Camden’s head snapped back up. Concern filled his eyes. “You said nothing wrong, baby. Cici was drunk and talking out of turn. She was upset, but she shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.”
So, if it wasn’t what Elena said that had Camden in knots, then it must be something else. “Are you working for them? Are they okay? Was that Anderson guy trying to get pictures of them?”
He stroked her hair and gave her a smile that was almost a grimace. “I…am working for them.”
“But you can’t talk about it. I get it.”
Camden’s eyes widened slightly as if he were surprised at her response. He kissed her forehead. “It’s not that I don’t trust you.”
“I know. Your job, sometimes it requires secrecy.”
He tilted his head. “Are you okay with that?”
No, she wasn’t. Elena hated secrets. She’d escaped a town full of toxic secrets that nearly destroyed her and Tina and Rachael. Secrets that had destroyed Antonio.
“I can tell you aren’t.” A little bit of light went out of Camden’s eyes.
“I…it’s not that. Okay, yeah, I hate secrets. But I know that they’re necessary sometimes. To keep people safe. I get that.”
“But can you live with it? Or is this a deal-breaker for us?”
“It’s not a deal-breaker. As long as these are the only secrets you’ll keep from me.”
Camden swallowed and glanced down.Not good. He quickly looked up again and gazed deeply into her eyes. “I promise I will never keep any secrets from you that will hurt you. Or Tina. Anything I can’t tell you is because I’m doing my job, trying to keep someone safe.” He paused and Elena watched him fight with himself. “Sometimes, the person I’m keeping safe is gonna be me.”
She touched his face. “Camden. You can trust me with your secrets. I know there’s something you can’t tell me because it hurts you. Something from your past that’s still haunting you. That’s what chased you from the room just now, isn’t it? I’m guessing there was a time when you weren’t there for someone. Somebody important to you.”
The devastation on his face made her regret her words immediately. She’d hit more than a nerve—she’d bludgeoned his entire nervous system.
“Camden, God, I’m sorry.” One hand covered her heart while the other cupped his cheek. “You don’t have to tell me anything.”
Camden’s hand covered the one over her heart. “Don’t apologize. It kills me that you always think you’re saying or doing the wrong thing. You aren’t. It’s not your fault that I’m a minefield sometimes.” He took a deep breath and blew it out. “No, that’s on me. And it’s on me to dig out some of those landmines so that you aren’t always feeling like you need to walk on eggshells. When we’re together, I want you to be happy and relaxed. I want to have fun with you.” His gaze drifted to her lips. “So many ways I want to have fun with you.” He ran a finger down her arm, raising goosebumps. He nodded as if coming to a decision. “There is something I need to tell you, and it will hurt me to do it. It’ll hurt because I’m afraid I’ll lose your respect. And it’ll hurt because it’s a wound I’ve carried around for a long time now, something that I didn’t think could ever begin to heal. I didn’t think Ideservedto heal.” His eyes clouded. “And maybe I don’t, but you make me want to get past it.”
“Camden,” Elena made her voice stern. “Everyone deserves to heal. Especially you. You’re a good man. Brave, strong, sweet, funny as hell. Sexy.” She felt the blush creep into her cheeks. “So sexy, I can’t even believe you look at me twice.”
“Have youlookedin a mirror? Do I need to take you to get your eyes tested?” He dipped his head to her throat and kissed her while she laughed. “And it’s not just that you are drop-dead gorgeous. You are so warm and caring and funny, too,” he said against her skin. “And have I mentioned your cooking?”
“It’s all about the cooking, isn’t it? You love me for my cookies.” Her heart clenched.Did I just say love? Do I want him to love me?
He looked at her, humor in his eyes replacing the earlier pain. “I can’t believe you think…yeah, no, okay, I’m not gonna deny that it’s partly about the cookies.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “But even if you never—God forbid—made me another cookie or any of the other billion wonderful things you cook, I’d still want to be a better man for you. I’d still want to make you laugh. Make you feel safe.”
Elena’s heart melted like warm butter. “I am honored that you feel that way. And I want you to know, I’m here for you. I want to help you heal. You can tell me anything—anything, Camden—and I’ll never think less of you.”
The hurt crept back into his eyes, but it seemed diminished, belied by a gentle smile. “Tell you what. It’s too much to talk about right here, right now. But I will when we have some alone time. Is that acceptable?”
She couldn’t say no. Not to those amber eyes. Not to the man who made her feel this alive and happy. “Absolutely. When you’re ready. But make it soon.”
He nodded. “I will, Gorgeous. For you, I will.” His smile faded.
“Now what?”
“You read me too well. It’s about the things I need to keep from you. I can’t talk to you about the work I’m doing for the Bennetts.”
“I understand. He’s in politics. He needs a bodyguard, I’m sure.”
“Yeah. And babe, I don’t want to tell you who you can and cannot associate with. But, if you and Cici are friends now, well, it might complicate things.”
Elena did not like that. “You’re right, you can’t tell me who’s my friend and who isn’t.”
