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  “What the fuck?” she whispered as she pushed past me and walked slowly toward the foyer. There was no point in stopping her, so I grabbed her hand and followed.

  “I just want to thank you for reaching out to me,” Alicia said breathlessly.

  “You’re very welcome,” Tim said, placing a friendly hand on her shoulder.

  The moment Cami stepped into the foyer, all eyes turned in her direction, and the conversation stopped. Jackson came up beside me and placed a hand on Cami’s shoulder, a silent signal that he had her back too.

  “What are you doing here?” Cami asked coldly.

  “I came to thank Tim for contacting me about Alex’s condition,” her mother replied simply.

  Stone-faced and silent, Cami nodded stiffly before turning toward me. “I’m ready to go,” she said quietly.

  “Okay,” I replied with a kiss to her temple.

  Tim stepped away from the group and, like only a father could, gently ushered Cami into the formal living room to sit down. “You’re dealing with a lot right now, but if you need someone to talk to or help you navigate all of this, Lucinda and I are here.” It was easy to miss the quick way Tim flicked his eyes over to Alicia, and it made me wonder if he was happy to see her return.

  “Thank you,” she replied quietly.

  Stepping forward, I reached out for Cami. “Come on, let’s go.” The fight from earlier was gone from her eyes. She wasn’t angry anymore; she was just hurt. I knew there had to be more to the story.

  “Cami, I really need to speak with you,” Alicia insisted, moving toward us.

  I stepped protectively between Cami and her mother, holding tightly to Cami’s hand. “You need to give her space,” I said firmly through clenched teeth.

  I pulled her through the small crowd that had gathered and headed toward the front door. It didn’t matter that it would be a long while before I saw Palmer again or that tomorrow, Jackson and I were headed into unknown territory. All I cared about was protecting Cami.

  “I’m not going to push you,” I told Cami once we were in the safety of my rental car. “But I think there’s more to the story that you need to tell me.”

  “She left on my birthday,” Cami blurted. That was unexpected. “We were supposed to go to Seattle for the day while Valerie and Dad were at work. When I came downstairs that morning, she was waiting. Her bags were by the door.”

  “Fuck,” I hissed, slamming my fist against the steering wheel. We were still sitting in Palmer’s driveway, and I wanted to march back in there and knock some sense into Alicia Sorenson.

  “I stopped celebrating my birthday that year and haven’t celebrated it in seven years.” She paused for a moment before adding, “I guess it’s been eight years now. I just had a birthday.”

  “When was your birthday?”

  “It was the night of the Coldplay concert.”

  “Are you kidding me? That was only a few days ago! Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I just told you; I don’t celebrate my birthday.”

  “Well, we’re going to celebrate tonight then,” I told her with a wink as we left Palmer’s house.

  We drove into Tacoma where I arranged for us to spend the night in a hotel. Tacoma didn’t have a lot to offer in terms of luxury hotels, so I picked the nicest hotel in the area. I tried not to think about the fact that Cami’s mother chose her birthday to leave. It didn’t sit well with me, and even though Cami no longer wanted to celebrate her birthday, I felt like her mother took away more than just their relationship. I thought about the concert and how Cami danced and twirled and sang and realized that we unknowingly celebrated her birthday.

  One glance over at the beautiful woman with the sad eyes sitting in the passenger seat and I was committed to giving her the perfect birthday.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cami

  We were heading into downtown Tacoma that much I could tell, but Garrett hadn’t shared any of the details of his plan with me. We pulled up in front of the Hotel Murano, which was probably the nicest hotel in all of Tacoma. Garrett glanced at me with a wicked grin on his lips and a mischievous gleam in his eye. Gone was the anger that had consumed me and the hurt that had weighed heavy on my heart. Instead, my entire body hummed to life, eagerly awaiting his skilled touch.

  “Let’s go,” he said with a tilt of his head. He scrambled out of the car quickly and rushed around to open my door and help me out. A porter greeted us and took care of the few bags we brought. Garrett ushered us inside and checked us in.

  “You’re in the Murano Suite.” Impressive. The woman behind the counter slid a tiny envelope with our room keys across to Garrett, who accepted them before leading me over the bank of elevators. We stepped onto one and rode it all the way to the 25th floor. I followed Garrett down the quiet hallway, watching his striking form move gracefully under his clothing.

  He was always in jeans and T-shirts, or shorts and T-shirts. I liked his casual style, and I guessed that after months of wearing the same uniform day in and day out, he liked it too. Tonight, he was dressed a little differently. His hair was a little neater, and his beard was freshly trimmed. God, that beard. He wore khaki shorts and a light blue, short-sleeved button-down shirt. He seemed a little more formal tonight, and when I looked down at my own floral maxi dress, I realized that we dressed for each other.

  I chose this dress because I wanted to feel beautiful and sexy. It had thin straps that crisscrossed in the back and a slightly revealing neckline. Throughout dinner, I’d caught Garrett looking at me with hungry eyes. Several times, I had found myself squirming in my seat, pressing my thighs together because I ached for him. I wanted him to consume me and take away all the hurt.

  When Garrett unlocked the room, I stepped inside ahead of him. I stood in the middle of the small living room surrounded by large windows that revealed a spectacular view of downtown Tacoma, twinkling in the night. The sound of the door shutting put me on edge as I waited for Garrett. Suddenly, I was nervous to be alone with him. My mouth dried up, and my heartbeat increased as I waited.

  I felt him behind me. He was close enough that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. A finger traced the strap that crossed my back diagonally before it slipped underneath and pushed it down. Garrett did the same with the other strap until the straps hung loosely on my arms. With one tug, the dress pooled at my feet.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured as he placed a soft kiss on my bare shoulder. I stood in front of him wearing only my panties. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. My body trembled as I waited for his touch. He stood in front of me now and reached out to place one hand on my hip. His gaze followed, carefully studying the spot as he slid his hand across my hip and around to my backside. He pulled me forward until I was flush against him.

  Garrett lifted his head until our eyes met. We were nose to nose, chest to chest. He moved his head slightly and placed featherlight kisses along my cheekbone. Sighing, he whispered in my ear, “I want you to know something.”

  I waited impatiently for him to finish. He took one step back but still held my attention with his seriousness. “Cami, some people leave by choice. I want you to know that I will never do that to you. If I had a choice right now, I wouldn’t leave you. I’d stay right here and hold your hand through every heartbreaking minute.”

  “I know, Garrett,” I replied softly.

  Garrett extended his hand and placed it over my heart. “I wasn’t looking for anything when we met. And now that I’ve found you, you’re everything to me. You’re my heart and my soul, Cami.”

  His hand slipped away when he left to grab the small black shopping bag that he’d gotten from the jeweler downtown. His body blocked my view so I couldn’t see what he was doing, but when he turned back to face me, there was a determined look on his face.

  “It’s unexplainable how so quickly we met and fell in love, but nothing has felt more right to me.” Garrett grabbed my left hand and linked it with his.
He brought them up to his lips and kissed each of my knuckles lightly. “I know without a doubt that you are the only one meant for me.”

  I was completely enamored by him. He slipped something down onto my finger, and it took me a moment to realize what he had done. Garrett placed my left hand against his chest, right over his heart. “This beats only because of you, Cami.”

  I blinked once, twice, three times before I noticed the ring on my finger. On the fourth finger of my left hand. It’s too soon, I wanted to exclaim. We’re not ready. What if you die and never come back? Every reason this ring should not be on my finger scrolled through my thoughts.

  “Garrett,” I managed to say before his lips crashed over mine. He stole every breath, every thought right from me with his kiss. I melted into him, sliding my hands up until they wrapped around his neck. My bare nipples brushed against the slightly stiff fabric of his shirt and hardened. His arms came around and circled me, bringing me closer until millimeters separated us.

  “I’ve wanted you all damn day, and I don’t think I can wait any longer,” he growled against my lips.

  I smiled and took matters into my own hands. Carefully, I unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it down his arms until it dropped to the floor. He kicked off his sneakers, and his hands went to work on his belt, unclasping it before working free the button on his fly. I stepped in to help with finishing the task. I knelt in front of him and tugged his shorts down before reaching up to grasp his boxer briefs.

  His cock, heavy and thick, sprang forward, and instantly, my mouth watered. I licked my lips, eagerly anticipating his taste. He cupped my chin and tilted my face until our eyes met. With a flare of his nostrils, he released my chin and watched me expectantly. With our eyes still locked on each other, I guided his cock toward my lips. I stuck out my tongue and took my first taste, letting it lightly trace the crown. I sucked the tip into my mouth but quickly let it pop back out.

  “Don’t tease,” Garrett warned me with a quirk of his lips.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied innocently.

  I held his cock loosely in my hand and licked it from tip to base. My gaze never wavered; my eyes trained on Garrett’s face. His eyes were black with desire. I felt incredibly naughty, putting on a show for him. I wanted to worship him with my mouth and my body, imprinting myself on him so he could never forget.

  I devoured him, inch by inch, ravishing him with my tongue, sucking his cock deep until he started to tense. His hands gripped the side of my head tightly, and he threw his head back, hissing in pleasure. I let him command me, guiding his cock in and out of my mouth until he groaned with pleasure, and I felt the first hot streams hit the back of my throat.

  “Goddamn it,” he groaned. I sat back on my knees, worried that somehow I displeased him. He looked down at me with soft eyes, rubbing his thumb along my full bottom lip. “This night is supposed to be about you.”

  I shook my head. “I want it to be about us.”

  Garrett reached a hand down and helped me stand. “You’re so damn incredible.”

  I looked away, blushing. I caught sight of the black shopping bag and remembered the ring Garrett slipped onto my finger. Lifting my left hand, I inspected it. It was simple yet stunning. The diamond was oval cut set in a rose gold band with three smaller round stones set on either side.

  “Is there something that maybe you’d like to ask me?” I asked playfully, showing him my hand.

  “Nope.”

  “No? You just stuck an engagement ring on my finger! Don’t you think you should at least ask me first?”

  Garrett tugged me forward and placed my left hand against his heart and left it there as he dipped his head to kiss me lightly and playfully nip at my lips.

  “I already know the answer, so why should I ask the question?”

  “Tradition?”

  “Fuck tradition. You’re mine, and I want the entire world to know it while I’m gone.”

  “Oh, I see. You’re not really asking me to marry you. You’re just marking your territory.”

  “You’re damn right.” He bent and scooped me into his arms and carried me into the suite’s bedroom. He tossed me onto the giant king bed as if I weighed nothing. Garrett crawled over top of me, supporting his weight with his arms and smiled sweetly. “Happy birthday, Cami.”

  “Thank you, Garrett.”

  He placed a sweet, chaste kiss on my lips while snaking his hands down my body to the edge of my panties. He ripped them free with one quick tug and a devilishly handsome grin. His fingers dipped between my legs and rubbed light circles across my clit as he continued to shower me with the lightest of kisses. It was such a contradiction that it made me want more of his touch. I lifted my hips to match his strokes, pleading silently for more. One finger dipped inside, and I cried out softly. I wanted more of that.

  “It’s your birthday, baby. Your choice. How do you want me tonight? Soft and slow? Fast and rough?”

  “I don’t care. I just need you inside me,” I moaned as he added a second finger. He thrust lightly in and out before withdrawing completely.

  “I need that too.” Garrett sat back on his heels and fisted his cock, stroking it lightly while eyeing me. What was he waiting for? He smiled knowingly, as if he had some secret, before aligning the crown at my entrance. Slowly, he pushed inside until he filled me completely.

  “Yes,” we hissed in unison.

  Garrett remained still for a moment. His size was something I still needed to get used to. But this time his stillness wasn’t for the purpose of allowing me to adjust; it was to memorize. His hands traveled the length of my body, and his lips covered every inch of bare flesh he could reach while he remained firmly rooted inside me.

  Finally, he slipped a hand behind my knee and pulled it up and back until my knee was practically flush with my chest. He kept a firm hold of my leg as he slowly started his rhythm, in and out, deeper and deeper. He guided my foot to rest on his shoulder which allowed him to become buried impossibly deep inside me. I gasped at the unfamiliar sensations caused by the new angle.

  “Too much?” he murmured before lightly kissing my lips.

  I shook my head. After a moment of adjusting to this new feeling of fullness, I wanted more. I wanted every inch of him, inside and out. I reached up to place my hands on either side of his face and guide him until our lips met. He still held my leg, pushing himself even deeper as he came forward. I rose awkwardly to meet him, and we kissed briefly before I fell back against the bed.

  “Not enough,” I whispered. “It’ll never be enough.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Cami

  Today was going to be one of the worst days of my life. While Garrett had done his best to wear me out, I slept restlessly. I tossed and turned until I finally gave up. I left Garrett to sleep as I padded through the hotel suite. The sky outside was dark, but the first rays of dawn were starting to break through the horizon. I glanced down at the ring on my finger as it caught the light. He was right—fuck tradition. He didn’t need to ask because it was easy to guess my answer. Since Garrett had entered my life, my heart only beat for him. He showed me everything I was missing, everything I had given up for my father, and he made me realize that I wanted it all back.

  “Hey.” Garrett’s whispered voice startled me as he placed a kiss on the curve of my neck. “It’s early.”

  “I couldn’t sleep.”

  Garrett must have noticed me studying the ring because he picked up my left hand and inspected it himself. “Do you wish I had waited?”

  “No. I’m going to need this reminder too.”

  “If it makes you feel any better, I told your father,” he said with a shy look.

  My face lit up instantly. “You did?”

  He nodded. “Yesterday, when you ran out of his room. I wanted him to know my intentions.” He brought my hand up to his lips and kissed it. “Do you wish I had gotten down on one knee? Said all of the words? Showered you with thousands of
rose petals?”

  “Do I seem like the type of girl who wants thousands of rose petals?”

  He smirked. “No. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it.”

  “Your proposal, if that’s what it was, was totally unorthodox, but it was perfect.”

  His brow scrunched in mock confusion. “Well, let me clarify.” Dropping to one knee, Garrett held my left hand loosely in his and looked up at me. He cleared his throat and said, “Camille Sorenson, will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife and spending the rest of your life with me?”

  I couldn’t help the heaviness in my chest that existed in tandem to the emotions bubbling to the surface. I’d said I was okay with not having the words, but now that they were out, I couldn’t help myself. Tears fell, and my lip trembled as I answered him. “Yes.”

  The biggest smile I had ever seen spread across his face, and he stood, wrapping his arms tightly around me and lifting me. “Thank you,” he whispered into my hair.

  There was no point in trying to go back to sleep, so Garrett ordered breakfast from room service, and we ate it while the sun rose over Tacoma. There was hardly any conversation; instead, we spoke to each other with looks and soft touches. After breakfast, I led him into the shower, and we took our time washing each other.

  “I’m sorry,” Garrett growled as he pushed me back against the cold tile and thrust inside me with barely a warning. This wasn’t the slow, methodical lovemaking from last night. This was fast and desperate, his last attempt to leave his mark on my body. Our last chance to be connected completely.

  I had asked him earlier what time he needed to report to base. He responded gruffly, “They can’t leave without me.” As we stood in the shower, the water now lukewarm, his words replayed in my head. He wasn’t in a hurry. Everything today was going to be deliberate.