The Real(27)

He studied the picture as we walked off the deck. “It’s a good one,” he said, holding it out for me to look. I waved it away.

“I’ll take your word for it.”

He grinned. “Not a fan of having your picture taken?”

“Nope. I’m not photogenic, like at all. It’s a curse. Every time I take one, my eyes are closed or close to it because my smile is so wide.”

He inspected the picture, and I could tell that was the case when he chuckled.

“Yep, but it’s still a good one.”





We ended up walking the streets of downtown, getting lost in conversation among the high-rises, talking about everything and nothing. When we sought brief refuge from the brutal wind between buildings, Cameron used the opportunity to warm us up. He kissed me every chance he got, without shame, and I loved every second of it.

I basked in the feel of him, in his tall frame as he surrounded me, the way his hands always seemed to be warm, and his smooth as silk voice—a voice I’d deprived myself of. Though we’d been dating for over a month, all of it was new.

Hovering on a bridge at the Riverwalk, he took another selfie of us, which I reluctantly smiled for. He pressed his lips together when he studied it, and I knew it was another disaster.

Due to the unrelenting wind cresting off the water, my eyes were streaming mascara. Cameron leaned in and cupped my face, wiping away the smudges with his thumbs.

“Come on, let’s get you somewhere warm,” he said after another stolen kiss.

Glued to his side, he shielded me from the cold. After a few minutes of walking in silence—that was anything but empty—we ended up nestled at a cocktail table at Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano bar on West Hubbard.

“Ever been here?” he asked as I shed my coat.

“Nope, another first,” I replied with a smile.

When the waiter came by, Cameron ordered us a bucket of Moscow Mule to share as I perused the bar. Other than the pianos that sat on a spotlit stage, the neon-lit room was dark and intimate. “This is what I love about Chicago. You never know what’s around the corner.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Most days I’m happy I got my first job coaching here after I graduated.”

“And the other days?”

“The other days aren’t summer, and I’m freezing my ass off,” he said with a wink. “I’ve endured enough winters, so I’m used to it. I don’t see myself living anywhere else.”

“Me either,” I agreed.

“You know, Max goes to Bears games in shorts. In fact, you can’t get him to wear a pair of pants in subzero temperatures.”

“That’s just plain stupid,” I said with an eye roll.

Cameron shrugged. “I used to think he was crazy and did it to show off, but it turns out he’s comfortable that way. He’s from Wisconsin, so . . .”

“That explains everything,” I said as I gave him my own wink.

“Something in your eye, Abbie?”

I deadpanned, “That’s the last time I throw flirt your way tonight, Coach.”

“That was flirting?” he asked with a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m going to the bathroom.” I stood and was swept off my feet and into his lap. I had to keep my moan internal when he leaned in and brushed his lips against my neck.

“What was that for?” I asked, my voice raspy.

“An apology kiss is a perfect excuse to cop a feel,” he whispered, reminding me of our earlier conversations at the café.

We were finally hurdling the physical and it felt so good, so natural. I couldn’t believe what a difference a day could make. “What song do you want to hear?” His voice was damned near a groan.

We were bordering on indecent as he sucked on my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in the wake of his soft lips.

When I didn’t answer, he asked again, this time with dimples on full display. “Abbie?”

“What was the question?”

He kissed me deeply, then ripped himself away just as I was about to forfeit clothes.

“Surprise me,” I whispered back as he reluctantly let me go.

“I intend to,” he said sincerely as we both licked a fresh promise from our lips.




A little after midnight, Cameron bid me goodnight at my front door. I was panting when he left me, his smile radiant as he closed my gate and glanced back to where I stood. I touched my lips as he crossed the street, his long strides taking him too far away from me.

“I said goddamn,” I whispered before I shut the door and sighed. I instantly missed him. And before I could scold myself for it, I got a text.

Cameron: Any plans for today?





“Tell me everything,” Bree said as she slipped on her first dress.

“Nothing new to report since the last time we talked. He’s brilliant and beautiful and good to me. Really good to me.”

Cameron and I had been inseparable since the day he’d kissed me. I’d attended one of the home basketball games he coached, which started a string of fantasies that he starred in. I’d lusted over him as he stood on the sidelines in his silky black sweat suit with a dominating stance.

That night, though he coached basketball, I’d let him get to second base. He had drawn more moans out of me than I thought capable. He’d left me hoarse and needy at my front door, and I’d gone to bed with my fantasies on replay and his name on my lips.