Unwanted Stars (14 page)

We collapsed next to one another on the bed, our breathing rough, our mouths open, staring up at the ceiling.

"You," Campbell said between breaths, "you amaze me."

"You're not so bad yourself," I replied.

He took my hand in his, kissing it gently on the palm before turning his body to me. I mirrored his movement and turned to my side. His hand traced my hip, delicately stroking my skin with the pads of his fingers. A shiver ran down my spine.

"That tickles," I whispered.

His hand came to a halt and he squeezed my waist.

"Don't stop," I said with a groan. He laughed, shaking his head.

"Are you always so entertaining?"

"Maybe," I said, wrinkling my nose. "I guess you'll have to wait and find out."

"I intend to."

My eyes broke his gaze and glanced down at the pillow. I couldn't help but question his intentions and I was pissed at myself for doing so. Campbell clutched my chin between his fingers, turning me to face him again.

"This wasn't just sex for me. You know that, right?"

"Yeah," I said, trying to sound casual, dismissive even. He rolled on top of me, stroking my hair, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

"This is only the beginning, you know. I want more with you. So much more."

"Me too," I could feel him breaking down my resolve.

"Brilliant," he whispered as he placed a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose, just as he did nine days ago in the streets of Rome.

He lay down beside me, and his breathing evened out within a few minutes as I stared up at the ceiling, threading my fingers through his hair, watching him sleep and hoping I wasn't setting myself up for the heartbreak of my lifetime.

"We need to get out of bed," I said after glancing at the clock on a lazy Saturday morning.

Campbell groaned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, squinting at the clock.

"It's almost noon," he said. "Must've drifted back to sleep."

Rolling over, I straddled him and pressed my hands to his bare chest. God, he looked beautiful in the morning light that streamed through my bedroom window.

"Again?" he said, with wide satisfied eyes. "I thought you'd be knackered by now. I think we set a record last night."

"Three times?" I scoffed. "That's hardly a record."

"Oh,
really
?" he said, flipping me to my back. "Then maybe we should go for four?"

His lips created a trail from my neck down to my bare chest. He cupped my breasts in his hands, massaging gently.

"Nice try." I smirked. "I have shit to do today. And you're going with me."

"Hmmm...I'd much rather stay here. In bed. With you." He wiggled his eyebrows like the nerd that I was discovering he was.

Hottest nerd I'd ever seen.

"
I'm not gonna lie. This body needs a rest. And food. I desperately need something to eat."

"All right," he said, brushing the hair from my eyes. "But later we discuss breaking records."

"Deal," I said with a laugh, pushing him on his back again. "I have to run errands. And you're coming with me."

"If there's one thing all men hate, it's errands."

"I know. But you're going to suffer through it."

"For you, Auden, I would suffer greatly," he said, suddenly looking serious as he peered into my eyes, tucking my hair behind my ears.

"It's just a little shopping," I said, feeling uncomfortable. "You'll survive, I promise."

Pushing myself out of bed, I walked to my tiny bathroom and turned on the hot water.

"Join me for a shower?" I asked.

"I thought you'd never ask," he said, literally jumping from the bed and running to me. Men look so ridiculous when they run naked. Seriously. Pay attention next time. Hilarious. But Campbell made anything look good. Even running naked with a very large erection.

Laughing as I climbed into the already scalding hot shower, Campbell was close behind me, holding me by the hip as he stepped in. My head tipped back and the water poured through my hair, down my shoulders, and onto my torso. When I opened my eyes, I saw Campbell watching me with the tiniest smile on his lips.

"What?" I asked with an uncomfortable clearing of my throat.

"You're beautiful."

He placed one hand on my cheek as he studied me, first my forehead, then my cheeks. His eyes continued to make their way down my body. Normally I'd want to punch a guy for analyzing my body in such a way, but not this time. This time it was unbelievably sexy...and hot. The look of appreciation on his face was genuine. He didn't just like what he saw, he was in awe of me.

And I've discovered that having someone be in awe of you might just be the best possible feeling on earth. But this is me, and my smart-ass ways can only be settled down for so long.

"You know you're not getting laid, right?"

He shook his head before pulling me to him, his hand hooking around my waist.

"You're so cheeky. I love it," he said, turning me around by my hips and taking my spot under the stream.

"Hey, don't steal the hot water. I'm cold now," I protested, giving him a nudge on his chest.

"That's what you get for rejecting me, smart arse. Now, be a dear and hand me the shampoo."

Doing my best not to shiver in the cold air, I reached for the bottle, handing it to Mr. Cocky (in more ways than one. He was still fully erect. Thank God. The idea of being naked in front of him and causing him to go soft would be mortifying).

"Hurry up, Starsky."

"Oh man, I know I'm in trouble when you call me that." With a grin, he repositioned himself, guiding me back to the heat of the water as he lathered his hair.

"Is that better, my darling?" he asked.

"Much," I said with a smirk. He passed the shampoo to me and I worked up a rich lather.

Without speaking we finished our shower, taking turns under the hot water, soaping one another up before rinsing off and getting dressed. It was time to eat.

It was an unseasonably sunny day in London. It was the beginning of March and still technically winter, but the winters here are refreshing compared to Chicago. Hardly any wind. It's heavenly.

Campbell took me to a tiny pub just a few blocks from Harrod's department store.
Perfect
. I was about to do some damage on my credit card. Thank goodness my first paycheck was already deposited yesterday.

After ordering fish and chips, which Campbell promised me I'd love, we sat in the dim light. I found myself yearning for the sun.

"We should've eaten somewhere else...somewhere with more light."

"I love this pub. Best food in London."

"Says you," I narrowed my eyes at him, "and, I'm starting to think you're embarrassed of me or something."

He looked taken aback. Wide eyes, mouth agape.

"Didn't you watch Sex and the City?"

"I believe I suffered through a few episodes, yes."

"Okay, good. So when Carrie starts sleeping with Big, he keeps taking her to this little hole in the wall Chinese restaurant where men take women they're ashamed to be seen with," I said, taking a sip of Diet Coke.

"Someone's name was
Big
?"

"Okay, obviously you're a liar and never watched the show."

"Not true, I remember Samantha. I think that was her name. She was, um..." He bit his lip as he searched for the proper adjective to describe the most sexually active member of the cast.

"A slut?" I finished his sentence for him.

"No...um, adventurous."

"Nice save, smartass." I shook my head as a smile crept across my lips.

"The point is, I'm not embarrassed of you, you silly cow."

"Did you seriously just call me a farm animal? I should walk out of here right now," I said, standing up, pretending to be angry. He jumped to his feet and took my hand in his.

"You said your mother's British."

"So?" I asked, playing dumb.

"Then you should know that it's just an expression. In no way are you an
actual
cow. Nor would I ever compare you to any other farm animal. You're
gorgeous
. And very much human." He wiggled his eyebrows.
Nerd.

Wrinkling my nose, I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Keep going," I said, gesturing for him to throw more compliments my way. This was way too much fun.

"Not only are you beautiful, but you're smart and witty. You keep me on my toes and I love it." He placed my hand in his and kissed the top. "Your skin is soft, your eyes are warm. I'm beginning to think you might just be the perfect woman."

"All right, Starsky, that's enough." I plopped myself back in the chair, crossing my legs abruptly before taking another gulp of my drink.

"I must be screwing up a lot today. You've called me that twice already."

"Exactly, so you'd better watch yourself."

"Yes, ma'am," he said with a fake salute.

"Very funny."

"How could you possibly think that I'd be embarrassed by you? I'm proud to be sitting here with you, Auden.
Proud
."

"Oh." That was all I could manage. Over the last several weeks, Campbell had a way of making me eat my own words. He was romantic without trying to be. He was real, genuine, and not afraid to show emotion. He was everything I'd been looking for, and it didn't hurt that when I flew off the handle, he knew how to reel me back in gently and with a smile upon his handsome face. I could never say no to that dimple. And so we sat enjoying our lunch, and I realized that just like Mr. Big, Campbell brought me to that place because of the food and no other reason whatsoever. Men are such simple creatures, aren't they?

"I'm stuffed. That was better than I expected."

"Glad you enjoyed it. Now where to?" Campbell asked as we walked down the streets of London.

"I need to run to Harrods."

"Oh," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "Shopping. I forgot."

"Oh, don't give me that. I've seen how you dress. You obviously hold your own in a department store."

"I do it when I have to. What are you buying?"

"Probably some shorts. I need a lot for these tours. Oh, and I really need makeup."

"Makeup?" he asked. "It doesn't get much more emasculating than that."