Perfectly Shattered (4 page)

By the time he had sat down at the table and spotted Cami, he didn’t have his wits about him. Whiskey wasn’t all to blame. Something about that woman got under his skin. Camille Joubert wasn’t even his type, being petite and small-breasted. Then why couldn’t he stop thinking about seeing her naked and cupping her tiny white breasts in his palms?

He was losing it. Kissing her in the hall and falling all over her had been a mistake. He’d blown it, big time. Wrong approach. Back-stepping wasn’t his style. But if he had a chance of seeing her again, he’d have to make an exception. Why he wanted to see her, Bradan wasn’t sure. He just did.

By the time the tour had ended, he’d had his fill of gourmet food and whiskey. He remembered going home with Tanya but that was it. After that, it was a blank. If he’d undressed her, Bradan had no recall of it. The next morning, he’d found himself in her bed with his cotton briefs still on.

That couldn’t be a good sign. If they’d fucked, surely he would remember. But he couldn’t. When he’d pried his eyes open, Tanya was gone. Where, he had no idea. And there was no note. So he dressed and went back to his place. Likely he’d ticked her off. It shouldn’t have surprised him.

He showered, turning the temperature to as hot as he could stand it, and let the water pound on his shoulders. The massage shower head on the heavy-pulse setting kneaded the tension out of his muscles. It was partly from recent workouts, partly from stress.

He’d like to think he had a carefree life with all the sex, booze, and money he needed. But it was getting old. Waking up with a woman he barely knew had been a thrill at first, but now he wasn’t so sure. The booze was getting excessive but he wasn’t motivated to curtail it. And the money, well, he was in an entry-level position so the money he made wouldn’t impress anyone.

Bradan was dissatisfied. That was it. And he shouldn’t be. It bugged him that he was. What did he expect? And now he’d pissed off Cami. It was bound to happen. He had no tact and was used to getting what he wanted. Was the reason he wanted Cami now because she’d rejected him?

He didn’t think so. The night the tray had slipped from her hands, Bradan had looked into her soft sea-green eyes and seen something deep within them. Something he couldn’t put a name to and couldn’t describe. But he felt something. And it was something he hadn’t felt before.

Maybe it was just that Cami was a nice person and he wasn’t used to that. The way she’d led him to the kitchen and worked on his pants. There had been no need to try to impress her. It wasn’t called for. The whole time she rubbed his thighs, his cock had hardened, and he knew it was obvious.

But she hadn’t made a point of it, and even looked away. Maybe she was shy. The woman was hard to figure out. Then at the tour, after he’d made a fool of himself, Cami had left. If she wasn’t attracted to him, or didn’t find his advances desirable, then it made no sense for her to leave.

She wouldn’t have cared. But it seemed she did. It appeared that he’d affected her, as she’d affected him. It was strange, not his usual, and exciting. There was no doubt he’d try to see her again. Even though he knew it was unwise.

With the lifestyle he was used to, seeing Cami was wrong. How it was wrong was a little harder to pinpoint. Something about it felt right. Something about
her
felt right. Though he couldn’t see how he’d be good for her. The best thing would be to forget he’d ever met her. But that wasn’t going to happen.

When his mouth had touched hers, the feeling of her soft lips again his and her sweet breath had made him crazed. All he could think of was being with her, getting her alone.
I want to leave with you.
Was that the best he could have come up with?

Right then what he needed was hot coffee and food. Since he had nothing in the kitchen it would be Tony’s, the closest coffee shop. Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt, and his Eddie Bauer down-filled jacket, Bradan headed out. Over an Americano with an extra shot and an egg with sausage muffin, he pondered his dilemma.

The small shop, with polished concrete floors and rough-hewn support pillars, had a rustic feel. There was one long table in the center, packed with customers, many tapping away on laptops. Other tables were scattered strategically, leaving the space in front of the glass case and counter open for customers to place orders.

Finding a place at a table by the window, Bradan sat and looked out. Other tables to handle the overflow were stretched along the sidewalk in front. Out near the street was a bike rack where several bikes were locked up. Biking was popular in the city, but preferring to walk, Bradan hadn’t bought a bike.

In big bites, he devoured his sandwich and felt better. It was breakfast for him, even though it was mid-afternoon. As was their Sunday routine, he’d meet Ian Jansen, his friend and co-worker, for a rock-climbing session later. Indoor rock climbing was one thing offered in Seattle that he did take advantage of. It was a good stress reliever and great for fitness.

As he finished his coffee and watched people out the window, Bradan had an idea. Why not? He dialed the phone, liking the idea better the more he thought about it. It went smoothly, and he stepped out to the street to make the second call.

The sound of her voice made his heart leap. No woman had ever had that effect on him.

“Cami?”

No answer.

“It’s Bradan…don’t hang up.”

Silence.

“I called to apologize.”

Her sigh was soft, but he heard it. Looking up to avoid a couple veering his direction, Bradan continued walking down the street.

“How did you get my number?” Her tone was sharp. To be expected.

“I had the card…for your catering company. I spoke to Malena, told her I was the guy you dumped food on and I needed to talk to you.”

Another sigh. “I can’t believe she gave you my number. This is my cell phone, you know.”

“Yes, well, do you accept my apology?”

A deep breath. “What are you apologizing for?”

That was a good question. He hadn’t really thought about that. Certainly, that hot kiss wasn’t something to regret.

“I’m…um…just.”

Silence. Jeez, she wasn’t going to let him off easy.

“Cami, listen, I behaved badly. I know I was too aggressive. I didn’t want to freak you out. I just really wanted to be with you.”
Dumb
. Why did he say that? There had to be something more tactful, but it hadn’t come to him.

A quiet laugh. “Yeah. I’ll say you came on strong. But you didn’t freak me out.”

“No?” Bradan shoulders relaxed, and he turned the corner, starting down a side street.

“No. You pissed me off.”

“Really? I thought I was a better kisser than that.” It just came out before his mind could catch up with his mouth.

“Not the kiss. The kiss was…it was. Well, I haven’t been able to forget that kiss. Do you always kiss like that, or only when you are drunk?”

She was starting to rub him the wrong way. “Drunk? I wasn’t drunk. Not then. Maybe later. But you were gone by then. Why did you take off?”

“I don’t have to explain that to you.”

“No, you don’t but I’d like to know. I got to you, didn’t I?”

A heavy sigh of exasperation. “You are so…frustrating?”

“Is that bad?”

“Of course that’s bad. You just think you get to every woman. That every woman is just so taken with you. Don’t you?”

Bradan should have slowed it down, thought about what he was going to say before he spoke. But he didn’t. “Are you taken with me? Is that why you left?”

Silence.

He waited.

“Partly.”

Bradan stepped around a dog lazing across the sidewalk and glanced up to see the bay sparkling in the distance under the brief rays of sun that broke through the clouds.

“What’s the other part?”

“You don’t give up, do you?”

“Nope. What’s the other part?”

“Because every time I see you, you’re with a different woman. I couldn’t stand to watch.”

“Okay, well, I’ll tell you what. I want to make it up to you. We got off on the wrong foot. You have to admit, you didn’t make the best impression pouring glazed scallops in my lap. But I’ll overlook that. And I blew it by coming on to you in the hallway. So let’s call it even. I’d like to start over. Just talk. I just want to see you. Just friends. Meet me for dinner tomorrow.”

Silence.

“Please. Look at it this way. I’d be seeing the same woman twice. You. It’s a start.”

Cami’s laugh was a wonderful thing to hear. She’d softened to him. It was a step in the right direction. Bradan wasn’t sure where he was taking them, but seeing her was something he wanted.

“Okay. I’ll meet you. Just friends. Dinner is fine. Not like a date or anything, though.”

“Definitely not a date.”

“Tomorrow, then. But I have a catering job until five.”

“I don’t get off work until then, anyway. Let’s make it six thirty.”

He’d done it. Bradan had called her and actually apologized. It wasn’t so bad. And now he’d see her again. Excitement mixed with anxiety flooded his bloodstream. That was something new. Women gravitated to him, and seemed more than willing to spend time with him. Never before had a woman been a source of anxiety.

Cami wasn’t just a woman; she was something else. A friend? Could you be friends with a woman? The only other time he’d tried that had been in high school, and that hadn’t worked out. The idea of seeing her again spurred him forward.

Yes, he was thinking about getting her naked, an honest desire. But it wasn’t going to happen. He was going to behave, and treat her right. Just friends, that was what he had said. Okay then, that was how it would be. They’d just talk. Get to know each other. It would be different, that was for sure.

Chapter 5

Outdoor wedding receptions were risky at best, and impossible in February in Seattle. But indoors, there were some spectacular events. Another advantage to catering was that sometimes Cami attended such events. Though not a guest, she still enjoyed the ambiance.

The evening reception following the Sunday afternoon wedding was a stunner. On a rooftop plaza with an outdoor terrace, Blue Skirt Catering was hired to serve delectable dishes to an intimate crowd. The location could accommodate small or large parties, and the room reserved for the evening was appropriate for the modest group.

After the risotto earlier, Brittany had gone home to shower and get ready for work. Cami had quickly done the same. She had arrived early to enjoy the view before getting wrapped up in her kitchen tasks. Leaning against the railing, she gazed at the panoramic view. The snowcapped Olympic Mountains gleamed in the soft afternoon light against the deep blue overhead. Below was Elliott Bay against the Seattle skyline, and on the waterfront stood the Ferris wheel decked out in thousands of lights, just beginning to shimmer against the darkening sky.

It was cold, and a sharp wind whipped against the building. Cami’s hair blew into her eyes; so much for her hairstyle. Not caring, she continued to soak up the beauty. It was one of the reasons she loved the city. The Pacific Northwest scenery drew her into its wet, gleaming aliveness, and there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

Inside, the room was decorated in white; even the chairs were wrapped in white linen. Bouquets of roses in all colors were in the center of each table. The yellow, peach, white, and red flowers provided contrast to the otherwise gold and white décor. Cami sighed. It was just too romantic. The crystal chandeliers cast muted light over the sophisticated setting.

Weddings were touching, filled with memories that would last a lifetime. Most women dreamed of that special day, but Cami didn’t. It might not be right for her to get married. She wasn’t sure. In any case, she was happy for the newlyweds, though she didn’t know them, and was thrilled to be part of the event.

Dressed in a powder-blue satin skirt and short-sleeved white satin blouse, the catering staff outfit for the occasion, Cami felt elegant. She wore white leather pumps, classy enough for the affair but easy to walk in. Lots of walking was involved in catering and serving. She saw Malena sweep into the room.

“Ah, there you are.” As always, the owner of the trendy catering company looked classy. With her hair twisted up and dusty pink lipstick applied, Malena was a combination of professionalism and beauty. “Let’s go check out the kitchen. The party should be arriving soon. Jeremy is on his way up to handle the bar.”

Jeremy Adler was in his mid-twenties, and over the recent weeks Cami had gotten to know him. He worked for a company that provided the drinks at catering events, sort of a mobile bartender. Most of the time it was Jeremy who showed up, and if it was a bigger event, there was another guy who worked with him.

The kitchen was adequate, big enough and well equipped. Stainless-steel appliances and long wooden chopping blocks provided what they needed, along with the bowls, utensils, and a wide range of knives. Brittany was already at one of the counters with her apron on.

“They ordered French gourmet, so we will start with escargots in garlic butter. Here’s the lineup.” Malena handed printed sheets to Brittany and then Cami. “Green lip mussels with breadcrumbs immediately after.”

“I’ll start on that,” Cami said. It was a dish she liked to make. That type of mussel had plump meat that was juicy when cooked. And the beautiful black shells that surrounded the tender morsels had an edge of vibrant green.

“And I’ve added a slightly different version of our olive-rosemary bruschetta. It has garlic aioli, pine nuts, and fresh basil. Brittany, can you start the tomatoes roasting, and keep an eye on them?” Malena gave one nod of satisfaction that preparations were underway. “I’ll go scope out the room and make sure Jeremy gets set up.”

Cami winked at Brittany. Both knew that cooking wasn’t Brittany’s specialty, but she didn’t want to lose a good job. Instead, she did a lot of the prep under Cami’s direction.

After putting an apron on, Cami surveyed the kitchen and scanned the menu. “Soupe a l’oignon gratinee,” she read. “Okay, chop the onions. We’ll need them later for the onion soup. No need to grate the cheese so early. We’ll wait on that.”