Free Now and Forever Still by A.M. Johnson Page A

relationship shit. “What do you think, Sweets? August thirteenth?”
    Cammie’s blue eyes searched my face, and her lips spread slowly into a breathtaking smile. She had my number the day I pinned her to the floor and kissed her. “Really?” Her voice was small. How had I made her wait this long? I didn’t deserve her.
    “Really, baby.” Her long delicate fingers rested against her shaking lips, the diamond that sat on her ring finger was a reminder to do the right thing, to make this woman mine already for Christ’s sake. I spoke in a whisper so only she could hear. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a shit.”
    She nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “You have been.” Her laugh was watered down, but her smile was everything — it was big, so full of hope. My goddamn heart started to sprint.
    I glanced around the table and noticed everyone was lost with their own conversations. Elizabeth and Lily were talking kids. Todd and Sawyer were laughing about something, and Seth and Tiff were privately speaking in murmurs. Foreheads close, eyes on each other, hands… still linked. It was then I realized what a fucking idiot I was. My friends, my family, they were all moving on, doing their own thing, and I was just treading water. “Fuck it, Sweets. Let’s get married next month. Let’s do what you wanted to do in the first place.”
    “Vegas?” Cammie’s blue eyes were wide, her full, pink bottom lip between her teeth.
    I nodded, and she squealed. She actually squealed, and I narrowed my eyes as the table went quiet.
    “Did I hear Vegas?” Todd asked, giving me a smug smirk.
    “Hell yes.” Cammie’s tone was victorious.
    “Thank God.” Todd laughed. His remark pissed me off.
    “Like you have room to talk. When the fuck are you going to make an honest woman outta Lily?” I raised my eyebrow, and Todd’s jaw tightened.
    “Okay, settle down, Dixon.” Sawyer’s tone begged me to shut the fuck up.
    Elizabeth laughed. “Which one, sweetheart?”
    “Both of them.” He shook his head with a smartass grin before taking a long pull of his beer.
    Lily gave me a scowl. “We’re just fine, thank you very much.” Lily threw her fork at me, and it made a loud clang as it hit the floor. Shit, that girl had terrible aim.
    I chuckled. “Holy shit, bro, teach your girl how to throw.”
    Todd’s frown twitched as he fought his smile. “That was pretty bad, baby.”
    Lily swatted at his chest, and Cammie laughed.
    “I love you, Sweets.” My hands framed Cammie’s face, and I brought my lips to hers. The vanilla flavor of her lips mixed with her peach scent made me think of summer days and peach cobbler. Fuck, this girl got me going.
    She smiled, her lips still touching mine. “I love you too.” She pulled away enough to give me a wicked smirk and then leaned forward, speaking quietly in my ear. “Will you show me how a “ real Dixon man” does it?” Her hot breath on my neck, her hand at my waist, her thumb dipping dangerously low below my belt. I hissed.
    “Don’t temp me, Cammie. You lose this game every time.” My hand skated up her thigh, pushing the fabric of her dress higher as my finger slipped under the hem of her panties. I had to bite my cheek to suppress my groan. “Fuck, Sweets.” She was wet, and I suddenly couldn’t give a shit if our food ever got here. Hell, I was ready to leave.
    “Not today. Today I won.” She nipped my earlobe quickly and pulled away. Cammie took my hand from between her legs and licked my finger — my eyes widened. The rest of the group was oblivious as they argued over which casino would be best. “Hungry, baby?” she asked sweetly, as if she hadn’t just done the hottest damn thing.
    My nostrils flared. This brazen female — this hot as fuck chick — in one month was going to finally be my wife. What on earth had I been waiting for?
     

CAMMIE
    One Month Later
     
    THE REFLECTION IN THE mirror wasn’t me. It couldn’t be. I’d waited too long for