Hot Commodity (Banks / Kincaid Family #1)(57)

"Oh, good. Let me give you the address," Allison answered.

*

"It’s official," Boston announced as he strolled into Cameron’s office.

"What’s that?" Cameron asked, glancing up from the computer screen where he’d been browsing developmental sites for sale. Since he’d had Boston drop the Shaney bid the week before, their workflow had been pretty dead. They’d yet to find another business venture to pursue. "Helbrock won the Shaney bid this morning," Boston said, settling into the chair across from Cameron. "Your mother-in-law is now the owner of a three-point-two million dollar shoe factory that’s going out of business."

Cameron felt a spark of satisfaction. It served the bitch right for tormenting Olivia. "I wonder if she’s even aware Shaney’s so bad off," he

murmured to himself.

"I doubt it," Boston said, yawning as he stretched. "She barely did any research before she started throwing around her offer. Probably doesn’t even know we planned on closing the place and shipping its equipment to McFarland and Sons."

"Hmm," Cameron said thoughtfully. "Well, she’ll get what’s coming to her then. The woman should’ve treated her daughter better."

Boston lifted an eyebrow and stacked his hand behind his head as he fixed Cameron with a knowing look. "How is the wife?" he asked, smiling slightly.

Cameron frowned, not amused by the teasing glint in his friend’s eyes. "She keeps asking about you," he lied, "wondering when you’re going to come back around and look at her naked again."

Boston flushed bright red. He flipped Cameron the bird and called him a dirty name. Cameron only laughed and then let out a long sigh. "She’s fine. Asked me about those annulment papers last night, though."

Boston shrugged and glanced around as if looking for something better to do. "Well, I can get started on them. Anytime you want."

But Cameron went cold inside. Not yet, something in him screamed.

Looking nonchalant for his cousin’s benefit, however, he gave his own shrug. "She can wait." Then he grinned. "It’s kind of fun putting it off. I think it’s starting to get under her skin."

"Keeps her in your bed a while longer too, doesn’t it?" Boston guessed.

Cameron frowned slightly. He hadn’t gotten her into his bed last night. Instead she’d gone to her own room. He’d been forced to wait until nearly midnight before stealing into her bed and settling himself next to her. He’d tried to sleep alone in his room, but it hadn’t worked. He missed listening to her breathing next to him, occasionally hearing a little sigh as she slipped further into sweet dreams. In the morning, he’d wakened early and escaped before she noticed the added company. Before she realized he was getting a little too dependent on her.

Pushing those thoughts from his brain, he got to his feet and stretched, letting out a loud yawn.

"Let’s go shoot some pool down at the bar," he suggested, hoping that might ease some of the restlessness swirling inside him.

Boston cocked an amused look his way. "Again?"

Cameron frowned. "Why not? You got anything else to do around here today?"

His friend let out an indulging sigh. "I guess not." He unfolded himself from his seat. "All right, Banks. Let’s go play pool."





Fifteen



Excited as she pulled Cameron’s Miata out of Allison and Chuck’s driveway, Olivia couldn’t contain her grin. She felt revved after spending three hours with his mother, going over place settings and decorations. She’d made similar plans for Vivian and her mother’s stuffy friends before, but she’d always kept it low-key and formal.

Allison had been open to new ideas, and she’d listened to every suggestion Olivia gave as if Olivia were some kind of professional. It made her heart sing. Olivia sighed, so proud of herself she wondered if she might burst open.

Chuck Banks liked big, splashy affairs, so Olivia had gone to town, designing the brightest and most extravagant party she’d ever thought up. What was even better, Cameron’s mother loved her ideas.

Still giddy about the headway they’d made, Olivia didn’t drive straight home, but detoured toward Cameron’s office. He’d explained to her where he worked, but she had yet to visit him.

Today seemed like a good day to drop by. She wanted to share her happiness with someone and tell him her good news. If Chuck liked how smoothly this party went, he said he’d think about hiring her full time as the new social coordinator of Banks Corporation. Olivia liked the title. She was starting to think that by the time the annulment went through, she’d be ready and able to make it on her own.

She knew Cameron was busy with his work, but she didn’t plan on bugging him for long. She wasn’t even sure why she was so excited about seeing him. But she’d had this spur-of-the-moment urge and now she couldn’t wait to share her day.

But when she stepped inside the cool interior of EarnNet and stopped to speak with the receptionist, she was startled to learn Cam wasn’t even around.

*

Cameron perched his hip against a small table and watched Boston arrange the pool balls into a battered triangle.

"Is it your turn to break or mine?" Boston asked.