. Maybe that will help my aching body.”

“I guess. Should I make Builder Boy something?”

“I don’t know. Go ask him.”

I changed into my bikini and walked downstairs and to the hot tub. I climbed in and sighed as my body took in the amazing feel of the warm water and relaxing jets. I closed my eyes and relaxed. This was living. I couldn’t stay in here long. As much as I didn’t want to, I had to go into the office and play catch up.

“What’s going on out here?” I heard Cameron’s voice say.

I opened one eye and looked up as the sun shined down upon him. “I’m trying to soothe my aching body. Would you like to soothe yours too?”

“Nah. Mine doesn’t need soothing. I’m going for a swim.”

“Okay. Swim away.”

“You don’t want to join me?” he asked.

“What part of I’m trying to soothe my aching body do you not understand? I can barely walk, let alone swim.”

He laughed. I’d noticed that he laughed at me a lot. “Okay, you stay here and relax. I’m going to do some laps.”

“You go ahead and do that,” I said.

As soon as I heard him jump in the pool, I opened my eyes and watched as he did the breast stroke across the pool. Damn him.
Why doesn’t he hurt?
He looked so strong swimming, and sexy too.

“Your food is ready. Come and eat,” Rosa said.

Oh God, don’t make me get out of here
, I thought. I was too relaxed and the thought of having to move from this spot nauseated me.

“Give me your hand and I’ll help you out,” Cameron said as he stood there
, soaking wet with a warm smile.

I extended my hand to his and slowly stepped out of the hot tub. “I suppose this means no sex later?” he whispered in my ear.

“Considering I can barely spread my legs, probably not.”

“There are more ways than one and you are fully aware of that.” He winked.

I smiled but rolled my eyes. “Is that all you ever think about? Oh, wait. Yes it is, because you’re a man.”

“Not fair. You’re stereotyping.”

“And you, my darling, are proving me right.”

We sat down at the patio table and ate what Rosa prepared for us. “Rosa,” I yelled. “I need some water, please.”

She walked out with a glass and shot me a look of disapproval as she set it down in front of me.

“Don’t judge,” I said.

“I’ve judged a long time ago,
senorita
.”

“Have you called Delia yet?” Cameron asked.

Oh shit. I was so consumed with my aching body that I forgot. “I’m calling her right now.”

I picked up my phone and prayed she didn’t answer.

“Well, it’s about time,” she answered.

Shit
.

“Hello, Mother. I’m back,” I said as I put her on speaker and gulped my tequila.

“How was your trip? Wait. We can talk about that tomorrow at dinner. I’ve already made reservations at the Beverly Hills Country Club for us tomorrow night at seven.”

“I hope you made reservations for five because I’m bringing Cameron,” I said as I looked at him and winked.

“Who’s Cameron?” she asked.

“The escort I rented.”

“I thought that was only for a week. He’s still around?” she asked with irritation.

“He was so good at his job, I just had to go and hire him for another week.”

“Sierra, I don’t like this at all. What has gotten into you?”

Cameron began to laugh. “We’ll be there promptly at seven. Now I have to go because another call is coming through. Bye.”

I hit end and looked at Cameron. “If I have to go, then so do you!”

“But it’s a country club,” he whined. “I don’t do country clubs.”

“And I don’t do fishing or hiking.”

“But you complained the whole time,” he said.

“Just to be fair, you can complain about it because, lord knows, I’ll be doing it too. And since we’re going to the country club, you’ll need a tuxedo. I’ll have Kirsty hook you up.”

“Tuxedo? I don’t wear tuxedos.”

“And I don’t wear hiking clothes or those dreaded boots, but I did.”

“You sure looked sexy in those clothes.” He smiled.

“And you’ll look sexy in a tux. I have no doubt. Now I have to get to the office and try to catch up on all the madness.”

I had difficulty getting up from my chair, but somehow managed while Cameron sat there and laughed.

“This is all your fault,” I said.

“Please. Maybe your body’s telling you that you’re out of shape.”

My jaw dropped. “You’ll pay for that remark, Mr. Cole,” I said as I walked away and pointed at him.

“I’m looking forward to it, Miss Adams.”