Her Forever Hero (Unexpected Heroes #3)(20)

“Cam . . . don’t . . .” She was seconds away from falling into his arms.

“Okay, I’m sorry.” He backed off, disappointing her and yet making her appreciate him at the same time.

Yep. She was certainly crazy. That was the only explanation for the things she was forgetting doing, and her wild emotions she couldn’t get a grasp on.

“How many people are going to be at your brother’s tonight? He made it sound like it was just a small family dinner. I should have been suspicious,” she said, trying to get back on track.

“I think only a few people are coming over.”

“How many is ‘a few’?” she asked.

“Okay, fine. You know my brother. Probably fifty or so,” he answered, finally giving her some much-needed space and walking over to her freshly made salad. He grabbed a fork and dipped in for a bite.

“That’s rude, Cam,” she snapped, snatching the fork from him before he could double-dip. “Anyway, I don’t think I have nearly enough salad, so back off.” As her temper rose, so did her attitude. “And who invited you inside, anyway? What makes you think you can barge into my house and make yourself so at home? I’m tired of you using your charm and getting your way every time I blink.”

“I’m worried about you,” he told her, his voice suddenly hushed.

The actual concern she saw entering his eyes made her tense. “Why are you worried about me?”

“When I stayed over the other night, when you had that cold, I heard something. When I went outside, there was a screwdriver below your window,” he said.

Grace knew Cam well enough to know when he was being serious and when he was kidding. She didn’t like the true worry she saw on his face.

“And why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?”

“Because I didn’t want you to be afraid. So I’ve been keeping an eye on you, on the place, and maybe a few friends are doing the same when I’m unable to.”

By the look in his eyes, it was more than obvious that he was waiting for her to lay into him. The problem was that she didn’t feel like doing that. She felt . . . dammit . . . she felt a smidgen of fear. What in the world was going on?

“Well, you should have told me, Cam. Still, I’m sure it was nothing.” But if it was nothing, why was she so alarmed?

“I’m hoping it was nothing, but you live here all alone. I don’t think that’s wise. I think what would be wiser would be for you to come and share my place. I’m even generous enough to let you share my bed. Let’s just say I’m a stand-up guy. The bed’s quite comfortable. You remember, right?” he said, taking a step back toward her.

“Stop right there!” She shook her head violently and scurried around to the other side of the table. There was no way she was doing this with him again. If his lips touched hers, the two of them would be going nowhere anytime soon.

“If I promise to lay off . . . for now.” He made sure to inject a long pause. “Will you just come to the get-together at your best friend’s house?”

She thought long and hard about it before nodding her agreement. That didn’t mean she was going to ride with him. They could argue about that in the parking lot.

“Good then. It’s all settled. You can sit by the fire, have a few laughs, and if you get too cold, I’ll make sure to keep you warm,” he said with a wink.

“You just said you were going to lay off,” she pointed out.

“I said ‘for now.’?”

“Ah, you’re always such a gentleman,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Let me tell you, though, that if I need warming up, I am perfectly capable of finding someone . . . else . . . willing to do it.”

The flare in his eyes told her he didn’t like that response at all. That was just too bad for him. It made her feel a lot better to get under his thick hide.

“Don’t forget your coat. The sun’s almost down. It’s going to cool off within the next hour.”

Before she could get it herself, Cam was gathering up her coat, handing it to her, and pushing her out the door. They reached the top of the steps together, and for once, Grace was incredibly grateful Cam was there, because her foot slipped, and she almost went tumbling down the solid wooden staircase.

If it hadn’t been for Cam’s quick thinking, she didn’t know what would have happened. He dropped her salad bowl but caught her, and the two of them teetered for a few terrifying seconds while he regained his balance.

“What the heck?” she cried out as she clung to him.

“You’re not usually so klutzy,” he said, his voice a little breathless. “That scared the hell out of me!”

“What did I slip on?”

Cam backed up, still holding on to her, and they both glanced around for the culprit. Something green and slimy was on the top step. “What is that?” Cam bent down to take a closer look.

“Jell-O?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but if your neighbors drop something, especially right here, then they should have the decency to clean it up before someone else comes along and gets seriously hurt,” he said, looking both ways down the open walkway. “Give me your keys. I’m going to run inside and grab some paper towels. We don’t want someone else to stumble on this.”