Cam’s cheeks redden. ‘I could always keep you company. I’m dropping some stuff off anyway… I mean, if you want to. It’s fine if you’re too tired.’
‘I’d love to. It’ll be nice to show you my normal side,’ I say, pulling a funny face. ‘Let me know what time you’ll be coming by so that I have time to hide the cauldron and the love potions.’
‘Planning to put me under your spell?’ He’s matching my crazy and I like it. ‘No need. I’m all yours. See you later.’
I close the door behind him and sag to the floor. I’m out. I’m out of the villa and I have a date with Cam tonight. Tonight! My emotions are swirling around inside me. I love him. I absolutely love and adore him.
I run a hot, soapy bath. The hotel has provided a large selection of toiletries and smellies that I am going to take full advantage of. Even in this heat, I think it will be the only thing to calm me down. My heart feels like butterfly wings buzzing in my chest. The last week has been insane. It isn’t until I relax into the luxurious bubbles that I realise how intense being on camera 24/7 has been. But that is nothing compared to falling head over heels in love.
* * *
Three hours later, I answer the door to Cam. ‘Tyrone is still sleeping. I texted to ask if he’d like to join us for a bite to eat later,’ he blurts.
‘Great. Thank you. Come in,’ I say, trying not to sound stiff and awkward. I smell amazing, and the fluffy white robe looks good against my tan, my hair is hanging in shiny loose curls, and because I’m devoid of any make-up, I am using extreme shyness as blusher.
‘You look… clean,’ he says coyly. ‘I brought you these.’ He thrusts a bunch of wildflowers at me. They are gorgeous. I inhale the scent.
‘Thank you so much. Erm, drink?’
‘What do you have?’ He sounds as nervous as me.
Good point. ‘I could rustle up some water from the bathroom tap.’
He starts laughing. ‘I also brought this.’ He produces a bottle of chilled white wine. ‘I thought we might order room service. Are you hungry?’
My eyes light up. He really is my dream man. I get a wave of scented woody spice as he passes me to pick up the menu from the side table in the hotel room. We go outside onto the balcony and take in the expanse of wild jungle before us. It stretches for miles in all directions. Miles and miles of uninterrupted thick green wilderness set against a setting sun. There are two chairs and a small round table facing out over the jungle.
The heat hits me instantly.
‘If it’s too hot we can always go back inside,’ he says, looking back into the room where there is a massive king-size bed and very little else. He clears his throat. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…’
‘It’s fine. I didn’t think you did,’ I say hastily. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t… not on a first… or even a second… Never. No. Not never. But eventually, maybe.’
I’m not sure where I’m going with this. Am I telling him he’ll be waiting a very long time to get into my knickers? Possibly decades? My cheeks flame.
‘Sorry. I know we agreed to take things slowly. I’m just so nervous.’
We lock eyes and I see relief spread across his face. ‘Thank Christ. Me too. I’ve been a wreck all afternoon.’
‘Really?’
‘I got changed at least four times.’ He shakes his head. ‘I never was any good at dating.’
‘What a relief. I’m positively awful. I might spill wine over you on purpose, just to get it out of the way.’
Cam chuckles. ‘Okay, but only if you let me trip over and break something expensive.’
‘Fine, be my guest. I’m not keen on that lamp. Let’s consider this a good date if neither of us leaves in tears, in debt or in an ambulance.’
‘Deal. Although, I’m sure you’re way better at dating than I am. You’re smart, funny?—’
‘I’ll have to ask you to stop there,’ I say abruptly. ‘I will not be held accountable for my actions if you insist on showering me with compliments in this ridiculous manner.’
Cam bursts out laughing, reaching out his hand to brush a wisp of hair from my eyes. My heart stops beating for a full second as he leans towards me and plants a light kiss on my lips. They tingle at his touch, making me long for him to do it again.
‘You’re looking at me that way again,’ he says hoarsely. He cups my face and draws me in. This time his kiss is longer, deeper and growing more passionate by the second. My whole body feels on fire at his touch. I respond by running my hands through his soft hair and down his back, causing him to let out a low moan of desire. He pulls me closer to cover my neck in sweet kisses that send electricity shooting through my body.
We kiss for hours. The sun sets. The sky is bright with stars by the time we come up for air.