“I’ll help get Sadie back to her villa,” I said, but Dan stopped me.
“She’s my almost wife. I think I can handle this.”
I felt bad—I hadn’t been trying to imply that he couldn’t. I was just looking for an easy excuse to leave and focus on something that wasn’t Camden and his magic lips.
“I love you so much,” Sadie cooed at him. “You’re my hero.”
They left together and I said to no one in particular, “But it’s bad luck.”
Camden was still standing right behind me. “What is?”
“Technically it’s their wedding day. They’re not supposed to see each other.” Camden wasn’t doing anything in particular, but standing this close to him made me feel awkward and stupid.
“I guess if Dan keeps his eyes closed, it’ll be okay.”
I didn’t have a response to his joke so I just announced, “I’m headed to bed. Good night, everyone.”
That was meant to be a hint to Krista, one that she either didn’t get or was ignoring. “See you tomorrow morning!” she called back.
“Okay, then.” So much for that plan.
“It’s getting late for me, too. I’ll walk with you,” Camden said and there wasn’t a way for me to decline since we were going to the exact same place.
We spent the whole time in total silence, not touching. I could feel his confusion, and I didn’t blame him. I was definitely giving off some very mixed signals.
When we reached our rooms he asked, “Is everything okay? Did I scare you off down there?”
This was a switch. Usually I was the one panicking about saying or doing too much and freaking out my date. “No. It’s just . . . I don’t see a way for things to continue.”
Was that vague but final enough?
“Tonight or ever?”
“Both?” I asked it like a question, clearly indicating how conflicted I felt. Because when I looked at his lips all I wanted was to have them pressed against me. I wasn’t picky where.
“Are you sure about that?”
“No,” I confessed. “Everything is so confusing. I’m not sure what to think.”
He took me by the hand, and my nerve endings were very happy at this development and tingled in response. He tugged at me, wanting to pull me closer but letting me make the call.
I walked into his embrace and I could feel how happy my actions made him.
“So let’s not think,” he said and then his mouth was on mine. Desire roared to life inside me, twisting low and hard in my gut. How was he so good at this? How did it take him just fractions of a second to render me totally senseless? Make me go fluid and pliant against him, desperate for more?
He had me floating dizzily in a world of heat and darkness, where nothing but the next wave of pleasure or sensation mattered when he stopped the kiss.
“Rachel, it’s late. We’ve got an early morning.”
“But . . .” I reached out for a reason for him to stay put. “The coin flip. Aren’t we supposed to spend time together after the party?”
He grinned and said, “It landed on tails. Which is why I’m off to bed.”
“You are?” Did I sound as pathetic as I felt?
“Yep. Do you want to join me?”
His words plunged me into a want so thick and desperate that my whole body was shaking with the need to say yes.
There was no way. “I can’t.”
I’d expected him to show the same sort of disappointment I was feeling, but he seemed perfectly fine. Almost as if he’d expected my answer. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I felt compelled to explain. “I have to draw this line in the sand.” I might not have been able to tell him why, but it had to be done. I’d already drawn a line before, saying I wouldn’t kiss him, and now I’d done that a whole bunch.
But this line . . . this one had to stay firm. I couldn’t be with him like that when I was lying to him. Not to mention that it was way too soon, even if my body heartily disagreed with me.
Camden took a step back, his hand still around my wrist. “Do you know what happens whenever I draw a line in the sand? The tide always washes it away.”
Then I’d have to make that line in concrete. Or steel. In whatever substance Captain America’s shield was made out of.
He lifted my arm and pressed his lips to the inside of my wrist and my knees buckled underneath me.
“I may have mentioned this before,” he said, “but in case I didn’t, I’m a very patient man. And I’m very good at waiting. I’m happy to wait for as long as you need me to.”