Chapter Ten

The bell of the café rang before the lunch crowd on Thursday, and Kristen glanced up to see Cameron striding through the door. She was surprised to see him. Sunday had been fun. He’d stayed with her as she baked, asking her questions about her baking, but also about how she ran her business. He didn’t try to tell her she was doing things wrong and was genuinely interested in her work. He even rubbed her shoulders and back after she was done.

No one but her grandmother had given her the support that Cameron was. It made her feel special, and she was beginning to be more relaxed around him. She let out a giggle. She enjoyed being with him, so much so. If this relationship didn’t work, what she was going to do without him?

Each morning this week, Cameron had arrived at the café by five thirty, and they’d have coffee and breakfast together.

On Monday and Tuesday, Cameron had worked on his lesson plans while Kristen had baked, or he had helped in the café. On Wednesday, his classes had started, so from nine until two, he was at the university.

Today, Cameron already looked worn out so early in his day.

“Rough day?” she asked, fixing him a cup of coffee.

“All freshman today. It’s always a challenge.” He set his bag on what has become known as Cameron’s table before he crossed over to her.

“It’s only eleven thirty.” She held out his coffee.

“Two full classes of freshman.” He took it from her and set it on the counter. After a quick glance around, he covered her lips with his.

Kristen melted against him. Her arms slid up his, surrounding his neck as her mouth parted. His tongue darted between her lips, dueling with her tongue before roaming around her mouth.

She needed this. Their kisses were the only thing that had gotten her through this week. They’d talked over dinner, but nothing more than that. Oh he had kissed her, but no kinky play or foreplay. Nothing but kisses. She was frustrated in more ways than one. Her fingers tangled in his short hair, and when he lifted his head, she tried to pull him back. “More,” she whispered.

“Later.”

She pouted but removed her arms from around his neck. Cameron picked up his coffee then grinned at her. “Appearances, remember?”

Kristen puffed out a breath. Damn the man. He was taking her at her word. Why did she have to freak out over them being seen together? Habit? Well, this was one habit she was going to break, because she wanted more than just his kisses.

Tim came flying in the café door, his sandy hair disheveled and his expression anxious. “Sorry I’m late.” He was out of breath.

“It’s okay, Tim.” She waved her hands. “We’re not busy yet.” The crowds would arrive shortly. It would just be her and Tim today. She’d given Skye the day off since she was working Saturday.

“Cool. I’ll go change.” He rounded the counter. “Hey, Cameron,” Tim said before disappearing into the back.

“I guess I better get back to work,” she said.

“I’ll be at my table.” He brushed another kiss across her lips before striding across the room and sitting down. Cameron wanted nothing more than to keep Kristen in his arms, but she had work to do, and so did he.

Cameron sipped his coffee and looked at his lesson plans. The freshman were going to take a lot of work. It seemed like kids had come to the university with less knowledge about the human body than ever before. Already, he had given two students extra homework assignments for snickering in class, and there were another four that couldn’t talk without blushing.

“Hey, Cameron.”

He glanced up. “Jack.” Jack owned the local BDSM club and had smoothed things over for Cameron to help him regain his skills while in Scotland. Cameron stood and they shook hands. “Sit down. What are you doing here?”

Jack grinned. “I stop by now and then for coffee and a treat. You look like you’ve taken up residence.” He waved at the laptop and papers.

“Yeah, I’m dating Kristen.”

“Scotland did you good, then.” Jack took a seat across from Cameron, his dark hair curling around the collar of his polo shirt.

“Yes. Thanks for setting everything up.”

“No problem. You haven’t been by the club.”

“Not yet.” Cameron’s gaze found Kristen behind the counter, smiling as she talked to a customer. “I will be there soon.”

“Ah, training a new one?”

“Not really.” Cameron frowned. “Kristen is more than just a sub.”

“No offense.” Jack held his hands up. “We miss you. I’d love it if you took back over the intro classes.”

Damn, he’d been neglecting the club. Was it because of Kristen? He didn’t think so. He’d been pretty busy since he’d gotten home, getting ready before his classes had started at the university. He still hadn’t made any progress in his decision about returning to Scotland or not. It wasn’t as if he needed the money the university there was offering, but the openness to sexual matters tugged at him.

“When does the next class start?”

Jack’s dark eyes lit up. “Sunday at one.”

“Why the hopeful look?” Cameron asked.

“I’m shorthanded, and no one handles the intro classes as good as you do. I could really use you back to do them.”

Guilt tugged at him and he made a quick decision. “I’ll be there.” Maybe introducing Kristen to the club before Sunday was a good idea.

“Thanks, Cameron.” Jack stood up. “I’ve got to get back to the club. Come at eleven on Sunday, and I’ll show you all the upgrades we did while you were gone.”

Cameron watched Jack leave, and his gaze returned to Kristen. She was staring at him. Maybe they should go to the club tomorrow night? He could introduce her around and show her how a well-run club worked. He winked at her, and she giggled before greeting the next customer.

****

Kristen locked the café door promptly at six. It had been a long afternoon, but Cameron had stayed keeping busy with grading class work. She leaned against the door and looked at Cameron. “Who was the guy talking to you earlier?”

“Jack Christenson.”

“He owns the gas station, right?” She turned off the lights as they walked into the kitchen.

“Among other things, yes.” He let out a chuckle.

“Other things?”

“Jack runs Decadence.”

Her cheeks flushed. “The BDSM club? But he looks so normal.”

Cameron burst out laughing. “Are you saying I don’t?”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” She shook her head.

“Come on, finish locking up, and we’ll talk over dinner.”

He helped her clean up and get things ready for the morning. Then he drove them to a local restaurant. Thirty minutes later, they were seated at a Mexican restaurant. “Now tell me about what you meant about Jack.”

Kristen looked down at her hands then back up at him. “I just thought he’d be all black leather and boots.”

Cameron smiled. “Jack does wear leather pants at the club. How he stands them, I’ll never know. They’re hotter than Hell.” He reached across the table and took her hand in his. He’d chosen this restaurant, because they kept their tables spread apart with lots of space between them. Plus, they never rushed customers to eat or leave.

“Will you tell me more about the club?” Kristen asked.

“What do you want to know?” He was happy she was curious.

“Everything.”

“Tall order.” He was glad he had asked for a table in the corner on the outside terrace. The night was cool, but not cold. The trees blocked any wind, creating an intimate setting. There was less chance of them being overheard. “Decadence is what I’d call a medium-sized club. It is membership based.”

“Does one just apply?”

“Sometimes. But most of the time a person is sponsored by another member.”

“And just how many members are there?”

“Hundreds.” When her jaw dropped open, he laughed. “Not everyone is local. There are members from other cities plus several long-distance members.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Long-distance members. What do they get out of it?”

“A place to belong.” He entwined his fingers with hers. “We try hard to build a community, a place where people understand that no matter what their kink is, they can feel open and free to share it within reason.”

“Within reason? So are some things the club doesn’t allow?”

“Yes. No blood play, no water sports, no sex.”

Kristen swallowed. “No sex?”

“Not on the club floor. We have some private rooms, but there are rules we have to obey.”

“Got it.” She tilted her head and stared at him. “You haven’t been to the club since you got home, have you?”

“No.” He squeezed her fingers. “Jack asked me to start teaching the intro class again.”

“Is that what you did there?”

“Among other things, yes. I teach the newer members what to expect at the club, the rules, and what will happen if they don’t follow the rules.” He loved teaching the classes to help those who wanted kink in their lives.

Cameron gazed at Kristen’s face. Her eyes were bright with curiosity, and she kept tilting her head from side to side. “Would you like to go to the club tomorrow night?”

Her hand jerked in his. “Would Jack allow it?”

“You’d be my guest, and it would be easy enough to make you a member.”

“Umm…” She bit her lower lip.

“If it’s too soon for you to go to the club, just say so.”

“No.” She gave him a smile. “I’d like to see the club and sit in on your class.”

“Good. It means taking Friday and Saturday night off from baking.”

Kristen’s shoulder drooped. “I can do that, but…”

“What’s going on?”

“I have six big orders coming on Friday for Saturday. There’s no way I’m going to get them all done if we go to the club tomorrow night, so that means I work tonight.”

“Can’t Skye or someone else help you tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I just don’t trust the baking to anyone else.”

Cameron took a deep breath. How would he feel about having someone else prep a class he was expected to teach? “I get it.” He wouldn’t be comfortable, nor would he be confident in what he was teaching if someone else prepped for him.

“Thanks.” She gave him a small smile.

“Kristen.” He waited until her gaze met his. “Communication. You don’t have to be afraid to tell me you need to work. I just don’t want you using it as an excuse.”

“It’s not.”

“Good.” He released her hand when their food was delivered. After the waiter walked away, he grinned at her. “Eat. I’ll take you back to the café, and you can explain these big orders coming in at the café.”