Page 20 of Among the Stars
Laughter bubbled out of her. “How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Make a joke with a straight face. Do you ever laugh?”
Cam couldn’t remember the last time he’d done so. “Not often.”
She ran a hand down the lapel of his coat. “Then I hope you find a girl someday who changes that.” Face turned up to his, she added, “You’re a really good guy, Cameron Rhodes. A really good guy.”
Another joke sprang to mind, but if this was the last time he saw Veronica Shepherd, he would leave her with more than an empty quip. Holding her chin between his thumb and forefinger, he lowered his mouth to hers, and she instantly lifted onto her toes. He’d intended to be brief but thorough. Veronica had other ideas.
Slender arms snaked around his neck, and she slid her fingers into the hair at his nape. The touch sent a fire down his spine. Cam straightened, lifting her with him until she was off the floor. He crushed her against him as their tongues performed an age-old dance. He wanted more, and the knowledge of that made him put her down. This was supposed to be goodbye.
Why, he couldn’t remember.
Cam ended the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers, breathing heavily. She panted along with him, fingers still in his hair and one denim-clad thigh pressed between his.
“You’re really good at that,” she whispered.
So was she. But she also wanted a family and forever. Cam wasn’t the man for her.
“I should go.” He stepped back and pulled a card from his pocket. “If you ever need anything, call me.” He slid the business card into her hand.
“Wait.” She grabbed his sleeve. “You’re really leaving?”
Yes, he was. With a curt nod, he made his exit, grateful for the cold air that hit his body. Though it did nothing to clear her scent from his mind.
* * *
What. The. Hell?
Who kissed a woman like that, and then walked away? Veronica stood rooted to the spot, fingers pressed to her still-warm lips and eyes locked on the door Cameron Rhodes had just walked through. Was today even real? In literally six hours, she’d woken in a stranger’s bed, taken him home to meet her family, and now been kissed senseless and left alone with the equivalent of a female hard-on.
“Merry-freaking-Christmas to me.”
As she dropped onto the couch, Veronica’s phone dinged. Thinking it was Cam changing his mind and asking to come back, she dove for the phone in her purse. Ash’s face was on the screen. She had to give Cam credit for one thing. She hadn’t thought about her ex in hours.
Taking the call, she said, “Hello?”
“Merry Christmas,” Ash replied. “I hear you took a guy to the family gathering.”
Freaking blabbermouths. “News travels fast.”
“I was tied up this morning and had five missed calls by nine o’clock. All from Marsha and your sisters.”
Of course, he’d missed the calls. Probably enjoying a Christmas morning romp.
“They thought I was dead, but if you know about Cam, then I’m sure you know that already.”
Ash held silent for several seconds. “Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing someone?”
“When was I going to tell you? I haven’t seen you much in the last six weeks.”
“Ronnie, don’t be like that. You know I’ll always make time for you.”
Her ex was the only person who called her Ronnie. When they’d first become friends, he’d joked that she was like one of the boys. Like Ronnie instead of Veronica. When they’d advanced beyond friendship, the history behind the name had become a running joke between them. She didn’t find it quite as endearing anymore.
Testing his statement, she asked, “Are you still coming over tonight?”