Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(29)

That was all it was, but it brought a smile to my face. I texted him back.



Me: Morning to you too.



About two seconds later, he replied.



Camden: As I’m sitting here alone at my condo, I had a thought. Wouldn’t it be best for me to pick you up since your house is near the restaurant?



Laying my head back on the pillow, I groaned and looked at the text message again. He had a point.



Me: Okay, fine. I’ll send the address to you later. I don’t want you stalking me.

Camden: You wish. Going to the gym with your brother right now.

Me: Have fun! I’ll text you later.

Camden: No need. Jason told me where you lived. See ya soon.



I was going to kill Jason. Knowing Camden, he’d show up in the next hour. Thankfully, I was able to get my house cleaned and take a shower before he showed up. The bad part was, my hair was wet and I was still in a bathrobe when the doorbell rang. When I answered the door, his face brightened.

“Wow. I think I need to come over more often.”

“Ha-ha,” I said, opening the door wider. “You’re lucky I even answered.”

He sauntered into the living room, and before shutting the door, I glanced around outside. At the end of my driveway, I noticed my brother’s car drive slowly by. He was going to be pissed I hadn’t called him back. It was a good thing my phone was on silent.

“Your house is amazing,” Camden called out. “I’ve always wanted a place with land like this.”

“Really? You don’t take me as a rural, outdoorsy kind of guy.” When I got into the living room, he was standing in front of my mantle, looking at my pictures. There were ones with my whole family, ones with just Braylen and I, and ones with me and both Braylen and Jason. I thought it would hurt to look at them again, but it didn’t. I would always be saddened by my sister’s loss, but I loved her so much, I knew she’d always be alive in my heart.

Camden shrugged. “My family owns land out west in the mountains. I never really cared about living out there. The beach is where I’ve always felt at home. But this area’s starting to grow on me.”

“Is that so?” I asked with a smile.

Turning around, he gazed heatedly up and down my body. “Definitely. I’d like to see more of it at some point.”

Rolling my eyes, I stalked past him toward my room. “Who knows? I might give you a tour someday.” His deep chuckle echoed down the hall. “I’ll be right out. Make yourself at home.”

My skin shivered as I thought about what it would be like for him to tour every inch of my body. After our heated kiss in the alley, I really wanted to find out what it felt like. Once in my room, I hastily took off my robe, got dressed, and finished my hair and makeup. By the time I joined Camden again, he was gazing out the bay window.

“Is that your pond?” he asked.

I may not have a large house, but my land was what made it special. “Yes, it’s mine. I love that pond. It’s my swimming pool in the summer time.” I pointed to tree line that was just past the pond. “Do you see the tree line out there?” When he nodded, I continued, “I own close to fifteen acres past that point.”

He whistled. “That’s a lot of land. Are you ever going to do anything with it?”

I shrugged. “Other than use it as a buffer from my neighbors? Probably not. I definitely don’t want to sell it. It’s actually fun to walk through the trails and explore.”

He bumped me in the shoulder. “Maybe you could show me sometime.”

I looked up at him and smiled. “I’d love to. But right now, I’m starving. If it’s not too late when we get back from dinner, we can go for a walk.”

Camden wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in tight. His lips found mine before I could ask what he was doing. The kiss was deep, but restrained. Not like it was the night before. All too abruptly, he let go and stepped back, leaving me flushed and lightheaded.

“I’ve been dying to do that since I woke up. Now I’m ready to go.” He winked at me and started for the door, chuckling. He knew what he was doing . . . and I was ready to play.





Our date went better than expected. We didn’t get interrupted by my parents or by anyone from my past. It was quiet and for once in my life, peaceful. “Do you want to go for a walk?” I asked as we got out of his Jeep. “I think I need to burn off the chocolate cake.”

Camden laughed. “That’s the last thing you need to worry about. Although, I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a girl eat as much as you.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

He put his arm around my shoulders and turned me to face him. “It means, buttercup, you continue to surprise me.”

“Is that a good or bad thing?”

Lowering his lips to mine, he kissed them gently. “Definitely good.”

Taking his hand, I pulled him along. “Well, come on. I need some exercise.”

“I can come up with better ways to burn off calories,” he chided playfully.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you could.” And so could I.

“Not to mention, it looks like it’s going to rain.”