"I'm starving," I said. "I hope this place serves big portions!"
"Well, we're not leaving until you're full, that's for sure," he smiled.
We drove to Grace over on Randolph Street where Cam handed over the keys to the truck after making sure I'd made it safely to the door. The hostess led us into the dining room and seated us at a quiet table off to one side. I looked around, awed by the fact that I was inside this beautiful place that was so in demand that reservations had to be made months in ad
vance.
"How did you get a reservation here for tonight?" I asked as I looked over the menu.
"I've got some friends in high places," Cam smiled as he gave the waiter our drink order. He looked back at me and said, "Actually, a friend of mine already had the reservation but he had to cancel, so he offered it to me."
"Ah, I see, so Violet's friendly greeting had nothing to do with this?" I said with a playful smile on my lips.
"I'm sorry about that, Alex," he said in a tone that was far more serious than I'd expected. "I don't know her at all. I know of her father, but we're not close or anything."
"It's okay, Cam," I said as the waiter brought our drinks and told us about the specials. We ordered before returning to the topic at hand. "I had other things on my mind this morning, and Violet, as a rule, gets on my nerves."
"I can see that," he said holding up his glass. "Well, let's put it behind us and toast to a wonderful dinner and another nice date, shall we?"
I lifted my glass and clinked it against his, smiling as I brought it to my lips. Cam grinned as he changed the subject and we ate until I thought I would burst as we talked about our career plans, politics and the Cubs.
"So, what was it like growing up on the South Side?" Cam asked as he dug into a dessert that looked almost too beautiful to eat.
"Probably like anywhere else," I said trying to figure out how to change the subject. I avoided talking about my childhood as much as possible because it wasn't a pretty story and I didn't want any pity. "It had its ups and downs, but mostly it was just a lot of looking ahead, you know?"
"That's pretty general," Cam said as he watched my expression then quietly said, "My childhood was rough, too."
I stared at him across the table for what felt like an eternity, but was probably a minute at most. I debated whether to let him in or tell the sanitized version of my upbringing. It was his smile that tipped the balance.
"Rough has its benefits," I said holding his gaze. "And I turned out okay."
"It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," he said as he finished his dessert. "I get it. I don't talk about mine much, either. But sometimes it's good, you know?"
"I was bounced around between relatives from the time I was a toddler," I said without looking away. "My parents both disappeared by the time I was ten, and then my mother showed up years later, when I was a senior in high school. She was sick and had nowhere else to go, so I nursed her until she died. We tried to get along, but she was someone who was used to being in charge of sick people. Her illness made her angry and mean. I've made peace with it, though. I'm on my own and free to decide what makes me happy."
"Sounds like a hell of a trade off," Cam said as the look in his eyes softened. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Alex.”
"Don't you dare pity me," I said.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he smiled. "Besides, you're not the kind of woman who really inspires pity. You're pretty tough, even if you do come in a package that is soft and beautiful."
"Oh my God, did you just say that out loud?" I laughed as the tension was broken and I suddenly felt at ease again. There was something about Cam that challenged me, but also made me feel like everything would ultimately be okay.
"I believe I did," he grinned as he stood up and held out his hand. "Would you like to head out now?"
I nodded as I took his hand. All I wanted was to be alone with him, and as we waited for the valet to bring the truck around, I said so. Cam looked at me with a questioning expression to which I replied, "Yes, I'm sure."
Neither one of us said a word the entire drive. Cam simply reached over and rested his hand on my leg. I slipped my hand under his and laced my fingers through his as he pulled into the parking lot. He put the truck in park and turned to me.
"Are you okay?" he asked squeezing my hand.
"I'm fine," I said looking into his eyes. "I just really want to be alone with you right now."
"Your wish is my command," he said as he got out of the truck and came around to open my door.
Once inside my apartment, I slid out of my coat and wrapped my arms around Cam's neck, pulling him to me so I could kiss him hard and deep. He seemed a little surprised by my bold move, but quickly recovered and wrapped his arms around my waist as he returned my kiss. I slid his jacket off and then unbuttoned his dress shirt as he slipped my dress off of my shoulders leaving us both naked from the waist up.
His skin was warm against my breasts and his strong arms pulled me closer until I felt as if I were going to melt into him. I pressed myself against him as I quickly unzipped his pants and pushed them down to the floor. Cam looked at me with wide eyes as I leaned against him, forcing him back against the wall of the entryway. My hand roamed his body, moving lower until I felt his stiffness pressing against my hand.