“Hell no,” Cameron said, lowering himself so that he could look up into her averted eyes. “The studio is just for us. You can use it whenever you want. I love watching you write in there.”

Victoria kept her gaze focused on the floor, trying her best not to look into his eyes.

“Sooner or later,” Cameron said, “you’re going to have to let me read one of your manuscripts.”

He stood up taller and she allowed her gaze to follow him. Their mouths came together in a passionate kiss. He pushed her against the wall, and his hands cupped the back of her shorts. She bit his bottom lip and for a moment worried that things would go too far while they stood in the hallway, just a few paces from where Tessa slept on the patio chair. Just then, while tangled together, the patio door slid open and Tessa stepped into the kitchen. At the same moment, the alarm on the front door chimed as Jasper returned from the market. In a panic, Victoria pulled roughly out of the kiss and pushed Cameron’s body away from her as she twisted into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. Cameron ran a hand through his hair, collected his breath, and walked into the kitchen.

“You shouldn’t have let me fall asleep,” Tessa said, patting her cheek with the palm of her hand. “I think my face is sunburned.”

“Sorry, hon,” Cameron said, clearing his throat. “You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.”

Jasper walked into the kitchen holding a paper bag from the butcher. “Four rib eyes, thick cut. Plus asparagus and portabellas.”

“Good man,” Cameron said, forcing a smile.

Jasper looked at him with a thick crease cutting between his eyebrows. “What happened to your lip?”

Cameron reached up and touched his lower lip, still feeling Victoria’s teeth. When he pulled his hand away, his fingers were smeared with blood.

“Oh.” He swiped his tongue over his lower lip and wiped away the blood with the back of his hand. “I must have bitten it.”

“You nearly bit it off. Better put some ice on that bad boy,” Jasper said as he placed the steaks on the kitchen counter. “I’ll season these so they’re ready for tonight.”

“Good idea,” Tessa said, keeping her face stoic and her gaze leveled on her husband as she walked to the freezer, removed an ice cube, and handed it to him. “For your lip.”

CHAPTER 19 - Manhattan, NY Friday, June 25, 2021

CHAPTER 19

Manhattan, NY Friday, June 25, 2021