I don’t have a chance to finish my apology before her mouth crushes against mine.
Chapter 14
Camilla
“Play along,” I whisper, before forcing myself to pull away from Stone.
Raven’s words played in my head all day about Stone’s interest in me. Finding him waiting here is all the affirmation I needed to hedge my bets and kiss him. I didn’t think he’d push me away, but I didn’t expect him to engage and kiss me back. I sure as hell didn’t expect him to be so good at it.
“I didn’t plan it, but now is as good a time as any.” I sidle up beside him and hook my arm through his, hoping he’ll follow my lead and loosen up. I turn to my parents. “Mom, Dad, I’d like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Stone Flint.”
I look up at him with a huge-ass smile on my face, praying he doesn’t blow it. Stone takes a breath, wraps his arm around my shoulder, and kisses me on the side of my head. His tense body relaxes beside mine.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Stone extends his hand, first to my father, and then to my mother, before turning back to me. “You didn’t tell me your parents were coming. I was worried when I didn’t find you home, and you didn’t answer your phone.”
“So adorable,” Mom gushes. “You were worried about our baby girl?”
“Very,” he says, turning his head and beautiful eyes toward me.
“Cami wasn’t expecting us,” Dad explains. “We surprised her and insisted we take her to dinner. Next time, you’ll have to join us.”
“We insist.” Mom loops her arm around Dad’s and leans into him.
“Absolutely.”
“It’s getting late, Carlos. Maybe we should head back to the hotel?”
Dad nods. “It is getting late. Perhaps, we should see Stone home.”
“Dad!”
My father takes a long, loud breath. “You’re still our little girl, and we’d like to get to know your boyfriend. If he’s so important to you that you moved here to be closer to him and we never even heard his name uttered, it has me concerned that he doesn’t have your best interests in mind.”
“Dad—”
“Will you be here for a few days, Mr. Ramos?” Stone asks, seemingly unfazed by my father’s not-so-subtle accusations and my not-so-truthful lies.
“Stone, you don’t have to—”
“It’s fine, Camilla. I’ll clear my schedule for tomorrow. We could have dinner, or breakfast if you’re leaving early.”
What thehellis he doing?Pretending for a few minutes is one thing. Faking a relationship through an entire meal that will be filled with questions, firing-squad-style, is a whole other animal.
“Stone, you have work.”
