Melt for You (Slow Burn #2)(63)

I drag my hands through my hair, still damp at the nape from my shower, and consider what he’s suggesting. Finally I drop onto the sofa next to him and sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Honestly I don’t know what to think. I acted like I was having a breakdown. I was a complete wreck. I probably blew it.”

“Except he said he wanted to call you.”

I shake my head, unconvinced and unsettled.

“What kind of wine did he order?”

I lift my head and stare at him. “Why does that matter?”

“It matters. Do you remember the name?”

I search my memory. “Romany Conty? Something like that?”

Cam looks impressed. “Jesus. He must really like you.”

“You recognize it? I thought you didn’t drink wine.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t know the name of one of the most expensive burgundies on earth. They’re at least a few thousand dollars a bottle.”

My mouth falls open. A wheeze of disbelief slips out.

“Let’s get back to you not wantin’ to kiss him. What’s that all about?”

I consider the question carefully but find I don’t have any good answers. “I guess . . . I was just too nervous.”

After a moment, Cam says, “Hmm.”

Before I can ask him what the hell he means by that cryptic “Hmm,” the house phone rings. I freeze in terror.

“Ohmigod. Do you think that’s him?”

“Only one way to find out, lass. Go answer it.”

I start to panic. “What if I say something really stupid? What if I ruin the whole thing? This might be my last chance with him!”

Cam looks at the ceiling and sighs, but I ignore his irritation because I’ve got a brilliant idea. I grab his arm and shake it.

“You go pick up the portable extension in my bedroom and walk me through it!”

He crinkles his nose. “Don’t be daft. I’m not lurkin’ in the background while you and pretty boy have phone sex!”

“We’re not going to have phone sex!” The phone continues to ring, and now I’m having heart palpitations. I shove Cam and leap to my feet, jabbing my finger in the direction of my bedroom. “Pick it up! Go, go, go!” I run into the kitchen and rip the phone from the wall, taking a deep breath before saying calmly, “Hello?”

“Joellen, it’s Michael.”

“Oh. Hi there.” I manage to sound nonchalant. Meanwhile I’m silently screaming at Cam and making wild arm motions directing him into my bedroom.

He shakes his head like he can’t believe he’s getting talked into this, rises from the couch, and disappears into my bedroom. A second later I hear a soft click and I know he’s picked up the line.

In a low, husky voice, Michael says, “I’m in the car. I couldn’t wait until I got home to call you.”

I respond with a lame and thoroughly unnecessary safety reminder. “I hope you have Bluetooth. It’s dangerous and illegal to drive while talking on the phone if you’re not hands free.”

Cam appears in my bedroom door, holding the portable phone receiver to his ear, grimacing in disgust. He mouths, You’re hopeless.

I frantically motion for him to join me in the kitchen.

Michael says, “I’m not driving. My driver is.”

“Oh.” Duh.

“But thank you for your concern.” There’s a touch of laughter in his voice. “It’s gratifying to know you’re worried about my safety.”

Cam strolls toward me making a rolling motion with his hand that I think means I should keep the conversation going.

“So, um . . . sorry again about running out on you like that. I think I was just nervous.”

Cam enters the kitchen and leans against the counter, looking bored. Until, that is, Michael next speaks.

“No apologies necessary. Though I have to admit when you said you already had plans for dinner, I was a little worried. You said there isn’t anything going on with you and that idiot Cameron McGregor character, but I hope I don’t have any other competition!”

Cam stiffens. His nostrils flare. His gaze slashes to mine, and in it I see a holocaust.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.





TWENTY-TWO

Before Mount Vesuvius can erupt, I quickly put a finger over Cam’s lips and set Michael straight. “He’s not an idiot. He’s actually a really great guy.”

Michael makes a gentle noise of disbelief. “You only think that because you’re nice, Joellen. Believe me, the man is an absolute animal.”

Cam’s eyes blaze at me. He’s got such a gnarly death grip on the phone, I expect it to crumple into dust at any moment.

“How would you know? You’ve never met him!”

There’s a moment of silence on the end of the line, then Michael clears his throat. “No, I haven’t. But if even half of what is printed about him is true—”

“Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”

Cam looks satisfied that I’m sticking up for him, but I can tell he still wants to break something. I curse myself for this idea and motion that he should hang up. Lips thinned, he shakes his head.

Wonderful.

“You seem rather defensive of him.”