Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
I nod at that. “But don’t worry. I have no intention of trying anymore.”
Ava scoffs. “Thank God.”
What the hell? I look at Quinn, but he’s moving his shrimp around on his plate, visibly uncomfortable. Without thinking, I say, “Quinn.” He looks up, and such sadness swirls in his blue eyes. “Blink twice if she’s blackmailing you.”
Ava rolls her eyes and pushes back from the table. “Evan, where is the bathroom?”
He hooks his thumb to the side. “Over there.”
As she walks away, Quinn leans back in his chair, looking at all of us. “Don’t.”
“Don’t?” Evan asks incredulously. “What the hell?”
But Quinn doesn’t hear it. “Just let it be.”
He gets up then, going into the kitchen, and I look at Evan and Callie. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
Before they can reassure me they aren’t upset, Benson says, “Don’t apologize for being you, Cameron.”
I whip my gaze to his, my heart in my throat as his eyes burn into mine. As someone with ADHD, I’ve always heard the opposite. Be quiet, be good, don’t do that, calm down, but never don’t apologize for being you. His words stun me. He gets up, squeezing my shoulder before heading into the kitchen with Evan. My gaze slides to where Callie is watching me with a knowing look on her face. She knows what people used to say about me, especially our freshman year when I wasn’t as mature as I am now. When I tried so hard for everyone to like me.
A little smirk moves across her lips as she leans on her hand. “I think I’ll get you a really big bow for your hair to go with the dress. Lots of frills.”
“Go be best friends with Ava,” I shoot at her, and her laughter is unstoppable.
And so is my grin.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cameron
After cleaning up, everyone gathers back at the table. I don’t know why we are going to play games with this chick, or even why she stays. If it were me, I’d be out of here in a heartbeat, yet we bring out Trivial Pursuit, much to my dismay. I tend to get bored with board games, but after my outburst during dinner, I am determined to try. It is obvious after a few rounds that Ava isn’t playing, but Quinn doesn’t need anyone on his team in a trivia game. Evan and Callie work great together and argue as much as they get the questions right, which I find hilarious.
With our arrangement, though, it means I’m on Benson’s team, an instant teammate. I’m disgusted with how much that excites me. Like on the ice, he’s wicked smart and strategic. I’m so into the game, the last thing I am is bored, and damn, how I love it. We’re winning by a landslide when the dryer buzzes.
I go to get up, but Benson’s hand capturing mine stops me. “What are you doing?”
“I gotta switch my clothes over.”
Quinn stands. “Great, let’s take a break. I need to piss.”
Ava exhales and then stands. “I’m gonna go make a call.”
No one acknowledges her, but as I head to switch my clothes over, I notice that Benson is walking with me. “What are you doing?”
“Coming with you.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
I knit my brows. I don’t know what it is about him saying want, but it hits me in the gut. Like, straight in it. Annihilates it.
Somehow, I get out, “I can manage.”
“Sure, but some alone time with my girlfriend sounds nice.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re being a lot right now.”
“You think so?” A teasing grin pulls at his lips, and I’m convinced he’s out to ruin me.
“I know so,” I throw back at him as I enter the room.
When I hear the door click closed, my heart kicks up in my chest. Awareness prickles through my body like tiny spiders running along my skin. My stomach clenches, and oh, the desire gathers between my legs at the thought that a bed is right there. Yeah, my clothes are all over it, but it’s not like I have any intention of folding my clothes anyway.
Lord, Cameron, you are a raccoon.
A shaky breath leaves my lips when I reach for the dryer. As I start to unload it, I glance over my shoulder to find Benson leaning on the dresser, his arms crossed over his wide chest as he watches me. His eyes are so dark and trained on nothing but me. Instantly, I’m self-conscious, and I feel like I forget how to put clothes in a laundry basket. Everything falls out, and when I glance over at him once more, I can see heat in his eyes. It makes me want to run my tongue along the stubble on his jaw. I squeeze my thighs together as his voice caresses my spine. “Nice panties.”
I look down at what he’s staring at to see my teal thong. “Do you mind?”