Smitten (11 page)

“Racer’s. What’s it to you? Are you like her self-appointed watch dog or something?” He glared at Russ, his fists clenched, and I could tell he was starting to get angry.

“Cami’s like a sister to me. I promised Hunter I’d keep an eye on her when he wasn’t around.”

I flipped his arm off my shoulder. “It’s a job he takes way too seriously if you ask me,” I said, unwilling to let Russ become Ripper’s new target. “I’d be happy to go out with you. When?”

Ripper’s focus was immediately directed back to me, like I wanted. “Right now is good if you’re okay with
it.”

Dang. I hadn’t planned on that response. I was hoping to accept and then
figure out a reason to cancel later. I gave a quick laugh. “I can’t go out to a club looking like this.” I gestured to the conservative outfit I’d worn to class.

“No worries. I don’t mind following you back to your place and letting you get ready. Besides, I brought you a present.”

“You did?” I asked, wondering what he could possibly be talking about.

“Yeah.” He winked at me. “Hang on. I’ll go get it out of my car. Be right back.” He turned and jogged into the parking lot. I could see his vehicle several spaces down.

“Cami, you can’t go out with him. Hunter will take off all our heads,” Russ said quickly.

“Well, then give me a plausible reason to deny him. I don’t want to go with him, but I can’t do anything that’ll risk Hunter’s cover
, or put you in danger either.”

Russ rubbed his hand over his head. “Man, this is so bad.”

I looked down at the phone still in my hand and quickly pulled up Russ in my contacts. “Here—I’m texting you Hunter’s number. As soon as we leave, call him and tell him what’s happened. He can decide what’s best. It’s all I know to do right now.” I sent the message and tucked my phone back in my pocket. Ripper was on his way back carrying a white, flat box in his hands.

“I don’t like this at all, Cami. Hunter is going to explode.”

“You’re right. He will, but there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

Ripper joined us and handed me the package with a smile. “Open it.”

I shifted my backpack off my shoulder and handed it to Russ. Accepting the gift, I moved next to the Camaro, setting it down on the hood. “I can’t believe you brought me a present.” I carefully slid the lid off, revealing carefully folded tissue paper.

“Like I said earlier, you made an impression.”

I opened the paper and carefully lifted out the dress inside—if one could actually call such a small amount of material a dress. The tank dress scooped low in the front and even lower in the back. Made of black form-fitting spandex-type material, it was embellished with vertical stripes of gold sequins. I’d never owned anything even remotely this revealing in my life. My bath towel covered more than this dress.

“It’s lovely,” I choked out, my voice sounding way too high
-pitched. I glanced over at Russ whose eyes were bugging out of his head. “What do you think, Russ?”

He swallowed hard. “I think Hunter will spank your butt if you step one foot in public wearing that.”

Ripper laughed. “She’ll look great. He should be proud he has such a pretty sister. Besides, he’s dating my sister, so I say all is fair.”

“Better bring a blanket to wrap up in,” Russ said dryly. “You might catch your death exposing all that skin.”

Ripper glared at him. “It’s still summer weather.”

Russ shrugged, not backing down. “Naked is naked.”

“She’s not going to be naked.”

Russ folded his arms across his chest. “All I’m saying
, is
someone
is about to catch their death—one way or another.”

An image of Hunter beating Ripper to a pulp crossed my mind. Russ was right. This was going to get bad
quickly. I carefully folded the dress back into the box. “Thank you so much for this. Like I said, I’ll need some time to get ready.”

“I don’t mind waiting. I’ll follow you back to your place.”

“Me too,” Russ blurted out and Ripper turned to stare at him. “I, uh, forgot my notebook last night after we studied together.”

I felt relieved to know I wouldn’t be there alone with Ripper. “All right. Let’s get going then. Russ, you can ride with me.”

Ripper opened the car door for me, giving a wink as I slid past. “I can’t wait to see you in that dress,” he said in a low voice.

I smiled weakly, massive nerves flitting about in my stomach. He closed the door behind me
, and I started the engine.

“This is
so
not good,” Russ muttered.

I backed the car from the space. “Call Hunter
—now.”

Chapter Thirteen

Hunter-

I entered the club with Roberta hanging on my arm. She was excited and had been filling my head with nonstop chatter about dancing, but I only wanted to see Cami and make sure she stayed safe. I was so desperate to get here after Russ called, I thought I might die before my work shift was over. I quickly searched the room, initially skimming past the leggy redhead standing at the bar sipping a drink beside Ripper. My brain suddenly registered what I’d seen, and my head felt like it was going to explode as two emotions slammed into me simultaneously.

Lust and rage.

I’d never seen Cami dressed so provocatively before, and instantly I knew Ripper had bought her the dress. Her gorgeous curly hair was pulled away from her face and neck, piled loosely on her head. She wore big gold hoop earrings, and her makeup was done heavier than normal. The slinky outfit clung to her perfect body like a second skin. Dipping low enough in the front to show off the top of her cleavage, it scooped so low in the back it bordered being indecent, causing my temperature to raise even more. The hemline fell just past her tiny round butt, and I couldn’t help wondering what she was wearing underneath it. If she bent over, or if the dress rode up even an inch, I’d have my answer. Her creamy legs were bare down to the fashionable black heels she wore. They were the most conservative things she had on, and I recognized them as something she’d worn previously.

My first thought was to storm across the room, throw her
over my shoulder, and drag her out of here—case be damned.

I took a deep breath, knowing I need
ed to calm myself, but then Ripper
touched
her. His hand drifted across the bare skin of her back, skimming the lower part her dress before coming to rest on her bare thigh. He traced a finger against her leg, and she shifted away slightly. Everything in my vision went red. The blaring rhythm of the music matched the pounding aggression flooding through my system, and I could only process one thought: I was going to kill him.

Roberta stumbled as I yanked her forward, clamoring to regain her balance and gripping my arm tighter. I didn’t slow down—even when I heard her let out a very unladylike curse, but I didn’t care about her at the moment. All I could think of was the need to plant my fist squarely in Ripper’s face.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I shouted, when I reached his side. I shoved his shoulder, and he fell back against the bar before standing to face me.

“Back it off, man,” he
yelled loudly above the music. His body was tense, ready to strike.

“I told you my sister was off limits! What part of that did you not understand?” I was struggling to keep myself in control, but losing the battle fast.

“Are you saying I’m not good enough for her? The street goes both ways, Hunter. You’re dating my sister. That makes yours fair game.”

I felt like I was going to grind my teeth into dust, I was clenching them so hard. He had a point
, and I didn’t know how to respond. I needed to get a grip.

“Did you buy her that dress?” I asked, folding my arms
across my chest. Cami stood stock still, unspeaking, eyes darting back and forth between us, and I could tell she was scared by my reaction.

Ripper grinned and glanced at Cami, letting his gaze travel hotly
over her. “I did. Doesn’t she look fabulous?”

She looked incredible, but I wasn’t about to admit
it. Thankfully, Roberta stepped forward, picking her own fight.

“You made me cover up when I wore something this revealing to the club! You’re always telling me to dress different—unless it suits
your
purpose!” She shoved her finger accusingly into his chest. “Then you go and buy something like this? Isn’t that a bit of a double standard?” She wasn’t faking. She was really angry.

“You’re
my
sister,” he replied with a shrug as if that explained everything.

“Yeah, well, she’s
mine
,” I replied, grabbing Cami by the arm. “Now if you don’t mind, my sister and I need to have a private conversation.” I pulled her away from the bar, but Ripper reached out and stopped me.

“Don’t be upset with her, dude. I bought it for her. She was
only trying to please me.” He glanced between Cami and me.

“I’ll be fine,” Cami finally spoke up. “Let Hunter talk to me. If he doesn’t let it out now, he’ll be ranting about it all night. I’d rather get it over with.”

Ripper slowly released me and sat back down, giving a slight nod. Roberta slipped up to the bar, and I heard her calling for a bartender as I led Cami away toward the hall that led to the restrooms. I was still fuming.

I threw open the door to the ladies room. “Everybody out!” I shouted at the women who were reapplying makeup at the counters. I must have sounded angry enough because no one even questioned me. They quickly grabbed the
ir things and rushed out the door. I checked to make sure the few stalls were empty before I flipped the lock and turned to face Cami.

She was glowing, her eyes bright, clearly happy to see me, and the anger towards Ripper drained away when she smiled.

My eyes traveled over her and my hands naturally reached out to follow them, tracing her wickedly defined curves. “You look—”

“Like a tramp?” she asked with a laugh, blushing.

I shook my head. “No. You look rather amazing actually. It’s kind of killing me. I can’t hardly even see straight, let alone think coherently.” My hands slid past the hem of her dress. “I’m dying to know what you’re wearing underneath this thing.”

She grinned; stepping forward to close what little space was between us and wrapped her arms around my neck. I noticed she had a
small purse dangling from a strap on her wrist. I’d missed that before.

“I bet you are.” She grinned and bit her plump bottom lip, not volunteering any more information. It didn’t matter—I still groaned. I was strung tighter than a kite
, and seeing her dressed like this had kicked my imagination well into overdrive.

I took a deep breath, attempting to think coherently. “Ripper’s not going to leave you alone.”

“I kind of figured that out. What should I do now?”

“If he wants to d
ate you, then we need to try and stay together. Visit him at places and times where you know I’ll be. He’s dangerous, Cami. And he’s not buying you gifts for his own health. He wants to peel you out of this dress as badly as I do. I have no idea how you’ll be able to keep fending him off.”

“I’ll tell him the truth—that I’m a virgin, and I’m not ready to take that step. Maybe he’ll lose interest then.”

I shook my head. “I doubt it. He’ll most likely see it as a challenge and try to wear down your defenses. And if he touches you, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

“You’re going to have to let him touch me, Hunter, at least in some capacity. Otherwise he’ll be suspicious of why you’re so overprotective of me.”

I growled in frustration. “I can’t do this! I’m ready to throw this whole dang case right now. It’s not worth it. I just want to come home and be with the girl I love.”

“Have you found out anything else?” she asked, lifting a hand to my cheek and stroking it softly. “I mean do you have anything on him?”

I nodded, nuzzling against her palm. I missed her caresses. “I’ve got him for grand theft auto. I helped him steal a car the other night. He has a whole garage hidden away in that massive warehouse of his. Some stuff they chop and sell for parts, but a lot are left intact and resold, mostly the more expensive models. They drive those to Las Vegas and sell them for cash on the black market. He has quite the setup going.”

“Who is ‘they’?”

“He has a couple of buddies that help him out, Seth and Nick. I’m sure you’ll meet them soon enough. They’re almost always with him.”

“I hope not,” she responded, pulling my head down toward hers. “I might fall apart if you don’t kiss me right now.”

There was no way I was going to deny her request. I held her tightly as my lips descended, kissing her swift and hard. Her body relaxed, softening against me, and I could feel every part of her beautiful shape. It felt like the warmth of her was burning into my skin, branding me with her very essence, and I loved it.

I broke away long enough to pick her up and set her on the counter, bending to kiss the space
right behind her ear. “This dress and those heels make your legs look like they’re miles long,” I muttered against her neck.

“You like that?” she whispered running her hands
along my back.

“Too much, I’m afraid.” My breathing was increasing rapidly, right along with hers.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll protect you.”

I laughed in spite of everything, letting my hands continue to run
around her body. “But who’s going to protect you, Goody?”

“I don’t need protection from you.” Her hands traveled to my chest.

I snorted. “I beg to differ.”

There was a loud banging on the door
, and we instantly broke apart from each other.

“Cami? You okay?” Ripper’s voice came through the door.

“I’m fine,” Cami replied, her voice sounding agitated. “Just trying to get my boneheaded brother to see things my way.”

“It’s not going to happen,” I replied loudly as I helped Cami slide off the counter.

“Hunter, lay off her why don’t ya? She’s a big girl now. You need to loosen up.”

Cami quickly opened the tiny bag strapped to her wrist and pulled out her lip-gloss, applying a fresh coat.

“She’ll always be my little sister, so back off and let me handle this.”

“Cami, let me in,” Ripper said.

She gave me a quick glance and gestured to my mouth. I wiped it with my hand, removing some of her shiny lip-gloss that had transferred to me. She nodded and went to the door and opened it.

“Welcome to the lecture hall,” she said, moving out of the way so he could step inside.

Ripper glanced between us. “You may want to take this outside or something. There’s quite the line forming out there.”

“No worries. We’re finished,” Cami said and she stormed out the door.

“Stay away from her,” I warned Ripper. “She’s too young for you.”

“The age difference between her and me is barely wider than you and Roberta.
Chill, okay? I promise I’ll take good care of her.”

I stepped toward him. “She’s not used to guys like you. You’re a fast player
 . . . she’s . . . not experienced.”

“Geez, Hunter. It’s not like I’m gonna rape her or something. That’s not my style.”

I recognized my opening immediately and took it. “That’s exactly my point. She was almost raped, and it was a very traumatic experience for her. She’s very nervous about things that have to do with physical contact now.”

He went completely quiet. “Shit, man. I had no idea. Did they catch the bastard?” Ripper asked seriously, clearly pondering this new information.

“He got his due punishment.” I could feel my anger at Clay resurfacing as the mental images of him on top of her that night flashed through my mind.

“Which was what?”

“He was shot and killed.”

Ripper’s eyes widened. “By who?”

“By me,” I said, lying about that part of the story.

“You killed him?” He was obviously shocked. “How’d you manage to get away with
it?”

I shook my head and grabbed my shirt, pulling the neck over until he could plainly see the scar on my chest. “The guy shot me first. It was clearly a case of self-defense. We wrestled for the gun. I was the lucky one who got it in the end.”

Ripper shook his head, and I could see the admiration in his eyes. “I had no idea, bro. That’s crazy.”

“Now you know—I’ll do
anything
to protect Cami.
Anything
. I won’t let anyone hurt her again.”

He held up his hands in a surrendering gesture. “Dude, I get it. I won’t harm her. She can control the ride.”

Relief coursed through me, and I hoped he was sincere. If he was, then I’d successfully bought Cami some time and given her a plausible excuse for why she wouldn’t get too close to him.

“I’m trusting you, man. Don’t break it. My family means everything to me.”

He nodded and clapped me on the shoulder. “I’ll be careful with her.”

I left the room, not bothering to see if he was following. There were several curious stares from the line of women waiting outside, but I didn’t care what they were thinking. I was happy that
, for the time being at least, things would be a little safer for Cami.