Redeeming You (Before You #2)(22)
“We have adjoining rooms,” Cam said standing next to her at the counter. He handed his credit card to the clerk. “One is under Donovan and the other is under Taylor Reed.”
Her mouth dropped open. They discussed this earlier, and she remembered it, but she didn’t think he actually planned to go through with the silly idea. “I don’t think that’s necessary now,” she half-whispered as she looked over her shoulder to see if anyone could hear the conversation. “Everything is going really well. I can give you some space away from me. I think I can trust you.”
“Tay,” he said bending his head, so his soft blonde hair tickled the side of her face. “It’s very necessary.”
“What are you doing?” she asked, the air swirling with electricity, his eyes darkening noticeably.
“Trying to spend some time with you…alone, without prying eyes. I’ve missed you.”
“But…” she said, her voice trailing off. When he looked at her like that with a lazy grin on his face and his blue eyes warm with tenderness, she couldn’t remember why she wanted to avoid him.
Cam picked up two key cards off the counter and placed one into her hand, squeezing it tightly before he released her. “You’re in control, Taylor. I’ll follow your lead.”
And that’s what scared her. She didn’t have very much control over herself when it came to Cam. If he had shown her any interest in the last five days she would have gladly pulled him into some backstage cleaning closet and kissed him and more until she had her fill. Instead, he spent that time orchestrating every encounter so that they were never alone, or so it seemed to her. She hated herself for caring, for feeling hurt and abandoned.
“Fine, I’ll keep my side locked. You can keep yours unlocked if I need you for any reason.”
He smiled mischievously. “I’m counting on that.”
She pressed the elevator button more than once as she rolled her eyes. Of course, he interpreted it that way. “I meant for work.”
“I didn’t,” he said placing his hand on her lower back and guiding her into the elevator.
As the elevator doors closed, leaving them alone for the first time in days, he laced his fingers through hers, his thumb stroking the inside of her wrist. She wanted to pull away, but she didn’t. When it came to Cam, she was weak. She erected walls no one could penetrate, but Cam didn’t even need to try. She tore them down for him, welcoming him, in spite of the absolute awareness that he could devastate her.
“Why now? You couldn’t be bothered with me for days and now you suddenly want to be near me. Are you bored?”
He laughed. “I’m trying to respect you and your brother. I didn’t want you to be the subject of gossip or speculation. You can’t be mad at me for protecting your privacy and your reputation. I thought you’d be proud of my restraint.”
“I don’t care about that,” she said trying to pull her hand out of his clasp. She was frustrated that this thing—whatever it was—with Cam never progressed. It was like a dance: two steps forward, and five giant steps back. She really wanted something to happen, but she didn’t know how to get their relationship to move forward.
“I do.” He grabbed both of her wrists, pulling her forward. His grip wasn’t bruising, but firm enough to ensure he had her undivided attention. “Your personal and professional reputations are important. If you think I want your name dragged through the mud or people openly speculating not so nice things about you, then you’ve completely lost your mind.” He shook his head. “I’m not going to do that to you. You deserve more than that.”
When he closed the space between their bodies, she rested her head against his chest, inhaling his woodsy sandalwood scent.
“Why?” she asked a little confused with his need to protect her.
“Why what?”
She tipped her head up so she could see his face. His clear brilliant blue eyes were unwavering. “Why does it matter what people say? You’ve never cared before.”
He looked away momentarily. “Because you're different.”
“And that’s a good thing?” she asked, burying her head in his chest again.
“Yes,” he answered without explanation, but it was enough for her.
The elevator doors opened.
He stepped away from her and followed her out. She already missed the heat and comfort of his embrace.
“This is you,” he said, stopping in front of a dark brown smooth paneled door. He snatched the card key out of her hand, slid it into the lock and held the door open for her.
“What’s the plan for the rest of the day?” she asked as she walked into the sleek hotel room with a mirrored dresser, an espresso colored headboard, crisp white bedding and charcoal colored carpet. He didn’t follow her.
He hooked his thumbs through the front belt loops of his worn jeans. “I don’t have a show tonight, so I thought I’d take you out or we can order room service. It’s your choice.”
“Out where? Like dinner?” she asked surveying her wrinkled cotton dress. If he wanted to go out, she wanted to change her clothes and look nice. Getting dressed everyday in the cramped tour bus bathroom wasn’t easy. Half the time, her makeup was either too dark or nonexistent. The lighting left a lot to be desired.