Page 47 of Among the Stars

Veronica exhaled. “I’d like that.”

They took the left onto her street, and Cam parked on the curb. Before she could open her door, he leaned over and took her mouth with his. Veronica melted into the leather seat as he reminded her how damn good he was at this. They were both breathless when he ended the kiss several seconds later. “I’ve wanted to do that for the last two hours,” he mumbled.

“I’m not complaining, but unless we plan to give my neighbors a show, I suggest we move this inside.”

Cam stepped out and charged around the car to open her door. Together they made the short walk to the house. Moments later, the door closed behind them, and Veronica found herself pressed up against it. Coats were removed, scarves flung through the air, and her purse landed somewhere near her feet.

“Upstairs,” she said against his mouth.

When he lifted her off the floor, she wrapped her legs around his hips with a squeal and clamped her arms around his neck. He continued to press hot kisses against her neck, never missing a step and getting them to her room in record time. At the foot of the bed, he put her back on her feet and took her mouth once again. In a daze, she vaguely remembered that she’d had a plan for this.

“Hold on,” she murmured, pushing at his chest.

He let her go instantly. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I just want to change first.”

“Change?” he repeated, confusion clouding his darkened eyes.

“Wait on the bed and I’ll be right back.” She moved toward the bathroom where she’d hidden the new unmentionables.

Cam didn’t look happy, but he didn’t argue. He settled onto the bed and leaned against the headboard as she closed the bathroom door. With hurried movements, Veronica grabbed the pink-striped bag from beneath the sink before removing her boots and sweater dress. The thigh-highs were already on, as were the matching bra and panties. From the bag she pulled a baby-blue, see-through chiffon and lace baby doll nightie. Part of her felt odd donning such a thing in broad daylight, but then she wasn’t likely to have it on for long.

Mussing her hair, she checked her reflection in the mirror. For good measure, she applied a layer of gloss to her lips, gave them a smack, and was pleased with the look. With a deep breath, she opened the bathroom door and stepped out. Unfortunately, not to the reaction she’d hoped for.

On the bed, Cam was sound asleep.

* * *

Cam woke in a strange bed,alone. His last memory was of trying to get Veronica’s clothes off. After that, he had nothing. In the distance, he heard what sounded like a television and followed the noise downstairs to find the living room empty. A series of pops came from the kitchen, and he recognized the familiar scent. A beer commercial played on the screen as Veronica strolled out of the kitchen wearing gray sweatpants with a hole in the knee, an oversized Titans sweatshirt, and her hair in a messy bun.

“Oh,” she said, stopping in her tracks. Her right hand held a large bowl of popcorn, and in her left was a glass of soda. “You’re up.”

“I am.” He checked the giant clock on the wall and couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken a three-hour nap. Or any nap, for that matter. “What happened?”

She crossed to the sofa and set her cargo on the coffee table. “You passed out.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?”

Ignoring the question, she said, “I have Coke, Sprite, water, and several of the local brews from Friday night. What can I get you?”

“Coke is fine.”

Veronica strode by him again, and Cam wondered if he’d been sucked into some domestic dream. She was acting as if him sleeping through the afternoon in her bed was a regular occurrence. He’d certainly planned to kill the day under her sheets, but not alone.

“Here you go,” she said, setting the new glass on a coaster on the table and patting the cushion beside her. “Come sit. The Titans don’t play until tonight so I’m watching the Cowboys and the Giants.”

“You watch football?” He took the offered seat on the couch.

“I do. And this is why we’re having a get-to-know-each-other session.”

Cam took the popcorn bowl she passed his way. “A what?” He wasn’t awake enough to follow her unpredictable mind.

“A get-to-know-each-other day. You know every erogenous zone on my body, but you didn’t know that I like football.” Veronica tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “I know you’re a neat freak used to being in charge at all times, but I don’t know how you take your eggs.”

“Sunny side up,” he replied. “I’m not a neat freak.”

“A person could eat off your bathroom floor. I’ve dated men who I wouldn’t eat off of their plates.”