Tempt Our Fate: Chapter 43

My phone vibrating against my nightstand wakes me up. I groan, scolding myself for not putting it on do not disturb last night. I swore I had before Camden and I went in for round three for the night, but he might’ve distracted me before I could do it.

I ignore my phone, letting one eye pop open to find Camden fast asleep next to me. He lies on his back, the sheet barely shielding his naked body. It drapes low on his hips, giving me a perfect view of his chiseled abs. I remember paying close attention to them last night, tracing the crevices with my tongue between the muscles he must work hard to maintain.

Well, now that I’m awake…

I do have the day off. I could technically start the morning with Camden’s cock down my throat, seeing how long I could touch him until he woke up. I’m licking my lips, getting ready to slide my hand down his muscles, when my phone rings again.

I pull it from the nightstand, finding my brother’s name on the screen. I swipe to answer, trying to keep my voice down so as not to wake Camden.

“Everything okay?” I ask, my voice cracking from not being used this morning. Or maybe it’s because I spent half the night moaning Camden’s name, making my throat feel hoarse this morning.

“I’m going to the airport,” Cade says, his words making me shoot straight up in bed.

“What?” I ask, shocked.

“I’m going to Chicago to see Mare. To tell her I’ll move there or do whatever I need to be with her. I miss her, Pip. I have to see her.”

I take a deep breath. “Okay, well, for starters, about damn time.”

He must not find it funny because he doesn’t respond.

“Is she excited to see you?” I ask, happy that maybe finally he’ll see her and stop moping. I’m ready to have the normal Cade back. He’s always been broody, but he’s more tolerable when Mare’s around.

“That’s the thing. I’m surprising her.”

“Oh,” I answer, knowing Mare isn’t the best with surprises. I don’t tell him that because I’m just glad he’s going out there and doing some big gesture for her. It’s cute.

“Is it a dumb idea?” he asks, his voice nervous.

“Not at all. It’s romantic. She’ll love it.”

“I just have to see her, Pip. Everything aches because I miss her so much.”

“Then it’s good you’re going to see her. Girls like big, romantic gestures,” I add, looking over to a sleeping Camden. Except he isn’t sleeping anymore. He’s awake and looking right at me.

“Dad and I talked last night. I’m not making any rash decisions right now other than going to see her. But I’ll do whatever it takes to be with her. Even if that means moving to Chicago if that’s what she needs.”

I swallow because I can’t imagine what it’d be like not to have Cade or Mare here. I’d miss them both too much. So much of my life has interwoven with theirs over the years. But I don’t say anything because more than anything, I want them to be happy. Plus, if I know anything about Mare, I know her heart truly belongs to Sutten.

“Is that okay?” He sounds so unsure it makes my heart hurt.

“Of course, Cade,” I answer, not wanting to imagine what Sutten looks like without him, Mare, or Mom. “Go get our girl,” I add, trying to lighten the mood.

He laughs. “Hopefully she doesn’t see me again and question why she ever fell in love with me.”

“As if,” I say, shaking my head, even though he can’t see anything. “She’s been obsessed with you since we were kids. She loves you, Cade. I’m excited for the two of you to be back together. You were getting a little too moody…even by your standards.”

I don’t have to see him to know he’s rolling his eyes at me right now. I smile, excited to hear how it goes.

“Let me know when you get there, okay? Keep me updated.”

“I will. Love ya, Pip.”

“Love you,” I respond before hanging up the phone and placing it back on the nightstand once again.

Camden gives me a sleepy smile, opening his arms wide. “Come lie with me.” His voice is raspy and sexy. I listen, placing my cheek to his chest and enjoying the way he wraps me up in a warm embrace.

“I vote we go back to sleep for a bit,” he mutters against my hair. “Let’s get a little more rest before I give you a proper good morning.”

I smile into his chest. “Or I give you a proper good morning,” I tease, snuggling deeper into him.

He pulls the blanket over both of us. “I wouldn’t mind that either. But first, you need more sleep.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I kept you up late, baby. No regrets. But get some more sleep.” He softly brushes his fingers through my hair. I close my eyes, loving the way it feels. He easily puts me back to sleep.

I wake up to the sun beating against my face. My legs stretch underneath the blanket, softly brushing against Camden’s. I open my eyes, finding him already awake.

“Sleep good?” he asks, cupping my cheek.

“You were right. That extra sleep was needed,” I admit. I don’t even remember what time Cade called, but I know it was early in the morning by the time Camden and I even fell asleep to begin with.

You could say it was a really good first date.

“Did you sleep?” I ask, letting my fingers drift along his abs. They tighten underneath my touch. He really is as perfect as the art he creates. Over time, I want to memorize the way every single one of his muscles ripple under my kiss.

“No, but I’m used to not sleeping much. All part of the gig.”

I nod, letting my fingers trace his thick, pronounced oblique muscles. “I’m sorry for keeping you up late.”

He smirks, placing a small kiss to my nose. “It was all your fault that I had to spend so much time punishing—and pleasuring you—for that little stunt you pulled at Skis.”

“Slopes,” I correct with a laugh.

“My point still stands.” He sucks in a breath when the backs of my fingers drift against his already hard cock. “I know one way you can apologize to me.”

“Lie flat,” I instruct, pushing my palm against his chest and using the leverage to push my body off his.

He watches me carefully, fire burning in his eyes. I’m wet from seeing him look at me like this. My eyes leave his, traveling down his body.

“I’ve got a lot of apologizing to do,” I suggest, leaning down to kiss along his abs. I lick at them, wanting to memorize how they feel against my tongue.

My lips continue to travel down his body, taking their time. I push the sheet away, wanting to see all of him. He’s ready, his cock thick and hard, waiting for attention. I grab it, fitting my fingers around his girth.

“Fuck,” he breathes, moving his hips slightly.

“I haven’t even done anything yet,” I tease, talking right next to the tip of him.

“It doesn’t matter. Everything you do undoes me, shortcake. Don’t you see that?” He groans when my tongue peeks out and licks along his thick vein lightly.

His words fuel my desire to make him feel good. To continue to undo him until he has no choice but to shatter—and that he needs me there to put the pieces back together.

“Good,” I offer before wrapping my mouth around him and coaxing his hard length deep inside.

“Holy shit.” His fingers find my hair, but this time, he lets me have my fun. He just keeps them there lightly, letting them tighten in my tangled hair just enough to give him something to hold on to.

“It’s so hard to fit you in my mouth,” I note, putting my hand at the base of him to try and make as much of him as possible feel good.

“You can do it,” he encourages.

I try, opening my mouth wider as I push more of him into my throat this time. His moans guide me, even when my cheeks burn from opening so wide.

I’m busy going up and down, loving the way he moans my name when my phone vibrates on my nightstand. I don’t pay it any attention at first, too busy wanting to have him come down my throat again. We’ve been together multiple times from that first night at Wake and Bake and then at his gallery, but I haven’t been able to have him like this since then, and I’m eager to feel him tighten between my lips all over again. To feel him come down my throat, to hold eye contact as I swallow every last drop of him.

My phone vibrates again, catching my attention a little more this time. Camden must hear it, too, because once it starts vibrating for a third time, he lets out an annoyed growl. “Ignore it,” he demands.

I pull off, climbing up the bed. “I just need to make sure everything’s okay with my brother,” I explain. “What if something happened?”

I look at my caller ID, finding Mare’s face there instead. I’m about to ignore it, thinking maybe she’s calling to tell me she found out about the surprise, when I see she texted me, telling me to call her immediately.

“Don’t you dare do what I think you’re doing,” Camden warns, fisting his cock.

“One second,” I tell him, holding a finger up before swiping to answer.

His head falls back into the pillow with a soft thud. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”