T hey zoomed through several red lights on the way home. April complained of a sore tummy and Meagan sat in the back with her, holding a bag nearby on the off chance her late afternoon snack made a reappearance. On the last block, the precautionary measure came in handy.

He called his mother and left a message as soon as they walked in the door while Meagan put April on the toilet. She suspected the girl had overdone it in the water.

“Do you think there’s something we can give her? I’m not good with seeing her pale and lethargic. She’s usually so energetic.”

“Like her dad,” Meagan joked as she leaned against the bathroom door.

“I can’t sit around and do nothing. Should I take her to the doctor? April has a strong stomach like me, and she never vomits.”

Meagan understood his need to help his daughter, but she wasn’t a parent and didn’t want to overstep her role. “Do you want my opinion or are you spit balling?”

He peered into the washroom and April sat there with her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. “Give it to me. Any suggestions are welcome.”

“Give it time and see how things go. Once she’s done, we can take her temperature and give her plenty of fluids. If she continues to be sick, then consider taking her to the doctor. My guess is she swallowed lots of water in the pool and over exerted herself. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve been around plenty of kids.”

He leaned his head against the door beside her, staring at his daughter. “Do you have younger siblings? How do you know so much about children?”

“I did a ton of babysitting. Military families are always looking for help, and it was an easy way to make money. I’m the baby in my family. I have two siblings.” She exhaled as pain spread across her chest. “Sorry, I had two. My brother, Denis, was killed by friendly fire while serving our country two years ago.”

Cameron squeezed her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

Saying his name was tough, but it felt good. She never wanted to forget him. Most days, she pretended he was deployed instead of permanently gone. It hurt less to think that way. It wasn’t fair he wasn’t coming home, and she’d lost the most amazing big brother.

Denis always knew he’d join the forces and his decision got him killed. Since then, Meagan had become more indecisive about her future. She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over.

“He was only twenty-five. It hit us all hard. My dad retired shortly before it happened and he considers rejoining all the time. My mom’s still working for the Department of National Defense, but she’s been extra clingy since. Hailey, my sister, just finished an overseas peace-keeping mission and decided not to re-muster. We are an army family; except me.”

“You don’t want to serve?” His fingers ran the length of her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind.

“No, and not because of what happened to Denis. I never wanted that life. It’s too hard and I want something simple and easy.”

He chuckled. “Stay away from professional sports then. It’s a gong show ninety percent of the time. I wouldn’t change a thing, but it’s tough. Poor April has to feel the brunt of it too, but she’s a trooper. She rarely complains about the flights or the hotels. She’s racked more miles in her short life than most people ever will.”

“I done!” April held her stomach as she walked towards them. “Can we watch a show?”

“Anything you want, baby. Do you feel better?”

“A tiny bit. A show will make me better.”

Meagan went to the kitchen and poured a glass of water for her. When she returned to the hall, Cameron was on his knees hugging his daughter. “Here.” She handed the cup to April. “You should take a couple of sips, but not too fast.”

April swallowed a mouthful and handed her back the cup. “Thank you. Showtime?” She took her dad’s hand and pulled him down the hall towards the basement stairs.

Obviously, she was feeling better. Meagan was surprised how quickly she’d bounced back, but kids were resilient. They still spent the next few hours doting on her and watching cartoons. It was the perfect way to spend her day off.

Once April was tucked into bed and sound asleep, Cameron joined her in the living room. Meagan had turned on the fireplace and snuggled up with a new book. Another steamy romance that sent her imagination into overdrive. She set the book on her lap and smiled as he approached.

“She passed out fast.” Meagan patted the cushion next to her.

“Yeah, she was worn out. What are you reading?” He sat close, pulling her legs onto his lap.

Their position implied a level of familiarity she would have thought took weeks or months to create. He rubbed her legs lazily. It was comfortable even if her body temperature was rising by the second.

She blushed and showed him the cover. The bare-chested man, holding a firehose should have given him a clue. “A contemporary romance. This one is about a billionaire firefighter who lost his dog and finds love after his loss.”

“You’re kidding. Let me see that.” He ripped the paperback from her hands.

They struggled. Cameron held the book high above his head and she ended up straddling his lap to get it back. Her breasts pressed against his face as she reached for it. The attempt to reach the book failed, but she wasn’t too upset.

They were both laughing and breathing heavy. “You can keep it.” She moved to return to her seat, but he pulled her closer.

“I don’t mind you this close. In fact, let’s get comfortable.” He held her against his chest as he put his feet on the couch. They wiggled into a comfortable horizontal position. He had his back propped against the side with her wedged between his legs, lying on her stomach and resting her head on his chest. “So why do you read this stuff?”

“It’s an easy read, and I love the happily ever after parts. I read a couple a week.” She snuggled against his chest and watched the flames dance around the logs. “They are so romantic.”

He massaged her scalp and her eyes fluttered closed. “It’s books like this that make it impossible for men to have good relationships. Real men belch, fart and snore. We say and do inappropriate shit.”

“Like burping, farting and snoring,” she teased.

“I guess. Life isn’t like the movies, at least not for me.”

That was a good segue into his life. She needed to know more about him. “When was your last relationship and why did it end?”

His chuckle made her head bounce. “Are we playing twenty questions? I am really good at that game.”

She peered up at him and smiled. “I want to get to know you better, it’s not a game.”

“Fair enough. I dated a woman for a couple of months before my mom moved out. Once she left, I didn’t have time to sneak away and see her. She got pissed, and I ended things. It wasn’t serious, and I never introduced her to my family. No one I’ve slept with has met my kid. She doesn’t need more relationship drama in her life. April comes first always,” he said as he continued rubbing her head. “How about you?”

“I like that you put her first. Not everyone treats their daughters like that.” Her own father rarely thought of her needs. It was country first and family second. Being the baby meant she was low on the priority list. “I went on three first dates last fall and they all ended badly. I gave up and focused on work. Connie kept me busy and I’ve been taking courses too. It’s hard to meet someone who wants the same things.”

They lay there for a while, basking in the warmth. She mulled over his response. Something didn’t add up. “So, you haven’t slept with anyone since your mom left?” She placed her chin on her hands to gauge his reaction.

“That’s what I said. Why is that hard to believe? I have little free time, and without someone watching April, it’s been even less. Shit, if you hadn’t landed on my lap, I would have zero prospects in my life right now. I’m clean if that’s what you’re beating around the bush about.”

She sat up, tucking her legs under her. It made little sense. “I’m clean too. That’s not what… I’m not fishing for anything. I’m curious. Why have you been through so many nannies in the past few weeks?”

He sat next to her, their thighs touching. His hand landed on her knee. “Why does it matter?”

“Because I need to know.”

He huffed a large breath and set the book beside him. “The woman I broke up with manages the largest domestic help agency in the city. That’s how we met. She set us up with a great lady and we got a chance to work together before my mom took off. We were building trust and things were progressing. Once I ended the relationship, she ended the contract, and I was back to square one. Since then it’s been a string of bad candidates and bullshit. Two quit after less than a week and the other two weren’t suitable for April.

That was all five, and he hadn’t slept with any of them. Then why would Gail have told her lies? “To be clear, you didn’t sleep with any of them?”

He seemed taken aback by her question. “No. Three of them were closer to my mother’s age. I don’t have sex with my employees. If you were my employee, we wouldn’t be sitting like this.” He squeezed her knee and leaned closer. “I would never have kissed you. A sexual harassment suit is the last thing I need. More lawyers and fucking court dates, no thanks.”

His lips pressed against her neck, making her shiver. She angled her head to the side, granting him better access. Cameron licked behind her ear and sucked her earlobe into his mouth. The tiny nibble made her squirm.

“I’m sorry I brought it up. Don’t stop.”

“Why did you ask about my employees?” He moved his hand under her sweater and the heat from his hand covered her breast.

“Gail mentioned you slept with everyone who worked for you. I didn’t want to be another woman in a long line of broken hearts.” Her breath hitched as he pushed down the cup of her bra and caressed her nipple.

He rolled the tip between his finger and thumb. “Fuck. No wonder those people quit. I should have put two and two together before. Gail and Steph are friends. That woman was a mistake. She wanted more than I could give from the start. I should have ended things sooner. I can’t trust anyone in this city. Thank you for asking me and not quitting. Meagan, I am not a breast man, but I fucking adore your tits.” He pulled his hand away and yanked off her sweater.

The pink flamingo stared back at her from across the room. Things were moving faster than she could process. He didn’t trust her, but he wanted to make love to her. His eyes were fixed on her chest and the exposed peak. She swallowed hard as he pulled her legs. One move later, and she was under him. His tongue licked across her nipple and she whimpered.

“We should talk more and…” She trailed off, when he sucked the tip into his mouth. A direct line of communication opened between her nipples and her clit. Both throbbed for attention. “We need a room with a door. Oh, wow don’t stop.”

His hand moved between her legs, rubbing her slit through her jeans. “Tell me to stop and I will, but I want to be inside you. I need to feel this heat on my skin. Fuck, say yes.” He latched onto her nipple again and she cried out.

“Cameron… if I say yes, what does that mean?” She rubbed her mound against his hand and held his head against her breasts. “I want you inside me. Fingers, cock, I don’t care just touch me.”

A heartbeat later, he unzipped her jeans. The tips of his fingers slid along her wet folds, teasing her. “You’re soaking for me. This is all mine.” He pushed one long finger inside and flicked his tongue over her sensitive peak.

She moaned and her walls tightened around him as he toyed with her. Using his teeth, he exposed her other nipple to his ministrations. He licked his way from one breast to the other and back again. Her pelvis tilted, and he pushed another finger in. He pumped his fingers and rubbed her clit in a circular motion with his thumb. Her body clenched as she neared paradise.

“That’s it; let go and come for me. Get extra slippery, so you can take my cock and come again when I’m inside you.” He looked into her eyes as his hands worked her over, pulling an orgasm from deep inside.

Meagan bit her tongue to silence her screams. She didn’t want to wake up April, but it was close to impossible not to make a noise. Her body quivered as the climax spread through her. She arched her back and cupped Cameron’s face with her hands, letting him see what he’d done to her.

“Sexy as hell,” he said before kissing her. His tongue wrapped around hers as he removed his hand from between her legs. The sound of a zipper lowering caught her attention.

She pulled her mouth away and licked her dry lips. “I want you to make love to me, but I want more than a temporary fling. I like you. Duh. You know that already. Before we take this next step, I’d like to know where this will leave us.”

He hesitated before answering. “I’m not certain where this will lead except to an orgasm we’ll both remember. I have nothing else to offer; take it or leave it.”

“Do you trust me, Cameron?”

“I want to. It’s hard for me. You shouldn’t sell yourself short. What you want matters. It just probably isn’t me.” He sat back and ran his fingers over his head.

She adjusted her bra, covering what she could. “I guess a relationship is off the table. You wouldn’t even consider it?”

“You’re so sweet and I like you, but I’m not looking for a relationship, at least nothing serious. What I had with Steph was just sex and fun. Nothing deep. I’m not ready for more. April is my priority and my responsibility. Everything else comes secondary. Hell, I should add that hockey takes a close second, which means relationships move into last place.”

That wasn’t what she had hoped to hear. She looked down. His erection tented in his jeans, reaching straight for her. She should never have asked about where things were going because now she knew she couldn’t sleep with him.

“No hard feelings, Meagan. If you change your mind, I’d love to keep this going, but I respect your wishes.” He stood up, adjusted his pants and stepped towards the hall. “For whatever it’s worth, I hope you decide to just have fun with me. It’s pretty much all I have to offer. Sorry that’s not enough.”

“Me too,” she whispered as he walked away.

Would it have been wrong to give into temptation? The fun part was an easy yes, but how could she make love with a man who didn’t trust her or anyone else? She couldn’t. She let him walk away.