Broken Beginnings (Citrus Cove, #1)

by Clio Evans

“Cameron Harlow, you put me fucking down before I kick you in the balls! Put me down!”

My grip on her tightened. “Easy, darlin’. I just want to get you patched up.” My voice was a Southern laissez-faire,

“Cameron, I’m fine. I don’t want your help. You’re the last motherfucker in the state that I’d like to see right now. I’m going,” she snapped, heading toward the door. “Woman, if you don’t sit down and let me make sure you’re okay, I’m going to call your grandma and tell her you need stitches.” Haley made a noise somewhere between a gasp and

Second dress I’ve ruined. I’m sorry for both. I don’t know how to make it up to you, but hopefully this can be the start. - Cam

“You better be nice to him,” she scolded. “I’ll be sweeter than a peach.”

Giving gifts and being prepared for anything were two of my love languages. Not that I was in love with her.

I looked at the beer in my hands and let out a humorless laugh. He caught my gaze and then shocked me by getting down on his knees in front of me. “Pour it,” he said. “Cam,” I sighed. “I don’t need to be petty.” “It would feel kind of good though, right?” Doing the same thing he’d done to me all those years ago? I turned it over in my head, mulling on it as I held his baby blues. Yeah. Well. There was a time and place to take the highroad, but he was right. I tipped the beer and poured it over his head. It rushed down his face and dripped down his shirt, glistening as it doused him. I waited until every last drop had been poured out. He opened one eye, squinting at me. I couldn’t help but smile. He smiled too. “You’re a bastard,” I sighed.

“Show me the ropes, cowboy.” “As you wish, sunshine.”

“I do want you. I want you like a garden wants the sun. When I see you, I can’t see anything else. I want you and no one else. Maybe I’ve always wanted you.”

When I finally got to kiss the woman of my dreams, it was going to be perfect. Because after tonight, I’d realized two things. One, Haley was meant to be mine. Two, I was going to spend every waking moment showing her that I was meant to be hers.

“On my knees, sunshine. I’m begging you to let me take you on a picnic and spoil you and for you to let me take a ride in that Corvette.”