“Point taken.”
Ryder surprised him by stepping up and giving him a quick, one-armed hug before slapping him on the back of his head.
Cam glared at him and rubbed the back of his head. “What the hell was that for?”
“For being an idiot.” Then Ryder walked around his big truck to the driver’s door. He frowned when Cam climbed into the passenger seat. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Hitching a ride.” Cam smiled, pulling the door shut. “Vivi will find it difficult to toss me out on my ass when I don’t have a car, any access to cash or a phone.” Cam grinned. “Just hedging my bets.”
Ryder rolled his eyes as he settled in behind the wheel. “I’m not a damn taxi service,” he grumbled.
“I know.” Cam looked Ryder in the eye. “I’m also relying on you to not let me chicken out at any point between here and her place.”
Ryder started the pickup and the engine rumbled. “No problem. I’ll just keep slapping some sense into you.”
Tough love, Ryder style. Cam smiled, knowing that he wouldn’t need it.
He only needed his lover, the love of his life, and his daughter.
* * *
Sleep evaded her. It seemed sleep was only something she’d done before her accident and before meeting up with Cam again. So she was awake when she heard pounding on her front door. It was way past ten. Who the hell would be banging on her door at this hour?
Vivi flung back the thin sheet covering her thighs and wondered if it might be another flood warning. Panic caught in her throat and she hurried through her small house to the front door, jerking it open without checking the peephole.
Cam, looking—oh, let’s be honest here, simply wonderful—stood on her front porch.
“Check before you open, Viv. I could’ve been any random dude out to rob or rape you.”
Okay, he looked great but his attitude could use some work. “Did you come over here at this crazy hour to harangue me about not taking safety precautions?”
“No, but it’s an added bonus,” Cam muttered. He pushed a hand through his hair and scowled at her. “Are you going to make me do this outside?”
“Do what?” Vivi asked, confused.
Cam answered her by placing his hands on her hips and pulling her into his hot, strong body, wrapping his arms around her and capturing her mouth in a searing kiss she felt right down to her toes. Her hands found their way to his face—the face she’d missed so much—and she groaned softly. It would be so easy to boost herself up his body, wrap her legs around his hips and allow him to carry her to her bedroom. Judging by his intense kiss and the hardness pushing against her stomach, he’d have no problem with that idea.
One more time, for old times’ sake.
And then the pattern would be set. She’d push him away, he’d come back, they’d sleep together, and she’d realize it wasn’t enough and she’d end it again. No, she had to be strong and stop this in its tracks.
She didn’t want to be strong, though. She wanted to keep kissing Cam under her dull porch light.
Strangely, it was Cam who pulled away, Cam who stopped the craziness. He rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “I see you and my brain shuts down,” he said.
Was that a good or bad thing? She had no idea.
“Can we please go inside?” Cam asked her, his sweet breath warm on her face.
Vivi nodded and stepped back into her house. Cam closed the door behind him and flipped the lock. Vivi shook her head; she lived in a safe neighborhood and she wasn’t concerned about crime. But then she remembered that Cam had seen the darker side of life, had rubbed shoulders with some not very nice people, and remained silent.
“How’s Clem?” Cam asked, rocking on his heels.
He’d asked her the same question earlier and nothing had changed since then. “She’s asleep.”
Cam whipped around and walked down her short hallway to Clem’s room. Opening her door, Vivi watched as he walked inside to stare down at his daughter. She watched his face soften and his expression turn tender. His love for his daughter was indisputable and Clem was lucky to have such an amazing dad in her life. He’d protect her, love her, tease her and laugh with her. He’d be her first love, her shelter in any storm.