"First and foremost, I bought the hummingbird design from you and gave it to Claude because I knew she'd love it, and she did. Don't ever doubt that."

She lifted a brow. "And she just happens to have a friend who owns a gallery here in Chicago?"

He shrugged as he shifted into first gear and they started moving again. "Yeah, and?"

"And that was your intention all along, wasn't it?"

He flashed her a nonrepentant grin. "Guilty as charged."

She shook her head and laughed. "If I'd known you were going to make me and my stained-glass art the center of attention with your family, I never would have agreed to come with you tonight."

"Which is exactly why I didn't tell you ahead of time."

She knew she ought to be mad at him for interfering in her life and for giving her that initial push she needed to do something with her designs. But deep down inside she was too appreciative of his support and belief in her to summon any real anger.

Still, her own personal doubts surfaced, and her hands twisted in her lap. "I don't know if I'm ready to do something like this." A consignment shop was one thing. A high-end gallery was another.

His brows lifted in surprise at her confession. "Why not?"

"Because…" She drew a deep breath, hating the uncertainty knotting in her stomach. "Because it's just stained-glass art, and I'm sure a gallery owner is looking for something more unique than what I have to offer."

"And you'll give her unique," he said, flashing her a confident grin. "You need to show her your erotic pieces. Those are going to be what sets you apart from any one else who creates stained-glass art."

It was a phenomenal opportunity, so why in the world was she hesitating and so nervous? And then she realized a part of what was holding her back: a healthy does of fear.

If it was just her regular designs, her decision would have been an easy one to make. But she knew it was the more provocative pieces that would intrigue people the most and draw her the most attention. And that's where her fears came into play. Not only would she be putting her art on display for everyone to see, but so many of those erotic designs were like a window into her soul if anyone cared to look deep enough. Those unique creations were filled with her emotions, her hopes, her dreams… and everything she secretly wished for in her life but had been too afraid to embrace as her own.

As if sensing her wavering thoughts, he reached across the console, took her hand in his, and intertwined their fingers. "Just go and talk to her, Mia," he urged gently. "What can it hurt? If you find it's something you really don't want to pursue, then you'll have lost nothing but an hour of your time. But if things with Amy work out, it could change your whole life and future."

And that possibility scared her, too. For as much as she sometimes disliked working for the family business and how restricting it could be, the fact remained that it gave her security and stability, whereas the world of art was so unpredictable and uncertain. And very fickle.

Who would have thought she'd be afraid of anything?

"Promise me you'll at least talk to her, okay?" Cameron asked and gave her hand a squeeze.

She forced her doubts and insecurities away, knowing she had to at least meet with Amy or she'd always regret passing up such a prime opportunity. "Okay."

They arrived at her apartment building, and Cameron shut off the car. "Come on, I'll walk you to your place."

Once she was safely inside her apartment, he closed the door behind them. The kitchen and living room were dark and shadowed, indicating that either Gina wasn't home or she'd already gone to bed. So when Cameron turned toward her and slid his hand along her cheek and into her hair and then lowered his mouth to hers, she didn't hesitate to meet him halfway.

Kissing Cameron was not only a sensual experience, but it was magical, too. With just the touch of his lips, he made her entire body come alive. Her skin tingled, her belly tightened, and her nipples hardened into sensitive peaks. No other man had ever had such an immediate effect on her, and she reveled in the pleasure of losing herself in the softness and heat of his mouth on hers.

Gradually, he guided her back a few steps until her bottom came into contact with the nearest wall. He aligned his hard thighs and lean hips against hers, and there was no mistaking the erection straining between them. He placed his hands on her waist and nibbled at the corner of her mouth, used his tongue to trace the lower curve of her lip, and when she sighed he slipped inside and slowly deepened the kiss.

His mouth took hers, hot and soft and with a languid hunger that said how much he wanted her but was in no rush to take this into the bedroom. It had been so long since she'd just made out with a guy, and Cameron was showing her everything she'd been missing… the heady buzz of anticipation. The slow, agonizing buildup of sexual tension. The simmer of arousal making her restless and needy.

His hands slipped beneath her top and skimmed upward, stroking her skin all the way up to her sheer, lace bra. She waited for him to cup her in his palm, nearly trembling with the desire to have him touch her there, to drag his fingers across her aching nipples. But instead he merely caressed his thumbs just below her breasts, teasing her and making her moan in frustration.

She felt him smile against her lips just before he slanted his mouth across hers and seduced her with more of his slow, soft, erotic French kisses.

An eternity later he finally lifted his head, and they were both breathing hard. Her lashes fluttered open, and she stared into his hot green eyes, her lips wet and swollen from his generous kisses and her legs as weak as a newborn colt's. Luckily, his solid, male body offered all the support she needed.

Making out with Cameron was like enjoying a piece of Godiva chocolate, she decided dreamily… the kind that melted on your tongue, yet the pleasure lasted long after the candy was gone.

"God, that was almost better than sex," she said, amazed at just how much sensual enjoyment this man had given her with just his kisses.

He chuckled. "Mmm, that was nice," he agreed huskily, then sighed. "I should go."

"You don't have to," she said, much too anxiously.

He withdrew his hands from beneath her top, and she instantly missed the warmth of his touch. "I know, but I have a long day tomorrow and it starts early."

"All right." She was definitely disappointed, but she understood and she had to work in the morning, too. "Thanks for taking me to your parents' today. I really had a good time. Your family is wonderful." And after meeting everyone, it was easy to see why he was such a great guy.

Smiling, he slid his thumb along her jaw. "They enjoyed having you there, too."

Just as Cameron had promised, there had been no pressure from his siblings and no speculation about their relationship, which had made it easy for her to relax around them. Then she thought about next Saturday, when both she and Cameron would be at her cousin Steve's for his son's one-year birthday party, and wondered how they were going to pull that off with everyone believing they were still adversaries.

She expressed her concerns. "Today was easy enough being your friend, but how are we going handle next week with my family?"

He leaned his forehead against hers and grinned. "Very, very carefully."


MIA knocked lightly on her brother Scott's office door, then walked inside as Scott and her other brother Alex were discussing an upcoming restoration project they were interested in acquiring.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said as she came to a stop in front of Scott's desk. "Here are those contracts you needed, along with the typed-up estimate for the Franklin Building project that's going to bid tomorrow."

"Great." Scott reached for the stack of paperwork and set it down in front of him to review. "Thanks."

Alex, who was sitting in one of the two chairs in front of the desk, cast a sideways glance at Mia. "I've been meaning to ask you all morning. What's with the button-up suit you're wearing?"

Mia would hardly call her short cutaway jacket, constructed of a soft mint green tweed with braided trim along the lapel, buttoned up. Sure, the matching skirt hit her at the knee instead of inches above it, and the jacket only allowed a small glimpse of her cleavage, but the outfit was casual and comfortable. And most importantly, sophisticated and fashionable.

"What, a girl can't wear a suit to work every once in a while?" she asked.

"Well, sure," Scott said cautiously. "But that one you're wearing is just very…"

The right word seemed to allude her brother, but not Alex. "Nunlike," he supplied for Scott and laughed. "At least for you, anyway. That's more along the lines of what Dana would wear," he said, referring to his wife of a few months.

Scott leaned back in his seat. "I guess we're both used to your more… colorful outfits," he said, and Mia knew "colorful" was his way of softening what should have been termed as flashy or outrageous. "This nice suit just surprised us both."

She gave the hem of her jacket a tug. "Well don't get used to it, because I'm not changing my entire wardrobe." She'd worn the two-piece designer suit today because she had a meeting with Amy at her gallery and she wanted to look her professional best. She hadn't thought about how her brothers might react to the more reserved look.

"Mia…" Scott's tone was tentative, even a little concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." She went on alert, wondering what, exactly, her brother was getting at. "Why do you ask?"