“Truly? You’ve dreamed about me?”
His gaze met hers. “Aye. I’ve never wanted a female more.”
A mixture of heat and longing rushed through her. Emily wasn’t fashionable, or super fit, or any of the things deemed beautiful in current trends. She often had hair falling out of a bun, wore a lab coat and comfortable clothes most of the time, and was definitely on the plump side. And yet, as Cam stared down at her, she actually felt beautiful.
And for a second, tears heated her eyes.
They’d arrived at the cottage, so as soon as Cam had them inside, he put her down and cupped her face. “What’s wrong, Emily? Why do you look about ready to cry?”
She shook her head. “It’s silly, really. I’d much rather focus on your naked chest.”
His pupils flashed once. “And we will. But first, talk to me. I don’t want there to be secrets between us. I would never ask you to reveal the confidence of a friend, but this is about you. So tell me, lass, why are you about to cry?”
Searching his eyes, she saw concern and determination there. So, in other words, he really would hold back and not make out until after she answered him.
She sighed and averted her gaze. “I’m not the kind of woman men lust after, is all. I can see in your eyes that you’re attracted to me, but I guess I struggle with it.”
He gently turned her head to meet his eyes again. “Whilst I don’t know the full history, you admitted you wanted someone for years who didn’t look your way. I think that might’ve played with your mind a bit. So now it’s my job to show you that I wantyou, Emily Davies. Badly.” His hand moved to her arse, and he rubbed her cheek. “Will you let me show you how much?”
As his hand caressed her bum, Emily struggled to put two thoughts together. Between Cam’s touch and his heated gaze, she was tempted to strip and throw caution to the wind.
But she wasn’t quitethatreckless. “Just remember, no kissing me on the mouth.”
“But anywhere else is fair game, aye?”
“Aye.”
He smiled. “Considering you’re Welsh, I’m surprised you don’t use ‘aye’ more often.”
“My father was English, and he hated it. He couldn’t stop me from adopting my Welsh accent, but I learned early on to never use aye, or dare to speak Welsh.”
Cam grunted. “Let’s hope I never meet your father.”
She touched his cheek. “He’s on the other side of the world, Cam. Forget him. I’d rather think about you and me.”
“I can do that.”
He stepped back, tugged off his light jumper, and Emily stared.
Cam reached for her hand and placed it on his chest. It was warm and hard and covered in a light dusting of dark red hair.
“There. You’ve touched my chest, and now I think it’s time you undress so I can do the same with yours.”
Her eyes shot to his. Her first reaction was to ask to move to the bedroom and dim the lights.
But she felt Cam’s thudding heart under her fingers, and she wondered if he was afraid she would reject him.
He wants you. Stop making excuses and embrace the moment. After all, if you don’t fit together naked, it won’t work out.
Yes, that was true. She needed to prove they were attracted to each other.
As if you don’t know that.
Before she could convince herself otherwise, Emily stepped back, unbuttoned her cardigan, and tossed it aside. Then she reached behind to unzip her dress, but struggled. Cam walked until he was behind her, took her hand, and kissed it. “Let me.”
After he released her hand, Emily waited. For a few beats, she merely felt Cam’s breath on her neck. Then he ran a finger under the back of her neckline, his touch light and warm, until he finally pulled down the zipper. As he revealed her skin, he kissed her flesh, inch by inch, until the zipper was fully open.
Her heart thundered as she waited to see what he’d do.
