I draw a deep breath and lift my glass, tapping it to his. “Cheers.” My mule is perfect, crisp and refreshing. “So, deployed five times? That had to have been hard on you. Your family.”
“The first couple times you go, it’s hard. But by the third time, for me, it was old hat. I just hated seeing my family so sad when I had to leave.” Then he quickly clarifies, “My parents and siblings, I mean. No wife, no kids.”
“Well, I would hope you don’t have a wife,” I say, sharper than I meant to. “Considering we’re together right now. I mean, at dinner.”
If he’s ruffled by my tone, he doesn’t show it. “I don’t have anyone in my life right now.”
“Why’s that?” I ask. Not the settling down type?
“My job keeps me pretty busy,” he admits. “In fact, I’m going to—”
“Questions on the menu?” The server appears like a shadow. He smiles at us.
We order a few rolls, a rice dish, and miso soup. I’m secretly relieved when Cam doesn’t order any raw fish sushi, or sashimi. I don’t mind the taste, but I can’t stand the texture.
“Tell me about you,” he says, leaning toward me.
Our food arrives, and over the delicious meal, he asks me questions about growing up, my family, college life, my career. He’s so engaging and warm and seems genuinely interested in me that it becomes so easy to open up and spill my life to him. I even tell him about my job interview snafu.
“Is the position still open?” he asks.
I nod.
“Then try again.” He sets his chopsticks down and looks me in the eye. “I believe in you.”
I sigh. “Thanks. I just don’t know if I’m right for the job after all. The senior position will involve travel and presentations and—”
Cam covers my hand with his. “And you can handle it. You can. You just need to show your boss. But you’ve got this, Maya. I know you do.”
I gaze into his eyes. I am falling for him. And as much as I want to resist, I just can’t.
“You’re special,” he murmurs, lifting my hand. Keeping his gaze on mine, he brushes his lips over my fingers.
Please be who you say you are…
Our server comes by to clear our dishes, and Cam orders a decadent chocolate dessert for us to share. When it arrives, he scoots over to my side of the booth.
“Is this okay?” he murmurs. “It makes it much easier for me to feed you.”
“Feed me?” I squeak.
Smiling that sexy little half smile of his, he forks off a piece of chocolate cake. Immediately a volcanic flow of hot, liquid fudge gushes out. He raises the fork to my lips, and I’m powerless to do anything but accept the bite, never taking my eyes from his.
His gaze drops to my lips for a beat, then back to my eyes as he slowly withdraws the fork. “You have the most beautiful lips. The most beautiful smile.”
Kiss me.
I don’t have the courage to ask for it, so I fervently pray he can read my mind, just this once.
My prayer is answered when he gently grasps my chin, tilts it, and sets his lips over mine.
6
Kang
That chocolate cake has nothing on Maya’s lips when it comes to sweetness and decadence.
I read the plea in her eyes, her silent request, her need, and saw that it matched my own. Kissing her is as natural as breathing.
Her pouty lips are plush and soft, tentative, hesitant. She told me she hadn’t had a real boyfriend since high school, but I get the sense that she hasn’t really dated since then, either. She’s fragile, inexperienced, and young—almost ten years younger than me. I have a responsibility to her to treat her like a real man should. No games. No swagger. No pride. Just real emotion. No dishonesty.
Oh? And not telling her you’re deploying in a week for a month isn’t dishonest?
Breathlessly, I pull back, still cupping her face. “Maya, I—”
“I want you to come home with me,” she blurts in a whisper.
I freeze. “As in…?”
Maya swallows and looks me bravely in the eye, covering my hand with hers. “Look, I’m not some experienced sex goddess. And I’m a lot younger than you. You’ve been around the world. I’ve only ever lived here. I have some issues.”
“Maya—”
“But you make me feel like it’s safe to live,” she says fervently. “Really live in a way I never have before, because I’ve always been too scared. I’ve never been with anyone who makes me feel like you do. And…I want to feel more.”
I run my fingers through her hair. “Are you sure?”
She nods slowly. “I’m sure.”
I lean in and kiss her again, gently. “Then let’s get out of here.”
We head back to Maya’s, and she pops over to Margie’s to pick up Zelda. When she comes back about ten minutes later, her cheeks are pink. I suspect there may have been a pep talk of sorts that took place.
Zelda immediately bounds over to me, jumps on the couch, and wiggles onto my lap. Maya clears her throat.
“Would you like some wine?” she asks.
I nod. “Thank you.”
She comes back a few moments later with two wineglasses. A sip tells me it’s a cabernet sauvignon—very smooth, fruity, and bold.
“Great choice,” I say.
“Mm.” Maya takes a few generous gulps of hers.
“Maya.” I reach out and lower her arm.
“Hmm?” She swipes a hand over her mouth.
“Are you having second thoughts?”
“Um.” She sets her glass down, her knee pumping. “No. Not exactly.”
“Talk to me. What exactly?” I trace my thumb down her cheek.
Finally, she glances at me. “I just—I’m really inexperienced. The kiss at the restaurant? That’s the first time in about five years I’ve kissed anyone.”
I nod, stroking her hand. “Are you a virgin?”
She practically cringes. “No…but I’ve only done it once.”
I lift her hand to my mouth and kiss her fingertips. “Did you enjoy it?”
Her gaze shoots over to me, locking onto my mouth and her fingers. “Um. No.”
“Hmm.” I carefully draw one of her fingers into my mouth, just the tip, suckling gently and grazing it with my teeth. “That’s no good.”
Her eyes glaze over slightly. “No, it wasn’t very good at all. Terrible, in fact.”
I turn my attention to the next finger. “I don’t like hearing that. A woman like you…” I press a kiss to her palm. “Deserves to feel wonderful. Feel like the goddess you are.”
Slowly, I kiss my way up her arm, pausing in the crook of her elbow, continuing up to her shoulder. I trail my lips over her collarbone and up the side of her neck, pausing to nuzzle the pulse beneath her jaw. She gasps softly.
I slide up to her ear. “Would you like me to keep going?”
She nods frantically.
“You have to say it.”
“Yes,” she whispers. “I want you to keep going.”