Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(12)

“Wow, I didn’t know you could clean up so nicely,” I muttered. He almost didn’t look like himself.

Camden chuckled and looked down at his clothes. “Yeah, it’s been awhile since I broke out the nice clothes, but I think I can still pull it off.”

That’s for damn sure. “I think you look great,” I said, opening the door wider. “Come on in. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

He walked in and as his arm brushed up against mine, my skin broke out in chills. He also smelled good too. Shit, why does this have to happen now? I thought I was immune to men, especially after Blake cheated on me. Shutting the door, I chanted over and over in my mind . . . I can do this.

Jason’s gaze narrowed as he studied Camden, and I was so afraid the testosterone overload in the room was going to make me choke. Luckily, it didn’t last long because I glared hard at him, demanding for him to stop. Taking a deep breath, he held out his hand. “Cameron James, right? B was telling me about you. I’m her brother, Jason Avery.”

Camden took his hand. “You can call me Cam. It’s nice to meet you.”

Jason almost seemed shocked by his greeting. He was polite, with no hint of arrogance. Even I was a little flabbergasted. Jason let go of Camden’s hand and turned to me. “Now that you’re back in town, are we still on for the mornings?”

Jason and I used to work out together every morning before work. I’d gotten so used to doing things on my own the past few months, I almost forgot. I’d spent my last few months running on the beach just like Camden.

“Yeah, sure. Hopefully, I can keep up. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the gym.”

“You’re welcome to come too,” he said to Camden.

Camden glanced over at me and I nodded. “All right then, I’m in. What time?”

“Six o’clock,” Jason said, turning a glare to me. “Which means not to stay up all hours of the night. You hear me?”

“Oh, my God,” I grumbled. Taking his arm, I pulled him to the door and pushed him out. “Can you seriously be more of a pain in my ass? I can’t believe you just said that.” Camden snickered in the background and I could feel the blood rushing to my face. Thankfully, the door was hiding me from view.

Jason winked and lowered his voice. “What kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t protect you? See you in the morning. And for real, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Goodbye, Jason,” I growled, shutting the door. Leaning against the closed door, I could feel my cheeks burning.

With a smile on his face, Camden sat down on the couch, watching me. “I get it,” he said. “He’s just being protective of his little sister. And he has a right to be. I’m not the type of guy I’d want my sister dating.”

“Still, he takes it too far. And just so you know, we’re not dating.”

“I got that loud and clear at breakfast, buttercup. Lucky for you I don’t date.”

I already knew that. “So what exactly do you do?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

He cleared his throat and looked straight at me. “Do you want the truth?”

I nodded. “Honesty is important between friends. Tell me.”

Getting to his feet, he put his hands in his pockets and walked over to me. “Where I come from, before I got my scar, the women would line up to be with me. I could have a different one every night. Hell, sometimes two and three. It’s all I’ve ever been used to. I’ve never been around anyone who was . . . real. I never even cared until now.”

“Then what are you doing with me?”

Shrugging, he pulled a hand out of his pocket and brought it up to my face. Only he didn’t touch me, he let it fall to his side. “I don’t know. But that’s what I’m hoping to find out.”

My breath hitched and I stepped back. The look on his face stiffened and I wanted to kick myself in the ass. I didn’t move back because I was repulsed. On the contrary, I had never felt my heart beat so hard in my life. “I tell you what,” I said. “Why don’t I go get changed and then we can head to the restaurant. I’m starving. Next time we go sightseeing, we need to make sure we have snacks.”

“So there’ll be a next time?” he asked mischievously.

“That all depends on you.”





WHAT THE FUCK was wrong with me? Why did I give a shit about this girl? I never cared about anyone before and I didn’t want to start now. But there was something about her that drew me in. She wasn’t like all of the other girls I’d f*cked. She was smart, beautiful, and strong. I liked how she didn’t know who I was, or that I had a ton of money, a house in Malibu, and a collection of sports cars. She also didn’t know of my past—what I’d done. This place could be a new start for me, a new beginning.

“All right, I’m ready to go,” Brooklyn called from down the hall. I got to my feet and as soon as I saw her, I wanted to take her back to her bedroom and spread her out on the bed. She was so f*cking hot. Her golden hair was in waves down her shoulders and she was dressed in a short denim skirt.

“You look . . .” I don’t think I’d ever complimented anyone before. I couldn’t even get the words out of my f*cking mouth.