Flirting was not a particular skill in my repertoire, mainly because it required me to appear warm and interested in people who bored me. But, to get Link off my scent and keep Camille in my sights, it was a necessary evil.
I adopted what I hoped was a devilish smile. “I enjoy taking charge, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Meow. Aren’t these uncomfortable?” Veronica slid her hands up my tie. “Wouldn’t you like me to get it off?”
I cycled through my possible responses and settled on: “Hit me with your best shot.”
She licked her lips and worked her fingers into the perfect double Windsor at my throat.
Camille hissed, “Link’s boss.”
Veronica made quick work of the top button, her fingertips dancing along my skin. There was no spark, no attraction like there had been with Camille. I didn’t need to own Veronica, didn’t feel the need to leave my marks on her tan skin.
“Much better.” Veronica smiled up at me, her red pout begging for attention I wouldn’t be giving.
“Thank you.”
Link nuzzled into Camille’s hair and whispered in her ear. She shifted to her right foot as her skin flushed crimson.
I snap up the empty martini glass, smash it on the bar, and jab the sharp end into his chest. He screams. Blood gurgles from his wound, coating my hand with crimson. Camille looks at me with horror as I smear Link’s blood across my face, then pull her in for a kiss.
“Sebastian?”
I heard my name and blinked twice. “Yeah?”
“Where’d you go there, buddy?” Link stood, taking Camille’s hand in his.
“Just thinking of good times.”
“I know what you mean.” He nodded. “If you two don’t mind, I think I’d like to take Camille out for a quiet dinner.”
“Ditching already?” Veronica wrinkled her nose.
“I thought you were going clubbing?” Link pressed his lips to Camille’s hair as he spoke to Veronica.
He always had to touch her, and it was getting under my skin.
“Trying to get rid of me?” Veronica handed the bartender a nice tip.
“No.” Link’s hands said otherwise, roving along Camille’s waist and stomach. The fucker was torturing me. “I thought you had plans. And I was under the impression Camille wanted to spend some time with me tonight.”
Camille paused. “Actually, Link’s right. We’ve got some things to discuss.” She shot Veronica a look that I couldn’t decipher.
Though I was in the dark, Veronica picked up on the cue. “Right. Since Link wants to get our darling Camille alone, do you have plans, Sebastian?” Veronica hooked her arm through mine.
Fuck. I wanted nothing to do with Veronica, but Link had already staked his claim on Camille for the evening. I couldn’t tip my hand, not this early. I would have to let her go.
“I’m afraid I have a pile of work to get started on tonight, so please accept a raincheck.” I patted her hand and slid it off me.
“Your loss.” She leaned over and kissed Camille on the cheek. “Text me later.”
“Okay.” Camille hugged her friend, who turned and sauntered out of the bar, leaving several men gawking in her wake.
Link stood and helped Camille with her coat. I marked each point of contact, determined to cover over every spot where he touched her with my own firm hands.
“Can you get us a taxi?” Camille squeezed Link’s bicep.
He gave me a wary look, but agreed. “Sure thing. I’ll be outside. Good to see you, Sebastian.”
“Same here.”
Once he was out of earshot, Camille leaned closer, her sweet scent dulling my senses. “Sorry about this. I’d love to have dinner with you and Veronica, but I have some stuff to discuss with Link about Christmas break. And he might be, um…” She chewed on her thumbnail. “I don’t know how he’ll react.”
“No apology needed.”
“Sorry if that was TMI.”
“TMI?”
“Too much information.” She gave a wry smile.
“Not at all.”
“Well.” She glanced toward the front door. “I’d better go.”
I caught her hand in mine and pulled it to my lips, kissing her knuckles gently. “Always a pleasure, Camille.”
Her cheeks pinked, and someone elbowed past me to claim our vacated seats. I released her hand, and she backed away.
My heartburn kicked in again. It was becoming a real problem. I had a stash of Tums in my penthouse for when these little episodes hit, though they didn’t seem to do much good.
“I guess I’ll see you around.” She turned and maneuvered through the crowd.
I closed my fist, retaining all the heat from her small hand as I watched her disappear. “Yes, you will.”
7
Camille
Veronica’s apartment was empty when I arrived back there after a long dinner with Link. I dropped my bag on the table next to the door and headed to her bedroom. Sinking onto her queen sized mattress, I let out a long sigh, grateful for the relative quiet.
Link had taken the news of my Amazon trip as well as I could have hoped. He’d been disappointed, complaining that it was time for me to move to the city. So sincere and caring, he’d meant well, but I wanted to do a little more exploring before I settled down.