Redeeming You(19)

Cam laid down on the sectional and flipped on the television, finally settling on a violent action-adventure, hoping it would keep his mind off anything related to Taylor, the softness of her skin, the sounds she made when he touched her.

Unfortunately, ten minutes into the movie, he noticed Taylor hovering near the entrance of the lounge area. “Can I join you?” she asked timidly.

He wanted to say no; he needed to say no. But he couldn’t do it—not when she looked vulnerable and unsure as though she didn’t think he wanted her. Wanting her wasn’t the problem. Cam patted the spot on the sofa next him. “Sure, but I don’t think you’ll like my movie choice.”

“Anything is better than watching the guys play poker.” Taylor pulled the curtain between the lounge area and the front of the bus shut.

Cam wanted to tell her to leave it open, but he stopped himself. Opened or closed—it didn’t matter. He couldn’t touch her either way. She sat next him and neither of them said anything as they stared at the television. Cam could feel the tension building around them and it made him edgy. Maybe this was the reason he avoided relationships. Inviting someone into your life was too complicated, too much work. Being with Bre was easy because they’d know each other since they were kids. As pathetic as it sounded, since her, he hadn’t bothered get to know any of the women who passed through his life. They were just a means to an end.

“Did I do something wrong?” She placed her hand on his knee.

He rubbed his temples. He wasn’t ready to talk about what happened between them or what it meant because he didn’t understand it himself. “No.” He lifted the remote and started flipping through the channels.

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

He turned to look at her. “I’ve looked at you.”

“Barely, and you couldn’t get away from me fast enough a few minutes ago.”

“Taylor…” he exhaled loudly searching his mind for the right words to say. “You need this job, right?”

Her eyes widened and she froze. “Yes.”

“And I need to stay out of trouble for the rest of the tour.”

“That’s the plan.” Her face shuttered and he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. He didn’t want her to be mad or hurt.

“Right…so whatever happened between us probably wasn’t the best way make those things happen.”

She tried to stand up, but he grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving. “Let go,” she said through clenched teeth. “I get it. I was available, and you took what I offered. You don’t need another complication in your life right now. No further explanation is needed.”

“No, you don’t get it.” He leaned toward her and kissed her hard on her lips. She didn’t respond and he felt a rush of anger, disappointment and confusion. His emotions were all over the place. She made him crazy. He grabbed her chin. “Forget what you’re thinking right now, because whatever it is, you’re wrong.”

“Okay, why don’t you try to explain so I do understand?” she demanded, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I didn’t think I would like you, but I do.” He rested his elbows on his knees and braced his head in his hands.

“And that’s a bad thing?” she asked, shaking her head.

“Yes and no.” He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She took his breath away with her dark hair and delicate features, so strong and fragile at the same time.

“Okay,” she said, one side of her lips curving up in a lopsided smile. “Don’t strain yourself, but you can keep explaining.”

“If you weren’t Alec's sister and the label didn’t hire you to keep track of me over the next month, it might be a good thing.”

“I agree. The timing is wrong, but I’m not worried about Alec. He won’t be a problem.”

“You’re not?” he said smirking as he lifted his head. “Because he kind of scares me when he’s mad, and he’s really protective of you.”

She nodded her head. “He doesn’t need to approve of my relationships. I’m old enough to make my own decisions, and sadly, if I waited for his approval, I’d be waiting my entire life.”

“But he’s my friend and the band—”

She held up her hand, interrupting him. “There’s no reason to tell him anything. There’s nothing to share right now. Maybe in a few weeks, we’ll change our mind, but right now we’re spending time together and it may go somewhere or it might not.” She shrugged. “And as long as I do my job and you avoid any additional negative publicity, what’s happening or not happening between us is our business, not Alec’s or anyone else’s. I don’t interfere with his personal life and I expect the same courtesy from him, even if he doesn’t feel the same way.”