Sage opened her door and about had a heart attack. “Wow. You look … wow.”
Cam grinned, and it didn’t help her pulse slow down at all. He was wearing a suit so deep blue it was almost black. It matched his eyes and looked like it was tailor made to showcase his large, fit body.
“Look at you.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “You’re so beautiful.”
Sage smiled and did a little curtsy. Her knee-length red shift dress floated up. She was wearing heels. Heels! She’d never dared wear them, but Cam claimed he loved her height, and he was tall enough she could wear a two-inch stiletto, and he still had her by several inches. “I dress to please.”
“I’m definitely pleased.” He chuckled and escorted her onto the porch. She teetered a little bit on the stairs.
“Sorry. Not used to wearing these shoes.”
“You should always wear them. Your legs are …” He looked away and cleared his throat. “Perfect.”
“Thank you.” Sage smiled, wishing she dared tell him it was only because of his confidence boost that she’d been brave enough to don the funky black and white swirled stilettos.
He helped her into his truck, and they drove down to the Redstone shopping area by the outlet stores. “Do you like Italian?” he asked.
“It’s a personal favorite.”
“My sister loves Ghidotti’s, so we come here every time she’s in town.”
“I’ve never been.”
“Good.” He gave her a quick glance and a warm smile. “I like introducing you to new things.”
Something about that smile and those words had her tingling.
The young man running the valet service got her door and helped her out. He handed her off to Cam with a smile that grew when Cam palmed him a twenty-dollar bill.
“Whoa. You tip the valet that much?” Sage asked as the young man jumped into Cam’s truck.
Cam shrugged, looking embarrassed. Sage reddened too. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I like rewarding young people who are willing to work, but I don’t want you to think I show off my money.”
Sage’s eyebrows dipped. What was he talking about? She hoped firefighters made a fabulous wage for the expertise they had and risks they took, but she doubted they were super wealthy. They probably didn’t make much more than she did working as a public servant. Cam’s truck and house were both really nice, but she assumed that was because he was single and could sink all his money into them. Plus, he’d said he had done some of the work on the house.
The maître d’ escorted them to a corner table. The restaurant was gorgeous with decorative wrought iron along the banisters and over each archway, tan-colored walls, marble pillars, a huge fireplace, and green plants decorating the surfaces.
The Italian waiter was fun and flirtatious. Sage had to hide a smile when Cam scowled at the man complimenting Sage and beaming when she said she’d have whatever he suggested. He returned quickly with their drinks and a calamari fritti appetizer.
Sage dipped some calamari in the sauce and savored the creamy texture and spicy flavors.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Cam focused in on her, and she thought how incredibly lucky she was at this moment to be with this hard-working, kind, and handsome man. She hoped her question didn’t mess anything up, but he’d already dropped a couple hundred dollars at the Olympic Park without batting an eye.
“Do you have a side job I don’t know about?”
He shifted in his seat and glanced down. “No.”
“I hope I don’t make this awkward, but your comment about not trying to show off your money. I didn’t know firefighter captains were … wealthy?”
Cam shook his head. “You’re right. The pay is fine, some complain about it, but it’s fine. I, um.” He cleared his throat. “When my parents were killed, I got a lot of insurance money, and the money from their estate and investments was substantial.”
Sage’s eyes widened, and her heart seemed to falter. “Your parents were killed?”
He nodded shortly and took a quick drink of his Italian soda.
“I’m so sorry.” Sage managed. She felt like she knew Cam, but obviously she didn’t.
“It was a long time ago,” he said dismissively.
Sage could tell he was trying to act like he was okay, but he obviously wasn’t. She didn’t know if it was the time or place to try to open him up.
The waiter brought her shrimp ravioli and his chicken parmigiana. Cam started telling her about the lacrosse game from this morning and how Braden knocked some kid down with his stick then did a warrior yell. He got a penalty, but Cam couldn’t help laughing about it.
The mood lightened, and they enjoyed talking about her students, his sister, her brother, and her parents throughout the meal, but she still wanted to know what had happened to his parents.
The night went too quickly, and before she knew it, they were on her porch.
“I hate to say goodnight. I could sit and stare at you in your suit for hours.”
Cam’s grin was her favorite. His cheeks crinkled, and his eyes seemed to sparkle at her. He gently ran his hands down her arms. “Maybe we should dress up for dinner every night.”
“You’re saying we’re going to be eating dinner together every night?” She took a bold step closer.
“I’m game.” He lowered his head, and his warm breath brushed her cheek.
“Cam?” she whispered, encircling her arms around his neck.
“Yeah?” His low voice rumbled over her.
“I’m falling for you pretty hard.”
Cam studied her with an intensity that left her breathless. “Don’t worry. I can catch you.”
He pressed his lips to hers, and the world exploded in light and color. Tucking her against him, he took the kiss from unreal to the stuff of poetry as he caressed her lips with his own. Luckily, he was holding her against him or she would’ve fallen over on the unfamiliar heels. It didn’t matter if everyone else in the world thought she was too tall or too big, she was the right size for Cam. With how strong and capable he was, she knew he could catch her no matter how hard she fell for him.