A s the water washed away the remnants of their workout, Meagan collected her thoughts and tried to sort through the jumbled mess. He very clearly said next time, which implied more. How much more was the question?

On one hand, that was the most fun experience of her life. Cameron had worked her body in all the right places. Every muscle was deliciously sore and she couldn’t wait to do it all over again. On the other hand, her feelings for him and his daughter were growing into something she never intended. Their time together was temporary. Falling in love would be stupid and damaging to her credibility within the industry. If Mr. Northcote found out, she’d be fired; gone would be her dreams of pursuing this as a career.

By the time she dried off and dressed, Cameron and April had returned. A blonde mop of curls raced towards her. Meagan picked her up and hugged her. “How was your day?”

“Great! We decorated Easter eggs.” Easter sounded more like eater, but no one corrected her. “They need to dry. If you want to make one, I can show you how. Daddy said he wanted one,” April said, wiggling out of her arms.

Meagan set her down and April grabbed her hand, tugging her towards the kitchen. “Sounds like fun.”

“I’ll be home for the rest of the night.” Cameron shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “If you have other plans, you don’t have to stick around. However, you’re welcome to paint with us and stay for dinner.”

“Are you asking me to hang out with you?” It sounded like a date, but she didn’t want to use that word in front of his daughter. Inside, her heartbeat quickened, clapping like she’d won a gold medal at the Olympics.

His dimples crept in, making him look all shades of sexy. “I am. I like having you around.”

“Then I’ll stay,” she replied.

They boiled eggs and decorated them with paint and stickers. April was quite the little artist. A trait she had not inherited from her father, judging by his finished product. They never talked about April’s mother, and there were no pictures of her around the house. Meagan concluded she wasn’t involved in their lives but had no facts to support her suspicions.

Cameron refused to let her cook dinner even though she offered. They ended up eating turkey breast sandwiches and a house salad. He devoured three plates worth. The night involved so much laughter Meagan’s belly hurt. After dinner, they went to the park down the street and Cameron pushed them on the swings. By the time bedtime rolled around, April wasn’t the only one yawning.

“Do you like ice-cream, Meagan? It’s my favorite food in the whole world.” April picked up an ice-cream cone shaped pillow from her bed and hugged it to her chest.

Meagan sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. “Ice-cream is yummy, but my favorite food is cheese. I like all sorts and haven’t found a flavor I don’t love.” If she had her way, she’d smother every meal with it, but she tried to use it sparingly in her cooking. No one could deny, everything tasted better with large amounts of cheese.

“You even like blue cheese and parmesan? That stuff stinks.” Cameron raised his eyebrow as he trailed his fingers along the small of her back. They were sitting side by side. His touch made it difficult for her to concentrate on food, when all she wanted to do was lick him, and taste him again.

She swallowed the lust. “They have a scent drawback but taste so good. How about you? What’s your favorite food?”

He leaned over and kissed April on her forehead. “Ice-cream of course, however, a close second would be chocolate. I don’t eat sweets often, but I have a big sweet-tooth.” He licked his lips and stared at her as he spoke. His hand moved lower and over her ass. A gentle pat followed. “I have a hard time resisting sweet things.”

“I have sweet teeth too,” April said as she rolled over.

His eyes moved back to his daughter. “Okay, little girl. It’s time to shut your brain off and get some sleep. Which book should we read? Princesses or fairies tonight?”

April snuggled into her sheets. “Can we read one of Meagan’s books?”

She coughed as her cheeks flushed and she brought the covers up to the little girl’s neck. “My books are not appropriate for bedtime or for children. When you’re much older, you can read those kinds of stories.”

“Okay. Toilet tales. Please, Daddy.”

Meagan laughed. Despite all of Cameron’s efforts to get his daughter to like princesses and girlie things, April wanted nothing of them. “I’ll leave you two alone to enjoy your dirty books.”

“You can stay and listen, if you want?” Cameron offered, but she shook her head as she leaned over and hugged April.

The three of them were cuddled on the bed together. She was getting too close. “Goodnight.” Meagan stood and left the room. She was falling in love with this family. It was wrong to get attached when this wasn’t her job, or her man. She needed a little distance.

Once in her room, she noticed several missed calls from her parents. She dialed their number and her father answered on the first ring.

“Hello Meagan.” His tone was clipped as usual.

“Hello Daddy. You called a few times but didn’t leave a message. What’s up?”

“Leaving messages is pointless; you never return our calls. Your mother needs to confirm your attendance for Easter dinner. It’s next Sunday.”

She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling. “I have to check with Cameron and see what’s on the schedule. I’ll get back to you.”

“See you do in a timely manner, Meagan. You know how your mother goes overboard on the holidays. There will be enough food to feed a platoon.”

Holiday’s at the Rylen house were always over the top. Her mother decorated every inch of the house like they were still small children. They had enough food to feed the army because her father invited half the base over for dinner. Quaint family dinners like the one she’d just had, didn’t exist growing up. There were always extra mouths to feed.

“I will check and get back to you tomorrow. Was there another reason for your calls?”

“Hailey informed me the two of you had lunch.” He exhaled audibly, and she suspected her sister had tattled about the full-time nanny comment. “When I sent you over to Spencer’s, I never expected you to stay as long as you have. You’ve wasted an entire year of—”

“It’s not wasted and I am not in the mood to talk about work. Life isn’t all about work. Sometimes it’s about having fun too.” An image of Cameron reading to April popped into her head and she smiled. “I’m allowed to have fun.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Because I was under the impression that you’re working. Don’t get caught up with Cameron Smith. He’s already ruined one woman’s life and I won’t let him corrupt yours.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I don’t want to hear it. Keep your judgements to yourself. He’s a good man, and an amazing dad,” she countered.

He scoffed. “Open your eyes before it’s too late. Nothing is as simple as it appears on the surface. Do you even know what happened to his daughter’s mother? I don’t want you around him. If you—”

“I have to go.” As much as his comment peaked her curiosity, it wasn’t his story to tell. She planned to ask Cameron about April’s mom. “I’ll call you tomorrow and tell you about my holiday plans. Love you,” she added before hanging up.

The conversation infuriated her, and she tossed her phone across the bed when a knock sounded against her door. “Come in,” she said, moving into a seated position on the bed.

Cameron opened the door and closed it behind himself. “Hi,” he said, entering the room. “I wanted you to know I’m glad you stayed.”

She patted the mattress, offering a seat beside her. “We should talk.”

“Oh no, did I do something wrong already?” He jumped onto the bed and she bounced closer to the headboard.

They both stretched their legs out. She laughed as he moved closer. He propped the pillows behind him, getting comfortable as if he planned to stay awhile. Seeing him, laying on her bed with his arms flexed behind his head, sent her naughty thoughts into a tailspin. She had to rein it in. As much as she wanted to strip him down and mount him, they needed to talk.

“I’m not sure you can do any wrong.” She leaned her head back when his hand landed on her leg. “We should get to know each other better.”

His fingers inched their ways up her thigh. The heat wasn’t helping to cool her jets. “I’m fully on board with getting familiar.” He pulled her body into a lying position then pressed his body against her side.

“I meant talking; like sharing information.” Her voice wavered when his hand moved under her sweater and squeezed her bare breast. “I want to know you beyond the physical.”

He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, elongating the tip. “We can do both,” he said, lifting her sweater over her breasts. His breath heated her exposed skin. “What’s your favorite color? Mine’s blue, but I’m digging the pale pink of your breasts.” Cameron licked around her areola, teasing her.

“Your kisses are distracting.” She ran her hands over his head, enjoying the feel of the soft strands. Their eyes met, and she was lost. “I was hoping to learn more meaningful stuff.”

“We have to start somewhere. I like to start with the basics. So, color?” He sucked on her nipple and her body arched into his mouth.

“Green. Don’t get a swelled head; not dark green like your eyes. I like bright neon greens like in April’s room. I’m partial to bright colors.”

“Hmm,” he mumbled. His hands pressed her tits together, sandwiching his face. “April’s room is colorful. But you’re too late. My head is already swollen, Meagan. Feel for yourself.” He rubbed his erection against her hip.

“Feels hard.” She moved her hand over his length, unable to stop herself. “Stop distracting me.”

Cameron laughed. “What do you want to know?”

“Where is April’s mother? Why isn’t she around?”

He let go of her breasts and rested his chin on her chest. “She’s not in the picture. I’d rather not discuss her. All you need to know is I have sole custody. The rest of my dating history isn’t very interesting, or up for discussion.”

“Mine is even less interesting, I assure you. Did you love her? I mean, have you ever been in love?” Meagan wasn’t sure why that mattered, but it did.

“Yeah, I loved Nicole. We were high school sweethearts for fuck sakes. The sun and the moon set around her. Our love made April. That’s why her… it doesn’t matter.” He shook his head and caressed her erect nipple with the tip of his nose. “What else would you like to know about me, besides how horny I am?” His eyebrows raised and lowered, hinting at the direction he wanted to steer their conversation.

“So, there’s no one in the picture right now?” She lowered the zipper of his jeans, reached inside his briefs and gripped his cock. The smooth skin filled her hand.

“At the moment, we’re the only two people here.” He lowered his jeans, giving her full access. “You’re the only woman I want in my bed. Are you ready for me?” Cameron lowered her zipper and slipped his hand inside her panties.

Her moisture greeted his fingers, telling him exactly how ready she was for him. She didn’t have the answers to all her questions, but they no longer mattered. Her desire overruled everything else. “Yes. I want you to make love to me.”

They made quick work of their clothes, removing every barrier. Their naked bodies and their mouths pressed together. Cameron took his time, touching, licking and kissing her most intimate areas. This time they didn’t rush. As she ground her pelvis against his face, he refused to let her come. Each time she neared the edge, he slowed down. The slow seduction drove her crazy.

“Cameron, I need to come,” she begged.

He listened, plunging his fingers deep while flicking his tongue against her clit. The climax bubbled to the surface. She covered her face with a pillow. She came harder than she’d ever thought possible and she wanted more. Greed took over, and she wanted to have all of him.

She tossed the pillow aside and pushed him down. His cock was throbbing and in desperate need of attention. Meagan wrapped her fingers around the base, gliding up and down his length as she moved into a better position.

“I read parts of the books you gave me,” he said as he wiped her climax from his mouth.

Meagan straddled his legs, rubbing her arousal over his cock. “Oh, yeah. Did you like them?” She positioned him at her entrance and sank down. Slowly, only taking in the tip. It was her turn to tease him.

He gripped her ass and lifted his hips, but she rose in response, only allowing the tip inside. “Damn, you feel good. I want you to ride me so hard.”

“Answer my question,” she said, raking her nails over his chest.

“There were some fucking hot scenes in there. I shouldn’t have read it while getting massaged. You should have warned me.”

She chuckled and lowered slowly, taking one inch and pausing. “Did you get turned on?”

“Yeah and it was bloody inconvenient. The characters started going at it while my male masseuse worked out a kink in my hamstring. That was so not cool.”

Meagan laughed and took him all the way. “Oh my god.” She swiveled her hips, unable to stop laughing. “That didn’t happen.”

“It did. I need to erase that embarrassing moment from my memory. Turn around.” He helped her turn around into a reverse cowgirl position. “I love your ass. This is an excellent view.” He spread her cheeks as she gripped his ankles.

The position was new for her, but it allowed her to take him deeper. She bounced up and down, sliding along his shaft. It didn’t take long for the next orgasm to find her. Meagan kept moving through the pleasure, riding the high. Her body squeezed and quivered, drawing his release. He lifted her at the last second before he erupted. His cream splashed between her cheeks and lower back.

“This memory will replace that awkward one.” He bent over her and kissed her spine. “You are amazing. I’ll grab a cloth and be right back.”

Meagan had no words to describe how she felt. Elated, sore, overjoyed, exhausted, and confused all seemed fitting. Her breathing had yet to return to normal when Cameron got out of bed. She shook her head and pinched herself as she stared at his ass. She’d just made love with Cameron Smith, again. It didn’t seem real, but the tenderness between her thighs proved it had happened.

He returned with a wet cloth. He cleaned her with the rag and followed the wet trail with kisses. Once he was satisfied, he crawled under the covers. She settled against his chest. The gentle beat of his heart lulled her to sleep.