Page 49 of Frost Bitten
“Now, if you’re asking if I would be interested in getting to know you better, to consider possibly dating you…” I leave that sentence hanging as I appraise his expression. “I’d definitely be interested in spending more time with you. Now that Thanksgiving is over, I’ll need to spend time studying, but I can make sure and fit time in because you make me curious.” My gaze lowers as I get ready to open myself up to him because making that first step is hard. Corey basically threw Bast at me, and then Bast did most of the talking.
“To be honest, you’ve intrigued me since the first day I met you.” A shy smile blooms across my cheeks as I feel the blush rising up from my neck. As I peer up at him, I hope he’s not thinking the worst of me. His bright eyes are encouraging, and I take a deep breath. I’ve got concerns over our age difference, and I’m hoping he’s understanding of that, but that’s at least a concern I can address now.
“Can I ask you a question? Are you ok with the sizable gap in our age? It’s practically an entire generation difference, and I’m worried I won’t be what you expect. I mean, that’s at least why I want to spend more time with you, so you can get to know me, and vice versa.”
“Cait,” he begins slowly, looking over his shoulder at Corey and Bast goofing around in the kitchen. “I have been watching you these past few months. Your interactions with Corey and the guys, plus how you help your mom with your sister – you are more mature than other girls your age, so that gives you bonus points. You are an amazing woman, and you definitely have my interest. I’d really like the opportunity to get to know you better and take things one step at a time. Maybe we could have lunch one day next week, just the two of us? Two friends?”
“I’d like that,” I reply with a smile. His matching smile puts me at ease over my worries. I don’t think he’d get my hopes up and then drop me.
“Sunshine, are you done seducing Dom yet? Lunch is ready!” Corey calls out from the kitchen, and immediately my blush deepens. I stand up, smirking at Corey, and I leave Dom to light the fire I built. But when I look back at him, he’s watching me walk away, with promise shining through his eyes. At that moment, I feel like what just happened wasn’t as disastrous as I originally thought it could be, and I’m finally ready to accept whatever happens.
* * *
Saturday ends much like the previous day, with drinks and chatting around the fire pit. I end up getting into a discussion with Bast and Dominic about our biggest fears, and it is an interesting conversation. I learn a lot about these men that I don’t expect. Corey admits he does not like clowns, which surprises me since he didn’t let on about his fear when we went through that haunted house at Fright Zone. I’m impressed he held his own and didn’t let on about his fear, but I told him he needs to speak up; otherwise, I don’t know what makes him uncomfortable.
Dominic admits his anxiety about bad weather and lizards. He says it doesn’t matter the size of the lizard, they all freak him out. I sympathize with him because Lily doesn’t like lizards either. I constantly had to shoo them away from her in Florida.
When I finally discuss my fears, I admit that besides my fear of dolls, I also have a fear of falling. It’s why I never fully jumped into snowboarding. I like the slow runs, however the rapid descent down a mountainside makes me feel out of control, and my anxiety spikes. I explain that is why I haven’t tried the halfpipe yet, either. They assure me I should ask Cam for help on their next training weekend if I want to come along. Corey specifically insists Cam would at least be able to walk me through how to enter the pipe, and what mindset I should take. I tell him I’d think about it, all the while smirking at his enthusiasm.
We enjoy a lazy Sunday morning, and we are just about to get ready to go out one more time after lunch, but Mom calls me, hoping I could come home.
”Mom, I can’t just ask one of the guys to drop everything and take me home.”
”I know, sweetie, I just thought I’d try to see. My boss called me and told me they need us in ASAP for a security issue. I guess I’ll just see you when you get home.”
I sigh heavily, knowing this is why I’m still with her and Lily. Her job randomly takes her across the country for specific scientific missions to help with aeronautics and various military contracts. I’m still helping her because of the issues with her job and the lack of anyone else in our lives to support Lily when Mom is called away.
“Uh, I can do that.”
I spin suddenly, surprised to hear Cameron chiming in to help me out, especially with a tedious task. “Are you sure?” I ask, curious about his motives.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” he says with a shrug. “I tried to manage a website issue yesterday, but someone screwed something up. I can’t seem to get control of the issues from here. So, I’m going to have to head back and go into the office to fix the issue. I can drop you at home on the way in.”
Well. Okay, then.
”Alright, well, I guess I’ll be home in a few hours, Mom.”
“That’s great, sweetie. Tell your friend I appreciate his willingness to help.”
”Will do, Mom. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye.”
I turn to face Cameron, but he’s already left the room, I assume, to pack up his stuff. I must have a pitiful expression written all over my face because Corey comes over to wrap me in his arms.
“It’s ok, Sunshine. You aren’t missing much. We were planning on leaving this afternoon, anyway.”
“I know. I just feel bad for breaking the trip up. We’ll have to plan a time this week sometime, I guess.”
“Sounds good. Now go get packed, so Cam doesn’t complain,” he instructs, spinning me and placing a playful smack on my ass. My subsequent yelp is more from the surprise than the pain of the impact, so I smirk back at him as I head down the hall.
Twenty minutes later, I gathered all of my stuff. It’s weird how your clothes never fit into your luggage like they did when you first packed them. Cam and Bast take my bags out to his Porsche, and I take advantage of the time to say goodbye to Corey. He wraps me up in his arms again, murmuring in my ear. “Sunshine, I’m going to be dreaming of our activities the other morning until I get you in my bed again. Please don’t make me wait too long.”
My cheeks flame at his dirty thoughts, and I give him a peck on his soft lips. I turn to walk outside, but he clasps his large hand around my wrist and gently yanks me back, only to devour my lips in a passionate kiss. The electricity that runs through my lips courses down my body, and the shiver that settles in my spine urges me closer, but I know it’s time to leave.
As I pull away, I whine. I don’t want to leave him. I don’t want to leave any of them. This place is already full of memories – good memories, new experiences that will forever make this a special place in my heart. Bast meets me at the passenger door of Cam’s black Porsche Cayenne. “I’ll see you soon, right?” I hate that my voice is so soft and meek, but after this weekend, I’m reveling in the adoration from both of these guys. Plus, the third who is slowly figuring things out.
“Definitely, Angel. I’ll text you when I get home tonight, and we can set something up for tomorrow or the next day. I’m going to need you in my arms again before long.” He leans down and brushes the softest kiss against my lips before wrapping his arms around me. I lean my head against his chest, memorizing the beat of his heart before I have to leave.
