Chapter Three
An hour later, I had an epiphany. Realizations like this one don’t come around too often. It’s the type of epiphany that changes your life.
I, Cammy Jennings, wanted a family.
While looking over the files of papers designed to draw women and men to Prism so they could be turned into beautiful butterflies, I decided I wanted to throw those files away and sponsor a little kids’athletic team. It would look so awesome to have a Prism Salon’s softball team jersey. Or a basketball team. And I would have to go to games and support the local team that had my name on their backs.
It was then that I realized I wanted that life. I wanted to be the kick-ass soccer mom that was always on point with her hair. I would rock the shit out of bringing juice boxes and snacks after practices. I wanted a husband to pester, who would love me anyway. I was still undecided on a family dog; it was something I would maybe do for the kid but only because I loved him.
I wanted what Arson and Rayne had. The way he stared at her, as if she was the very air he breathed. They were so in love; it was beautiful to be around.
The thoughts that were running through my mind were making me sad. I had no boyfriend. The last one I had, I dumped, because he just didn’t light my fire like I wanted. I was thirty, which wasn’t old, but it seemed like my crazy clock was ticking, telling me my ovaries were going to shrivel up and turn to dust at any minute.
I needed to get my mind off my lack of future plans, so I left my office and decided to get my hands in the water and do a few walk-in pedicures. I enjoyed every part of it, from scraping the dead skin off the bottom of someone’s foot, to chatting them up about whatever, then painting a pretty color on their nails. It kept my mind distracted.
The next time I looked at the clock, it was closing in on six. We were about to clean up and close down for the night. Tomorrow being Sunday, we were closed, so everyone could spend time with their families or just be on their own. The thought made me depressed all over again. I was heading home to nothing but my pretty apartment.
“Hey, Cammy, want to go to Jackie D’s tonight? We could get hammered and do some karaoke,” asked Mary, one of my hairstylists. My frown turned upside down really quick. That was one way not to be alone tonight! I was so down with that plan.
“Heck, yeah!”
In the salon, I encouraged us to be more like a family. I’ve found that I keep employees better that way. They knew I still meant business, but I treated them well and they respected that. There were a few of the girls I could call friends. Mary was one of them. She knew how to have a good time.
I closed up the shop about half an hour after everyone left and went home to change. I cleaned up and dressed in black, wide-legged dress pants and a strapless shirt that hugged my waist. I looked in the mirror. Oh yeah, I was looking like my doppelganger, Amy Adams. Petite, red hair, blue eyes, and elfish features staring back at me. I shot a text to Rayne to see if she just wanted to come and hang out, but she said Arson came home early. She would be one busy lady for the next day or so. Lucky bitch.
Time to get out of my lonely apartment.
Jackie D’s was a fun bar with lots of drinks flowing, people dancing like no one was watching, and drunkies doing terrible karaoke covers to hit songs. It was fabulous. I loved to let loose. Mary and I threw back a few shots and were getting our freak on out on the dance floor. While twirling with my arms in the air, my eyes caught sight of something familiar. I stopped and looked towards that something, only to feel my nether regions start to tingle. Jake was sitting at a nearby table, nursing a beer with wallaby man. His eyes were on me. Watching me intently. I wish I could say I was plastered, and that was why I decided to walk over to him, but I couldn’t. I honestly don’t know what drove me over.
“What’s up, animal bitches?” I waved. Blond man was grinning and Jake was still looking at me, his expression unreadable.
“Hey, Cammy, how’s the finger?” Blondie asked. I looked at him and smiled, while showing him my middle finger.Justthat finger.
“It’s doing okay, thanks for being concerned. Well, have a good night.” I was starting to regret my decision to walk over there. I twirled and walked away quite gracefully, but instead of heading back to the dance floor where Mary was getting low with some guy, I beelined for the bathroom. After doing my business successfully, I exited the bathroom and ran into a hard body.
“Ow! What the hell?” I stumbled back, but big arms wrapped around me, steadying me.
“You have a way with words,Just Cammy.” I looked up and met beautiful blue eyes, which also had a dark blue ring around the outside.
“I have to be good at something,” I shrugged, then bit my lip, feeling unsure as to why his arms weren’t letting go of me. I was quite stable. Or at least I thought I was.
“I feel like we should explore this,” he announced. I stared at him like he sprouted two more heads. Speaking of heads, I was feeling something pressed against my tummy. Something hard and delicious.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I tried, going for plausible denial.
“I’m an animal, remember? I like the chase and I will catch my prey.” He walked us back so I was against the wall with his arms caging me in. Why was this so hot? He was a stranger! Well, sort of.
“I’m not prey. And I don’t like to be chased,” I countered, even though I’m pretty sure it was a lie.
“Of course you do. Ask me how I know.” His head leaned in, close enough that I felt his breath caress my lips. Oh Lord.
“Tell me, oh wise one.” My voice was breathy and hoarse.
“You’re an alpha, a leader. You need a man who will pursue you for your affections, and who will prove he is the better man overall. A man who will take care of your every need. Hard. Slow. Soft. Fast. A man who gives you the world, while giving you stability. You need an equal. An alpha,” he purred and I think I just orgasmed. God, now I know what Rayne felt like when Arson was all “I’m your fucks and flowers.” I wanted to jump up on this man’s cock and go to town.
“That’s where you’re wrong, kitten. We are completely different. We wouldn’t even know what to do with each other, let alone try for stability. It would never work. But lovely words.” It was better for me in the long run. He was hot and wild. He was an animal.
“So the chase begins. Remember my words, sweetheart. The longer you run, the sweeter it will be when I catch you. And I will catch you.” Orgasm number two? Maybe? For a moment, we just stared at each other. A sort of challenge, if you will. I was determined to fight this. He was determined to chase. This was going to be interesting, one way or the other. Either we would collide and fuck like animals, or it would end in nothing. I was pretty damn strong-willed. He pulled back, releasing me from his arms.
“Enjoy your run, sweetheart,” he smirked. I arched a brow and walked back out towards the dance floor. Mary was still dancing with her hunk of burning love. I pondered if I should grab another drink or dance some more when a bolt of genius hit me. I looked at the table where the boys had been, to see Jake was back at the table. Watching me, of course. That smirk still on his face. Oh, buddy, you have no idea what you signed up for. I strutted over to the karaoke area and told the DJ my song selection. The latest performer was almost done belting out her Kesha song, so I was up next. I felt like doing some fist pumps in the air for what was about to happen.
