But then she said...

"Maybe we should see other people."

Suddenly I felt a crushing pain in my chest. My arms fell slack and my shoulders slumped. "What? You don't mean that."

Cami unwound her arms from around my waist, lifted her head, but still leaned in close to me. "I do mean it. I don't what we are...or what we're doing. What is this?" She motioned her hand back and forth between us.

I shrugged my shoulders. "You climbed in my lap. You said you couldn't sleep without me. Did you expect me not to hold you? Not to want you?"

"I'm just confused, I guess."

I sighed deeply, feeling like I was losing her in that moment. "I can help you."

Cami cocked her head and ran her palm down the side of my face. "I don't think so."

I watched as she stood and slipped back inside the darkened apartment. It took me only a moment before I realized what I needed to do.

"Chance!" Cami squealed when I grabbed her from behind,wrapping both arms around her midsection and carrying to my room.

I deposited her on my bed and went back to lock the door. I stalked over to her, crawling onto my bed and pinning her under me. "I'm kidnapping you."

"Come on," she laughed. "This is stupid. Let me go."

"No," I insisted, straddling her waist and holding her wrists in my hands. "You wanna drop a bomb like that on me and then run? Hell no."

She blinked up at me and shook her head. "You can't force me to talk to you."

"Of course I can."

I lowered my face to the crook of her neck and let my fingers drift to her ribs, where I tickled her mercilessly. "Chance!" she gasped, squirming under me.

I tilted my hips down in an effort to put more weight on her and hold her down, but that was a huge mistake. Her breathy gasps and her fingers in my hair had me hard as fuck. "Cami," I breathed against her neck.

I didn't miss the way she shivered when my breath hit her skin. And somehow the moment that was supposed to be playful turned serious. I shifted my body so I could lie between her legs, smiling as my mouth hovered over her breast and she wrapped her thighs around my hips.

"Fuck," I gasped softly as she rocked her hips into mine. I closed my lips over her tank top covered nipple and tugged gently. I glanced up at her sweet face and saw the way her eyes were squeezed tightly shut.

I slowly lifted her shirt, revealing her hardened nipples sitting atop two perfectly rounded breasts. I lowered my mouth slowly, giving her ample time to stop me from touching them with my mouth. Her eyes opened just barely, pinned to my lips as my tongue darted out.

I groaned when my lips closed over the pebbled tip and her back arched sharply. "More," she whispered.

I took more of her into my mouth while my fingers plucked at its twin. Cami's thighs tightened around as her hips rolled forward. I realized she was rotating her hips in an effort to get some friction. I pressed my erection into the apex of her thighs, knowing I'd hit the perfect spot when she called out my name and tipped her head back.

I tore my mouth away from her nipple long enough to speak. "Why do you want anyone else when only I can make you feel so good, baby? I know what you like."

Cami gripped my lower back and grinded harder and faster against me. Her breath was coming quickly in gasps and before I could even realize it, she was riding out her orgasm, convulsing under me. She clutched at the back of my neck and pulled my mouth down to hers.

I rocked into her, pulling whimpers from deep in her throat as I continued to press against the most sensitive part of her body. Her body shook and she smiled with her lips still touching mine. "You make me feel so good," she sighed.

I lifted my head slowly and smirked at her. "And that is why you don't need to see other people."

Her eyebrows furrowed and suddenly she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. "Actually this is exactly why I need to see other people."

I lifted my body even further off of hers, needing to see her better and try to understand her way of thinking. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Look at us, Chance. For fuck's sake, we use each other like scratching posts to get off and then we sleep next to each other like nothing ever happened. It's ridiculous."

I rolled off of her and sighed. "I don't think that's what we're doing."

She rolled onto her side and stared at me. "Oh yeah, I forgot. I'm the only getting off because you don't even want me."

"I want you."

"Yeah," she agreed bitterly. "Just not for sex."

"Cami..."

"I think I should move out," she blurted and my heart sank.

"No! That's crazy. I want you here...with me."

"But as what?" Cami countered quickly. "What am I to you? A friend? A roommate? A charity project?"

I rolled my body toward hers and took her chin in my hand. "I don't have a label for this...other than I love being around you. I love kissing you and holding you when I sleep. I just need you close to me."

"Behind closed doors though, right?"

I blinked at her, trying to comprehend her meaning. "You wanna tell Shayne? You want me to tell people what we do when we're alone?"

"No!" she whimpered. "I just...I just feel like this dirty secret."

I brushed her hair away from her face and kissed her softly. "You're never that. I took you on a date, baby. The first one ever for me! That's a big deal."

"Yeah, in a town hours from here where no one knows us. It's not the same."

"So what can I do? How can I fix this?"

Cami sat up with her back to me. "I just... deserve more. I want more."

I sat up too and rested my chin on her shoulder. "More what?"

Cami sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't think you're serious about me. I know you told me about your past and how you don't date but..."

"You want that."

"I want the boyfriend shit," she chuckled sadly. "I won't wait around for you to figure out if I'm worth the title. And I won't settle for less than I deserve. This just feels like I'm some dirty secret and..." her voice lowered when she added, "not your girl."

Cami turned her body toward mine and waited for my reply. She wanted more. A title or label of sorts. Hell, she deserved it. I was fucking with her head, even if I didn't mean to. I just never did the boyfriend thing before. How would I even know what that was?

I couldn't act like a petulant child and throw a tantrum to keep her. I needed to use my big boy words and tell her how I felt. "Cami, I..."

She waited and the words didn't come. The saddest look came across her face when I didn't say anything. And then she left me sitting there, hating myself and wondering what I was so afraid of.

...

"You're up early."

I glanced up to see Cami standing in the kitchen doorway, smiling at me. She swept into the kitchen and came to stand next to me. I wanted to leave her there and act like having her close to me didn't affect me. But it did. It always would.

"Pretty dress. Is it new?"

Cami blushed and nodded. "One of the ones I bought in Seattle. You really like it?" She did a little twirl, letting the guazy fabric flow around her legs. The top part was black and had cutouts that left her shoulders bare. Yum. The bottom was different shades of purple and stopped mid-calf.

I tried not to stare. I knew the look on my face would betray how much I still wanted her. "I do."

I plated up some food for Cami and told her to follow me to the balcony. "I made you a breakfast sandwich with that zero carb bread you like."

She smiled up at me as she sat down at the small table between the chaise and her chair. "With bacon?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course. And I packed you something to eat in case you don't have a hot lunch date later."

Cami took a bite of her breakfast and cast me a scolding look. "I don't think we need to discuss who I date, Chance."

I nodded slowly, feeling the heat creep up my back as I pictured Kyle showing up at our place with a handful of pink roses. Fuck. "I actually agree with that. And maybe if I don't have to see it? That would be great too."

Cami chewed and agreed with a quick nod of her head. "I'm not trying to hurt you, you know?"

I sunk into the chaise and looked out over the city as the sun started peeking through the buildings. "I hope not. I want what's best for you, baby...I mean, Cami."

She tried to hide her smile at my slip-up. "Good. I think that we can be adults about this." She stood and started to gather her dishes.

"Just leave it. I'll clean up the kitchen and do the dishes in a bit. I've got the time."

Cami nibbled the corner of her mouth and looked down at me. "Thank you for my breakfast. It was really good."

I gave her a curt nod and stretched out with my hands behind my head. "Have a good day."

I closed my eyes and sighed deeply, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face. Even though I couldn't see her,I knew Cami was still standing next to me. I could smell her sweet citrus scent and her hair blowing in the wind was casting weird shadows across my closed eyelids. "Did you need something else?" I asked with a smirk, enjoying the fact she wasn't ready to leave me just yet.

"Yeah," she whispered, bending down to get close to me. She brushed her lips against mine and it was all I could do not to deepen the kiss.

I grabbed her hand when she stood back up. "Do me a favor?" I smiled up at her.

"Yeah?"

"Consider me?"

She laughed. "Consider you for what?"

"You wanna date? Consider me as a possible suitor."

"Ummm...I think that sorta goes against the rules of dating other people."

"No it doesn't. I mean, not really." I scooted over a little and pulled her down to sit next to me. "I just want you to keep your options open. And allow me to ask you out."

Cami gave me a skeptical look, narrowing her eyes at me. "Are you trying to keep me from seeing other people?"

"Not at all." I still held her hand in mine, playing with her fingers as we talked. "Just give me a chance."

She glanced around and then finally shrugged. "Okay, I guess. I'll consider it."

When she stood again and walked back into the apartment, I jumped up and followed her. "What about tonight?"

"What about it?"

I grabbed her lunch bag and a thermos of hot tea from the kitchen before meeting her at the front door. "A date. Tonight."

"Chance..."

"What? You said you'd consider it. This is me asking you out."

I watched her nibble the corner of her mouth and then she nodded. "Fine. Just text me the details. I need to go."

I shifted around her to open the door, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before she floated away.

Now we're finally getting somewhere.

...

A few hours after Cami left, I found myself opening the front door to the gym, surprised that Sara hadn't changed the locks yet. The gym was always closed on Mondays, so I was also surprised to find the lights on. I carried an empty box toward my office with the intention of cleaning out my desk and removing my belongings.

But my office wasn't empty.

"Mr. Charles?" I was a little surprised to find him in my office. After I demoed his equipment at the health club conference this past weekend, I thought my business with him was done. "If you're looking for Sara..."

"I'm not," he quickly cut me off. "I'm actually here to see you."

"I'm not sure why. I don't work for Sara and I'm honestly here to clean out my desk."

"Why don't you have a seat and talk with me for a moment? Maybe we can find a way for you to keep your job," he offered.

I shrugged. "I'm sorry, Mr. Charles. I just can't work for Sara anymore."

"What if I told you that you don't have to?"

....

I was nearly home when I remembered I never texted Cami about our date tonight. Shit! I can't have her thinking I don't care about her.

I drove into a parking lot and texted her.

Chance: Hey, sexy! Still wanna meet up for our date?

Chance: I was thinking drinks at The Wharf if you want?

I nervously waited for her response. I just hoped I wasn't too late.

Cami: I'd love to 💕 see you in 30 minutes?

Chance: that's perfect, baby...I'll be there.

Cami just didn't know I was already here. I exited my car and went inside to wait for her. I realized I hadn't eaten since breakfast so I ordered an appetizer along with my scotch.

I was leaning on the bar, facing the door and waiting for my pretty date to arrive. I couldn't hold back my smile when she approached me and stood between my thighs. "Don't you look yummy?" she cooed into my ear. She must have appreciated my jeans, t-shirt and leather jacket look. Something I admittedly don't wear much.

"I still like this dress on you," I sighed. Cami giggled when I pulled her close and I felt her hands slip under my jacket.

"It's nice to see you in something other than gym shorts," she chuckled before sliding onto the stool beside me.

Cami ordered her drink and the food arrived. We sipped our cocktails and nibbled on the variety platter of appetizers. Cami said she finished another article, but like usual, she didn't tell me much about it.

"So what did you do today?" she inquired with a smile.

I rubbed my hands together and smiled back at her. "Well I got some good news today and I was really happy you wanted to meet me, because there's no one else I'd rather share my good news with than you."

Cami smiled brightly and paid close attention as I explained Mr. Charles' offer to her. "He said he wanted to go into business with Sara, but when he heard about me quitting, he decided to buy her out completely. He has a business partner that I haven't met yet, but I will soon. He wants to re-brand all three of the gyms, doing some redecorating and of course bring in his own equipment. He said it'll take a few weeks and then we'll have a huge reopening."

"So you'll be getting your job back and no Sara?" Cami beamed.

"Even better than that...I'll be managing all three locations. This will pay better than the security job, Cami. I already put my two weeks notice in. No more overnight shifts!"

Cami threw her arms around my shoulders and hugged me tightly. "I'm so proud of you!" she gushed.

We pulled away slowly and I sighed contentedly. "I've got almost everything I want now."

"Chance..." she warned.

I tossed back the rest of my scotch and chuckled. "I know, I know. You still wanna see other people."

Cami shifted her body and let her knee rub up against my thigh. "I really like this."

"This?" I echoed, sliding my hand up and down her dress covered thigh. "Our date?"

She nodded and covered my hand with hers. "Everything. Sharing our day and some food. Just being with you."

"And we're in public, too."

"Yes," she laughed. "Extra points for that."

We ate some more and she talked excitedly, asking me about my new job.

"We should dance," I blurted.

"What?" Cami gasped.

I slid off the barstool and made my way over to the jukebox in the corner. I carefully chose a song I knew Cami couldn't resist dancing to. I stood there waiting for her, seeing the blush creep up her cheeks as she strode across the room.

She glanced around and frowned. "No one else is dancing, Chance."

I pulled her close and whispered into her ear, "That doesn't matter. I just want you to dance with me, Cami baby."

Cami sighed and relaxed in my arms. We swayed softly to the music, barely moving as I sung the words into her ear.

So, baby, I will wait for you
'Cause I don't know what else I can do
Don't tell me I ran out of time
If it takes the rest of my life
Baby, I will wait for you
If you think I'm fine it just ain't true
I really need you in my life
No matter what I have to do
I'll wait for you

So why does your pride make you run and hide?
Are you that afraid of me?
But I know it's a lie what you're keeping inside
That is not how you want it to be

Baby, I will wait for you
Oh Baby, I will wait for you
If it's the last thing I do

Baby, I will wait for you
'Cause I don't know what else I can do
Don't tell me I ran out of time
If it takes the rest of my life
Baby, I will wait for you

I pulled back and peered into her emerald eyes. I sang the last lyrics softly while holding her face in my hands. I meant it all. If she wanted dates, we could go out every night. And I was confident enough to know that I was the one for her.

And I'd wait for her to figure that out.

When the song ended, we stood there holding each other and it was as if the rest of the room ceased to exist.

"I didn't know you could sing," Cami sighed when I walked her back to our spot at the bar.

I laughed. "I can't." I cupped her cheek and leaned in close. "Sometimes a song just says everything I can't. So I wanted you to hear it. Really hear me. I will wait for you."

Cami nodded as I sat on a barstool once more. She glanced over at me and gave me a sad smile. "I'm waiting for you too, Chance."

I nodded and sipped my scotch, knowing what she meant. She wanted more and I just needed to step up and give it to her.

Our food was nearly gone and it was time to either order more drinks or go home. "Would it be too forward of me to invite you back to my place for another drink?" I teased.

Cami drank the last of her whiskey and shook her head. "Maybe we should go back to my place instead?"

I laughed at our little joke and wrapped my arm around her waist when she slid down from the barstool. "As long as I get my goodnight kiss, I don't care where we go."

"Why wait?" Cami sighed as she grabbed the front of my jacket and pulled me in for a kiss.

I tasted the liquor on her lips when my tongue slipped inside her mouth. My fingers eased around her hips and I held her tightly. "Baby," I sighed against her mouth. "Let's get you home."

....

A/N: sorry if this part dragged a little. It was necessary to further the plot. Do you think Chance is making an effort? Do you think he'll ever ask Cami to be his girlfriend? And what should happen when they get home?

Thanks for all the love 💕💕💕