Cameron
The second my phone rang, I knew it was Jess. It could only be her. My heart rate began to quicken. This week had been absolute hell waiting and hoping she’d somehow find a way to talk to me. Even more, I hoped desperately that she’d tell me about the baby.
But that’s the thing. I want her to come to me. Our arrangement was forced on her by her dad, and I don’t want that anymore. I want Jessalyn to come to me of her own free will because she misses me. Even more, I want her to love me, although I know that the emotion is unlikely.
I grab my phone and Jess’s iPhone in a rush before shooting out the door. My movements are fast because I want to get to her fast. I zoom through town and to the trailer park before pulling up at her plot. I can see her head turn to look at me through the open window, eyes wide, when she hears the crunch of gravel underneath my tires and the sight of her makes my heart leap, even though she’s pissed me off.
I want to shoot out of the car and pull her into my arms, yet simultaneously bend her over and spank that pretty ass of hers for what she’s done. God, I’ve been waiting for this moment to see her again for seven long fucking days. I watch her from inside of the car and my eyes don’t leave her until she disappears for a moment. Then, the door opens and she steps out of the trailer. Even in her old clothes, she’s a sight to behold. Her form is lush and lovely, and those beautiful brown curls swirl around her shoulders, making me wish I could bury my face in them.
I get out of the car, my tall form ominous. I’m not sure how to act. On the one hand, I want to press kisses to her, and run my hands over her bulging belly. On the other, I wish I could turn her over and push her against the wall, forcing her to take me the way I crave.
Jess gulps but then she straightens her narrow shoulders and looks me in the eye. It’s a quiet staredown for a few seconds as we hold each other’s gazes. I can tell she has things to say but the unspoken words hang thick in the air between us.
“Do you want to come inside?” she offers in a small but strong voice after several more moments of silence.
I don’t say anything but nod very briefly and follow her into the musty old trailer. The linoleum counters are peeling and it barely seems bigger than a boxcar. But all that matters is that I’m here, with her.
“Where’s your dad?” I ask gruffly.
She swallows and looks at me.
“I don’t know,” she says. “He hasn’t been here since I got back. Says he has a new job.”
I can’t say I’m surprised at Randy’s absence. I wonder if he knows about the baby.
I continue to glower at her and place my hands on my hips, watching her with hungry, needy eyes. She straightens again, swallowing, and I watch as her slim throat moves, tempted to strangle her and kiss her at once. Finally, I can’t take it any longer.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I demand in a harsh tone.
Jess jumps and her mouth parts slightly as she looks down at to her feet to avoid my gaze. She’s quiet and doesn’t respond at first.
“Answer the question, Jess. Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?”
Her small hands gently rub over her barely bulging stomach bump. It’s a sweet act an expectant mother does, and it causes my stomach to flutter as I watch Jess do it with our growing baby.
She takes a deep breath.
“I’m telling you now, Cameron,” she says in a quiet voice.
I take a sharp intake of breath, my fury at her still present.
“I had to find out by a fucking pregnancy test sitting in my fucking bathroom trash. I dug through that trash can like an animal,” I shout. “Why? Why did you leave me like that? Did you think I’d kick you out once you told me?”
Her eyebrows tense together briefly and Jess looks down once more.
“I didn’t know how to tell you, Cameron. I couldn’t believe it myself, to be honest. I don’t know. I just… ”
Her voice fails her, and I watch as tears come to her eyes. It’s my undoing because I can never stay angry at this beautiful girl when she cries.
“Jess,” I say slowly. “That child is mine. Did you think that I would reject my own flesh and blood?”
She wipes futilely at the tears on her cheeks, and then looks me straight in the eye.
“I don’t know. I just didn’t know what you were going to say, and I didn’t want to face a broken heart. Are you angry, Cameron? What are you thinking?”
It’s time for my mea culpa. I take one small hand in my own, marveling at the softness of her palm.
“Jessalyn, this baby is mine. You are mine. I would never reject either of you. We made a child together, and I’m not letting you go.”
She inhales sharply, her eyes going wide.
“Cameron … are you sure?” she asks in a trembling voice.
I grip her hand harder, staring deep into those chocolate eyes. I’ve never been so flustered, angry, and happy all at once before.
“Jessalyn, I’m more than sure. I love you. I know we didn’t mean to make a baby, but we did, and there’s no way I’d let you raise the child by yourself here, in these conditions. I know this is your home, but we can do better. I know you don’t love me, but maybe we can learn to love one another over time. Please, Jess, just try—”
But she cuts me off then, her bottom lip trembling with emotion.
“I do love you, Cameron,” she says in a soft voice. “I just didn’t think you loved me back.”
Disbelief rushes through my form, but then my heart beats quickly with passion.
“You love me?” I growl, squeezing her hand so tightly now that she winces slightly. Immediately, I relax a bit.
“Yes,” she says with a small smile and tears in your eyes. “I fell in love with you a while ago, Cameron. It’s just that … well, you bought me,” she sniffles slightly. “I was your possession. Just something for you to own and play with, whenever you found it convenient. And I know we never meant to get pregnant, but this baby makes everything real, and I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
With that, I sweep her into my arms, holding the curvy girl close while pressing my lips to her temple.
“Baby, I want this child with you. More than anything, I want to have a little girl with you who looks just like you. I want a family with you. Nothing would make me happier.”
She looks up at me, her brown eyes shimmering with tears.
“Really?”
I nod, my heart in my throat.
“These last few months with you have been crazy, honey, but also unbelievably gratifying. I honestly didn’t expect any of this, and I certainly didn’t expect to fall in love with you. But I did, and now, I can’t ever see myself stopping. I want you in all ways, more than just in bed, and now that you’re pregnant with my child… It’s the best news you could have ever told me. I’m sorry you left before I got the chance to tell you this, but you understand why, right? Jessalyn, I need you to say that you’re with me now because you want to be. Not because of your dad, or because of the rent, or because of any other bullshit reason.”
More tears swell in Jess’ eyes as she hears my words. But then she nods, and my heart fills with passion.
“I love you, Cameron. I’m yours, always. Me and the baby.”
I tilt her chin to mine with one finger, and claim her lips with my own.
“You are mine,” I growl possessively. “Always.”
We kiss again, but then Jess pulls back for a moment, to look into my eyes.
“How did you know it was me when I called today?” she asks.
I smile.
“There’s no one else it could be, sweetheart. Even from an unidentified number, I knew.”
She bites her lip and nods.
“But how did you know where I was?” she continues.
I take a deep breath.
“Sweetheart, there aren’t that many places you could be. But after you left, I had to make sure. I had my people come out to make sure you were okay. I put Randy in that job so that he’d be out of your hair forever –”
Jess cuts me off.
“Wait, you’re the one who hired my dad? I thought he was working at Mirabelle Resorts.
I nod.
“And guess who owns Mirabelle?”
Her eyes grow wide.
“Oh my god, Cameron.”
I nod again.
“Sweetheart, it was the best solution. Randy needs a job, and I employ thousands of people. He’s not a great employee, but we’ll find a way to make it work. Besides, I want him out of your life, and this was the best way to do it, short of other, more drastic measures. Mirabelle is in Arizona, and with Randy gone, we can start our lives over again.”
Jessalyn smiles at me even as her arms snake around my neck again.
“Who knew you’d be my savior, Cameron Purcell?” she whispers. “I thought you bought me, but in the end, you’ve been my knight in shining armor.”
With that, I growl and dip my head to capture her mouth once more. She sighs blissfully, melting in my arms. After all, this is the woman who was sold to me, but I plan on keeping Jessalyn by my side forever now.