Love in Isolation: Six Book Complete Set

Chapter 10

Watching Cami struggle to carry the ladder is comical. She’s about to take out the dining room chandelier, and no matter how many times I offer to help, she insists she’s got it.

I direct her to a spot in the living room where we should check first, but honestly, it could be any one of the smoke detectors. It’s too high to actually know until you’re closer to it.

“Right here is good.” I grab one side of the ladder and set it on the floor. “You climbing up or am I?”

“Nope, you stay right there. I’m doing this.”

Digging into my pocket, I grab a battery and hand it to her. “Okay, here you go.”

Once the ladder is secure, I hold the other side and watch as she carefully climbs it. Her face pales the higher she goes. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” I ask.

“No. Well, maybe a little.”

I snort, chuckling. “Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall.”

“That’s very reassuring when I can hear you laughing.” She makes it to the second to the top step and reaches the smoke detector. I instruct her on how to remove the old battery.

“Now make sure the positive and negative are lined up correctly.”

“Okay, I’m not that stupid,” she retorts.

“I’m just trying to be helpful,” I say, moving to the other side so I can get a better look. “But if it’s wrong, you’ll have to go back up and fix it.”

She sighs loudly. “Fine. I’ll double-check.”

Once she snaps it in and secures the cover, I tell her to hold the test button until it beeps. “You did it.”

“You doubted me?” she taunts, slowly climbing down. I hold the sides of the ladder even as her ass brushes against me.

“I’d never,” I tease, but it’s hard to concentrate with her this close.

“I think you can let go now. I can’t hurt myself falling from one foot off the ground,” she states as my chest presses against her back.

Releasing my grip, I step away, giving her space. “Good job,” I tell her when she spins around and faces me. “Only ten more to go.”

Her proud expression drops. “Are you serious?”

I grin. “Nah, you got the right one.”

She smacks me, and when I cough, her eyes go wide, and she covers her mouth. “Oh, s**t. I’m sorry. I forgot already.”

My chest still feels a little tight, and not getting enough oxygen exhausts me, but she’s been a good distraction.

I haven’t had an attack of that magnitude in months, and it’s a good thing we never did smoke since there’s always a chance that can trigger an attack. I was caught off guard, but I should’ve known better. The garage hasn’t been used in who knows how long, other than Cami parking her Range Rover in there, and there was dust everywhere. As soon as I moved s**t around, it triggered my asthma. I typically only need my inhaler when I work out too hard or during allergy season, but I’m thankful she was here to get it for me. Her springing to action and being so concerned made me realize she cares about me more than she lets on.

“You’re fine, but maybe don’t beat me up right after I can breathe again.”

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Now you’re just trying to make me feel bad.”

“I’d never.” I retreat, putting space between us.

“Mm-hmm. Well, it’s not gonna work anyway.” She takes a step toward me.

Folding my arms over my chest, I step forward. “Don’t want your pity anyway, never have.”

never have“Do you have to argue with me on everything?” She closes the gap between us until our bodies press together.

Leaning down, I retort, “Do you have to argue with me on everything?”

meShe narrows her eyes. “Just for that, you can haul that ladder back into the garage on your own.”

Smirking, I laugh as she walks around me, and Bruno follows her. Damn dog has already abandoned me for her. Not that I can blame him. She’s feisty and somehow even more pretty when she’s annoyed. It’s probably why I’ve always enjoyed pressing her buttons so much. Not to mention, it’s so easy to get a rise out of her.

Once I get the ladder back in the garage, I head to the kitchen to clean the mess from breakfast and realize she already did it. I see she even figured out the dishwasher.

Well, that’s progress.

I head to my room and take a shower, needing to check in with the office. My supervisor has been blowing up my phone all morning, but I’ve been ignoring him. Not that I ever thought it was possible, but he’s somehow been more annoying than usual. I’ve told him as such, too, which of course he didn’t appreciate, but he seriously needs to chill. People aren’t spending money unless it’s essential, so sales are down company-wide.

By the afternoon, I’m exhausted from staring at my laptop screen, and my stomach is grumbling from hunger, so I get up to go find something to eat. When I get downstairs, I see Bruno has betrayed me and is on the couch with Cami. I’m surprised she’s down here, considering how she was feeling this morning. I figured she’d be sleeping or attempting schoolwork.

She continues messing with her phone, so she either doesn’t hear me or she’s ignoring me. Tiptoeing closer, I look over the sofa and notice she’s on t****k.

Leaning down until I’m in the camera frame, I smirk. “Whatcha doing?”

“Jesus, Eli!” She jumps and quickly spins around. “Stop doing that!”

“Are you making a video?” I ask with amusement. “Can I see it?”

“No, you can’t. Go away.”

“Oh, come on. I wanna see.”

“No!”

Reaching over, I try to grab it from her hand, but she moves away.

“Stop!” She laughs when I climb over the couch and land on top of her. She holds it up above her head, trying to keep it out of my reach.

“What’re you hiding? Why can’t I watch it?”

“Because it’s just a dumb skit, and you’ll laugh at me.”

“Now I definitely wanna see it.” I grin. She shuffles underneath me, and I hold myself up with one hand so I don’t crush her.

“Never gonna happen!”

I bring my fingers under her arm and tickle her side. “Oh my God!” She wiggles long enough for me to grab the phone from her grip, and she screams, “No!”

Laughing, I pull back until I get a better view of her screen. With one arm, I hold her back as she struggles to fight against me.

Cami sucker-punches me in the gut, causing me to lean forward. She tries swiping it, but I’m faster and move it out of reach.

“Nice try,” I say. “You can’t hurt steel.”

She rolls her eyes at the reference to my abs. “So I should aim lower?”

“God, no. Don’t do that.” Especially since she’s underneath me and my mind is going f*****g wild with ideas.

“Give it back and no one gets hurt.”

“Just let me see it. How bad can it be?”

She pushes herself up, trying once again to take it, but I pull back just far enough so she can’t. With my other hand, I grab her wrist and hold it above her head. Towering over her, I bring my face close to hers.

“The more you fight it, the more I want it.” My c**k throbs in agreement.

There’s a fire behind her eyes as we stare at each other. She brings a hand around my neck and pulls me closer until our mouths connect. My body stiffens for a moment, but when she slides her tongue between my lips, I instantly relax. Cami’s legs wrap around my waist, and she arches her back, grinding her body against mine.

I drop the phone, sliding one hand to her face and squeezing her hip with the other.

“f**k,” I growl when she pushes into me harder.

Her hand roams down my body, and I kiss down her jawline until my lips find her ear. “If you think this gets you out of showing me that video, you’re sadly mistaken.”

Trying to be sneaky, she stretches her arm and searches around the floor for it. Grabbing her elbow, I suck on her neck and stop her. “Nice try, princess.”

Pinning her to the couch, I squeeze my hand around her wrists. She attempts to shuffle out of my grip, but I’m too strong.

“You can’t distract me with your mouth.”

“Is that so?” She licks her lips and lowers her eyes to my noticeable erection. It doesn’t help that I’m wearing gym shorts.

I study her and notice the way her body reacts to me. With flushed cheeks, she gasps for air as her chest rapidly rises and falls. She might’ve used kissing me to get her phone, but she wants this as much as I do. Cami’s just as affected as I am, but doesn’t want to admit it.

Instead of giving in, I grip her hips and flip her over until she’s on her stomach so she can’t wiggle loose. She squeals as I take her wrists again, then put her arms around her back, making sure I’m being careful with her. “What are you doing?” She rests her cheek on the couch and doesn’t try to get away.

“Tell me what you want me to do.” I lean down and whisper in her ear. “Did you make a move because you only wanted something or because you want me?”

meShe swallows hard and licks her swollen lips, staying silent.

“You want to use me? Then use me,” I challenge.

Blinking, she clears her throat and furrows her brows, trying to look at me. “I’d never do that to you, Eli.”

“Good,” I say with a smirk. I release my grip, giving her room to leave, but instead, she sucks in her bottom lip and stays put.

Shifting my body, I roam my hands down her back, then slowly lift her shirt. I press my lips to the little dimple above her ass, and she lets out a bated breath. Kissing up her spine, I remove her clothes in the process. Cami releases a moan, and I nearly embarrass myself with the way my c**k responds.

She puts her arms between the couch and her body, slightly lifting herself so I can bring a hand around her and cup her bare breast. The softness of her skin almost has me tearing everything off and giving in to what we both want. Pressing my head into the crook of her neck, I groan at how good she feels pressed against me. She shifts and turns slightly until her gaze meets mine. Without a word, I capture her lips with mine, and when she moans, I grab her jaw and deepen the kiss. I taste the sweetness of the syrup she ate with breakfast this morning, and we both fight for more.

My other hand slides up, and I wrap my fist in her hair, slightly tugging. The heat burning between us is so hot, I wouldn’t be surprised if that annoying smoke detector started beeping again.

Then the doorbell rings.

What the f**k?

What the fuckWe pull apart, both gasping for air as we look at each other, confused.

“Did you hear that?” she asks.

“I did.” I furrow my brows. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No. Are you?”

“No.” I lift off her, then straighten my shirt and shorts. Holding out my hand, I help Cami to her feet, and she adjusts herself as we stand awkwardly in front of each other. “I’ll go check it out.”

“I’ll come with you.”

She follows me as I walk to the front door. I look through the peephole, but don’t see anyone. Relief floods through me until I swing it open and see a bouquet of at least two dozen roses on the welcome mat.

I step to the side and watch Cami’s reaction.

“I’m gonna take a wild guess and say those are for you.”

She releases a heavy sigh and grabs them. The crystal vase alone looks like it easily cost a grand, and I know I can’t compete with that. They’re obviously from Zane, and no matter what, he’ll always have an advantage over me.

Cami takes them into the kitchen, and I shut the door, then follow her. The flame that ignited our hot make-out session has extinguished, and she notices when I walk past her and grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

“So, who are they from?” I ask bitterly, unable to look at her. Chugging the water, I keep my back to her and wait for the inevitable.

“Zane,” she responds. “And he left a note.”

I finish the bottle, twist the cap back on, then toss it into the trash. “Congrats.”

Heading for the staircase, I call Bruno and demand he come upstairs with me.

“Wait,” she blurts out.

“What?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Why are you congratulating me?”

I know I’m being a d**k, but I’m so goddamn tired of trying to win her over and failing. We take two steps forward, then something like this happens—a reminder that I’ll never be good enough for Cameron St. James—and we move five steps backward.

Turning around and facing her, I flash a smirk and shrug. “For getting back what you wanted.”