The Stubborn Suitor, Complete Series (An Alpha Billionaire In Love BBW Romance) (18 page)

Drew’s deep voice rang with sincerity, and his whiskey-colored eyes were full of passion and what almost looked like love. Cami didn’t want to believe that that was even a possibility, but she could feel her resolve slipping all the same. Drew must have noticed her hesitation, as his hands left her own and he slowly brought them up to cup her cheeks. His softly stroked her face with his thumbs, looking at her with an even more loving expression than he had only seconds before.

“Trust me. Please.” he whispered before leaning forward to press his lips to hers.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant and gentle. But his lips were so warm and enticing against hers that Cami leaned into them against her own will, deepening the kiss. Drew took that as all the consent he needed, moaning as his lips pressed more firmly against hers and his tongue licked its way into her mouth. Cami moaned as well, savoring the taste and feel of him.

Drew pressed into her, pushing her back against the wall beside the door. She could feel his body responding, hardening inside his pants. Cami herself was now growing hot and hungry as the kiss intensified. She was reminded of their last time together—the last few times, to be exact—and she felt her body pulse with need at the memories.

Just when Cami expected things to escalate even more, Drew pulled back with a sigh.

“My ride is here,” he whispered against her lips before leaning in to kiss her one last time. “Goodnight, Cami. See you tomorrow.”

Cami didn’t even reply. She just nodded and slumped against the door once he’d shut it behind himself. She brought her fingers to her lips, touching the place where she could still feel the ghost of his mouth and the taste of his tongue against hers.

Cami realized that she was probably making a huge mistake, but she also knew that she was too far gone to fight the thing that was developing between them. Whatever happened was going to happen—she was helpless to fight it anymore—so she might as well enjoy the ride.

D
rew slumped
against the back of the town car, closing his eyes with a sigh as the driver took him to his house.

The night had gone better than expected. He’d thought he’d maybe run into Cami—if he was lucky—and they would argue. He’d assumed things wouldn’t be resolved easily, but he’d at least get to—hopefully—see her beautiful face and let her know that he was still around and not planning on going anywhere.

Instead, he’d found her in need of assistance and he’d been able to play the knight in shining armor, swooping in and being exactly what she needed. It wasn’t everything she would need in order to feel secure in their relationship again—if she ever had—but it was a start. It was way more than he could have hoped for.

And he’d had way more fun than he’d thought he would while spending time with Madison. Drew had always known that he loved children—and he spent a good amount of time with his nephew Robbie—but Madison had been a delight that he hadn’t been expecting. She was just as spirited and lively as her mother. She had her intelligence as well. Despite the short amount of time he’d been around Cami’s daughter, he found himself feeling as attached to her as he was to her mother.

As they had played together and then eaten together—with Madison perched happily on Drew’s lap—he couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if they were a real family; if both Cami and Madison were
his
family
.

One day,
he told himself. One day that dream would be a reality—he would ensure it. As he’d watched Madison pick up her daughter earlier in the evening, he’d stared daggers at the man who currently called himself Madison’s father. Even before Drew had the pleasure of getting to know Madison, he had known that Cami’s ex was complete scum—undeserving of the title of a father. And Drew was going to make sure the man didn’t carry it for long.

His home was brightly lit when Drew got home, which was still surprising. Drew wasn’t used to having a house full of people. Not that it was
full
per se, but Robbie was such a handful that he made it feel full all on his own.

“Uncle D,” came a screech from the boy in question as Robbie threw himself at him, assuming that he would be caught before he hit the ground.

And, of course, Drew lunged forward to scoop his nephew into a tight hug. “I’m surprised you’re still up, little man,” Drew said, raising an eyebrow at his sister, who had followed her son into the room.

“Yeah, I guess his uncle had brought him some candy from New York City, which he ate in one sitting, without telling me,” Elsie replied, raising an eyebrow of her own. “He’s all yours to put to bed, since this is your fault.”

Elsie smirked, and Drew couldn’t even find it in himself to complain. It had been so long since he’d seen his sister smile—years, really, after her marriage had started taking a drastic turn for the worse—and he was powerless against it now. Instead, he carried his nephew into the room that had quickly become the boy’s bedroom. There were already superhero posters all over the walls, and the bed was shaped like the Bat-mobile.

“I can’t believe you’re wearing Spider-man pajamas,” Drew teased as he set Robbie down on the bed. “How can you even live with yourself, crawling into the Bat-mobile in Spider-man pajamas? What would Batman say?”

“Batman and Spiderman are friends,” Robbie replied, launching into a long-winded, sugar-fueled tale about Batman and Spiderman’s crime-fighting adventures.

Drew wasn’t even really listening, though he nodded and gasped at regular intervals as if he was. Instead, he simply marveled at the excitement in his nephew’s eyes—excitement that hadn’t been there a month ago.

Since Elsie had left her abusive husband, Robbie had flourished. While both Drew and his sister had expected the boy to take it hard, crying and asking for his father at regular intervals, Robbie had proved them wrong. The shy and mostly silent child had become a rowdy, rambunctious boy.

Drew couldn’t imagine the trouble he and Madison could get up to together. He couldn’t wait to schedule a play date between the two of them. He also wanted Cami and Elsie to get to know each other—they both had similar stories.

Elsie probably felt like she already knew Cami, given how much Drew had been talking about her. He had expected his sister to give him a hard time—she’d never liked his ex-wife, after all. But Elsie had been nothing but supportive, listening patiently as Drew rambled on and on about the woman who had captured his heart.

Eventually, Robbie’s energy petered out and Drew kissed him on the forehead before leaving him to drift off to sleep—probably still fighting crime with the superheroes in his head.

When he made his way back into the living room, Elsie was still up. She motioned for him to sit next to her on the sofa and handed him a glass of wine.

“So?” she prompted once he was comfortable.

“So?” he repeated, playing dumb.

“I take it that, since you weren’t back twenty minutes after you left, you at least got to see her.”

“Yeah,” Drew replied, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face as he thought about the night he’d just had.

“C’mon, tell me all about it.”

“I actually got there right in time. Her car wouldn’t start, and she needed to pick up her daughter from her ex’s house. So I gave her a ride.”

“Did you get to meet the scumbag?” Elsie asked excitedly, having heard all about Cami’s custody battle.

“No,” Drew moped. “But I glared at him from the car. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Down, boy,” Elsie replied, patting his head as if he were a dog. “So, then what?”

“Well, I guess Cami had promised Madison that they would do something fun when she picked her up, but without a car, she was at a loss. So I agreed to chauffeur them. We went to Chuck-E-Cheese.”

Elsie’s entire face lit up at the news.

“You got to spend time with her daughter?” she gushed. “That’s a big deal. Huge!”

“I know,” Drew replied, the dopey smile on his face getting even bigger. “And it was great. Madison was great. She’s so much like her mother—fiery and intelligent. And watching Cami with her daughter, oh my God—it made me love her more, if that’s possible.”

Drew suddenly realized that he’d used the word
love
and slammed his mouth shut, but it was too late. Elsie had noticed. Her eyes got wide and soft.

“Ohhhhh,” she cooed. “That’s so sweet. So things are good between you two now?”

Drew took a deep breath, thinking his answer over before he replied.

“Not yet—not completely, at least. But I think they will be. I’m going over there tomorrow night to cook them both dinner. And, honestly, I could use your help. I have no idea what to make for a three-year-old.”

“Oh, don’t sweat it. Just make lobster mac-and-cheese. Kids love it, and Cami will appreciate that you made the meal sophisticated enough with the lobster. I have a recipe, in fact. Trust me, you can’t go wrong.”

“Thanks, Elsie,” he replied as he rose. He leaned down and kissed his sister on the forehead. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too,” she replied with a slightly sad smile.

Later, Drew lay in bed awake for a long time, mentally planning the meal he would make the following evening. His mind then shifted to what it would be like if he, Cami, and Madison were a real family. Outings like the one they had gone on tonight would be a regular occurrence.

They’d make dinner together, take vacations together—Drew smiled at the thought of Madison at Disney World. She’d be even more exhausting than she’d been tonight, but it would be so worth it to see her face light up and hear her squeals of delight. Drew wasn’t sure how his mind had moved from planning a dinner to planning their future together, but he knew that it would happen.

He just needed to play his cards right tomorrow night.

J
ust as Drew had promised
, a tow truck arrived the following morning at 7:30 sharp. The men were quick and skillful at their job, and in only a matter of minutes, the car was all hooked up and ready to go.

“We’re taking her across town to Executive Motors,” the driver said, handing her a business card that listed the auto mechanic’s address and phone number.

She tried to offer the men a tip, but they both assured her that they’d already been well taken care of. Cami wondered how much Drew had already spent on her but tried not to think about it in the moment. She’d find a way to pay him back—though it might not be until after her custody trial.

A quick Google search revealed that Executive Motors was the most well reviewed—and most expensive—auto shop in town. As with the tow truck, Cami forced the worry from her mind, knowing that Drew would most likely pay for everything and she would think of a way to pay him back later.

Nervously, Cami then loaded Madison into Drew’s BMW and headed towards her mother’s house. She’d never driven a car half as expensive and, at first, she was convinced that she’d do something to ruin it. However, she soon relaxed and began enjoying the smooth, quiet ride. It wasn’t until she was behind the wheel of a luxury car that she realized how poorly her ten-year-old piece of junk performed.

“I didn’t hear you pull up,” her mother said as Cami carried Madison inside.

“Um…” Cami replied, not sure how to tell her mom the truth.

Instead, she busied herself with getting Madison situated. When she came back into the living room, her mother was standing in the open door way, hands on her hips, looking at the BMW with a raised eyebrow.

“You better start explaining—and that explanation better not include the robbery of a car dealership,” her mom said, though there was humor in her voice.

“Actually,” Cami said as she walked towards the car, “it’s a little more complicated than that.”

“I’m listening!” her mother replied.

“So…I was heading out to go pick up Madison from Ken’s last night when my good-for-nothing car wouldn’t start. I was about to call you to come pick me up when Drew pulled into the driveway.”

“I thought you’d ended it with that boy,” her mom stated, though she was smiling.

Cami knew her mother thought she should have tried harder to make things work with Drew, if only for his money. Cami rolled her eyes.

“I tried. And I hadn’t heard from him in a week. Turns out he’d been on a business trip and had just returned. He ended up taking me to get Madison and he left me his car until mine is fixed.”

She left out the part about dinner and about being half in love with him already. But she knew her mother could see it in her face, as she was beaming at her daughter with a knowing look.

“Isn’t that nice.”

“I’ll pay him back,” Cami said, trying not to smile in return. “Now I have to leave or I’m going to be late. I won’t be late tonight. I’m not picking up any extra time so I’ll be here at five.”

“See you then,” her mother said, still smiling as she turned back into her house.

As soon as she was out of her mother’s view, Cami finally let the dopey grin she’d been suppressing spread across her face. Fight as she might, she couldn’t keep it off her face throughout her entire shift.

She thanked her lucky stars that Maggie didn’t usually work Mondays as her best friend would have known something was up. Ashley continued to give her odd looks, but thankfully didn’t ask. Ashley was much better about knowing when Cami wasn’t ready to talk about something yet.

W
hen her shift was over
, she almost got confused in the parking lot, looking for her own car. She was a little self-conscious as she climbed into the sleek vehicle and looked around to make sure none of her coworkers had seen her. She really didn’t want to answer any questions.

“Stay for dinner,” her mother said as soon as Cami was through the door.

“I can’t,” Cami replied. “I have plans.”

“Plans, huh?” her mother asked. She seemed a little too happy at the news. “Anything to do with that fancy car you’ve got outside?”

“No, Mom,” Cami deadpanned. “I don’t have plans with a car.”

Her mother didn’t answer, just continued to smile as Cami readied Madison and headed home. To her surprise, she was home less than ten minutes when Drew pulled up in her driveway. He was driving a classic Thunderbird, painted baby blue, which had its top down.

“A little ostentatious, don’t you think?” Cami asked as Drew pulled a few bags of groceries from the back seat.

“Yeah,” Drew said a little sheepishly, though Cami had only been joking. “That’s why I don’t actually drive it much. But someone else has my other car.”

Now it was Cami’s turn to look sheepish.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “You can have it back any time.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Drew replied, following her into the house. “I’m happy to loan it to you. And my baby out there doesn’t get driven nearly enough. I’m sure she’s excited to get out on the road.”

“She?” Cami asked as Drew moved ahead of her into the kitchen and placed the bags on the counter. “The tow truck guys from this morning referred to my car as a she as well. What’s with that?”

Drew just shook his head, feigning disappointment.

“Women never understand,” he muttered under his breath.

Cami opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a little body shooting past her.

“Drew!” Madison squealed as she wrapped her tiny arms around Drew’s leg.

Cami swallowed and tried not to melt as she watched the man in question bend down and scoop her daughter up.

“Hey, you little rascal. Have you had a good day?”

“Yep,” Madison replied, bringing her hand up to pat Drew’s cheek. “Chuck-E-Cheese?” she asked hopefully.

“Not today, kiddo,” he replied. “I’m going to make dinner tonight. Do you like macaroni and cheese?”

“She loves it,” Cami assured him as he began to unpack the groceries, Madison still in his arms.

“Good,” he said, “because I have an awesome recipe for homemade mac and cheese that you’ll love as well. He shot Cami a warm smile over Madison’s head and any attempt on Cami’s part not to melt failed.

“Can I help?” she asked, trying to keep her wits about her.

“Nope,” Drew replied as he pulled a bottle of wine—Cami’s favorite, of course—out of the bag. “You just sit and relax. Madison and I have got this.”

Drew sat Madison on the counter next to him, making sure she was safe and secure as he opened the wine and poured Cami a glass. Madison on his hip, he methodically scoped out her kitchen, opening cabinets and pulling out drawers until he knew exactly what she had and where it was located.

Feeling not needed—and not minding it one bit—Cami finally sat down at the counter and sipped her wine as she watched Drew and Madison make dinner. Though Drew obviously knew exactly what he was doing, he constantly asked Madison’s advice and let her help whenever it was safe for her to do so. The sight was almost too much for Cami to endure.

She couldn’t help but think about how this would work permanently. She could come home every night to the sight of this man cooking her dinner as he carried her daughter around on his hip. Cami felt her throat constrict at the thought as she tried her best to push the images out of her head.

To combat her wayward imagination, she continued to remind herself that she couldn’t trust Drew. He was hot and cold. That was his MO. Sure, he was all about Cami and Madison right now, but he’d already proved that they weren’t his top priority. She couldn’t let herself get attached and she shouldn’t be allowing her daughter to get attached either.

By the time they sat down to dinner, Cami was deep in her head, caught up in her own conflicting thoughts. Drew had to have noticed her change in mood, but he didn’t say or act any differently. When she was slow to respond, he would simply turn to Madison and speak to her instead.

Drew eventually handed Madison off to Cami to get situated in her highchair while he plated up their meals and brought them to the table. Cami had to admit that the food was amazing. Everyone had a healthy portion of homemade macaroni and cheese.

“This is amazing,” Cami gushed after she swallowed her first bite of the creamy pasta. “I’ve never had it home made before. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat the boxed kind again.”

“Glad you enjoy it,” Drew replied with a sheepish smile. “I have to admit, it’s my sister’s recipe. I wasn’t quite sure what to make for Madison.”

“Well,” Cami said, forgetting her reticence, “you did a great job.”

Dinner was a warm affair after that. Cami was surprised—though by now she probably shouldn’t have been—to see that Drew paused his own meal to help Madison eat just as much as Cami herself did.

After the meal, Cami excused herself to bathe her daughter and put her to bed. Drew told her to take her time, as he had a huge mess to clean up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Cami told him. “You cooked. The least I can do is clean.”

“I don’t mind,” Drew said. “You just take care of your daughter.”

Madison did not want to say good night to Drew and it was a fussy bath time. Thankfully, however, she’d tuckered herself out and was asleep before Cami could even finish one bedtime story.

Cami sat at the foot of her daughter’s bed for the second night in a row, too reluctant to go confront the man in her kitchen. But, Cami was under no delusions that Drew would leave if she hid out in Madison’s bedroom here long enough.

What was he expecting? Did he think they were going to have sex?
Were
they going to have sex? Did Cami want that? Her body was screaming yes, reminding her of their last few passionate trysts together. But, in her heart, she knew it was a bad idea.

Deciding to take each moment as it came, she eventually headed back towards the kitchen. To her surprise, the kitchen was spotless, with all the food put away and the dishes clean. But Drew was nowhere to be seen, so she wandered into the living room.

Drew was sitting at one end of the couch. On the coffee table before him was the bottle of wine, with both of their glasses topped off.

Hesitantly, Cami made her way into the living room and perched at the other end of the couch. Drew leaned forward, picking up her glass and handing it to her. But then, instead of staying close to her as Cami had been expecting, Drew returned to his end of the couch, leaving a good bit of distance between them.

“So,” Drew began. “I promised you an explanation.” Cami didn’t say anything, so Drew continued. “I know I’ve seemed distracted lately and haven’t been able to give you the attention you deserve. But that’s all changed now. I promise.”

Cami wanted to speak up, tell him that damn right, he hadn’t given her the attention she deserved, and to demand answers. But, instead, she remained silent, giving Drew a chance to speak his piece.

“For the last several months, I’ve been in the middle of trying to sell my company. When we met, at the Emersons’ beach house, I was only there because I was trying to impress an investor. The man—James Cook—was there with his awful wife and daughter. You met his daughter, remember? We had breakfast together. Her name was Analise… She wouldn’t shut up about herself.”

“I remember,” Cami replied.

Her mind went back to that weekend. She knew exactly the moment he was talking about. Cami and Drew had been having breakfast together the morning after they’d fooled around on the beach. He’d seemed to really be interested in her—until Analise had shown up. Then Drew had shifted his attention solely to the conceited model. Cami had been hurt and confused at the time but, if he was trying to impress her father, his actions made a bit more sense.

“Anyway. The man that was offering to buy my company, Sylvester Kenton, he didn’t want to finalize the deal until
his
investor—Cook—signed off on it. And Cook didn’t want to sign off on the contract that I had insisted upon. You see, I was stipulating that none of my employees be terminated. I couldn’t bring myself to sell unless they were all secure. But I didn’t want to hold on to my company anymore. Too much stress. Too many long hours. I wanted to settle down, start a family. So that’s where my focus has been for the last few months. That’s why I’ve been busy and unable to treat you the way you deserve to be treated. But the deal was finalized on Saturday. The company is sold. I’m free to take care of you now and I want to do that.”

“Why,” Cami interrupted, genuinely bewildered, “why didn’t you just tell me that? It would have been so much easier than acting all hot and cold around me.”

“I’m sorry,” Drew said, looking down at his hands. “I should have. I guess that was just my own insecurities getting the better of me. I told you about my ex-wife, right? Pretty much every woman I meet is just after my money. I think I was scared to tell you that I was about to sell my company for two and a half a billion dollars until I was completely sure that you liked me for me.”

“Have I ever given you the impression that I was after your money?” Cami asked indignantly.

“No!” Drew assured her. “I know you aren’t like that. I think I’ve always known. That’s why I’ve been into you since the moment I met you. Well, one of the reasons. I was just being insecure. I know that now and I’m sorry.”