Justice Falling (Falling #3)(13)
“I’ll bet you do.” I clasped her other hand and noticed the multi-colored beaded bracelet. “What little love made this adornment?” I touched a few of the colored beads. She didn’t say anything. When I looked up she seemed frightened. Her face was devoid of color. I looked around the restaurant. Nothing seemed out of order. “What’s the matter? Did something scare you?”
“Uh, no, I think we need to go. I need to get back to work.” She pulled her hands from mine and stood. “I’m going to use the restroom if you don’t mind.”
“Certainly.”
Camille rushed to the loo as if there were angry dogs nipping at her heels. What happened? We’d certainly gone over some rather unsavory parts of her past, but she seemed fine after that. It wasn’t until I mentioned the bracelet that she became skittish. For Heaven’s sake, why?
After paying the bill, I met her in the foyer. I clasped her around the hip and led her through the door. Instead of letting go I kept my hand there. It was refreshing walking with a woman who was so tall. In her heels, she was close to six foot, nearing my six foot three height. Our strides synced, and there wasn’t any awkward fumbling or bumping into each other. It just worked.
When we reached the lift at the AIR Bright building, I could tell whatever bothered her had dissipated. Her steps had been lighter on the latter half of our walk. I thanked God and the Queen Mum for the fact that the lift was empty as we stepped on. The second the doors closed, I backed her against the wall. She gasped and clung to my shoulders.
“What are you doing?” Her eyes were wild; her breath instantly labored.
“This,” I said as I slanted my lips over hers. The kiss was soft yet hard at the same time. Her mouth molded to mine. The fingers at my shoulders tightened as I put my hand on her waist tugging her closer. I brought my other hand to her neck and tilted her head exactly where I wanted it. I teased the seam of her lips with my tongue. She opened, and I dove in. Soft and gentle was no longer an option. Once I tasted the crisp perfection of her mouth, I wanted to drown in it and smother her goodness over my entire body. I pushed against her sealing her to my form as I plunged into the heaven of her kiss. For a timid thing, she kissed like a vixen, gripping my back holding me firm.
One of her hands plunged into my hair, making me wild for her. I thrust my erection against her softness, and she moaned loudly. I pulled away, needing air but not wanting to leave the perfection of her mouth. We breathed in each other’s air as our foreheads rested against the other. Thoughts, feelings, needs filled the air in the tiny space.
Ding!
The sliding doors opened, signaling our arrival. Camille straightened immediately and pushed on my chest. Instead of backing up, I brought her with me.
“You’re not getting away so quickly. Have dinner with me?”
“I can’t.” She pushed around me. “I have to go to work. Thank you for lunch.”
“This isn’t over,” I said, holding the doors of the lift open.
“No?” Her hand was over her lips where my mouth had just been.
“This was only the beginning, Precious. I’ll be in touch.” With that promise, I let the doors close and pressed the button to the lobby. Looks like I’d be chasing sweet Camille a bit more. It had been a long time since I had been given a solid challenge. Camille was worth it.
Chapter 4
The apartment was quiet while I prepared for work. It wasn’t easy working on a Thursday night when you had to work for Jensen Construction bright and early Friday morning. Regardless of how little sleep I got, it’s what I had to do to pay my portion of the bills. I wasn’t eligible for medical coverage or a raise until I’d been at Jensen Construction for six months. At least I only had to work at Gems two nights a week unless I was called for special bookings.
Hadn’t had one of those in a while. Which was heaven and hell wrapped into one solid yin and yang ball of frustration. Hell because I didn’t like to be stuck in one private room dancing for only a small group men. Something about it felt more tawdry and elicit. Dirty even. The men’s attention focused solely on me, my nakedness. What they imagined doing to me made me more uncomfortable than dancing on stage in front of a large crowd. Unfortunately, those private room bookings came with a much larger payout. The girls that worked the private rooms received thirty percent of the fee and anything you earned by way of tips. Plus, there was a bodyguard available at the ready to take care of any overzealous patrons--which was needed. Often. I guess Heaven wasn’t perfect, either but the payout sure did help pay the rent.
I slid up the thigh highs and clipped the emerald green garters to the black nylons. Jin’s entrance couldn’t have been timed better.
“Can you tighten the corset?” I asked as she set down her book. Gone With the Wind. I rolled my eyes. “Hopeless romantic,” I said then lost the words as she squeezed the corset, cutting off all breath. “Jesus, that’s tight.”
“But looks amazing.” Her eyes were as dark as night when they skimmed over my form. “Why the green and black?”
“St. Patrick’s day. Apparently it’s ‘Luck of the Irish’ night.” I grinned and propped the tiny little Leprechaun hat onto my head and pinned it to the hair I piled at the crown, allowing perfect curlicues to slip out strategically.