Tempting Cameron Read Online Free Page A

ever paid much attention to her before.
    “He apologized? Oh, Chloe.” Ali frowned, her expression full of all that unwanted sympathy.
    “Stop. I’m fine. Really, I am.” She remained quiet for a moment as they trudged up yet another hill. The air grew warmer, the cars driving around the lake headed for the docks moving at a steady stream. It was going to be a busy one today. Looked like the tourists were out in droves. “It was a mistake.”
    “You never know. If it had continued, you two might’ve ended up back at your place, doing the dirty.” Ali waggled her brows.
    “Please. Like he’d want to do the dirty with me, as you so eloquently put it.” Chloe shook her head, thankful they were in the homestretch of their walk. “He’s leaving soon anyway.”
    “Are you craving something long-term with Cameron? Otherwise, why would it matter if he’s leaving soon?”
    “I’m not about to consider a one-night stand.” Perish the thought. She’d never done anything like that in her life.
    Plus, she was afraid one night with Cameron would never be enough.
    “I didn’t say a one-night stand. But I heard he’s in town for a few weeks.”
    Chloe paused, making Alison stop as well. “Who told you that?”
    “Well, Mac did.” Ali looked away, almost as if afraid to meet her friend’s gaze. Strands of dark blond hair escaped her ponytail, swirling about her face, tickling her cheeks. She was pretty, with cornflower blue eyes and a willowy figure. Chloe could be sickeningly jealous of her if Alison wasn’t such a good friend. “We were talking last night at the reception. And he told me his brother planned on sticking around for a while.”
    “I had no idea,” Chloe breathed as they started walking once again. Her mind raced with possibilities. Cameron was in Lone Pine Lake for the next few weeks, which meant…what? Would he contact her? Probably not. But chances were she’d definitely run into him again. Would it be awkward and painful? Or would he pretend nothing had happened?
    She didn’t know which option was worse.
    “Mac said he was going with some friends to The Pine Tree tonight,” Ali said, her voice deceptively casual. She was referring to the local bar and grill where they liked to hang out. “He invited me. Want to come along?”
    “I don’t know. I haven’t gone to The Tree in ages.”
    “Me neither. It’ll be fun. And you never know—maybe Cam will be there.”
    “Huh. I doubt it.” She didn’t have that sort of luck. She’d run into him somewhere far more embarrassing, like at the market among the vegetables or while hanging out lakeside wearing nothing but her swimsuit.
    Just the thought of him seeing her in a swimsuit made her want to walk the lake trail again.
    Well. Maybe not.
    “Let me check.” Ali whipped out her cell phone, her fingers flying on the keypad.
    “Who are you texting?”
    “Mac.” Ali kept her gaze trained on her cell screen, her face screwed up in concentration. “I’m asking who’s going tonight.”
    Chloe watched her friend carefully. “And what are you doing with Mac’s number anyway? I didn’t realize you two were that close.” Again, adding fuel to her suspicious fire that maybe something more was going on between her two friends.
    Ali shrugged, her demeanor nonchalant. “We’re not close. Casual friends, that’s it. He gave me his phone number a while ago, more like an emergency thing, I guess.”
    “An emergency thing? Like what, you need help mulching your yard and he’s the man to call?” Mac owned the local nursery and gardening center in Lone Pine Lake. Had bought it when the owner, his old boss, retired two years ago.
    “Shut up,” Ali muttered. “And I’ll have you know he’s been a tremendous help with starting my garden this year.”
    “Starting your garden. That’s an interesting way to put it.” Chloe squealed and ran when her friend tried to yank on the end of her ponytail.
    “I didn’t give you any grief about