Chapter Eleven

Nina opened her eyes. The curtains were still open, and the sun was rising. She turned her head to see if Cam was awake too, but he wasn’t there. A small spike of anxiety pierced her heart. Where had he gone, and what did his absence signal?

She quickly put on her clothes and went downstairs to search for him. There was evidence he’d been in the kitchen because the coffee was on. Footsteps sounded on the stairs from the studio and he appeared at the top. Nina’s breath caught in her throat. He was so beautiful. He gave her a smile that contained a hint of shyness and it swelled her heart. Cameron closed the gap between them, and she wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him.

Nina pulled back to meet his gaze. “Morning.”

He brushed the tip of his nose against hers. “Good morning.”

“Have you been in the studio?” she asked.

He glanced at the floor. “Yeah. I seem to have been struck by inspiration lately.” He looked back into her eyes and she tried to read him. He can’t mean me? She wanted to voice what she’d come to realise about her feelings for him, but she didn’t want to scare him off by being too intense. They’d only known each other a few days. She kissed him again to stop herself from saying any more.

Cameron held her face, easing her backward as he kissed her, until she came to rest against the kitchen island. He trailed his mouth along her neck and her need for him burst to the fore.

He ran his hands down her front to grasp the bottom of her vest and lifted it over her head. He grazed his lips against her ear. “I can’t get enough of you.”

There was something burning in his eyes and it sent her heart rate firing at a dangerous pace. He kissed her shoulder and sucked her skin gently against his teeth, causing her to let out an involuntary moan.

Nina grasped the waistline of his shorts and pushed them and his underwear to the floor. He lifted his head to meet her gaze as he returned the favour, her shorts and bikini bottoms falling to join his clothing.

Cameron trailed his fingers between her legs, watching her face intently with each stroke. His movements magnified the ache deep inside her, and when she gasped, he caught her breath with a kiss, biting her lower lip gently.

Nina’s head started to swim with pleasure. Cam broke contact to lift her onto the kitchen side. He lifted a condom from the pocket of his shorts and fumbled with it quickly, then kissed her again as he drove into her.

Every moment intensified both her physical pleasure and her emotional connection to him, overcoming her. She abandoned herself to it, no longer in command of her body. At the back of her mind, she tried to hold on to a sliver of restraint in order to control her voice. She was close to telling him that she loved him, but she mustn’t.

Nina’s climax washed away the last of her conscious thought as she and Cameron were both consumed by their passion. Cam groaned her name against her neck, his body shuddering with hers.

They held each other for a few moments. Nina’s mind cleared and she quickly tried to remember whether she’d called out anything she shouldn’t have. She’d managed to keep a lid on it, despite getting lost in the moment.

Cameron lifted her down and they pulled their clothing back on. He drew her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. Nina listened to the steady thrum of his heartbeat.

The bass of his voice vibrated against her cheek. “I would say that was phenomenal, but I can’t really find an adjective to do it justice.”

Nina laughed against his chest. “That’s okay. I know what you mean.” She lifted her head and dared to meet his gaze. The softness of his eyes threw her. She drew him in to kiss him.

He lifted his hand to cup her face. “Nina, we need to talk.”

Her heart rate spiked. Is this where he lets me down gently? She swallowed. “Okay—”

The doorbell rang and Cameron frowned, checking his watch. “That’s weird.” He glanced at her and she gestured toward the door.

“Go on,” she said, feeling slightly relieved at the reprieve from hearing him say their relationship wasn’t going anywhere. “Answer it. We’ll talk after.”

He smiled and disappeared along the hallway. Nina went to pour them both some coffee and listened to the voices on the doorstep. Cameron’s and a female voice that she could’ve sworn was Ash. The voices started carrying nearer and she paused what she was doing as Cameron came back into the kitchen, followed by Ash.

Nina’s heart rate spiked as she remembered exactly what she had been doing with Ash’s newly ex-boyfriend only a few moments ago, but then she was distracted by the tears staining Ash’s face which sent her anxiety rocketing. She left the coffee to go to Ash and hug her. “What’s wrong?”

Ash held on to Nina and shook her head against her neck.

Nina studied Cam.

He frowned. “She says she needs to talk but I don’t know what about.”

“Ash,” Nina said, “do you need to speak to Cam alone?”

Ash lifted her head. “I’d like you to stay, if that’s okay.”

Nina nodded.

Ash took a breath. “You’d both better sit down.”

Nina shot Cameron a look. She felt sick. What had happened? She took a stool at the breakfast bar next to Cam and they watched Ash pace.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m just gonna blurt it out, so I’m sorry for being blunt.” She swallowed. “I’m pregnant.”

Nina’s heart sank to her feet. She glanced at Cam. The colour had drained from his face. He appeared lost for words, so Nina decided to take the burden of speech from him. “I’m assuming the reason you’re here is that it’s Cameron’s?” Even saying the words was like a knife in her heart.

Ash rubbed her face. “I don’t know. Either Cam’s or Zac’s.”

Reality dawned on Nina. “That’s why you were asking about antenatal paternity testing.”

Ash nodded. “I’ve ordered a kit. That’s what I was speaking to Zac about when you saw us together.”

Nina nodded. She turned to Cameron and touched his hand. “Are you okay?”

He swallowed. “I’m just trying to process everything.”

Nina stood and went to Ash, giving her a hug. “It’s going to be okay. Don’t worry.”

Ash gave her a squeeze.

Nina watched Cam, who was rubbing his forehead. She needed to give them some space to talk it through. It was a private matter between the two of them, plus there was no way Nina could give an objective opinion. In any case, the news had her heart in tatters, so she needed to extricate herself.

“Listen,” she said, letting go of Ash. “I’m going to head back to the hotel to give you guys some peace. You need to discuss this.”

Cameron snapped his gaze up to hers. “Nina—”

“It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll call you later.” She smiled at Ash then left the room to get her phone. She quickly ordered a taxi, then grabbed her bag and went to wait outside. She could hear them speaking in the kitchen, so she closed the door.

She checked her phone. The cab was nearly there. The front door opened and Cameron came out. He hugged her. “I’m sorry.”

Nina shook her head against him. “It’s all right. It’s no one’s fault.” She tried to cover the fact that her heart was breaking with a smile. He met her gaze and his eyes appeared heavy.

The sound of the taxi coming along the driveway was apparent. She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Call me later.”

He nodded and let her go. Nina climbed into the taxi and kept a lid on her tears until she was fully out of sight.

 

* * * *

 

Matt let out a deep breath. “Wow. That’s some update.”

“Yep,” Nina said, meeting his eyes on the phone screen.

“What’re you going to do?” he said.

“I’ve booked a flight home tonight,” she said. “I can’t stay here while they’re trying to work all this out.”

“What about you and him?” Matt asked. “You haven’t even had a chance to talk about what’s going on with you guys.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Nina said. “It would never work. He doesn’t feel the same about me, and we’re from completely different walks of life. Plus, I’m coming to work with you, hopefully.”

Matt shrugged. “There’s no ‘hopefully’ about it. The job is pretty much yours. But that’s not the point.”

She sighed. “It’s just too much. Too complicated.”

“But what if it’s not his?” Matt said. “Or what if it is but they don’t want to be a couple, whatever they decide about the pregnancy?”

Nina rubbed her forehead. “Matt, you’re giving me a headache.”

“I think you’re being too hasty,” he said. “Plus, your cautious nature might make you lose out.”

“I just can’t be here while they decide, okay?” Nina said. “I’d get in the way of the process and it’s not fair. They were in a relationship until a few days ago, whereas him and me…? It’s just a holiday romance. They always feel real in the moment, but they never are.” She cleared her throat, trying to suppress the wobble in her voice. “In any case, I don’t think I can handle being around them right now.”

Matt fell silent, watching her. “I understand. What time’s your flight? I’ll collect you.”

She shook her head. “It gets in too late. I can’t keep you awake.”

He smiled. “It’s fine. I’m up late anyway.”

Nina’s phone started ringing with another video call. It was Cameron.

“Matt, that’s him calling. I’ll text you the flight details.”

He nodded. “Speak soon.”

Nina composed herself then connected the call. “Hey.”

“Hi,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to call. We’ve had a lot to work through.”

“That’s no problem,” Nina said. She decided just to tell him what she was planning and get it off her chest. “Listen… I’m flying home later. You guys need your space, and Isla doesn’t need me here anymore. So…”

She paused, awaiting his response.

His face fell. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes,” she said, speaking quickly. “I think it’s for the best. Plus, I’ve got that interview to prep for.” She felt bad for the white lie. The interview didn’t need much preparation and Matt had practically given her the job anyway.

“But we haven’t had a chance to talk properly yet,” he said.

“I know,” she said slowly. “But it’s not like there’s much to say. What’s going on with you and Ash is more important than our brief affair.”

Something changed behind his eyes. “Okay then,” he said. His voice was strained. “Whatever you need to do.”

Nina’s mouth was so dry that she could hardly speak. “I’ll message you once I get back to Glasgow.”

He nodded, his voice hoarse. “Safe journey.”

They ended the call and a wave of nausea washed over Nina. She collapsed onto the bed. The thought of leaving him was too painful to dwell on.